Hh
H , h /e I tʃ/ (H's, h's ) N‑VAR H is the eighth letter of the English alphabet.
ha /hɑː / also hah
1 EXCLAM Ha is used in writing to represent a noise that people make to show they are surprised, annoyed, or pleased about something. □ Ha! said Wren. Think I'd trust you?
2 → see also ha ha
ha. ha. is a written abbreviation for hectare .
ha|beas cor|pus /he I biəs kɔː r pəs/ N‑UNCOUNT Habeas corpus is a law that states that a person cannot be kept in prison unless they have first been brought before a court of law, which decides whether it is legal for them to be kept in prison.
hab|er|dash|er /hæ bə r dæʃə r / (haberdashers )
1 N‑COUNT A haberdasher or a haberdasher's is a shop where small articles for sewing are sold. [BRIT ]
2 N‑COUNT A haberdasher is a shopkeeper who makes and sells men's clothes. [AM ] in BRIT, use tailor 3 N‑COUNT A haberdasher or a haberdasher's is a shop where men's clothes are sold. [AM ] in BRIT, use tailor , tailor's
hab|er|dash|ery /hæ bə r dæʃəri/ (haberdasheries )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Haberdashery is small articles for sewing, such as buttons, zips, and thread, which are sold in a haberdasher's shop. [BRIT ] in AM, use notions 2 N‑UNCOUNT Haberdashery is men's clothing sold in a shop. [AM ]
3 N‑COUNT A haberdashery is a shop selling haberdashery.
hab|it ◆◇◇ /hæ b I t/ (habits )
1 N‑VAR A habit is something that you do often or regularly. □ [+ of ] He has an endearing habit of licking his lips when he's nervous. □ Many people add salt to their food out of habit, without even tasting it first. □ …a survey on eating habits in the U.K.
2 N‑COUNT A habit is an action which is considered bad that someone does repeatedly and finds it difficult to stop doing. □ [+ of ] Break the habit of eating too quickly by putting your knife and fork down after each mouthful. □ After twenty years as a chain smoker Mr Nathe has given up the habit.
3 N‑COUNT A drug habit is an addiction to a drug such as heroin or cocaine. □ She became a prostitute in order to pay for her cocaine habit.
4 N‑COUNT A habit is a piece of clothing shaped like a long loose dress, which a nun or monk wears.
5 PHRASE If you say that someone is a creature of habit , you mean that they usually do the same thing at the same time each day, rather than doing new and different things.
6 PHRASE If you are in the habit of doing something, you do it regularly or often. If you get into the habit of doing something, you begin to do it regularly or often. □ They were in the habit of giving two or three dinner parties a month. □ I got into the habit of calling in on Gloria on my way home from work.
7 PHRASE If you make a habit of doing something, you do it regularly or often. □ You can phone me at work as long as you don't make a habit of it. SYNONYMS habit NOUN 1
mannerism: His mannerisms are more those of a preoccupied math professor.
way: He denounces people who urge him to alter his ways.
quirk: Brown was fascinated by people's quirks and foibles.
foible: …human foibles and weaknesses.
idiosyncrasy: Everyone has a few little idiosyncrasies.
hab|it|able /hæ b I təb ə l/ ADJ If a place is habitable , it is good enough for people to live in. □ Making the house habitable was a major undertaking.
habi|tat /hæ b I tæt/ (habitats ) N‑VAR The habitat of an animal or plant is the natural environment in which it normally lives or grows. □ In its natural habitat, the hibiscus will grow up to 25ft.
habi|ta|tion /hæ b I te I ʃ ə n/ (habitations ) N‑UNCOUNT Habitation is the activity of living somewhere. [FORMAL ] □ 20 per cent of private-rented dwellings are unfit for human habitation.
ha|bitu|al /həb I tʃuəl/
1 ADJ A habitual action, state, or way of behaving is one that someone usually does or has, especially one that is considered to be typical or characteristic of them. □ If bad posture becomes habitual, you risk long-term effects. ● ha|bitu|al|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ His mother had a patient who habitually flew into rages.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use habitual to describe someone who usually or often does a particular thing. □ …the home secretary's plans for minimum sentences for habitual criminals.
ha|bitu|at|ed /həb I tʃue I t I d/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are habituated to something, you have become used to it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] We are all surrounded by and habituated to entertainment.
ha|bitué /həb I tʃue I / (habitués ) N‑COUNT Someone who is a habitué of a particular place often visits that place. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …a habitué of the same Soho drinking dens as Freud.
hack /hæ k/ (hacks , hacking , hacked )
1 VERB If you hack something or hack at it, you cut it with strong, rough strokes using a sharp tool such as an axe or knife. □ [V n] An armed gang barged onto the train and began hacking and shooting anyone in sight. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] Some were hacked to death with machetes. □ [V prep] Matthew desperately hacked through the leather.
2 VERB If you hack your way through an area such as a jungle or hack a path through it, you move forward, cutting back the trees or plants that are in your way. □ [V n prep/adv] We undertook the task of hacking our way through the jungle.
3 VERB If you hack at or hack something which is too large, too long, or too expensive, you reduce its size, length, or cost by cutting out or getting rid of large parts of it. □ [V adv/prep] He hacked away at the story, eliminating one character entirely. [Also V n]
4 N‑COUNT If you refer to a professional writer, such as a journalist, as a hack , you disapprove of them because they write for money without worrying very much about the quality of their writing. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …tabloid hacks, always eager to find victims in order to sell newspapers.
5 N‑COUNT If you refer to a politician as a hack , you disapprove of them because they are too loyal to their party and perhaps do not deserve the position they have. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Far too many party hacks from the old days still hold influential jobs.
6 VERB If someone hacks into a computer system, they break into the system, especially in order to get secret information. □ [V + into ] The saboteurs had demanded money in return for revealing how they hacked into the systems. ● hack|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …the common and often illegal art of computer hacking.
7 PHRASE If you say that someone can't hack it or couldn't hack it , you mean that they do not or did not have the qualities needed to do a task or cope with a situation. [INFORMAL ] □ You have to be confident and never give the impression that you can't hack it.
8 → see also hacking
hack|er /hæ kə r / (hackers ) N‑COUNT A computer hacker is someone who tries to break into computer systems, especially in order to get secret information.
hack|ing /hæ k I ŋ/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A hacking cough is a dry, painful cough with a harsh, unpleasant sound.
2 → see also hack
ha ck|ing jack|et (hacking jackets ) N‑COUNT A hacking jacket is a jacket made of a woollen cloth called tweed. Hacking jackets are often worn by people who go horse riding. [mainly BRIT ]
hack|les /hæ k ə lz/ PHRASE If something raises your hackles or makes your hackles rise , it makes you feel angry and hostile.
hack|neyed /hæ knid/ ADJ If you describe something such as a saying or an image as hackneyed , you think it is no longer likely to interest, amuse or affect people because it has been used, seen, or heard many times before. □ Power corrupts and absolute power absolutely corrupts. That's the old hackneyed phrase, but it's true.
hack|saw /hæ ksɔː/ (hacksaws ) N‑COUNT A hacksaw is a small saw used for cutting metal.
had The auxiliary verb is pronounced /həd, STRONG hæd/. For the main verb, and for the meanings 2 to 5 , the pronunciation is /hæ d/. 1 Had is the past tense and past participle of have .
2 AUX Had is sometimes used instead of 'if' to begin a clause which refers to a situation that might have happened but did not. For example, the clause 'had he been elected' means the same as 'if he had been elected'. □ [AUX n -ed] Had he succeeded, he would have acquired a monopoly. □ [AUX n -ed] Had I known what the problem was, we could have addressed it.
3 PHRASE If you have been had , someone has tricked you, for example by selling you something at too high a price. [INFORMAL ] □ If your customer thinks he's been had, you have to make him happy.
4 PHRASE If you say that someone has had it , you mean they are in very serious trouble or have no hope of succeeding. [INFORMAL ] □ Unless she loses some weight, she's had it.
5 PHRASE If you say that you have had it , you mean that you are very tired of something or very annoyed about it, and do not want to continue doing it or it to continue happening. [INFORMAL ] □ I've had it. Let's call it a day.
had|dock /hæ dək/ (haddock ) N‑VAR Haddock are a type of edible sea fish that are found in the North Atlantic.
Ha|des /he I diːz/ N‑PROPER In Greek mythology, Hades was a place under the earth where people went after they died.
hadn't /hæ d ə nt/ Hadn't is the usual spoken form of 'had not'.
haemo|glo|bin /hiː məgloʊ b I n/ in AM, use hemoglobin N‑UNCOUNT Haemoglobin is the red substance in blood, which combines with oxygen and carries it around the body.
haemo|philia /hiː məf I liə/ in AM, use hemophilia N‑UNCOUNT Haemophilia is a medical condition in which a person's blood does not thicken or clot properly when they are injured, so they continue bleeding.
haemo|phili|ac /hiː məf I liæk/ (haemophiliacs ) in AM, use hemophiliac N‑COUNT A haemophiliac is a person who suffers from haemophilia.
haem|or|rhage /he mər I dʒ/ (haemorrhages , haemorrhaging , haemorrhaged ) in AM, use hemorrhage 1 N‑VAR A haemorrhage is serious bleeding inside a person's body. □ Shortly after his admission into hospital he had a massive brain haemorrhage and died. □ These drugs will not be used if hemorrhage is the cause of the stroke.
2 VERB If someone is haemorrhaging , there is serious bleeding inside their body. □ [V ] I haemorrhaged badly after the birth of all three of my sons. □ [V ] If this is left untreated, one can actually haemorrhage to death. ● haem|or|rhag|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ A post mortem showed he died from shock and haemorrhaging.
3 N‑SING A haemorrhage of people or resources is a rapid loss of them from a group or place, seriously weakening its position. □ [+ of ] The haemorrhage of our brightest and most devoted doctors and nurses increases.
4 VERB To haemorrhage people or resources means to lose them rapidly and become weak. You can also say that people or resources haemorrhage from a place or organization. □ [V n] Venice is haemorrhaging the very resource which could save it: its own people. □ [V + from ] The figures showed that cash was haemorrhaging from the conglomerate.
haem|or|rhoid /he mərɔ I dz/ (haemorrhoids ) in AM, use hemorrhoid N‑COUNT [usu pl] Haemorrhoids are painful swellings that can appear in the veins inside the anus. [MEDICAL ]
hag /hæ g/ (hags ) N‑COUNT If someone refers to a woman as a hag , they mean that she is ugly, old, and unpleasant. [OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ]
hag|gard /hæ gə r d/ ADJ Someone who looks haggard has a tired expression and shadows under their eyes, especially because they are ill or have not had enough sleep. □ He was pale and a bit haggard.
hag|gis /hæ g I s/ (haggises ) N‑VAR A haggis is a large sausage, usually shaped like a ball, which is made from minced sheep's meat contained inside the skin from a sheep's stomach. Haggis is traditionally made and eaten in Scotland.
hag|gle /hæ g ə l/ (haggles , haggling , haggled ) VERB If you haggle , you argue about something before reaching an agreement, especially about the cost of something that you are buying. □ [V + with ] Ella taught her how to haggle with used furniture dealers. □ [V ] Meanwhile, as the politicians haggle, the violence worsens. □ [V ] Of course he'll still haggle over the price. ● hag|gling N‑UNCOUNT □ After months of haggling, they recovered only three-quarters of what they had lent.
hah /hɑː / → see ha
ha ha or ha ha ha
1 EXCLAM Ha ha is used in writing to represent the sound that people make when they laugh. □ 'I'll come and see how you're getting on!' —'Ha ha ha! Thanks, Peter.'
2 EXCLAM People sometimes say ' ha ha ' to show that they are not amused by what you have said, or do not believe it. [SPOKEN ] □ He said 'vegetarians unite', and I looked at him and said 'yeah, ha ha.'
hail /he I l/ (hails , hailing , hailed )
1 VERB [usu passive] If a person, event, or achievement is hailed as important or successful, they are praised publicly. □ [be V -ed + as ] He has been hailed as the best centreback in the land. □ [V n + as ] U.S. magazines hailed her as the greatest rock'n'roll singer in the world. [Also be V -ed n]
2 N‑UNCOUNT Hail consists of small balls of ice that fall like rain from the sky. □ …a sharp short-lived storm with heavy hail.
3 VERB When it hails , hail falls like rain from the sky. □ [V ] It started to hail, huge great stones.
4 N‑SING A hail of things, usually small objects, is a large number of them that hit you at the same time and with great force. □ [+ of ] The victim was hit by a hail of bullets.
5 VERB Someone who hails from a particular place was born there or lives there. [FORMAL ] □ [V + from ] I hail from Brighton.
6 VERB If you hail a taxi, you wave at it in order to stop it because you want the driver to take you somewhere. □ [V n] I hurried away to hail a taxi.
Hai l Ma ry (Hail Marys ) N‑COUNT A Hail Mary is a prayer to the Virgin Mary that is said by Roman Catholics.
hail|stone /he I lstoʊn/ (hailstones ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Hailstones are small balls of ice that fall like rain from the sky.
hail|storm /he I lstɔː r m/ (hailstorms ) also hail storm N‑COUNT A hailstorm is a storm during which it hails.
hair ◆◆◇ /heə r / (hairs )
1 N‑VAR Your hair is the fine threads that grow in a mass on your head. □ I wash my hair every night. □ …a girl with long blonde hair. □ I get some grey hairs but I pull them out.
2 N‑VAR Hair is the short, fine threads that grow on different parts of your body. □ The majority of men have hair on their chest. □ It tickled the hairs on the back of my neck.
3 N‑VAR Hair is the threads that cover the body of an animal such as a dog, or make up a horse's mane and tail. □ I am allergic to cat hair. □ …dog hairs on the carpet.
4 PHRASE If you let your hair down , you relax completely and enjoy yourself. □ …the world-famous Oktoberfest, a time when everyone in Munich really lets their hair down.
5 PHRASE Something that makes your hair stand on end shocks or frightens you very much. □ This was the kind of smile that made your hair stand on end.
6 PHRASE If you say that someone has not a hair out of place , you are emphasizing that they are extremely smart and neatly dressed. [EMPHASIS ] □ She had a lot of make-up on and not a hair out of place.
7 PHRASE If you say that someone faced with a shock or a problem does not turn a hair , you mean that they do not show any surprise or fear, and remain completely calm. □ I explained my situation and he didn't turn a hair.
8 PHRASE If you say that someone is splitting hairs , you mean that they are making unnecessary distinctions between things when the differences between them are so small they are not important. □ Don't split hairs. You know what I'm getting at.
hair|brush /heə r brʌʃ/ (hairbrushes ) N‑COUNT A hairbrush is a brush that you use to brush your hair.
hai r care also haircare N‑UNCOUNT Hair care is all the things people do to keep their hair clean, healthy-looking, and attractive. □ …an American maker of haircare products.
hair|cut /heə r kʌt/ (haircuts )
1 N‑COUNT If you have a haircut , someone cuts your hair for you. □ Your hair is all right; it's just that you need a haircut.
2 N‑COUNT A haircut is the style in which your hair has been cut. □ Who's that guy with the funny haircut?
hair|do /heə r duː/ (hairdos ) N‑COUNT A hairdo is the style in which your hair has been cut and arranged. [INFORMAL ]
hair|dresser /heə r dresə r / (hairdressers )
1 N‑COUNT A hairdresser is a person who cuts, colours, and arranges people's hair.
2 N‑COUNT A hairdresser or a hairdresser's is a shop where a hairdresser works.
hair|dressing /heə r dres I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Hairdressing is the job or activity of cutting, colouring, and arranging people's hair.
hair|dry|er /heə r dra I ə r / (hairdryers ) also hairdrier N‑COUNT A hairdryer is a machine that you use to dry your hair.
-haired /-heə r d/ COMB -haired combines with adjectives to describe the length, colour, or type of hair that someone has. □ He was a small, dark-haired man.
hair|grip /heə rgr I p/ (hairgrips ) also hair-grip N‑COUNT A hairgrip is a small piece of metal or plastic bent back on itself, which you use to hold your hair in position. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use bobby pin
hair|less /heə r ləs/ ADJ A part of your body that is hairless has no hair on it.
hair|line /heə r la I n/ (hairlines )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing, oft poss N ] Your hairline is the edge of the area where your hair grows on your head. □ Joanne had a small dark birthmark near her hairline.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A hairline crack or gap is very narrow or fine. □ He suffered a hairline fracture of the right index finger.
hair|net /heə r net/ (hairnets ) N‑COUNT A hairnet is a small net that some women wear over their hair in order to keep it tidy.
hair|piece /heə r piːs/ (hairpieces ) N‑COUNT A hairpiece is a piece of false hair that some people wear on their head if they are bald or if they want to make their own hair seem longer or thicker.
hair|pin /heə r p I n/ (hairpins )
1 N‑COUNT A hairpin is a small piece of metal or plastic bent back on itself which someone uses to hold their hair in position.
2 N‑COUNT A hairpin is the same as a hairpin bend .
hai r|pin be nd (hairpin bends ) N‑COUNT A hairpin bend or a hairpin is a very sharp bend in a road, where the road turns back in the opposite direction.
hai r-raising ADJ A hair-raising experience, event, or story is very frightening but can also be exciting. □ …hair-raising rides at funfairs.
hai r's breadth N‑SING A hair's breadth is a very small degree or amount. □ The dollar fell to within a hair's breadth of its all-time low.
hai r shi rt (hair shirts )
1 N‑COUNT A hair shirt is a shirt made of rough uncomfortable cloth which some religious people used to wear to punish themselves.
2 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is wearing a hair shirt , you mean that they are trying to punish themselves to show they are sorry for something they have done. □ No one is asking you to put on a hair shirt and give up all your luxuries.
hair|spray /heə r spre I / (hairsprays ) N‑VAR Hairspray is a sticky substance that you spray out of a can onto your hair in order to hold it in place.
hair|style /heə r sta I l/ (hairstyles ) N‑COUNT Your hairstyle is the style in which your hair has been cut or arranged. □ I think her new short hairstyle looks simply great.
hair|stylist /heə r sta I l I st/ (hairstylists ) also hair stylist N‑COUNT A hairstylist is someone who cuts and arranges people's hair, especially in order to get them ready for a photograph or film.
hai r-trigger ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe something as hair-trigger , you mean that it is likely to change very violently and suddenly. □ His boozing, arrogance, and hair-trigger temper have often led him into ugly nightclub brawls. □ A hair-trigger situation has been created which could lead to an outbreak of war at any time.
hairy /heə ri/ (hairier , hairiest )
1 ADJ Someone or something that is hairy is covered with hairs. □ He was wearing shorts which showed his long, muscular, hairy legs.
2 ADJ If you describe a situation as hairy , you mean that it is exciting, worrying, and rather frightening. [INFORMAL ] □ His driving was a bit hairy.
hake /he I k/ (hake ) N‑VAR A hake is a type of large edible sea fish. ● N‑UNCOUNT Hake is this fish eaten as food.
halal /həlɑː l/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Halal meat is meat from animals that have been killed according to Muslim law. □ …a halal butcher's shop
hal|cy|on /hæ lsiən/ ADJ [ADJ n] A halcyon time is a time in the past that was peaceful or happy. [LITERARY ] □ It was all a far cry from those halcyon days in 1990, when he won three tournaments on the European tour.
hale /he I l/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you describe people, especially people who are old, as hale , you mean that they are healthy. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ She is remarkable and I'd like to see her remain hale and hearty for years yet.
half ◆◆◆ /hɑː f, [AM ] hæ f/ (halves /hɑː vz, [AM ] hæ vz/)
1 FRACTION Half of an amount or object is one of two equal parts that together make up the whole number, amount, or object. □ They need an extra two and a half thousand pounds to complete the project. □ [+ of ] More than half of all households report incomes above £35,000. □ Cut the tomatoes in half vertically. ● PREDET Half is also a predeterminer. □ We just sat and talked for half an hour or so. □ They had only received half the money promised. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Half is also an adjective. □ …a half measure of fresh lemon juice. □ Steve barely said a handful of words during the first half hour.
2 ADV [ADV adj, ADV before v] You use half to say that something is only partly the case or happens to only a limited extent. □ His eyes were half closed. □ His refrigerator frequently looked half empty. □ She'd half expected him to withdraw from the course.
3 N‑COUNT In games such as football, rugby, and basketball, matches are divided into two equal periods of time which are called halves . □ The only goal was scored early in the second half.
4 N‑COUNT A half is a half-price bus or train ticket for a child. [BRIT ]
5 ADV [ADV adj] You use half to say that someone has parents of different nationalities. For example, if you are half German, one of your parents is German but the other is not. □ She was half Italian and half English.
6 PHRASE You use half past to refer to a time that is thirty minutes after a particular hour. □ 'What time were you planning lunch?'—'Half past twelve, if that's convenient.'.
7 PREP Half means the same as half past . [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ They are supposed to be here at about half four.
8 ADV [ADV adj] You can use half before an adjective describing an extreme quality, as a way of emphasizing and exaggerating something. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ He felt half dead with tiredness. ● PREDET Half can also be used in this way with a noun referring to a long period of time or a large quantity. □ I thought about you half the night. □ He wouldn't know what he was saying half the time.
9 ADV [with neg] [ADV adj/adv, ADV n] Half is sometimes used in negative statements, with a positive meaning, to emphasize a particular fact or quality. For example, if you say ' he isn't half lucky ', you mean that he is very lucky. [BRIT , INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ You don't half sound confident. □ 'Presumably this made some impact then.'—'Oh not half.'
10 ADV [with neg, ADV n, ADV as/so adj] You use not half or not half as to show that you do not think something is as good or impressive as it is meant to be. [EMPHASIS ] □ You're not half the man you think you are.
11 PHRASE When you use an expression such as a problem and a half or a meal and a half , you are emphasizing that your reaction to it is either very favourable or very unfavourable. [EMPHASIS ] □ Teaching Jason to kick the ball, that was a job and a half.
12 PHRASE If you say that someone never does things by halves , you mean that they always do things very thoroughly. □ In Italy they rarely do things by halves. Designers work thoroughly, producing the world's most wearable clothes in the most beautiful fabrics.
13 PHRASE If two people go halves , they divide the cost of something equally between them. □ At the end of the meal, she offered to go halves.
14 half the battle → see battle COLLOCATIONS half NOUN
1
adjective + half : first, latter, second; bottom, left, right, upper; eastern, northern, southern, western
2
adjective + half : first, opening, second
verb + half : dominate; start
ha lf-ba ked ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe an idea or plan as half-baked , you mean that it has not been properly thought out, and so is stupid or impractical. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ This is another half-baked scheme that isn't going to work.
ha lf boa rd N‑UNCOUNT If you stay at a hotel and have half board , your breakfast and evening meal are included in the price of your stay at the hotel, but not your lunch. [mainly BRIT ]
ha lf-brother (half-brothers ) N‑COUNT Someone's half-brother is a boy or man who has either the same mother or the same father as they have.
ha lf-caste (half-castes ) ADJ Someone who is half-caste has parents who come from different races. [mainly BRIT , OFFENSIVE ]
ha lf-da y (half-days ) also half day N‑COUNT A half-day is a day when you work only in the morning or in the afternoon, but not all day.
ha lf-hea rted ADJ If someone does something in a half-hearted way, they do it without any real effort, interest, or enthusiasm. □ The previous owner had made a half-hearted attempt at renovating the place. ● half-heartedly ADV [ADV with v] □ I can't do anything half-heartedly. I have to do everything 100 per cent.
ha lf-life (half-lives ) also half life N‑COUNT The half-life of a radioactive substance is the amount of time that it takes to lose half its radioactivity.
ha lf-ma st PHRASE If a flag is flying at half-mast , it is flying from the middle of the pole, not the top, to show respect and sorrow for someone who has just died.
ha lf mea s|ure (half measures ) also half-measure N‑COUNT [usu pl] If someone refers to policies or actions as half measures , they are critical of them because they think that they are not forceful enough and are therefore of little value. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ They have already declared their intention to fight on rather than settle for half-measures.
ha lf note (half notes ) N‑COUNT A half note is a musical note that has a time value equal to two quarter notes. [AM ] in BRIT, use minim
half|penny /he I pni/ (halfpennies or halfpence /he I pəns/) N‑COUNT A halfpenny was a small British coin which was worth half a penny.
ha lf-pri ce
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ n, ADJ after v] If something is half-price , it costs only half what it usually costs. □ Main courses are half price from 12.30pm to 2pm. □ Mind you, a half-price suit still cost $400. □ We can get in half-price.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu at/for N ] If something is sold at or for half-price , it is sold for only half of what it usually costs. □ By yesterday she was selling off stock at half price. □ They normally charge three hundred pounds but we got it for half price.
ha lf-sister (half-sisters ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Someone's half-sister is a girl or woman who has either the same mother or the same father as they have.
ha lf-te rm (half-terms ) also half term N‑VAR [oft at N ] Half-term is a short holiday in the middle of a school term. [BRIT ] □ There was no play school at half term, so I took them both to the cinema. □ …the half-term holidays.
ha lf-ti mbered ADJ Half-timbered is used to describe old buildings that have wooden beams showing in the brick and plaster walls, both on the inside and the outside of the building.
ha lf-ti me N‑UNCOUNT Half-time is the short period of time between the two parts of a sporting event such as a football, rugby, or basketball game, when the players have a short rest.
ha lf-truth (half-truths ) also half truth N‑COUNT If you describe statements as half-truths , you mean that they are only partly based on fact and are intended or likely to deceive people. □ The article had been full of errors and half truths.
half|way /hɑː fwe I , [AM ] hæ f-/ also half-way
1 ADV [oft ADV after v] Halfway means in the middle of a place or between two points, at an equal distance from each of them. □ Half-way across the car-park, he noticed she was walking with her eyes closed. □ He was halfway up the ladder.
2 ADV Halfway means in the middle of a period of time or of an event. □ By then, it was October and we were more than halfway through our tour. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Halfway is also an adjective. □ The Welsh cyclist was third fastest at the halfway point.
3 PHRASE If you meet someone halfway , you accept some of the points they are making so that you can come to an agreement with them. □ The Democrats are willing to meet the president halfway.
4 ADV [ADV adj] Halfway means reasonably. [INFORMAL ] □ You need hard currency to get anything halfway decent.
ha lf|way hou se (halfway houses )
1 N‑SING A halfway house is an arrangement or thing that has some of the qualities of two different things. □ The results sound like a halfway house between a piano and an electric guitar.
2 N‑COUNT A halfway house is a home for people such as former prisoners, mental patients, or drug addicts who can stay there for a limited period of time to get used to life outside prison or hospital.
half|wit /hɑː fw I t, [AM ] hæ f-/ (halfwits ) also half-wit
1 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a halfwit , you think they have behaved in a stupid, silly, or irresponsible way. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
2 N‑COUNT A halfwit is a person who has little intelligence. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
ha lf-wi tted ADJ If you describe someone as half-witted , you think they are very stupid, silly, or irresponsible. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
ha lf-yea rly in AM, use semiannual 1 ADJ [ADJ n] Half-yearly means happening in the middle of a calendar year or a financial year. [BRIT ] □ …the Central Bank's half-yearly report on the state of the economy.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A company's half-yearly profits are the profits that it makes in six months. [BRIT ] □ The company announced a half-yearly profit of just £2 million.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Half-yearly means happening twice a year, with six months between each event. [BRIT ] □ …half-yearly payments.
hali|but /hæ l I bət/ (halibut ) N‑VAR A halibut is a large flat fish. ● N‑UNCOUNT Halibut is this fish eaten as food.
hali|to|sis /hæ l I toʊ s I s/ N‑UNCOUNT If someone has halitosis , their breath smells unpleasant. [FORMAL ]
hall ◆◇◇ /hɔː l/ (halls )
1 N‑COUNT The hall in a house or flat is the area just inside the front door, into which some of the other rooms open. [BRIT ] in AM, use entrance hall 2 N‑COUNT A hall in a building is a long passage with doors into rooms on both sides of it. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, use hallway 3 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A hall is a large room or building which is used for public events such as concerts, exhibitions, and meetings. □ We picked up our conference materials and filed into the lecture hall.
4 → see also city hall , town hall
5 N‑COUNT If students live in hall in British English, or in a hall in American English, they live in a university or college building called a hall of residence .
6 N‑COUNT Hall is sometimes used as part of the name of a large house in the country. □ He died at Holly Hall, his wife's family home.
7 → see also entrance hall , music hall
hal|le|lu|jah /hæ l I luː jə/ also alleluia
1 EXCLAM Hallelujah is used in religious songs and worship as an exclamation of praise and thanks to God.
2 EXCLAM People sometimes say ' Hallelujah! ' when they are pleased that something they have been waiting a long time for has finally happened. □ Hallelujah! College days are over!
hall|mark /hɔː lmɑː r k/ (hallmarks )
1 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] The hallmark of something or someone is their most typical quality or feature. □ [+ of ] It's a technique that has become the hallmark of Amber Films.
2 N‑COUNT A hallmark is an official mark put on things made of gold, silver, or platinum that indicates the quality of the metal, where the object was made, and who made it.
hal|lo /hæloʊ / → see hello
ha ll of fa me (halls of fame )
1 N‑SING If you say that someone is a member of a particular hall of fame , you mean that they are one of the most famous people in that area of activity. □ The British designer has scaled the heights of fashion's hall of fame.
2 N‑COUNT In the United States, a hall of fame is a type of museum where people can see things relating to famous people who are connected with a particular area of activity.
ha ll of re si|dence (halls of residence ) N‑COUNT Halls of residence are buildings with rooms or flats, usually built by universities or colleges, in which students live during the term. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use dormitory , residence hall
hal|lowed /hæ loʊd/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Hallowed is used to describe something that is respected and admired, usually because it is old, important, or has a good reputation. □ …one of opera's most hallowed halls, the Teatro alla Scala, in Milan.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Hallowed is used to describe something that is considered to be holy. □ …hallowed ground.
Hal|low|een /hæ loʊiː n/ also Hallowe'en N‑UNCOUNT Halloween is the night of the 31st of October and is traditionally said to be the time when ghosts and witches can be seen. On Halloween, children often dress up as ghosts and witches.
hal|lu|ci|nate /həluː s I ne I t/ (hallucinates , hallucinating , hallucinated ) VERB If you hallucinate , you see things that are not really there, either because you are ill or because you have taken a drug. □ [V ] Hunger made him hallucinate. [Also V that]
hal|lu|ci|na|tion /həluː s I ne I ʃ ə n/ (hallucinations ) N‑VAR A hallucination is the experience of seeing something that is not really there because you are ill or have taken a drug. □ The drug induces hallucinations at high doses.
hal|lu|ci|na|tory /həluː s I nətri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Hallucinatory is used to describe something that is like a hallucination or is the cause of a hallucination. □ It was an unsettling show. There was a hallucinatory feel from the start.
hal|lu|cino|gen /həluː s I nədʒen/ (hallucinogens ) N‑COUNT A hallucinogen is a substance such as a drug which makes you hallucinate.
hal|lu|ci|no|gen|ic /həluː s I nədʒe n I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A hallucinogenic drug is one that makes you hallucinate.
hall|way /hɔː lwe I / (hallways )
1 N‑COUNT A hallway in a building is a long passage with doors into rooms on both sides of it.
2 N‑COUNT A hallway in a house or flat is the area just inside the front door, into which some of the other rooms open. [BRIT ] in AM, use entrance hall
halo /he I loʊ/ (haloes or halos )
1 N‑COUNT A halo is a circle of light that is shown in pictures round the head of a holy figure such as a saint or angel.
2 N‑COUNT A halo is a circle of light round a person or thing, or something that looks like a circle of light. □ The sun had a faint halo round it. [Also + of ]
halt ◆◇◇ /hɔː lt/ (halts , halting , halted )
1 VERB When a person or a vehicle halts or when something halts them, they stop moving in the direction they were going and stand still. □ [V ] They halted at a short distance from the house. □ [V n] She held her hand out flat, to halt him.
2 VERB When something such as growth, development, or activity halts or when you halt it, it stops completely. □ [V n] Striking workers halted production at the auto plant yesterday. □ [V ] The flow of assistance to Vietnam's fragile economy from its ideological allies has virtually halted.
3 VERB ' Halt! ' is a military order to stop walking or marching and stand still. □ [V ] The colonel ordered 'Halt!'
4 PHRASE If someone calls a halt to something such as an activity, they decide not to continue with it or to end it immediately. □ The Russian government had called a halt to the construction of a new project in the Rostov region.
5 PHRASE If someone or something comes to a halt , they stop moving. □ The elevator creaked to a halt at the ground floor.
6 PHRASE If something such as growth, development, or activity comes or grinds to a halt or is brought to a halt , it stops completely. □ Her political career came to a halt in December 1988. COLLOCATIONS halt VERB 2
halt + noun : construction, production, growth; decline, slide, spread
halt + adverb : abruptly, briefly, suddenly, temporarily
hal|ter /hɔː ltə r / (halters ) N‑COUNT A halter is a piece of leather or rope that is fastened round the head of a horse so that it can be led easily.
hal|ter|neck /hɔː ltə r nek/ (halternecks ) N‑COUNT A piece of clothing with a halterneck has a strap that goes around the back of the neck, rather than a strap over each shoulder. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Halterneck is also an adjective. □ …a halterneck evening dress.
halt|ing /hɔː lt I ŋ/ ADJ If you speak or do something in a halting way, you speak or do it slowly and with a lot of hesitation, usually because you are uncertain about what to say or do next. □ In a halting voice she said that she wished to make a statement. ● halt|ing|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ She spoke haltingly of her deep upset and hurt.
halve /hɑː v, [AM ] hæ v/ (halves , halving , halved )
1 VERB When you halve something or when it halves , it is reduced to half its previous size or amount. □ [V n] Dr Lee believes that men who exercise can halve their risk of cancer of the colon. □ [V ] Since then oil prices have halved in value.
2 VERB If you halve something, you divide it into two equal parts. □ [V n] Halve the pineapple and scoop out the inside.
3 Halves is the plural of half .
ham /hæ m/ (hams , hamming , hammed )
1 N‑VAR Ham is meat from the top of the back leg of a pig, specially treated so that it can be kept for a long period of time. □ …ham sandwiches.
2 PHRASE If actors or actresses ham it up , they exaggerate every emotion and gesture when they are acting, often deliberately because they think that the audience will be more amused. □ Thrusting themselves into the spirit of the farce, they ham it up like mad.
ham|burg|er /hæ mbɜː r gə r / (hamburgers ) N‑COUNT A hamburger is minced meat which has been shaped into a flat circle. Hamburgers are fried or grilled and then eaten, often in a bread roll. WORD HISTORY hamburger
Hamburgers are named after their city of origin, Hamburg in Germany. The word 'hamburger' has nothing to do with ham, but the 'burger' part has now been taken as a noun in its own right, on the basis of which we now have beefburgers, cheeseburgers, and so on.
ha m-fi sted ADJ If you describe someone as ham-fisted , you mean that they are clumsy, especially in the way that they use their hands. □ They can all be made in minutes by even the most ham-fisted of cooks.
ham|let /hæ ml I t/ (hamlets ) N‑COUNT A hamlet is a very small village.
ham|mer /hæ mə r / (hammers , hammering , hammered )
1 N‑COUNT A hammer is a tool that consists of a heavy piece of metal at the end of a handle. It is used, for example, to hit nails into a piece of wood or a wall, or to break things into pieces. □ He used a hammer and chisel to chip away at the wall.
2 VERB If you hammer an object such as a nail, you hit it with a hammer. □ [V n prep/adv] To avoid damaging the tree, hammer a wooden peg into the hole. □ [V ] Builders were still hammering outside the window. [Also V n] ● PHRASAL VERB Hammer in means the same as hammer . □ [V n P ] The workers kneel on the ground and hammer the small stones in. [Also V P n] ● ham|mer|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ The noise of hammering was dulled by the secondary glazing.
3 VERB If you hammer on a surface, you hit it several times in order to make a noise, or to emphasize something you are saying when you are angry. □ [V ] We had to hammer and shout before they would open up. □ [V + on ] A crowd of reporters was hammering on the door. □ [V n + on ] He hammered his two clenched fists on the table. ● ham|mer|ing N‑SING □ As he said it, there was a hammering outside.
4 VERB If you hammer something such as an idea into people or you hammer at it, you keep repeating it forcefully so that it will have an effect on people. □ [V n + into ] He hammered it into me that I had not suddenly become a rotten goalkeeper. □ [V + at ] Recent advertising campaigns from the industry have hammered at these themes.
5 VERB If you say that someone hammers another person, you mean that they attack, criticize, or punish the other person severely. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] The report hammers the private motorist. ● ham|mer|ing N‑SING □ Parents have taken a terrible hammering.
6 V-PASSIVE If you say that businesses are being hammered , you mean that they are being unfairly harmed, for example by a change in taxes or by bad economic conditions. [BRIT ] □ [be V -ed] The company has been hammered by the downturn in the construction and motor industries.
7 VERB In sports, if you say that one player or team hammered another, you mean that the first player or team defeated the second completely and easily. [BRIT , JOURNALISM ] □ [V n] He hammered the young Austrian player in four straight sets. ● ham|mer|ing N‑SING □ England's bowlers took a hammering.
8 N‑COUNT In athletics, a hammer is a heavy weight on a piece of wire, which the athlete throws as far as possible. ● N‑SING The hammer also refers to the sport of throwing the hammer.
9 PHRASE If you say that someone was going at something hammer and tongs , you mean that they were doing it with great enthusiasm or energy. □ He loved gardening. He went at it hammer and tongs as soon as he got back from work.
10 PHRASE If you say that something goes, comes, or is under the hammer , you mean that it is going to be sold at an auction. □ Ian Fleming's original unpublished notes are to go under the hammer at London auctioneers Sotheby's.
▸ hammer away
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hammer away at a task or activity, you work at it constantly and with great energy. □ [V P + at ] Palmer kept hammering away at his report.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you hammer away at an idea or subject, you keep talking about it, especially because you disapprove of it. □ [V P + at ] They also hammered away at Labor's plans to raise taxes.
▸ hammer in → see hammer 2
▸ hammer out PHRASAL VERB If people hammer out an agreement or treaty, they succeed in producing it after a long or difficult discussion. □ [V P n] I think we can hammer out a solution. [Also V n P ]
ham|mock /hæ mək/ (hammocks ) N‑COUNT A hammock is a piece of strong cloth or netting which is hung between two supports and used as a bed.
ham|per /hæ mpə r / (hampers , hampering , hampered )
1 VERB If someone or something hampers you, they make it difficult for you to do what you are trying to do. □ [V n] The bad weather hampered rescue operations.
2 N‑COUNT A hamper is a basket containing food of various kinds that is given to people as a present.
3 N‑COUNT A hamper is a large basket with a lid, used especially for carrying food in.
ham|ster /hæ mstə r / (hamsters ) N‑COUNT A hamster is a small furry animal which is similar to a mouse, and which is often kept as a pet.
ham|string /hæ mstr I ŋ/ (hamstrings , hamstringing , hamstrung )
1 N‑COUNT A hamstring is a length of tissue or tendon behind your knee which joins the muscles of your thigh to the bones of your lower leg. □ Webster has not played since suffering a hamstring injury in the opening game.
2 VERB If you hamstring someone, you make it very difficult for them to take any action. □ [V n] If he becomes the major opposition leader, he could hamstring a conservative-led coalition.
hand
➊ NOUN USES AND PHRASES
➋ VERB USES
➊ hand ◆◆◆ /hæ nd/ (hands )
→ Please look at categories 55 to 59 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 N‑COUNT Your hands are the parts of your body at the end of your arms. Each hand has four fingers and a thumb. □ I put my hand into my pocket and pulled out the letter. □ Sylvia, camera in hand, asked, 'Where do we go first?'
2 N‑SING [with poss] The hand of someone or something is their influence in an event or situation. □ The hand of the military authorities can be seen in the entire electoral process.
3 N‑PLURAL [usu in N ] If you say that something is in a particular person's hands , you mean that they are looking after it, own it, or are responsible for it. □ [+ of ] He is leaving his north London business in the hands of a colleague. □ We're in safe hands.
4 N‑SING If you ask someone for a hand with something, you are asking them to help you in what you are doing. □ Come and give me a hand in the garden.
5 N‑COUNT A hand is someone, usually a man, who does hard physical work, for example in a factory or on a farm, as part of a group of people who all do similar work. □ He now works as a farm hand.
6 N‑SING If someone asks an audience to give someone a hand , they are asking the audience to clap loudly, usually before or after that person performs. □ Let's give 'em a big hand.
7 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If a man asks for a woman's hand in marriage , he asks her or her parents for permission to marry her. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ [+ in ] He came to ask Usha's father for her hand in marriage.
8 N‑COUNT In a game of cards, your hand is the set of cards that you are holding in your hand at a particular time or the cards that are dealt to you at the beginning of the game. □ He carefully inspected his hand.
9 N‑COUNT A hand is a measurement of four inches, which is used for measuring the height of a horse from its front feet to its shoulders. □ I had a very good 14.2 hands pony, called Brandy.
10 N‑COUNT The hands of a clock or watch are the thin pieces of metal or plastic that indicate what time it is.
11 PHRASE If something is at hand , near at hand , or close at hand , it is very near in place or time. □ Having the right equipment at hand will be enormously helpful.
12 PHRASE If someone experiences a particular kind of treatment, especially unpleasant treatment, at the hands of a person or organization, they receive it from them. □ The civilian population were suffering greatly at the hands of the security forces.
13 PHRASE If you do something by hand , you do it using your hands rather than a machine. □ Each pleat was stitched in place by hand.
14 PHRASE When something changes hands , its ownership changes, usually because it is sold to someone else. □ The firm has changed hands many times over the years.
15 PHRASE If you have someone eating out of your hand , they are completely under your control. □ Parker could have customers eating out of his hand.
16 PHRASE If you force someone's hand , you force them to act sooner than they want to, or to act in public when they would prefer to keep their actions secret. □ He blamed the press for forcing his hand.
17 PHRASE If you have your hands full with something, you are very busy because of it. □ She had her hands full with new arrivals.
18 PHRASE If someone gives you a free hand , they give you the freedom to use your own judgment and to do exactly as you wish. □ He gave Stephanie a free hand in the decoration.
19 PHRASE If you get your hands on something or lay your hands on something, you manage to find it or obtain it, usually after some difficulty. [INFORMAL ] □ Patty began reading everything she could get her hands on.
20 PHRASE If you work hand in glove with someone, you work very closely with them. □ The U.N. inspectors work hand in glove with the Western intelligence agencies.
21 PHRASE If two people are hand in hand , they are holding each other's nearest hand, usually while they are walking or sitting together. People often do this to show their affection for each other. □ I saw them making their way, hand in hand, down the path.
22 PHRASE If two things go hand in hand , they are closely connected and cannot be considered separately from each other. □ [+ with ] For us, research and teaching go hand in hand.
23 PHRASE If you have a hand in something such as an event or activity, you are involved in it. □ He thanked all who had a hand in his release.
24 PHRASE If you say that someone such as the ruler of a country treats people with a heavy hand , you are criticizing them because they are very strict and severe with them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Henry and Richard both ruled with a heavy hand.
25 PHRASE If two people are holding hands , they are holding each other's nearest hand, usually while they are walking or sitting together. People often do this to show their affection for each other. □ She approached a young couple holding hands on a bench. [Also + with ]
26 PHRASE If you ask someone to hold your hand at an event that you are worried about, you ask them to support you by being there with you. [INFORMAL ] □ I don't need anyone to hold my hand.
27 PHRASE In a competition, if someone has games or matches in hand , they have more games or matches left to play than their opponent and therefore have the possibility of scoring more points. [BRIT ] □ They have a game in hand on two of the clubs above them.
28 PHRASE If you have time or money in hand , you have more time or money than you need. [BRIT ] □ Hughes finished with 15 seconds in hand.
29 PHRASE The job or problem in hand is the job or problem that you are dealing with at the moment. □ The business in hand was approaching some kind of climax.
30 PHRASE If a situation is in hand , it is under control. □ The event organisers say that matters are well in hand.
31 PHRASE If you lend someone a hand , you help them. □ I'd be glad to lend a hand.
32 PHRASE If you tell someone to keep their hands off something or to take their hands off it, you are telling them in a rather aggressive way not to touch it or interfere with it. □ Keep your hands off my milk.
33 PHRASE If you do not know something off hand , you do not know it without having to ask someone else or look it up in a book. [SPOKEN ] □ I can't think of any off hand.
34 PHRASE If you have a problem or responsibility on your hands , you have to deal with it. If it is off your hands , you no longer have to deal with it. □ She knew she had a real fight on her hands if she was to remain leader. □ She would like the worry of dealing with her affairs taken off her hands.
35 PHRASE If someone or something is on hand , they are near and able to be used if they are needed. □ The Bridal Department will have experts on hand to give you all the help and advice you need.
36 PHRASE You use on the one hand to introduce the first of two contrasting points, facts, or ways of looking at something. It is always followed later by on the other hand or 'on the other'. □ On the one hand, if the body doesn't have enough cholesterol, we would not be able to survive. On the other hand, if the body has too much cholesterol, the excess begins to line the arteries.
37 PHRASE You use on the other hand to introduce the second of two contrasting points, facts, or ways of looking at something. □ Well, all right, hospitals lose money. But, on the other hand, if people are healthy, think of it as saving lives.
38 PHRASE If a person or a situation gets out of hand , you are no longer able to control them. □ His drinking had got out of hand.
39 PHRASE If you dismiss or reject something out of hand , you do so immediately and do not consider believing or accepting it. □ I initially dismissed the idea out of hand.
40 PHRASE If you play into someone's hands , you do something which they want you to do and which places you in their power. [JOURNALISM ] □ He is playing into the hands of racists.
41 PHRASE If you show your hand , you show how much power you have and the way you intend to act. □ He has grown more serious about running for president, although he refuses to show his hand.
42 PHRASE If you take something or someone in hand , you take control or responsibility over them, especially in order to improve them. □ I hope that Parliament will soon take the NHS in hand.
43 PHRASE If you say that your hands are tied , you mean that something is preventing you from acting in the way that you want to. □ Politicians are always saying that they want to help us but their hands are tied.
44 PHRASE If you have something to hand or near to hand , you have it with you or near you, ready to use when needed. □ You may want to keep this brochure safe, so you have it to hand whenever you may need it.
45 PHRASE If you try your hand at an activity, you attempt to do it, usually for the first time. □ [+ at ] After he left school, he tried his hand at a variety of jobs.
46 PHRASE If you turn your hand to something such as a practical activity, you learn about it and do it for the first time. □ …a person who can turn his hand to anything.
47 PHRASE If you wash your hands of someone or something, you refuse to be involved with them any more or to take responsibility for them. □ He seems to have washed his hands of the job.
48 PHRASE If you win hands down , you win very easily.
49 → see also hand-to-mouth
50 with one's bare hands → see bare
51 to overplay one's hand → see overplay
52 to shake someone's hand → see shake
53 to shake hands → see shake
➋ hand ◆◆◇ /hæ nd/ (hands , handing , handed )
1 VERB If you hand something to someone, you pass it to them. □ [V n n] He handed me a little rectangle of white paper. □ [V n + to ] He took a thick envelope from an inside pocket and handed it to me.
2 PHRASE You say things such as ' You have to hand it to her ' or ' You've got to hand it to them ' when you admire someone for their skills or achievements and you think they deserve a lot of praise. [INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ You've got to hand it to Melissa, she certainly gets around.
▸ hand around in BRIT, also use hand round PHRASAL VERB If you hand around or hand round something such as food, you pass it from one person to another in a group. □ [V P n] John handed round the plate of sandwiches. □ [V n P ] Dean produced another bottle and handed it round.
▸ hand back PHRASAL VERB If you hand back something that you have borrowed or taken from someone, you return it to them. □ [V P n] The management handed back his few possessions. □ [V n P ] He took a saxophone from the Salvation Army but was caught and had to hand it back. □ [V n P + to ] He handed the book back to her. □ [V n P n] He unlocked her door and handed her back the key. [Also V P n + to ]
▸ hand down
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hand down something such as knowledge, a possession, or a skill, you give or leave it to people who belong to a younger generation. □ [V P n] The idea of handing down his knowledge from generation to generation is important to McLean. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB When a particular decision is handed down by someone in authority, it is given by them. [JOURNALISM ] □ [be V -ed P ] Tougher sentences are being handed down these days. □ [V P n] She is expected soon to hand down a ruling. [Also V n P ]
▸ hand in
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hand in something such as homework or something that you have found, you give it to a teacher, police officer, or other person in authority. □ [V P n] I'm supposed to have handed in a first draft of my dissertation. □ [V n P ] My advice to anyone who finds anything on a bus is to hand it in to the police.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you hand in your notice or resignation, you tell your employer, in speech or in writing, that you no longer wish to work for them. □ [V n P ] I handed my notice in on Saturday. □ [V P n] All eighty opposition members of parliament have handed in their resignation.
▸ hand on PHRASAL VERB If you hand something on , you give it or transfer it to another person, often someone who replaces you. □ [V P n] The government is criticised for not immediately handing on information about missing funds. □ [be V -ed P + to ] His chauffeur-driven car and company mobile phone will be handed on to his successor. [Also V P n to n]
▸ hand out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hand things out to people, you give one or more to each person in a group. □ [V P n] One of my jobs was to hand out the prizes. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB When people in authority hand out something such as advice or permission to do something, they give it. □ [V P n] I listened to a lot of people handing out a lot of advice. [Also V n P ]
3 → see also handout
▸ hand over
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hand something over to someone, you pass it to them. □ [V P n] He also handed over a letter of apology from the Prime Minister. □ [V n P ] 'I've got his card,' Judith said, handing it over.
2 PHRASAL VERB When you hand over someone such as a prisoner to someone else, you give the control of and responsibility for them to that other person. □ [V n P + to ] They would just catch the robbers and hand them over to the police. [Also V n P , V P n (not pron)]
3 PHRASAL VERB If you hand over to someone or hand something over to them, you give them the responsibility for dealing with a particular situation or problem. □ [V P + to ] The present leaders have to decide whether to stand down and hand over to a younger generation. □ [V n P + to ] I wouldn't dare hand this project over to anyone else. [Also V n P ]
▸ hand round → see hand around
hand- /hæ nd-/ COMB [COMB -ed] Hand- combines with past participles to indicate that something has been made by someone using their hands or using tools rather than by machines. □ …handcrafted jewelry. □ …handbuilt cars.
hand|bag /hæ ndbæg/ (handbags ) N‑COUNT A handbag is a small bag which a woman uses to carry things such as her money and keys in when she goes out.
hand|ball /hæ ndbɔːl/ also hand-ball
1 N‑UNCOUNT In Britain, handball is a team sport in which the players try to score goals by throwing or hitting a large ball with their hand.
2 N‑UNCOUNT In the United States and some other countries, handball is a sport in which players try to score points by hitting a small ball against a wall with their hand.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Handball is the act of touching the ball with your hand during a football game, which is not allowed. [BRIT ] □ He got sent off for deliberate handball in the 32nd minute.
hand|bill /hæ ndb I l/ (handbills ) N‑COUNT A handbill is a small printed notice which is used to advertise a particular company, service, or event.
hand|book /hæ ndbʊk/ (handbooks ) N‑COUNT A handbook is a book that gives you advice and instructions about a particular subject, tool, or machine.
hand|brake /hæ ndbre I k/ (handbrakes ) also hand brake N‑COUNT In a vehicle, the handbrake is a brake which the driver operates with his or her hand, for example when parking. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use emergency brake
hand|cart /hæ ndkɑː r t/ (handcarts ) also hand-cart N‑COUNT A handcart is a small cart with two wheels which is pushed or pulled along and is used for transporting goods.
hand|clap /hæ ndklæp/ (handclaps ) N‑COUNT If a group of people give a handclap , they clap their hands. □ …the crowd's slow handclap.
hand|cuff /hæ ndkʌf/ (handcuffs , handcuffing , handcuffed )
1 N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Handcuffs are two metal rings which are joined together and can be locked round someone's wrists, usually by the police during an arrest. □ He was led away to jail in handcuffs.
2 VERB If you handcuff someone, you put handcuffs around their wrists. □ [V n] They tried to handcuff him but, despite his injuries, he fought his way free.
-hander /-hæ ndə r / (-handers )
1 COMB [oft N n] -hander combines with words like 'two' or 'three' to form nouns which indicate how many people are involved in a particular activity, especially a play or a film. [mainly BRIT ] □ …a two-hander play. □ Williams's play is a tense contemporary three-hander about two murderers and a bank-robber.
2 → see also left-hander , right-hander
hand|ful /hæ ndfʊl/ (handfuls )
1 N‑SING A handful of people or things is a small number of them. □ [+ of ] He surveyed the handful of customers at the bar.
2 N‑COUNT A handful of something is the amount of it that you can hold in your hand. □ [+ of ] She scooped up a handful of sand and let it trickle through her fingers.
3 N‑SING If you say that someone, especially a child, is a handful , you mean that they are difficult to control. [INFORMAL ] □ Zara can be a handful sometimes.
ha nd gre|nade (hand grenades ) N‑COUNT A hand grenade is the same as a grenade .
hand|gun /hæ ndgʌn/ (handguns ) also hand gun N‑COUNT A handgun is a gun that you can hold, carry, and fire with one hand.
ha nd-held (hand-helds ) also handheld ADJ [usu ADJ n] A hand-held device such as a camera or a computer is small and light enough to be used while you are holding it. □ Saivonsac shot the entire film with a hand-held camera. ● N‑COUNT Hand-held is also a noun. □ Users will be able to use their hand-helds to check their bank accounts.
hand|hold /hæ ndhoʊld/ (handholds ) N‑COUNT A handhold is a small hole or hollow in something such as rock or a wall that you can put your hand in if you are trying to climb it. □ I found handholds and hoisted myself along.
handi|cap /hæ ndikæp/ (handicaps , handicapping , handicapped )
1 N‑COUNT A handicap is a physical or mental disability. □ He lost his leg when he was ten, but learnt to overcome his handicap.
2 N‑COUNT A handicap is an event or situation that places you at a disadvantage and makes it harder for you to do something. □ Being a foreigner was not a handicap.
3 VERB If an event or a situation handicaps someone or something, it places them at a disadvantage. □ [V n] Greater levels of stress may seriously handicap some students.
4 N‑COUNT In golf, a handicap is an advantage given to someone who is not a good player, in order to make the players more equal. As you improve, your handicap gets lower. □ I see your handicap is down from 16 to 12.
5 N‑COUNT In horse racing, a handicap is a race in which some competitors are given a disadvantage of extra weight in an attempt to give everyone an equal chance of winning.
handi|capped /hæ ndikæpt/ ADJ Someone who is handicapped has a physical or mental disability that prevents them living a totally normal life. Many people who have a disability find this word offensive. [OFFENSIVE ] □ I'm going to work two days a week teaching handicapped kids to fish. □ Alex was mentally handicapped. ● N‑PLURAL Some people refer to people who are handicapped as the handicapped . □ …measures to prevent discrimination against the handicapped.
handi|craft /hæ ndikrɑːft, -kræft/ (handicrafts )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Handicrafts are activities such as embroidery and pottery which involve making things with your hands in a skilful way.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Handicrafts are the objects that are produced by people doing handicrafts. □ She sells handicrafts to the tourists.
handi|work /hæ ndiwɜː r k/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] You can refer to something that you have done or made yourself as your handiwork . □ The architect stepped back to admire his handiwork.
hand|ker|chief /hæ ŋkə r tʃ I f/ (handkerchiefs ) N‑COUNT A handkerchief is a small square piece of fabric which you use for blowing your nose.
han|dle ◆◆◇ /hæ nd ə l/ (handles , handling , handled )
1 N‑COUNT A handle is a small round object or a lever that is attached to a door and is used for opening and closing it. □ I turned the handle and found the door was open.
2 N‑COUNT A handle is the part of an object such as a tool, bag, or cup that you hold in order to be able to pick up and use the object. □ [+ of ] The handle of a cricket bat protruded from under his arm. □ …a broom handle.
3 VERB If you say that someone can handle a problem or situation, you mean that they have the ability to deal with it successfully. □ [V n] To tell the truth, I don't know if I can handle the job.
4 VERB If you talk about the way that someone handles a problem or situation, you mention whether or not they are successful in achieving the result they want. □ [V n adv] I think I would handle a meeting with Mr. Siegel very badly. ● han|dling N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The family has criticized the military's handling of Robert's death.
5 VERB If you handle a particular area of work, you have responsibility for it. □ [V n] She handled travel arrangements for the press corps during the presidential campaign.
6 VERB When you handle something such as a weapon, vehicle, or animal, you use it or control it, especially by using your hands. □ [V n] I had never handled an automatic.
7 VERB If something such as a vehicle handles well, it is easy to use or control. □ [V adv/prep] His ship had handled like a dream!
8 VERB When you handle something, you hold it or move it with your hands. □ [V n] Wear rubber gloves when handling cat litter.
9 N‑SING If you have a handle on a subject or problem, you have a way of approaching it that helps you to understand it or deal with it. [INFORMAL ] □ When you have got a handle on your anxiety you can begin to control it.
10 PHRASE If you fly off the handle , you suddenly and completely lose your temper. [INFORMAL ] □ He flew off the handle at the slightest thing. SYNONYMS handle VERB 3
manage: How did your mother manage when your father left?
deal with: The agreement would allow other vital problems to be dealt with.
cope: The problems were an annoyance, but we managed to cope.
tackle: The first reason to tackle these problems is to save children's lives.
handle|bar /hæ nd ə lbɑː r / (handlebars ) N‑COUNT The handlebar or handlebars of a bicycle consist of a curved metal bar with handles at each end which are used for steering.
ha ndle|bar mous|ta che (handlebar moustaches ) also handlebar mustache N‑COUNT A handlebar moustache is a long thick moustache with curled ends.
han|dler /hæ ndlə r / (handlers )
1 N‑COUNT A handler is someone whose job is to be in charge of and control an animal. □ Fifty officers, including frogmen and dog handlers, are searching for her.
2 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A handler is someone whose job is to deal with a particular type of object. □ …baggage handlers at Gatwick airport.
ha nd lug|gage N‑UNCOUNT When you travel by air, your hand luggage is the luggage you have with you in the plane, rather than the luggage that is carried in the hold.
hand|made /hæ ndme I d/ also hand-made
1 ADJ Handmade objects have been made by someone using their hands or using tools rather than by machines. □ As they're handmade, each one varies slightly. □ …handmade chocolates.
2 V-PASSIVE If something is handmade , it is made by someone using their hands or using tools rather than by machines. □ [be V -ed] The beads they use are handmade in the Jura mountains in central France.
hand|maiden /hæ ndme I d ə n/ (handmaidens )
1 N‑COUNT A handmaiden is a female servant. [LITERARY , OLD-FASHIONED ]
2 N‑COUNT If one thing is the handmaiden of another, the first thing helps the second or makes it possible. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of/to ] The fear is that science could become the handmaiden of industry.
ha nd-me-down (hand-me-downs )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Hand-me-downs are things, especially clothes, which have been used by someone else before you and which have been given to you for your use. □ Edward wore Andrew's hand-me-downs.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Hand-me-down is used to describe things, especially clothes, which have been used by someone else before you and which have been given to you for your use. □ Most of the boys wore hand-me-down military shirts from their fathers.
hand|out /hæ ndaʊt/ (handouts )
1 N‑COUNT A handout is a gift of money, clothing, or food, which is given free to poor people. □ Each family is being given a cash handout of six thousand rupees.
2 N‑COUNT If you call money that is given to someone a handout , you disapprove of it because you believe that the person who receives it has done nothing to earn or deserve it. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the tendency of politicians to use money on vote-buying handouts.
3 N‑COUNT A handout is a document which contains news or information about something and which is given, for example, to journalists or members of the public. □ Official handouts describe the Emperor as 'particularly noted as a scholar'.
4 N‑COUNT A handout is a paper containing a summary of information or topics which will be dealt with in a lecture or talk.
hand|over /hæ ndoʊvə r / (handovers ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The handover of something is when possession or control of it is given by one person or group of people to another. □ The handover is expected to be completed in the next ten years.
ha nd-pi ck (hand-picks , hand-picking , hand-picked ) also handpick VERB If someone is hand-picked , they are very carefully chosen by someone in authority for a particular purpose or a particular job. □ [be V -ed] He was hand-picked for this job by the Admiral. □ [V n] Sokagakkai was able to hand-pick his successor.
hand|rail /hæ ndre I l/ (handrails ) N‑COUNT A handrail is a long piece of metal or wood which is fixed near stairs or places where people could slip and fall, and which people can hold on to for support.
hand|set /hæ ndset/ (handsets )
1 N‑COUNT The handset of a telephone is the part that you hold next to your face in order to speak and listen.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to a device such as the remote control of a television or stereo as a handset .
ha nds-free ADJ [ADJ n] A hands-free phone or other device can be used without being held in your hand.
hand|shake /hæ ndʃe I k/ (handshakes )
1 N‑COUNT If you give someone a handshake , you take their right hand with your own right hand and hold it firmly or move it up and down, as a sign of greeting or to show that you have agreed about something such as a business deal.
2 → see also golden handshake
hand|some /hæ nsəm/
1 ADJ A handsome man has an attractive face with regular features. □ …a tall, dark, handsome sheep farmer.
2 ADJ A handsome woman has an attractive appearance with features that are large and regular rather than small and delicate. □ …an extremely handsome woman with a beautiful voice.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] A handsome sum of money is a large or generous amount. [FORMAL ] □ They will make a handsome profit on the property. ● hand|some|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He was rewarded handsomely for his efforts.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone has a handsome win or a handsome victory, they get many more points or votes than their opponent. □ The opposition won a handsome victory in the election. ● hand|some|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ The car ran perfectly to the finish, and we won handsomely.
ha nds-o n ADJ [usu ADJ n] Hands-on experience or work involves actually doing a particular thing, rather than just talking about it or getting someone else to do it. □ Ninety-nine per cent of primary pupils now have hands-on experience of computers.
hand|stand /hæ ndstænd/ (handstands ) N‑COUNT If you do a handstand , you balance yourself upside down on your hands with your body and legs straight up in the air.
ha nd-to-ha nd also hand to hand ADJ [ADJ n] Hand-to-hand fighting is fighting where the people are very close together, using either their hands or weapons such as knives. □ There was, reportedly, hand-to-hand combat in the streets.
ha nd-to-mou th ADJ A hand-to-mouth existence is a way of life in which you have hardly enough food or money to live on. □ The worst-paid live a hand-to-mouth existence without medical or other benefits. ● ADV [ADV after v] Hand-to-mouth is also an adverb. □ …penniless students living hand-to-mouth.
ha nd tool (hand tools ) N‑COUNT Hand tools are fairly simple tools which you use with your hands, and which are usually not powered.
hand|wash /hæ ndwɒʃ/ (handwashes , handwashing , handwashed ) VERB If you handwash something, you wash it by hand rather than in a washing machine.
hand|writing /hæ ndra I t I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] Your handwriting is your style of writing with a pen or pencil. □ The address was in Anna's handwriting.
hand|written /hæ ndr I t ə n/ ADJ A piece of writing that is handwritten is one that someone has written using a pen or pencil rather than by typing it.
handy /hæ ndi/ (handier , handiest )
1 ADJ Something that is handy is useful. □ Credit cards can be handy–they mean you do not have to carry large sums of cash.
2 PHRASE If something comes in handy , it is useful in a particular situation. □ The $20 check came in very handy.
3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] A thing or place that is handy is nearby and therefore easy to get or reach. □ It would be good to have a pencil and paper handy.
4 ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] Someone who is handy with a particular tool is skilful at using it. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ with ] If you're handy with a needle you could brighten up your sweater with giant daisies.
handy|man /hæ ndimæn/ (handymen ) N‑COUNT A handyman is a man who earns money by doing small jobs for people such as making and repairing things in their houses. You can also describe a man who is good at making or repairing things in his home as a handyman .
hang ◆◆◇ /hæ ŋ/ (hangs , hanging , hung , hanged ) The form hung is used as the past tense and past participle. The form hanged is used as the past tense and past participle for meaning 5 . 1 VERB If something hangs in a high place or position, or if you hang it there, it is attached there so it does not touch the ground. □ [V prep/adv] Notices painted on sheets hang at every entrance. □ [V -ing] …small hanging lanterns. □ [V n prep/adv] They saw a young woman come out of the house to hang clothes on a line. [Also V n, V ] ● PHRASAL VERB Hang up means the same as hang . □ [V P ] I found his jacket, which was hanging up in the hallway. □ [V P n] Some prisoners climbed onto the roof and hung up a banner. [Also V n P ]
2 VERB If a piece of clothing or fabric hangs in a particular way or position, that is how it is worn or arranged. □ [V adv/prep] …a ragged fur coat that hung down to her calves.
3 VERB If something hangs loose or hangs open, it is partly fixed in position, but is not firmly held, supported, or controlled, often in such a way that it moves freely. □ [V adj] …her long golden hair which hung loose about her shoulders.
4 VERB [usu passive] If something such as a wall is hung with pictures or other objects, they are attached to it. □ [be V -ed + with ] The walls were hung with huge modern paintings.
5 VERB If someone is hanged or if they hang , they are killed, usually as a punishment, by having a rope tied around their neck and the support taken away from under their feet. □ [be V -ed] The five were expected to be hanged at 7 am on Tuesday. □ [V ] It is right that their murderers should hang. □ [V pron-refl] He hanged himself two hours after arriving at a mental hospital. [Also V n] ● hang|ing (hangings ) N‑VAR □ Four steamboat loads of spectators came to view a hanging in New Orleans.
6 VERB If something such as someone's breath or smoke hangs in the air, it remains there without appearing to move or change position. □ [V prep/adv] His breath was hanging in the air before him.
7 VERB If a possibility hangs over you, it worries you and makes your life unpleasant or difficult because you think it might happen. □ [V + over ] A constant threat of unemployment hangs over thousands of university researchers.
8 → see also hanging , hung
9 PHRASE If you get the hang of something such as a skill or activity, you begin to understand or realize how to do it. [INFORMAL ] □ It's a bit tricky at first till you get the hang of it.
10 PHRASE If you tell someone to hang in there or to hang on in there , you are encouraging them to keep trying to do something and not to give up even though it might be difficult. [INFORMAL ] □ Hang in there and you never know what you might achieve.
11 to hang by a thread → see thread
▸ hang around in BRIT, also use hang about , hang round 1 PHRASAL VERB If you hang around , hang about , or hang round , you stay in the same place doing nothing, usually because you are waiting for something or someone. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P v-ing] He got sick of hanging around waiting for me. □ [V P ] On Saturdays we hang about in the park. □ [V P n] …those people hanging round the streets at 6 am with nowhere to go.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you hang around , hang about , or hang round with someone or in a particular place, you spend a lot of time with that person or in that place. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P together ] They usually hung around together most of the time. □ [V P + with ] Helen used to hang round with the boys. □ [V P n] …the usual young crowd who hung around the cafe day in and day out.
▸ hang back
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hang back , you move or stay slightly behind a person or group, usually because you are nervous about something. □ [V P ] I saw him step forward momentarily but then hang back, nervously massaging his hands.
2 PHRASAL VERB If a person or organization hangs back , they do not do something immediately. □ [V P + on ] They will then hang back on closing the deal. □ [V P ] Even his closest advisers believe he should hang back no longer.
▸ hang on
1 PHRASAL VERB If you ask someone to hang on , you ask them to wait or stop what they are doing or saying for a moment. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] Can you hang on for a minute? □ [V P n] Hang on a sec. I'll come with you.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you hang on , you manage to survive, achieve success, or avoid failure in spite of great difficulties or opposition. □ [V P ] United hung on to claim their fifth win in seven games.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you hang on to or hang onto something that gives you an advantage, you succeed in keeping it for yourself, and prevent it from being taken away or given to someone else. □ [V P + to ] The British driver was unable to hang on to his lead. □ [V P n] The company has been struggling to hang onto its sales force.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you hang on to or hang onto something, you hold it very tightly, for example to stop it falling or to support yourself. □ [V P + to ] She was conscious of a second man hanging on to the rail. □ [V P n] …a flight stewardess who helped save the life of a pilot by hanging onto his legs. □ [V P ] He hangs on tightly, his arms around my neck.
5 PHRASAL VERB If you hang on to or hang onto something, you keep it for a longer time than you would normally expect. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] You could hang onto it in the hope that it will be worth millions in 10 years time. □ [V P + to ] In the present climate, owners are hanging on to old ships.
6 PHRASAL VERB If one thing hangs on another, it depends on it in order to be successful. □ [V P n] Much hangs on the success of the collaboration between the Group of Seven governments and Brazil.
▸ hang out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hang out clothes that you have washed, you hang them on a clothes line to dry. □ [V n P ] I was worried I wouldn't be able to hang my washing out. [Also V P n]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you hang out in a particular place or area, you go and stay there for no particular reason, or spend a lot of time there. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ [V P adv/prep] I often used to hang out in supermarkets. □ [V P ] We can just hang out and have a good time.
3 → see also hangout
▸ hang round → see hang around
▸ hang up
1 → see hang 1
2 PHRASAL VERB If you hang up or you hang up the phone, you end a phone call. If you hang up on someone you are speaking to on the phone, you end the phone call suddenly and unexpectedly. □ [V P n] Mum hung up the phone. □ [V P ] Don't hang up! □ [V P + on ] He said he'd call again, and hung up on me.
3 PHRASAL VERB You can use hang up to indicate that someone stops doing a particular sport or activity that they have regularly done over a long period. For example, when a footballer hangs up his boots, he stops playing football. □ [V P n] Keegan announced he was hanging up his boots for good. [Also V n P ]
4 → see also hang-up , hung up
hang|ar /hæ ŋə r / (hangars ) N‑COUNT A hangar is a large building in which aircraft are kept.
hang|dog /hæ ŋdɒg, [AM ] -dɔːg/ also hang-dog ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that someone has a hangdog expression on their face, you mean that they look sad, and often guilty or ashamed.
hang|er /hæ ŋə r / (hangers ) N‑COUNT A hanger is the same as a coat hanger .
ha nger-o n (hangers-on ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a hanger-on , you are critical of them because they are trying to be friendly with a richer or more important person, especially in order to gain an advantage for themselves. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ This is where the young stars and their hangers-on come to party.
ha ng-glider (hang-gliders ) also hang glider N‑COUNT A hang-glider is a type of glider, made from large piece of cloth fixed to a frame. It is used to fly from high places, with the pilot hanging underneath.
ha ng-gliding N‑UNCOUNT Hang-gliding is the activity of flying in a hang-glider.
hang|ing /hæ ŋ I ŋ/ (hangings ) N‑COUNT A hanging is a large piece of cloth that you put as a decoration on a wall.
ha ng|ing ba s|ket (hanging baskets ) N‑COUNT A hanging basket is a basket with small ropes or chains attached so that it can be hung from a hook. Hanging baskets are usually used for displaying plants or storing fruit and vegetables.
hang|man /hæ ŋmæn/ (hangmen ) N‑COUNT A hangman is a man whose job is to execute people by hanging them.
hang|out /hæ ŋaʊt/ (hangouts ) N‑COUNT If a place is a hangout for a particular group of people, they spend a lot of time there because they can relax and meet other people there. [INFORMAL ] □ By the time he was sixteen, Malcolm already knew most of London's teenage hangouts.
hang|over /hæ ŋoʊvə r / (hangovers )
1 N‑COUNT If someone wakes up with a hangover , they feel sick and have a headache because they have drunk a lot of alcohol the night before.
2 N‑COUNT Something that is a hangover from the past is an idea or way of behaving which people used to have in the past but which people no longer generally have. □ [+ from ] As a hangover from rationing, they mixed butter and margarine.
ha ng-up (hang-ups ) N‑COUNT If you have a hang-up about something, you have a feeling of fear, anxiety, or embarrassment about it. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ about ] I don't have any hang-ups about my body.
hank /hæ ŋk/ (hanks ) N‑COUNT A hank of wool, rope, or string is a length of it which has been loosely wound.
hank|er /hæ ŋkə r / (hankers , hankering , hankered ) VERB If you hanker after something, you want it very much. □ [V + after/for ] I hankered after a floor-length brown suede coat. [Also V to-inf]
hank|er|ing /hæ ŋkər I ŋ/ (hankerings ) N‑COUNT [N to-inf] A hankering for something is a desire or longing for it. □ [+ for/after ] From time to time we all get a hankering for something a little different.
hanky /hæ ŋki/ (hankies ) also hankie N‑COUNT A hanky is the same as a handkerchief. [INFORMAL ]
hanky-panky /hæ ŋki pæ ŋki/ N‑UNCOUNT Hanky-panky is used to refer to sexual activity between two people, especially when this is regarded as improper or not serious. [HUMOROUS , INFORMAL ] □ Does this mean no hanky-panky after lights out?
han|som /hæ nsəm/ (hansoms ) N‑COUNT In former times, a hansom or a hansom cab was a horse-drawn carriage with two wheels and a fixed hood.
Ha|nuk|kah /hɑː nʊkə/ also Hanukah N‑UNCOUNT Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that celebrates the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C. It begins in November or December and lasts for eight days.
hap|haz|ard /hæphæ zə r d/ ADJ If you describe something as haphazard , you are critical of it because it is not at all organized or is not arranged according to a plan. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The investigation does seem haphazard. ● hap|haz|ard|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ She looked at the books jammed haphazardly in the shelves.
hap|less /hæ pləs/ ADJ [ADJ n] A hapless person is unlucky. [FORMAL ] □ …his hapless victim.
hap|pen ◆◆◆ /hæ pən/ (happens , happening , happened )
1 VERB Something that happens occurs or is done without being planned. □ [V ] We cannot say for sure what will happen.
2 VERB If something happens , it occurs as a result of a situation or course of action. □ [V ] She wondered what would happen if her parents found her. □ [V ] He trotted to the truck and switched on the ignition. Nothing happened.
3 VERB When something, especially something unpleasant, happens to you, it takes place and affects you. □ [V + to ] If we had been spotted at that point, I don't know what would have happened to us.
4 VERB If you happen to do something, you do it by chance. If it happens that something is the case, it occurs by chance. □ [V to-inf] We happened to discover we had a friend in common. □ [V that] If it happens that I'm wanted somewhere, my mother will take the call and let me know.
5 PHRASE You use as it happens in order to introduce a statement, especially one that is rather surprising. □ She called Amy to see if she had any idea of her son's whereabouts. As it happened, Amy did.
hap|pen|ing /hæ pən I ŋ/ (happenings ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Happenings are things that happen, often in a way that is unexpected or hard to explain. □ The Budapest office plans to hire freelance reporters to cover the latest happenings.
hap|pen|stance /hæ pənstæ ns/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N , oft by N ] If you say that something happened by happenstance , you mean that it happened because of certain circumstances, although it was not planned by anyone. [WRITTEN ] □ I came to live at the farm by happenstance.
hap|pi|ly /hæ p I li/
1 ADV You can add happily to a statement to indicate that you are glad that something happened or is true. □ Happily, his neck injuries were not serious.
2 → see also happy
hap|py ◆◆◇ /hæ pi/ (happier , happiest )
1 ADJ Someone who is happy has feelings of pleasure, usually because something nice has happened or because they feel satisfied with their life. □ Marina was a confident, happy child. □ I'm just happy to be back running. ● hap|pi|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ He had chatted happily with guests in the sunshine. ● hap|pi|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ I think mostly she was looking for happiness.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A happy time, place, or relationship is full of happy feelings and pleasant experiences, or has an atmosphere in which people feel happy. □ It had always been a happy place. □ We have a very happy marriage.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ that, ADJ to-inf] If you are happy about a situation or arrangement, you are satisfied with it, for example because you think that something is being done in the right way. □ [+ about/with ] If you are not happy about a repair, go back and complain. □ He's happy that I deal with it myself.
4 ADJ [v-link ADJ , usu ADJ to-inf] If you say you are happy to do something, you mean that you are very willing to do it. □ I'll be happy to answer any questions if there are any. ● hap|pi|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ If I've caused any offence over something I have written, I will happily apologise.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] Happy is used in greetings and other conventional expressions to say that you hope someone will enjoy a special occasion. □ Happy Birthday! □ Happy Easter!
6 many happy returns → see return
7 ADJ [ADJ n] A happy coincidence is one that results in something pleasant or helpful happening. □ By happy coincidence, Robert met Richard and Julia and discovered they were experiencing similar problems.
ha ppy-go-lu cky ADJ Someone who is happy-go-lucky enjoys life and does not worry about the future.
ha p|py hour (happy hours ) N‑VAR In a pub, happy hour is a period when drinks are sold more cheaply than usual to encourage people to come to the pub.
hara-kiri /hæ rə k I ri/ N‑UNCOUNT In former times, if a Japanese man committed hara-kiri , he killed himself by cutting his own stomach open, in order to avoid dishonour.
ha|rangue /həræ ŋ/ (harangues , haranguing , harangued ) VERB If someone harangues you, they try to persuade you to accept their opinions or ideas in a forceful way. □ [V n] An argument ensued, with various band members joining in and haranguing Simpson and his girlfriend for over two hours. [Also V ]
har|ass /hæ rəs, həræ s/ (harasses , harassing , harassed ) VERB If someone harasses you, they trouble or annoy you, for example by attacking you repeatedly or by causing you as many problems as they can. □ [V n] A woman reporter complained one of them sexually harassed her in the locker room.
har|assed /hæ rəst, həræ st/ ADJ If you are harassed , you are anxious and tense because you have too much to do or too many problems to cope with. □ This morning, looking harassed and drawn, Lewis tendered his resignation.
har|ass|ment /hæ rəsmənt, həræ s-/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft adj N ] Harassment is behaviour which is intended to trouble or annoy someone, for example repeated attacks on them or attempts to cause them problems. □ The party has accused the police of harassment.
har|bin|ger /hɑː r b I ndʒə r / (harbingers ) N‑COUNT Something that is a harbinger of something else, especially something bad, is a sign that it is going to happen. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] The November air stung my cheeks, a harbinger of winter.
har|bour ◆◇◇ /hɑː r bə r / (harbours , harbouring , harboured ) in AM, use harbor 1 N‑COUNT A harbour is an area of the sea at the coast which is partly enclosed by land or strong walls, so that boats can be left there safely. □ She led us to a room with a balcony overlooking the harbour.
2 VERB If you harbour an emotion, thought, or secret, you have it in your mind over a long period of time. □ [V n] He might have been murdered by a former client or someone harbouring a grudge.
3 VERB If a person or country harbours someone who is wanted by the police, they let them stay in their house or country and offer them protection. □ [V n] Accusations of harbouring suspects were raised against the former leadership.
har|bour|master /hɑː r bə r mɑːstə r , -mæs-/ (harbourmasters ) also harbour master in AM, use harbormaster or harbor master N‑COUNT A harbourmaster is the official in charge of a harbour.
hard ◆◆◆ /hɑː r d/ (harder , hardest )
1 ADJ Something that is hard is very firm and stiff to touch and is not easily bent, cut, or broken. □ He shuffled his feet on the hard wooden floor. □ Something cold and hard pressed into the back of his neck. ● hard|ness N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] □ [+ of ] He felt the hardness of the iron railing press against his spine.
2 ADJ [ADJ to-inf] Something that is hard is very difficult to do or deal with. □ It's hard to tell what effect this latest move will have. □ Our traveller's behaviour on the journey is hard to explain. □ That's a very hard question.
3 ADV [ADV after v] If you work hard doing something, you are very active or work intensely, with a lot of effort. □ I'll work hard. I don't want to let him down. □ Am I trying too hard? ● ADJ [ADJ n] Hard is also an adjective. □ I admired him as a true scientist and hard worker.
4 ADJ Hard work involves a lot of activity and effort. □ Coping with three babies is very hard work. □ Their work is hard and unglamorous, and most people would find it boring.
5 ADV [ADV after v] If you look, listen, or think hard , you do it carefully and with a great deal of attention. □ You had to listen hard to hear the old man breathe. ● ADJ [usu ADJ n] Hard is also an adjective. □ It might be worth taking a long hard look at your frustrations and resentments.
6 ADV [ADV after v] If you strike or take hold of something hard , you strike or take hold of it with a lot of force. □ I kicked a dustbin very hard and broke my toe. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Hard is also an adjective. □ He gave her a hard push which toppled her backwards into an armchair.
7 ADV [ADV after v] You can use hard to indicate that something happens intensely and for a long time. □ I've never seen Terry laugh so hard. □ It was snowing hard by then.
8 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If a person or their expression is hard , they show no kindness or sympathy. □ His father was a hard man.
9 ADJ If you are hard on someone, you treat them severely or unkindly. □ [+ on ] Don't be so hard on him. ● ADV [ADV after v] Hard is also an adverb. □ He said the security forces would continue to crack down hard on the protestors.
10 ADJ If you say that something is hard on a person or thing, you mean it affects them in a way that is likely to cause them damage or suffering. □ [+ on ] The grey light was hard on the eyes. □ [+ on ] These last four years have been hard on them.
11 ADJ If you have a hard life or a hard period of time, your life or that period is difficult and unpleasant for you. □ It had been a hard life for her. □ Those were hard times. ● hard|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] In America, people don't normally admit to the hardness of life.
12 ADJ [ADJ n] Hard evidence or facts are definitely true and do not need to be questioned. □ There are probably fewer hard facts about the life of Henry Purcell than that of any other great composer since the Renaissance.
13 ADJ Hard water contains a lot of calcium compounds that stop soap making bubbles and sometimes appear as a deposit in kettles and baths.
14 ADJ [ADJ n] Hard drugs are very strong illegal drugs such as heroin or cocaine.
15 PHRASE If you feel hard done by , you feel that you have not been treated fairly. [BRIT ] □ The hall porter was feeling hard done by at having to extend his shift.
16 PHRASE If you say that something is hard going , you mean it is difficult and requires a lot of effort. □ The talks had been hard going at the start.
17 PHRASE To be hard hit by something means to be affected very severely by it. □ California's been particularly hard hit by the recession.
18 PHRASE If someone plays hard to get , they pretend not to be interested in another person or in what someone is trying to persuade them to do. □ I wanted her and she was playing hard to get.
19 PHRASE If someone is hard put to do something or, in British English if they are hard pushed to do something, they have great difficulty doing it. □ Mr Morton is undoubtedly cleverer than Mr Kirkby, but he will be hard put to match his popularity.
20 PHRASE If you take something hard , you are very upset or depressed by it. □ Maybe I just took it too hard.
ha rd and fa st ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that there are no hard and fast rules, or that there is no hard and fast information about something, you are indicating that there are no fixed or definite rules or facts. □ There are no hard and fast rules, but rather traditional guidelines as to who pays for what.
hard|back /hɑː r dbæk/ (hardbacks ) N‑COUNT [oft in N ] A hardback is a book which has a stiff hard cover. Compare paperback . □ His autobiography has sold more than 36,000 copies in hardback. [in AM, use hardback ]
hard|ball /hɑː r dbɔːl/ PHRASE If someone plays hardball , they will do anything that is necessary to achieve or get what they want, even if this involves being harsh or unfair. [mainly AM ] □ She is playing hardball in a world dominated by men 20 years her senior.
ha rd-bi tten ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as hard-bitten , you are critical of them because they do not show much emotion or have much sympathy for other people, usually because they have experienced many unpleasant things. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a cynical hard-bitten journalist.
hard|board /hɑː r dbɔː r d/ N‑UNCOUNT Hardboard is a material which is made by pressing very small pieces of wood very closely together to form a thin, slightly flexible sheet.
ha rd-boi led also hard boiled
1 ADJ A hard-boiled egg has been boiled in its shell until the whole of the inside is solid.
2 ADJ You use hard-boiled to describe someone who is tough and does not show much emotion. □ She's hard-boiled, tough and funny.
ha rd ca sh N‑UNCOUNT Hard cash is money in the form of notes and coins as opposed to a cheque or a credit card.
ha rd ci |der N‑UNCOUNT Hard cider is an alcoholic drink that is made from apples. [AM ] in BRIT, use cider
ha rd co py (hard copies ) N‑VAR A hard copy of a document is a printed version of it, rather than a version that is stored on a computer. □ …eight pages of hard copy.
ha rd core N‑UNCOUNT Hard core consists of pieces of broken stone that are used as a base on which to build roads. [mainly BRIT ]
ha rd-core also hardcore , hard core
1 N‑SING [N n] You can refer to the members of a group who are the most committed to its activities or who are the most involved in them as a hard core of members or as the hard-core members. □ [+ of ] We've got a hard core of customers that have stood by us. □ [+ of ] A hard-core group of right-wing senators had hoped to sway their colleagues.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Hard-core pornography shows sex in a very detailed way, or shows very violent or unpleasant sex. Compare soft-core .
hard|cover /hɑː r dkʌvə r / (hardcovers ) N‑COUNT [oft in N ] A hardcover is a book which has a stiff hard cover. Compare softcover . [AM ] in BRIT, use hardback
ha rd cu r|ren|cy (hard currencies ) N‑VAR A hard currency is one which is unlikely to lose its value and so is considered to be a good one to have or to invest in. □ The government is running short of hard currency to pay for imports.
ha rd di sk (hard disks ) N‑COUNT A computer's hard disk is a stiff magnetic disk on which data and programs can be stored.
ha rd-dri nking ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone as a hard-drinking person, you mean that they frequently drink large quantities of alcohol.
ha rd drive (hard drives ) also hard-drive N‑COUNT A computer's hard drive is its hard disk, or the part that contains the hard disk. □ Downloads are video files you save on a computer's hard drive.
ha rd-e dged ADJ If you describe something such as a style, play, or article as hard-edged , you mean you admire it because it is powerful, critical, or unsentimental. [APPROVAL ] □ …hard-edged drama.
hard|en /hɑː r d ə n/ (hardens , hardening , hardened )
1 VERB When something hardens or when you harden it, it becomes stiff or firm. □ [V ] Mould the mixture into shape while hot, before it hardens. □ [V n] Give the cardboard two or three coats of varnish to harden it.
2 VERB When an attitude or opinion hardens or is hardened , it becomes harsher, stronger, or fixed. □ [V n] Their action can only serve to harden the attitude of landowners. □ [V ] The bitter split which has developed within Solidarity is likely to harden further into separation. ● hard|en|ing N‑SING □ [+ of ] …a hardening of the government's attitude towards rebellious parts of the army.
3 VERB When prices and economies harden , they become much more stable than they were. □ [V ] Property prices are just beginning to harden again.
4 VERB When events harden people or when people harden , they become less easily affected emotionally and less sympathetic and gentle than they were before. □ [V n] Her years of drunken bickering hardened my heart. □ [V + against ] All of a sudden my heart hardened against her.
5 VERB If you say that someone's face or eyes harden , you mean that they suddenly look serious or angry. □ [V ] His smile died and the look in his face hardened.
hard|ened /hɑː r d ə nd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as hardened , you mean that they have had so much experience of something bad or unpleasant that they are no longer affected by it in the way that other people would be. □ …hardened criminals. □ …hardened politicians.
ha rd hat (hard hats ) N‑COUNT A hard hat is a hat made from a hard material, which people wear to protect their heads on building sites or in factories, or when riding a horse.
ha rd-hea ded ADJ You use hard-headed to describe someone who is practical and determined to get what they want or need, and who does not allow emotions to affect their actions. □ …a hard-headed and shrewd businesswoman.
ha rd-hea rted ADJ If you describe someone as hard-hearted , you disapprove of the fact that they have no sympathy for other people and do not care if people are hurt or made unhappy. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ You would have to be pretty hard-hearted not to feel something for him.
ha rd-hi tting ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a report or speech as hard-hitting , you like the way it talks about difficult or serious matters in a bold and direct way. [JOURNALISM , APPROVAL ] □ In a hard-hitting speech to the IMF, he urged third world countries to undertake sweeping reforms.
ha rd la |bour in AM, use hard labor N‑UNCOUNT Hard labour is hard physical work which people have to do as punishment for a crime. □ The sentence of the court was twelve years' hard labour, to be served in a British prison.
ha rd le ft also hard-left N‑SING [oft N n] You use hard left to describe those members of a left wing political group or party who have the most extreme political beliefs. [mainly BRIT ] □ …the hard-left view that foreign forces should not have been sent. in AM, usually use far left
hard|line /hɑː r dla I n/ also hard-line ADJ If you describe someone's policy or attitude as hardline , you mean that it is strict or extreme, and they refuse to change it. □ The United States has taken a lot of criticism for its hard-line stance.
hard|liner ◆◇◇ /hɑː r dla I nə r / (hardliners ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] The hardliners in a group such as a political party are the people who support a strict, fixed set of ideas that are often extreme, and who refuse to accept any change in them. □ Unionist hardliners warned the U.S. President he would not be welcome.
ha rd lu ck
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone had some hard luck , or that a situation was hard luck on them, you mean that something bad happened to them and you are implying that it was not their fault. [INFORMAL ] □ We had a bit of hard luck this season.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If someone says that a bad situation affecting you is just your hard luck , they do not care about it or think you should be helped, often because they think it is your fault. [INFORMAL ] □ The shop assistants didn't really want to discuss the matter, saying it was just my hard luck.
3 CONVENTION You can say ' hard luck ' to someone to show that you are sorry they have not got or done something that they had wanted to get or do. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ Hard luck, chaps, but don't despair too much.
hard|ly ◆◆◇ /hɑː r dli/
1 ADV [ADV before v] You use hardly to modify a statement when you want to emphasize that it is only a small amount or detail which makes it true, and that therefore it is best to consider the opposite statement as being true. [EMPHASIS ] □ I hardly know you. □ Their two faces were hardly more than eighteen inches apart.
2 ADV You use hardly in expressions such as hardly ever , hardly any , and hardly anyone to mean almost never, almost none, or almost no-one. □ [+ ever ] We ate chips every night, but hardly ever had fish. □ [+ any ] Most of the others were so young they had hardly any experience.
3 ADV [ADV n] You use hardly before a negative statement in order to emphasize that something is usually true or usually happens. [EMPHASIS ] □ Hardly a day goes by without a visit from someone.
4 ADV When you say you can hardly do something, you are emphasizing that it is very difficult for you to do it. [EMPHASIS ] □ My garden was covered with so many butterflies that I could hardly see the flowers.
5 ADV [ADV before v] If you say hardly had one thing happened when something else happened, you mean that the first event was followed immediately by the second. □ He had hardly collected the papers on his desk when the door burst open.
6 ADV [ADV before v] You use hardly to mean 'not' when you want to suggest that you are expecting your listener or reader to agree with your comment. □ We have not seen the letter, so we can hardly comment on it.
7 CONVENTION You use ' hardly ' to mean 'no', especially when you want to express surprise or annoyance at a statement that you disagree with. [SPOKEN ] □ 'They all thought you were marvellous!'—'Well, hardly.' SYNONYMS hardly ADV 1
barely: Anastasia could barely remember the ride to the hospital.
scarcely: He could scarcely breathe.
only just: You're only just back from leave.
ha rd-no sed ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use hard-nosed to describe someone who is tough and realistic, and who takes decisions on practical grounds rather than emotional ones. [INFORMAL ] □ If nothing else, Doug is a hard-nosed businessman.
ha rd of hea r|ing ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is hard of hearing is not able to hear properly.
ha rd po rn N‑UNCOUNT Hard porn is pornography that shows sex in a very detailed way, or shows very violent or unpleasant sex.
ha rd-pre ssed also hard pressed
1 ADJ If someone is hard-pressed , they are under a great deal of strain and worry, usually because they have not got enough money. [JOURNALISM ] □ The region's hard-pressed consumers are spending less on luxuries.
2 ADJ If you will be hard-pressed to do something, you will have great difficulty doing it. □ This year the airline will be hard-pressed to make a profit.
ha rd ri ght also hard-right N‑SING [oft N n] You use hard right to describe those members of a right wing political group or party who have the most extreme political beliefs. [mainly BRIT ] □ …the appearance of hard-right political groupings. in AM, usually use far right
ha rd se ll N‑SING [oft N n] A hard sell is a method of selling in which the salesperson puts a lot of pressure on someone to make them buy something. □ …a double-glazing firm whose hard-sell techniques were exposed by a consumer programme.
hard|ship /hɑː r dʃ I p/ (hardships ) N‑VAR Hardship is a situation in which your life is difficult or unpleasant, often because you do not have enough money. □ Many people are suffering economic hardship. □ One of the worst hardships is having so little time to spend with one's family.
ha rd shou l|der (hard shoulders ) N‑COUNT The hard shoulder is the area at the side of a motorway or other road where you are allowed to stop if your car breaks down. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use shoulder
ha rd u p also hard-up ADJ If you are hard up , you have very little money. [INFORMAL ] □ Her parents were very hard up.
hard|ware /hɑː r dweə r /
1 N‑UNCOUNT In computer systems, hardware refers to the machines themselves as opposed to the programs which tell the machines what to do. Compare software .
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu adj N ] Military hardware is the machinery and equipment that is used by the armed forces, such as tanks, aircraft, and missiles.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Hardware refers to tools and equipment that are used in the home and garden, for example saucepans, screwdrivers, and lawnmowers.
ha rd|ware store (hardware stores ) N‑COUNT A hardware store is a shop where articles for the house and garden such as tools, nails, and pans are sold.
ha rd-wea ring also hard wearing ADJ Something that is hard-wearing is strong and well-made so that it lasts for a long time and stays in good condition even though it is used a lot. [mainly BRIT ] □ …hard-wearing cotton shirts. in AM, use long-wearing
ha rd-wi red also hardwired
1 ADJ A hard-wired part of a computer forms part of its hardware.
2 ADJ If an ability, approach, or type of activity is hard-wired into the brain, it is a basic one and cannot be changed. □ Others think that the rules for what is 'musical' are hard-wired in our brains to some degree.
ha rd-wo n ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something that someone has gained or achieved as hard-won , you mean that they worked hard to gain or achieve it. □ The dispute could destroy Australia's hard-won reputation for industrial stability.
hard|wood /hɑː r dwʊd/ (hardwoods ) N‑VAR [oft N n] Hardwood is wood such as oak, teak, and mahogany, which is very strong and hard. □ …hardwood floors.
ha rd-wo rking also hardworking ADJ If you describe someone as hard-working , you mean that they work very hard. □ He was hardworking and energetic.
har|dy /hɑː r di/ (hardier , hardiest )
1 ADJ Plants that are hardy are able to survive cold weather. □ The silver-leaved varieties of cyclamen are not quite as hardy. ● har|di|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …the hardiness of other species that have blue flowers.
2 ADJ People and animals that are hardy are strong and able to cope with difficult conditions. □ It should not surprise us that such an environment has produced a hardy and independent people. ● har|di|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …the hardiness, endurance, and courage of my companions.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a group of people as hardy , you mean that they have been very patient or loyal, or have been trying hard to do something in difficult conditions. □ …the ten hardy supporters who had made the trek to Dublin from Riga.
hare /heə r / (hares , haring , hared )
1 N‑VAR A hare is an animal like a rabbit but larger with long ears, long legs, and a small tail.
2 VERB If you hare off somewhere, you go there very quickly. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V adv/prep] …an over-protective mother who keeps haring off to ring the babysitter.
ha re-brained also harebrained ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use hare-brained to describe a scheme or theory which you consider to be very foolish and which you think is unlikely to be successful or true. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ This isn't the first hare-brained scheme he's had.
har|em /hɑː riː m, [AM ] he rəm/ (harems ) N‑COUNT If a man, especially a Muslim, has several wives or sexual partners living in his house, they can be referred to as his harem .
hari|cot bean /hæ r I koʊ biːn/ (haricot beans ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Haricot beans are small white beans that are eaten as a vegetable. They are often sold dried rather than fresh. [BRIT ]
hark /hɑː r k/ (harks , harking , harked )
▸ hark back to
1 PHRASAL VERB If you say that one thing harks back to another thing in the past, you mean it is similar to it or takes it as a model. □ [V P P n] …pitched roofs, which hark back to the Victorian era.
2 PHRASAL VERB When people hark back to something in the past, they remember it or remind someone of it. □ [V P P n] The result devastated me at the time. Even now I hark back to it.
har|lequin /hɑː r l I kw I n/ ADJ [ADJ n] You use harlequin to describe something that has a lot of different colours, often in a diamond pattern. [WRITTEN ] □ …the striking harlequin floor.
har|lot /hɑː r lət/ (harlots ) N‑COUNT If someone describes a woman as a harlot , they disapprove of her because she is a prostitute, or because she looks or behaves like a prostitute. [OFFENSIVE , OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ]
harm ◆◇◇ /hɑː r m/ (harms , harming , harmed )
1 VERB To harm a person or animal means to cause them physical injury, usually on purpose. □ [V n] The hijackers seemed anxious not to harm anyone.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Harm is physical injury to a person or an animal which is usually caused on purpose. □ [+ to ] All dogs are capable of doing harm to human beings.
3 VERB To harm a thing, or sometimes a person, means to damage them or make them less effective or successful than they were. □ [V n] …a warning that the product may harm the environment.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Harm is the damage to something which is caused by a particular course of action. □ To cut taxes would probably do the economy more harm than good.
5 PHRASE If you say that someone or something will come to no harm or that no harm will come to them, you mean that they will not be hurt or damaged in any way. □ There is always a lifeguard to ensure that no one comes to any harm.
6 PHRASE If you say it does no harm to do something or there is no harm in doing something, you mean that it might be worth doing, and you will not be blamed for doing it. □ They are not always willing to take on untrained workers, but there's no harm in asking.
7 PHRASE If you say that there is no harm done , you are telling someone not to worry about something that has happened because it has not caused any serious injury or damage. □ There, now, you're all right. No harm done.
8 PHRASE If someone is put in harm's way , they are caused to be in a dangerous situation. □ These men were never told how they'd been put in harm's way.
9 PHRASE If someone or something is out of harm's way , they are in a safe place away from danger or from the possibility of being damaged. □ It is an easy way of keeping children entertained, or simply out of harm's way.
harm|ful /hɑː r mfʊl/ ADJ Something that is harmful has a bad effect on something else, especially on a person's health. □ …the harmful effects of smoking. □ [+ to ] It believed the affair was potentially harmful to British aviation.
harm|less /hɑː r mləs/
1 ADJ Something that is harmless does not have any bad effects, especially on people's health. □ Industry has been working at developing harmless substitutes for these gases. □ This experiment was harmless to the animals. ● harm|less|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Another missile exploded harmlessly outside the town.
2 ADJ If you describe someone or something as harmless , you mean that they are not important and therefore unlikely to annoy other people or cause trouble. □ He seemed harmless enough. □ I would not want to deny them a harmless pleasure. ● harm|less|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ It started harmlessly enough, with a statement from the Secretary of State for Social Security.
har|mon|ic /hɑː r mɒ n I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Harmonic means composed, played, or sung using two or more notes which sound right and pleasing together.
har|moni|ca /hɑː r mɒ n I kə/ (harmonicas ) N‑COUNT A harmonica is a small musical instrument. You play the harmonica by moving it across your lips and blowing and sucking air through it.
har|mo|ni|ous /hɑː r moʊ niəs/
1 ADJ A harmonious relationship, agreement, or discussion is friendly and peaceful. □ Their harmonious relationship resulted in part from their similar goals. ● har|mo|ni|ous|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ To live together harmoniously as men and women is an achievement.
2 ADJ Something that is harmonious has parts which go well together and which are in proportion to each other. □ …a harmonious balance of mind, body, and spirit. ● har|mo|ni|ous|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV after v] □ …a pure, harmoniously proportioned face. □ …stone paths that blend harmoniously with the scenery.
3 ADJ Musical notes that are harmonious produce a pleasant sound when played together. □ …the mysterious skill involved in producing harmonious sounds.
har|mo|nize /hɑː r məna I z/ (harmonizes , harmonizing , harmonized ) in BRIT, also use harmonise 1 VERB If two or more things harmonize with each other, they fit in well with each other. □ [V + with ] …slabs of pink and beige stone that harmonize with the carpet. □ [V ] Barbara White and her mother like to listen to music together, though their tastes don't harmonize.
2 VERB When governments or organizations harmonize laws, systems, or regulations, they agree in a friendly way to make them the same or similar. □ [V n] How far will members have progressed towards harmonising their economies? ● har|mo|ni|za|tion /hɑː r məna I ze I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Air France pilots called a strike over the European harmonisation of their working hours.
3 VERB When people harmonize , they sing or play notes which are different from the main tune but which sound nice with it. □ [V ] With his brothers he harmonised on several hits.
har|mo|ny /hɑː r məni/ (harmonies )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If people are living in harmony with each other, they are living together peacefully rather than fighting or arguing. □ We must try to live in peace and harmony with ourselves and those around us.
2 N‑VAR Harmony is the pleasant combination of different notes of music played at the same time. □ …complex vocal harmonies. □ …singing in harmony.
3 N‑UNCOUNT The harmony of something is the way in which its parts are combined into a pleasant arrangement. □ …the ordered harmony of the universe.
har|ness /hɑː r n I s/ (harnesses , harnessing , harnessed )
1 VERB If you harness something such as an emotion or natural source of energy, you bring it under your control and use it. □ [V n] Turkey plans to harness the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for big hydro-electric power projects.
2 N‑COUNT A harness is a set of straps which fit under a person's arms and fasten round their body in order to keep a piece of equipment in place or to prevent the person moving from a place.
3 N‑COUNT A harness is a set of leather straps and metal links fastened round a horse's head or body so that the horse can have a carriage, cart, or plough fastened to it.
4 VERB [usu passive] If a horse or other animal is harnessed , a harness is put on it, especially so that it can pull a carriage, cart, or plough. □ [be V -ed + to ] On Sunday the horses were harnessed to a heavy wagon for a day-long ride over the Border. [Also be V -ed]
harp /hɑː r p/ (harps , harping , harped ) N‑VAR A harp is a large musical instrument consisting of a row of strings stretched from the top to the bottom of a frame. You play the harp by plucking the strings with your fingers.
▸ harp on PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone harps on a subject, or harps on about it, you mean that they keep on talking about it in a way that other people find annoying. □ [V P n] Jones harps on this theme more than on any other. □ [V P + about ] She concentrated on the good parts of her trip instead of harping on about the bad. [Also V P ]
harp|ist /hɑː r p I st/ (harpists ) N‑COUNT A harpist is someone who plays the harp.
har|poon /hɑː r puː n/ (harpoons , harpooning , harpooned )
1 N‑COUNT A harpoon is a long pointed weapon with a long rope attached to it, which is fired or thrown by people hunting whales or large sea fish.
2 VERB To harpoon a whale or large fish means to hit it with a harpoon. □ [V n] Norwegian whalers said yesterday they had harpooned a female minke whale.
harp|si|chord /hɑː r ps I kɔː r d/ (harpsichords ) N‑VAR A harpsichord is an old-fashioned musical instrument rather like a small piano. When you press the keys, the strings are pulled, rather than being hit by hammers as in a piano.
har|py /hɑː r pi/ (harpies )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] In classical mythology, the harpies were creatures with the bodies of birds and the faces of women. They flew quickly and were cruel and greedy.
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to a woman as a harpy , you mean that she is very cruel or violent. [LITERARY , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a snobby, scheming harpy who sells off the family silverware.
har|ri|dan /hæ r I dən/ (harridans ) N‑COUNT If you call a woman a harridan , you mean that she is unpleasant and speaks too forcefully. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ She was a mean old harridan.
har|row /hæ roʊ/ (harrows ) N‑COUNT A harrow is a piece of farm equipment consisting of a row of blades fixed to a heavy frame. When it is pulled over ploughed land, the blades break up large lumps of soil.
har|row|ing /hæ roʊ I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A harrowing experience is extremely upsetting or disturbing. □ You've had a harrowing time this past month.
har|ry /hæ ri/ (harries , harrying , harried ) VERB If someone harries you, they keep bothering you or trying to get something from you. □ [V n] He is increasingly active in harrying the government in late-night debates. ● har|ried ADJ □ …harried businessmen scurrying from one crowded office to another.
harsh /hɑː r ʃ/ (harsher , harshest )
1 ADJ Harsh climates or conditions are very difficult for people, animals, and plants to live in. □ The weather grew harsh, chilly and unpredictable. ● harsh|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the harshness of their living conditions.
2 ADJ Harsh actions or speech are unkind and show no understanding or sympathy. □ He said many harsh and unkind things about his opponents. ● harsh|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ She's been told that her husband is being harshly treated in prison. ● harsh|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …treating him with great harshness.
3 ADJ Something that is harsh is so hard, bright, or rough that it seems unpleasant or harmful. □ Tropical colours may look rather harsh in our dull northern light. ● harsh|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …as the wine ages, losing its bitter harshness.
4 ADJ Harsh voices and sounds are ones that are rough and unpleasant to listen to. □ It's a pity she has such a loud harsh voice. ● harsh|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Chris laughed harshly. ● harsh|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Then in a tone of abrupt harshness, he added, 'Open these trunks!'.
5 ADJ If you talk about harsh realities or facts, or the harsh truth, you are emphasizing that they are true or real, although they are unpleasant and people try to avoid thinking about them. [EMPHASIS ] □ The harsh truth is that luck plays a big part in who will live or die.
har|vest /hɑː r v I st/ (harvests , harvesting , harvested )
1 N‑SING The harvest is the gathering of a crop. □ There were about 300 million tons of grain in the fields at the start of the harvest.
2 N‑COUNT A harvest is the crop that is gathered in. □ Millions of people are threatened with starvation as a result of drought and poor harvests.
3 VERB When you harvest a crop, you gather it in. □ [V n] Many farmers are refusing to harvest the cane. □ [V -ed] …freshly harvested beetroot. ● har|vest|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …war is hampering harvesting and the distribution of food aid.
har|vest|er /hɑː r v I stə r / (harvesters )
1 N‑COUNT A harvester is a machine which cuts and often collects crops such as wheat, maize, or vegetables.
2 → see also combine harvester
3 N‑COUNT You can refer to a person who cuts, picks, or gathers crops as a harvester .
ha r|vest fe s|ti|val (harvest festivals ) N‑VAR A harvest festival is a Christian church service held every autumn to thank God for the harvest. [mainly BRIT ]
has The auxiliary verb is pronounced /həz, STRONG hæz/. The main verb is usually pronounced /hæ z/. Has is the third person singular of the present tense of have .
ha s-been (has-beens ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a has-been , you are indicating in an unkind way that they were important or respected in the past, but they are not now. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the so-called experts and various has-beens who foist opinions on us.
hash /hæ ʃ/
1 PHRASE If you make a hash of a job or task, you do it very badly. [INFORMAL ] □ The Government made a total hash of things.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A hash is the sign '#', found on phone keypads and computer keyboards. [mainly BRIT , SPOKEN ]
3 N‑UNCOUNT Hash is hashish . [INFORMAL ]
hash bro wns also hashed browns N‑PLURAL Hash browns or hashed browns are potatoes that have been chopped into small pieces, formed into small cakes, and cooked on a grill or in a frying pan.
hash|ish /hæ ʃiːʃ/ N‑UNCOUNT Hashish is an illegal drug made from the hemp plant which some people smoke like a cigarette to make them feel relaxed. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
hash|tag /hæ ʃtæg/ (hashtags ) N‑COUNT A hashtag is a word or phrase that has the hash symbol (#) in front of it, to show that it is the topic of a message on social media. [COMPUTING ] □ Over the course of the day, dozens of memories were collected under the hashtag #Remembering_Challenger.
hasn't /hæ z ə nt/ Hasn't is the usual spoken form of 'has not'.
hasp /hɑː sp hæ sp/ (hasps ) N‑COUNT A hasp is a flat piece of metal with a long hole in it, fastened to the edge of a door or lid. To close the door or lid, you push the hasp over a metal loop fastened to the other part and put a lock through the loop.
has|sle /hæ s ə l/ (hassles , hassling , hassled )
1 N‑VAR A hassle is a situation that is difficult and involves problems, effort, or arguments with people. [INFORMAL ] □ I don't think it's worth the money or the hassle. □ …a day spent travelling, with all the usual hassles at airport check-in.
2 VERB If someone hassles you, they cause problems for you, often by repeatedly telling you or asking you to do something, in an annoying way. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] Then my husband started hassling me.
has|sock /hæ sək/ (hassocks ) N‑COUNT A hassock is a cushion for kneeling on in a church. [mainly BRIT ]
hast /hæ st/ Hast is an old-fashioned second person singular form of the verb 'have'. It is used with 'thou' which is an old-fashioned form of 'you'.
haste /he I st/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Haste is the quality of doing something quickly, sometimes too quickly so that you are careless and make mistakes. □ In their haste to escape the rising water, they dropped some expensive equipment.
2 PHRASE If you do something in haste , you do it quickly and hurriedly, and sometimes carelessly. □ Don't act in haste or be hot-headed.
has|ten /he I s ə n/ (hastens , hastening , hastened )
1 VERB If you hasten an event or process, often an unpleasant one, you make it happen faster or sooner. □ [V n] But if he does this, he may hasten the collapse of his own country.
2 VERB If you hasten to do something, you are quick to do it. □ [V to-inf] She more than anyone had hastened to sign the contract.
3 VERB If you hasten to say something, you quickly add something to what you have just said in order to prevent it being misunderstood. □ [V to-inf] He hastened to assure me that there was nothing traumatic to report.
has|ty /he I sti/ (hastier , hastiest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A hasty movement, action, or statement is sudden, and often done in reaction to something that has just happened. □ He started screaming insults so I made a hasty escape. ● hasti|ly /he I st I li/ ADV [ADV with v] □ 'It may be satisfying, but it's not fun.'—'No, I'm sure it's not,' said Virginia hastily. 'I didn't mean that.'
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A hasty event or action is one that is completed more quickly than normal. □ After the hasty meal, the men had moved forward to take up their positions. ● hasti|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He said good night hastily, promising that he would phone Hans in the morning.
3 ADJ If you describe a person or their behaviour as hasty , you mean that they are acting too quickly, without thinking carefully, for example because they are angry. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ A number of the United States' allies had urged him not to take a hasty decision. ● hasti|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ I decided that nothing should be done hastily, that things had to be sorted out carefully.
hat ◆◇◇ /hæ t/ (hats )
1 N‑COUNT A hat is a head covering, often with a brim round it, which is usually worn out of doors to give protection from the weather.
2 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is wearing a particular hat , you mean that they are performing a particular role at that time. If you say that they wear several hats , you mean that they have several roles or jobs. □ …putting on my nationalistic hat. □ …various problems, including too many people wearing too many hats.
3 PHRASE If you say that you are ready to do something at the drop of a hat , you mean that you are willing to do it immediately, without hesitating. □ India is one part of the world I would go to at the drop of a hat.
4 PHRASE If you tell someone to keep a piece of information under their hat , you are asking them not to tell anyone else about it. □ Look, if I tell you something, will you promise to keep it under your hat?
5 PHRASE If you say that something or someone is old hat , you mean that they have existed or been known for a long time, and they have become uninteresting and boring. □ The younger generation tell me that religion is 'old hat' and science has proved this.
6 PHRASE In British English, if you pass the hat around , you collect money from a group of people, for example in order to give someone a present. In American English, you just say pass the hat . □ Professors are passing the hat to help staff in their department.
7 PHRASE If you say that you take your hat off to someone, you mean that you admire them for something that they have done. [APPROVAL ] □ I take my hat off to Mr Clarke for taking this action.
8 PHRASE To pull something out of the hat means to do something unexpected which helps you to succeed, often when you are failing. □ The team had somehow managed to pull another Cup victory out of the hat.
9 PHRASE In competitions, if you say that the winners will be drawn or picked out of the hat , you mean that they will be chosen randomly, so everyone has an equal chance of winning. □ The first 10 correct entries drawn out of the hat will win a pair of tickets, worth £20 each.
10 to knock something into a cocked hat → see cocked hat
hat|box /hæ tbɒks/ (hatboxes ) N‑COUNT A hatbox is a cylindrical box in which a hat can be carried and stored.
hatch /hæ tʃ/ (hatches , hatching , hatched )
1 VERB When a baby bird, insect, or other animal hatches , or when it is hatched , it comes out of its egg by breaking the shell. □ [V ] As soon as the two chicks hatch, they leave the nest burrow. □ [be V -ed] The young disappeared soon after they were hatched. [Also V n]
2 VERB When an egg hatches or when a bird, insect, or other animal hatches an egg, the egg breaks open and a baby comes out. □ [V ] The eggs hatch after a week or ten days. □ [V n] During these periods the birds will lie on the cage floor as if trying to lay or hatch eggs.
3 VERB If you hatch a plot or a scheme, you think of it and work it out. □ [V n] They hatched a plot to set fire to the house.
4 N‑COUNT A hatch is an opening in the deck of a ship, through which people or cargo can go. You can also refer to the door of this opening as a hatch . □ He stuck his head up through the hatch.
5 N‑COUNT A hatch is an opening in a ceiling or a wall, especially between a kitchen and a dining room, which you can pass something such as food through. [mainly BRIT ]
6 PHRASE If someone battens down the hatches , they prepare themselves so that they will be able to survive a coming difficulty or crisis. □ Many firms are battening down the hatches and preparing to ride out the storm.
hatch|back /hæ tʃbæk/ (hatchbacks ) N‑COUNT A hatchback is a car with an extra door at the back which opens upwards.
hatch|ery /hæ tʃəri/ (hatcheries ) N‑COUNT A hatchery is a place where people control the hatching of eggs, especially fish eggs.
hatch|et /hæ tʃ I t/ (hatchets )
1 N‑COUNT A hatchet is a small axe that you can hold in one hand.
2 PHRASE If two people bury the hatchet , they become friendly again after a quarrel or disagreement.
ha tch|et job (hatchet jobs ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] To do a hatchet job on someone or something means to say or write something mentioning many bad things about them, which harms their reputation. [INFORMAL ] □ Despite its title, his book is no hatchet job. [Also + on ]
ha tch|et man (hatchet men ) N‑COUNT You can refer to someone who makes changes in an organization by getting rid of lots of people as a hatchet man , especially if you think they do so in an unnecessarily harsh way. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
hatch|way /hæ tʃwe I / (hatchways ) N‑COUNT A hatchway is the same as a hatch.
hate ◆◇◇ /he I t/ (hates , hating , hated )
1 VERB If you hate someone or something, you have an extremely strong feeling of dislike for them. □ [V n] Most people hate him, but they don't dare to say so, because he still rules the country. ● N‑UNCOUNT Hate is also a noun. □ I was 17 and filled with a lot of hate. ● hat|ed ADJ [ADJ n] □ He's probably the most hated man in this county.
2 VERB [no cont] If you say that you hate something such as a particular activity, you mean that you find it very unpleasant. □ [V n] Ted hated parties, even gatherings of people he liked individually. □ [V to-inf] He hates to be interrupted during training. □ [V v-ing] He hated coming home to the empty house. □ [V n wh] I hate it when people accuse us of that. □ [V n to-inf] I would hate him to think I'm trying to trap him. □ [V n v-ing] She hates me having any fun and is quite jealous and spoiled.
3 VERB [no cont] You can use hate in expressions such as ' I hate to trouble you ' or ' I hate to bother you ' when you are apologizing to someone for interrupting them or asking them to do something. [POLITENESS ] □ [V to-inf] I hate to rush you but I have another appointment later on.
4 VERB [no cont] You can use hate in expressions such as ' I hate to say it ' or ' I hate to tell you ' when you want to express regret about what you are about to say, because you think it is unpleasant or should not be the case. [FEELINGS ] □ [V to-inf] I hate to admit it, but you were right.
5 to hate someone's guts → see gut
6 VERB [no cont] You can use hate in expressions such as ' I hate to see ' or ' I hate to think ' when you are emphasizing that you find a situation or an idea unpleasant. [EMPHASIS ] □ [V to-inf] I just hate to see you doing this to yourself.
7 VERB [no cont] You can use hate in expressions such as ' I'd hate to think ' when you hope that something is not true or that something will not happen. □ [V to-inf] I'd hate to think my job would not be secure if I left it temporarily.
ha te cam|paign (hate campaigns ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A hate campaign is a series of actions which are intended to harm or upset someone, or to make other people have a low opinion of them. □ The media has waged a virulent hate campaign against her.
ha te crime (hate crimes ) N‑COUNT A hate crime is a crime, especially against people such as homosexuals and members of ethnic minorities, that is motivated by feelings of hatred.
hate|ful /he I tfʊl/
1 ADJ Someone or something that is hateful is extremely bad or unpleasant. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ I'm sorry. That was a hateful thing to say.
2 ADJ Someone who is hateful hates someone else. □ These are not necessarily hateful, malicious people.
ha te mail also hate-mail N‑UNCOUNT If someone receives hate mail , they receive unpleasant or threatening letters.
hat|er /he I tə r / (haters ) N‑COUNT If you call someone a hater of something, you mean that they strongly dislike that thing. □ [+ of ] Braccio was a hater of idleness. ● COMB Hater is also a combining form. □ He was reputed to be a woman-hater.
hath /hæ θ/ Hath is an old-fashioned third person singular form of the verb 'have'.
hat|pin /hæ tp I n/ (hatpins ) N‑COUNT A hatpin is a metal pin which can be pushed through a woman's hat and through her hair to keep the hat in position.
ha|tred /he I tr I d/ N‑UNCOUNT Hatred is an extremely strong feeling of dislike for someone or something. □ [+ of/for ] Her hatred of them would never lead her to murder.
ha t-trick (hat-tricks ) N‑COUNT A hat-trick is a series of three achievements, especially in a sports event, for example three goals scored by the same person in a football game.
haugh|ty /hɔː ti/ (haughtier , haughtiest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use haughty to describe someone's behaviour or appearance when you disapprove of the fact that they seem to be very proud and to think that they are better than other people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He spoke in a haughty tone. ● haugh|ti|ly /hɔː t I li/ ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ Toni looked at him rather haughtily.
haul /hɔː l/ (hauls , hauling , hauled )
1 VERB If you haul something which is heavy or difficult to move, you move it using a lot of effort. □ [V n prep/adv] A crane had to be used to haul the car out of the stream. □ [V adv n] She hauled up her bedroom window and leaned out. [Also V n]
2 VERB [usu passive] If someone is hauled before a court or someone in authority, they are made to appear before them because they are accused of having done something wrong. □ [be V -ed + before ] He was hauled before the managing director and fired. ● PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] Haul up means the same as haul . □ [be V -ed P + before ] He was hauled up before the Board of Trustees.
3 N‑COUNT A haul is a quantity of things that are stolen, or a quantity of stolen or illegal goods found by police or customs. □ The size of the drugs haul shows that the international trade in heroin is still flourishing.
4 PHRASE If you say that a task or a journey is a long haul , you mean that it takes a long time and a lot of effort. □ Revitalising the economy will be a long haul.
5 → see also long-haul
haul|age /hɔː l I dʒ/ N‑UNCOUNT Haulage is the business of transporting goods by road. [mainly BRIT ] □ The haulage company was a carrier of machine parts to Turkey.
haul|er /hɔː lə r / (haulers ) N‑COUNT A hauler is the same as a haulier . [AM ]
haul|ier /hɔː liə r / (hauliers ) N‑COUNT A haulier is a company or a person that transports goods by road. [BRIT ] in AM, use hauler
haunch /hɔː ntʃ/ (haunches )
1 PHRASE If you get down on your haunches , you lower yourself towards the ground so that your legs are bent under you and you are balancing on your feet. □ Edgar squatted on his haunches.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The haunches of an animal or person are the area of the body which includes the bottom, the hips, and the tops of the legs.
haunt /hɔː nt/ (haunts , haunting , haunted )
1 VERB If something unpleasant haunts you, you keep thinking or worrying about it over a long period of time. □ [V n] The decision to leave her children now haunts her.
2 VERB Something that haunts a person or organization regularly causes them problems over a long period of time. □ [V n] The stigma of being a bankrupt is likely to haunt him for the rest of his life.
3 N‑COUNT A place that is the haunt of a particular person is one which they often visit because they enjoy going there. □ The Channel Islands are a favourite summer haunt for U.K. and French yachtsmen alike.
4 VERB A ghost or spirit that haunts a place or a person regularly appears in the place, or is seen by the person and frightens them. □ [V n] His ghost is said to haunt some of the rooms, banging a toy drum.
haunt|ed /hɔː nt I d/
1 ADJ A haunted building or other place is one where a ghost regularly appears. □ Tracy said the cabin was haunted. □ …a haunted house.
2 ADJ Someone who has a haunted expression looks very worried or troubled. □ She looked so haunted, I almost didn't recognize her.
haunt|ing /hɔː nt I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Haunting sounds, images, or words remain in your thoughts because they are very beautiful or sad. □ …the haunting calls of wild birds in the mahogany trees. ● haunt|ing|ly ADV [usu ADV adj] □ Each one of these ancient towns is hauntingly beautiful.
haute cou|ture /oʊt kuːtjʊə r / N‑UNCOUNT Haute couture refers to the designing and making of high-quality fashion clothes, or to the clothes themselves. [FORMAL ]
hau|teur /oʊtɜː r , [AM ] hoʊtʊ r/ N‑UNCOUNT You can use hauteur to describe behaviour which you think is proud and arrogant. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Once, she had been put off by his hauteur.
have
➊ AUXILIARY VERB USES
➋ USED WITH NOUNS DESCRIBING ACTIONS
➌ OTHER VERB USES AND PHRASES
➍ MODAL PHRASES
➊ have ◆◆◆ /həv, STRONG hæv/ (has , having , had ) In spoken English, forms of have are often shortened, for example I have is shortened to I've and has not is shortened to hasn't . 1 AUX You use the forms have and has with a past participle to form the present perfect tense of verbs. □ [AUX -ed] Alex has already gone. □ [AUX -ed] My term hasn't finished yet. □ [AUX -ed] What have you found so far? □ Frankie hasn't been feeling well for a long time.
2 AUX You use the form had with a past participle to form the past perfect tense of verbs. □ [AUX -ed] When I met her, she had just returned from a job interview.
3 AUX Have is used in question tags. □ [AUX n] You haven't sent her away, have you?
4 AUX You use have when you are confirming or contradicting a statement containing 'have', 'has', or 'had', or answering a question. □ 'Have you been to York before?'—'Yes we have.'
5 AUX The form having with a past participle can be used to introduce a clause in which you mention an action which had already happened before another action began. □ [AUX -ed] He arrived in San Francisco, having left New Jersey on January 19th.
➋ have ◆◆◆ /hæ v/ (has , having , had ) Have is used in combination with a wide range of nouns, where the meaning of the combination is mostly given by the noun. 1 VERB [no passive] You can use have followed by a noun to talk about an action or event, when it would be possible to use the same word as a verb. For example, you can say ' I had a look at the photos ' instead of 'I looked at the photos.' □ [V n] I went out and had a walk around. □ [V n] She rested for a while, then had a wash and changed her clothes. □ [V n] I'll have a think about that.
2 VERB [no passive] In normal spoken or written English, people use have with a wide range of nouns to talk about actions and events, often instead of a more specific verb. For example people are more likely to say ' we had ice cream ' or ' he's had a shock ' than 'we ate ice cream', or 'he's suffered a shock'. □ [V n] Come and have a meal with us tonight. □ [V n] She had an operation on her knee at the clinic. □ [V n] His visit had a great effect on them.
➌ have ◆◆◆ /hæ v/ (has , having , had ) For meanings 1 to 4 , people often use have got in spoken British English or have gotten in spoken American English, instead of have . In this case, have is pronounced as an auxiliary verb. For more information and examples of the use of 'have got' and 'have gotten', see got . → Please look at categories 19 and 20 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 VERB [no passive] You use have to say that someone or something owns a particular thing, or when you are mentioning one of their qualities or characteristics. □ [V n] Oscar had a new bicycle. □ [V n] I want to have my own business. □ [V n] You have beautiful eyes. □ [V n] Do you have any brothers and sisters? □ [V n] I have no doubt at all in my own mind about this. □ [V n adv/prep] Have you any valuables anywhere else in the house?
2 VERB [no passive] If you have something to do, you are responsible for doing it or must do it. □ [V n to-inf] He had plenty of work to do. □ [V n to-inf] I have some important calls to make.
3 VERB [no passive] You can use have instead of 'there is' to say that something exists or happens. For example, you can say ' you have no alternative ' instead of 'there is no alternative', or ' he had a good view from his window ' instead of 'there was a good view from his window'. □ [V n] He had two tenants living with him. □ [V n] We haven't any shops on the island.
4 VERB [no passive] If you have something such as a part of your body in a particular position or state, it is in that position or state. □ [V n adj/adv/prep] Mary had her eyes closed. □ [V n adj/adv/prep] As I was working, I had the radio on. □ [V n adj/adv/prep] He had his hand on Maria's shoulder.
5 VERB [no passive] If you have something done, someone does it for you or you arrange for it to be done. □ [V n -ed] I had your rooms cleaned and aired. □ [V n -ed] You've had your hair cut, it looks great.
6 VERB [no passive] If someone has something unpleasant happen to them, it happens to them. □ [V n -ed] We had our money stolen. □ [V n -ed] The dance hall once even had its roof blown off in World War II.
7 VERB [no passive] If you have someone do something, you persuade, cause, or order them to do it. □ [V n inf] The bridge is not as impressive as some guides would have you believe. □ [V n v-ing] Mr Gower had had us all working so hard.
8 VERB [no passive] If someone has you by a part of your body, they are holding you there and they are trying to hurt you or force you to go somewhere. □ [V n + by ] When the police came, Larry had him by the ear and was beating his head against the pavement.
9 VERB [no passive] If you have something from someone, they give it to you. □ [V n] You can have my ticket. □ [V n] I had comments from people in all age groups.
10 VERB [no passive] If you have an illness or disability, you suffer from it. □ [V n] I had a headache. □ [V n] He might be having a heart attack.
11 VERB [no passive] If a woman has a baby, she gives birth to it. If she is having a baby, she is pregnant. □ [V n] My wife has just had a baby boy.
12 VERB [with neg] You can use have in expressions such as ' I won't have it ' or ' I'm not having that ', to mean that you will not allow or put up with something. □ [V n] I'm not having any of that nonsense. □ [V n v-ing] I will not have the likes of you dragging down my reputation.
13 PHRASE You can use has it in expressions such as ' rumour has it that ' or ' as legend has it ' when you are quoting something that you have heard, but you do not necessarily think it is true. [VAGUENESS ] □ Rumour has it that tickets were being sold for £300.
14 PHRASE If someone has it in for you, they do not like you and they want to make life difficult for you. [INFORMAL ] □ He's always had it in for the Dawkins family.
15 PHRASE If you have it in you, you have abilities and skills which you do not usually use and which only show themselves in a difficult situation. □ 'You were brilliant!' he said. 'I didn't know you had it in you.'
16 PHRASE To have it off with someone or have it away with someone means to have sex with them. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE ]
17 PHRASE If you are having someone on , you are pretending that something is true when it is not true, for example as a joke or in order to tease them. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ Malone's eyes widened. 'You're having me on, Liam.'
18 PHRASE If you have it out or have things out with someone, you discuss a problem or disagreement very openly with them, even if it means having an argument, because you think this is the best way to solve the problem. □ [+ with ] Why not have it out with your critic, discuss the whole thing face to face?
19 to be had → see had
20 to have had it → see had
➍ have ◆◆◆ /hæ v, hæ f/ (has , having , had )
1 PHRASE You use have to when you are saying that something is necessary or required, or must happen. If you do not have to do something, it is not necessary or required. □ He had to go to Germany. □ They didn't have to pay tax.
2 PHRASE You can use have to in order to say that you feel certain that something is true or will happen. □ There has to be some kind of way out. USAGE have
You use a progressive form to say that an activity is taking place. For example, don’t say ‘
He has a bath at the moment
’. Say 'He is having
a bath at the moment’. □
The children are having
a party.
ha|ven /he I v ə n/ (havens )
1 N‑COUNT A haven is a place where people or animals feel safe, secure, and happy. □ …Lake Baringo, a freshwater haven for a mixed variety of birds.
2 → see also safe haven
ha ve-nots PHRASE If you refer to two groups of people as haves and have-nots , you mean that the first group are very wealthy and the second group are very poor. You can also refer generally to poor people as have-nots .
haven't /hæ v ə nt/ Haven't is the usual spoken form of 'have not'.
hav|er|sack /hæ və r sæk/ (haversacks ) N‑COUNT A haversack is a canvas bag that is usually worn over one shoulder. [mainly BRIT ]
haves /hæ vz/ haves and have-nots → see have-nots
hav|oc /hæ vək/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Havoc is great disorder, and confusion. □ Rioters caused havoc in the centre of the town.
2 PHRASE If one thing plays havoc with another or wreaks havoc on it, it prevents it from continuing or functioning as normal, or damages it. □ The weather played havoc with airline schedules.
haw /hɔː / (haws , hawing , hawed )
1 N‑COUNT Haws are the red berries produced by hawthorn trees in autumn.
2 EXCLAM Writers sometimes use ' haw haw ' to show that one of their characters is laughing, especially in a rather unpleasant or superior way. □ Look at the plebs! Getting all muddy! Haw haw haw!
3 PHRASE If you hem and haw , or in British English hum and haw , you take a long time to say something because you cannot think of the right words, or because you are not sure what to say. □ Tim hemmed and hawed, but finally told his boss the truth.
hawk /hɔː k/ (hawks , hawking , hawked )
1 N‑COUNT A hawk is a large bird with a short, hooked beak, sharp claws, and very good eyesight. Hawks catch and eat small birds and animals.
2 N‑COUNT In politics, if you refer to someone as a hawk , you mean that they believe in using force and violence to achieve something, rather than using more peaceful or diplomatic methods. Compare dove . □ Both hawks and doves have expanded their conditions for ending the war.
3 VERB If someone hawks goods, they sell them by walking through the streets or knocking at people's houses, and asking people to buy them. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ [V n] …vendors hawking trinkets.
4 VERB You can say that someone is hawking something if you do not like the forceful way in which they are asking people to buy it. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] Developers will be hawking cut-price flats and houses.
5 PHRASE If you watch someone like a hawk , you observe them very carefully, usually to make sure that they do not make a mistake or do something you do not want them to do.
hawk|er /hɔː kə r / (hawkers ) N‑COUNT You can use hawker to refer to a person who tries to sell things by calling at people's homes or standing in the street, especially when you do not approve of this activity. [DISAPPROVAL ]
hawk|ish /hɔː k I ʃ/ ADJ Journalists use hawkish to describe politicians or governments who are in favour of using force to achieve something, rather than using peaceful and diplomatic methods. □ He is one of the most hawkish members of the new cabinet.
haws|er /hɔː zə r / (hawsers ) N‑COUNT A hawser is a large heavy rope, especially one used on a ship.
haw|thorn /hɔː θɔː r n/ (hawthorns ) N‑VAR A hawthorn is a small tree which has sharp thorns and produces white or pink flowers.
hay /he I /
1 N‑UNCOUNT Hay is grass which has been cut and dried so that it can be used to feed animals. □ …bales of hay.
2 PHRASE If you say that someone is making hay or is making hay while the sun shines , you mean that they are taking advantage of a situation that is favourable to them while they have the chance to. □ We knew that war was coming, and were determined to make hay while we could.
ha y fe|ver N‑UNCOUNT If someone is suffering from hay fever , they sneeze and their eyes itch, because they are allergic to grass or flowers.
hay|stack /he I stæk/ (haystacks )
1 N‑COUNT A haystack is a large, solid pile of hay, often covered with a straw roof to protect it, which is left in the field until it is needed.
2 PHRASE If you are trying to find something and say that it is like looking for a needle in a haystack , you mean that you are very unlikely indeed to find it.
hay|wire /he I wa I ə r / ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something goes haywire , it goes out of control or starts doing the wrong thing. [INFORMAL ] □ Many Americans think their legal system has gone haywire.
haz|ard /hæ zə r d/ (hazards , hazarding , hazarded )
1 N‑COUNT A hazard is something which could be dangerous to you, your health or safety, or your plans or reputation. □ A new report suggests that chewing-gum may be a health hazard. [Also + to/for/of ]
2 VERB If you hazard someone or something, you put them into a situation which might be dangerous for them. [mainly WRITTEN ] □ [V n] He could not believe that, had the Englishman known how much he was at risk, he would have hazarded his grandson.
3 VERB If you hazard or if you hazard a guess , you make a suggestion about something which is only a guess and which you know might be wrong. □ [V n] I would hazard a guess that they'll do fairly well in the next election. [Also V that] WORD HISTORY hazard
This word comes from the Arabic al zahr , meaning 'the dice'. Traditionally, games using dice have involved risk, and this has led to the word hazard being used to refer to risk and danger.
haz|ard|ous /hæ zə r dəs/ ADJ Something that is hazardous is dangerous, especially to people's health or safety. □ They have no way to dispose of the hazardous waste they produce.
haze /he I z/ (hazes )
1 N‑VAR Haze is light mist, caused by particles of water or dust in the air, which prevents you from seeing distant objects clearly. Haze often forms in hot weather. □ They vanished into the haze near the horizon.
2 N‑SING If there is a haze of something such as smoke or steam, you cannot see clearly through it. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] Dan smiled at him through a haze of smoke and steaming coffee.
ha|zel /he I z ə l/ (hazels )
1 N‑VAR A hazel is a small tree which produces nuts that you can eat.
2 COLOUR Hazel eyes are greenish-brown in colour.
hazel|nut /he I z ə lnʌt/ (hazelnuts ) N‑COUNT Hazelnuts are nuts from a hazel tree, which can be eaten.
hazy /he I zi/ (hazier , haziest )
1 ADJ Hazy weather conditions are those in which things are difficult to see, because of light mist, hot air, or dust. □ The air was thin and crisp, filled with hazy sunshine and frost.
2 ADJ If you are hazy about ideas or details, or if they are hazy , you are uncertain or confused about them. □ I'm a bit hazy about that. □ I have only a hazy memory of what he was really like.
3 ADJ If things seem hazy , you cannot see things clearly, for example because you are feeling ill. □ My vision has grown so hazy.
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