hi p flask (hip flasks ) N‑COUNT A hip flask is a small metal container in which brandy, whisky, or other spirits can be carried.
hi p-hop N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Hip-hop is a form of popular culture which started among young black people in the United States in the 1980s. It includes rap music and graffiti art.
hip|pie /h I pi/ (hippies ) also hippy N‑COUNT Hippies were young people in the 1960s and 1970s who rejected conventional ways of living, dressing, and behaving, and tried to live a life based on peace and love. Hippies often had long hair and many took drugs.
hip|po /h I poʊ/ (hippos ) N‑COUNT A hippo is a hippopotamus. [INFORMAL ]
Hip|po|crat|ic oath /h I pəkræt I k oʊ θ/ N‑SING The Hippocratic oath is a formal promise made by recently-qualified doctors that they will follow the standards set by their profession and try to preserve life.
hippo|pota|mus /h I pəpɒ təməs/ (hippopotamuses ) N‑COUNT A hippopotamus is a very large African animal with short legs and thick, hairless skin. Hippopotamuses live in and near rivers. WORD HISTORY hippopotamus
A hippopotamus is literally a 'water horse'. The word comes from Greek hippos , meaning 'horse', and potamos , meaning 'river'.
hip|py /h I pi/ → see hippie
hip|ster /h I pstə r / (hipsters )
1 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a hipster , you mean that they are very fashionable, often in a way that you think is rather silly. [HUMOROUS ]
2 N‑PLURAL [oft N n] Hipsters are trousers which are designed so that the highest part of them is around your hips, rather than around your waist. [mainly BRIT ]
hire ◆◇◇ /ha I ə r / (hires , hiring , hired )
1 VERB If you hire someone, you employ them or pay them to do a particular job for you. □ [V n] Sixteen of the contestants have hired lawyers and are suing the organisers. □ [V ] The rest of the staff have been hired on short-term contracts. □ [V -ing] He will be in charge of all hiring and firing at PHA. □ [V -ed] …the mystery assassin (who turned out to be a hired killer).
2 VERB If you hire something, you pay money to the owner so that you can use it for a period of time. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] To hire a car you must produce a passport and a current driving licence. □ [V -ed] Her hired car was found abandoned at Beachy Head. in AM, usually use rent 3 N‑UNCOUNT [usu n N , N n] You use hire to refer to the activity or business of hiring something. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ of ] They booked our hotel, and organised car hire. in AM, usually use rental
4 PHRASE If something is for hire , it is available for you to hire. [mainly BRIT ] □ Fishing tackle is available for hire. in AM, usually use for rent
▸ hire out PHRASAL VERB If you hire out something such as a car or a person's services, you allow them to be used in return for payment. □ [V P n] Companies hiring out narrow boats report full order books. [Also V n P ] SYNONYMS hire VERB
1
employ: The company employs 18 staff.
take on: They decided to take Jack on as an office assistant.
engage: He had been able to engage some staff.
appoint: It made sense to appoint a banker to this job.
2
rent: He left his hotel in a rented car.
charter: She chartered a jet to fly her home from California to Switzerland. COLLOCATIONS hire VERB 1
hire + noun : consultant, staff, worker; detective, investigator, lawyer
hire|ling /ha I ə r l I ŋ/ (hirelings ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a hireling , you disapprove of them because they do not care who they work for and they are willing to do illegal or immoral things as long as they are paid. [DISAPPROVAL ]
hi re pu r|chase N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Hire purchase is a way of buying goods gradually. You make regular payments until you have paid the full price and the goods belong to you. The abbreviation HP is often used. [BRIT ] □ …buying a car on hire purchase. in AM, usually use installment plan
hir|sute /hɜː r sjuːt, [AM ] -suːt/ ADJ If a man is hirsute , he is hairy. [FORMAL ]
his ◆◆◆ The determiner is pronounced /h I z/. The pronoun is pronounced /h I z/. His is a third person singular possessive determiner. His is also a possessive pronoun. 1 DET You use his to indicate that something belongs or relates to a man, boy, or male animal. □ Brian splashed water on his face, then brushed his teeth. □ He spent a large part of his career in Hollywood. □ The dog let his head thump on the floor again. ● PRON His is also a possessive pronoun. □ Anna reached out her hand to him and clasped his.
2 DET In written English, his 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 her' or 'their'. □ Formerly, the relations between a teacher and his pupils were dominated by fear on the part of the pupils. ● PRON His is also a possessive pronoun. □ The student going to art or drama school will be very enthusiastic about further education. His is not a narrow mind, but one eager to grasp every facet of anything he studies.
His|pan|ic /h I spæ n I k/ (Hispanics ) ADJ A Hispanic person is a citizen of the United States of America who originally came from Latin America, or whose family originally came from Latin America. □ …a group of Hispanic doctors in Washington. ● N‑COUNT A Hispanic is someone who is Hispanic.
hiss /h I s/ (hisses , hissing , hissed )
1 VERB To hiss means to make a sound like a long 's'. □ [V prep] The tires of Lenny's bike hissed over the wet pavement as he slowed down. □ [V ] My cat hissed when I stepped on its tail. □ [V -ing] Caporelli made a small hissing sound of irritation. ● N‑COUNT Hiss is also a noun. □ …the hiss of water running into the burnt pan. ● hiss|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …a silence broken only by a steady hissing from above my head.
2 VERB If you hiss something, you say it forcefully in a whisper. □ [V with quote] 'Now, quiet,' my mother hissed. □ [V + at/to ] 'Stay here,' I hissed at her.
3 VERB If people hiss at someone such as a performer or a person making a speech, they express their disapproval or dislike of that person by making long loud 's' sounds. □ [V ] One had to listen hard to catch the words of the President's speech as the delegates booed and hissed. □ [V + at ] Some local residents whistled and hissed at them as they entered. [Also V n] ● N‑COUNT [usu pl] Hiss is also a noun. □ After a moment the barracking began. First came hisses, then shouts.
his|to|rian /h I stɔː riən/ (historians ) N‑COUNT A historian is a person who specializes in the study of history, and who writes books and articles about it.
his|tor|ic ◆◇◇ /h I stɒ r I k, [AM ] -tɔː r-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is historic is important in history, or likely to be considered important at some time in the future. □ King gave this historic speech the night before he was assassinated.
his|tori|cal ◆◇◇ /h I stɒ r I k ə l, [AM ] -tɔː r-/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Historical people, situations, or things existed in the past and are considered to be a part of history. □ …an important historical figure. □ …the historical impact of Western capitalism on the world. ● his|tori|cal|ly ADV □ Historically, royal marriages have been cold, calculating affairs.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Historical books, films, or pictures describe or represent people, situations, or things that existed in the past. □ He is writing a historical novel about nineteenth-century France.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Historical information, research, and discussion is related to the study of history. □ …historical records. □ …modern historical research.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] If you look at an event within a historical context, you look at what was happening at that time and what had happened previously, in order to judge the event and its importance. □ It was this kind of historical context that Morris brought to his work. SYNONYMS historical ADJ 1
past: …a return to the turbulence of past centuries.
former: …a former monastery.
bygone: The book recalls other memories of a bygone age.
his|to|ry ◆◆◆ /h I stəri/ (histories )
1 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to the events of the past as history . You can also refer to the past events which concern a particular topic or place as its history. □ History is full of seemingly minor events leading to international showdowns. □ …the most evil mass killer in history. □ [+ of ] …the history of Birmingham. ● PHRASE Someone who makes history does something that is considered to be important and significant in the development of the world or of a particular society. □ A transgender lady made history by becoming a leading judge at the High Court. ● PHRASE If someone or something goes down in history , people in the future remember them because of particular actions that they have done or because of particular events that have happened. □ Bradley will go down in history as Los Angeles' longest serving mayor.
2 N‑UNCOUNT History is a subject studied in schools, colleges, and universities that deals with events that have happened in the past.
3 N‑COUNT A history is an account of events that have happened in the past. □ [+ of ] …his magnificent history of broadcasting in Canada.
4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If a person or a place has a history of something, it has been very common or has happened frequently in their past. □ He had a history of drink problems.
5 N‑COUNT [with poss] Someone's history is the set of facts that are known about their past. □ He couldn't get a new job because of his medical history.
6 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that an event, thing, or person is history , you mean that they are no longer important. □ The Charlottetown agreement is history.
7 PHRASE If you are telling someone about an event and say the rest is history , you mean that you do not need to tell them what happened next because everyone knows about it already. □ We met at college, the rest is history.
8 → see also natural history COLLOCATIONS history NOUN
4
adjective + history : chequered, fascinating, long
5
noun + history : family
adjective + history : medical, personal
verb + history : trace
his|tri|on|ic /h I striɒ n I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you refer to someone's behaviour as histrionic , you are critical of it because it is very dramatic, exaggerated, and insincere. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Dorothea let out a histrionic groan.
his|tri|on|ics /h I striɒ n I ks/ N‑PLURAL If you disapprove of someone's dramatic and exaggerated behaviour, you can describe it as histrionics . [DISAPPROVAL ] □ When I explained everything to my mum and dad, there were no histrionics.
hit ◆◆◆ /h I t/ (hits , hitting ) The form hit is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle. 1 VERB If you hit someone or something, you deliberately touch them with a lot of force, with your hand or an object held in your hand. □ [V n] Find the exact grip that allows you to hit the ball hard. □ [V n] Police at the scene said the victim had been hit several times in the head.
2 VERB When one thing hits another, it touches it with a lot of force. □ [V n] The car had apparently hit a traffic sign before skidding out of control.
3 VERB If a bomb or missile hits its target, it reaches it. □ [V n] The hospital had been hit with heavy artillery fire. ● N‑COUNT Hit is also a noun. □ First a house took a direct hit and then the rocket exploded.
4 VERB If something hits a person, place, or thing, it affects them very badly. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V n] The plan to charge motorists £75 a year to use the motorway is going to hit me hard. □ [V n] Spain has been hit by storms since the beginning of the week.
5 VERB When a feeling or an idea hits you, it suddenly affects you or comes into your mind. □ [V n that] It hit me that I had a choice. □ [V n] Then the answer hit me. It had been staring me in the face.
6 VERB If you hit a particular high or low point on a scale of something such as success or health, you reach it. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V n] Oil prices hit record levels yesterday.
7 N‑COUNT [oft N n] If a CD, film, or play is a hit , it is very popular and successful. □ The song became a massive hit in 1945.
8 N‑COUNT A hit is a single visit to a website. [COMPUTING ] □ Our small company has had 78,000 hits on its internet pages.
9 N‑COUNT If someone who is searching for information on the internet gets a hit , they find a website where there is that information.
10 PHRASE If two people hit it off , they like each other and become friendly as soon as they meet. [INFORMAL ] □ They hit it off straight away, Daddy and Walter. [Also + with ]
11 to hit the headlines → see headline
12 to hit home → see home ➊
13 to hit the nail on the head → see nail
14 to hit the road → see road
15 to hit the roof → see roof
▸ hit back
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hit back when someone hits you, or hit them back , you hit them in return. □ [V P ] Some violent men beat up their sons, until the boys are strong enough to hit back. □ [V n P ] If somebody hit me, I'd hit him back.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you hit back at someone who has criticized or harmed you, you criticize or harm them in return. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V P + at ] The President has hit back at those who have criticised his economic reforms. □ [V P ] The senator hit back with a negative advertisement mocking his 72-year-old rival for being out of touch with computer technology.
▸ hit on or hit upon
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hit on an idea or a solution to a problem, or hit upon it, you think of it. □ [V P n] After running through the numbers in every possible combination, we finally hit on a solution.
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone hits on you, they speak or behave in a way that shows they want to have a sexual relationship with you. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] She was hitting on me and I was surprised and flattered.
▸ hit out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hit out at someone, you try to hit them, although you may miss them. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P + at ] I used to hit out at my husband and throw things at him. □ [V P ] I had never punched anybody in my life but I hit out and gave him a black eye.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you hit out at someone or something, you criticize them strongly because you do not agree with them. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V P + at/against ] The President took the opportunity to hit out at what he sees as foreign interference. □ [V P ] Brazilian soccer boss Carlos Parreira hit out angrily last night after his side were barred from training at Wembley.
▸ hit upon → see hit on SYNONYMS hit VERB
1
strike: She took two quick steps forward and struck him across the mouth.
punch: He punched the wall angrily, then spun round to face her.
slap: He would push or slap her once in a while.
thump: He thumped my shoulder affectionately, nearly knocking me over.
whack: You really have to whack the ball.
2
collide: Racing up the stairs, he almost collided with Daisy.
bump: He bumped his head on the low beams of the house.
knock: Isabel rose so abruptly that she knocked down her chair.
crash: The door swung inwards to crash against a chest of drawers behind it.
hi t and mi ss also hit-and-miss ADJ If something is hit and miss or hit or miss , it is sometimes successful and sometimes not. □ Farming can be very much a hit-and-miss affair.
hi t-and-ru n
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A hit-and-run accident is an accident in which the driver of a vehicle hits someone and then drives away without stopping. □ …a hit-and-run driver in a stolen car.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A hit-and-run attack on an enemy position relies on surprise and speed for its success. □ The rebels appear to be making hit-and-run guerrilla style attacks on military targets.
hitch /h I tʃ/ (hitches , hitching , hitched )
1 N‑COUNT A hitch is a slight problem or difficulty which causes a short delay. □ After some technical hitches the show finally got under way. □ The five-hour operation went without a hitch.
2 VERB If you hitch , hitch a lift, or hitch a ride, you hitchhike. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] There was no garage in sight, so I hitched a lift into town. □ [V ] Jean-Phillippe had hitched all over Europe in the 1960s.
3 VERB If you hitch something to something else, you hook it or fasten it there. □ [V n + onto/to ] Last night we hitched the horse to the cart and moved here.
4 PHRASE If you get hitched , you get married. [INFORMAL ] □ The report shows that fewer couples are getting hitched.
hitch|hike /h I tʃha I k/ (hitchhikes , hitchhiking , hitchhiked ) VERB If you hitchhike , you travel by getting lifts from passing vehicles without paying. □ [V prep/adv] Neff hitchhiked to New York during his Christmas vacation. □ [V ] They had an eighty-mile journey and decided to hitch-hike. ● hitch|hiker (hitchhikers ) N‑COUNT □ On my way to Vancouver one Friday night I picked up a hitchhiker.
hi te ch → see high-tech
hith|er /h I ðə r /
1 ADV [ADV after v] Hither means to the place where you are. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ He has sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people.
2 PHRASE Hither and thither means in many different directions or places, and in a disorganized way. In American English, the expression hither and yon is sometimes used. □ Refugees run hither and thither in search of safety. □ …the awful amount of time I spend moving things hither and yon every year!
hither|to /h I ðə r tuː / ADV [ADV after v, ADV adj/-ed] You use hitherto to indicate that something was true up until the time you are talking about, although it may no longer be the case. [FORMAL ] □ As a result, workers who had hitherto been reliable now neglected their work.
hi t list (hit lists )
1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] If someone has a hit list of people or things, they are intending to take action concerning those people or things. □ [+ of ] Some banks also have a hit list of people whom they threaten to sue for damages.
2 N‑COUNT A hit list is a list that someone makes of people they intend to have killed.
hit|man /h I tmæn/ (hitmen ) also hit man N‑COUNT A hitman is a man who is hired by someone in order to kill another person.
hi t or mi ss → see hit and miss
hi t pa|rade N‑SING The hit parade is the list of CDs which have sold most copies over the previous week or month. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
hit|ter /h I tə r / (hitters )
1 N‑COUNT [adj N ] In sports, you can use hitter to say how good someone is at hitting the ball. □ The Georgian, aged 19, is not one of the game's big hitters.
2 N‑COUNT [adj N ] If you refer to someone such as a politician or a businessman as a heavy hitter or a big hitter , you mean that they are powerful and influential. □ …friendships with heavy hitters like European industrialist Carlo De Benedetti.
HIV ◆◇◇ /e I tʃ a I viː /
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] HIV is a virus which reduces people's resistance to illness and can cause AIDS. HIV is an abbreviation for 'human immunodeficiency virus'.
2 PHRASE If someone is HIV positive , they are infected with the HIV virus, and may develop AIDS. If someone is HIV negative , they are not infected with the virus.
hive /ha I v/ (hives , hiving , hived )
1 N‑COUNT A hive is a structure in which bees are kept, which is designed so that the beekeeper can collect the honey that they produce.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe a place as a hive of activity, you approve of the fact that there is a lot of activity there or that people are busy working there. [APPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] In the morning the house was a hive of activity.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Hives is a condition in which patches of your skin become red and very uncomfortable and itchy.
▸ hive off PHRASAL VERB If someone hives off part of a business, they transfer it to new ownership, usually by selling it. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P n] Klockner plans to hive off its loss-making steel businesses. [Also V n P , V n P into/to n]
hiya /ha I jə/ CONVENTION You can say ' hiya ' when you are greeting someone. [INFORMAL , FORMULAE ] □ Hiya. How are you?
HM /e I tʃe m/ HM is the written abbreviation for Her or His Majesty or Her or His Majesty's . It is used as part of the name of some British government organizations, or as part of a person's title. □ …HM the Queen. □ …his enlistment in HM Armed Forces. □ …HM Chief Inspector of Fire Services.
h'm also hm H'm is used in writing to represent a noise that people make when they are hesitating, for example because they are thinking about something.
HMS /e I tʃ em e s/ N‑COUNT [N n] HMS is used before the names of ships in the British Royal Navy. HMS is an abbreviation for 'Her Majesty's Ship' or 'His Majesty's Ship'. □ …launching HMS Warrior.
HNC /e I tʃ en siː / (HNCs ) N‑VAR An HNC is a group of examinations in technical subjects which you can take at a British college. HNC is an abbreviation for 'Higher National Certificate'. □ …passing his HNC in computer studies.
hoard /hɔː r d/ (hoards , hoarding , hoarded )
1 VERB If you hoard things such as food or money, you save or store them, often in secret, because they are valuable or important to you. □ [V n] They've begun to hoard food and gasoline and save their money. □ [V ] Consumers did not spend and create jobs; they hoarded. ● hoard|er (hoarders ) N‑COUNT □ Most hoarders have favorite hiding places.
2 N‑COUNT A hoard is a store of things that you have saved and that are valuable or important to you or you do not want other people to have. □ [+ of ] The case involves a hoard of silver and jewels valued at up to $40m.
hoard|ing /hɔː r d I ŋ/ (hoardings ) N‑COUNT A hoarding is a very large board at the side of a road or on the side of a building, which is used for displaying advertisements and posters. [BRIT ] □ An advertising hoarding on the platform caught her attention. in AM, usually use billboard
hoarse /hɔː r s/ (hoarser , hoarsest ) ADJ If your voice is hoarse or if you are hoarse , your voice sounds rough and unclear, for example because your throat is sore. □ 'So what do you think?' she said in a hoarse whisper. ● hoarse|ly ADV □ 'Thank you,' Maria said hoarsely. ● hoarse|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Hoarseness is very common in the winter season.
hoary /hɔː ri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a problem or subject as hoary , you mean that it is old and familiar. □ …the hoary old myth that women are unpredictable.
hoax /hoʊ ks/ (hoaxes ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A hoax is a trick in which someone tells people a lie, for example that there is a bomb somewhere when there is not, or that a picture is genuine when it is not. □ He denied making the hoax call but was convicted after a short trial.
hoax|er /hoʊ ksə r / (hoaxers ) N‑COUNT A hoaxer is someone who carries out a hoax. [mainly BRIT ]
hob /hɒ b/ (hobs ) N‑COUNT A hob is a surface on top of a cooker or set into a work surface, which can be heated in order to cook things on it. [BRIT ] in AM, use burner
hob|ble /hɒ b ə l/ (hobbles , hobbling , hobbled )
1 VERB If you hobble , you walk in an awkward way with small steps, for example because your foot is injured. □ [V adv/prep] He got up slowly and hobbled over to the coffee table. □ [V ] The swelling had begun to go down, and he was able, with pain, to hobble.
2 VERB To hobble something or someone means to make it more difficult for them to be successful or to achieve what they want. □ [V n] Poverty not only demeans our society but its cost also hobbles our economy.
hob|by /hɒ bi/ (hobbies ) N‑COUNT A hobby is an activity that you enjoy doing in your spare time. □ My hobbies are letter writing, football, music, photography, and tennis.
ho bby-horse (hobby-horses ) also hobbyhorse N‑COUNT You describe a subject or idea as your hobby-horse if you have strong feelings on it and like talking about it whenever you have the opportunity. □ Honesty is a favourite hobby-horse for Courau.
hob|by|ist /hɒ bi I st/ (hobbyists ) N‑COUNT You can refer to person who is very interested in a particular hobby and spends a lot of time on it as a hobbyist .
hob|nob /hɒ bnɒb/ (hobnobs , hobnobbing , hobnobbed ) VERB If you disapprove of the way in which someone is spending a lot of time with a group of people, especially rich and powerful people, you can say that he or she is hobnobbing with them. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + with ] This gave Bill an opportunity to hobnob with the company's president, board chairman, and leading executives. [Also V ]
hobo /hoʊ boʊ/ (hobos or hoboes )
1 N‑COUNT A hobo is a person who has no home, especially one who travels from place to place and gets money by begging. [AM ] in BRIT, use tramp 2 N‑COUNT A hobo is a worker, especially a farm worker, who goes from place to place in order to find work. [AM ]
hock /hɒ k/ (hocks )
1 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A hock is a piece of meat from above the foot of an animal, especially a pig.
2 PHRASE If someone is in hock , they are in debt. □ Even company directors on £100,000 a year can be deeply in hock to the banks.
3 PHRASE If you are in hock to someone, you feel you have to do things for them because they have given you money or support. □ He is in hock to the bank just like his British counterpart.
hock|ey /hɒ ki/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Hockey is an outdoor game played between two teams of 11 players who use long curved sticks to hit a small ball and try to score goals. [BRIT ] □ She played hockey for the national side. □ …the British hockey team. in AM, usually use field hockey 2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Hockey is a game played on ice between two teams of 11 players who use long curved sticks to hit a small rubber disk, called a puck, and try to score goals. [AM ] in BRIT, usually use ice hockey
hocus-pocus /hoʊ kəs poʊ kəs/ N‑UNCOUNT If you describe something as hocus-pocus , you disapprove of it because you think it is false and intended to trick or deceive people. [DISAPPROVAL ]
hod /hɒ d/ (hods ) N‑COUNT A hod is a container that is used by a building worker for carrying bricks.
hodge|podge /hɒ dʒpɒdʒ/ also hodge-podge N‑SING A hodgepodge is an untidy mixture of different types of things. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …a hodgepodge of maps, small tools, and notebooks. in BRIT, usually use hotch-potch
hoe /hoʊ / (hoes , hoeing , hoed )
1 N‑COUNT A hoe is a gardening tool with a long handle and a small square blade, which you use to remove small weeds and break up the surface of the soil.
2 VERB If you hoe a field or crop, you use a hoe on the weeds or soil there. □ [V n] I have to feed the chickens and hoe the potatoes. □ [V ] Today he was hoeing in the vineyard.
hog /hɒ g, [AM ] hɔː g/ (hogs , hogging , hogged )
1 N‑COUNT A hog is a pig. In British English, hog usually refers to a large male pig that has been castrated, but in American English it can refer to any kind of pig.
2 VERB If you hog something, you take all of it in a greedy or impolite way. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] Have you done hogging the bathroom?
3 → see also roadhog
4 PHRASE If you go the whole hog , you do something bold or extravagant in the most complete way possible. [INFORMAL ] □ Or you can go the whole hog and upgrade for all-inclusive drinks for your entire stay.
Hog|ma|nay /hɒ gməne I / N‑UNCOUNT Hogmanay is New Year's Eve in Scotland and the celebrations that take place there at that time.
hog|wash /hɒ gwɒʃ, [AM ] hɔː g-/ N‑UNCOUNT If you describe what someone says as hogwash , you think it is nonsense. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Sugar said it was a 'load of hogwash' that he was not interested in football.
ho ho /hoʊ hoʊ / or ho ho ho EXCLAM Ho ho is used in writing to represent the sound that people make when they laugh. □ 'Ha ha, ho ho,' he chortled.
ho hum /hoʊ hʌ m/ also ho-hum
1 PHRASE You can use ho hum when you want to show that you think something is not interesting, remarkable, or surprising in any way. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ My general reaction to this news might be summed up as 'ho-hum'.
2 EXCLAM You can say ho hum to show that you accept an unpleasant situation because it is not very serious. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ Ho hum, another nice job down the drain.
hoi pol|loi /hɔ I pəlɔ I / N‑PLURAL If someone refers to the hoi polloi , they are referring in a humorous or rather rude way to ordinary people, in contrast to rich, well-educated, or upper-class people. □ Monstrously inflated costs are designed to keep the hoi polloi at bay.
hoist /hɔ I st/ (hoists , hoisting , hoisted )
1 VERB If you hoist something heavy somewhere, you lift it or pull it up there. □ [V n prep/adv] Hoisting my suitcase on to my shoulder, I turned and headed toward my hotel. □ [V pron-refl prep/adv] Grabbing the side of the bunk, he hoisted himself to a sitting position. [Also V n]
2 VERB If something heavy is hoisted somewhere, it is lifted there using a machine such as a crane. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] A twenty-foot steel pyramid is to be hoisted into position on top of the tower. □ [V n prep/adv] Then a crane hoisted him on to the platform.
3 N‑COUNT A hoist is a machine for lifting heavy things.
4 VERB If you hoist a flag or a sail, you pull it up to its correct position by using ropes. □ [V n] A group of youths hoisted their flag on top of the disputed monument.
5 hoist with your own petard → see petard
ho|kum /hoʊ kəm/ N‑UNCOUNT If you describe something as hokum , you think it is nonsense. [INFORMAL ] □ The book is enjoyable hokum.
hold
➊ PHYSICALLY TOUCHING, SUPPORTING, OR CONTAINING
➋ HAVING OR DOING
➌ CONTROLLING OR REMAINING
➍ PHRASES
➎ PHRASAL VERBS
➊ hold ◆◆◆ /hoʊ ld/ (holds , holding , held )
1 VERB When you hold something, you carry or support it, using your hands or your arms. □ [V n prep/adv] Hold the knife at an angle. □ [V n] He held the pistol in his right hand. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Hold is also a noun. □ He released his hold on the camera.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Hold is used in expressions such as grab hold of , catch hold of , and get hold of , to indicate that you close your hand tightly around something, for example to stop something moving or falling. □ [+ of ] I was woken up by someone grabbing hold of my sleeping bag. □ [+ of ] A doctor and a nurse caught hold of his arms.
3 VERB When you hold someone, you put your arms round them, usually because you want to show them how much you like them or because you want to comfort them. □ [V n adv] If only he would hold her close to him. [Also V n]
4 VERB If you hold someone in a particular position, you use force to keep them in that position and stop them from moving. □ [V n prep] He then held the man in an armlock until police arrived. □ [V n with adv] I'd got two nurses holding me down. [Also V n]
5 N‑COUNT A hold is a particular way of keeping someone in a position using your own hands, arms, or legs. □ …use of an unauthorized hold on a handcuffed suspect.
6 VERB When you hold a part of your body, you put your hand on or against it, often because it hurts. □ [V n] Soon she was crying bitterly about the pain and was holding her throat.
7 VERB When you hold a part of your body in a particular position, you put it into that position and keep it there. □ [V n prep/adv] Hold your hands in front of your face. □ [V -ed] He walked at a rapid pace with his back straight and his head held erect. [Also V n adj]
8 VERB If one thing holds another in a particular position, it keeps it in that position. □ [V n with adv] …the wooden wedge which held the heavy door open. □ [V n prep] They used steel pins to hold everything in place.
9 VERB If one thing is used to hold another, it is used to store it. □ [V n] Two knife racks hold her favourite knives.
10 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] In a ship or aeroplane, a hold is a place where cargo or luggage is stored. □ A fire had been reported in the cargo hold.
11 VERB If a place holds something, it keeps it available for reference or for future use. □ [V n] The Small Firms Service holds an enormous amount of information on any business problem.
12 VERB [no cont] If something holds a particular amount of something, it can contain that amount. □ [V n] …a stadium that holds over 30,000 people.
13 VERB If a vehicle holds the road well, it remains in close contact with the road and can be controlled safely and easily. □ [V n adv] I thought the car held the road really well. [Also V n]
14 → see also holding
➋ hold ◆◆◆ /hoʊ ld/ (holds , holding , held ) Hold is often used to indicate that someone or something has the particular thing, characteristic, or attitude that is mentioned. Therefore it takes most of its meaning from the word that follows it. 1 VERB [no cont] Hold is used with words and expressions indicating an opinion or belief, to show that someone has a particular opinion or believes that something is true. □ [V n] He holds certain expectations about the teacher's role. □ [V that] Current thinking holds that obesity is more a medical than a psychological problem. □ [V n + in ] The public, meanwhile, hold architects in low esteem. □ [V -ed] …a widely held opinion.
2 VERB [no passive] Hold is used with words such as 'fear' or 'mystery' to indicate someone's feelings towards something, as if those feelings were a characteristic of the thing itself. □ [V n + for ] Death doesn't hold any fear for me. □ [V n] It held more mystery than even the darkest jungle.
3 VERB Hold is used with nouns such as 'office', 'power', and 'responsibility' to indicate that someone has a particular position of power or authority. □ [V n] She has never held ministerial office.
4 VERB Hold is used with nouns such as 'permit', 'degree', or 'ticket' to indicate that someone has a particular document that allows them to do something. □ [V n] He did not hold a firearm certificate. □ [V n] Passengers holding tickets will receive refunds.
5 VERB Hold is used with nouns such as 'party', 'meeting', 'talks', 'election', and 'trial' to indicate that people are organizing a particular activity. □ [V n] The German sports federation said it would hold an investigation. ● hold|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] They also called for the holding of multi-party general elections.
6 VERB Hold is used with nouns such as 'conversation', 'interview', and 'talks' to indicate that two or more people meet and discuss something. □ [V n + with ] The Prime Minister, is holding consultations with his colleagues to finalise the deal. □ [V ] The engineer and his son held frequent consultations concerning technical problems. □ [V n] They can't believe you can even hold a conversation.
7 VERB Hold is used with nouns such as 'shares' and 'stock' to indicate that someone owns a particular proportion of a business. □ [V n] The group said it continues to hold 1,774,687 Vons shares.
8 → see also holding
9 VERB Hold is used with words such as 'lead' or 'advantage' to indicate that someone is winning or doing well in a contest. □ [V n] He continued to hold a lead in Angola's presidential race.
10 VERB Hold is used with nouns such as 'attention' or 'interest' to indicate that what you do or say keeps someone interested or listening to you. □ [V n] If you want to hold someone's attention, look them directly in the eye but don't stare.
11 VERB If you hold someone responsible, liable, or accountable for something, you will blame them if anything goes wrong. □ [V n adj] It's impossible to hold any individual responsible.
➌ hold ◆◆◆ /hoʊ ld/ (holds , holding , held )
1 VERB If someone holds you in a place, they keep you there as a prisoner and do not allow you to leave. □ [V n] The inside of a van was as good a place as any to hold a kidnap victim. □ [V n n] Somebody is holding your wife hostage. □ [V -ed] Japan had originally demanded the return of two seamen held on spying charges.
2 VERB If people such as an army or a violent crowd hold a place, they control it by using force. □ [V n] Demonstrators have been holding the square since Sunday.
3 N‑SING If you have a hold over someone, you have power or control over them, for example because you know something about them you can use to threaten them or because you are in a position of authority. □ He had ordered his officers to keep an exceptionally firm hold over their men.
4 VERB [no passive] If you ask someone to hold , or to hold the line , when you are answering a phone call, you are asking them to wait for a short time, for example so that you can find the person they want to speak to. □ [V n] Could you hold the line and I'll just get my pen. □ [V ] A telephone operator asked him to hold.
5 VERB If you hold phone calls for someone, you do not allow people who phone to speak to that person, but take messages instead. □ [V n] He tells his secretary to hold his calls.
6 VERB If something holds at a particular value or level, or is held there, it is kept at that value or level. □ [V prep/adv/adj] OPEC production is holding at around 21.5 million barrels a day. □ [V n with adv] The supermarket has vowed to hold down prices. □ [V n prep/adj] The final dividend will be held at 20.7p, after an 8 per cent increase. □ [V n] …provided the pound holds its value against the euro. [Also V ]
7 VERB If you hold a sound or musical note, you continue making it. □ [V n] …a voice which hit and held every note with perfect ease and clarity.
8 VERB If you hold something such as a train, a lift, or an elevator, you delay it. □ [V n] A London Underground spokesman defended the decision to hold the train until police arrived.
9 VERB If an offer or invitation still holds , it is still available for you to accept. □ [V ] Does your offer still hold?
10 VERB If a good situation holds , it continues and does not get worse or fail. □ [V ] Our luck couldn't hold for ever. □ [V ] Would the weather hold?
11 VERB If an argument or theory holds , it is true or valid, even after close examination. □ [V ] Today, most people think that argument no longer holds. ● PHRASAL VERB Hold up means the same as hold . □ [V P ] Democrats say arguments against the bill won't hold up.
12 VERB If part of a structure holds , it does not fall or break although there is a lot of force or pressure on it. □ [V ] How long would the roof hold?
13 VERB If laws or rules hold , they exist and remain in force. □ [V ] These laws also hold for universities.
14 VERB If you hold to a promise or to high standards of behaviour, you keep that promise or continue to behave according to those standards. [FORMAL ] □ [V + to ] Will the President be able to hold to this commitment?
15 VERB If someone or something holds you to a promise or to high standards of behaviour, they make you keep that promise or those standards. □ [V n + to ] Don't hold me to that.
➍ hold ◆◆◆ /hoʊ ld/ (holds , holding , held )
→ Please look at categories 13 to 25 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 PHRASE If you hold forth on a subject, you speak confidently and for a long time about it, especially to a group of people. □ Barry was holding forth on politics.
2 PHRASE If you get hold of an object or information, you obtain it, usually after some difficulty. □ It is hard to get hold of guns in this country.
3 PHRASE If you get hold of a fact or a subject, you learn about it and understand it well. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ He first had to get hold of some basic facts.
4 PHRASE If you get hold of someone, you manage to contact them. □ The only electrician we could get hold of was miles away.
5 CONVENTION If you say ' Hold it ', you are telling someone to stop what they are doing and to wait. □ Hold it! Don't move!
6 PHRASE If you put something on hold , you decide not to do it, deal with it, or change it now, but to leave it until later. □ He put his retirement on hold until he had found a solution.
7 PHRASE If you hold your own , you are able to resist someone who is attacking or opposing you. □ The Frenchman held his own against the challenger.
8 PHRASE If you can do something well enough to hold your own , you do not appear foolish when you are compared with someone who is generally thought to be very good at it. □ She can hold her own against almost any player.
9 PHRASE If you hold still , you do not move. □ Can't you hold still for a second?
10 PHRASE If something takes hold , it gains complete control or influence over a person or thing. □ [+ of ] She felt a strange excitement taking hold of her.
11 PHRASE If you hold tight , you put your hand round or against something in order to prevent yourself from falling over. A bus driver might say ' Hold tight! ' to you if you are standing on a bus when it is about to move. □ He held tight to the rope.
12 PHRASE If you hold tight , you do not immediately start a course of action that you have been planning or thinking about. □ The unions have urged members to hold tight until a national deal is struck.
13 to hold something at bay → see bay
14 to hold your breath → see breath
15 to hold something in check → see check
16 to hold court → see court ➊
17 to hold fast → see fast
18 to hold the fort → see fort
19 to hold your ground → see ground
20 to hold your peace → see peace
21 to hold someone to ransom → see ransom
22 to hold sway → see sway
23 to hold your tongue → see tongue
➎ hold ◆◆◆ /hoʊ ld/ (holds , holding , held )
▸ hold against PHRASAL VERB If you hold something against someone, you let their actions in the past influence your present attitude towards them and cause you to deal severely or unfairly with them. □ [V n P n] Bernstein lost the case, but never held it against Grundy.
▸ hold back
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hold back or if something holds you back , you hesitate before you do something because you are not sure whether it is the right thing to do. □ [V P ] The administration had several reasons for holding back. □ [V n P ] Melancholy and mistrust of men hold her back. [Also V P n (not pron)]
2 PHRASAL VERB To hold someone or something back means to prevent someone from doing something, or to prevent something from happening. □ [V P n] Stagnation in home sales is holding back economic recovery. □ [V n P ] Jake wanted to wake up, but sleep held him back.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you hold something back , you keep it in reserve to use later. □ [V P n] Farmers apparently hold back produce in the hope that prices will rise. [Also V n P ]
4 PHRASAL VERB If you hold something back , you do not include it in the information you are giving about something. □ [V n P ] You seem to be holding something back. [Also V P n (not pron)]
5 PHRASAL VERB If you hold back something such as tears or laughter, or if you hold back , you make an effort to stop yourself from showing how you feel. □ [V P n] She kept trying to hold back her tears. □ [V P ] I was close to tears with frustration, but I held back. [Also V n P ]
▸ hold down
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hold down a job or a place in a team, you manage to keep it. □ [V P n] He never could hold down a job. □ [V P n] Constant injury problems had made it tough for him to hold down a regular first team place. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you hold someone down , you keep them under control and do not allow them to have much freedom or power or many rights. □ [V P n] Everyone thinks there is some vast conspiracy wanting to hold down the younger generation. [Also V n P ]
▸ hold in PHRASAL VERB If you hold in an emotion or feeling, you do not allow yourself to express it, often making it more difficult to deal with. □ [V P n] Depression can be traced to holding in anger. □ [V n P ] Go ahead and cry. Don't hold it in.
▸ hold off
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hold off doing something, you delay doing it or delay making a decision about it. □ [V P v-ing] The hospital staff held off taking Rosenbaum in for an X-ray. □ [V P ] They have threatened military action but held off until now.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you hold off a challenge in a race or competition, you do not allow someone to pass you. □ [V P n] He cut through the middle, held off a challenge and scored. [Also V n P ]
▸ hold on or hold onto
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hold on , or hold onto something, you keep your hand on it or around it, for example to prevent the thing from falling or to support yourself. □ [V P + to ] His right arm was extended up beside his head, still holding on to a coffee cup. □ [V P n] He was struggling to hold onto a rock on the face of the cliff. □ [V P ] Despite her aching shoulders, Nancy held on.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you hold on , you manage to achieve success or avoid failure in spite of great difficulties or opposition. □ [V P ] This Government deserved to lose power a year ago. It held on.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you ask someone to hold on , you are asking them to wait for a short time. [SPOKEN ] □ [V P ] The manager asked him to hold on while he investigated.
▸ hold on to or hold onto
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hold on to something that gives you an advantage, you succeed in keeping it for yourself, and prevent it from being taken away or given to someone else. □ [V P P n] Firms are now keen to hold on to the people they recruit. □ [V P n] …a politician who knew how to hold onto power.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you hold on to something, you keep it for a longer time than would normally be expected. □ [V P P n] Do you think you could hold on to that report for the next day or two? □ [V P n] People hold onto letters for years and years.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you hold on to your beliefs, ideas, or principles, you continue to believe in them and do not change or abandon them if others try to influence you or if circumstances cause you to doubt them. □ [V P P n] He was imprisoned for 19 years yet held on to his belief in his people.
▸ hold out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hold out your hand or something you have in your hand, you move your hand away from your body, for example to shake hands with someone. □ [V P n] 'I'm Nancy Drew,' she said, holding out her hand. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you hold out for something, you refuse to accept something which you do not think is good enough or large enough, and you continue to demand more. □ [V P + for ] I should have held out for a better deal. □ [V P ] He can only hold out a few more weeks.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone is holding out on you, you think that they are refusing to give you information that you want. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P + on ] He had always believed that kids could sense it when you held out on them. [Also V P ]
4 PHRASAL VERB If you hold out , you manage to resist an enemy or opponent in difficult circumstances and refuse to give in. □ [V P ] One prisoner was still holding out on the roof of the jail.
5 PHRASAL VERB If you hold out hope of something happening, you hope that in the future something will happen as you want it to. □ [V P n] He still holds out hope that they could be a family again.
▸ hold over
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hold something over someone, you use it in order to threaten them or make them do what you want. □ [V n P n] Did Laurie know something, and hold it over Felicity?
2 PHRASAL VERB If something is held over , it does not happen or it is not dealt with until a future date. □ [be V -ed P ] Further voting might be held over until tomorrow. □ [V n P ] We would have held the story over until the next day. [Also V P n]
▸ hold together PHRASAL VERB If you hold a group of people together , you help them to live or work together without arguing, although they may have different aims, attitudes, or interests. □ [V n P ] Her 13-year-old daughter is holding the family together. □ [V P n] …the political balance which holds together the government. □ [V P ] The coalition will never hold together for six months.
▸ hold up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you hold up your hand or something you have in your hand, you move it upwards into a particular position and keep it there. □ [V P n] She held up her hand stiffly. □ [V n P ] Hold it up so that we can see it.
2 PHRASAL VERB If one thing holds up another, it is placed under the other thing in order to support it and prevent it from falling. □ [V P n] Mills have iron pillars all over the place holding up the roof. □ [V n P ] Her legs wouldn't hold her up.
3 PHRASAL VERB To hold up a person or process means to make them late or delay them. □ [V n P ] Why were you holding everyone up? □ [V P n] Continuing violence could hold up progress towards reform.
4 PHRASAL VERB If someone holds up a place such as a bank or a shop, they point a weapon at someone there to make them give them money or valuable goods. □ [V P n] A thief ran off with hundreds of pounds yesterday after holding up a petrol station. [Also V n P ]
5 PHRASAL VERB If you hold up something such as someone's behaviour, you make it known to other people, so that they can criticize or praise it. □ [be V -ed P + as ] He had always been held up as an example to the younger ones. [Also V n P + as ]
6 PHRASAL VERB If something such as a type of business holds up in difficult conditions, it stays in a reasonably good state. □ [V P ] Children's wear is one area that is holding up well in the recession.
7 PHRASAL VERB If an argument or theory holds up , it is true or valid, even after close examination. □ [V P ] I'm not sure if the argument holds up, but it's stimulating.
8 → see also hold-up
▸ hold with PHRASAL VERB If you do not hold with an activity or action, you do not approve of it. □ [V P n] I don't hold with the way they do things nowadays. SYNONYMS hold VERB ➊1
carry: He was carrying a briefcase.
grip: She gripped the rope.
grasp: He grasped both my hands.
clutch: She was clutching a photograph.
clasp: She clasped the children to her.
hold|all /hoʊ ldɔːl/ (holdalls ) also hold-all N‑COUNT A holdall is a strong bag which you use to carry your clothes and other things, for example when you are travelling. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use carryall
hold|er ◆◇◇ /hoʊ ldə r / (holders )
1 N‑COUNT [n N ] A holder is someone who owns or has something. □ This season the club has had 73,500 season-ticket holders. [Also + of ]
2 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A holder is a container in which you put an object, usually in order to protect it or to keep it in place. □ …a toothbrush holder.
hold|ing /hoʊ ld I ŋ/ (holdings )
1 N‑COUNT If you have a holding in a company, you own shares in it. [BUSINESS ] □ That would increase Olympia & York's holding to 35%.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A holding operation or action is a temporary one that is intended to keep a situation under control and to prevent it from becoming worse. □ A garden is, at best, a holding operation against nature.
ho ld|ing com|pa|ny (holding companies ) N‑COUNT A holding company is a company that has enough shares in one or more other companies to be able to control the other companies. [BUSINESS ]
hold|out /hoʊ ldaʊt/ (holdouts ) N‑COUNT A holdout is someone who refuses to agree or act with other people in a particular situation and by doing so stops the situation from progressing or being resolved. [AM ] □ France has been the holdout in trying to negotiate an end to the dispute.
ho ld-up (hold-ups )
1 N‑COUNT A hold-up is a situation in which someone is threatened with a weapon in order to make them hand over money or valuables.
2 N‑COUNT A hold-up is something which causes a delay.
3 N‑COUNT A hold-up is the stopping or very slow movement of traffic, sometimes caused by an accident which happened earlier. □ They arrived late due to a motorway hold-up.
hole ◆◆◇ /hoʊ l/ (holes , holing , holed )
1 N‑COUNT A hole is a hollow space in something solid, with an opening on one side. □ He took a shovel, dug a hole, and buried his once-prized possessions. □ …a 60ft hole.
2 N‑COUNT A hole is an opening in something that goes right through it. □ [+ in ] These tiresome creatures eat holes in the leaves. □ [+ in ] …kids with holes in the knees of their jeans.
3 N‑COUNT A hole is the home or hiding place of a mouse, rabbit, or other small animal. □ …a rabbit hole.
4 N‑COUNT A hole in a law, theory, or argument is a fault or weakness that it has. □ [+ in ] There were some holes in that theory, some unanswered questions.
5 N‑COUNT A hole is also one of the nine or eighteen sections of a golf course. □ I played nine holes with Gary today.
6 N‑COUNT A hole is one of the places on a golf course that the ball must drop into, usually marked by a flag.
7 PHRASE If you say that you need something or someone like a hole in the head , you are emphasizing that you do not want them and that they would only add to the problems that you already have. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ We need more folk heroes like we need a hole in the head.
8 PHRASE If you say that you are in a hole , you mean that you are in a difficult or embarrassing situation. [INFORMAL ] □ He admitted that the government was in 'a dreadful hole'.
9 PHRASE If you get a hole in one in golf, you get the golf ball into the hole with a single stroke.
10 PHRASE If you pick holes in an argument or theory, you find weak points in it so that it is no longer valid. [INFORMAL ] □ He then goes on to pick holes in the article before reaching his conclusion.
▸ hole up PHRASAL VERB If you hole up somewhere, you hide or shut yourself there, usually so that people cannot find you or disturb you. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] His creative process involves holing up in his Paris flat with the phone off the hook. COLLOCATIONS hole NOUN
1
adjective + hole : deep, gaping, huge, massive
verb + hole : dig, drill; fill
2
adjective + hole : tiny
noun + hole : bullet
verb + hole : burn, cut, punch; plug
ho led u p ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are holed up somewhere, you are hiding or staying there, usually so that other people cannot find or disturb you. [INFORMAL ] □ If he had another well-stocked hideaway like this, he could stay holed up for months.
ho le-in-the-wa ll N‑SING [usu N n] A hole-in-the-wall machine is a machine built into the wall of a bank or other building, which allows people to take out money from their bank account by using a special card. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] in AM, use ATM
holi|day ◆◆◇ /hɒ l I dei/ (holidays , holidaying , holidayed )
1 N‑COUNT [oft on/from N ] A holiday is a period of time during which you relax and enjoy yourself away from home. People sometimes refer to their holiday as their holidays . [BRIT ] □ We rang Duncan to ask where he was going on holiday. □ Ischia is a popular seaside holiday resort. □ We're going to Scotland for our holidays. in AM, use vacation 2 N‑COUNT A holiday is a day when people do not go to work or school because of a religious or national festival. □ New Year's Day is a public holiday throughout Britain.
3 → see also bank holiday
4 N‑PLURAL [oft n N ] The holidays are the time when children do not have to go to school. [BRIT ] □ …the first day of the school holidays. in AM, use vacation 5 N‑UNCOUNT If you have a particular number of days' or weeks' holiday , you do not have to go to work for that number of days or weeks. [BRIT ] □ Every worker will be entitled to four weeks' paid holiday a year. in AM, use vacation 6 VERB [oft cont] If you are holidaying in a place away from home, you are on holiday there. [BRIT ] □ [V prep/adv] Sampling the local cuisine is one of the delights of holidaying abroad. in AM, use vacation COLLOCATIONS holiday NOUN 1
noun + holiday : family, school, summer; beach, skiing
adjective + holiday : all-inclusive, self-catering, luxury
verb + holiday : go on, take; spend
ho li|day camp (holiday camps ) N‑COUNT In Britain, a holiday camp is a place which provides holiday accommodation and entertainment for large numbers of people.
holi|day|maker /hɒ l I de I me I kə r / (holidaymakers ) N‑COUNT A holidaymaker is a person who is away from their home on holiday. [BRIT ] in AM, use vacationer
ho li|day rep (holiday reps ) N‑COUNT A holiday rep is someone employed by a holiday company to help look after people when they are on holiday. [BRIT ]
ho lier-than-thou ADJ If you describe someone as holier-than-thou , you disapprove of them because they seem to believe that they are more religious or have better moral qualities than anyone else. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He has always sounded holier-than-thou.
ho|li|ness /hoʊ linəs/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Holiness is the state or quality of being holy. □ We were immediately struck by this city's holiness.
2 N‑COUNT You say Your Holiness or His Holiness when you address or refer respectfully to the Pope or to leaders of some other religions. [POLITENESS ] □ The President received His Holiness at the White House.
ho|lism /hoʊ l I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Holism is the belief that everything in nature is connected in some way. [FORMAL ]
ho|lis|tic /hoʊl I st I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Holistic means based on the principles of holism. [FORMAL ] □ …practitioners of holistic medicine.
hol|ler /hɒ lə r / (hollers , hollering , hollered ) VERB If you holler , you shout loudly. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ [V ] The audience whooped and hollered. □ [V with quote] 'Watch out!' he hollered. □ [V + for ] Cal hollered for help. [Also V + at ] ● N‑COUNT Holler is also a noun. □ On the ship's deck, after the whoops and hollers, the butchering begins. ● PHRASAL VERB Holler out means the same as holler . □ [V P n] I hollered out the names. □ [V P with quote] I heard him holler out, 'Somebody bombed the Church.' [Also V P ]
hol|low /hɒ loʊ/ (hollows , hollowing , hollowed )
1 ADJ Something that is hollow has a space inside it, as opposed to being solid all the way through. □ …a hollow tree. □ …a hollow cylinder.
2 ADJ A surface that is hollow curves inwards. □ He looked young, dark and sharp-featured, with hollow cheeks.
3 N‑COUNT A hollow is a hole inside a tree. □ I made my home there, in the hollow of a dying elm.
4 N‑COUNT A hollow is an area that is lower than the surrounding surface. □ [+ of/in/between ] Below him the town lay warm in the hollow of the hill.
5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a statement, situation, or person as hollow , you mean they have no real value, worth, or effectiveness. □ Any threat to bring in the police is a hollow one. ● hol|low|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] One month before the deadline we see the hollowness of these promises.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone gives a hollow laugh, they laugh in a way that shows that they do not really find something amusing. □ Murray Pick's hollow laugh had no mirth in it.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] A hollow sound is dull and echoing. □ …the hollow sound of a gunshot.
8 VERB [usu passive] If something is hollowed , its surface is made to curve inwards or downwards. □ [be V -ed] The mule's back was hollowed by the weight of its burden. □ [V -ed] …her high, elegantly hollowed cheekbones.
hol|ly /hɒ li/ (hollies ) N‑VAR Holly is an evergreen tree or shrub which has hard, shiny leaves with sharp points, and red berries in winter.
Hol|ly|wood /hɒ liwʊd/ N‑PROPER [oft N n] You use Hollywood to refer to the American film industry that is based in Hollywood, California. □ …a major Hollywood studio.
holo|caust /hɒ ləkɔːst/ (holocausts )
1 N‑VAR A holocaust is an event in which there is a lot of destruction and many people are killed, especially one caused by war. □ A nuclear holocaust seemed a very real possibility in the '50s.
2 N‑SING The Holocaust is used to refer to the killing by the Nazis of millions of Jews during the Second World War.
holo|gram /hɒ ləgræm/ (holograms ) N‑COUNT A hologram is a three-dimensional photographic image created by laser beams.
hols /hɒ lz/ N‑PLURAL Some people refer to their holidays as their hols . [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ Where did you go for your hols?
hol|ster /hoʊ lstə r / (holsters ) N‑COUNT A holster is a holder for a small gun, which is worn on a belt around someone's waist or on a strap around their shoulder.
holy ◆◇◇ /hoʊ li/ (holier , holiest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as holy , you mean that it is considered to be special because it is connected with God or a particular religion. □ To them, as to all Christians, this is a holy place.
2 ADJ A holy person is a religious leader or someone who leads a religious life.
3 → see also holier-than-thou
Ho ly Com|mu n|ion N‑UNCOUNT Holy Communion is the most important religious service in the Christian church, in which people share bread and wine as a symbol of the Last Supper and the death of Christ.
Ho ly Fa ther N‑PROPER In the Catholic Church, the Holy Father is the Pope.
Ho ly Gho st N‑PROPER The Holy Ghost is the same as the Holy Spirit .
holy of holies /hoʊ li əv hoʊ liz/ N‑SING A holy of holies is a place that is so sacred that only particular people are allowed to enter; often used in informal English to refer humorously to a place where only a few special people can go. □ …the holy of holies in the Temple. □ …the Aldeburgh Festival, the holy of holies in the contemporary British music scene.
ho ly o r|ders also Holy Orders N‑PLURAL Someone who is in holy orders is a member of the Christian clergy. □ He took holy orders in 1935.
Ho ly Spi r|it N‑PROPER In the Christian religion, the Holy Spirit is one of the three aspects of God, together with God the Father and God the Son.
Ho ly Week N‑UNCOUNT In the Christian religion, Holy Week is the week before Easter, when Christians remember the events leading up to the death of Christ.
hom|age /hɒ m I dʒ/ N‑UNCOUNT Homage is respect shown towards someone or something you admire, or to a person in authority. □ [+ to ] Palace has released two marvellous films that pay homage to our literary heritage.
home
➊ NOUN, ADJECTIVE, AND ADVERB USES
➋ PHRASAL VERB USES
➊ home ◆◆◆ /hoʊ m/ (homes )
1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N , oft at N ] Someone's home is the house or flat where they live. □ Last night they stayed at home and watched TV. □ …his home in Hampstead. □ …the allocation of land for new homes.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You can use home to refer in a general way to the house, town, or country where someone lives now or where they were born, often to emphasize that they feel they belong in that place. □ She gives frequent performances of her work, both at home and abroad. □ His father worked away from home for much of Jim's first five years. □ [+ to ] Warwick is home to some 550 international students.
3 ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] Home means to or at the place where you live. □ Hannah wasn't feeling too well and she wanted to go home. □ Hi, Mom, I'm home!
4 ADJ [ADJ n] Home means made or done in the place where you live. □ …cheap but healthy home cooking. □ …internet home shopping and grocery delivery.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] Home means relating to your own country as opposed to foreign countries. □ Europe's software companies still have a growing home market.
6 N‑COUNT A home is a large house or institution where a number of people live and are looked after, instead of living in their own houses or flats. They usually live there because they are too old or ill to look after themselves or for their families to care for them. □ …an old people's home.
7 N‑COUNT You can refer to a family unit as a home . □ She had, at any rate, provided a peaceful and loving home for Harriet.
8 N‑SING If you refer to the home of something, you mean the place where it began or where it is most typically found. □ [+ of ] This south-west region of France is the home of claret.
9 N‑COUNT If you find a home for something, you find a place where it can be kept. □ [+ for ] The equipment itself is getting smaller, neater and easier to find a home for.
10 ADV [ADV after v] If you press, drive, or hammer something home , you explain it to people as forcefully as possible. □ It is now up to all of us to debate this issue and press home the argument.
11 N‑UNCOUNT [usu at N ] When a sports team plays at home , they play a game on their own ground, rather than on the opposing team's ground. □ I scored in both games against Barcelona; we drew at home and beat them away. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Home is also an adjective. □ All three are Chelsea fans, and attend all home games together.
12 PHRASE If you feel at home , you feel comfortable in the place or situation that you are in. □ He spoke very good English and appeared pleased to see us, and we soon felt quite at home.
13 PHRASE To bring something home to someone means to make them understand how important or serious it is. □ Their sobering conversation brought home to everyone present the serious and worthwhile work the Red Cross does.
14 PHRASE If you say that someone is, in British English home and dry , or in American English home free , you mean that they have been successful or that they are certain to be successful. □ The prime minister and the moderates are not yet home and dry.
15 PHRASE If a situation or what someone says hits home or strikes home , people accept that it is real or true, even though it may be painful for them to realize. □ Did the reality of war finally hit home?
16 PHRASE You can say a home from home in British English or a home away from home in American English to refer to a place in which you are as comfortable as in your own home. [APPROVAL ] □ Many cottages are a home from home, offering microwaves, dishwashers and TVs.
17 CONVENTION If you say to a guest ' Make yourself at home ', you are making them feel welcome and inviting them to behave in an informal, relaxed way. [POLITENESS ]
18 PHRASE If you say that something is nothing to write home about , you mean that it is not very interesting or exciting. [INFORMAL ] □ So a dreary Monday afternoon in Walthamstow is nothing to write home about, right?
19 PHRASE If something that is thrown or fired strikes home , it reaches its target. [WRITTEN ] □ Only two torpedoes struck home.
➋ home /hoʊ m/ (homes , homing , homed )
▸ home in
1 PHRASAL VERB If you home in on one particular aspect of something, you give all your attention to it. □ [V P + on ] The critics immediately homed in on the group's newly-elected members. [Also V P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If something such as a missile homes in on something else, it is aimed at that thing and moves towards it. □ [V P + on ] Two rockets homed in on it from behind without a sound. [Also V P ]
3 → see also homing USAGE house or home?
You don't usually say ‘
I am going to my house
’ or ‘
She was in her house
’. You say ‘I am going home
’ or ‘She was at home
’. □
I’ll finish the report at home
.
ho me birth (home births ) N‑VAR If a woman has a home birth , she gives birth to her baby at home rather than in a hospital.
home|boy /hoʊ mbɔ I / (homeboys ) N‑COUNT A homeboy is a boy or man from the same area as you, especially one from the same social group as you. [AM , INFORMAL ]
ho me-brew N‑UNCOUNT Home-brew is beer or wine that is made in someone's home, rather than in a brewery.
home|coming /hoʊ mkʌm I ŋ/ (homecomings )
1 N‑VAR [oft poss N ] Your homecoming is your return to your home or your country after being away for a long time. □ Her homecoming was tinged with sadness.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Homecoming is a day or weekend each year when former students of a particular school, college, or university go back to it to meet each other again and go to dances and sports matches. [AM ]
Home Cou n|ties also home counties N‑PROPER‑PLURAL The Home Counties are the counties which surround London.
ho me eco|no m|ics N‑UNCOUNT Home economics is a school subject dealing with how to run a house well and efficiently.
ho me fie ld (home fields ) N‑COUNT A sports team's home field is their own playing field, as opposed to that of other teams. [AM ] in BRIT, use home ground
home|girl /hoʊ mgɜː r l/ (homegirls ) N‑COUNT A homegirl is a girl or woman from the same area as you, especially one from the same social group as you. [AM , INFORMAL ]
ho me grou nd (home grounds )
1 N‑VAR A sports team's home ground is their own playing field, as opposed to that of other teams. [BRIT ] in AM, use home field
2 PHRASE If you say that someone is on their home ground , you mean that they are in or near where they work or live, and feel confident and secure because of this. □ Although he was on home ground, his campaign had been rocked by adultery allegations.
ho me-gro wn ADJ [usu ADJ n] Home-grown fruit and vegetables have been grown in your garden, rather than on a farm, or in your country rather than abroad.
ho me help (home helps ) N‑COUNT A home help is a person who is employed to visit sick or old people at home and help with their cleaning or cooking. [mainly BRIT ]
home|land /hoʊ mlænd/ (homelands )
1 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] Your homeland is your native country. [mainly WRITTEN ] □ Many are planning to return to their homeland.
2 N‑COUNT The homelands were regions within South Africa in which black South Africans had a limited form of self-government.
home|less ◆◇◇ /hoʊ mləs/ ADJ Homeless people have nowhere to live. □ …the growing number of homeless families. □ Hundreds were made homeless. ● N‑PLURAL The homeless are people who are homeless. □ …shelters for the homeless. ● home|less|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ The only way to solve homelessness is to provide more homes.
home|ly /hoʊ mli/
1 ADJ If you describe a room or house as homely , you like it because you feel comfortable and relaxed there. [mainly BRIT , APPROVAL ] □ We try and provide a very homely atmosphere. in AM, usually use homey 2 ADJ If you describe a woman as homely , you mean that she has a warm, comforting manner and looks like someone who would enjoy being at home and having a family. [BRIT ] □ Mrs Jones was a pleasant, homely person with a ready smile.
3 ADJ If you say that someone is homely , you mean that they are not very attractive to look at. [AM ] □ The man was homely and overweight.
ho me-ma de ADJ Something that is home-made has been made in someone's home, rather than in a shop or factory. □ The bread, pastry and mayonnaise are home-made. □ A home-made bomb exploded during the disturbances.
home|maker /hoʊ mme I kə r / (homemakers ) N‑COUNT A homemaker is a woman who spends a lot of time looking after her home and family. If you describe a woman as a homemaker , you usually mean that she does not have another job.
Ho me Of|fice N‑PROPER The Home Office is the department of the British Government which is responsible for things such as the police, broadcasting, and making decisions about people who want to come to live in Britain.
homeo|path /hoʊ mioʊpæθ/ (homeopaths ) in BRIT, also use homoeopath N‑COUNT A homeopath is someone who treats illness by homeopathy.
homeo|path|ic /hoʊ mioʊpæ θ I k/ in BRIT, also use homoeopathic ADJ [usu ADJ n] Homeopathic means relating to or used in homeopathy. □ …homeopathic remedies.
homeopa|thy /hoʊ miɒ pəθi/ in BRIT, also use homoeopathy N‑UNCOUNT Homeopathy is a way of treating an illness in which the patient is given very small amounts of a drug that produces signs of the illness in healthy people.
ho me own|er (home owners ) also homeowner N‑COUNT A home owner is a person who owns the house or flat that they live in.
ho me page (home pages ) also homepage N‑COUNT On the internet, a person's or organization's home page is the main page of information about them, which often contains links to other pages about them.
ho me ru le N‑UNCOUNT If a country or region has home rule , it has its own independent government and laws.
Ho me Se c|re|tary (Home Secretaries ) N‑COUNT The Home Secretary is the member of the British government who is in charge of the Home Office.
ho me sho p|ping N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Home shopping is shopping that people do by ordering goods from their homes, using catalogues, television channels, or computers. □ …America's most successful home-shopping channel.
home|sick /hoʊ ms I k/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are homesick , you feel unhappy because you are away from home and are missing your family, friends, and home very much. □ She's feeling a little homesick. ● home|sick|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ There were inevitable bouts of homesickness.
home|spun /hoʊ mspʌn/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use homespun to describe opinions or ideas that are simple and not based on special knowledge. □ The book is simple homespun philosophy.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Homespun clothes are made from cloth that has been made at home, rather than in a factory.
home|stead /hoʊ msted/ (homesteads )
1 N‑COUNT A homestead is a farmhouse, together with the land around it.
2 N‑COUNT In United States history, a homestead was a piece of government land in the west, which was given to someone so they could settle there and develop a farm. [AM ]
ho me stretch in BRIT, also use home straight 1 N‑SING The home stretch or the home straight is the last part of a race. □ He was passed by six athletes down the home straight.
2 N‑SING You can refer to the last part of any activity that lasts for a long time as the home stretch or the home straight , especially if the activity is difficult or boring. □ …as his two hours of banter, quips and anecdotes goes into the home straight.
home|town /hoʊ mtaʊ n/ (hometowns ) also home town N‑COUNT [with poss] Someone's hometown is the town where they live or the town that they come from.
ho me tru th (home truths ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Home truths are unpleasant facts that you learn about yourself, usually from someone else. [BRIT ] □ We held a team meeting and a few home truths were spelled out.
home|ward /hoʊ mwə r d/ also homewards
1 ADJ [ADJ n] If you are on a homeward journey, you are on a journey towards your home. □ She is ready for her homeward journey.
2 ADV [ADV after v] If you are travelling homeward or homewards , you are travelling towards your home. □ John drove homeward through the lanes.
ho me|ward bou nd ADJ People or things that are homeward bound are on their way home. □ I'd be homeward bound even before Grant arrived.
home|work /hoʊ mwɜː r k/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Homework is school work that teachers give to pupils to do at home in the evening or at the weekend. □ Have you done your homework, Gemma?
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you do your homework , you find out what you need to know in preparation for something. □ Before you go near a stockbroker, do your homework.
homey /hoʊ mi/ ADJ If you describe a room or house as homey , you like it because you feel comfortable and relaxed there. [mainly AM , INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ …a large, homey dining room. in BRIT, usually use homely
homi|ci|dal /hɒ m I sa I d ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Homicidal is used to describe someone who is dangerous because they are likely to kill someone. □ That man is a homicidal maniac.
homi|cide /hɒ m I sa I d/ (homicides ) N‑VAR Homicide is the illegal killing of a person. [mainly AM ] □ The police arrived at the scene of the homicide. in BRIT, usually use murder
homi|ly /hɒ m I li/ (homilies ) N‑COUNT A homily is a speech or piece of writing in which someone complains about the state of something or tells people how they ought to behave. [FORMAL ] □ …a receptive audience for his homily on moral values.
hom|ing /hoʊ m I ŋ/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A weapon or piece of equipment that has a homing system is able to guide itself to a target or to give out a signal that guides people to it. □ All the royal cars are fitted with electronic homing devices.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] An animal that has a homing instinct has the ability to remember and return to a place where it has been in the past. □ Then the pigeons flew into thick fog, and the famous homing instinct failed.
ho m|ing pi|geon (homing pigeons ) N‑COUNT A homing pigeon is a pigeon that is trained to return to a particular place, especially in races with other pigeons.
homoeo|path /hoʊ mioʊpæθ/ → see homeopath
homoeo|path|ic /hoʊ mioʊpæ θ I k/ → see homeopathic
homoeopa|thy /hoʊ miɒ pəθi/ → see homeopathy
homo|erot|ic /hɒ moʊ I rɒ t I k/ ADJ Homoerotic is used to describe things such as films, literature, and images intended to be sexually appealing to homosexual men.
homo|genei|ty /hɒ mədʒəniː I ti, hoʊ -/ N‑UNCOUNT Homogeneity is the quality of being homogeneous. [FORMAL ]
homo|geneous /hɒ mədʒiː niəs, hoʊ -/ also homogenous ADJ Homogeneous is used to describe a group or thing which has members or parts that are all the same. [FORMAL ] □ The unemployed are not a homogeneous group.
ho|mog|enize /həmɒ dʒəna I z/ (homogenizes , homogenizing , homogenized ) in BRIT, also use homogenise VERB If something is homogenized , it is changed so that all its parts are similar or the same, especially in a way that is undesirable. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] Rather than trying to homogenize our culture, we can actually thrive by celebrating our diversity.
ho|mog|enized /həmɒ dʒəna I zd/ in BRIT, also use homogenised ADJ Homogenized milk is milk where the fat has been broken up so that it is evenly distributed.
ho|mog|enous /həmɒ dʒənəs/ ADJ Homogenous means the same as homogeneous .
homo|pho|bia /hɒ məfoʊ biə/ N‑UNCOUNT Homophobia is a strong and unreasonable dislike of homosexual people, especially homosexual men.
ho|mo|pho|bic /hɒ məfoʊ b I k/ ADJ Homophobic means involving or related to a strong and unreasonable dislike of homosexual people, especially homosexual men.
homo|phone /hɒ məfoʊn/ (homophones ) N‑COUNT In linguistics, homophones are words with different meanings which are pronounced in the same way but are spelled differently. For example, 'write' and 'right' are homophones.
homo sa|pi|ens /hoʊ moʊ sæ pienz/ N‑UNCOUNT Homo sapiens is used to refer to modern human beings as a species, in contrast to other species of ape or animal, or earlier forms of human. [TECHNICAL ] □ What distinguishes homo sapiens from every other living creature is the mind.
homo|sex|ual ◆◇◇ /hɒ moʊse kʃuəl, [AM ] hoʊ -/ (homosexuals )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A homosexual relationship is a sexual relationship between people of the same sex.
2 ADJ Someone who is homosexual is sexually attracted to people of the same sex. □ A fraud trial involving two homosexual lawyers was abandoned. ● N‑COUNT Homosexual is also a noun. □ The judge said that discrimination against homosexuals is deplorable. ● homo|sex|ual|ity /hɒ moʊsekʃuæ l I ti, [AM ] hoʊ m-/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …a place where people could openly discuss homosexuality.
Hon. /ɒ n/ N‑TITLE Hon. is an abbreviation for honourable and honorary when they are used as part of a person's title.
hone /hoʊ n/ (hones , honing , honed )
1 VERB If you hone something, for example a skill, technique, idea, or product, you carefully develop it over a long period of time so that it is exactly right for your purpose. □ [V n] Leading companies spend time and money on honing the skills of senior managers.
2 VERB If you hone a blade, weapon, or tool, you sharpen it on a stone or with a special device. [TECHNICAL ] □ [V n] …four grinding wheels for honing fine edged tools and implements. □ [V -ed] …a thin, honed blade.
hon|est ◆◇◇ /ɒ n I st/
1 ADJ If you describe someone as honest , you mean that they always tell the truth, and do not try to deceive people or break the law. □ I know she's honest and reliable. ● hon|est|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ She fought honestly for a just cause and for freedom.
2 ADJ If you are honest in a particular situation, you tell the complete truth or give your sincere opinion, even if this is not very pleasant. □ [+ about ] I was honest about what I was doing. □ [+ with ] He had been honest with her and she had tricked him! ● hon|est|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ It came as a shock to hear an old friend speak so honestly about Ted.
3 ADV You say ' honest ' before or after a statement to emphasize that you are telling the truth and that you want people to believe you. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ I'm not sure, honest.
4 PHRASE Some people say ' honest to God ' to emphasize their feelings or to emphasize that something is really true. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ I wish we weren't doing this, Lillian, honest to God, I really do.
5 PHRASE You can say ' to be honest ' before or after a statement to indicate that you are telling the truth about your own opinions or feelings, especially if you think these will disappoint the person you are talking to. [FEELINGS ] □ To be honest the house is not quite our style.
ho n|est bro |ker (honest brokers ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If a person or country acts as an honest broker , they try to help people resolve a dispute or arrange a deal by talking to all sides and finding out what they want, without favouring any one side. □ Canada's prime minister will be hoping to play honest broker in the row between the United States and Japan.
hon|est|ly /ɒ n I stli/
1 ADV [ADV before v] You use honestly to emphasize that you are referring to your, or someone else's, true beliefs or feelings. [EMPHASIS ] □ But did you honestly think we wouldn't notice?
2 ADV You use honestly to emphasize that you are telling the truth and that you want people to believe you. [SPOKEN , EMPHASIS ] □ Honestly, I don't know anything about it.
3 ADV You use honestly to indicate that you are annoyed or impatient. [SPOKEN , FEELINGS ] □ Honestly, Nev! Must you be quite so crude!
4 → see also honest
hon|es|ty /ɒ n I sti/ N‑UNCOUNT Honesty is the quality of being honest. □ They said the greatest virtues in a politician were integrity, correctness and honesty. ● PHRASE You say in all honesty when you are saying something that might be disappointing or upsetting, and you want to soften its effect by emphasizing your sincerity. [EMPHASIS ] □ In all honesty, the real problem was me.
hon|ey /hʌ ni/ (honeys )
1 N‑VAR Honey is a sweet, sticky, yellowish substance that is made by bees.
2 N‑COUNT You call someone honey as a sign of affection. [mainly AM ] □ Honey, I don't really think that's a good idea.
honey|bee /hʌ nibiː/ (honeybees ) N‑COUNT A honeybee is a bee that makes honey.
honey|comb /hʌ nikoʊm/ (honeycombs ) N‑VAR A honeycomb is a wax structure consisting of rows of six-sided spaces where bees store their honey.
hon|eyed /hʌ nid/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can describe someone's voice or words as honeyed when they are very pleasant to listen to, especially if you want to suggest that they are insincere. □ His gentle manner and honeyed tones reassured Andrew.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can describe something as honeyed when it tastes or smells of honey, or is the pale yellowish colour of honey. [LITERARY ] □ I could smell the honeyed ripeness of melons and peaches. □ …a warm, honeyed light.
honey|moon /hʌ nimuːn/ (honeymoons , honeymooning , honeymooned )
1 N‑COUNT A honeymoon is a holiday taken by a man and a woman who have just got married.
2 VERB When a recently-married couple honeymoon somewhere, they go there on their honeymoon. □ [V ] They honeymooned in Venice.
3 N‑COUNT You can use honeymoon to refer to a period of time after the start of a new job or new government when everyone is pleased with the person or people concerned and is nice to them. □ Brett is enjoying a honeymoon period with both press and public.
honey|pot /hʌ nipɒt/ (honeypots )
1 N‑COUNT If you describe something as a honeypot , you mean that it is very desirable or very popular. □ …traditional tourist honeypots such as London, Bath, Edinburgh, and York.
2 PHRASE If something attracts people like bees to a honeypot or like bees round a honeypot , it attracts people in large numbers. □ This is the show that attracts computer industry people like bees to a honeypot.
honey|suckle /hʌ nisʌk ə l/ (honeysuckles ) N‑VAR Honeysuckle is a climbing plant with sweet-smelling yellow, pink, or white flowers.
honey|trap /hʌ nitræp/ (honeytraps ) N‑COUNT A honeytrap is a situation in which someone is tricked into immoral or illegal sexual behaviour so that their behaviour can be publicly exposed.
honk /hɒ ŋk/ (honks , honking , honked ) VERB If you honk the horn of a vehicle or if the horn honks , you make the horn produce a short loud sound. □ [V n] Drivers honked their horns in solidarity with the peace marchers. □ [V ] Horns honk. An angry motorist shouts. ● N‑COUNT Honk is also a noun. □ She pulled to the right with a honk.
honky-tonk /hɒ ŋki tɒŋk/ (honky-tonks )
1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A honky-tonk is a cheap bar or nightclub. [AM ] □ …little honky-tonk bars in Texas.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Honky-tonk is the kind of piano music that was formerly played in honky-tonks. □ …the beat of honky-tonk pianos.
hon|or /ɒ nə r / → see honour
hon|or|able /ɒ nrəb ə l/ → see honourable
hono|rar|ium /ɒ nəreə riəm/ (honoraria /ɒ nəreə riə/ or honorariums ) N‑COUNT An honorarium is a fee that someone receives for doing something which is not a normal part of their job, for example giving a talk.
hon|or|ary /ɒ nərəri, [AM ] -reri/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] An honorary title or membership of a group is given to someone without their needing to have the necessary qualifications, usually because of their public achievements. □ …an honorary member of the Golf Club.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Honorary is used to describe an official job that is done without payment. □ …the honorary secretary of the Cheshire Beekeepers' Association.
ho n|or guard N‑SING An honor guard is a group of troops who formally greet or accompany someone special such as a visiting head of state. [AM ] in BRIT, use guard of honour
hon|or|if|ic /ɒ nər I f I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] An honorific title or way of talking is used to show respect or honour to someone. [FORMAL ] □ He was given the honorific title of national chairman.
hon|our ◆◇◇ /ɒ nə r / (honours , honouring , honoured ) in AM, use honor 1 N‑UNCOUNT Honour means doing what you believe to be right and being confident that you have done what is right. □ I do not believe I can any longer serve with honour as a member of your government.
2 N‑COUNT An honour is a special award that is given to someone, usually because they have done something good or because they are greatly respected. □ He was showered with honours–among them an Oscar.
3 VERB [usu passive] If someone is honoured , they are given public praise or an award for something they have done. □ [be V -ed] The director was honoured with a Bafta Fellowship.
4 N‑SING If you describe doing or experiencing something as an honour , you mean you think it is something special and desirable. □ [+ of ] Five other cities had been competing for the honour of staging the Games.
5 V-PASSIVE If you say that you would be honoured to do something, you are saying very politely and formally that you would be pleased to do it. If you say that you are honoured by something, you are saying that you are grateful for it and pleased about it. [POLITENESS ] □ [be V -ed to-inf] I would be honoured to play for a club like Everton. □ [be V -ed] It's a very flattering offer, and I'm honoured by your confidence in me.
6 VERB To honour someone means to treat them or regard them with special attention and respect. □ [V n + with ] Her Majesty later honoured the Headmaster with her presence at lunch. □ [V n] Those right-wing people who most honour their monarch see no reason for any apology. ● hon|oured ADJ [ADJ n] □ Mrs Patrick Campbell was an honoured guest.
7 VERB If you honour an arrangement or promise, you do what you said you would do. □ [V n] The two sides agreed to honour a new ceasefire.
8 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Honours is a type of university degree which is of a higher standard than a pass or ordinary degree. □ …an honours degree in business studies.
9 N‑COUNT Judges, and mayors in the United States, are sometimes called your honour or referred to as his honour or her honour . □ I have no further questions, your honour.
10 → see also guest of honour , lap of honour , maid of honour
11 PHRASE If someone does the honours at a social occasion or public event, they act as host or perform some official function. [INFORMAL ] □ A well-known television personality did the honours at the official opening of the show.
12 PHRASE If something is arranged in honour of a particular event, it is arranged in order to celebrate that event. □ The Foundation is holding a dinner at the Museum of American Art in honour of the opening of their new show.
13 PHRASE If something is arranged or happens in someone's honour , it is done specially to show appreciation of them. □ He will attend an outdoor concert in his honour in the centre of Paris. SYNONYMS honour NOUN 1
integrity: I have always regarded him as a man of integrity.
morality: …standards of morality and justice in society.
decency: His sense of decency forced him to resign. VERB 6
respect: I want him to respect me as a career woman.
esteem: I greatly esteem your message in the midst of our hard struggle.
admire: He admired the way she had coped with life.
revere: Today he's still revered as the father of the nation.
hon|our|able /ɒ nrəb ə l/ in AM, use honorable 1 ADJ If you describe people or actions as honourable , you mean that they are good and deserve to be respected and admired. □ I believe he was an honourable man, dedicated to the people and his union. □ However, their intentions are honourable. ● hon|our|ably /ɒ nrəbli/ ADV [usu ADV with v] □ He also felt she had not behaved honorably in the leadership election.
2 ADJ Honourable is used as a title before the names of some members of the nobility, judges, and some other officials. □ …the Honourable Mr Justice Swinton Thomas.
hon|our|able me n|tion (honourable mentions ) in AM, use honorable mention N‑COUNT If something that you do in a competition is given an honourable mention , it receives special praise from the judges although it does not actually win a prize.
ho n|ours list (honours lists ) N‑COUNT In Britain, the honours list is the list of people who have been selected to receive titles or awards from the Queen because of their achievements. □ He has been made an MBE in the New Year Honours list.
Hons /ɒ nz/ In Britain, Hons is an abbreviation for honours , used after the names of some university degrees, mainly first degrees. □ …Kevin P Kearns, BA (Hons), University of Liverpool.
hooch /huː tʃ/ N‑UNCOUNT Hooch is strong alcoholic drink. [INFORMAL ]
hood /hʊ d/ (hoods )
1 N‑COUNT A hood is a part of a coat which you can pull up to cover your head. It is in the shape of a triangular bag attached to the neck of the coat at the back.
2 N‑COUNT The hood of a car is the metal cover over the engine at the front. [AM ] in BRIT, use bonnet 3 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A cooker hood is an electrical device fitted over a cooker above head height, and containing an extractor fan and usually a light.
hood|ed /hʊ d I d/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A hooded piece of clothing or furniture has a hood. □ …a blue, hooded anorak.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone has hooded eyes, their eyelids always look as though they are partly closed.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] A hooded person is wearing a hood or a piece of clothing pulled down over their face, so they are difficult to recognize. □ The class was held hostage by a hooded gunman.
hood|ie /hʊ d I /
1 N‑COUNT A hoodie is a type of casual jacket with a hood. [INFORMAL ] □ She wore jeans and a hoodie.
2 A hoodie is a young person wearing a hoodie, thought by some people to be badly behaved or possibly criminal. [INFORMAL ] □ He said he had felt threatened by a group of hoodies outside a shop.
hood|lum /huː dləm/ (hoodlums ) N‑COUNT A hoodlum is a violent criminal, especially one who is a member of a group. [INFORMAL ]
hood|wink /hʊ dw I ŋk/ (hoodwinks , hoodwinking , hoodwinked ) VERB If someone hoodwinks you, they trick or deceive you. □ [V n] People expect others to be honest, which is why conmen find it so easy to hoodwink people.
hoof /huː f/ (hoofs or hooves ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] The hooves of an animal such as a horse are the hard lower parts of its feet. □ The horses' hooves often could not get a proper grip.
hoof|er /huː fə r / (hoofers ) N‑COUNT A hoofer is a dancer, especially one who dances in musicals. [INFORMAL ]
hoo-ha /huː hɑː/ N‑SING If there is a hoo-ha , there is a lot of fuss about something. [INFORMAL ] □ Schulman is a little tired of the hoo-ha about the all-women team.
hook ◆◇◇ /hʊ k/ (hooks , hooking , hooked )
1 N‑COUNT A hook is a bent piece of metal or plastic that is used for catching or holding things, or for hanging things up. □ One of his jackets hung from a hook. □ …curtain hooks.
2 VERB If you hook one thing to another, you attach it there using a hook. If something hooks somewhere, it can be hooked there. □ [V n + to/onto ] Paul hooked his tractor to the car and pulled it to safety. □ [V + onto ] …one of those can openers that hooked onto the wall. [Also V n prep, V prep]
3 VERB If you hook your arm, leg, or foot round an object, you place it like a hook round the object in order to move it or hold it. □ [V n prep] She latched on to his arm, hooking her other arm around a tree.
4 VERB If you hook a fish, you catch it with a hook on the end of a line. □ [V n] At the first cast I hooked a huge fish.
5 N‑COUNT [usu adj N ] A hook is a short sharp blow with your fist that you make with your elbow bent, usually in a boxing match. □ He was knocked down by a left hook in the first round.
6 VERB If you are hooked into something, or hook into something, you get involved with it. [mainly AM ] □ [be/get V -ed + into ] I'm guessing again now because I'm not hooked into the political circles. □ [V + into ] Eager to hook into a career but can't find one right for you?
7 VERB If you hook into the internet, you make a connection with the internet on a particular occasion so that you can use it. □ [V + into ] …an interactive media tent where people will be able to hook into the internet. ● PHRASAL VERB Hook up means the same as hook . □ [V P + to ] It has no mobile connectivity, which means that users must rely on wi-fi to hook up to the internet.
8 PHRASE If someone gets off the hook or is let off the hook , they manage to get out of the awkward or unpleasant situation that they are in. [INFORMAL ] □ Sometimes they do let the culprits off the hook.
9 PHRASE If you take a phone off the hook , you take the receiver off the part that it normally rests on, so that the phone will not ring.
10 PHRASE If your phone is ringing off the hook , so many people are trying to phone you that it is ringing constantly. [AM ] □ Since war broke out, the phones at donation centers have been ringing off the hook.
11 by hook or by crook → see crook
12 hook, line, and sinker → see sinker
▸ hook up
1 → see hook 7
2 PHRASAL VERB When someone hooks up a computer or other electronic machine, they connect it to other similar machines or to a central power supply. □ [V P n] …technicians who hook up computer systems and networks. □ [V n P ] He brought it down, hooked it up, and we got the generator going. □ [be V -ed P + to ] …if the machine is hooked up to an apartment's central wiring system. [Also V n P to n]
hooked /hʊ kt/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as hooked , you mean that it is shaped like a hook. □ He was thin and tall, with a hooked nose.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are hooked on something, you enjoy it so much that it takes up a lot of your interest and attention. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ on ] Many of the leaders have become hooked on power and money.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are hooked on a drug, you are addicted to it. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ on ] He spent a number of years hooked on cocaine, heroin and alcohol.
hook|er /hʊ kə r / (hookers ) N‑COUNT A hooker is a prostitute. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ]
hoo k-u p (hook-ups ) also hookup
1 N‑COUNT A hook-up is a connection between two places, systems, or pieces of equipment. □ Water and electric hook-ups are available and facilities are good.
2 N‑COUNT A hook-up is an occasion when people meet, communicate, or work together. [INFORMAL ] □ Her next project was a hook-up with producer Mark Ronson.
3 N‑COUNT A hook-up is a short and casual sexual relationship. [INFORMAL ] □ This relationship was more than just a drunken hook-up.
hooky /hʊ ki/ also hookey PHRASE If a child plays hooky , they stay away from school without permission. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] in BRIT, use play truant
hoo|li|gan /huː l I gən/ (hooligans ) N‑COUNT If you describe people, especially young people, as hooligans , you are critical of them because they behave in a noisy and violent way in a public place. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …riots involving football hooligans.
hoo|li|gan|ism /huː l I gən I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Hooliganism is the behaviour and actions of hooligans. □ …police investigating football hooliganism.
hoop /huː p/ (hoops )
1 N‑COUNT A hoop is a large ring made of wood, metal, or plastic.
2 PHRASE If someone makes you jump through hoops , they make you do lots of difficult or boring things in order to please them or achieve something. □ He had the duty receptionist almost jumping through hoops for him. But to no avail.
hooped /huː pt/ ADJ [ADJ n] If something is hooped , it is decorated with hoops or horizontal stripes, or it contains hoops as part of its structure. [mainly BRIT ] □ …a hooped arbour of iron rods. □ …red hooped sleeves.
hoo|ray /hʊre I /
1 EXCLAM People sometimes shout ' Hooray! ' when they are very happy and excited about something.
2 hip hip hooray → see hip
hoot /huː t/ (hoots , hooting , hooted )
1 VERB If you hoot the horn on a vehicle or if it hoots , it makes a loud noise on one note. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] I never hoot my horn when I pick a girl up for a date. □ [V ] Somewhere in the distance a siren hooted. □ [V + at ] I can be very rude to motorists who hoot at me. ● N‑COUNT Hoot is also a noun. □ Mortlake strode on, ignoring the car, in spite of a further warning hoot. [in AM, usually use honk , toot ]
2 VERB If you hoot , you make a loud high-pitched noise when you are laughing or showing disapproval. □ [V ] The protesters chanted, blew whistles and hooted at the name of Governor Pete Wilson. ● N‑COUNT Hoot is also a noun. □ His confession was greeted with derisive hoots.
3 VERB When an owl hoots , it makes a sound like a long 'oo'. □ [V ] Out in the garden an owl hooted suddenly.
4 PHRASE If you say that you don't give a hoot or don't care two hoots about something, you are emphasizing that you do not care at all about it. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ [+ about/for ] Alan doesn't care two hoots about Irish politics.
hoot|er /huː tə r / (hooters ) N‑COUNT A hooter is a device such as a horn that makes a hooting noise. [BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ]
hoo|ver /huː və r / (hoovers , hoovering , hoovered )
1 N‑COUNT A Hoover is a vacuum cleaner. [BRIT , TRADEMARK ]
2 VERB If you hoover a room or a carpet, you clean it using a vacuum cleaner. [BRIT ] □ [V n] She hoovered the study and the sitting-room. [Also V ] ● hoo|ver|ing N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] □ I finished off the hoovering upstairs.
hooves /huː vz/ Hooves is a plural of hoof .
hop /hɒ p/ (hops , hopping , hopped )
1 VERB If you hop , you move along by jumping on one foot. □ [V prep/adv] I hopped down three steps. □ [V ] Malcolm hopped rather than walked. ● N‑COUNT Hop is also a noun. □ 'This really is a catchy rhythm, huh?' he added, with a few little hops.
2 VERB When birds and some small animals hop , they move along by jumping on both feet. □ [V prep/adv] A small brown fawn hopped across the trail in front of them. ● N‑COUNT Hop is also a noun. □ The rabbit got up, took four hops and turned round.
3 VERB If you hop somewhere, you move there quickly or suddenly. [INFORMAL ] □ [V prep/adv] We were the first to arrive and hopped on board.
4 N‑COUNT A hop is a short, quick journey, usually by plane. [INFORMAL ] □ It is a three-hour drive from Geneva but can be reached by a 20-minute hop in a private helicopter.
5 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Hops are flowers that are dried and used for making beer.
6 PHRASE If you are caught on the hop , you are surprised by someone doing something when you were not expecting them to and so you are not prepared for it. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ His plans almost caught security chiefs and hotel staff on the hop.
hope ◆◆◆ /hoʊ p/ (hopes , hoping , hoped )
1 VERB If you hope that something is true, or if you hope for something, you want it to be true or to happen, and you usually believe that it is possible or likely. □ [V ] She had decided she must go on as usual, follow her normal routine, and hope and pray. □ [V + for ] He hesitates before leaving, almost as though he had been hoping for conversation. □ [V to-inf] I hope to get a job within the next two weeks. □ [V that] The researchers hope that such a vaccine could be available in about ten years' time. □ [V so/not ] 'We'll speak again.'—'I hope so.'
2 VERB If you say that you cannot hope for something, or if you talk about the only thing that you can hope to get, you mean that you are in a bad situation, and there is very little chance of improving it. □ [V + for ] Things aren't ideal, but that's the best you can hope for. □ [V to-inf] …these mountains, which no one can hope to penetrate. ● N‑VAR Hope is also a noun. □ The only hope for underdeveloped countries is to become, as far as possible, self-reliant.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Hope is a feeling of desire and expectation that things will go well in the future. □ [+ of ] But Kevin hasn't given up hope of being fit. □ Consumer groups still hold out hope that the president will change his mind.
4 N‑COUNT [N that] If someone wants something to happen, and considers it likely or possible, you can refer to their hopes of that thing, or to their hope that it will happen. □ [+ of ] They have hopes of increasing trade between the two regions. □ [+ of ] The delay in the programme has dashed Japan's hopes of commercial success in space.
5 N‑COUNT If you think that the help or success of a particular person or thing will cause you to be successful or to get what you want, you can refer to them as your hope . □ He was one of our best hopes for a gold at the Commonwealth Games.
6 PHRASE If you are in a difficult situation and do something and hope for the best , you hope that everything will happen in the way you want, although you know that it may not. □ Some companies are cutting costs and hoping for the best.
7 PHRASE If you tell someone not to get their hopes up , or not to build their hopes up , you are warning them that they should not become too confident of progress or success. □ There is no reason for people to get their hopes up over this mission.
8 PHRASE If you say that someone has not got a hope in hell of doing something, you are emphasizing that they will not be able to do it. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ Everybody knows they haven't got a hope in hell of forming a government anyway.
9 PHRASE If you have high hopes or great hopes that something will happen, you are confident that it will happen. □ We've high hopes that we've passed our course. [Also + of/for ]
10 PHRASE If you hope against hope that something will happen, you hope that it will happen, although it seems impossible. □ She glanced about the hall, hoping against hope that Richard would be waiting for her.
11 PHRASE You use ' I hope ' in expressions such as ' I hope you don't mind ' and ' I hope I'm not disturbing you ', when you are being polite and want to make sure that you have not offended someone or disturbed them. [POLITENESS ] □ I hope you don't mind me coming to see you. □ I hope I haven't said anything to upset you.
12 PHRASE You say ' I hope ' when you want to warn someone not to do something foolish or dangerous. □ I hope you won't be too harsh with the girl.
13 PHRASE If you do one thing in the hope of another thing happening, you do it because you think it might cause or help the other thing to happen, which is what you want. □ He was studying in the hope of being admitted to an engineering college.
14 PHRASE If you live in hope that something will happen, you continue to hope that it will happen, although it seems unlikely, and you realize that you are being foolish. □ My mother bought lots of tickets and lived in hope of winning the prize.
15 CONVENTION If you say ' Some hope ', or ' Not a hope ', you think there is no possibility that something will happen, although you may want it to happen. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ The industry reckons it will see orders swell by 10% this financial year. Some hope. USAGE hope
If someone asks you whether something is true, or whether something will happen, you can answer ‘yes’ by saying ‘I hope so
’, or ‘no’ by saying ‘I hope not
’. Don’t say ‘
I hope it
’ or ‘
I don’t hope so
’. □
‘Have you lost the ticket?’—‘I hope not
.’
COLLOCATIONS
hope
NOUN
4
adjective + hope : faint, fase, forlorn, slim, vain; high; realistic
verb + hope : dash; raise; harbour; express; give up, lose
hope + be + adjective : alive
5
noun + hope : medal, play-off, promotion, title
ho ped-for ADJ [ADJ n] Hoped-for is used to describe something that people would like to happen, and which they usually think is likely or possible. [JOURNALISM ] □ The hoped-for economic recovery did not arrive.
hope|ful /hoʊ pfʊl/ (hopefuls )
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ , oft ADJ that] If you are hopeful , you are fairly confident that something that you want to happen will happen. □ I am hopeful this misunderstanding will be rectified very quickly. [Also + of ] ● hope|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'Am I welcome?' He smiled hopefully, leaning on the door.
2 ADJ If something such as a sign or event is hopeful , it makes you feel that what you want to happen will happen. □ The result of the election in is yet another hopeful sign that peace could come to the Middle East.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] A hopeful action is one that you do in the hope that you will get what you want to get. □ We've chartered the plane in the hopeful anticipation that the government will allow them to leave.
4 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a hopeful , you mean that they are hoping and trying to achieve success in a particular career, election, or competition. □ On the show, young hopefuls are given the opportunity to work in different aspects of the fashion world.
hope|ful|ly /hoʊ pfʊli/
1 ADV You say hopefully when mentioning something that you hope will happen. Some careful speakers of English think that this use of hopefully is not correct, but it is very frequently used. □ Hopefully, you won't have any problems after reading this.
2 → see also hopeful
hope|less /hoʊ pləs/
1 ADJ If you feel hopeless , you feel very unhappy because there seems to be no possibility of a better situation or success. □ He had not heard her cry before in this uncontrolled, hopeless way. □ He began to feel hopeless and his level of confidence plummeted. ● hope|less|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ I looked around hopelessly. ● hope|less|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ about ] She had a feeling of hopelessness about the future.
2 ADJ Someone or something thing that is hopeless is certain to fail or be unsuccessful. □ I don't believe your situation is as hopeless as you think.
3 ADJ If someone is hopeless at something, they are very bad at it. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ at ] I'd be hopeless at working for somebody else.
4 ADJ You use hopeless to emphasize how bad or inadequate something or someone is. [EMPHASIS ] □ Argentina's economic policies were a hopeless mess. ● hope|less|ly ADV [oft ADV after v] □ Harry was hopelessly lost.
hop|per /hɒ pə r / (hoppers ) N‑COUNT A hopper is a large cone-shaped device into which substances such as grain, coal, or animal food can be put and from which they can be released when required.
hop|scotch /hɒ pskɒtʃ/ N‑UNCOUNT Hopscotch is a children's game which involves jumping between squares which are drawn on the ground.
horde /hɔː r d/ (hordes ) N‑COUNT If you describe a crowd of people as a horde , you mean that the crowd is very large and excited and, often, rather frightening or unpleasant. □ [+ of ] This attracts hordes of tourists to Las Vegas.
ho|ri|zon /həra I z ə n/ (horizons )
1 N‑SING The horizon is the line in the far distance where the sky seems to meet the land or the sea. □ A grey smudge appeared on the horizon. That must be Calais, thought Fay. □ The sun had already sunk below the horizon.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Your horizons are the limits of what you want to do or of what you are interested or involved in. □ As your horizons expand, these new ideas can give a whole new meaning to life.
3 PHRASE If something is on the horizon , it is almost certainly going to happen or be done quite soon. □ With this type of cancer there is no obvious breakthrough on the horizon.
hori|zon|tal /hɒ r I zɒ nt ə l, [AM ] hɔː r-/ (horizontals )
1 ADJ Something that is horizontal is flat and level with the ground, rather than at an angle to it. □ The board consists of vertical and horizontal lines. ● N‑SING Horizontal is also a noun. □ Do not raise your left arm above the horizontal. ● hori|zon|tal|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV -ed] □ The wind was cold and drove the snow at him almost horizontally.
2 N‑COUNT A horizontal is a line or structure that is horizontal. □ Horizontals play a large part in all garden design.
hor|mo|nal /hɔː r moʊ n ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Hormonal means relating to or involving hormones. □ …our individual hormonal balance.
hor|mone /hɔː r moʊn/ (hormones ) N‑COUNT A hormone is a chemical, usually occurring naturally in your body, that makes an organ of your body do something.
ho r|mone re|pla ce|ment the ra|py N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] If a woman has hormone replacement therapy , she takes the hormone oestrogen, usually in order to control the symptoms of the menopause. The abbreviation HRT is often used.
horn /hɔː r n/ (horns )
1 N‑COUNT On a vehicle such as a car, the horn is the device that makes a loud noise as a signal or warning. □ He sounded the car horn.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The horns of an animal such as a cow or deer are the hard pointed things that grow from its head.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Horn is the hard substance that the horns of animals are made of. Horn is sometimes used to make objects such as spoons, buttons, or ornaments.
4 → see also horn-rimmed
5 N‑COUNT A horn is a musical instrument of the brass family. It is a long circular metal tube, wide at one end, which you play by blowing.
6 N‑COUNT A horn is a simple musical instrument consisting of a metal tube that is wide at one end and narrow at the other. You play it by blowing into it. □ …a hunting horn.
7 → see also shoehorn
8 PHRASE If you blow your own horn , you boast about yourself. [mainly AM ]
9 PHRASE If two people lock horns , they argue about something. □ [+ with ] During his six years in office, he often locked horns with lawmakers.
10 PHRASE If you are on the horns of a dilemma , you have to choose between two things, both of which are unpleasant or difficult. □ The head of the New York office was on the horns of a dilemma and wondering what to do.
11 PHRASE If someone pulls in their horns or draws in their horns , they start behaving more cautiously than they did before, especially by spending less money. □ Customers are drawing in their horns at a time of high interest rates.
12 to take the bull by the horns → see bull
horned /hɔː r nd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Horned animals have horns, or parts of their bodies that look like horns. □ …horned cattle. □ …the call of a horned lark.
hor|net /hɔː r n I t/ (hornets )
1 N‑COUNT A hornet is a large wasp. Hornets live in nests and have a powerful sting.
2 PHRASE If you say that someone has stirred up a hornet's nest , you mean that they have done something which has caused a lot of argument or trouble.
horn|pipe /hɔː r npa I p/ (hornpipes ) N‑COUNT A hornpipe is a lively dance which was traditionally danced by sailors.
ho rn-ri mmed ADJ [ADJ n] Horn-rimmed glasses have plastic frames that look as though they are made of horn.
horny /hɔː r ni/ (hornier , horniest )
1 ADJ If you describe someone as horny , you mean that they are sexually aroused or that they easily become sexually aroused. [INFORMAL ] □ …horny adolescent boys.
2 ADJ Something that is horny is hard, strong, and made of horn or of a hard substance like horn. □ His fingernails had grown long, and horny.
horo|scope /hɒ rəskoʊp, [AM ] hɔː r-/ (horoscopes ) N‑COUNT Your horoscope is a prediction of events which some people believe will happen to you in the future. Horoscopes are based on the position of the stars when you were born.
hor|ren|dous /həre ndəs, [AM ] hɔːr-/
1 ADJ Something that is horrendous is very unpleasant or shocking. □ He described it as the most horrendous experience of his life.
2 ADJ Some people use horrendous to describe something that is so big or great that they find it extremely unpleasant. [INFORMAL ] □ …the usually horrendous traffic jams. ● hor|ren|dous|ly ADV [usu ADV adj/-ed, oft ADV after v] □ Many outings can now be horrendously expensive for parents with a young family.
hor|ri|ble /hɒ r I b ə l, [AM ] hɔː r-/
1 ADJ If you describe something or someone as horrible , you do not like them at all. [INFORMAL ] □ The record sounds horrible. □ …a horrible small boy. ● hor|ri|bly /hɒ r I bli, [AM ] hɔː r-/ ADV [ADV with v] □ When trouble comes they behave selfishly and horribly.
2 ADJ You can call something horrible when it causes you to feel great shock, fear, and disgust. □ Still the horrible shrieking came out of his mouth. ● hor|ri|bly ADV [ADV with v] □ A two-year-old boy was horribly murdered.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Horrible is used to emphasize how bad something is. [EMPHASIS ] □ That seems like a horrible mess that will drag on for years. ● hor|ri|bly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ Our plans have gone horribly wrong.
hor|rid /hɒ r I d, [AM ] hɔː r-/
1 ADJ If you describe something as horrid , you mean that it is very unpleasant indeed. [INFORMAL ] □ What a horrid smell!
2 ADJ If you describe someone as horrid , you mean that they behave in a very unpleasant way towards other people. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ to ] I must have been a horrid little girl.
hor|rif|ic /hər I f I k, [AM ] hɔːr-/
1 ADJ If you describe a physical attack, accident, or injury as horrific , you mean that it is very bad, so that people are shocked when they see it or think about it. □ I have never seen such horrific injuries. ● hor|rifi|cal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He had been horrifically assaulted before he died.
2 ADJ If you describe something as horrific , you mean that it is so big that it is extremely unpleasant. □ …piling up horrific extra amounts of money on top of your original debt. ● hor|rifi|cal|ly ADV [ADV adj] □ Opera productions are horrifically expensive.
hor|ri|fy /hɒ r I fa I , [AM ] hɔː r-/ (horrifies , horrifying , horrified ) VERB If someone is horrified , they feel shocked or disgusted, usually because of something that they have seen or heard. □ [be V -ed] His family were horrified by the change. □ [V n] …a crime trend that will horrify all parents. ● hor|ri|fied ADV □ When I saw these figures I was horrified.
hor|ri|fy|ing /hɒ r I fa I I ŋ/ ADJ If you describe something as horrifying , you mean that it is shocking or disgusting. □ These were horrifying experiences. □ The scale of the problem is horrifying. ● hor|ri|fy|ing|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ …horrifyingly high levels of infant mortality.
hor|ror ◆◇◇ /hɒ rə r , [AM ] hɔː r-/ (horrors )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Horror is a feeling of great shock, fear, and worry caused by something extremely unpleasant. □ As I watched in horror the boat began to power away from me.
2 N‑SING If you have a horror of something, you are afraid of it or dislike it very much. □ [+ of ] …his horror of death.
3 N‑SING The horror of something, especially something that hurts people, is its very great unpleasantness. □ [+ of ] …the horror of this most bloody of civil wars.
4 N‑COUNT [usu pl] You can refer to extremely unpleasant or frightening experiences as horrors . □ Can you possibly imagine all the horrors we have undergone since I last wrote you?
5 ADJ [ADJ n] A horror film or story is intended to be very frightening. □ …a psychological horror film.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] You can refer to an account of a very unpleasant experience or event as a horror story. □ …a horror story about lost luggage while flying. SYNONYMS horror NOUN 1
hatred: Her hatred of them would never lead her to murder.
disgust: He spoke of his disgust at the incident.
loathing: She looked at him with loathing.
aversion: Many people have a natural and emotional aversion to insects.
revulsion: …their revulsion at the act of desecration.
horror-stricken /hɒ rə r str I kən/ ADJ Horror-stricken means the same as horror-struck .
ho rror-struck ADJ If you describe someone as horror-struck or horror-stricken , you mean that they feel very great horror at something that has happened. □ 'What is the matter with Signora Anna?' he whispered, horror-struck at her vacant face.
hors d'oeu|vre /ɔː r dɜː r v/ (hors d'oeuvres ) N‑VAR Hors d'oeuvres are small amounts of food that are served before the main part of a meal.
horse ◆◆◇ /hɔː r s/ (horses )
1 N‑COUNT A horse is a large animal which people can ride. Some horses are used for pulling ploughs and carts. □ A small man on a grey horse had appeared.
2 N‑PLURAL [usu on the N ] When you talk about the horses , you mean horse races in which people bet money on the horse which they think will win. [INFORMAL ] □ He still likes to bet on the horses.
3 N‑COUNT A vaulting horse is a tall piece of gymnastics equipment for jumping over.
4 PHRASE If you hear something from the horse's mouth , you hear it from someone who knows that it is definitely true. □ He has got to hear it from the horse's mouth.
5 → see also clothes horse , dark horse , rocking horse , seahorse
horse|back /hɔː r sbæk/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu on/by N ] If you do something on horseback , you do it while riding a horse. □ In remote mountain areas, voters arrived on horseback.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A horseback ride is a ride on a horse. □ …a horseback ride into the mountains. ● ADV Horseback is also an adverb. □ Many people in this area ride horseback.
ho rse|back ri d|ing N‑UNCOUNT Horseback riding is the activity of riding a horse, especially for enjoyment or as a form of exercise. [AM ] in BRIT, use horse riding
horse|box /hɔː r sbɒks/ (horseboxes ) also horse box N‑COUNT A horsebox is a vehicle which is used to take horses from one place to another. [mainly BRIT ]
ho rse che st|nut (horse chestnuts ) also horse-chestnut
1 N‑VAR A horse chestnut is a large tree which has leaves with several pointed parts and shiny reddish-brown nuts called conkers that grow in cases with points on them.
2 N‑COUNT Horse chestnuts are the nuts of a horse chestnut tree. They are more commonly called conkers .
ho rse-drawn also horsedrawn ADJ [ADJ n] A horse-drawn carriage, cart, or other vehicle is one that is pulled by one or more horses. □ …a horse-drawn open-topped carriage.
horse|hair /hɔː r sheə r / N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Horsehair is hair from the tails or manes of horses and was used in the past to fill mattresses and furniture such as armchairs.
horse|man /hɔː r smən/ (horsemen ) N‑COUNT A horseman is a man who is riding a horse, or who rides horses well. □ Gerald was a fine horseman.
horse|man|ship /hɔː r smənʃ I p/ N‑UNCOUNT Horsemanship is the ability to ride horses well.
horse|play /hɔː r sple I / N‑UNCOUNT Horseplay is rough play in which people push and hit each other, or behave in a silly way. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
horse|power /hɔː r spaʊə r / N‑UNCOUNT Horsepower is a unit of power used for measuring how powerful an engine is. □ …a 300-horsepower engine.
ho rse rac|ing also horse-racing , horseracing N‑UNCOUNT Horse racing is a sport in which horses ridden by people called jockeys run in races, sometimes jumping over fences.
horse|radish /hɔː r sræd I ʃ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Horseradish is a small white vegetable that is the root of a crop. It has a very strong sharp taste and is often made into a sauce.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Horseradish or horseradish sauce is a sauce made from horseradish. It is often eaten with roast beef.
ho rse rid|ing also horse-riding N‑UNCOUNT Horse riding is the activity of riding a horse, especially for enjoyment or as a form of exercise. [BRIT ] in AM, use horseback riding
horse|shoe /hɔː r sʃuː/ (horseshoes )
1 N‑COUNT A horseshoe is a piece of metal shaped like a U, which is fixed with nails to the bottom of a horse's foot in order to protect it.
2 N‑COUNT A horseshoe is an object in the shape of a horseshoe which is used as a symbol of good luck, especially at a wedding.
ho rse show (horse shows ) N‑COUNT A horse show is a sporting event in which people riding horses compete in order to demonstrate their skill and control.
ho rse-trading also horsetrading
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you describe discussions or negotiations as horse-trading , you disapprove of them because they are unofficial and involve compromises. [BRIT , mainly JOURNALISM , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Politics are notorious for murky deals and there could be weeks of intense horse-trading ahead.
2 N‑UNCOUNT When negotiation or bargaining is forceful and shows clever and careful judgment, you can describe it as horse-trading . [AM ]
horse|whip /hɔː r s h w I p/ (horsewhips , horsewhipping , horsewhipped ) also horse-whip
1 N‑COUNT A horsewhip is a long, thin piece of leather on the end of a short, stiff handle. It is used to train and control horses.
2 VERB If someone horsewhips an animal or a person, they hit them several times with a horsewhip in order to hurt or punish them. □ [V n] These young louts deserve to be horse-whipped.
horse|woman /hɔː r swʊmən/ (horsewomen ) N‑COUNT A horsewoman is a woman who is riding a horse, or who rides horses well. □ She developed into an excellent horsewoman.
horsey /hɔː r si/ also horsy
1 ADJ Someone who is horsey likes horses a lot and spends a lot of time with them. [INFORMAL ] □ …a very horsey family.
2 ADJ If you describe a woman as horsey , you are saying in a rather rude way that her face reminds you of a horse, for example because it is long and thin. [DISAPPROVAL ]
hor|ti|cul|tur|al /hɔː r t I kʌ ltʃər ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Horticultural means concerned with horticulture. □ …Monkton horticultural show.
hor|ti|cul|tur|al|ist /hɔː r t I kʌ ltʃərəl I st/ (horticulturalists ) N‑COUNT A horticulturalist is a person who grows flowers, fruit, and vegetables, especially as their job.
hor|ti|cul|ture /hɔː r t I kʌltʃə r / N‑UNCOUNT Horticulture is the study and practice of growing plants.
hose /hoʊ z/ (hoses , hosing , hosed )
1 N‑COUNT A hose is a long, flexible pipe made of rubber or plastic. Water is directed through a hose in order to do things such as put out fires, clean cars, or water gardens. □ You've left the garden hose on.
2 N‑COUNT A hose is a pipe made of rubber or plastic, along which a liquid or gas flows, for example from one part of an engine to another. □ Water in the engine compartment is sucked away by a hose.
3 VERB If you hose something, you wash or water it using a hose. □ [V n] We wash our cars and hose our gardens without even thinking of the water that uses. [Also V ]
▸ hose down PHRASAL VERB When you hose something or someone down , you clean them using a hose. □ [V P n] In one driveway a chauffeur wearing rubber boots was hosing down a limousine. □ [V n P ] When the children come in covered in sand you can just hose them down.
hose|pipe /hoʊ zpa I p/ (hosepipes ) N‑COUNT A hosepipe is a hose that people use to water their gardens or wash their cars. [mainly BRIT ]
ho|siery /hoʊ ziəri, [AM ] -ʒəri/ N‑UNCOUNT You use hosiery to refer to tights, stockings, and socks, especially when they are on sale in shops. [FORMAL ]
hos|pice /hɒ sp I s/ (hospices ) N‑COUNT A hospice is a special hospital for people who are dying, where their practical and emotional needs are dealt with as well as their medical needs.
hos|pi|table /hɒsp I təb ə l, hɒ sp I t-/
1 ADJ A hospitable person is friendly, generous, and welcoming to guests or people they have just met. □ The locals are hospitable and welcoming.
2 ADJ A hospitable climate or environment is one that encourages the existence or development of particular people or things. □ Even in summer this place did not look exactly hospitable.
hos|pi|tal ◆◆◆ /hɒ sp I t ə l/ (hospitals ) N‑VAR A hospital is a place where people who are ill are looked after by nurses and doctors. □ …a children's hospital with 120 beds. □ A couple of weeks later my mother went into hospital.
hos|pi|tal|ity /hɒ sp I tæ l I ti/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Hospitality is friendly, welcoming behaviour towards guests or people you have just met. □ [+ of ] Every visitor to Georgia is overwhelmed by the kindness, charm and hospitality of the people.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Hospitality is the food, drink, and other privileges which some companies provide for their visitors or clients at major sporting or other public events. □ …corporate hospitality tents.
hos|pi|tal|ize /hɒ sp I təla I z/ (hospitalizes , hospitalizing , hospitalized ) in BRIT, also use hospitalise VERB [usu passive] If someone is hospitalized , they are sent or admitted to hospital. □ [be V -ed] Most people do not have to be hospitalized for asthma or pneumonia. ● hos|pi|tali|za|tion /hɒ sp I təla I ze I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Occasionally hospitalization is required to combat dehydration.
host ◆◆◆ /hoʊ st/ (hosts , hosting , hosted )
1 N‑COUNT The host at a party is the person who has invited the guests and provides the food, drink, or entertainment. □ Apart from my host, I didn't know a single person there.
2 VERB If someone hosts a party, dinner, or other function, they have invited the guests and provide the food, drink, or entertainment. □ [V n] Tonight she hosts a ball for 300 guests.
3 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A country, city, or organization that is the host of an event provides the facilities for that event to take place. □ [+ of ] …the host of the World Cup.
4 VERB If a country, city, or organization hosts an event, they provide the facilities for the event to take place. □ [V n] Cannes hosts the annual film festival.
5 PHRASE If a person or country plays host to an event or an important visitor, they host the event or the visit. □ The Prime Minister played host to the US President.
6 N‑COUNT The host of a radio or television show is the person who introduces it and talks to the people who appear in it. □ [+ of ] I am host of a live radio programme.
7 VERB The person who hosts a radio or television show introduces it and talks to the people who appear in it. □ [V n] She also hosts a show on St Petersburg Radio.
8 QUANT A host of things is a lot of them. □ [+ of ] …a host of problems.
9 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A host or a host computer is the main computer in a network of computers, which controls the most important files and programs.
10 N‑COUNT [oft N n] The host of a parasite is the plant or animal which it lives on or inside and from which it gets its food. [TECHNICAL ] □ When the eggs hatch the larvae eat the living flesh of the host animal.
11 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The Host is the bread which is used to represent the body of Christ in Christian church services such as Holy Communion. [TECHNICAL ]
hos|tage ◆◆◇ /hɒ st I dʒ/ (hostages )
1 N‑COUNT A hostage is someone who has been captured by a person or organization and who may be killed or injured if people do not do what that person or organization demands.
2 PHRASE If someone is taken hostage or is held hostage , they are captured and kept as a hostage. □ He was taken hostage while on his first foreign assignment as a television journalist.
3 N‑VAR If you say you are hostage to something, you mean that your freedom to take action is restricted by things that you cannot control. □ [+ to ] The bank is shrewdly ensuring that in future it will not be a hostage to strict targets.
hos|tel /hɒ st ə l/ (hostels )
1 N‑COUNT A hostel is a large house where people can stay cheaply for a short period of time. Hostels are usually owned by local government authorities or charities. [mainly BRIT ]
2 → see also youth hostel
hos|tel|ry /hɒ st ə lri/ (hostelries ) N‑COUNT A hostelry is a pub or a hotel. [BRIT , FORMAL ]
host|ess /hoʊ st I s/ (hostesses )
1 N‑COUNT The hostess at a party is the woman who has invited the guests and provides the food, drink, or entertainment. □ The hostess introduced them.
2 N‑COUNT A hostess at a night club or dance hall is a woman who is paid by a man to be with him for the evening.
hos|tile /hɒ sta I l, [AM ] -t ə l/
1 ADJ If you are hostile to another person or an idea, you disagree with them or disapprove of them, often showing this in your behaviour. □ [+ to ] Many people felt he would be hostile to the idea of foreign intervention. □ [+ to/towards ] The West has gradually relaxed its hostile attitude to this influential state.
2 ADJ Someone who is hostile is unfriendly and aggressive. □ They usually relate in a cold and hostile way to the world.
3 ADJ Hostile situations and conditions make it difficult for you to achieve something. □ The world's trading environment is likely to become increasingly hostile.
4 ADJ A hostile takeover bid is one that is opposed by the company that is being bid for. [BUSINESS ] □ The Malaysian tycoon launched a hostile bid.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] In a war, you use hostile to describe your enemy's forces, organizations, weapons, land, and activities. □ The city is encircled by a hostile army.
hos|til|ities /hɒst I l I tiz/ N‑PLURAL You can refer to fighting between two countries or groups who are at war as hostilities . [FORMAL ] □ The authorities have urged people to stock up on fuel in case hostilities break out.
hos|til|ity /hɒst I l I ti/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Hostility is unfriendly or aggressive behaviour towards people or ideas. □ [+ to/towards ] The last decade has witnessed a serious rise in the levels of racism and hostility to Black and ethnic groups.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Your hostility to something you do not approve of is your opposition to it. □ [+ to/towards ] There is hostility among traditionalists to this method of teaching history.
hot ◆◆◇ /hɒ t/ (hotter , hottest , hots , hotting , hotted )
1 ADJ Something that is hot has a high temperature. □ When the oil is hot, add the sliced onion. □ What he needed was a hot bath and a good sleep.
2 ADJ Hot is used to describe the weather or the air in a room or building when the temperature is high. □ It was too hot even for a gentle stroll. □ It was a hot, humid summer day.
3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are hot , you feel as if your body is at an unpleasantly high temperature. □ I was too hot and tired to eat more than a few mouthfuls.
4 ADJ You can say that food is hot when it has a strong, burning taste caused by chillies, pepper, or ginger. □ …hot curries. □ …a dish that's spicy but not too hot.
5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A hot issue or topic is one that is very important at the present time and is receiving a lot of publicity. [JOURNALISM ] □ The role of women in war is a hot topic of debate.
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Hot news is new, recent, and fresh. [INFORMAL ] □ …eight pages of the latest movies and the hot news from Tinseltown.
7 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use hot to describe something that is very exciting and that many people want to see, use, obtain, or become involved with. [INFORMAL ] □ The hottest show in town was the Monet Exhibition at the Art Institute.
8 ADJ You can describe someone as hot if you think they are sexually attractive. [INFORMAL ] □ This girl is incredibly hot.
9 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] You can use hot to describe something that no one wants to deal with, often because it has been illegally obtained and is very valuable or famous. [INFORMAL ] □ If too much publicity is given to the theft, the works will become too hot to handle and be destroyed.
10 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] You can describe a situation that is created by a person's behaviour or attitude as hot when it is unpleasant and difficult to deal with. [INFORMAL ] □ When the streets get too hot for them, they head south in one stolen car after another.
11 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A hot contest is one that is intense and involves a great deal of activity and determination. [INFORMAL ] □ It took hot competition from abroad, however, to show us just how good Scottish cashmere really is.
12 ADJ [ADJ n] If a person or team is the hot favourite, people think that they are the one most likely to win a race or competition. □ Atlantic City is the hot favourite to stage the fight.
13 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Someone who has a hot temper gets angry very quickly and easily. □ His hot temper was making it increasingly difficult for others to work with him.
14 → see also hot-tempered
15 PHRASE If someone blows hot and cold , they keep changing their attitude towards something, sometimes being very enthusiastic and at other times expressing no interest at all. □ [+ on/over/about ] The media, meanwhile, has blown hot and cold on the affair.
16 PHRASE If you are hot and bothered , you are so worried and anxious that you cannot think clearly or behave sensibly. □ [+ about ] Ray was getting very hot and bothered about the idea.
17 PHRASE If you say that one person has the hots for another, you mean that they feel a strong sexual attraction to that person. [INFORMAL ] □ I've had the hots for him ever since he came to college.
▸ hot up PHRASAL VERB When something hots up , it becomes more active or exciting. [BRIT ] □ [V P ] The bars rarely hot up before 1am.
ho t ai r N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone's claims or promises are just hot air , you are criticizing them because they are made mainly to impress people and have no real value or meaning. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ His justification for the merger was just hot air.
ho t-ai r balloon (hot-air balloons ) N‑COUNT A hot-air balloon is a large balloon with a basket underneath in which people can travel. The balloon is filled with hot air in order to make it float in the air.
hot|bed /hɒ tbed/ (hotbeds ) N‑COUNT If you say that somewhere is a hotbed of an undesirable activity, you are emphasizing that a lot of the activity is going on there or being started there. [EMPHASIS ] □ [+ of ] …a state now known worldwide as a hotbed of racial intolerance.
ho t-bloo ded ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as hot-blooded , you mean that they are very quick to express their emotions, especially anger and love. □ As a hot-headed, hot-blooded youth, he still had much to learn.
ho t bu t|ton (hot buttons ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A hot button is a subject or problem that people have very strong feelings about. [mainly AM , JOURNALISM ] □ Abortion is still one of the hot button issues of U.S. life.
hotch-potch /hɒ tʃ pɒtʃ/ also hotchpotch N‑SING A hotch-potch is an untidy mixture of different types of things. [BRIT ] □ [+ of ] The palace is a complete hotch-potch of architectural styles. in AM, use hodgepodge
ho t-de sk (hot-desks , hot-desking , hot-desked ) VERB If employees hot-desk , they are not assigned particular desks and work at any desk that is available. [BUSINESS ] □ [V ] Some ministers will have to hot-desk until more accommodation can be found. ● hot-desking N‑UNCOUNT □ I think that very few employees prefer hot-desking to having a fixed desk.
ho t dog (hot dogs ) N‑COUNT A hot dog is a long bread roll with a hot sausage inside it.
ho|tel ◆◆◇ /hoʊte l/ (hotels ) N‑COUNT A hotel is a building where people stay, for example on holiday, paying for their rooms and meals. COLLOCATIONS hotel NOUN 1
noun + hotel : boutique, budget, country house, luxury; airport, resort
adjective + hotel : exclusive, expensive, luxurious, posh; five-star, four-star, three-star
verb + hotel : book; run
ho|tel|ier /hoʊte liə r , [AM ] oʊtelje I / (hoteliers ) N‑COUNT A hotelier is a person who owns or manages a hotel.
ho t fla sh (hot flashes ) N‑COUNT A hot flash is the same as a hot flush . [AM ]
ho t flu sh (hot flushes ) N‑COUNT A hot flush is a sudden hot feeling in the skin which women often experience at the time of their menopause. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use hot flash
ho t-foo t (hot-foots , hot-footing , hot-footed ) also hotfoot VERB If you hot-foot it somewhere, you go there in a hurry. [INFORMAL ] □ …a group of actors hot-footing it for the bar.
hot|head /hɒ thed/ (hotheads ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a hothead , you are criticizing them for acting too quickly, without thinking of the consequences. [DISAPPROVAL ]
ho t-hea ded ADJ If you describe someone as hot-headed , you are criticizing them for acting too quickly, without thinking of the consequences. [DISAPPROVAL ]
hot|house /hɒ thaʊs/ (hothouses )
1 N‑COUNT A hothouse is a heated building, usually made of glass, in which plants and flowers can be grown.
2 N‑COUNT [oft N n] You can refer to a situation or place as a hothouse when there is intense activity, especially intellectual or emotional activity. □ …the reputation of the College as a hothouse of novel ideas.
ho t key (hot keys ) N‑COUNT A hot key is a key, or a combination of keys, on a computer keyboard that you can press in order to make something happen, without having to type the full instructions. [COMPUTING ]
hot|line /hɒ tla I n/ (hotlines ) also hot line
1 N‑COUNT A hotline is a phone line that the public can use to contact an organization about a particular subject. Hotlines allow people to obtain information from an organization or to give the organization information. □ [+ for ] …a telephone hotline for gardeners seeking advice.
2 N‑COUNT A hotline is a special, direct phone line between the heads of government in different countries. □ [+ between ] They have discussed setting up a military hotline between the two countries.
ho t link (hot links ) N‑COUNT A hot link is a word or phrase in a hypertext document that can be selected in order to access additional information. [COMPUTING ]
hot|ly /hɒ tli/
1 ADV [ADV with v] If people discuss, argue, or say something hotly , they speak in a lively or angry way, because they feel strongly. □ The bank hotly denies any wrongdoing.
2 ADV [ADV with v] If you are being hotly pursued, someone is trying hard to catch you and is close behind you. □ He'd snuck out of America hotly pursued by the CIA.
hot|plate /hɒ tple I t/ (hotplates )
1 N‑COUNT A hotplate is a flat surface, usually on top of a cooker or stove, that you heat in order to cook food on it. [mainly BRIT ]
2 N‑COUNT A hotplate is a portable device that you use for cooking food or keeping it warm.
hot|pot /hɒ tpɒt/ (hotpots ) also hot-pot N‑VAR A hotpot is a mixture of meat and vegetables cooked slowly in liquid in the oven. [mainly BRIT ] □ …lamb hotpot.
ho t po|ta |to (hot potatoes ) N‑COUNT If you describe a problem or issue as a hot potato , you mean that it is very difficult and nobody wants to deal with it. [INFORMAL ]
ho t rod (hot rods ) N‑COUNT A hot rod is a fast car used for racing, especially an old car fitted with a new engine. [INFORMAL ]
ho t seat PHRASE If you are in the hot seat , you are responsible for making important and difficult decisions. [INFORMAL ] □ He is to remain in the hot seat as chief executive.
hot|shot /hɒ tʃɒt/ (hotshots ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] If you refer to someone as a hotshot , you mean they are very good at a particular job and are going to be very successful. □ …a bunch of corporate hotshots.
ho t spot (hot spots ) also hotspot
1 N‑COUNT You can refer to an exciting place where there is a lot of activity or entertainment as a hot spot . [INFORMAL ] □ …a popular and lively package tour hotspot.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to an area where there is fighting or serious political trouble as a hot spot . [JOURNALISM ] □ There were many hot spots in the region, where fighting had been going on.
ho t stu ff N‑UNCOUNT If you think that someone or something is hot stuff , you find them exciting or sexually attractive. [INFORMAL ] □ His love letters were hot stuff, apparently.
ho t-te mpered ADJ If you describe someone as hot-tempered , you think they get angry very quickly and easily.
ho t tub (hot tubs ) N‑COUNT A hot tub is a very large, round bath which several people can sit in together.
ho t-wa ter bot|tle (hot-water bottles ) also hot water bottle N‑COUNT A hot-water bottle is a rubber container that you fill with hot water and put in a bed to make it warm.
ho t-wi re (hot-wires , hot-wiring , hot-wired ) VERB If someone, especially a thief, hot-wires a car, they start its engine using a piece of wire rather than the key. □ [V n] A youth was inside the car, attempting to hot-wire it.
hou|mous /huː məs/ also humous , hummus N‑UNCOUNT Houmous is a smooth food made from chick peas which people usually eat with bread or vegetables.
hound /haʊ nd/ (hounds , hounding , hounded )
1 N‑COUNT A hound is a type of dog that is often used for hunting or racing.
2 VERB If someone hounds you, they constantly disturb or speak to you in an annoying or upsetting way. □ [V n] Newcomers are constantly hounding them for advice.
3 VERB [usu passive] If someone is hounded out of a job or place, they are forced to leave it, often because other people are constantly criticizing them. □ [be V -ed + out of/from ] There is a general view around that he has been hounded out of office by the press.
hour ◆◆◆ /aʊə r / (hours )
1 N‑COUNT An hour is a period of sixty minutes. □ They waited for about two hours. □ I only slept about half an hour that night. □ …a twenty-four hour strike.
2 N‑PLURAL People say that something takes or lasts hours to emphasize that it takes or lasts a very long time, or what seems like a very long time. [EMPHASIS ] □ Getting there would take hours.
3 N‑SING A clock that strikes the hour strikes when it is exactly one o'clock, two o'clock, and so on.
4 N‑SING You can refer to a particular time or moment as a particular hour . [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] …the hour of his execution.
5 N‑COUNT If you refer, for example, to someone's hour of need or hour of happiness, you are referring to the time in their life when they are or were experiencing that condition or feeling. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] …the darkest hour of my professional life.
6 N‑PLURAL You can refer to the period of time during which something happens or operates each day as the hours during which it happens or operates. □ [+ of ] …the hours of darkness. □ Phone us on this number during office hours.
7 N‑PLURAL If you refer to the hours involved in a job, you are talking about how long you spend each week doing it and when you do it. □ I worked quite irregular hours.
8 → see eleventh hour , lunch hour , rush hour
9 PHRASE If you do something after hours , you do it outside normal business hours or the time when you are usually at work. □ …a local restaurant where steel workers unwind after hours.
10 → see also after-hours
11 PHRASE If you say that something happens at all hours of the day or night, you disapprove of it happening at the time that it does or as often as it does. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ She didn't want her fourteen-year-old daughter coming home at all hours of the morning.
12 PHRASE If something happens in the early hours or in the small hours , it happens in the early morning after midnight. □ Gibbs was arrested in the early hours of yesterday morning.
13 PHRASE If something happens on the hour , it happens every hour at, for example, nine o'clock, ten o'clock, and so on, and not at any number of minutes past an hour.
14 PHRASE Something that happens out of hours happens at a time that is not during the usual hours of business or work. [mainly BRIT ] □ Teachers refused to run out of hours sports matches because they weren't being paid.
hour|glass /aʊə r glɑːs/ (hourglasses ) also hour glass N‑COUNT An hourglass is a device that was used to measure the passing of an hour. It has two round glass sections linked by a narrow channel, and contains sand which takes an hour to flow from the top section into the lower one.
hour|ly /aʊə r li/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] An hourly event happens once every hour. □ He flipped on the radio to get the hourly news broadcast. ● ADV [ADV after v] Hourly is also an adverb. □ The hospital issued press releases hourly.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Your hourly earnings are the money that you earn in one hour. □ They have little prospect of finding new jobs with the same hourly pay.
house ◆◆◆ (houses , housing , housed ) Pronounced /haʊ s/ for the noun and adjective, and /haʊ z/ for the verb. The form houses is pronounced /haʊ z I z/. 1 N‑COUNT A house is a building in which people live, usually the people belonging to one family. □ She has moved to a smaller house. □ …her parents' house in Warwickshire.
2 N‑SING You can refer to all the people who live together in a house as the house . □ If he set his alarm clock for midnight, it would wake the whole house.
3 N‑COUNT [n N ] House is used in the names of types of places where people go to eat and drink. □ …a steak house. □ …an old Salzburg coffee house.
4 N‑COUNT [n N ] House is used in the names of types of companies, especially ones which publish books, lend money, or design clothes. □ Many of the clothes come from the world's top fashion houses. □ Eventually she was fired from her job at a publishing house.
5 N‑COUNT [n N ] House is sometimes used in the names of office buildings and large private homes or expensive houses. [mainly BRIT ] □ I was to go to the very top floor of Bush House in Aldwych. □ …Harewood House near Leeds.
6 N‑COUNT You can refer to the two main bodies of Britain's parliament and the United States of America's legislature as the House or a House . □ Some members of the House and Senate worked all day yesterday.
7 N‑COUNT A house is a family which has been or will be important for many generations, especially the family of a king or queen. □ [+ of ] …the House of Windsor.
8 N‑COUNT The house is the part of a theatre, cinema, or other place of entertainment where the audience sits. You can also refer to the audience at a particular performance as the house . □ They played in front of a packed house.
9 ADJ [ADJ n] A restaurant's house wine is the cheapest wine it sells, which is not listed by name on the wine list. □ Tweed ordered a carafe of the house wine.
10 VERB To house someone means to provide a house or flat for them to live in. □ [V n] Part III of the Housing Act 1985 imposes duties on local authorities to house homeless people. □ [V n adv/prep] Regrettably we have to house families in these inadequate flats.
11 VERB [no cont] A building or container that houses something is the place where it is located or from where it operates. □ [V n] The château itself is open to the public and houses a museum of motorcycles and cars.
12 VERB [no cont] If you say that a building houses a number of people, you mean that is the place where they live or where they are staying. □ [V n] The building will house twelve boys and eight girls.
13 → see also boarding house , chapter house , clearing house , council house , doll's house , full house , open house , opera house , public house , Wendy house , White House
14 PHRASE If a person or their performance or speech brings the house down , the audience claps, laughs, or shouts loudly because the performance or speech is very impressive or amusing. [INFORMAL ] □ It's really an amazing dance. It just always brings the house down.
15 PHRASE If two people get on like a house on fire , they quickly become close friends, for example because they have many interests in common. [INFORMAL ]
16 PHRASE If you are given something in a restaurant or bar on the house , you do not have to pay for it. □ The owner knew about the engagement and brought them glasses of champagne on the house.
17 PHRASE If someone gets their house in order , puts their house in order , or sets their house in order , they arrange their affairs and solve their problems. □ He decided to get his financial house in order. SYNONYMS house NOUN 1
home: …his home in Hampstead.
residence: …hotels and private residences.
dwelling: Some 3,500 new dwellings are planned for the area.
abode: I went round the streets and found his new abode. USAGE house or home?
You don't usually say ‘
I am going to my house
’ or ‘
She was in her house
’. You say ‘I am going home
’ or ‘She was at home
’. □
I’ll finish the report at home
.
hou se ar|re st N‑UNCOUNT [usu under N ] If someone is under house arrest , they are officially ordered not to leave their home, because they are suspected of being involved in an illegal activity.
house|boat /haʊ sboʊt/ (houseboats ) N‑COUNT A houseboat is a small boat on a river or canal which people live in.
house|bound /haʊ sbaʊnd/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is housebound is unable to go out of their house, usually because they are ill or cannot walk far. □ If you are housebound, you can arrange for a home visit from a specialist adviser.
house|boy /haʊ sbɔ I / (houseboys ) N‑COUNT A houseboy is a man or boy who cleans and does other jobs in someone else's house. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
house|break|er /haʊ sbre I kə r / (housebreakers ) N‑COUNT A housebreaker is someone who enters another person's house by force, for example by breaking the locks or windows, in order to steal their possessions.
house|break|ing /haʊ sbre I k I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Housebreaking is the crime of entering another person's house by force, for example by breaking the locks or windows, in order to steal their possessions.
house|coat /haʊ skoʊt/ (housecoats ) N‑COUNT A housecoat is a long loose piece of clothing that some women wear over their underwear or nightclothes when they are at home during the day.
hou se guest (house guests ) N‑COUNT A house guest is a person who is staying at someone's house for a period of time.
house|hold ◆◇◇ /haʊ shoʊld/ (households )
1 N‑COUNT A household is all the people in a family or group who live together in a house. □ …growing up in a male-only household.
2 N‑SING [oft N n] The household is your home and everything that is connected with looking after it. □ …household chores.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Someone or something that is a household name or word is very well known. □ Today, fashion designers are household names.
house|holder /haʊ shoʊldə r / (householders ) N‑COUNT The householder is the person who owns or rents a particular house. □ Millions of householders are eligible to claim the new council tax benefit.
house|husband /haʊ shʌzbənd/ (househusbands ) also house husband N‑COUNT A househusband is a married man who does not have a paid job, but instead looks after his home and children.
house|keeper /haʊ skiːpə r / (housekeepers ) N‑COUNT A housekeeper is a person whose job is to cook, clean, and look after a house for its owner.
house|keeping /haʊ skiːp I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Housekeeping is the work and organization involved in running a home, including the shopping and cleaning. □ I thought that cooking and housekeeping were unimportant, easy tasks.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Housekeeping is the money that you use to buy food, cleaning materials, and other things that you need in your home. [BRIT ] □ His father often gambled away his family's housekeeping money.
hou se lights N‑PLURAL In a theatre or cinema, when the house lights dim or go down, the lights where the audience sits are switched off. When the house lights come up, the lights are switched on.
house|maid /haʊ sme I d/ (housemaids ) N‑COUNT A housemaid is a female servant who does cleaning and other work in someone's house.
house|man /haʊ smən/ (housemen )
1 N‑COUNT A houseman is a doctor who has a junior post in a hospital and usually sleeps there. [BRIT ] in AM, use intern 2 N‑COUNT A houseman is a man who is a servant in a house. [AM ] in BRIT, use manservant
house|master /haʊ smɑːstə r , -mæs-/ (housemasters ) N‑COUNT A housemaster is a male teacher who is in charge of one of the houses in a school. [mainly BRIT ]
house|mate /haʊ sme I t/ (housemates ) N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] Your housemate is someone who shares a house with you. You do not use 'housemate' to refer to members of your family or your boyfriend or girlfriend.
ТЕЛЕГРАМКанал с обзорами, анонсами новинок и книжными подборками
Книжный Вестник
Бот для удобного поиска книг (если не нашлось на сайте)
Поиск книг
Свежие любовные романы в удобных форматах
Любовные романы
Детективы и триллеры, все новинки
Детективы
Фантастика и фэнтези, все новинки
Фантастика
Отборные классические книги
Классика
ВКОНТАКТЕБиблиотека с любовными романами, которая наверняка придётся по вкусу женской части аудитории
Любовные романы
Библиотека с фантастикой и фэнтези, а также смежных жанров
Фантастика
Самые популярные книги в формате фб2
Топ фб2
книги