COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (Collins Cobuild)

H -bomb (H-bombs ) N‑COUNT An H-bomb is a bomb in which energy is released from hydrogen atoms.

HD-DVD /e I tʃ diː diː viː diː / N‑COUNT An HD-DVD is a now obsolete DVD that could store at least twice as much information as a standard DVD. HD-DVD is an abbreviation for 'high definition DVD'.

HDTV /e I tʃ diː tiː viː / N‑UNCOUNT HDTV is a digital television system that gives a much clearer picture than traditional television systems. HDTV is an abbreviation for 'high definition television'. □ HDTV is especially useful if there are a lot of special effects.

he ◆◆◆ /hi, STRONG hiː/ He is a third person singular pronoun. He is used as the subject of a verb. 1 PRON You use he to refer to a man, boy, or male animal. □ He could never quite remember all our names. □ Our dog Rex did all sorts of tricks. I cried when he died.

2 PRON In written English, he is sometimes used to refer to a person without saying whether that person is a man or a woman. Some people dislike this use and prefer to use 'he or she' or 'they'. □ The teacher should encourage the child to proceed as far as he can.

H.E. N‑TITLE H.E. is a written abbreviation for Excellency or Excellency and is used in the title of an important official such as an ambassador. □ …H.E. the Italian Ambassador.

head ◆◆◆ /he d/ (heads , heading , headed ) Head is used in a large number of expressions which are explained under other words in the dictionary. For example, the expression 'off the top of your head' is explained at 'top'. 1 N‑COUNT Your head is the top part of your body, which has your eyes, mouth, and brain in it. □ She turned her head away from him.

2 N‑COUNT You can use head to refer to your mind and your mental abilities. □ …an exceptional analyst who could do complex maths in his head.

3 N‑SING The head of a line of people or vehicles is the front of it, or the first person or vehicle in the line. □ [+ of ] …the head of the queue.

4 VERB If someone or something heads a line or procession, they are at the front of it. □ [V n] The parson, heading the procession, had just turned right towards the churchyard.

5 VERB If something heads a list or group, it is at the top of it. □ [V n] Running a business heads the list of ambitions among the 1,000 people interviewed by Good Housekeeping magazine.

6 N‑SING The head of something is the highest or top part of it. □ [+ of ] …the head of the stairs. □ [+ of ] Every day a different name was placed at the head of the chart.

7 N‑COUNT The head of something long and thin is the end which is wider than or a different shape from the rest, and which is often considered to be the most important part. □ Keep the head of the club the same height throughout the swing.

8 N‑COUNT The head of a school is the teacher who is in charge. [mainly BRIT ]

9 N‑COUNT The head of a company or organization is the person in charge of it and in charge of the people in it. □ [+ of ] …heads of government from more than 100 countries. □ …the head waiter.

10 VERB If you head a department, company, or organization, you are the person in charge of it. □ [V n] He had just been appointed to head the corporate-finance department. □ [V -ed] My department is headed by two 30-year-olds.

11 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The head on a glass of beer is the layer of small bubbles that form on the top of the beer.

12 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you have a bad head , you have a headache. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ I had a terrible head and was extraordinarily drunk.

13 ADV [be ADV , ADV after v] If you toss a coin and it comes down heads , you can see the side of the coin which has a picture of a head on it. □ 'We might toss up for it,' suggested Ted. 'If it's heads, then we'll talk.'. □ Heads or tails?

14 VERB If you are heading for a particular place, you are going towards that place. In American English, you can also say that you are headed for a particular place. □ [V + for ] He headed for the bus stop. □ [V adv/prep] It is not clear how many of them will be heading back to Saudi Arabia tomorrow. □ [V -ed] She and her child boarded a plane headed to where her family lived.

15 VERB If something or someone is heading for a particular result, the situation they are in is developing in a way that makes that result very likely. In American English, you can also say that something or someone is headed for a particular result. □ [V + for ] The latest talks aimed at ending the civil war appear to be heading for deadlock. □ [V -ed + for ] The centuries-old ritual seems headed for extinction. [Also V + towards ]

16 VERB [usu passive] If a piece of writing is headed a particular title, it has that title written at the beginning of it. □ One chapter is headed, 'Beating the Test'.

17 VERB If you head a ball in football, you hit it with your head in order to make it go in a particular direction. □ [V n prep/adv] He headed the ball across the face of the goal. [Also V n]

18 → see also heading

19 PHRASE You use a head or per head after stating a cost or amount in order to indicate that that cost or amount is for each person in a particular group. □ This simple chicken dish costs less than £1 a head.

20 PHRASE From head to foot means all over your body. [EMPHASIS ] □ Colin had been put into a bath and been scrubbed from head to foot.

21 PHRASE If you a have a head for something, you can deal with it easily. For example, if you have a head for figures , you can do arithmetic easily, and if you have a head for heights , you can climb to a great height without feeling afraid. □ I don't have a head for business.

22 PHRASE If you get a fact or idea into your head , you suddenly realize or think that it is true and you usually do not change your opinion about it. □ Once they get an idea into their heads, they never give up.

23 PHRASE If you say that someone has got something into their head , you mean that they have finally understood or accepted it, and you are usually criticizing them because it has taken them a long time to do this. □ She can't get it into her head that Chris will never change.

24 PHRASE If alcoholic drink goes to your head , it makes you feel drunk. □ That wine was strong, it went to your head.

25 PHRASE If you say that something such as praise or success goes to someone's head , you are criticizing them because you think that it makes them too proud or confident. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Ford is definitely not a man to let a little success go to his head.

26 PHRASE If you are head over heels or head over heels in love , you are very much in love.

27 PHRASE If you keep your head , you remain calm in a difficult situation. If you lose your head , you panic or do not remain calm in a difficult situation. □ She was able to keep her head and not panic. □ She lost her head and started screaming at me.

28 PHRASE If you knock something on the head , you stop it. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ When we stop enjoying ourselves we'll knock it on the head.

29 PHRASE Phrases such as laugh your head off and scream your head off can be used to emphasize that someone is laughing or screaming a lot or very loudly. [EMPHASIS ] □ He carried on telling a joke, laughing his head off.

30 PHRASE If you say that someone is off their head , you think that their ideas or behaviour are very strange, foolish, or dangerous. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He's gone completely off his head.

31 PHRASE If you stand an idea or argument on its head or turn it on its head , you think about it or treat it in a completely new and different way. □ Their relationship turned the standard notion of marriage on its head.

32 PHRASE If something such as an idea, joke, or comment goes over someone's head , it is too difficult for them to understand. □ I admit that a lot of the ideas went way over my head.

33 PHRASE If someone does something over another person's head , they do it without asking them or discussing it with them, especially when they should do so because the other person is in a position of authority. □ He was reprimanded for trying to go over the heads of senior officers.

34 PHRASE If you say that something unpleasant or embarrassing rears its ugly head or raises its ugly head , you mean that it occurs, often after not occurring for some time. □ There was a problem which reared its ugly head about a week after she moved back in.

35 PHRASE If you stand on your head , you balance upside down with the top of your head and your hands on the ground.

36 PHRASE If you say that you cannot make head nor tail of something or you cannot make head or tail of it, you are emphasizing that you cannot understand it at all. [INFORMAL ] □ I couldn't make head nor tail of the damn film.

37 PHRASE If somebody takes it into their head to do something, especially something strange or foolish, they suddenly decide to do it. □ He suddenly took it into his head to go out to Australia to stay with his son.

38 PHRASE If a problem or disagreement comes to a head or is brought to a head , it becomes so bad that something must be done about it. □ These problems came to a head in September when five of the station's journalists were sacked.

39 PHRASE If two or more people put their heads together , they talk about a problem they have and try to solve it. □ So everyone put their heads together and eventually an amicable arrangement was reached.

40 PHRASE If you keep your head above water , you just avoid getting into difficulties; used especially to talk about business. □ We are keeping our head above water, but our cash flow position is not too good.

41 PHRASE If you say that heads will roll as a result of something bad that has happened, you mean that people will be punished for it, especially by losing their jobs. □ The group's problems have led to speculation that heads will roll.

▸ head off

1 PHRASAL VERB If you head off a person, animal, or vehicle, you move to a place in front of them in order to capture them or make them change the direction they are moving in. □ [V n P ] He changed direction swiftly, turned into the hallway and headed her off. [Also V P n]

2 PHRASAL VERB If you head something off , especially something unpleasant, you take action before it is expected to happen in order to prevent it from happening. □ [V P n] He would ask Congress to intervene and head off a strike. □ [V n P ] You have to be good at spotting trouble on the way and heading it off.

▸ head up PHRASAL VERB The person who heads up a group, organization, or activity is the leader of it. □ [V P n] Judge Frederick Lacey headed up the investigation. □ [V n P ] Managing director Carol Richards heads it up now.

head|ache /he de I k/ (headaches )

1 N‑COUNT If you have a headache , you have a pain in your head. □ I have had a terrible headache for the last two days.

2 N‑COUNT If you say that something is a headache , you mean that it causes you difficulty or worry. □ The airline's biggest headache is the increase in the price of aviation fuel.

head|band /he dbænd/ (headbands ) also head band N‑COUNT A headband is a narrow strip of material which you can wear around your head across your forehead, for example to keep hair or sweat out of your eyes.

head|board /he dbɔː ^r d/ (headboards ) N‑COUNT A headboard is an upright board at the end of a bed where you lay your head.

hea d bo y (head boys ) N‑COUNT The head boy of a school is the boy who is the leader of the prefects and who often represents the school on public occasions. [BRIT ]

hea d-butt (head-butts , head-butting , head-butted ) also headbutt VERB If someone head-butts you, they hit you with the top of their head. □ [V n] He was said to have head-butted one police officer and stamped on another's hand. ● N‑COUNT Head-butt is also a noun. □ The cuts on Colin's head could only have been made by head-butts.

hea d count (head counts ) N‑COUNT If you do a head count , you count the number of people present. You can also use head count to talk about the number of people that are present at an event, or that an organization employs.

head|dress /he ddres/ (headdresses ) also head-dress N‑COUNT A headdress is something that is worn on a person's head for decoration.

head|er /he də ^r / (headers )

1 N‑COUNT In football, a header is the act of hitting the ball in a particular direction with your head.

2 N‑COUNT A header is text such as a name or a page number that can be automatically displayed at the top of each page of a printed document. Compare footer . [COMPUTING ]

hea d-fi rst also headfirst ADV [ADV after v] If you move head-first in a particular direction, your head is the part of your body that is furthest forward as you are moving. □ He had apparently fallen head-first down the stairwell.

head|gear /he dg I ə ^r / also head gear N‑UNCOUNT You use headgear to refer to hats or other things worn on the head.

hea d gi rl (head girls ) N‑COUNT The head girl of a school is the girl who is the leader of the prefects and who often represents the school on public occasions. [BRIT ]

head|hunt /he dhʌnt/ (headhunts , headhunting , headhunted ) VERB If someone who works for a particular company is headhunted , they leave that company because another company has approached them and offered them another job with better pay and higher status. □ [be V -ed] He was headhunted by Barkers last October to build an advertising team. □ [V n] They may headhunt her for the vacant position of Executive Producer.

head|hunter /he dhʌntə ^r / (headhunters ) also head-hunter N‑COUNT A headhunter is a person who tries to persuade someone to leave their job and take another job which has better pay and more status.

head|ing ◆◇◇ /he d I ŋ/ (headings )

1 N‑COUNT A heading is the title of a piece of writing, which is written or printed at the top of the page. □ …helpful chapter headings.

2 → see also head

head|lamp /he dlæmp/ (headlamps ) N‑COUNT A headlamp is the same as a headlight. [BRIT ]

head|land /he dlənd/ (headlands ) N‑COUNT A headland is a narrow piece of land which sticks out from the coast into the sea.

head|less /he dləs/ ADJ If the body of a person or animal is headless , the head has been cut off.

head|light /he dla I t/ (headlights ) N‑COUNT A vehicle's headlights are the large powerful lights at the front.

head|line ◆◇◇ /he dla I n/ (headlines , headlining , headlined )

1 N‑COUNT A headline is the title of a newspaper story, printed in large letters at the top of the story, especially on the front page. □ The Daily Mail has the headline 'The Voice of Conscience'.

2 N‑PLURAL The headlines are the main points of the news which are read on radio or television. □ I'm Claudia Polley with the news headlines.

3 VERB [usu passive] If a newspaper or magazine article is headlined a particular thing, that is the headline that introduces it. □ [be V -ed quote] The article was headlined 'Tell us the truth'. [Also V n quote]

4 VERB If someone headlines a show, they are the main performer in it.

5 PHRASE Someone or something that hits the headlines or grabs the headlines gets a lot of publicity from the media. □ Diver Tom hit the headlines when he qualified for the quarter finals at 13. COLLOCATIONS headline NOUN 1

noun + headline : banner, newspaper, tabloid

adjective + headline : back-page, front-page; national; lurid, negative, sensational

verb + headline : dominate, grab, hit, hog; run

hea dline-grabbing ADJ [usu ADJ n] A headline-grabbing statement or activity is one that is intended to attract a lot of attention, especially from the media. □ …a series of headline-grabbing announcements.

head|lin|er /he dla I nə ^r / (headliners ) N‑COUNT A headliner is the main performer or group of performers in a show. □ We have introduced singers like Madeline Bell as headliners and I think the club is beginning to take off.

head|long /he dlɒŋ, [AM ] -lɔːŋ/

1 ADV [ADV after v] If you move headlong in a particular direction, you move there very quickly. □ He ran headlong for the open door.

2 ADV [ADV after v] If you fall or move headlong , you fall or move with your head furthest forward. □ She missed her footing and fell headlong down the stairs.

3 ADV [ADV after v] If you rush headlong into something, you do it quickly without thinking carefully about it. □ Do not leap headlong into decisions. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Headlong is also an adjective. □ …the headlong rush to independence.

head|man /he dmən/ (headmen ) N‑COUNT A headman is the chief or leader of a tribe in a village.

head|master /he dmɑː stə ^r , -mæ st-/ (headmasters ) N‑COUNT A headmaster is a man who is the head teacher of a school. [mainly BRIT ]

head|mistress /he dm I str I s/ (headmistresses ) N‑COUNT A headmistress is a woman who is the head teacher of a school. [mainly BRIT ]

hea d of sta te (heads of state ) N‑COUNT A head of state is the leader of a country, for example a president, king, or queen.

hea d-o n

1 ADV [ADV after v] If two vehicles hit each other head-on , they hit each other with their fronts pointing towards each other. □ Pulling out to overtake, the car collided head-on with a van. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Head-on is also an adjective. □ Their car was in a head-on smash with an articulated lorry.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] A head-on conflict or approach is direct, without any attempt to compromise or avoid the issue. □ The head-on clash would leave the government reeling. ● ADV [ADV after v] Head-on is also an adverb. □ Once again, I chose to confront the issue head-on.

head|phones /he dfoʊnz/ N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Headphones are a pair of padded speakers which you wear over your ears in order to listen to a radio, CD player, or tape recorder without other people hearing it.

head|quartered /he dkwɔː ^r tə ^r d/ V-PASSIVE If an organization is headquartered in a particular place, that is where its main offices are. □ [be V -ed + in/at ] The company is headquartered in Chicago.

head|quarters ◆◇◇ /he dkwɔː ^r tə ^r z/ N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] The headquarters of an organization are its main offices. □ …fraud squad officers from London's police headquarters.

head|rest /he drest/ (headrests ) N‑COUNT A headrest is the part of the back of a seat on which you can lean your head, especially one on the front seat of a car.

head|room /he druːm/ N‑UNCOUNT Headroom is the amount of space below a roof or bridge. □ The forecabin, with 6ft headroom, also has plenty of room to stand and get dressed.

head|scarf /he dskɑː ^r f/ (headscarves ) also head scarf

1 N‑COUNT A headscarf is a head covering which Muslim women wear.

2 N‑COUNT A headscarf is a small square scarf which some women wear round their heads, for example to keep their hair tidy. [BRIT ]

head|set /he dset/ (headsets )

1 N‑COUNT A headset is a small pair of headphones that you can use for listening to a radio or recorded music, or for using a phone.

2 N‑COUNT A headset is a piece of equipment that you wear on your head so you can see computer images or images from a camera in front of your eyes.

head|ship /he dʃ I p/ (headships ) N‑COUNT A headship is the position of being the head of a school, college, or department. □ I feel sure you'll be offered the headship.

hea d sta rt (head starts ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you have a head start on other people, you have an advantage over them in something such as a competition or race. □ A good education gives your child a head start in life.

head|stone /he dstoʊn/ (headstones ) N‑COUNT A headstone is a large stone which stands at one end of a grave, usually with the name of the dead person carved on it.

head|strong /he dstrɒŋ, [AM ] -strɔːŋ/ ADJ If you refer to someone as headstrong , you are slightly critical of the fact that they are determined to do what they want. □ He's young, very headstrong, but he's a good man underneath.

hea d tea ch|er (head teachers ) also headteacher N‑COUNT A head teacher is a teacher who is in charge of a school. [BRIT ]

hea d-to-hea d (head-to-heads )

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A head-to-head contest or competition is one in which two people or groups compete directly against each other. □ He beat some of the world's greatest poker players in head-to-head competition. ● ADV Head-to-head is also an adverb. □ Canadian business cannot compete head-to-head with American business.

2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A head-to-head is a head-to-head contest or competition. □ …a head-to-head between the champion and the aspiring champion.

head|way /he dwe I / PHRASE If you make headway , you progress towards achieving something. □ There was concern in the city that police were making little headway in the investigation.

head|wind /he dw I nd/ (headwinds ) also head-wind N‑COUNT A headwind is a wind which blows in the opposite direction to the one in which you are moving.

head|word /he dwɜː ^r d/ (headwords ) N‑COUNT In a dictionary, a headword is a word which is followed by an explanation of its meaning.

heady /he di/ (headier , headiest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] A heady drink, atmosphere, or experience strongly affects your senses, for example by making you feel drunk or excited. □ …in the heady days just after their marriage.

heal ◆◇◇ /hiː l/ (heals , healing , healed )

1 VERB When a broken bone or other injury heals or when something heals it, it becomes healthy and normal again. □ [V ] Within six weeks the bruising had gone, but it was six months before it all healed. □ [be V -ed] Therapies like acupuncture do work and many people have been healed by them.

2 VERB If you heal something such as a rift or a wound, or if it heals , the situation is put right so that people are friendly or happy again. □ [V n] Today Sophie and her sister have healed the family rift and visit their family every weekend. □ [V ] The psychological effects on the United States were immense and in Washington the wounds have still not fully healed.

heal|er /hiː lə ^r / (healers ) N‑COUNT A healer is a person who heals people, especially a person who heals through prayer and religious faith.

health ◆◆◆ /he lθ/

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] A person's health is the condition of their body and the extent to which it is free from illness or is able to resist illness. □ Caffeine is bad for your health.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Health is a state in which a person is not suffering from any illness and is feeling well. □ In hospital they nursed me back to health.

3 N‑UNCOUNT The health of something such as an organization or a system is its success and the fact that it is working well. □ There's no way to predict the future health of the banking industry.

hea lth care wo rk|er (health care workers ) N‑COUNT A health care worker is someone who works in a hospital or health centre.

hea lth cen|tre (health centres ) in AM, use health center N‑COUNT A health centre is a building in which a group of doctors have offices or surgeries where their patients can visit them.

hea lth club (health clubs ) N‑COUNT A health club is a private club that people go to in order to do exercise and have beauty treatments.

hea lth farm (health farms ) N‑COUNT A health farm is a hotel where people go to get fitter or lose weight by exercising and eating special food. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use spa

hea lth food (health foods ) N‑VAR [oft N n] Health foods are natural foods without artificial ingredients which people buy because they consider them to be good for them.

health|ful /he lθfʊl/ ADJ Something that is healthful is good for your health. □ Does the college cafeteria provide a healthful diet?

hea lth visi|tor (health visitors ) N‑COUNT In Britain, a health visitor is a nurse whose job is to visit people in their homes and offer advice on matters such as how to look after very young babies or people with physical disabilities.

healthy ◆◇◇ /he lθi/ (healthier , healthiest )

1 ADJ Someone who is healthy is well and is not suffering from any illness. □ Most of us need to lead more balanced lives to be healthy and happy. ● healthi|ly /he lθ I li/ ADV [usu ADV after v] □ What I really want is to live healthily for as long as possible.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If a feature or quality that you have is healthy , it makes you look well or shows that you are well. □ …the glow of healthy skin.

3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is healthy is good for your health. □ …a healthy diet.

4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A healthy organization or system is successful. □ …an economically healthy socialist state.

5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A healthy amount of something is a large amount that shows success. □ He predicts a continuation of healthy profits in the current financial year.

6 ADJ If you have a healthy attitude about something, you show good sense. □ She has a refreshingly healthy attitude to work.

heap /hiː p/ (heaps , heaping , heaped )

1 N‑COUNT A heap of things is a pile of them, especially a pile arranged in a rather untidy way. □ [+ of ] …a heap of bricks. □ He has dug up the tiles that cover the floor and left them in a heap.

2 VERB If you heap things somewhere, you arrange them in a large pile. □ [V n prep/adv] Mrs. Madrigal heaped more carrots onto Michael's plate. ● PHRASAL VERB Heap up means the same as heap . □ [V P n] Off to one side, the militia was heaping up wood for a bonfire. [Also V n P ]

3 VERB If you heap praise or criticism on someone or something, you give them a lot of praise or criticism. □ [V n + on/upon ] The head of the navy heaped scorn on both the methods and motives of the conspirators.

4 QUANT Heaps of something or a heap of something is a large quantity of it. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] You have heaps of time. □ [+ of ] I got in a heap of trouble.

5 PHRASE Someone who is at the bottom of the heap or at the top of the heap is low down or high up in society or an organization. □ Ordinary workers, once favoured, suddenly found themselves at the bottom of the heap.

6 PHRASE If someone collapses in a heap , they fall heavily and untidily and do not move. □ The young footballer collapsed in a heap after a heavy tackle.

heaped /hiː pt/

1 ADJ [ADJ n] A heaped spoonful has the contents of the spoon piled up above the edge. □ Add one heaped tablespoon of salt.

2 ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] A container or a surface that is heaped with things has a lot of them in it or on it in a pile, often so many that it cannot hold any more. □ The large desk was heaped with papers.

hear ◆◆◆ /h I ə ^r / (hears , hearing , heard /hɜː ^r d/)

1 VERB When you hear a sound, you become aware of it through your ears. □ [V n] She heard no further sounds. □ [V n inf] They heard the protesters shout: 'No more fascism!'. □ [V n v-ing] And then we heard the bells ringing out. □ [V ] I'm not hearing properly.

2 VERB If you hear something such as a lecture or a piece of music, you listen to it. □ [V n] You can hear commentary on the match in about half an hour's time. □ [V n v-ing] I don't think you've ever heard Doris talking about her emotional life before. □ [V n -ed] I'd love to hear it played by a professional orchestra. [Also V n inf]

3 VERB [no cont] If you say that you can hear someone saying something, you mean that you are able to imagine hearing it. □ [V n] Can't you just hear the clichés roll? □ [V n inf] 'I was hot,' I could still hear Charlotte say with her delicious French accent.

4 VERB When a judge or a court of law hears a case, or evidence in a case, they listen to it officially in order to make a decision about it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The jury have heard evidence from defence witnesses.

5 VERB If you hear from someone, you receive a letter, email, or phone call from them. □ [V + from ] Drop us a line, it's always great to hear from you.

6 VERB In a debate or discussion, if you hear from someone, you listen to them giving their opinion or information. □ [V + from ] What are you hearing from people there?

7 VERB If you hear some news or information about something, you find out about it by someone telling you, or from the radio or television. □ [V + of/about ] My mother heard of this school through Leslie. □ [V that] He had heard that the trophy had been sold. □ [V n] I had waited to hear the result.

8 VERB [no cont] If you have heard of something or someone, you know about them, but not in great detail. □ [V + of ] Many people haven't heard of reflexology. □ [V n] …people who, maybe, had hardly heard the word till a year or two ago.

9 PHRASE If you say that you have heard something before , you mean that you are not interested in it, or do not believe it, or are not surprised about it, because you already know about it or have experienced it. □ Furness shrugs wearily. He has heard it all before.

10 CONVENTION During political debates and public meetings, people sometimes say ' Hear hear! ' to express their agreement with what the speaker is saying. [BRIT , FORMAL , FORMULAE ]

11 PHRASE If you say that you can't hear yourself think , you are complaining and emphasizing that there is a lot of noise, and that it is disturbing you or preventing you from doing something. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ For God's sake shut up. I can't hear myself think!

12 PHRASE If you say that you won't hear of someone doing something, you mean that you refuse to let them do it. □ I've always wanted to be an actor but Dad wouldn't hear of it.

▸ hear out PHRASAL VERB If you hear someone out , you listen to them without interrupting them until they have finished saying everything that they want to say. □ [V n P ] Perhaps, when you've heard me out, you'll appreciate the reason for secrecy. □ [V P n] He shows keen interest in his friends, hearing out their problems and offering counsel.

hear|er /h I ə rə ^r / (hearers ) N‑COUNT Your hearers are the people who are listening to you speak. [FORMAL ]

hear|ing ◆◇◇ /h I ə r I ŋ/ (hearings )

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] A person's or animal's hearing is the sense which makes it possible for them to be aware of sounds. □ His mind still seemed clear and his hearing was excellent.

2 N‑COUNT A hearing is an official meeting which is held in order to collect facts about an incident or problem. □ The judge adjourned the hearing until next Tuesday.

3 → see also hard of hearing

4 PHRASE If someone gives you a fair hearing or a hearing , they listen to you when you give your opinion about something. □ Weber gave a fair hearing to anyone who held a different opinion.

5 PHRASE If someone says something in your hearing or within your hearing , you can hear what they say because they are with you or near you. □ No one spoke disparagingly of her father in her hearing. COLLOCATIONS hearing NOUN 2

noun + hearing : court, tribunal; appeal, bail, committal, extradition, parole

adjective + hearing : disciplinary; preliminary; fair

verb + hearing : adjourn; attend; schedule

hea r|ing aid (hearing aids ) N‑COUNT A hearing aid is a device which people with hearing difficulties wear in their ear to enable them to hear better.

hea r|ing dog (hearing dogs ) N‑COUNT Hearing dogs are dogs that have been specially trained to help deaf people.

hea r|ing-im|paired ADJ A hearing-impaired person cannot hear as well as most people. □ Some hearing-impaired children may work harder to overcome their handicap. ● N‑PLURAL The hearing-impaired are people who are hearing-impaired. This use could cause offence. □ The hearing-impaired say digital phones interfere with hearing aids.

hear|say /h I ə ^r se I / N‑UNCOUNT Hearsay is information which you have been told but do not know to be true. □ Much of what was reported to them was hearsay.

hearse /hɜː ^r s/ (hearses ) N‑COUNT A hearse is a large car that carries the coffin at a funeral.

heart ◆◆◇ /hɑː ^r t/ (hearts )

1 N‑COUNT Your heart is the organ in your chest that pumps the blood around your body. People also use heart to refer to the area of their chest that is closest to their heart. □ The bullet had passed less than an inch from Andrea's heart.

2 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] You can refer to someone's heart when you are talking about their deep feelings and beliefs. [LITERARY ] □ Alik's words filled her heart with pride.

3 N‑VAR You use heart when you are talking about someone's character and attitude towards other people, especially when they are kind and generous. [APPROVAL ] □ She loved his brilliance and his generous heart.

4 N‑SING The heart of something is the most central and important part of it. □ [+ of ] The heart of the problem is supply and demand.

5 N‑SING The heart of a place is its centre. □ [+ of ] …a busy dentists' practice in the heart of London's West End.

6 N‑COUNT A heart is a shape that is used as a symbol of love: ♥. □ …heart-shaped chocolates.

7 N‑UNCOUNT [with sing or pl verb] Hearts is one of the four suits in a pack of playing cards. Each card in the suit is marked with one or more red symbols in the shape of a heart. ● N‑COUNT A heart is a playing card of this suit.

8 PHRASE If you feel or believe something with all your heart , you feel or believe it very strongly. [EMPHASIS ] □ My own family I loved with all my heart.

9 PHRASE If you say that someone is a particular kind of person at heart , you mean that that is what they are really like, even though they may seem very different. □ He was a very gentle boy at heart.

10 PHRASE If you say that someone has your interests or your welfare at heart , you mean that they are concerned about you and that is why they are doing something.

11 PHRASE If someone breaks your heart , they make you very sad and unhappy, usually because they end a love affair or close relationship with you. [LITERARY ]

12 PHRASE If something breaks your heart , it makes you feel very sad and depressed, especially because people are suffering but you can do nothing to help them. □ It really breaks my heart to see them this way.

13 PHRASE If you say that someone has a broken heart , you mean that they are very sad, for example because a love affair has ended unhappily. [LITERARY ] □ She never recovered from her broken heart.

14 PHRASE If you know something such as a poem by heart , you have learned it so well that you can remember it without having to read it. □ Mack knew this passage by heart.

15 PHRASE If someone has a change of heart , their attitude towards something changes. □ Several brokers have had a change of heart about prospects for the company.

16 PHRASE If something such as a subject or project is close to your heart or near to your heart , it is very important to you and you are very interested in it and concerned about it. □ Animal welfare is a subject very close to my heart.

17 PHRASE If you can do something to your heart's content , you can do it as much as you want. □ I was delighted to be able to eat my favorite dishes to my heart's content.

18 CONVENTION You can say ' cross my heart ' when you want someone to believe that you are telling the truth. You can also ask ' cross your heart? ', when you are asking someone if they are really telling the truth. [SPOKEN ] □ I won't tell the girls anything you tell me about it. I promise, cross my heart.

19 PHRASE If you say something from the heart or from the bottom of your heart , you sincerely mean what you say. □ He spoke with confidence, from the heart.

20 PHRASE If something gives you heart , it makes you feel more confident or happy about something. □ It gave me heart to see one thug get what he deserves.

21 PHRASE If you want to do something but do not have the heart to do it, you do not do it because you know it will make someone unhappy or disappointed. □ We knew all along but didn't have the heart to tell her.

22 PHRASE If you believe or know something in your heart of hearts , that is what you really believe or think, even though it may sometimes seem that you do not. □ I know in my heart of hearts that I am the right man for that mission.

23 PHRASE If your heart isn't in the thing you are doing, you have very little enthusiasm for it, usually because you are depressed or are thinking about something else. □ I tried to learn some lines but my heart wasn't really in it.

24 PHRASE If you lose heart , you become sad and depressed and are no longer interested in something, especially because it is not progressing as you would like. □ He appealed to his countrymen not to lose heart.

25 PHRASE If your heart is in your mouth , you feel very excited, worried, or frightened. □ My heart was in my mouth when I walked into her office.

26 PHRASE If you open your heart or pour out your heart to someone, you tell them your most private thoughts and feelings. □ She opened her heart to millions yesterday and told how she came close to suicide.

27 PHRASE If you say that someone's heart is in the right place , you mean that they are kind, considerate, and generous, although you may disapprove of other aspects of their character. □ He is a bit of a tearaway but his heart is in the right place.

28 PHRASE If you have set your heart on something, you want it very much or want to do it very much. □ He had always set his heart on a career in the fine arts.

29 PHRASE If you wear your heart on your sleeve , you openly show your feelings or emotions rather than keeping them hidden.

30 PHRASE If you put your heart and soul into something, you do it with a great deal of enthusiasm and energy. [EMPHASIS ]

31 PHRASE If you take heart from something, you are encouraged and made to feel optimistic by it.

32 PHRASE If you take something to heart , for example someone's behaviour, you are deeply affected and upset by it. □ If someone says something critical I take it to heart. COLLOCATIONS heart NOUN

2

verb + heart : touch, warm; capture, win

3

adjective + heart : generous, good, kind, warm; heavy

7

noun + heart : artichoke, celery, lettuce

heart|ache /hɑː ^r te I k/ (heartaches ) also heart-ache N‑VAR Heartache is very great sadness and emotional suffering. □ …after suffering the heartache of her divorce from her first husband.

hea rt at|tack (heart attacks ) N‑COUNT If someone has a heart attack , their heart begins to beat very irregularly or stops completely. □ He died of a heart attack brought on by overwork.

heart|beat /hɑː ^r tbiːt/ N‑SING [oft poss N ] Your heartbeat is the regular movement of your heart as it pumps blood around your body.

heart|break /hɑː ^r tbre I k/ (heartbreaks ) N‑VAR Heartbreak is very great sadness and emotional suffering, especially after the end of a love affair or close relationship.

heart|breaking /hɑː ^r tbre I k I ŋ/ ADJ Something that is heartbreaking makes you feel extremely sad and upset. □ This year we won't even be able to buy presents for our grandchildren. It's heartbreaking.

heart|broken /hɑː ^r tbroʊkən/ ADJ Someone who is heartbroken is very sad and emotionally upset. □ Was your daddy heartbroken when they got a divorce?

heart|burn /hɑː ^r tbɜː ^r n/ N‑UNCOUNT Heartburn is a painful burning sensation in your chest, caused by indigestion.

-hearted /-hɑː ^r t I d/ COMB -hearted combines with adjectives such as 'kind' or 'cold' to form adjectives which indicate that someone has a particular character or personality or is in a particular mood. □ They are now realising just how much they owe to kind-hearted strangers.

heart|en /hɑː ^r t ^ə n/ (heartens , heartening , heartened ) VERB If someone is heartened by something, it encourages them and makes them cheerful. □ [be V -ed] He will have been heartened by the opinion poll published yesterday. □ [V n] The news heartened everybody. ● heart|ened ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ that] □ [+ by ] I feel heartened by her progress. ● heart|en|ing ADJ □ This is heartening news.

hea rt fail|ure N‑UNCOUNT Heart failure is a serious medical condition in which someone's heart does not work as well as it should, sometimes stopping completely so that they die.

heart|felt /hɑː ^r tfelt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Heartfelt is used to describe a deep or sincere feeling or wish. □ My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all the relatives.

hearth /hɑː ^r θ/ (hearths ) N‑COUNT The hearth is the floor of a fireplace, which sometimes extends into the room.

hea rth rug (hearth rugs ) also hearthrug N‑COUNT A hearth rug is a rug which is put in front of a fireplace.

heart|land /hɑː ^r tlænd/ (heartlands )

1 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] Journalists use heartland or heartlands to refer to the area or region where a particular set of activities or beliefs is most significant. □ [+ of ] …his six-day bus tour around the industrial heartland of America.

2 N‑COUNT The most central area of a country or continent can be referred to as its heartland or heartlands . [WRITTEN ] □ For many, the essence of French living is to be found in the rural heartlands.

heart|less /hɑː ^r tləs/ ADJ If you describe someone as heartless , you mean that they are cruel and unkind, and have no sympathy for anyone or anything. □ I couldn't believe they were so heartless.

hea rt-rending also heartrending ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use heart-rending to describe something that causes you to feel great sadness and pity. □ …heart-rending pictures of refugees.

heart|strings /hɑː ^r tstr I ŋz/ N‑PLURAL [oft with poss] If you say that someone or something tugs at your heartstrings , you mean that they cause you to feel strong emotions, usually sadness or pity. □ She knows exactly how to tug at readers' heartstrings.

hea rt-throb (heart-throbs ) N‑COUNT If you describe a man as a heart-throb , you mean that he is physically very attractive, so that a lot of women fall in love with him.

hea rt-to-hea rt (heart-to-hearts ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A heart-to-heart is a conversation between two people, especially close friends, in which they talk freely about their feelings or personal problems. □ I've had a heart-to-heart with him.

hea rt-warming ADJ Something that is heart-warming causes you to feel happy, usually because something nice has happened to people. □ …the heart-warming story of enemies who discover a shared humanity.

hearty /hɑː ^r ti/ (heartier , heartiest )

1 ADJ Hearty people or actions are loud, cheerful, and energetic. □ Wade was a hearty, bluff, athletic sort of guy. □ He gave a hearty laugh. ● hearti|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ He laughed heartily.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Hearty feelings or opinions are strongly felt or strongly held. □ With the last sentiment, Arnold was in hearty agreement. ● hearti|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ Most Afghans are heartily sick of war.

3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A hearty meal is large and very satisfying. □ The men ate a hearty breakfast. ● hearti|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ I ate heartily and always cleared my plate.

heat ◆◆◇ /hiː t/ (heats , heating , heated )

1 VERB When you heat something, you raise its temperature, for example by using a flame or a special piece of equipment. □ [V n] Meanwhile, heat the tomatoes and oil in a pan. □ [V -ed] …heated swimming pools.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Heat is warmth or the quality of being hot. □ The seas store heat and release it gradually during cold periods.

3 N‑UNCOUNT The heat is very hot weather. □ As an asthmatic, he cannot cope with the heat and humidity.

4 N‑UNCOUNT The heat of something is the temperature of something that is warm or that is being heated. □ [+ of ] Adjust the heat of the barbecue by opening and closing the air vents.

5 N‑SING You use heat to refer to a source of heat, for example a cooking ring or the heating system of a house. □ Immediately remove the pan from the heat.

6 N‑UNCOUNT You use heat to refer to a state of strong emotion, especially of anger or excitement. □ [+ of ] It was all done in the heat of the moment and I have certainly learned by my mistake.

7 N‑SING The heat of a particular activity is the point when there is the greatest activity or excitement. □ [+ of ] Last week, in the heat of the election campaign, the Prime Minister left for America.

8 N‑COUNT A heat is one of a series of races or competitions. The winners of a heat take part in another race or competition, against the winners of other heats. □ …the heats of the men's 100m breaststroke.

9 → see also dead heat

10 PHRASE When a female animal is on heat in British English, or in heat in American English, she is in a state where she is ready to mate with a male animal, as this will probably result in her becoming pregnant.

▸ heat up

1 PHRASAL VERB When you heat something up , especially food which has already been cooked and allowed to go cold, you make it hot. □ [V P n] Freda heated up a pie for me. [Also V n P ]

2 PHRASAL VERB When a situation heats up , things start to happen much more quickly and with increased interest and excitement among the people involved. □ [V P ] Then in the last couple of years, the movement for democracy began to heat up.

3 PHRASAL VERB When something heats up , it gradually becomes hotter. □ [V P ] In the summer her mobile home heats up like an oven. SYNONYMS heat VERB 1

warm (up): All that she would have to do was warm up the pudding.

cook: I have to go and cook the dinner.

boil: Boil the water in the saucepan and add the sage.

fry: Fry the breadcrumbs until golden brown.

roast: I personally would rather roast a chicken whole.

heat|ed /hiː t I d/

1 ADJ A heated discussion or quarrel is one where the people involved are angry and excited. □ It was a very heated argument and they were shouting at each other.

2 ADJ If someone gets heated about something, they get angry and excited about it. □ [+ about/over ] You will understand that people get a bit heated about issues such as these. ● heat|ed|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The crowd continued to argue heatedly about the best way to tackle the problem.

heat|er /hiː tə ^r / (heaters ) N‑COUNT A heater is a piece of equipment or a machine which is used to raise the temperature of something, especially of the air inside a room or a car.

heath /hiː θ/ (heaths ) N‑COUNT A heath is an area of open land covered with rough grass or heather and with very few trees or bushes. [BRIT ]

hea|then /hiː ðən/ (heathens )

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Heathen means having no religion, or belonging to a religion that is not Christianity, Judaism, or Islam. [OLD-FASHIONED ] ● N‑PLURAL The heathen are heathen people. □ They first set out to convert the heathen.

2 N‑COUNT People sometimes refer to other people who have no religion as heathens , especially if they do not like the way they behave as a result of this. [OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ]

heath|er /he ðə ^r / N‑UNCOUNT Heather is a low, spreading plant with small purple, pink, or white flowers. Heather grows wild in Europe on high land with poor soil.

heat|ing /hiː t I ŋ/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Heating is the process of heating a building or room, considered especially from the point of view of how much this costs. □ You can still find cottages for £350 a week, including heating. □ …heating bills.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Heating is the system and equipment that is used to heat a building. □ I wish I knew how to turn on the heating.

3 → see also central heating

hea t stroke also heatstroke N‑UNCOUNT Heat stroke is the same as sunstroke .

heat|wave /hiː twe I v/ (heatwaves ) also heat wave N‑COUNT A heatwave is a period of time during which the weather is much hotter than usual.

heave /hiː v/ (heaves , heaving , heaved )

1 VERB If you heave something heavy or difficult to move somewhere, you push, pull, or lift it using a lot of effort. □ [V n prep/adv] It took five strong men to heave the statue up a ramp and lower it into place. ● N‑COUNT Heave is also a noun. □ It took only one heave to hurl him into the river.

2 VERB If something heaves , it moves up and down with large regular movements. □ [V ] His chest heaved, and he took a deep breath.

3 VERB If you heave , or if your stomach heaves , you vomit or feel sick. □ [V ] My stomach heaved and I felt sick.

4 VERB If you heave a sigh , you give a big sigh. □ [V n] Mr Collier heaved a sigh and got to his feet.

5 VERB [usu cont] If a place is heaving or if it is heaving with people, it is full of people. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V ] The Happy Bunny club was heaving. □ [V + with ] Father Auberon's Academy Club positively heaved with dashing young men.

6 to heave a sigh of relief → see sigh

heav|en ◆◇◇ /he vən/ (heavens )

1 N‑PROPER In some religions, heaven is said to be the place where God lives, where good people go when they die, and where everyone is always happy. It is usually imagined as being high up in the sky.

2 N‑UNCOUNT You can use heaven to refer to a place or situation that you like very much. [INFORMAL ] □ We went touring in Wales and Ireland. It was heaven.

3 N‑PLURAL The heavens are the sky. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ He walked out into the middle of the road, looking up at the heavens.

4 → see also seventh heaven

5 PHRASE You say ' Heaven forbid! ' to emphasize that you very much hope that something will not happen. [SPOKEN , EMPHASIS ] □ Heaven forbid that he should leave because of me!

6 EXCLAM You say ' Good heavens! ' or ' Heavens! ' to express surprise or to emphasize that you agree or disagree with someone. [SPOKEN , FEELINGS ] □ Good Heavens! That explains a lot!

7 PHRASE You say ' Heaven help someone' when you are worried that something bad is going to happen to them, often because you disapprove of what they are doing or the way they are behaving. [SPOKEN , DISAPPROVAL ] □ If this makes sense to our leaders, then heaven help us all.

8 PHRASE You can say ' Heaven knows ' to emphasize that you do not know something, or that you find something very surprising. [SPOKEN , EMPHASIS ] □ Heaven knows what they put in it.

9 PHRASE You can say ' Heaven knows ' to emphasize something that you feel or believe very strongly. [SPOKEN , EMPHASIS ] □ Heaven knows they have enough money.

10 PHRASE If the heavens open , it suddenly starts raining very heavily. □ The match had just begun when the heavens opened and play was suspended.

11 for heaven's sake → see sake

12 thank heavens → see thank

heav|en|ly /he vənli/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Heavenly things are things that are connected with the religious idea of heaven. □ …heavenly beings whose function it is to serve God.

2 ADJ Something that is heavenly is very pleasant and enjoyable. [INFORMAL ] □ The idea of spending two weeks with him may seem heavenly.

hea v|en|ly bo dy (heavenly bodies ) N‑COUNT A heavenly body is a planet, star, moon, or other natural object in space.

hea ven-se nt also heaven sent ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use heaven-sent to describe something such as an opportunity which is unexpected, but which is very welcome because it occurs at just the right time. □ It will be a heaven-sent opportunity to prove himself.

heav|en|ward /he v ^ə nwə ^r d/ also heavenwards ADV [ADV after v] Heavenward means towards the sky or to heaven. [WRITTEN ] □ He rolled his eyes heavenward in disgust.

heavi|ly /he v I li/

1 ADV [ADV after v] If someone says something heavily , they say it in a slow way which shows a feeling such as sadness, tiredness, or annoyance. □ 'I didn't even think about her,' he said heavily.

2 → see also heavy

heavy ◆◆◇ /he vi/ (heavier , heaviest , heavies )

1 ADJ Something that is heavy weighs a lot. □ These scissors are awfully heavy. □ The mud stuck to her boots, making her feet heavy and her legs tired. ● heavi|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …a sensation of warmth and heaviness in the muscles.

2 ADJ [as ADJ as ] You use heavy to ask or talk about how much someone or something weighs. □ How heavy are you? □ Protons are nearly 2000 times as heavy as electrons.

3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Heavy means great in amount, degree, or intensity. □ Heavy fighting has been going on. □ He worried about her heavy drinking. □ The traffic along Fitzjohn's Avenue was heavy. ● heavi|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV -ed/adj] □ It has been raining heavily all day. ● heavi|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …the heaviness of the blood loss.

4 ADJ Someone or something that is heavy is solid in appearance or structure, or is made of a thick material. □ He was short and heavy. ● heavi|ly ADV [ADV -ed] □ He was a big man of about forty, wide-shouldered and heavily built.

5 ADJ A heavy meal is large in amount and often difficult to digest. □ He had been feeling drowsy, the effect of an unusually heavy meal.

6 ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] Something that is heavy with things is full of them or loaded with them. [LITERARY ] □ The air is heavy with moisture.

7 ADJ If a person's breathing is heavy , it is very loud and deep. □ Her breathing became slow and heavy. ● heavi|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ She sank back on the pillow and closed her eyes, breathing heavily as if asleep.

8 ADJ [ADJ n] A heavy movement or action is done with a lot of force or pressure. □ …a heavy blow on the back of the skull. ● heavi|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ I sat down heavily on the ground beside the road.

9 ADJ [ADJ n] A heavy machine or piece of military equipment is very large and very powerful. □ …government militia backed by tanks and heavy artillery.

10 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a period of time or a schedule as heavy , you mean it involves a lot of work. □ It's been a heavy day and I'm tired.

11 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Heavy work requires a lot of strength or energy. □ The business is thriving and Philippa employs two full-timers for the heavy work.

12 ADJ If you say that something is heavy on another thing, you mean that it uses a lot of that thing or too much of that thing. □ [+ on ] Tanks are heavy on fuel and destructive to roads.

13 ADJ Air or weather that is heavy is unpleasantly still, hot, and damp. □ The outside air was heavy and moist and sultry.

14 ADJ If your heart is heavy , you are sad about something. [LITERARY ] □ Mr Maddison handed over his resignation letter with a heavy heart.

15 ADJ A situation that is heavy is serious and difficult to cope with. [INFORMAL ] □ I don't want any more of that heavy stuff.

16 N‑COUNT A heavy is a large strong man who is employed to protect a person or place, often by using violence. [INFORMAL ] □ They had employed heavies to evict shop squatters from neighbouring sites.

17 to make heavy weather of something → see weather

18 a heavy hand → see hand ➊

hea vy crea m N‑UNCOUNT Heavy cream is very thick cream. [AM ] in BRIT, use double cream

hea vy-du ty ADJ [usu ADJ n] A heavy-duty piece of equipment is very strong and can be used a lot. □ …a heavy duty polythene bag.

hea vy-ha nded ADJ If you say that someone's behaviour is heavy-handed , you mean that they are too forceful or too rough. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …heavy-handed police tactics.

hea vy i n|dus|try (heavy industries ) N‑VAR Heavy industry is industry in which large machines are used to produce raw materials or to make large objects.

hea vy me t|al (heavy metals )

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Heavy metal is a type of very loud rock music with a fast beat. □ …the drummer for a heavy metal band.

2 N‑COUNT A heavy metal is a metallic element with a high density. Many heavy metals are poisonous. [TECHNICAL ]

hea vy-se t ADJ Someone who is heavy-set has a large solid body.

heavy|weight /he viwe I t/ (heavyweights )

1 N‑COUNT A heavyweight is a boxer weighing more than 175 pounds and therefore in the heaviest class.

2 N‑COUNT If you refer to a person or organization as a heavyweight , you mean that they have a lot of influence, experience, and importance in a particular field, subject, or activity. □ He was a political heavyweight.

He|brew /hiː bruː/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Hebrew is a language that was spoken by Jews in former times. A modern form of Hebrew is spoken now in Israel. □ He is a fluent speaker of Hebrew.

2 ADJ Hebrew means belonging to or relating to the Hebrew language or people. □ …the respected Hebrew newspaper Haaretz.

heck /he k/

1 EXCLAM People sometimes say ' heck! ' when they are slightly irritated or surprised. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ Heck, if you don't like it, don't vote for him.

2 PHRASE People use a heck of to emphasize how big something is or how much of it there is. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ They're spending a heck of a lot of money. □ The truth is, I'm in one heck of a mess.

3 PHRASE You use the heck in expressions such as ' what the heck ' and ' how the heck ' in order to emphasize a question, especially when you are puzzled or annoyed. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ What the heck's that? □ The question was, where the heck was he?

4 PHRASE You say ' what the heck ' to indicate that you do not care about a bad aspect of an action or situation. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ What the heck, I thought, I'll give it a whirl.

heck|le /he k ^ə l/ (heckles , heckling , heckled ) VERB If people in an audience heckle public speakers or performers, they interrupt them, for example by making rude remarks. □ [V n] They heckled him and interrupted his address with angry questions. □ [V ] A small group of youths stayed behind to heckle and shout abuse. ● N‑COUNT Heckle is also a noun. □ The offending comment was in fact a heckle from an audience member. ● heck|ling N‑UNCOUNT □ The ceremony was disrupted by unprecedented heckling and slogan-chanting. ● heck|ler /he klə ^r / (hecklers ) N‑COUNT □ As he began his speech, a heckler called out asking for his opinion on gun control.

hec|tare /he kteə ^r / (hectares ) N‑COUNT A hectare is a measurement of an area of land which is equal to 10,000 square metres, or 2.471 acres.

hec|tic /he kt I k/ ADJ A hectic situation is one that is very busy and involves a lot of rushed activity. □ Despite his hectic work schedule, Benny has rarely suffered poor health.

hec|tor /he ktə ^r / (hectors , hectoring , hectored ) VERB If you say that someone is hectoring you, you do not like the way they are trying to make you do something by bothering you and talking to you aggressively. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] I suppose you'll hector me until I phone him. ● hec|tor|ing ADJ [usu ADJ n] □ In a loud, hectoring tone, Alan told us that he wasn't going to waste time discussing nonsense.

he'd /h I d, hiːd/

1 He'd is the usual spoken form of 'he had', especially when 'had' is an auxiliary verb. □ He'd never learnt to read.

2 He'd is a spoken form of 'he would'. □ He'd come into the clubhouse every day.

hedge /he dʒ/ (hedges , hedging , hedged )

1 N‑COUNT A hedge is a row of bushes or small trees, usually along the edge of a garden, field, or road.

2 VERB If you hedge against something unpleasant or unwanted that might affect you, especially losing money, you do something which will protect you from it. □ [V + against ] You can hedge against redundancy or illness with insurance. □ [V n] Today's clever financial instruments make it possible for firms to hedge their risks.

3 N‑COUNT Something that is a hedge against something unpleasant will protect you from its effects. □ [+ against ] Gold is traditionally a hedge against inflation.

4 VERB If you hedge , you avoid answering a question or committing yourself to a particular action or decision. □ [V ] They hedged in answering various questions about the operation. □ [V with quote] 'I can't give you an answer now,' he hedged.

5 PHRASE If you hedge your bets , you reduce the risk of losing a lot by supporting more than one person or thing in a situation where they are opposed to each other. □ The company tried to hedge its bets by diversifying into other fields.

▸ hedge about or hedge around PHRASAL VERB If you say that something such as an offer is hedged about or is hedged around with rules or conditions, you mean that there are a lot of rules or conditions. □ [be V -ed P + with ] The offer was hedged around with conditions. □ [be V -ed P + with ] Many reduced fares are hedged around with restrictions.

he dge fund (hedge funds ) N‑COUNT A hedge fund is an investment fund that invests large amounts of money using methods that involve a lot of risk. [BUSINESS ]

hedge|hog /he dʒhɒg, [AM ] -hɔːg/ (hedgehogs ) N‑COUNT A hedgehog is a small brown animal with sharp spikes covering its back.

hedge|row /he dʒroʊ/ (hedgerows ) N‑VAR A hedgerow is a row of bushes, trees, and plants, usually growing along a bank bordering a country lane or between fields.

he|don|ism /hiː dən I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Hedonism is the belief that gaining pleasure is the most important thing in life. [FORMAL ]

he|don|ist /hiː dən I st/ (hedonists ) N‑COUNT A hedonist is someone who believes that having pleasure is the most important thing in life. [FORMAL ]

he|don|is|tic /hiː dən I st I k/ ADJ Hedonistic means relating to hedonism. [FORMAL ] □ …the hedonistic pleasures of the South.

heed /hiː d/ (heeds , heeding , heeded )

1 VERB If you heed someone's advice or warning, you pay attention to it and do what they suggest. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] But few at the conference in London last week heeded his warning.

2 PHRASE If you take heed of what someone says or if you pay heed to them, you pay attention to them and consider carefully what they say. [FORMAL ] □ But what if the government takes no heed?

heed|less /hiː dləs/ ADJ If you are heedless of someone or something, you do not take any notice of them. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Heedless of time or any other consideration, they began to search the underwater cave. □ She was rummaging through the letters, scattering them about the table in her heedless haste.

heel /hiː l/ (heels )

1 N‑COUNT Your heel is the back part of your foot, just below your ankle.

2 N‑COUNT The heel of a shoe is the raised part on the bottom at the back. □ …the shoes with the high heels.

3 N‑PLURAL Heels are women's shoes that are raised very high at the back. □ …two well-dressed ladies in high heels. □ …the old adage that you shouldn't wear heels with trousers.

4 N‑COUNT The heel of a sock or stocking is the part that covers your heel.

5 N‑COUNT The heel of your hand is the rounded pad at the bottom of your palm.

6 → see also Achilles heel

7 PHRASE If you bring someone to heel , you force them to obey you. □ It's still not clear how the president will use his power to bring the republics to heel.

8 PHRASE If you dig your heels in or dig in your heels , you refuse to do something such as change your opinions or plans, especially when someone is trying very hard to make you do so. □ It was really the British who, by digging their heels in, prevented any last-minute deal.

9 PHRASE If you say that one event follows hard on the heels of another or hot on the heels of another, you mean that one happens very quickly or immediately after another. □ Unfortunately, bad news has come hard on the heels of good.

10 PHRASE If you say that someone is hot on your heels , you are emphasizing that they are chasing you and are not very far behind you. [EMPHASIS ] □ They sped through the American southwest with the law hot on their heels.

11 PHRASE If you are kicking your heels , you are having to wait around with nothing to do, so that you get bored or impatient. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ The authorities wouldn't grant us permission to fly all the way down to San Francisco, so I had to kick my heels at Tunis Airport.

12 PHRASE If you turn on your heel or spin on your heel , you suddenly turn round, especially because you are angry or surprised. □ He simply turned on his heel and walked away.

13 head over heels → see head

14 to drag your heels → see drag

hefty /he fti/ (heftier , heftiest )

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Hefty means large in size, weight, or amount. [INFORMAL ] □ She was quite a hefty woman. □ If he is found guilty he faces a hefty fine.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A hefty movement is done with a lot of force. [INFORMAL ] □ Lambert gave Luckwell a hefty shove to send him on his way.

he|gemo|ny /h I ge məni, [AM ] -dʒe m-/ N‑UNCOUNT Hegemony is a situation in which one country, organization, or group has more power, control, or importance than others. [FORMAL ]

heh /he / EXCLAM You can use heh , especially in electronic communication, to show that you are amused by something. □ Great comments on this site so far, especially about Bob (heh heh)!

heif|er /he fə ^r / (heifers ) N‑COUNT A heifer is a young cow that has not yet had a calf.

height ◆◇◇ /ha I t/ (heights )

1 N‑VAR [oft with poss] The height of a person or thing is their size or length from the bottom to the top. □ I am 5'6'' in height. □ The wave here has a length of 250 feet and a height of 10 feet. □ He was a man of medium height.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Height is the quality of being tall. □ She admits that her height is intimidating for some men.

3 N‑VAR A particular height is the distance that something is above the ground or above something else mentioned. □ …a test in which a 6.3 kilogram weight was dropped on it from a height of 1 metre.

4 N‑COUNT A height is a high position or place above the ground. □ I'm not afraid of heights.

5 N‑SING When an activity, situation, or organization is at its height , it is at its most successful, powerful, or intense. □ During the early sixth century emigration from Britain to Brittany was at its height.

6 N‑SING If you say that something is the height of a particular quality, you are emphasizing that it has that quality to the greatest degree possible. [EMPHASIS ] □ The hip-hugging black and white polka-dot dress was the height of fashion.

7 N‑PLURAL [oft adj N ] If something reaches great heights , it becomes very extreme or intense. □ …the mid-1980s, when house prices rose to absurd heights. [Also + of ] COLLOCATIONS height NOUN

1

adjective + height : full, maximum, minimum; average, medium, varying

height + be + adjective : adjustable

verb + height : adjust, lower, measure

7

adjective + height : dizzy, giddy, heady, lofty; great, new, unprecedented

verb + height : achieve, hit, reach, scale

height|en /ha I t ^ə n/ (heightens , heightening , heightened ) VERB If something heightens a feeling or if the feeling heightens , the feeling increases in degree or intensity. □ [V n] The move has heightened tension in the state. □ [V ] Cross's interest heightened. □ [V -ed] …a heightened awareness of the dangers that they now face.

hei|nous /he I nəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something such as a crime as heinous , you mean that it is extremely evil or horrible. [FORMAL ] □ They are capable of the most heinous acts.

heir /eə ^r / (heirs ) N‑COUNT [oft with poss] An heir is someone who has the right to inherit a person's money, property, or title when that person dies. □ …the heir to the throne.

hei r ap|pa r|ent (heirs apparent ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The heir apparent to a particular job or position is the person who is expected to have it after the person who has it now. [JOURNALISM ]

heir|ess /eə r I s/ (heiresses ) N‑COUNT An heiress is a woman or girl who has the right to inherit property or a title, or who has inherited it, especially when this involves great wealth. □ [+ to ] …the heiress to a jewellery empire.

heir|loom /eə ^r luːm/ (heirlooms ) N‑COUNT An heirloom is an ornament or other object that has belonged to a family for a very long time and that has been handed down from one generation to another.

heist /ha I st/ (heists ) N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A heist is a robbery, especially one in which money, jewellery, or art is stolen. [JOURNALISM ]

held /he ld/ Held is the past tense and past participle of hold .

heli|cop|ter ◆◇◇ /he likɒptə ^r / (helicopters ) N‑COUNT A helicopter is an aircraft with long blades on top that go round very fast. It is able to stay still in the air and to move straight upwards or downwards.

he li|cop|ter gu n|ship (helicopter gunships ) N‑COUNT A helicopter gunship is a helicopter with large guns attached to it.

he li|cop|ter pa r|ent (helicopter parents ) N‑COUNT If you say someone is a helicopter parent , you mean that they are too closely involved with their child's life and try to control every part of it. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ You don't want a helicopter parent hovering over your every move.

heli|pad /he lipæd/ (helipads ) N‑COUNT A helipad is a place where helicopters can land and take off.

heli|port /he lipɔː ^r t/ (heliports ) N‑COUNT A heliport is an airport for helicopters.

he|lium /hiː liəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Helium is a very light gas that is colourless and has no smell.

he|lix /hiː l I ks/ (helixes ) N‑COUNT A helix is a spiral shape or form. [TECHNICAL ]

hell ◆◇◇ /he l/ (hells )

1 N‑PROPER ; N‑COUNT In some religions, hell is the place where the Devil lives, and where wicked people are sent to be punished when they die. Hell is usually imagined as being under the ground and full of flames.

2 N‑VAR If you say that a particular situation or place is hell , you are emphasizing that it is extremely unpleasant. [EMPHASIS ] □ …the hell of the Siberian labor camps.

3 EXCLAM Hell is used by some people when they are angry or excited, or when they want to emphasize what they are saying. [EMPHASIS ] □ 'Hell, no!' the doctor snapped.

4 PHRASE You can use as hell after adjectives or some adverbs to emphasize the adjective or adverb. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ The men might be armed, but they sure as hell weren't trained.

5 PHRASE If you say that a place or a situation is hell on earth or a hell on earth , you are emphasizing that it is extremely unpleasant or that it causes great suffering. [EMPHASIS ] □ She believed she would die in the snake-infested sand dunes. She said: 'It was hell on earth'.

6 PHRASE If someone does something for the hell of it , or just for the hell of it , they do it for fun or for no particular reason. [INFORMAL ] □ Managers seem to be spending millions just for the hell of it.

7 PHRASE You can use from hell after a noun when you are emphasizing that something or someone is extremely unpleasant or evil. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ He's a child from hell.

8 PHRASE If you tell someone to go to hell , you are angrily telling them to go away and leave you alone. [INFORMAL , RUDE , FEELINGS ] □ 'Well, you can go to hell!' He swept out of the room.

9 PHRASE If you say that someone can go to hell , you are emphasizing angrily that you do not care about them and that they will not stop you doing what you want. [INFORMAL , RUDE , EMPHASIS ] □ Peter can go to hell. It's my money and I'll leave it to who I want.

10 PHRASE If you say that someone is going hell for leather , you are emphasizing that they are doing something or are moving very quickly and perhaps carelessly. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ The first horse often goes hell for leather, hits a few fences but gets away with it.

11 PHRASE Some people say like hell to emphasize that they strongly disagree with you or are strongly opposed to what you say. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ 'I'll go myself.'—'Like hell you will!'

12 PHRASE Some people use like hell to emphasize how strong an action or quality is. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ It hurts like hell.

13 PHRASE If you describe a place or situation as a living hell , you are emphasizing that it is extremely unpleasant. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ School is a living hell for some children.

14 PHRASE If you say that all hell breaks loose , you are emphasizing that a lot of arguing or fighting suddenly starts. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ He had an affair, I found out and then all hell broke loose.

15 PHRASE If you talk about a hell of a lot of something, or one hell of a lot of something, you mean that there is a large amount of it. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ [+ of ] The manager took a hell of a lot of money out of the club.

16 PHRASE Some people use a hell of or one hell of to emphasize that something is very good, very bad, or very big. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ Whatever the outcome, it's going to be one hell of a fight.

17 PHRASE Some people use the hell out of for emphasis after verbs such as 'scare', 'irritate', and 'beat'. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ I patted the top of her head in the condescending way I knew irritated the hell out of her.

18 PHRASE If you say there'll be hell to pay , you are emphasizing that there will be serious trouble. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ There would be hell to pay when Ferguson and Tony found out about it.

19 PHRASE To play hell with something means to have a bad effect on it or cause great confusion. In British English, you can also say that one person or thing plays merry hell with another. [INFORMAL ] □ Lord Beaverbrook, to put it bluntly, played hell with the war policy of the R.A.F.

20 PHRASE If you say that someone raises hell , you are emphasizing that they protest strongly and angrily about a situation in order to persuade other people to correct it or improve it. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ The only way to preserve democracy is to raise hell about its shortcomings.

21 PHRASE People sometimes use the hell for emphasis in questions, after words such as 'what', 'where', and 'why', often in order to express anger. [INFORMAL , RUDE , EMPHASIS ] □ Where the hell have you been?

22 PHRASE If you go through hell , or if someone puts you through hell , you have a very difficult or unpleasant time. [INFORMAL ] □ All of you seem to have gone through hell making this record.

23 PHRASE If you say you hope to hell or wish to hell that something is true, you are emphasizing that you strongly hope or wish it is true. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ I hope to hell you're right.

24 PHRASE If you say that you will do something come hell or high water , you are emphasizing that you are determined to do it, in spite of the difficulties involved. [EMPHASIS ] □ I've always managed to get into work come hell or high water.

25 PHRASE You can say ' what the hell ' when you decide to do something in spite of the doubts that you have about it. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ What the hell, I thought, at least it will give the lazy old man some exercise.

26 PHRASE If you say ' to hell with ' something, you are emphasizing that you do not care about something and that it will not stop you from doing what you want to do. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ To hell with this, I'm getting out of here.

he'll /h I l, hiːl/ He'll is the usual spoken form of 'he will'. □ By the time he's twenty he'll know everyone worth knowing in Washington.

he ll-be nt also hellbent ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is hell-bent on doing something, you are emphasizing that they are determined to do it, even if this causes problems or difficulties for other people. [EMPHASIS ] □ [+ on ] …a man who seems hell-bent on provoking controversy in his articles.

Hel|len|ic /hele n I k, -liː -/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Hellenic is used to describe the people, language, and culture of Ancient Greece.

hell|hole /he lhoʊl/ (hellholes ) N‑COUNT If you call a place a hellhole , you mean that it is extremely unpleasant, usually because it is dirty and uncomfortable. □ …stuck in this hellhole of a jail.

hell|ish /he l I ʃ/ ADJ You describe something as hellish to emphasize that it is extremely unpleasant. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ The atmosphere in Washington is hellish.

hel|lo ◆◇◇ /heloʊ / (hellos ) also hallo , hullo

1 CONVENTION You say ' Hello ' to someone when you meet them. [FORMULAE ] □ Hello, Trish. □ Do you want to pop your head in and say hallo to my girlfriend? ● N‑COUNT Hello is also a noun. □ The salesperson greeted me with a warm hello.

2 CONVENTION You say ' Hello ' to someone at the beginning of a phone conversation, either when you answer the phone or before you give your name or say why you are phoning. [FORMULAE ] □ A moment later, Cohen picked up the phone. 'Hello?'

3 CONVENTION You can call ' hello ' to attract someone's attention. □ Very softly, she called out: 'Hallo? Who's there?'

he ll-raiser (hell-raisers ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a hell-raiser , you mean that they often behave in a wild and unacceptable way, especially because they have drunk too much alcohol. [INFORMAL ]

hell|uva /he ləvə/ ADJ Some people say a helluva or one helluva to emphasize that something is very good, very bad, or very big. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ It taught me a helluva lot about myself. □ The man did one helluva job getting it all together.

helm /he lm/ (helms )

1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The helm of a boat or ship is the part that is used to steer it.

2 N‑SING You can say that someone is at the helm when they are leading or running a country or organization. □ He has been at the helm of Lonrho for 31 years.

hel|met /he lm I t/ (helmets )

1 N‑COUNT A helmet is a hat made of a strong material which you wear to protect your head.

2 → see also crash helmet

helms|man /he lmzmən/ (helmsmen ) N‑COUNT The helmsman of a boat is the person who is steering it.

help ◆◆◆ /he lp/ (helps , helping , helped )

1 VERB If you help someone, you make it easier for them to do something, for example by doing part of the work for them or by giving them advice or money. □ [V to-inf/inf] He has helped to raise a lot of money. □ [V ] You can of course help by giving them a donation directly. □ [V n] If you're not willing to help me, I'll find somebody who will. ● N‑UNCOUNT Help is also a noun. □ Thanks very much for your help. □ Always ask the pharmacist for help.

2 VERB If you say that something helps , you mean that it makes something easier to do or get, or that it improves a situation to some extent. □ [V to-inf/inf] The right style of swimsuit can help to hide, minimise or emphasise what you want it to. □ [V n] Building more motorways will help the environment by reducing pollution in cities. □ [V n to-inf/inf] Understanding these rare molecules will help chemists to find out what is achievable. □ [V ] I could cook your supper, though, if that would help.

3 VERB If you help someone go somewhere or move in some way, you give them support so that they can move more easily. □ [V n prep/adv] Martin helped Tanya over the rail. □ [V n inf/to-inf] She helped her sit up in bed so she could hold her baby.

4 N‑SING If you say that someone or something has been a help or has been some help , you mean that they have helped you to solve a problem. □ The books were not much help.

5 N‑UNCOUNT Help is action taken to rescue a person who is in danger. You shout ' help! ' when you are in danger in order to attract someone's attention so that they can come and rescue you. □ He was screaming for help. □ 'Help!' I screamed, turning to run.

6 N‑UNCOUNT In computing, help , or the help menu, is a file that gives you information and advice, for example about how to use a particular program. [COMPUTING ] □ If you get stuck, click on Help.

7 VERB If you help yourself to something, you serve yourself or you take it for yourself. If someone tells you to help yourself , they are telling you politely to serve yourself anything you want or to take anything you want. □ [V pron-refl] There's bread on the table. Help yourself. □ [V pron-refl + to ] Just help yourself to leaflets.

8 VERB If someone helps themselves to something, they steal it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V pron-refl + to ] Has somebody helped himself to some film star's diamonds?

9 → see also helping

10 PHRASE If you can't help the way you feel or behave, you cannot control it or stop it happening. You can also say that you can't help yourself . □ I can't help feeling sorry for the poor man.

11 PHRASE If you say you can't help thinking something, you are expressing your opinion in an indirect way, often because you think it seems rude. [VAGUENESS ] □ I can't help feeling that this may just be another of her schemes.

12 PHRASE If someone or something is of help , they make a situation easier or better. □ Can I be of help to you?

▸ help out PHRASAL VERB If you help someone out , you help them by doing some work for them or by lending them some money. □ [V P + with ] I help out with the secretarial work. □ [V n P ] All these presents came to more money than I had, and my mother had to help me out. □ [V P n] He thought you'd been brought in from Toronto to help out the local police. [Also V P ] SYNONYMS help VERB 1

aid: …a software system to aid managers in advanced decision-making.

assist: Julia was assisting him to prepare his speech.

bet: We shall strike hard, without flinching, at terrorists and those who abet them. COLLOCATIONS help NOUN

1

adjective + help : big, enormous, great, tremendous; considerable; financial, medical, psychiatric, psychological, technical; expert, professional

verb + help : ask for, enlist, seek; need; offer, provide; get, receive

6

verb + help : summon; call for, scream for, shout for VERB 2

help + adverb : enormously, immeasurably

help|er /he lpə ^r / (helpers ) N‑COUNT A helper is a person who helps another person or group with a job they are doing.

help|ful /he lpfʊl/

1 ADJ If you describe someone as helpful , you mean that they help you in some way, such as doing part of your job for you or by giving you advice or information. □ The staff in the London office are helpful but only have limited information. ● help|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ They had helpfully provided us with instructions on how to find the house. ● help|ful|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ The level of expertise and helpfulness is far higher in smaller shops.

2 ADJ If you describe information or advice as helpful , you mean that it is useful for you. □ The following information may be helpful to readers.

3 ADJ Something that is helpful makes a situation more pleasant or more easy to tolerate. □ It is often helpful to have your spouse in the room when major news is expected.

help|ing /he lp I ŋ/ (helpings )

1 N‑COUNT [adj N ] A helping of food is the amount of it that you get in a single serving. □ [+ of ] She gave them extra helpings of ice-cream.

2 N‑COUNT You can refer to an amount of something, especially a quality, as a helping of that thing. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] It took a generous helping of entrepreneurial confidence to persevere during this incident.

help|less /he lpləs/ ADJ [oft ADJ to-inf] If you are helpless , you do not have the strength or power to do anything useful or to control or protect yourself. □ Parents often feel helpless, knowing that all the cuddles in the world won't stop the tears. ● help|less|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Their son watched helplessly as they vanished beneath the waves. ● help|less|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ I remember my feelings of helplessness.

help|line /he lpla I n/ (helplines ) N‑COUNT A helpline is a special phone service that people can call to get advice about a particular subject.

help|mate /he lpme I t/ (helpmates ) N‑COUNT If you say that one person is another person's helpmate , you mean that they help the other person in their life or work, especially by doing boring but necessary jobs for them such as cooking and cleaning. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

helter-skelter /he ltə ^r ske ltə ^r / ADJ [ADJ n] You use helter-skelter to describe something that is hurried and disorganized, especially when things happen very quickly, one after the other. □ He now faces another crisis in his helter-skelter existence. ● ADV [ADV after v] Helter-skelter is also an adverb. □ …a panic-stricken crowd running helter-skelter to get away from the tear gas.

hem /he m/ (hems , hemming , hemmed )

1 N‑COUNT A hem on something such as a piece of clothing is an edge that is folded over and stitched down to prevent threads coming loose. The hem of a skirt or dress is the bottom edge.

2 VERB If you hem something, you form a hem along its edge. □ [V n] Turn under and hem the outer edges.

3 hem and haw → see haw

▸ hem in

1 PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If a place is hemmed in by mountains or by other places, it is surrounded by them. □ [be V -ed P + by ] Manchester is hemmed in by greenbelt countryside and by housing and industrial areas.

2 PHRASAL VERB If someone is hemmed in or if someone hems them in , they are prevented from moving or changing, for example because they are surrounded by people or obstacles. □ [be V -ed P + by ] The company's competitors complain that they are hemmed in by rigid legal contracts. [Also V n P ]

he -man (he-men ) N‑COUNT A he-man is a strong and very masculine man. [INFORMAL ]

hemi|sphere /he m I sf I ə ^r / (hemispheres )

1 N‑COUNT A hemisphere is one half of the earth. □ …the northern hemisphere.

2 N‑COUNT A hemisphere is one half of the brain.

hem|line /he mla I n/ (hemlines ) N‑COUNT The hemline of a dress or skirt is its lower edge. People sometimes use hemline to talk about how long a dress or skirt is. □ Mickey favoured tight skirts with a hemline at the knee.

hem|lock /he mlɒk/ N‑UNCOUNT Hemlock is a poisonous plant.

hemo|glo|bin /hiː məgloʊ b I n/ → see haemoglobin

hemo|philia /hiː məf I liə/ → see haemophilia

hemo|phili|ac /hiː məf I liæk/ → see haemophiliac

hem|or|rhage /he mər I dʒ/ → see haemorrhage

hem|or|rhoid /he mərɔ I d/ → see haemorrhoid

hemp /he mp/ N‑UNCOUNT Hemp is a plant used for making rope or the drug marijuana.

hen /he n/ (hens )

1 N‑COUNT A hen is a female chicken. People often keep hens in order to eat them or sell their eggs.

2 N‑COUNT The female of any bird can be referred to as a hen .

hence /he ns/

1 ADV You use hence to indicate that the statement you are about to make is a consequence of what you have just said. [FORMAL ] □ The trade imbalance is likely to rise again in 1990. Hence a new set of policy actions will be required soon.

2 ADV You use hence in expressions such as ' several years hence ' or ' six months hence ' to refer to a time in the future, especially a long time in the future. [FORMAL ] □ The gases that may be warming the planet will have their main effect many years hence.

hence|forth /he nsfɔː ^r θ/ ADV Henceforth means from this time onwards. [FORMAL ] □ Henceforth, parties which fail to get 5% of the vote will not be represented in parliament.

hence|forward /he nsfɔː ^r wə ^r d/ ADV Henceforward means from this time on. [FORMAL ] □ Henceforward France and Britain had a common interest.

hench|man /he ntʃmən/ (henchmen ) N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] If you refer to someone as another person's henchman , you mean that they work for or support the other person, especially by doing unpleasant, violent, or dishonest things on their behalf. [DISAPPROVAL ]

hen|house /he nhaʊs/ (henhouses ) N‑COUNT A henhouse is a special building where hens are kept.

hen|na /he nə/ N‑UNCOUNT Henna is a reddish-brown dye that is made from the leaves of a shrub. It is used especially for colouring hair or skin.

he n night (hen nights ) N‑COUNT A hen night is a party for a woman who is getting married very soon, to which only women are invited. [BRIT ]

he n par|ty (hen parties ) N‑COUNT A hen party is a party to which only women are invited. [BRIT ]

he n-pecked also henpecked ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use hen-pecked to describe a man when you disapprove of the fact that someone, often his partner, is always telling him what to do or telling him that he has done something wrong. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]

hepa|ti|tis /he pəta I t I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Hepatitis is a serious disease which affects the liver.

hep|tath|lon /heptæ θlɒn/ (heptathlons ) N‑COUNT The heptathlon is an athletics competition for women in which each athlete competes in seven different events.

her ◆◆◆ /hə ^r , STRONG hɜː ^r / Her is a third person singular pronoun. Her is used as the object of a verb or a preposition. Her is also a possessive determiner. 1 PRON You use her to refer to a woman, girl, or female animal. □ I went in the room and told her I had something to say to her. □ I really thought I'd lost her. Everybody kept asking me, 'Have you found your cat?' ● DET Her is also a possessive determiner. □ Liz travelled round the world for a year with her boyfriend James.

2 PRON In written English, her is sometimes used to refer to a person without saying whether that person is a man or a woman. Some people dislike this use and prefer to use 'him or her' or 'them'. □ Talk to your baby, play games, and show her how much you enjoy her company. ● DET Her is also a possessive determiner. □ The non-drinking, non smoking model should do nothing to risk her reputation.

3 PRON Her is sometimes used to refer to a country or nation. [FORMAL or WRITTEN ] ● DET Her is also a possessive determiner. □ Our reporter looks at reactions to Britain's apparently deep-rooted distrust of her E.U. partner.

her|ald /he rəld/ (heralds , heralding , heralded )

1 VERB Something that heralds a future event or situation is a sign that it is going to happen or appear. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] …the sultry evening that heralded the end of the baking hot summer.

2 N‑COUNT Something that is a herald of a future event or situation is a sign that it is going to happen or appear. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] I welcome the report as a herald of more freedom, not less.

3 VERB [usu passive] If an important event or action is heralded by people, announcements are made about it so that it is publicly known and expected. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed + by ] Her new album has been heralded by a massive media campaign. □ [be V -ed + as ] Tonight's big game is being heralded as the match of the season.

4 N‑COUNT In former times, a herald was a person who delivered and announced important messages.

he|ral|dic /həræ ld I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Heraldic means relating to heraldry. □ …religious and heraldic symbols.

her|ald|ry /he rəldri/ N‑UNCOUNT Heraldry is the study of coats of arms and of the history of the families who are entitled to have them.

herb /hɜː ^r b, [AM ] ɜː ^r b/ (herbs ) N‑COUNT A herb is a plant whose leaves are used in cooking to add flavour to food, or as a medicine.

her|ba|ceous /hɜː ^r be I ʃəs, [AM ] ɜː ^r b-/ ADJ [ADJ n] Herbaceous plants have green stems, not hard, woody stems.

her|ba |ceous bo r|der (herbaceous borders ) N‑COUNT A herbaceous border is a flower bed containing a mixture of plants that flower every year. [BRIT ]

herb|al /hɜː ^r b ^ə l, [AM ] ɜː ^r b-/ (herbals ) ADJ [ADJ n] Herbal means made from or using herbs. □ …herbal remedies for colds.

herb|al|ism /hɜː ^r bəl I zəm, [AM ] ɜː ^r b-/ N‑UNCOUNT Herbalism is the practice of using herbs to treat illnesses.

herb|al|ist /hɜː ^r bəl I st, [AM ] ɜː ^r b-/ (herbalists ) N‑COUNT A herbalist is a person who grows or sells herbs that are used in medicine.

herbi|cide /hɜː ^r b I sa I d, [AM ] ɜː ^r b-/ (herbicides ) N‑VAR A herbicide is a chemical that is used to destroy plants, especially weeds.

her|bi|vore /hɜː ^r b I vɔː ^r , [AM ] ɜː ^r b-/ (herbivores ) N‑COUNT A herbivore is an animal that only eats plants.

her|bi|vo|rous /hɜː ^r b I vərəs/ ADJ Herbivorous animals eat only plants. □ Mammoths were herbivorous mammals.

her|cu|lean /hɜː ^r kjʊliː ən/ also Herculean ADJ [usu ADJ n] A herculean task or ability is one that requires extremely great strength or effort. [LITERARY ] □ …his herculean efforts to bring peace to our troubled island.

herd /hɜː ^r d/ (herds , herding , herded )

1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A herd is a large group of animals of one kind that live together. □ [+ of ] …large herds of elephant and buffalo.

2 N‑SING If you say that someone has joined the herd or follows the herd , you are criticizing them because you think that they behave just like everyone else and do not think for themselves. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ They are individuals; they will not follow the herd.

3 VERB If you herd people somewhere, you make them move there in a group. □ [V n prep/adv] He began to herd the prisoners out.

4 VERB If you herd animals, you make them move along as a group. □ [V n] Stefano used a motor cycle to herd the sheep. □ [V n prep/adv] A boy herded half a dozen camels down towards the water trough.

herds|man /hɜː ^r dzmən/ (herdsmen ) N‑COUNT A herdsman is a man who looks after a herd of animals such as cattle or goats.

here ◆◆◆ /h I ə ^r /

1 ADV [be ADV , ADV after v] You use here when you are referring to the place where you are. □ I'm here all by myself and I know I'm going to get lost. □ Well, I can't stand here chatting all day. □ …the growing number of skiers that come here.

2 ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] You use here when you are pointing towards a place that is near you, in order to draw someone else's attention to it. □ …if you will just sign here. □ Come and sit here, Lauren.

3 ADV [n ADV , ADV after v] You use here in order to indicate that the person or thing that you are talking about is near you or is being held by you. □ My friend here writes for radio.

4 ADV If you say that you are here to do something, that is your role or function. □ I'm not here to listen to your complaints.

5 ADV [ADV with be , ADV before v] You use here in order to draw attention to something or someone who has just arrived in the place where you are, or to draw attention to the place you have just arrived at. □ 'Mr Cummings is here,' she said, holding the door open.

6 ADV [ADV with v] You use here to refer to a particular point or stage of a situation or subject that you have come to or that you are dealing with. □ The book goes into recent work in greater detail than I have attempted here.

7 ADV [ADV before v, ADV with be ] You use here to refer to a period of time, a situation, or an event that is present or happening now. □ Here is your opportunity to acquire a luxurious one bedroom home.

8 ADV You use here at the beginning of a sentence in order to draw attention to something or to introduce something. □ Now here's what I want you to do.

9 ADV You use here when you are offering or giving something to someone. □ Here's some letters I want you to sign. □ Here's your cash.

10 PHRASE You say ' here we are ' or ' here you are ' when the statement that you are making about someone's character or situation is unexpected. □ Here you are, saying these terrible things.

11 CONVENTION You say ' here we are ' when you have just found something that you have been looking for. □ I rummaged through the drawers and came up with Amanda's folder. 'Here we are.'

12 CONVENTION You say ' here goes ' when you are about to do or say something difficult or unpleasant. □ Dr Culver nervously muttered 'Here goes,' and gave the little girl an injection.

13 PHRASE You use expressions such as ' here we go ' and ' here we go again ' in order to indicate that something is happening again in the way that you expected, especially something unpleasant. [INFORMAL ] □ At first, he was told he was too young and I thought, 'Oh, boy, here we go again.'

14 PHRASE You use here and now to emphasize that something is happening at the present time, rather than in the future or past, or that you would like it to happen at the present time. [EMPHASIS ] □ I'm a practicing physician trying to help people here and now.

15 PHRASE If something happens here and there , it happens in several different places. □ I do a bit of teaching here and there.

16 CONVENTION You use expressions such as ' here's to us ' and ' here's to your new job ' before drinking a toast in order to wish someone success or happiness. [FORMULAE ] □ Tony smiled and lifted his glass. 'Here's to you, Amy.' USAGE here

Don’t use ‘to’ in front of here . Don’t say, for example, ‘ We can come to here at any time ’. Say ‘We can come here at any time’.

here|abouts /h I ə rəbaʊ ts/ ADV [ADV after v, n ADV ] You use hereabouts to indicate that you are talking about something near you or in the same area as you. □ It's a bit chilly and empty hereabouts.

here|after /h I ə rɑː ftə ^r , -æ ft-/

1 ADV Hereafter means from this time onwards. [FORMAL , WRITTEN ] □ I realised how hard life was going to be for me hereafter.

2 ADV In legal documents and in written English, hereafter is used to introduce information about an abbreviation that will be used in the rest of the text to refer to the person or thing just mentioned. □ Michel Foucault (1972), The Archaeology of Knowledge; hereafter this text will be abbreviated as AK.

3 N‑SING The hereafter is sometimes used to refer to the time after you have died, or to the life which some people believe you have after you have died. □ …belief in the hereafter. ● ADJ [n ADJ ] Hereafter is also an adjective. □ …the life hereafter.

here|by /h I ə ^r ba I / ADV [ADV before v] You use hereby when officially or formally saying what you are doing. [FORMAL ] □ I hereby sentence you for life after all the charges against you have been proven true.

he|redi|tary /h I re d I tri/

1 ADJ A hereditary characteristic or illness is passed on to a child from its parents before it is born. □ In men, hair loss is hereditary.

2 ADJ A title or position in society that is hereditary is one that is passed on as a right from parent to child. □ …the position of the head of state is hereditary.

he|red|ity /h I re d I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Heredity is the process by which features and characteristics are passed on from parents to their children before the children are born. □ Heredity is not a factor in causing the cancer.

here|in /h I ə r I n/

1 ADV [ADV after v, n ADV ] Herein means in this document, text, or book. [FORMAL , WRITTEN ] □ The statements and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the Wilson Centre.

2 ADV You can use herein to refer back to the situation or fact you have just mentioned, when saying it is something such as a problem or reason for something. [FORMAL , WRITTEN ] □ I felt overwhelmed by feelings of loneliness. And herein lies the problem.

her|esy /he r I si/ (heresies )

1 N‑VAR Heresy is a belief or action that most people think is wrong, because it disagrees with beliefs that are generally accepted. □ It might be considered heresy to suggest such a notion.

2 N‑VAR Heresy is a belief or action which seriously disagrees with the principles of a particular religion. □ He said it was a heresy to suggest that women should not conduct services.

her|etic /he r I t I k/ (heretics )

1 N‑COUNT A heretic is someone whose beliefs or actions are considered wrong by most people, because they disagree with beliefs that are generally accepted. □ He was considered a heretic and was ridiculed and ostracized for his ideas.

2 N‑COUNT A heretic is a person who belongs to a particular religion, but whose beliefs or actions seriously disagree with the principles of that religion.

he|reti|cal /h I re t I k ^ə l/

1 ADJ A belief or action that is heretical is one that most people think is wrong because it disagrees with beliefs that are generally accepted. □ I made the then heretical suggestion that it might be cheaper to design new machines.

2 ADJ A belief or action that is heretical is one that seriously disagrees with the principles of a particular religion. □ The Church regards spirit mediums and people claiming to speak to the dead as heretical.

here|to|fore /h I ə ^r tuːfɔː ^r / ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] Heretofore means 'before this time' or 'up to now'. [mainly AM , FORMAL ] □ He had honorably fulfilled every promise he had heretofore made.

here|with /h I ə ^r w I ð/ ADV [usu ADV with v, oft n ADV , ADV n] Herewith means with this document, text, or book. You can use herewith in a letter to say that you are enclosing something with it. [FORMAL , WRITTEN ] □ …the 236 revolutionary prisoners whose names are listed herewith. □ I return herewith your papers.

her|it|age /he r I t I dʒ/ (heritages ) N‑VAR [oft poss N ] A country's heritage is all the qualities, traditions, or features of life there that have continued over many years and have been passed on from one generation to another. □ The historic building is as much part of our heritage as the paintings.

her|maph|ro|dite /hɜː ^r mæ frəda I t/ (hermaphrodites ) N‑COUNT A hermaphrodite is a person, animal, or flower that has both male and female reproductive organs.

her|met|ic /hɜː ^r me t I k/

1 ADJ [ADJ n] If a container has a hermetic seal, the seal is very tight so that no air can get in or out. [TECHNICAL ] ● her|meti|cal|ly /hɜː ^r me t I kli/ ADV [ADV -ed, ADV after v] □ The batteries are designed to be leak-proof and hermetically sealed.

2 ADJ You use hermetic to describe something which you disapprove of because it seems to be totally separate from other people and things in society. [WRITTEN , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Its film industry operates in its own curiously hermetic way. □ Their work is more cosily hermetic than ever.

her|mit /hɜː ^r m I t/ (hermits ) N‑COUNT A hermit is a person who lives alone, away from people and society.

her|nia /hɜː ^r niə/ (hernias ) N‑VAR A hernia is a medical condition which is often caused by strain or injury. It results in one of your internal organs sticking through a weak point in the surrounding tissue.

hero ◆◇◇ /h I ə roʊ/ (heroes )

1 N‑COUNT The hero of a book, play, film, or story is the main male character, who usually has good qualities. □ [+ of ] The hero of Doctor Zhivago dies in 1929.

2 N‑COUNT A hero is someone, especially a man, who has done something brave, new, or good, and who is therefore greatly admired by a lot of people. □ He called Mr Mandela a hero who had inspired millions.

3 N‑COUNT [usu sing, with poss] If you describe someone as your hero , you mean that you admire them a great deal, usually because of a particular quality or skill that they have. □ He was the boyhood hero for every kid of my generation who knew anything about tennis.

he|ro|ic /h I roʊ I k/ (heroics )

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a person or their actions as heroic , you admire them because they show extreme bravery. □ His heroic deeds were celebrated in every corner of India. ● he|roi|cal|ly /h I roʊ I kli/ ADV [ADV with v] □ He had acted heroically during the liner's evacuation.

2 ADJ If you describe an action or event as heroic , you admire it because it involves great effort or determination to succeed. [APPROVAL ] □ The company has made heroic efforts at cost reduction. ● he|roi|cal|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ Single parents cope heroically in doing the job of two people.

3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Heroic means being or relating to the hero of a story. □ …the book's central, heroic figure.

4 N‑PLURAL Heroics are actions involving bravery, courage, or determination. □ …the man whose aerial heroics helped save the helicopter pilot.

5 N‑PLURAL If you describe someone's actions or plans as heroics , you think that they are foolish or dangerous because they are too difficult or brave for the situation in which they occur. [SPOKEN , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He said his advice was: 'No heroics, stay within the law'.

hero|in /he roʊ I n/ N‑UNCOUNT Heroin is a powerful drug which some people take for pleasure, but which they can become addicted to.

hero|ine /he roʊ I n/ (heroines )

1 N‑COUNT The heroine of a book, play, film, or story is the main female character, who usually has good qualities. □ The heroine is a senior TV executive.

2 N‑COUNT A heroine is a woman who has done something brave, new, or good, and who is therefore greatly admired by a lot of people. □ [+ of ] …a heroine of both the French resistance and British secret service.

3 N‑COUNT [usu sing, with poss] If you describe a woman as your heroine , you mean that you admire her greatly, usually because of a particular quality or skill that she has. □ My heroine was Elizabeth Taylor.

hero|ism /he roʊ I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Heroism is great courage and bravery. □ …individual acts of heroism.

her|on /he rən/ (herons ) N‑COUNT A heron is a large bird which has long legs and a long beak, and which eats fish.

he ro-worship (hero-worships , hero-worshipping , hero-worshipped ) The noun is also spelled hero worship . 1 N‑UNCOUNT Hero-worship is a very great admiration of someone and a belief that they are special or perfect. □ The lead singer inspires old-fashioned hero-worship.

2 VERB If you hero-worship someone, you admire them a great deal and think they are special or perfect. □ [V n] He was amused by the way younger actors started to hero-worship and copy him.

her|pes /hɜː ^r piːz/ N‑UNCOUNT Herpes is a disease which causes painful red spots to appear on the skin.

her|ring /he r I ŋ/ (herring or herrings )

1 N‑VAR A herring is a long silver-coloured fish. Herring live in large groups in the sea. ● N‑UNCOUNT Herring is a piece of this fish eaten as food.

2 → see also red herring

herring|bone /he r I ŋboʊn/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Herringbone is a pattern used in fabrics or brickwork which looks like parallel rows of zigzag lines.

hers /hɜː ^r z/ Hers is a third person possessive pronoun. 1 PRON You use hers to indicate that something belongs or relates to a woman, girl, or female animal. □ His hand as it shook hers was warm and firm. □ He'd never seen eyes as green as hers. □ Professor Camm was a great friend of hers.

2 PRON In written English, hers is sometimes used to refer to a person without saying whether that person is a man or a woman. Some people dislike this use and prefer to use 'his or hers' or 'theirs'. □ The author can report other people's results which more or less agree with hers.

3 PRON Hers is sometimes used to refer to a country or nation. [FORMAL or WRITTEN ]

her|self ◆◆◆ /hə ^r se lf/ Herself is a third person singular reflexive pronoun. Herself is used when the object of a verb or preposition refers to the same person as the subject of the verb, except in meaning 5 . 1 PRON You use herself to refer to a woman, girl, or female animal. □ She let herself out of the room. □ Jennifer believes she will move out on her own when she is financially able to support herself. □ Robin didn't feel good about herself.

2 PRON In written English, herself is sometimes used to refer to a person without saying whether that person is a man or a woman. Some people dislike this use and prefer to use 'himself or herself' or 'themselves'. □ How can anyone blame her for actions for which she feels herself to be in no way responsible?

3 PRON Herself is sometimes used to refer to a country or nation. [FORMAL or WRITTEN ] □ Britain's dream of herself began to fade.

4 PRON You use herself to emphasize the person or thing that you are referring to. Herself is sometimes used instead of 'her' as the object of a verb or preposition. [EMPHASIS ] □ She's so beautiful herself. □ She herself was not a keen gardener.

he's /h I z, hiːz/ He's is the usual spoken form of 'he is' or 'he has', especially when 'has' is an auxiliary verb. □ He's working maybe twenty-five hours a week.

hesi|tant /he z I t ^ə nt/ ADJ [ADJ to-inf] If you are hesitant about doing something, you do not do it quickly or immediately, usually because you are uncertain, embarrassed, or worried. □ [+ about ] She was hesitant about coming forward with her story. ● hesi|tan|cy /he z I tənsi/ N‑UNCOUNT □ A trace of hesitancy showed in Dr. Stockton's eyes. ● hesi|tant|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'Would you do me a favour?' she asked hesitantly.

hesi|tate /he z I te I t/ (hesitates , hesitating , hesitated )

1 VERB If you hesitate , you do not speak or act for a short time, usually because you are uncertain, embarrassed, or worried about what you are going to say or do. □ [V ] The phone rang. Catherine hesitated, debating whether to answer it. ● hesi|ta|tion /he z I te I ʃ ^ə n/ (hesitations ) N‑VAR □ Asked if he would go back, Mr Searle said after some hesitation, 'I'll have to think about that.'

2 VERB If you hesitate to do something, you delay doing it or are unwilling to do it, usually because you are not certain it would be right. If you do not hesitate to do something, you do it immediately. □ [V to-inf] Some parents hesitate to do this because they suspect their child is exaggerating.

3 VERB [with neg] You can use hesitate in expressions such as ' don't hesitate to call me ' or ' don't hesitate to contact us ' when you are telling someone that they should do something as soon as it needs to be done and should not worry about disturbing other people. □ [V to-inf] In the event of difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Department.

hesi|ta|tion /he z I te I ʃ ^ə n/ (hesitations )

1 N‑VAR Hesitation is an unwillingness to do something, or a delay in doing it, because you are uncertain, worried, or embarrassed about it. □ [+ in ] He promised there would be no more hesitations in pursuing reforms. □ …the prime minister's hesitation to accept a ceasefire.

2 → see also hesitate

3 PHRASE If you say that you have no hesitation in doing something, you are emphasizing that you will do it immediately or willingly because you are certain that it is the right thing to do. [EMPHASIS ] □ The board said it had no hesitation in unanimously rejecting the offer.

4 PHRASE If you say that someone does something without hesitation , you are emphasizing that they do it immediately and willingly. [EMPHASIS ] □ The great majority of players would, of course, sign the contract without hesitation.

hes|sian /he siən, [AM ] he ʃən/ N‑UNCOUNT Hessian is a thick, rough fabric that is used for making sacks. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use burlap

hetero|dox /he tərədɒks/ ADJ Heterodox beliefs, opinions, or ideas are different from the accepted or official ones. [FORMAL ]

hetero|geneous /he tərədʒiː niəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A heterogeneous group consists of many different types of things or people. [FORMAL ] □ …a rather heterogeneous collection of studies from diverse origins.

hetero|sex|ual /he təroʊse kʃuəl/ (heterosexuals )

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A heterosexual relationship is a sexual relationship between a man and a woman.

2 ADJ Someone who is heterosexual is sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex. ● N‑COUNT Heterosexual is also a noun. □ Even red-blooded heterosexuals had to admit he was handsome. ● hetero|sexu|al|ity /he təroʊsekʃuæ l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …a challenge to the assumption that heterosexuality was 'normal'.

het up /he t ʌ p/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you get het up about something, you get very excited, angry, or anxious about it. [INFORMAL ]

heu|ris|tic /hjʊər I st I k/

1 ADJ A heuristic method of learning involves discovery and problem-solving, using reasoning and past experience. [TECHNICAL ]

2 ADJ A heuristic computer program uses rules based on previous experience in order to solve a problem, rather than using a mathematical procedure. [COMPUTING ]

3 → see also algorithm

hew /hjuː / (hews , hewing , hewed , hewed or hewn )

1 VERB If you hew stone or wood, you cut it, for example with an axe. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ [V n] He felled, peeled and hewed his own timber.

2 VERB [usu passive] If something is hewn from stone or wood, it is cut from stone or wood. [LITERARY , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ [be V -ed + from/out of ] …the rock from which the lower chambers and subterranean passageways have been hewn. □ [V -ed] …medieval monasteries hewn out of the rockface.

3 → see also rough-hewn

hexa|gon /he ksəgən, [AM ] -gɔːn/ (hexagons ) N‑COUNT A hexagon is a shape that has six straight sides.

hex|ago|nal /heksæ gən ^ə l/ ADJ A hexagonal object or shape has six straight sides.

hey /he I / CONVENTION In informal situations, you say or shout ' hey ' to attract someone's attention, or to show surprise, interest, or annoyance. [FEELINGS ] □ 'Hey! Look out!' shouted Patty.

hey|day /he I de I / N‑SING [with poss] Someone's heyday is the time when they are most powerful, successful, or popular. □ In its heyday, the studio's boast was that it had more stars than there are in heaven.

HGH /e I tʃ dʒiː e I tʃ/ HGH is an abbreviation for human growth hormone .

hi ◆◇◇ /ha I / CONVENTION In informal situations, you say ' hi ' to greet someone. [FORMULAE ] □ 'Hi, Liz,' she said shyly.

hia|tus /ha I e I təs/ N‑SING A hiatus is a pause in which nothing happens, or a gap where something is missing. [FORMAL ] □ Diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement resume today after a two-week hiatus. [Also + in/of ]

hi|ber|nate /ha I bə ^r ne I t/ (hibernates , hibernating , hibernated ) VERB Animals that hibernate spend the winter in a state like a deep sleep. □ [V ] Dormice hibernate from October to May.

hi|bis|cus /h I b I skəs, [AM ] ha I -/ (hibiscus ) N‑VAR A hibiscus is a tropical bush that has large, brightly-coloured bell-shaped flowers.

hic|cup /h I kʌp/ (hiccups , hiccuping or hiccupping , hiccuped or hiccupped ) also hiccough

1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] You can refer to a small problem or difficulty as a hiccup , especially if it does not last very long or is easily put right. □ A recent sales hiccup is nothing to panic about. [Also + in ]

2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] When you have hiccups , you make repeated sharp sounds in your throat, often because you have been eating or drinking too quickly. □ A young baby may frequently get a bout of hiccups during or soon after a feed.

3 N‑COUNT A hiccup is a sound of the kind that you make when you have hiccups.

4 VERB When you hiccup , you make repeated sharp sounds in your throat. □ [V ] She was still hiccuping from the egg she had swallowed whole.

hick /h I k/ (hicks ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] If you refer to someone as a hick , you are saying in a rude way that you think they are uneducated and stupid because they come from the countryside. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]

hid /h I d/ Hid is the past tense of hide .

hid|den /h I d ^ə n/

1 Hidden is the past participle of hide .

2 ADJ Hidden facts, feelings, activities, or problems are not easy to notice or discover. □ Under all the innocent fun, there are hidden dangers, especially for children.

3 ADJ A hidden place is difficult to find. □ As you descend, suddenly you see at last the hidden waterfall.

hi d|den age n|da (hidden agendas ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone has a hidden agenda , you are criticizing them because you think they are secretly trying to achieve or cause a particular thing, while they appear to be doing something else. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He accused foreign nations of having a hidden agenda to harm French influence.

hide ◆◇◇ /ha I d/ (hides , hiding , hid , hidden )

1 VERB If you hide something or someone, you put them in a place where they cannot easily be seen or found. □ [V n] He hid the bicycle in the hawthorn hedge. □ [V n] They could see that I was terrified, and hid me until the coast was clear.

2 VERB If you hide or if you hide yourself , you go somewhere where you cannot easily be seen or found. □ [V ] At their approach the little boy scurried away and hid. □ [V pron-refl] They hid themselves behind a tree.

3 VERB If you hide your face, you press your face against something or cover your face with something, so that people cannot see it. □ [V n] She hid her face under the collar of his jacket and she started to cry.

4 VERB If you hide what you feel or know, you keep it a secret, so that no one knows about it. □ [V n] Lee tried to hide his excitement.

5 VERB If something hides an object, it covers it and prevents it from being seen. □ [V n] The man's heavy moustache hid his upper lip completely.

6 N‑COUNT A hide is a place which is built to look like its surroundings. Hides are used by people who want to watch or photograph animals and birds without being seen by them. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use blind 7 N‑VAR A hide is the skin of a large animal such as a cow, horse, or elephant, which can be used for making leather. □ …the process of tanning animal hides.

8 → see also hidden , hiding

hi de-and-see k N‑UNCOUNT Hide-and-seek is a children's game in which one player covers his or her eyes until the other players have hidden themselves, and then he or she tries to find them.

hide|away /ha I dəwe I / (hideaways ) N‑COUNT A hideaway is a place where you go to hide or to get away from other people. □ The bandits fled to a remote mountain hideaway.

hide|bound /ha I dbaʊnd/ ADJ If you describe someone or something as hidebound , you are criticizing them for having old-fashioned ideas or ways of doing things and being unwilling or unlikely to change. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The men are hidebound and reactionary. □ [+ by ] The economy was hidebound by public spending and private monopolies.

hid|eous /h I diəs/

1 ADJ If you say that someone or something is hideous , you mean that they are very ugly or unattractive. □ She saw a hideous face at the window and screamed.

2 ADJ You can describe an event, experience, or action as hideous when you mean that it is very unpleasant, painful, or difficult to bear. □ His family was subjected to a hideous attack by the gang.

hid|eous|ly /h I diəsli/

1 ADV [usu ADV adj/-ed, oft ADV after v] You use hideously to emphasize that something is very ugly or unattractive. [EMPHASIS ] □ Everything is hideously ugly.

2 ADV [ADV adj/-ed] You can use hideously to emphasize that something is very unpleasant or unacceptable. [EMPHASIS ] □ …a hideously complex program.

hide|out /ha I daʊt/ (hideouts ) N‑COUNT A hideout is a place where someone goes secretly because they do not want anyone to find them, for example if they are running away from the police.

hid|ing /ha I d I ŋ/ (hidings )

1 N‑UNCOUNT If someone is in hiding , they have secretly gone somewhere where they cannot be seen or found. □ Gray is thought to be in hiding near the France/Italy border. □ The duchess is expected to come out of hiding to attend the ceremony.

2 N‑COUNT If you give someone a hiding , you punish them by hitting them many times. [INFORMAL ]

3 PHRASE If you say that someone who is trying to achieve something is on a hiding to nothing , you are emphasizing that they have absolutely no chance of being successful. [BRIT , INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ If you are selling something that people don't want, you are on a hiding to nothing.

hi d|ing place (hiding places ) N‑COUNT A hiding place is a place where someone or something can be hidden, or where they are hiding.

hi|er|ar|chi|cal /ha I ərɑː ^r k I k ^ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A hierarchical system or organization is one in which people have different ranks or positions, depending on how important they are. □ …the traditional hierarchical system of military organization.

hi|er|ar|chy /ha I ərɑː ^r ki/ (hierarchies )

1 N‑VAR A hierarchy is a system of organizing people into different ranks or levels of importance, for example in society or in a company. □ Like most other American companies with a rigid hierarchy, workers and managers had strictly defined duties.

2 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] The hierarchy of an organization such as the Church is the group of people who manage and control it.

3 N‑COUNT A hierarchy of ideas and beliefs involves organizing them into a system or structure. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The notion of 'cultural imperialism' implies a hierarchy of cultures, some of which are stronger than others.

hi|ero|glyph /ha I ə rəgl I f/ (hieroglyphs ) N‑COUNT Hieroglyphs are symbols in the form of pictures, which are used in some writing systems, especially those of ancient Egypt.

hi|ero|glyph|ics /ha I ə rəgl I f I ks/ N‑PLURAL Hieroglyphics are symbols in the form of pictures which are used in some writing systems, for example those of ancient Egypt.

hi-fi /ha I fa I / (hi-fis ) N‑VAR A hi-fi is a set of equipment on which you play CDs and tapes, and which produces stereo sound of very good quality. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

higgledy-piggledy /h I g ^ə ldi p I g ^ə ldi/ ADJ If you say that things are higgledy-piggledy , you mean that they are very disorganized and untidy. [INFORMAL ] □ Books are often stacked in higgledy-piggledy piles on the floor. ● ADV [ADV after v] Higgledy-piggledy is also an adverb. □ A whole valley of boulders tossed higgledy-piggledy as though by some giant.

high ◆◆◆ /ha I / (higher , highest , highs )

1 ADJ Something that is high extends a long way from the bottom to the top when it is upright. You do not use high to describe people, animals, or plants. □ …a house, with a high wall all around it. □ Mount Marcy is the highest mountain in the Adirondacks. □ …high-heeled shoes. □ The gate was too high for a man of his age to climb. ● ADV [ADV after v] High is also an adverb. □ …wagons packed high with bureaus, bedding, and cooking pots.

2 ADJ [n ADJ ] [as ADJ as ] You use high to talk or ask about how much something upright measures from the bottom to the top. □ …an elegant bronze horse only nine inches high. □ Measure your garage: how high is the door?

3 ADJ If something is high , it is a long way above the ground, above sea level, or above a person or thing. □ I looked down from the high window. □ In Castel Molo, high above Taormina, you can sample the famous almond wine made there. ● ADV [ADV after v] High is also an adverb. □ …being able to run faster or jump higher than other people. ● PHRASE If something is high up , it is a long way above the ground, above sea level, or above a person or thing. □ We saw three birds circling very high up.

4 ADJ You can use high to indicate that something is great in amount, degree, or intensity. □ The European country with the highest birth rate is Ireland. □ Official reports said casualties were high. □ Commercialisation has given many sports a higher profile. ● ADV [ADV after v] High is also an adverb. □ He expects the unemployment figures to rise even higher in coming months. ● PHRASE You can use phrases such as ' in the high 80s ' to indicate that a number or level is, for example, more than 85 but not as much as 90.

5 ADJ If a food or other substance is high in a particular ingredient, it contains a large amount of that ingredient. □ [+ in ] Don't indulge in rich sauces, fried food and thick pastry as these are high in fat.

6 N‑COUNT If something reaches a high of a particular amount or degree, that is the greatest it has ever been. □ [+ of ] Traffic from Jordan to Iraq is down to a dozen loaded lorries a day, compared with a high of 200 a day. □ The price of oil reached an all-time high.

7 ADJ If you say that something is a high priority or is high on your list, you mean that you consider it to be one of the most important things you have to do or deal with. □ The Labour Party has not made the issue a high priority. □ [+ on ] Economic reform is high on the agenda.

8 ADJ [ADJ n] Someone who is high in a particular profession or society, or has a high position, has a very important position and has great authority and influence. □ [+ in ] Was there anyone high in the administration who was an advocate of a different policy? □ …corruption in high places. ● PHRASE Someone who is high up in a profession or society has a very important position. □ His cousin is somebody quite high up in the navy.

9 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use high to describe something that is advanced or complex. □ Neither Anna nor I are interested in high finance.

10 ADV [ADV after v] If you aim high , you try to obtain or to achieve the best that you can. □ You should not be afraid to aim high in the quest for an improvement in your income.

11 ADJ If someone has a high reputation, or people have a high opinion of them, people think they are very good in some way, for example at their work. □ She has always had a high reputation for her excellent short stories. □ People have such high expectations of you.

12 ADJ If the quality or standard of something is high , it is very good indeed. □ His team were of the highest calibre.

13 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone has high principles, they are morally good. □ He was a man of the highest principles.

14 ADJ A high sound or voice is close to the top of a particular range of notes. □ Her high voice really irritated Maria.

15 ADJ When a river is high , it contains much more water than usual. □ The waters of the Yangtze River are dangerously high for the time of year.

16 ADJ If your spirits are high , you feel happy and excited. □ Her spirits were high with the hope of seeing Nick in minutes rather than hours.

17 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone is high on drink or drugs, they are affected by the alcoholic drink or drugs they have taken. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ on ] He was too high on drugs and alcohol to remember them.

18 N‑COUNT A high is a feeling or mood of great excitement or happiness. [INFORMAL ]

19 PHRASE If you say that something came from on high , you mean that it came from a person or place of great authority. □ Orders had come from on high that extra care was to be taken during this week.

20 PHRASE If you say that you were left high and dry , you are emphasizing that you were left in a difficult situation and were unable to do anything about it. [EMPHASIS ] □ Users also complain about how they have been left high and dry when web-based services fail.

21 PHRASE If you refer to the highs and lows of someone's life or career, you are referring to both the successful or happy times, and the unsuccessful or bad times.

22 PHRASE If you say that you looked high and low for something, you are emphasizing that you looked for it in every place that you could think of. [EMPHASIS ]

23 in high dudgeon → see dudgeon

24 come hell or high water → see hell

25 to be high time → see time COLLOCATIONS high NOUN

6

noun + high : career, season

adjective + high : all-time, new, record

verb + high : hit, reach, set

18

adjective + high : emotional, exhilarating, tremendous

verb + high : experience, get

-high /-ha I / COMB -high combines with words such as 'knee' or 'shoulder' to indicate that someone or something reaches as high as the point that is mentioned. □ The grass was knee-high.

hi gh and mi ghty ADJ If you describe someone as high and mighty , you disapprove of them because they consider themselves to be very important and are confident that they are always right. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I think you're a bit too high and mighty yourself.

high|born /ha I bɔː ^r n/ also high-born ADJ If someone is highborn , their parents are members of the nobility. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

high|brow /ha I braʊ/ (highbrows )

1 ADJ If you say that a book or discussion is highbrow , you mean that it is intellectual, academic, and is often difficult to understand. □ He presents his own highbrow literary programme.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as highbrow , you mean that they are interested in serious subjects of a very intellectual nature, especially when these are difficult to understand. □ Highbrow critics sniff that the programme was 'too sophisticated' to appeal to most viewers.

hi gh chair (high chairs ) also highchair N‑COUNT A high chair is a chair with long legs for a small child to sit in while they are eating.

hi gh-cla ss ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as high-class , you mean that it is of very good quality or of superior social status. □ …a high-class jeweller's.

hi gh com|ma nd (high commands ) N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] The high command is the group that consists of the most senior officers in a nation's armed forces.

Hi gh Com|mi s|sion (High Commissions ) N‑COUNT A High Commission is the office where a High Commissioner and his or her staff work, or the group of officials who work there.

Hi gh Com|mi s|sion|er (High Commissioners )

1 N‑COUNT A High Commissioner is a senior representative who is sent by one Commonwealth country to live in another in order to work as an ambassador.

2 N‑COUNT A High Commissioner is the head of an international commission. □ [+ for ] …the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Hi gh Cou rt (High Courts ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] In England and Wales, the High Court is a court of law which deals with very serious or important cases.

hi ^gh-defi|ni ^tion also high definition ADJ [usu ADJ n] High-definition television or technology is a digital system that gives a much clearer picture than traditional television systems. □ …jokes about wrinkles and high-definition TV. ● N‑UNCOUNT High definition is also a noun. □ These games are more popular now that they are available in high definition.

hi gh-end ADJ High-end products, especially electronic products, are the most expensive of their kind. □ …high-end personal computers and computer workstations.

high|er /ha I ə ^r /

1 ADJ [ADJ n] A higher degree or diploma is a qualification of an advanced standard or level. □ …a higher diploma in hotel management.

2 → see also high

hi gh|er edu|ca |tion ◆◇◇ N‑UNCOUNT Higher education is education at universities and colleges.

hi gher-u p (higher-ups ) N‑COUNT A higher-up is an important person who has a lot of authority and influence. [AM , INFORMAL ] in BRIT, use high-up

hi gh ex|plo |sive (high explosives ) N‑VAR High explosive is an extremely powerful explosive substance.

high|fa|lu|tin /ha I fəluː t I n/ ADJ People sometimes use highfalutin to describe something that they think is being made to sound complicated or important in order to impress people. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ] □ This isn't highfalutin art-about-art. It's marvellous and adventurous stuff.

hi gh fi ve (high fives ) also high-five N‑COUNT If you give someone a high five , you put your hand up and hit their open hand with yours, especially after a victory or as a greeting.

hi gh-fli er → see high-flyer

hi gh-flo wn ADJ [usu ADJ n] High-flown language is very grand, formal, or literary. [DISAPPROVAL ]

hi gh-fly er (high-flyers ) also high flyer , high-flier N‑COUNT A high-flyer is someone who has a lot of ability and is likely to be very successful in their career.

hi gh-fly ing ADJ [usu ADJ n] A high-flying person is successful or is likely to be successful in their career. □ …a high-flying management consultant.

hi gh grou nd

1 N‑SING If a person or organization has the high ground in an argument or dispute, that person or organization has an advantage. [JOURNALISM ] □ The President must seek to regain the high ground in the political debate.

2 PHRASE If you say that someone has taken the moral high ground , you mean that they consider that their policies and actions are morally superior to the policies and actions of their rivals. □ The Republicans took the moral high ground with the message that they were best equipped to manage the authority.

hi gh-ha nded ADJ If you say that someone is high-handed , you disapprove of them because they use their authority in an unnecessarily forceful way without considering other people's feelings. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He wants to be seen as less bossy and high-handed. ● high-handedness N‑UNCOUNT □ They have been accused of secrecy and high-handedness in their dealings.

hi gh-hee led ADJ [ADJ n] High-heeled shoes are women's shoes that have high heels.

hi gh hee ls N‑PLURAL You can refer to high-heeled shoes as high heels .

hi gh-i mpact

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] High-impact exercise puts a lot of stress on your body. □ …high-impact aerobics.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] High-impact materials are very strong. □ The durable high-impact plastic case is water resistant to 100 feet.

hi gh jinks N‑UNCOUNT [with sing or pl verb] High jinks is lively, excited behaviour in which people do things for fun. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ]

hi gh jump N‑SING The high jump is an athletics event which involves jumping over a raised bar.

high|lands /ha I ləndz/ N‑PLURAL Highlands are mountainous areas of land.

hi gh life N‑SING You use the high life to refer to an exciting and luxurious way of living that involves a great deal of entertainment, going to parties, and eating good food. □ …the Hollywood high life.

high|light ◆◇◇ /ha I la I t/ (highlights , highlighting , highlighted )

1 VERB If someone or something highlights a point or problem, they emphasize it or make you think about it. □ [V n] Two events have highlighted the tensions in recent days.

2 VERB To highlight a piece of text means to mark it in a different colour, either with a special type of pen or on a computer screen. □ [V n] …the relevant maps with the route highlighted in yellow.

3 N‑COUNT The highlights of an event, activity, or period of time are the most interesting or exciting parts of it. □ [+ of ] …a match that is likely to prove one of the highlights of the tournament.

4 N‑PLURAL Highlights in a person's hair are narrow lighter areas made by dyeing or sunlight. SYNONYMS highlight VERB 1

emphasize: We discussed pollution, emphasizing how nice a clean street or park looks.

stress: They also stress the need for improved employment opportunities.

accentuate: His shaven head accentuates his large round face.

flag up: I think there are more important issues and I just wanted to flag that up. NOUN 3

high point: The high point of this trip was a day at the races.

climax: Reaching the final was the climax of her career.

peak: His career was at its peak at the time of his death.

high|light|er /ha I la I tə ^r / (highlighters )

1 N‑VAR Highlighter is a pale-coloured cosmetic that someone puts above their eyes or on their cheeks to emphasize the shape of their face.

2 N‑COUNT A highlighter is a pen with brightly-coloured ink that is used to mark parts of a document.

high|ly ◆◆◇ /ha I li/

1 ADV [ADV adj] Highly is used before some adjectives to mean 'very'. □ Mr Singh was a highly successful salesman. □ …the highly controversial nuclear energy programme.

2 ADV [ADV -ed] You use highly to indicate that someone has an important position in an organization or set of people. □ …a highly placed government advisor.

3 ADV [ADV -ed] If someone is highly paid, they receive a large salary. □ He was the most highly paid member of staff.

4 ADV [ADV after v, ADV -ed] If you think highly of something or someone, you think they are very good indeed. □ …one of the most highly regarded chefs in the French capital. SYNONYMS highly ADV 1

extremely: My mobile phone is extremely useful.

immensely: Wind surfing can be strenuous but immensely exciting.

deeply: Our meetings and conversations left me deeply depressed.

tremendously: The business is tremendously profitable.

remarkably: The labour market has been remarkably successful in absorbing the extra graduates.

hi gh|ly stru ng also highly-strung in AM, use high-strung ADJ If someone is highly strung , they are very nervous and easily upset.

hi gh-mai ntenance also high maintenance ADJ If you describe something or someone as high-maintenance , you mean that they require a lot of attention, time, money, or effort. □ Small gardens can be high maintenance. □ She was a high-maintenance girl who needed lots of attention.

hi gh ma ss also High Mass N‑UNCOUNT High mass is a church service held in a Catholic church in which there is more ceremony than in an ordinary mass.

hi gh-mi nded ADJ If you say that someone is high-minded , you think they have strong moral principles. □ The President's hopes for the country were high-minded, but too vague.

High|ness /ha I n I s/ (Highnesses ) N‑COUNT Expressions such as 'Your Highness ' or 'His Highness ' are used to address or refer to a member of the royal family other than a king or queen. [POLITENESS ] □ That would be best, Your Highness.

hi gh noo n

1 N‑UNCOUNT High noon means the same as noon. [LITERARY ]

2 N‑UNCOUNT Journalists sometimes use high noon to refer to a crisis or event which is likely to decide finally what is going to happen in a conflict or situation. □ [+ for ] He insisted that a defeat yesterday would not have been high noon for his leadership.

hi gh-o ctane ADJ [ADJ n] You can use high-octane to emphasize that something is very exciting or intense. [JOURNALISM ] □ …a high-octane performance.

hi gh-perfo rmance ADJ [ADJ n] A high-performance car or other product goes very fast or does a lot. □ …the thrill of taking an expensive high-performance car to its limits.

hi gh-pi tched ADJ A high-pitched sound is shrill and high in pitch. □ A woman squealed in a high-pitched voice.

hi gh point (high points ) N‑COUNT The high point of an event or period of time is the most exciting or enjoyable part of it. □ [+ of/in ] The high point of this trip was a day at the races in Balgriffin.

hi gh-po wered

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A high-powered machine or piece of equipment is very powerful and efficient. □ …high powered lasers.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Someone who is high-powered or has a high-powered job has a very important and responsible job which requires a lot of ability. □ I had a very high-powered senior job in publishing.

hi gh prie st (high priests ) N‑COUNT If you call a man the high priest of a particular thing, you are saying in a slightly mocking way that he is considered by people to be expert in that thing. □ [+ of ] …the high priest of cheap periodical fiction.

hi gh prie st|ess (high priestesses ) N‑COUNT If you call a woman the high priestess of a particular thing, you are saying in a slightly mocking way that she is considered by people to be expert in that thing. □ [+ of ] …the American high priestess of wit.

hi gh-pro file ADJ [usu ADJ n] A high-profile person or a high-profile event attracts a lot of attention or publicity. □ …the high-profile reception being given to the president.

hi gh-ra nking ADJ [ADJ n] A high-ranking person has an important position in a particular organization. □ …a high-ranking officer in the medical corps.

hi gh-rise (high-rises ) ADJ [ADJ n] High-rise buildings are modern buildings which are very tall and have many levels or floors. □ …high-rise office buildings. ● N‑COUNT A high-rise is a high-rise building. □ That big high-rise above us is where Brian lives.

hi gh road

1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A high road is a main road. [BRIT ] in AM, use highway 2 N‑SING If you say that someone is taking the high road in a situation, you mean that they are taking the most positive and careful course of action. [mainly AM ] □ U.S. diplomats say the president is likely to take the high road in his statements about trade.

hi gh-ro ller (high-rollers ) also high roller N‑COUNT High rollers are people who are very rich and who spend money in an extravagant or risky way, especially by gambling. [JOURNALISM ]

hi gh school (high schools )

1 N‑VAR ; N‑COUNT In Britain, a high school is a school for children aged between eleven and eighteen. □ …Sunderland High School.

2 N‑VAR ; N‑COUNT In the United States, a high school is a school for children usually aged between fourteen and eighteen. □ …an 18-year-old inner-city kid who dropped out of high school.

hi gh sea s N‑PLURAL The high seas is used to refer to the sea. [LITERARY ] □ …battles on the high seas.

hi gh sea|son N‑SING The high season is the time of year when a place has most tourists or visitors. [BRIT ] □ A typical high-season week in a chalet costs about £470.

hi gh so|ci |ety N‑UNCOUNT You can use high society to refer to people who come from rich and important families.

hi gh-sou nding ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use high-sounding to describe language and ideas which seem very grand and important, especially when you think they are not really important. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …high-sounding decrees designed to impress foreigners and attract foreign capital.

hi gh-spee ^d

1 ADJ [ADJ n] High-speed is used to describe something that travels, moves, or works very quickly. □ Air travel should serve places that cannot easily be reached by high-speed rail. □ …the demand for high-speed broadband.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] A high-speed crash involves vehicles or people that are moving very fast. □ Thousands of skiers are injured in high-speed collisions.

hi gh-spi rited ADJ Someone who is high-spirited is very lively and easily excited.

hi gh spot (high spots ) N‑COUNT The high spot of an event or activity is the most exciting or enjoyable part of it. □ [+ of ] This show was the high spot of my week.

hi gh street (high streets )

1 N‑COUNT The high street of a town is the main street where most of the shops and banks are. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use Main Street 2 ADJ [ADJ n] High street banks and businesses are companies which have branches in the main shopping areas of most towns. [mainly BRIT ] □ The scanners are available from high street stores.

hi gh su m|mer N‑UNCOUNT High summer is the middle of summer.

hi gh tea (high teas ) N‑VAR In Britain, some people have a meal called high tea in the late afternoon instead of having dinner or supper later in the evening. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

hi gh-te ch also high tech , hi tech ADJ [usu ADJ n] High-tech activities or equipment involve or result from the use of high technology. □ …the latest high-tech medical gadgetry.

hi gh tech|no l|ogy N‑UNCOUNT High technology is the practical use of advanced scientific research and knowledge, especially in relation to electronics and computers, and the development of new advanced machines and equipment.

hi gh-te nsion ADJ [ADJ n] A high-tension electricity cable is one which is able to carry a very powerful current.

hi gh ti de N‑UNCOUNT At the coast, high tide is the time when the sea is at its highest level because the tide is in.

hi gh trea |son N‑UNCOUNT High treason is a very serious crime which involves putting your country or its head of state in danger.

hi gh-u p (high-ups )

1 N‑COUNT A high-up is an important person who has a lot of authority and influence. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] in AM, use higher-up 2 high up → see high

hi gh wa |ter

1 N‑UNCOUNT High water is the time at which the water in a river or sea is at its highest level as a result of the tide. □ Fishing is possible for a couple of hours either side of high water.

2 come hell or high water → see hell

hi gh-wa ter mark also high water mark

1 N‑SING The high-water mark is the level reached in a particular place by the sea at high tide or by a river in flood.

2 N‑SING The high-water mark of a process is its highest or most successful stage of achievement. □ [+ of/for ] This was almost certainly the high-water mark of her career.

high|way /ha I we I / (highways ) N‑COUNT A highway is a main road, especially one that connects towns or cities. [mainly AM ] □ I crossed the highway, dodging the traffic.

Hi gh|way Co de N‑SING In Britain, the Highway Code is an official book published by the Department of Transport, which contains the rules which tell people how to use public roads safely.

highway|man /ha I we I mən/ (highwaymen ) N‑COUNT In former times, highwaymen were people who stopped travellers and robbed them.

hi gh wi re (high wires ) also high-wire

1 N‑COUNT A high wire is a length of rope or wire stretched tight high above the ground and used for balancing acts.

2 N‑SING [oft N n] Journalists talk about a person being on a high wire or performing a high-wire act when he or she is dealing with a situation in which it would be easy to do the wrong thing. □ This year's Budget looks set to be a precarious high-wire act for the Chancellor.

hijab /h I dʒɑː b, h I dʒæb/ (hijabs )

1 N‑COUNT A hijab is a scarf that some Muslim women wear, which covers their hair and neck.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Hijab is traditional Muslim dress for women, and the rules concerning this. □ We can choose to wear hijab, we can practise our faith freely.

hi|jack /ha I dʒæk/ (hijacks , hijacking , hijacked )

1 VERB If someone hijacks a plane or other vehicle, they illegally take control of it by force while it is travelling from one place to another. □ [V n] …a plot to hijack an airliner. □ [V -ed] The hijacked plane exploded in a ball of fire. ● N‑COUNT Hijack is also a noun. □ Every minute during the hijack seemed like a week. ● hi|jack|ing (hijackings ) N‑COUNT □ Car hijackings are running at a rate of nearly 50 a day.

2 VERB If you say that someone has hijacked something, you disapprove of the way in which they have taken control of it when they had no right to do so. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] A peaceful demonstration had been hijacked by anarchists intent on causing trouble.

hi|jack|er /ha I dʒækə ^r / (hijackers ) N‑COUNT A hijacker is a person who hijacks a plane or other vehicle.

hike /ha I k/ (hikes , hiking , hiked )

1 N‑COUNT A hike is a long walk in the country, especially one that you go on for pleasure.

2 VERB If you hike , you go for a long walk in the country. □ [V prep/adv] You could hike through the Fish River Canyon. □ [V n] We plan to hike the Samaria Gorge. [Also V ] ● hik|ing N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] □ …heavy hiking boots.

3 N‑COUNT A hike is a sudden or large increase in prices, rates, taxes, or quantities. [INFORMAL ] □ …a sudden 1.75 per cent hike in interest rates.

4 VERB To hike prices, rates, taxes, or quantities means to increase them suddenly or by a large amount. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] It has now been forced to hike its rates by 5.25 per cent. ● PHRASAL VERB Hike up means the same as hike . □ [V P n] The insurers have started hiking up premiums by huge amounts. □ [V n P ] Big banks were hiking their rates up.

hik|er /ha I kə ^r / (hikers ) N‑COUNT A hiker is a person who is going for a long walk in the countryside for pleasure.

hi|lari|ous /h I leə riəs/ ADJ If something is hilarious , it is extremely funny and makes you laugh a lot. □ We thought it was hilarious when we first heard about it. ● hi|lari|ous|ly ADV [usu ADV adj, ADV with v] □ She found it hilariously funny.

hi|lar|ity /h I læ r I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Hilarity is great amusement and laughter.

hill ◆◇◇ /h I l/ (hills )

1 N‑COUNT A hill is an area of land that is higher than the land that surrounds it. □ We trudged up the hill to the stadium. □ …Maple Hill.

2 PHRASE If you say that someone is over the hill , you are saying rudely that they are old and no longer fit, attractive, or capable of doing useful work. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He doesn't take kindly to suggestions that he is over the hill.

hill|bil|ly /h I lb I li/ (hillbillies ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a hillbilly , you are saying in a fairly rude way that you think they are uneducated and stupid because they come from the countryside. [AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]

hill|ock /h I lək/ (hillocks ) N‑COUNT A hillock is a small hill.

hill|side /h I lsa I d/ (hillsides ) N‑COUNT A hillside is the sloping side of a hill.

hill|top /h I ltɒp/ (hilltops ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A hilltop is the top of a hill.

hilly /h I li/ (hillier , hilliest ) ADJ A hilly area has many hills. □ The areas where the fighting is taking place are hilly and densely wooded.

hilt /h I lt/ (hilts )

1 N‑COUNT The hilt of a sword, dagger, or knife is its handle.

2 PHRASE To the hilt and up to the hilt mean to the maximum extent possible or as fully as possible. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ The men who wield the power are certainly backing him to the hilt.

him ◆◆◆ /h I m/ Him is a third person singular pronoun. Him is used as the object of a verb or a preposition. 1 PRON You use him to refer to a man, boy, or male animal. □ John's aunt died suddenly and left him a surprisingly large sum. □ Is Sam there? Let me talk to him. □ My brother had a lovely dog. I looked after him for about a week.

2 PRON In written English, him is sometimes used to refer to a person without saying whether that person is a man or a woman. Some people dislike this use and prefer to use 'him or her' or 'them'. □ If the child sees the word 'hear', we should show him that this is the base word in 'hearing'.

him|self ◆◆◆ /h I mse lf/ Himself is a third person singular reflexive pronoun. Himself is used when the object of a verb or preposition refers to the same person as the subject of the verb, except in meaning 4 . 1 PRON You use himself to refer to a man, boy, or male animal. □ He smiles, pouring himself a cup of coffee. □ A driver blew up his car and himself after being stopped at a police checkpoint. □ William went away muttering to himself.

2 PRON In written English, himself is sometimes used to refer to a person without saying whether that person is a man or a woman. Some people dislike this use and prefer to use 'himself or herself' or 'themselves'. □ The child's natural way of expressing himself is play.

3 PRON You use himself to emphasize the person or thing that you are referring to. Himself is sometimes used instead of 'him' as the object of a verb or preposition. [EMPHASIS ] □ I heard this with my own ears from the President himself.

hind /ha I nd/ ADJ [ADJ n] An animal's hind legs are at the back of its body. □ Suddenly the cow kicked up its hind legs.

hin|der /h I ndə ^r / (hinders , hindering , hindered )

1 VERB If something hinders you, it makes it more difficult for you to do something or make progress. □ [V n] Further investigation was hindered by the loss of all documentation on the case.

2 VERB If something hinders your movement, it makes it difficult for you to move forward or move around. □ [V n] A thigh injury increasingly hindered her mobility.

Hin|di /h I ndi/ N‑UNCOUNT Hindi is a language that is spoken by people in northern India. It is also one of the official languages of India.

hind|quarters /ha I ndkwɔː ^r təz/ also hind quarters N‑PLURAL [oft with poss] The hindquarters of a four-legged animal are its back part, including its two back legs.

hin|drance /h I ndrəns/ (hindrances )

1 N‑COUNT A hindrance is a person or thing that makes it more difficult for you to do something. □ [+ to ] The higher rates have been a hindrance to economic recovery.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Hindrance is the act of hindering someone or something. □ They boarded their flight to Paris without hindrance.

hind|sight /ha I ndsa I t/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft with/in N ] Hindsight is the ability to understand and realize something about an event after it has happened, although you did not understand or realize it at the time. □ With hindsight, we'd all do things differently.

Hin|du /h I nduː, h I nduː / (Hindus )

1 N‑COUNT A Hindu is a person who believes in Hinduism and follows its teachings.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Hindu is used to describe things that belong or relate to Hinduism. □ …a Hindu temple.

Hin|du|ism /h I nduː I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Hinduism is an Indian religion. It has many gods and teaches that people have another life on earth after they die.

hinge /h I ndʒ/ (hinges , hinging , hinged ) N‑COUNT A hinge is a piece of metal, wood, or plastic that is used to join a door to its frame or to join two things together so that one of them can swing freely. □ The top swung open on well-oiled hinges.

▸ hinge on PHRASAL VERB Something that hinges on one thing or event depends entirely on it. □ [V P n/v-ing/wh] The plan hinges on a deal being struck with a new company.

hinged /h I ndʒd/ ADJ Something that is hinged is joined to another thing, or joined together, by means of a hinge. □ The mirror was hinged to a surrounding frame.

hint ◆◇◇ /h I nt/ (hints , hinting , hinted )

1 N‑COUNT [oft N that] A hint is a suggestion about something that is made in an indirect way. □ The Minister gave a strong hint that the government were thinking of introducing tax concessions for mothers. □ I'd dropped a hint about having an exhibition of his work up here. ● PHRASE If you take a hint , you understand something that is suggested to you indirectly. □ 'I think I hear the phone ringing.'—'Okay, I can take a hint.'

2 VERB If you hint at something, you suggest it in an indirect way. □ [V + at ] She suggested a trip to the shops and hinted at the possibility of a treat of some sort. □ [V that] The President hinted he might make some changes in the government.

3 N‑COUNT A hint is a helpful piece of advice, usually about how to do something. □ Here are some helpful hints to make your journey easier.

4 N‑SING A hint of something is a very small amount of it. □ [+ of ] She added only a hint of vermouth to the gin.

hinter|land /h I ntə ^r lænd/ (hinterlands ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The hinterland of a stretch of coast or a large river is the area of land behind it or around it.

hip ◆◇◇ /h I p/ (hips , hipper , hippest )

1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your hips are the two areas at the sides of your body between the tops of your legs and your waist. □ Tracey put her hands on her hips and sighed. ● -hipped COMB □ He is broad-chested and narrow-hipped.

2 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] You refer to the bones between the tops of your legs and your waist as your hips .

3 ADJ If you say that someone is hip , you mean that they are very modern and follow all the latest fashions, for example in clothes and ideas. [INFORMAL ] □ …a hip young character with tight-cropped blond hair and stylish glasses.

4 EXCLAM If a large group of people want to show their appreciation or approval of someone, one of them says ' Hip hip ' and they all shout ' hooray '.

5 PHRASE If you say that someone shoots from the hip or fires from the hip , you mean that they react to situations or give their opinion very quickly, without stopping to think. □ Judges don't have to shoot from the hip. They have the leisure to think, to decide.