Ii


I , i /a I / (I's, i's ) N‑VAR I is the ninth letter of the English alphabet.

I ◆◆◆ /a I / PRON A speaker or writer uses I to refer to himself or herself. I is a first person singular pronoun. I is used as the subject of a verb. □ Jim and I are getting married. □ She liked me, I think.

ibid CONVENTION Ibid is used in books and journals to indicate that a piece of text taken from somewhere else is from the same source as the previous piece of text.

SUFFIX -ibility


1 replaces -ible at the end of adjectives to form nouns referring to the state or quality described by the adjective. For example, their commitment to increase the accessibility of the arts.


2 replaces -ible at the end of adjectives to form nouns that refer to a particular state or quality. For example, responsibility is the state of being responsible.

SUFFIX -ible


forms adjectives that indicate what someone or something can have done to them. For example, if a number is divisible , it is possible to divide it.

SUFFIX -ic


forms adjectives that indicate that something or someone is connected with a particular thing. For example, photographic equipment is equipment connected with photography.

SUFFIX -ication


forms nouns that refer to a state or process, or to an instance of that process. For example, multiplication is the process of multiplying numbers.

ice ◆◆◇ /a I s/ (ices , icing , iced )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Ice is frozen water. □ Glaciers are moving rivers of ice. □ …a bitter lemon with ice.


2 VERB If you ice a cake, you cover it with icing. □ [V n] I've iced and decorated the cake.


3 → see also iced , icing


4 PHRASE If you break the ice at a party or meeting, or in a new situation, you say or do something to make people feel relaxed and comfortable.


5 → see also ice-breaker


6 PHRASE If you say that something cuts no ice with you, you mean that you are not impressed or influenced by it. □ [+ with ] That sort of romantic attitude cuts no ice with money-men.


7 PHRASE If someone puts a plan or project on ice , they delay doing it. □ The deal was put on ice for three months.


8 PHRASE If you say that someone is on thin ice or is skating on thin ice , you mean that they are doing something risky which may have serious or unpleasant consequences. □ I had skated on thin ice and, so far, got away with it.

I ce Age N‑PROPER The Ice Age was a period of time lasting many thousands of years, during which a lot of the Earth's surface was covered with ice.

ice|berg /a I sbɜː r g/ (icebergs )


1 N‑COUNT An iceberg is a large tall mass of ice floating in the sea.


2 the tip of the iceberg → see tip WORD HISTORY iceberg


The word iceberg comes from the Dutch word ijsberg , ijs meaning 'ice', and berg meaning 'mountain'.

ice-blue COLOUR Ice-blue is a very pale blue colour. [LITERARY ]

ice|box /a I sbɒks/ (iceboxes ) also ice-box N‑COUNT An icebox is the same as a refrigerator . [AM , OLD-FASHIONED ]

i ce-breaker (ice-breakers ) also icebreaker


1 N‑COUNT An ice-breaker is a large ship which sails through frozen waters, breaking the ice as it goes, in order to create a passage for other ships.


2 N‑COUNT An ice-breaker is something that someone says or does in order to make it easier for people who have never met before to talk to each other. □ This exercise can be quite a useful ice-breaker for new groups.

i ce buck|et (ice buckets ) N‑COUNT An ice bucket is a container which holds ice cubes or cold water and ice. You can use it to provide ice cubes to put in drinks, or to put bottles of wine in and keep the wine cool.

i ce cap (ice caps ) also ice-cap N‑COUNT The ice caps are the thick layers of ice and snow that cover the North and South Poles.

i ce-co ld


1 ADJ If you describe something as ice-cold , you are emphasizing that it is very cold. □ …jugs of ice-cold water.


2 ADJ If you describe someone as ice-cold , you are emphasizing that they do not allow their emotions to affect them or that they lack feeling and friendliness. □ …the gunman's ice-cold stare.

i ce-coo l ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as ice-cool , you admire them because they are calm and do not show emotion in difficult situations. [JOURNALISM , APPROVAL ] □ He's determined, fearless, ice-cool and has a unique style that can't be copied.

i ce crea m (ice creams ) also ice-cream


1 N‑VAR Ice cream is a very cold sweet food which is made from frozen cream or a substance like cream and has a flavour such as vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry. □ I'll get you some ice cream.


2 N‑COUNT An ice cream is an amount of ice cream sold in a small container or a cone made of thin biscuit. □ Do you want an ice cream?

i ce cube (ice cubes ) N‑COUNT An ice cube is a small square block of ice that you put into a drink in order to make it cold.

iced /a I st/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] An iced drink has been made very cold, often by putting ice in it. □ …iced tea.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An iced cake is covered with a layer of icing. □ We were all given little iced cakes.

i ce floe (ice floes ) N‑COUNT An ice floe is a large area of ice floating in the sea.

i ce hock|ey also ice-hockey N‑UNCOUNT Ice 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. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use hockey

Ice|land|er /a I slændə r / (Icelanders ) N‑COUNT An Icelander is a person who comes from Iceland.

Ice|land|ic /a I slæ nd I k/


1 ADJ Icelandic means belonging or relating to Iceland, or to its people, language, or culture.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Icelandic is the official language of Iceland.

i ce lo l|ly (ice lollies ) also ice-lolly N‑COUNT An ice lolly is a piece of flavoured ice or ice cream on a stick. [BRIT ] in AM, use Popsicle

i ce pack (ice packs ) N‑COUNT An ice pack is a bag full of ice which is used to cool parts of the body when they are injured or painful.

i ce pick (ice picks ) also icepick N‑COUNT An ice pick is a small pointed tool that you use for breaking ice.

i ce rink (ice rinks ) N‑COUNT An ice rink is a level area of ice, usually inside a building, that has been made artificially and kept frozen so that people can skate on it.

i ce sheet (ice sheets ) N‑COUNT An ice sheet is a large thick area of ice, especially one that exists for a long time.

i ce-skate (ice-skates ) N‑COUNT Ice-skates are boots with a thin metal bar underneath that people wear to move quickly on ice.

i ce skat|er (ice skaters ) N‑COUNT An ice skater is someone who skates on ice.

i ce-skating also ice skating VERB [only cont] If you go ice-skating , you move about on ice wearing ice-skates. This activity is also a sport. □ [V ] They took me ice-skating on a frozen lake. ● N‑UNCOUNT Ice-skating is also a noun. □ I love watching ice-skating on television.

i ce tea (ice teas ) or iced tea N‑VAR Ice tea or iced tea is a drink made from tea without milk but with sugar and sometimes fruit flavourings, drunk cold.

i ce wa|ter N‑UNCOUNT Ice water is very cold water served as a drink. [AM ]

ici|cle /a I s I k ə l/ (icicles ) N‑COUNT An icicle is a long pointed piece of ice hanging down from a surface. It forms when water comes slowly off the surface, and freezes as it falls.

ic|ing /a I s I ŋ/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Icing is a sweet substance made from powdered sugar that is used to cover and decorate cakes. □ …a birthday cake with yellow icing.


2 PHRASE If you describe something as the icing on the cake , you mean that it makes a good thing even better, but it is not essential. □ The third goal was the icing on the cake.

i c|ing sug|ar N‑UNCOUNT Icing sugar is very fine white sugar that is used for making icing and sweets. [BRIT ] in AM, usually use confectioners' sugar

SUFFIX -icity


replaces -ic at the end of adjectives to form nouns referring to the state, quality, or behaviour described by the adjective. For example, if someone disputes the authenticity of the document, they are saying that they do not think it is authentic.

icky / I ki/ (ickier , ickiest )


1 ADJ If you describe something as icky , you mean that it is too emotional or sentimental. [mainly AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ They've even got one of those icky photos of themselves on the bedside table.


2 ADJ If you describe a substance as icky , you mean that it is disgustingly sticky. [mainly AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ She could feel something icky on her fingers.

icon /a I kɒn/ (icons )


1 N‑COUNT If you describe something or someone as an icon , you mean that they are important as a symbol of a particular thing. □ Only Marilyn has proved as enduring a fashion icon.


2 N‑COUNT An icon is a picture of Christ, his mother, or a saint painted on a wooden panel.


3 N‑COUNT An icon is a picture on a computer screen representing a particular computer function. If you want to use it, you move the cursor onto the icon using a mouse. [COMPUTING ]

icon|ic /a I kɒ n I k/ ADJ An iconic image or thing is important or impressive because it seems to be a symbol of something. [FORMAL ] □ The ads helped Nike to achieve iconic status.

icono|clast /a I kɒ nəklæst/ (iconoclasts ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as an iconoclast , you mean that they often criticize beliefs and things that are generally accepted by society. [FORMAL ]

icono|clas|tic /a I kɒ nəklæ st I k/ ADJ If you describe someone or their words or ideas as iconoclastic , you mean that they contradict established beliefs. [FORMAL ] □ Is it utopian to hope that such iconoclastic ideas will gain ground?

ico|no|gra|phy /a I kənɒ grəfi/ N‑UNCOUNT The iconography of a group of people consists of the symbols, pictures, and objects which represent their ideas and way of life. □ [+ of ] …the iconography of revolutionary posters. □ …religious iconography.

ICT /a I siː tiː / N‑UNCOUNT ICT refers to activities or studies involving computers and other electronic technology. ICT is an abbreviation for 'Information and Communications Technology'. □ English, Maths, ICT and science are compulsory subjects.

icy /a I si/ (icier , iciest )


1 ADJ If you describe something as icy or icy cold , you mean that it is extremely cold. □ An icy wind blew hard across the open spaces.


2 ADJ An icy road has ice on it.


3 ADJ If you describe a person or their behaviour as icy , you mean that they are not affectionate or friendly, and they show their dislike or anger in a quiet, controlled way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ His response was icy. ● ici|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV adj] □ 'Have you finished?' he asked icily.

ID /a I diː / (IDs ) N‑VAR If you have ID or an ID , you are carrying a document such as an identity card or driving licence which proves that you are a particular person. □ I had no ID on me so I couldn't prove I was the owner of the car.

I'd /a I d/


1 I'd is the usual spoken form of 'I had', especially when 'had' is an auxiliary verb. □ I felt absolutely certain that I'd seen her before.


2 I'd is the usual spoken form of 'I would'. □ There are some questions I'd like to ask.

idea ◆◆◆ /a I diː ə/ (ideas )


1 N‑COUNT [oft adj N , N to-inf] An idea is a plan, suggestion, or possible course of action. □ It's a good idea to plan ahead. □ [+ of ] I really like the idea of helping people. □ She told me she'd had a brilliant idea.


2 N‑COUNT [N that] An idea is an opinion or belief about what something is like or should be like. □ [+ about ] Some of his ideas about democracy are entirely his own. □ …the idea that reading too many books ruins your eyes. [Also + on/of ]


3 N‑SING If someone gives you an idea of something, they give you information about it without being very exact or giving a lot of detail. □ [+ of ] This table will give you some idea of how levels of ability can be measured. □ [+ of ] If you cannot remember the exact date give a rough idea of when it was.


4 N‑SING If you have an idea of something, you know about it to some extent. □ No one has any real idea how much the company will make next year.


5 N‑SING [N that] If you have an idea that something is the case, you think that it may be the case, although you are not certain. [VAGUENESS ] □ I had an idea that he joined the army later, but I may be wrong.


6 N‑SING The idea of an action or activity is its aim or purpose. □ The idea is to encourage people to get to know their neighbours.


7 N‑COUNT If you have the idea of doing something, you intend to do it. □ [+ of ] He sent for a number of books he admired with the idea of re-reading them.


8 N‑SING You can use idea in expressions such as I've no idea or I haven't the faintest idea to emphasize that you do not know something. [EMPHASIS ] □ 'Is she coming by coach?'—'Well I've no idea.'


9 PHRASE If someone gets the idea , they understand how to do something or they understand what you are telling them. [INFORMAL ] □ It isn't too difficult once you get the idea. COLLOCATIONS idea NOUN


1


adjective + idea : bright, brilliant, good; creative, novel, original, radical


verb + idea : like, support; abandon, dismiss, reject; develop


3


adjective + idea : general, rough

ideal ◆◇◇ /a I diː əl/ (ideals )


1 N‑COUNT An ideal is a principle, idea, or standard that seems very good and worth trying to achieve. □ The party has drifted too far from its socialist ideals. [Also + of ]


2 N‑SING [oft poss N ] Your ideal of something is the person or thing that seems to you to be the best possible example of it. □ [+ of ] …the Japanese ideal of beauty.


3 ADJ The ideal person or thing for a particular task or purpose is the best possible person or thing for it. □ She decided that I was the ideal person to take over the job.


4 ADJ [ADJ n] An ideal society or world is the best possible one that you can imagine. □ We do not live in an ideal world. SYNONYMS ideal NOUN 1


principle: …moral principles.


morals: They have no morals.


scruple: …a man with no moral scruples.


standard: My father has always had high moral standards. ADJ 3


perfect: Hiring a nanny has turned out to be the perfect solution.


ultimate: He is the ultimate English gentleman.


model: As a girl she had been a model pupil.

ideal|ise /a I diː əla I z/ → see idealize

ideal|ism /a I diː əl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Idealism is the beliefs and behaviour of someone who has ideals and who tries to base their behaviour on these ideals. □ [+ of ] She never lost her respect for the idealism of the 1960s. ● ideal|ist (idealists ) N‑COUNT □ He is not such an idealist that he cannot see the problems.

ideal|is|tic /a I diəl I st I k/ ADJ If you describe someone as idealistic , you mean that they have ideals, and base their behaviour on these ideals, even though this may be impractical. □ Idealistic young people died for the cause.

ideal|ize /a I diː əla I z/ (idealizes , idealizing , idealized ) in BRIT, also use idealise VERB If you idealize something or someone, you think of them, or represent them to other people, as being perfect or much better than they really are. □ [V n] People idealize the past. ● ideal|ized ADJ [usu ADJ n] □ …an idealised image of how a parent should be. ● ideali|za|tion /a I diː əla I ze I ʃ ə n/ (idealizations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …Marie's idealisation of her dead husband.

ideal|ly /a I diː əli/


1 ADV If you say that ideally a particular thing should happen or be done, you mean that this is what you would like to happen or be done, but you know that this may not be possible or practical. □ People should, ideally, eat much less fat.


2 ADV [usu ADV -ed, oft ADV after v] If you say that someone or something is ideally suited, ideally located, or ideally qualified, you mean that they are as well suited, located, or qualified as they could possibly be. □ They were an extremely happy couple, ideally suited.

iden|ti|cal /a I de nt I k ə l/ ADJ Things that are identical are exactly the same. □ The two parties fought the last election on almost identical manifestos. ● iden|ti|cal|ly /a I de nt I kli/ ADV [usu ADV -ed/adj, oft ADV after v] □ …nine identically dressed female dancers.

ide n|ti|cal twi n (identical twins ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Identical twins are twins of the same sex who look exactly the same.

iden|ti|fi|able /a I de nt I fa I əb ə l/ ADJ Something or someone that is identifiable can be recognized. □ [+ as ] In the corridor were four dirty, ragged bundles, just identifiable as human beings. [Also + by/from ]

iden|ti|fi|ca|tion /a I de nt I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ (identifications )


1 N‑VAR The identification of something is the recognition that it exists, is important, or is true. □ [+ of ] Early identification of a disease can prevent death and illness.


2 N‑VAR Your identification of a particular person or thing is your ability to name them because you know them or recognize them. □ [+ of ] He's made a formal identification of the body.


3 N‑UNCOUNT If someone asks you for some identification , they want to see something such as a driving licence, which proves who you are. □ The woman who was on passport control asked me if I had any further identification.


4 N‑VAR The identification of one person or thing with another is the close association of one with the other. □ [+ of/with ] …the identification of Spain with Catholicism.


5 N‑UNCOUNT Identification with someone or something is the feeling of sympathy and support for them. □ [+ with ] Marilyn had an intense identification with animals.

iden|ti|fy ◆◆◇ /a I de nt I fa I / (identifies , identifying , identified )


1 VERB If you can identify someone or something, you are able to recognize them or distinguish them from others. □ [V n] There are a number of distinguishing characteristics by which you can identify a Hollywood epic.


2 VERB If you identify someone or something, you name them or say who or what they are. □ [V n] Police have already identified around 10 murder suspects. □ [V n + as ] The reporters identified one of the six Americans as an Army Specialist.


3 VERB If you identify something, you discover or notice its existence. □ [V n] Scientists claim to have identified natural substances with cancer-combating properties.


4 VERB If a particular thing identifies someone or something, it makes them easy to recognize, by making them different in some way. □ [V n] She wore a little nurse's hat on her head to identify her. □ [V n + as ] His boots and purple beret identify him as commanding the Scottish Paratroops.


5 VERB If you identify with someone or something, you feel that you understand them or their feelings and ideas. □ [V + with ] She would only play a role if she could identify with the character.


6 VERB If you identify one person or thing with another, you think that they are closely associated or involved in some way. □ [V n + with ] She hates playing the sweet, passive women that audiences identify her with. □ [V pron-refl + with ] The candidates all want to identify themselves with reform. SYNONYMS identify VERB 1


recognize: He did not think she could recognize his car in the snow.


place: It was a voice he recognized, though he could not immediately place it.


name: One of the victims has been named as twenty-year-old John Barr.


remember: I can remember where and when I bought each one.


put your finger on: Amy couldn't quite put her finger on the reason.


pinpoint: It was almost impossible to pinpoint the cause of death.

iden|ti|kit /a I de nt I k I t/ (identikits ) also Identikit N‑COUNT An identikit or an identikit picture is a drawing of the face of someone the police want to question. It is made from descriptions given to them by witnesses to a crime. Compare e-fit , Photofit . [mainly BRIT , TRADEMARK ]

iden|tity ◆◇◇ /a I de nt I ti/ (identities )


1 N‑COUNT [with poss] Your identity is who you are. □ Abu is not his real name, but it's one he uses to disguise his identity.


2 N‑VAR [oft with poss, adj N ] The identity of a person or place is the characteristics they have that distinguish them from others. □ I wanted a sense of my own identity.

ide n|tity card (identity cards ) N‑COUNT An identity card is a card with a person's name, photograph, date of birth, and other information on it. In some countries, people are required to carry identity cards in order to prove who they are.

ide n|tity pa|rade (identity parades ) N‑COUNT At an identity parade , a witness to a crime tries to identify the criminal from among a line of people. [BRIT ] in AM, usually use line-up

ide n|tity theft N‑UNCOUNT Identity theft is the crime of getting personal information about another person without their knowledge, for example in order to gain access to their bank account. □ Because of the danger of identity theft, we are told not to give personal information over the phone.

ideo|gram / I dioʊgræm/ (ideograms )


1 N‑COUNT An ideogram is a sign or symbol that represents a particular idea or thing rather than a word. The writing systems of Japan and China, for example, use ideograms.


2 N‑COUNT In languages such as English which are written using letters and words, an ideogram is a sign or symbol that can be used to represent a particular word. %, @, and & are examples of ideograms.

ideo|logi|cal /a I diəlɒ dʒ I k ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Ideological means relating to principles or beliefs. □ Others left the party for ideological reasons. ● ideo|logi|cal|ly /a I diəlɒ dʒ I kli/ ADV [ADV adj/-ed, ADV after v] □ …an ideologically sound organisation.

ideolo|gist /a I diɒ lədʒ I st/ (ideologists ) N‑COUNT An ideologist is someone who develops or supports a particular ideology.

ideo|logue /a I diəlɒg, [AM ] -lɔːg/ (ideologues ) N‑COUNT An ideologue is the same as an ideologist . [FORMAL ]

ideol|ogy /a I diɒ lədʒi/ (ideologies ) N‑VAR An ideology is a set of beliefs, especially the political beliefs on which people, parties, or countries base their actions. □ …capitalist ideology.

id|io|cy / I diəsi/ (idiocies ) N‑VAR If you refer to something as idiocy , you mean that you think it is very stupid. □ [+ of ] …the idiocy of continuing government subsidies for environmentally damaging activities.

idi|om / I diəm/ (idioms )


1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A particular idiom is a particular style of something such as music, dance, or architecture. [FORMAL ] □ McCartney was also keen to write in a classical idiom, rather than a pop one.


2 N‑COUNT An idiom is a group of words which have a different meaning when used together from the one they would have if you took the meaning of each word separately. [TECHNICAL ] □ Proverbs and idioms may become worn with over-use.


3 N‑UNCOUNT Idiom of a particular kind is the language that people use at a particular time or in a particular place. [FORMAL ] □ …her command of the Chinese idiom.

idio|mat|ic / I dioʊmæ t I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Idiomatic language uses words in a way that sounds natural to native speakers of the language. □ …her remarkable command of idiomatic English.

idio|syn|cra|sy / I dioʊs I ŋkrəsi/ (idiosyncrasies ) N‑VAR [usu with poss] If you talk about the idiosyncrasies of someone or something, you are referring to their rather unusual habits or characteristics. □ Everyone has a few little idiosyncrasies.

idio|syn|crat|ic / I dioʊs I ŋkræ t I k/ ADJ If you describe someone's actions or characteristics as idiosyncratic , you mean that they are rather unusual. □ …a highly idiosyncratic personality.

id|iot / I diət/ (idiots ) N‑COUNT If you call someone an idiot , you are showing that you think they are very stupid or have done something very stupid. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I knew I'd been an idiot to stay there.

i d|iot box N‑SING The idiot box is the television. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] in AM, use boob tube

idi|ot|ic / I diɒ t I k/ ADJ If you call someone or something idiotic , you mean that they are very stupid or silly. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ What an idiotic thing to say! ● idi|oti|cal|ly / I diɒ t I kli/ ADV □ …his idiotically romantic views.

idle /a I d ə l/ (idles , idling , idled )


1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If people who were working are idle , they have no jobs or work. □ Employees have been idle almost a month because of shortages.


2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If machines or factories are idle , they are not working or being used. □ Now the machine is lying idle.


3 ADJ If you say that someone is idle , you disapprove of them because they are not doing anything and you think they should be. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …idle bureaucrats who spent the day reading newspapers. ● idle|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Idleness is a very bad thing for human nature. ● idly ADV [ADV with v] □ We were not idly sitting around.


4 ADJ [ADJ n] Idle is used to describe something that you do for no particular reason, often because you have nothing better to do. □ Brian kept up the idle chatter for another five minutes. ● idly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ We talked idly about magazines and baseball.


5 ADJ [ADJ n] You refer to an idle threat or boast when you do not think the person making it will or can do what they say. □ It was more of an idle threat than anything.


6 VERB To idle a factory or other place of work means to close it down because there is no work to do or because the workers are on strike. [AM , BUSINESS ] □ [V -ed] …idled assembly plants. [Also V n] in BRIT, usually use shut down 7 VERB To idle workers means to stop them working. [AM , BUSINESS ] □ [V n] The strike has idled about 55,000 machinists. in BRIT, use lay off 8 VERB If an engine or vehicle is idling , the engine is running slowly and quietly because it is not in gear, and the vehicle is not moving. □ [V ] Beyond a stand of trees a small plane idled.

idler /a I dlə r / (idlers ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as an idler , you are criticizing them because you think they are lazy and should be working. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The Duke resents being seen as a moneyed idler.

idol /a I d ə l/ (idols )


1 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone such as a film, pop, or sports star as an idol , you mean that they are greatly admired or loved by their fans. □ A great cheer went up from the crowd as they caught sight of their idol.


2 N‑COUNT An idol is a statue or other object that is worshipped by people who believe that it is a god.


3 PHRASE If you refer to someone as a fallen idol , you mean that they have lost people's respect and admiration because of something bad that they have done.

idola|try /a I dɒ lətri/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Someone who practises idolatry worships idols. [FORMAL ]


2 N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to someone's admiration for a particular person as idolatry , you think it is too great and uncritical. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Their affection for her soon increased almost to idolatry.

idol|ize /a I dəla I z/ (idolizes , idolizing , idolized ) in BRIT, also use idolise VERB If you idolize someone, you admire them very much. □ [V n] Naomi idolised her father as she was growing up.

id|yll / I d I l, [AM ] a I d ə l/ (idylls ) in AM, also use idyl N‑COUNT If you describe a situation as an idyll , you mean that it is idyllic. □ She finds that the sleepy town she moves to isn't the rural idyll she imagined.

idyl|lic / I d I l I k, [AM ] a I d-/ ADJ If you describe something as idyllic , you mean that it is extremely pleasant, simple, and peaceful without any difficulties or dangers. □ …an idyllic setting for a summer romance.

i.e. /a I iː / i.e. is used to introduce a word or sentence which makes what you have just said clearer or gives details. □ …strategic points–i.e. airports or military bases.

IED / a I iː diː / (IEDs ) N‑COUNT An IED is a simple bomb that is made and used by someone who is not in the army, often using materials that are not usually used for making bombs. IED is an abbreviation for 'improvised explosive device'. □ The soldiers were killed by a roadside IED.

-ied → see -ed

-ier → see -er

-iest → see -est

if ◆◆◆ / I f/ Often pronounced / I f/ at the beginning of the sentence. 1 CONJ You use if in conditional sentences to introduce the circumstances in which an event or situation might happen, might be happening, or might have happened. □ She gets very upset if I exclude her. □ You can go if you want. □ If you went into town, you'd notice all the pubs have loud jukeboxes. □ Do you have a knack for coming up with ideas? If so, we would love to hear from you.


2 CONJ You use if in indirect questions where the answer is either 'yes' or 'no'. □ He asked if I had left with you, and I said no. □ I wonder if I might have a word with Mr Abbot?


3 CONJ [with neg] You use if to suggest that something might be slightly different from what you are stating in the main part of the sentence, for example that there might be slightly more or less of a particular quality. □ Sometimes, that standard is quite difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. □ I will be ready in a couple of weeks, if not sooner.


4 CONJ You use if , usually with 'can', 'could', 'may', or 'might', at a point in a conversation when you are politely trying to make a point, change the subject, or interrupt another speaker. □ If I could just make another small point.


5 CONJ You use if at or near the beginning of a clause when politely asking someone to do something. [POLITENESS ] □ I wonder if you'd be kind enough to give us some information, please?


6 CONJ You use if to introduce a subordinate clause in which you admit a fact which you regard as less important than the statement in the main clause. □ If there was any disappointment it was probably temporary.


7 PHRASE You use if not in front of a word or phrase to indicate that your statement does not apply to that word or phrase, but to something closely related to it that you also mention. □ She understood his meaning, if not his words.


8 PHRASE You use if ever with past tenses when you are introducing a description of a person or thing, to emphasize how appropriate it is. [EMPHASIS ] □ I became a distraught, worried mother, a useless role if ever there was one.


9 PHRASE You use if only with past tenses to introduce what you think is a fairly good reason for doing something, although you realize it may not be a very good one. □ She writes me often, if only to scold me because I haven't written to her.


10 PHRASE You use if only to express a wish or desire, especially one that cannot be fulfilled. [FEELINGS ] □ If only you had told me that some time ago.


11 PHRASE You use as if when you are making a judgment about something that you see or notice. Your belief or impression might be correct, or it might be wrong. □ The whole room looks as if it has been lovingly put together over the years.


12 PHRASE You use as if to describe something or someone by comparing them with another thing or person. □ He points two fingers at his head, as if he were holding a gun.


13 PHRASE You use as if to emphasize that something is not true. [SPOKEN , EMPHASIS ] □ Getting my work done! My God! As if it mattered.


14 PHRASE You use ' if anything ' to introduce something which strengthens or changes the meaning of the statement you have just made, but only in a small or unimportant way. □ Living together didn't harm our friendship. If anything it strengthened it.


15 PHRASE You use ' It's not as if ' to introduce a statement which, if it were true, might explain something puzzling, although in fact it is not true. □ I am surprised by the fuss she's making. It's not as if my personality has changed.


16 PHRASE You say ' if I were you ' to someone when you are giving them advice. □ If I were you, Mrs Gretchen, I just wouldn't worry about it.

if|fy / I fi/


1 ADJ If you say that something is iffy , you mean that it is not very good in some way. [INFORMAL ] □ If your next record's a bit iffy, you're forgotten.


2 ADJ If something is iffy , it is uncertain. [INFORMAL ] □ His political future has looked iffy for most of this year.

SUFFIX -ify


is used at the end of verbs that refer to making something or someone different in some way. For example, 'More needs to be done to simplify the process of registering to vote'.

ig|loo / I gluː/ (igloos ) N‑COUNT Igloos are dome-shaped houses built from blocks of snow by the Inuit people.

ig|ne|ous / I gniəs/ ADJ [ADJ n] In geology, igneous rocks are rocks that were once so hot that they were liquid. [TECHNICAL ]

ig|nite / I gna I t/ (ignites , igniting , ignited )


1 VERB When you ignite something or when it ignites , it starts burning or explodes. □ [V n] The bombs ignited a fire which destroyed some 60 houses. □ [V ] The blasts were caused by pockets of methane gas that ignited.


2 VERB If something or someone ignites your feelings, they cause you to have very strong feelings about something. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] There was one teacher who really ignited my interest in words.

ig|ni|tion / I gn I ʃ ə n/ (ignitions )


1 N‑VAR In a car engine, the ignition is the part where the fuel is ignited. □ The device automatically disconnects the ignition.


2 N‑SING Inside a car, the ignition is the part where you turn the key so that the engine starts.


3 N‑UNCOUNT Ignition is the process of something starting to burn. □ [+ of ] The ignition of methane gas killed eight men.

ig|no|ble / I gnoʊ b ə l/ ADJ If you describe something as ignoble , you mean that it is bad and something to be ashamed of. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …ignoble thoughts.

ig|no|mini|ous / I gnəm I niəs/ ADJ If you describe an experience or action as ignominious , you mean it is embarrassing because it shows a great lack of success. [FORMAL ] □ …their ignominious defeat. ● ig|no|mini|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Their soldiers had to retreat ignominiously after losing hundreds of lives.

ig|no|miny / I gnəm I ni/ N‑UNCOUNT Ignominy is shame or public disgrace. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the ignominy of being made redundant.

ig|no|ra|mus / I gnəre I məs/ (ignoramuses ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as an ignoramus , you are being critical of them because they do not have the knowledge you think they ought to have. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]

ig|no|rance / I gnərəns/ N‑UNCOUNT Ignorance of something is lack of knowledge about it. □ [+ of/about ] I am embarrassed by my complete ignorance of history.

ig|no|rant / I gnərənt/


1 ADJ If you describe someone as ignorant , you mean that they do not know things they should know. If someone is ignorant of a fact, they do not know it. □ People don't like to ask questions for fear of appearing ignorant. [Also + of/about ]


2 ADJ People are sometimes described as ignorant when they do something that is not polite or kind. Some people think that it is not correct to use ignorant with this meaning.

ig|nore ◆◆◇ / I gnɔː r / (ignores , ignoring , ignored )


1 VERB If you ignore someone or something, you pay no attention to them. □ [V n] Why are you ignoring me?


2 VERB If you say that an argument or theory ignores an important aspect of a situation, you are criticizing it because it fails to consider that aspect or to take it into account. □ [V n] Such arguments ignore the question of where ultimate responsibility lay. SYNONYMS ignore VERB 1


neglect: The woman denied that she had neglected her child.


disregard: He disregarded the advice of his executives.


discount: However, traders tended to discount the rumor.


take no notice of: They took no notice of him.


overlook: …a fact that we all tend to overlook.

igua|na / I gjuɑː nə, [AM ] I gwɑː nə/ (iguanas ) N‑COUNT An iguana is a type of large lizard found in America.

ikon /a I kɒn/ → see icon

PREFIX il-


can be added to some words to form words that have the opposite meaning. For example, if an activity is illegal , it is not legal.

ilk / I lk/ N‑SING If you talk about people or things of the same ilk , you mean people or things of the same type as a person or thing that has been mentioned. □ He currently terrorises politicians and their ilk on 'Newsnight'. □ It's secure and private – for a celebrity, sports star or someone of that ilk.

ill ◆◆◇ / I l/ (ills )


1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is ill is suffering from a disease or a health problem. □ [+ with ] In November 1941 Payne was seriously ill with pneumonia. ● N‑PLURAL People who are ill in some way can be referred to as, for example, the mentally ill . □ I used to work with the mentally ill.


2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Difficulties and problems are sometimes referred to as ills . [FORMAL ] □ His critics maintain that he's responsible for many of Algeria's ills.


3 N‑UNCOUNT Ill is evil or harm. [LITERARY ] □ They say they mean you no ill.


4 ADV [ADV with v] Ill means the same as 'badly'. [FORMAL ] □ The company's conservative instincts sit ill with competition.


5 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use ill in front of some nouns to indicate that you are referring to something harmful or unpleasant. [FORMAL ] □ She had brought ill luck into her family.


6 PHRASE If you say that someone can ill afford to do something, or can ill afford something, you mean that they must prevent it from happening because it would be harmful or embarrassing to them. [FORMAL ] □ It's possible he won't play but I can ill afford to lose him.


7 PHRASE If you fall ill or are taken ill , you suddenly become ill. □ Shortly before Christmas, he was mysteriously taken ill.


8 to speak ill of someone → see speak USAGE ill


Don’t use ‘ill’ or ‘sick’ to say that someone has received an injury. Say that they are injured or hurt . □ Two people were injured and taken to hospital after the car crash.

ill- / I l-/ COMB Ill- is added to words, especially adjectives and past participles, to add the meaning 'badly' or 'inadequately'. For example, 'ill-written' means badly written. □ …ill-disciplined children.

I'll /a I l/ I'll is the usual spoken form of 'I will' or 'I shall'. □ I'll be leaving town in a few weeks.

i ll-advi sed ADJ [oft ADJ to-inf] If you describe something that someone does as ill-advised , you mean that it is not sensible or wise. □ They would be ill-advised to do this.

i ll at ea se also ill-at-ease → see ease

i ll-bre d ADJ If you say that someone is ill-bred , you mean that they have bad manners. [DISAPPROVAL ]

i ll-concei ved ADJ If you describe a plan or action as ill-conceived , you mean that it is likely to fail or have bad consequences because it has not been thought about carefully enough. □ …an ill-conceived plan to close the coal mine.

i ll-consi dered ADJ If you describe something that someone says or does as ill-considered , you mean that it is not sensible or not appropriate. □ He made some ill-considered remarks about the cost.

i ll-defi ned ADJ If you describe something as ill-defined , you mean that its exact nature or extent is not as clear as it should be or could be. □ …staff with ill-defined responsibilities.

i ll ef|fe cts also ill-effects N‑PLURAL If something has ill effects , it causes problems or damage. □ Some people are still suffering ill effects from the contamination of their water.

il|legal ◆◇◇ / I liː g ə l/ (illegals )


1 ADJ If something is illegal , the law says that it is not allowed. □ It is illegal to intercept radio messages. □ …illegal drugs. ● il|legal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ They were yesterday convicted of illegally using a handgun. ● il|legal|ity / I l I gæ l I ti/ (illegalities ) N‑VAR □ There is no evidence of illegality.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] Illegal immigrants or workers have travelled into a country or are working without official permission. ● N‑COUNT Illegal immigrants or workers are sometimes referred to as illegals . □ …a clothing factory where many illegals worked.

il|leg|ible / I le dʒ I b ə l/ ADJ Writing that is illegible is so unclear that you cannot read it.

il|legiti|ma|cy / I l I dʒ I t I məsi/ N‑UNCOUNT Illegitimacy is the state of being born of parents who were not married to each other. □ Illegitimacy rates are soaring.

il|legiti|mate / I l I dʒ I t I mət/


1 ADJ A person who is illegitimate was born of parents who were not married to each other.


2 ADJ Illegitimate is used to describe activities and institutions that are not in accordance with the law or with accepted standards of what is right. □ The election was dismissed as illegitimate by the opposition.

i ll-equi pped ADJ [oft ADJ to-inf] Someone who is ill-equipped to do something does not have the ability, the qualities, or the equipment necessary to do it. □ Universities were ill-equipped to meet the massive intake of students. [Also + for ]

i ll-fa ted ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as ill-fated , you mean that it ended or will end in an unsuccessful or unfortunate way. □ …Captain Scott's ill-fated Antarctic expedition.

i ll-fi tting ADJ [ADJ n] An ill-fitting piece of clothing does not fit the person who is wearing it properly. □ He wore an ill-fitting green corduroy suit.

i ll-fou nded ADJ Something that is ill-founded is not based on any proper proof or evidence. □ Suspicion and jealousy, however ill-founded, can poison a marriage.

i ll-gotten gai ns N‑PLURAL Ill-gotten gains are things that someone has obtained in a dishonest or illegal way. □ But many leaders have invested their ill-gotten gains in several different countries.

i ll hea lth N‑UNCOUNT Someone who suffers from ill health has an illness or keeps being ill. □ He was forced to retire because of ill health.

il|lib|er|al / I l I bər ə l/ ADJ If you describe someone or something as illiberal , you are critical of them because they do not allow or approve of much freedom or choice of action. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …illiberal legislation.

il|lic|it / I l I s I t/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An illicit activity or substance is not allowed by law or the social customs of a country. □ Dante clearly condemns illicit love.

il|lit|era|cy / I l I tərəsi/ N‑UNCOUNT Illiteracy is the state of not knowing how to read or write.

il|lit|er|ate / I l I tərət/ (illiterates )


1 ADJ Someone who is illiterate does not know how to read or write. □ A large percentage of the population is illiterate. ● N‑COUNT An illiterate is someone who is illiterate. □ …an educational centre for illiterates.


2 ADJ [usu adv ADJ ] If you describe someone as musically, technologically, or economically illiterate , you mean that they do not know much about music, technology, or economics.

i ll-ma nnered ADJ If you describe someone as ill-mannered , you are critical of them because they are impolite or rude. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Chantal would have considered it ill-mannered to show surprise.

ill|ness ◆◇◇ / I lnəs/ (illnesses )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Illness is the fact or experience of being ill. □ If your child shows any signs of illness, take her to the doctor. □ Mental illness is still a taboo subject.


2 N‑COUNT An illness is a particular disease such as measles or pneumonia. □ She returned to her family home to recover from an illness. COLLOCATIONS illness NOUN


1


adjective + illness : mental, physical; serious, severe


verb + illness : cause; battle, feign


2


noun + illness : childhood, mystery, stomach


adjective + illness : chronic, debilitating, life-threatening, terminal; long, short; depressive, psychiatric, stress-related


verb + illness : contract, suffer; cure, diagnose, treat; prevent

il|logi|cal / I lɒ dʒ I k ə l/ ADJ If you describe an action, feeling, or belief as illogical , you are critical of it because you think that it does not result from a logical and ordered way of thinking. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It is illogical to oppose the repatriation of economic migrants. ● il|logi|cal|ly / I lɒ dʒ I kli/ ADV □ Illogically, I felt guilty.

i ll-prepa red ADJ [usu v-link ADJ , ADJ to-inf] If you are ill-prepared for something, you have not made the correct preparations for it, for example because you are not expecting it to happen. □ [+ for ] The government was ill-prepared for the problems it now faces.

i ll-sta rred ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something or someone as ill-starred , you mean that they were unlucky or unsuccessful. [LITERARY ] □ …an ill-starred attempt to create jobs in Northern Ireland.

i ll-te mpered ADJ If you describe someone as ill-tempered , you mean they are angry or hostile, and you may be implying that this is unreasonable. [FORMAL ] □ It was a day of tense and often ill-tempered debate.

i ll-ti med ADJ If you describe something as ill-timed , you mean that it happens or is done at the wrong time, so that it is damaging or rude. □ He argued that the tax cut was ill-timed.

i ll-trea t (ill-treats , ill-treating , ill-treated ) VERB If someone ill-treats you, they treat you badly or cruelly. □ [V n] They thought Mr Smith had been ill-treating his wife.

i ll-trea tment N‑UNCOUNT Ill-treatment is harsh or cruel treatment. □ [+ of ] Ill-treatment of animals remains commonplace.

il|lu|mi|nate / I luː m I ne I t/ (illuminates , illuminating , illuminated )


1 VERB To illuminate something means to shine light on it and to make it brighter and more visible. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] No streetlights illuminated the street.


2 VERB If you illuminate something that is unclear or difficult to understand, you make it clearer by explaining it carefully or giving information about it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] They use games and drawings to illuminate their subject. ● il|lu|mi|nat|ing ADJ □ His autobiography provides an illuminating insight into his mind.

il|lu|mi|nat|ed / I luː m I ne I t I d/ ADJ Something that is illuminated is lit up, usually by electric lighting. □ …an illuminated sign.

il|lu|mi|na|tion / I luː m I ne I ʃ ə n/ (illuminations )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Illumination is the lighting that a place has. [FORMAL ] □ The only illumination came from a small window high in the opposite wall.


2 N‑PLURAL Illuminations are coloured lights which are put up in towns, especially at Christmas, in order to make them look attractive, especially at night. [mainly BRIT ] □ …the famous Blackpool illuminations.

il|lu|mine / I luː m I n/ (illumines , illumining , illumined ) VERB To illumine something means the same as to illuminate it. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] The interchange of ideas illumines the debate. □ [be V -ed] By night, the perimeter wire was illumined by lights.

il|lu|sion / I luː ʒ ə n/ (illusions )


1 N‑VAR [oft N that] An illusion is a false idea or belief. □ [+ about ] No one really has any illusions about winning the war.


2 N‑COUNT An illusion is something that appears to exist or be a particular thing but does not actually exist or is in reality something else. □ [+ of ] Floor-to-ceiling windows can give the illusion of extra height.

il|lu|sion|ist / I luː ʒən I st/ (illusionists ) N‑COUNT An illusionist is a performer who makes it seem that strange or impossible things are happening, for example that a person has disappeared or been cut in half.

il|lu|so|ry / I luː zəri, -səri/ ADJ If you describe something as illusory , you mean that although it seems true or possible, it is in fact false or impossible. □ His freedom is illusory.

il|lus|trate ◆◇◇ / I ləstre I t/ (illustrates , illustrating , illustrated )


1 VERB If you say that something illustrates a situation that you are drawing attention to, you mean that it shows that the situation exists. □ [V n] The example of the United States illustrates this point. □ [V wh] The incident graphically illustrates how parlous their position is. □ [V that] The case also illustrates that some women are now trying to fight back.


2 VERB If you use an example, story, or diagram to illustrate a point, you use it show that what you are saying is true or to make your meaning clearer. □ [V n] Let me give another example to illustrate this difficult point. □ [V n + with ] Throughout, she illustrates her analysis with excerpts from discussions. ● il|lus|tra|tion / I ləstre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Here, by way of illustration, are some extracts from our new catalogue.


3 VERB If you illustrate a book, you put pictures, photographs or diagrams into it. □ [V n] She went on to art school and is now illustrating a book. □ [V n + with ] He has illustrated the book with black-and-white photographs. ● il|lus|trat|ed ADJ □ The book is beautifully illustrated throughout. ● il|lus|tra|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ …the world of children's book illustration. SYNONYMS illustrate VERB 1


demonstrate: The study also demonstrated a direct link between obesity and mortality.


show: Research shows that a high-fibre diet may protect you from bowel cancer.


exemplify: The room's style exemplifies Conran's ideal of 'beauty and practicality'.

il|lus|tra|tion ◆◇◇ / I ləstre I ʃ ə n/ (illustrations )


1 N‑COUNT An illustration is an example or a story which is used to make a point clear. □ [+ of ] …a perfect illustration of the way Britain absorbs and adapts external influences.


2 N‑COUNT An illustration in a book is a picture, design, or diagram. □ She looked like a princess in a nineteenth-century illustration.


3 → see also illustrate SYNONYMS illustration NOUN 2


picture: …drawing a small picture with coloured chalks.


drawing: She did a drawing of me.


image: …photographic images of young children.


painting: …a large oil-painting of Queen Victoria.


representation: …a lifelike representation of the leader.

il|lus|tra|tive / I ləstrət I v/ ADJ If you use something as an illustrative example, or for illustrative purposes, you use it to show that what you are saying is true or to make your meaning clearer. [FORMAL ] □ A second illustrative example was taken from The Observer newspaper. [Also + of ]

il|lus|tra|tor / I ləstre I tə r / (illustrators ) N‑COUNT An illustrator is an artist who draws pictures and diagrams for books and magazines.

il|lus|tri|ous / I lʌ striəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as an illustrious person, you mean that they are extremely well known because they have a high position in society or they have done something impressive. □ …his long and illustrious career.

i ll wi ll also ill-will N‑UNCOUNT Ill will is unfriendly or hostile feelings that you have towards someone. □ He didn't bear anyone any ill will.

i ll wi nd N‑SING You can describe an unfortunate event as an ill wind if someone benefits from it. The expression occurs in the proverb 'It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good'. □ But it's an ill wind; I recovered and married one of my nurses from that hospital.

PREFIX im-


can be added to some words to form words that have the opposite meaning. For example, if someone is impatient , they are not patient.

I'm /a I m/ I'm is the usual spoken form of 'I am'. □ I'm sorry. □ I'm already late for my next appointment.

im|age ◆◆◇ / I m I dʒ/ (images )


1 N‑COUNT If you have an image of something or someone, you have a picture or idea of them in your mind. □ [+ of ] The image of art theft as a gentleman's crime is outdated.


2 N‑COUNT [oft with poss] The image of a person, group, or organization is the way that they appear to other people. □ The tobacco industry has been trying to improve its image.


3 N‑COUNT An image is a picture of someone or something. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …photographic images of young children.


4 N‑COUNT An image is a poetic description of something. [FORMAL ] □ The natural images in the poem are meant to be suggestive of realities beyond themselves.


5 PHRASE If you are the image of someone else, you look very much like them. □ Marianne's son was the image of his father.


6 → see also mirror image


7 spitting image → see spit SYNONYMS image NOUN


1


impression: What were your first impressions of college?


perception: So how do our perceptions of death affect the way we live?


idea: My idea of physical perfection is to be very slender.


vision: Turning that vision into a practical reality is not easy.


2


mask: His mask of detachment cracked, and she saw, fleetingly, an angry man.


persona: …the contradictions between her private life and the public persona.


façade: They hid the troubles plaguing their marriage behind a facade of family togetherness.

im|age|ry / I m I dʒri/


1 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to the descriptions in something such as a poem or song, and the pictures they create in your mind, as its imagery . [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the nature imagery of the ballad.


2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to pictures and representations of things as imagery , especially when they act as symbols. [FORMAL ] □ This is an ambitious and intriguing movie, full of striking imagery.

im|agi|nable / I mæ dʒ I nəb ə l/


1 ADJ You use imaginable after a superlative such as 'best' or 'worst' to emphasize that something is extreme in some way. [EMPHASIS ] □ …their imprisonment under some of the most horrible circumstances imaginable.


2 ADJ [ADJ n, n ADJ ] You use imaginable after a word like 'every' or 'all' to emphasize that you are talking about all the possible examples of something. You use imaginable after 'no' to emphasize that something does not have the quality mentioned. [EMPHASIS ] □ Parents encourage every activity imaginable.

im|agi|nary / I mæ dʒ I nəri, [AM ] -neri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An imaginary person, place, or thing exists only in your mind or in a story, and not in real life. □ Lots of children have imaginary friends.

im|agi|na|tion ◆◇◇ / I mæ dʒ I ne I ʃ ə n/ (imaginations )


1 N‑VAR Your imagination is the ability that you have to form pictures or ideas in your mind of things that are new and exciting, or things that you have not experienced. □ Antonia is a woman with a vivid imagination. □ The Government approach displays a lack of imagination.


2 N‑COUNT Your imagination is the part of your mind which allows you to form pictures or ideas of things that do not necessarily exist in real life. □ Long before I ever went there, Africa was alive in my imagination.


3 PHRASE If you say that someone or something captured your imagination , you mean that you thought they were interesting or exciting when you saw them or heard them for the first time. □ [+ of ] Italian football captured the imagination of the nation last season.


4 PHRASE If you say that something stretches your imagination , you mean that it is good because it makes you think about things that you had not thought about before. [APPROVAL ] □ Their films are exciting and really stretch the imagination.


5 not by any stretch of the imagination → see stretch SYNONYMS imagination NOUN 1


creativity: American art reached a peak of creativity in the '50s and 60s.


inventiveness: He has surprised us before with his inventiveness.


inspiration: My inspiration comes from poets like Baudelaire and Jacques Prévert.


originality: He was capable of writing things of startling originality.

im|agi|na|tive / I mæ dʒ I nət I v/ ADJ If you describe someone or their ideas as imaginative , you are praising them because they are easily able to think of or create new or exciting things. [APPROVAL ] □ …an imaginative writer. ● im|agi|na|tive|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The hotel is decorated imaginatively and attractively.

im|ag|ine ◆◆◇ / I mæ dʒ I n/ (imagines , imagining , imagined )


1 VERB If you imagine something, you think about it and your mind forms a picture or idea of it. □ [V n/v-ing] He could not imagine a more peaceful scene. □ [V wh] Can you imagine how she must have felt when Mary Brent turned up with me in tow? □ [V that] Imagine you're lying on a beach, listening to the steady rhythm of waves lapping the shore. □ [V n v-ing] I can't imagine you being unfair to anyone, Leigh.


2 VERB If you imagine that something is the case, you think that it is the case. □ [V that] I imagine you're referring to Jean-Paul Sartre. □ [V so ] 'Was he meeting someone?'—'I imagine so.'


3 VERB If you imagine something, you think that you have seen, heard, or experienced that thing, although actually you have not. □ [V that] I realised that I must have imagined the whole thing. [Also V n]

im|ag|ing / I m I dʒ I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Imaging is the process of forming images that represent things such as sound waves, temperature, chemicals, or electrical activity. [TECHNICAL ] □ …thermal imaging cameras.

im|ag|in|ings / I mæ dʒ I n I ŋz/ N‑PLURAL Imaginings are things that you think you have seen or heard, although actually you have not. [LITERARY ]

imam / I mɑː m/ (imams ) N‑COUNT In Islam, an imam is a religious leader, especially the leader of a Muslim community or the person who leads the prayers in a mosque.

IMAX /a I mæks/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] IMAX is a system for showing films on very large screens with very clear sound and pictures. [TRADEMARK ] □ …a new IMAX cinema.

im|bal|ance / I mbæ ləns/ (imbalances ) N‑VAR If there is an imbalance in a situation, the things involved are not the same size, or are not the right size in proportion to each other. □ [+ between ] …the imbalance between the two sides in this war. [Also + in ]

im|bal|anced / I mbæ lənst/ ADJ If you describe a situation as imbalanced , you mean that the elements within it are not evenly or fairly arranged. □ …the present imbalanced structure of world trade.

im|becile / I mb I siːl, [AM ] -s ə l/ (imbeciles )


1 N‑COUNT If you call someone an imbecile , you are showing that you think they are stupid or have done something stupid. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I don't want to deal with these imbeciles any longer.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] Imbecile means stupid. □ It was an imbecile thing to do.

im|bibe / I mba I b/ (imbibes , imbibing , imbibed )


1 VERB To imbibe alcohol means to drink it. [FORMAL , often HUMOROUS ] □ [V n] They were used to imbibing enormous quantities of alcohol. □ [V ] No one believes that current nondrinkers should be encouraged to start imbibing.


2 VERB If you imbibe ideas or arguments, you listen to them, accept them, and believe that they are right or true. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] As a clergyman's son he'd imbibed a set of mystical beliefs from the cradle.

im|bro|glio / I mbroʊ lioʊ/ (imbroglios ) N‑COUNT An imbroglio is a very confusing or complicated situation. [LITERARY ]

im|bue / I mbjuː / (imbues , imbuing , imbued ) VERB If someone or something is imbued with an idea, feeling, or quality, they become filled with it. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed + with ] As you listen, you notice how every single word is imbued with a breathless sense of wonder. □ [V n + with ] …men who can imbue their hearers with enthusiasm. ● im|bued ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] □ [+ with ] …a Guards officer imbued with a military sense of duty and loyalty.

IMF ◆◇◇ /a I em e f/ N‑PROPER The IMF is an international agency which tries to promote trade and improve economic conditions in poorer countries, sometimes by lending them money. IMF is an abbreviation for 'International Monetary Fund'.

IMHO IMHO is the written abbreviation for 'in my humble opinion', mainly used in text messages and emails. [COMPUTING ]

imi|tate / I m I te I t/ (imitates , imitating , imitated )


1 VERB If you imitate someone, you copy what they do or produce. □ [V n] …a genuine German musical which does not try to imitate the American model.


2 VERB If you imitate a person or animal, you copy the way they speak or behave, usually because you are trying to be funny. □ [V n] Clarence screws up his face and imitates the Colonel again.

imi|ta|tion / I m I te I ʃ ə n/ (imitations )


1 N‑COUNT An imitation of something is a copy of it. □ [+ of ] …the most accurate imitation of Chinese architecture in Europe.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Imitation means copying someone else's actions. □ [+ of ] They discussed important issues in imitation of their elders.


3 ADJ [ADJ n] Imitation things are not genuine but are made to look as if they are. □ …a complete set of Dickens bound in imitation leather.


4 N‑COUNT If someone does an imitation of another person, they copy the way they speak or behave, sometimes in order to be funny. □ [+ of ] He gave his imitation of Queen Elizabeth's royal wave.

imi|ta|tive / I m I tət I v, [AM ] -te I t-/ ADJ People and animals who are imitative copy others' behaviour. □ Babies of eight to twelve months are generally highly imitative.

imi|ta|tor / I m I te I tə r / (imitators ) N‑COUNT An imitator is someone who copies what someone else does, or copies the way they speak or behave. □ He doesn't take chances; that's why he's survived and most of his imitators haven't. □ …a group of Elvis imitators.

im|macu|late / I mæ kjʊlət/


1 ADJ If you describe something as immaculate , you mean that it is extremely clean, tidy, or neat. □ Her front room was kept immaculate. ● im|macu|late|ly ADV □ As always he was immaculately dressed.


2 ADJ If you say that something is immaculate , you are emphasizing that it is perfect, without any mistakes or bad parts at all. [EMPHASIS ] □ The goalkeeper's performance was immaculate. ● im|macu|late|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The orchestra plays immaculately.

im|ma|nent / I mənənt/ ADJ If you say that a quality is immanent in a particular thing, you mean that the thing has that quality, and cannot exist or be imagined without it. [FORMAL ]

im|ma|teri|al / I mət I ə riəl/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that something is immaterial , you mean that it is not important or not relevant. □ Whether we like him or not is immaterial.

im|ma|ture / I mətjʊə r , [AM ] -tʊ r/


1 ADJ Something or someone that is immature is not yet completely grown or fully developed. □ She is emotionally immature. ● im|ma|tu|rity / I mətjʊə r I ti, [AM ] -tʊ r-/ N‑UNCOUNT □ In spite of some immaturity in the figure drawing and painting, it showed real imagination.


2 ADJ If you describe someone as immature , you are being critical of them because they do not behave in a sensible or responsible way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ She's just being childish and immature. ● im|ma|tu|rity N‑UNCOUNT □ …his immaturity and lack of social skills.

im|meas|ur|able / I me ʒərəb ə l/ ADJ If you describe something as immeasurable , you are emphasizing how great it is. [FORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ His contribution is immeasurable.

im|meas|ur|ably / I me ʒərəbli/ ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] You use immeasurably to emphasize the degree or extent of a process or quality. [FORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ They have improved immeasurably since their arrival.

im|medi|acy / I miː diəsi/ N‑UNCOUNT The immediacy of an event or situation is the quality that it has which makes it seem important or exciting because it is happening at the present time. □ [+ of ] Do they understand the immediacy of the crisis?

im|medi|ate ◆◇◇ / I miː diət/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An immediate result, action, or reaction happens or is done without any delay. □ These tragic incidents have had an immediate effect. □ My immediate reaction was just disgust.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Immediate needs and concerns exist at the present time and must be dealt with quickly. □ Relief agencies say the immediate problem is not a lack of food, but transportation.


3 ADJ [ADJ n] The immediate person or thing comes just before or just after another person or thing in a sequence. □ His immediate superior, General Geichenko, had singled him out for special mention.


4 ADJ [ADJ n] You use immediate to describe an area or position that is next to or very near a particular place or person. □ Only a handful had returned to work in the immediate vicinity.


5 ADJ [ADJ n] Your immediate family are the members of your family who are most closely related to you, for example your parents, children, brothers, and sisters.

im|medi|ate|ly ◆◆◇ / I miː diətli/


1 ADV [ADV with v] If something happens immediately , it happens without any delay. □ He immediately flung himself to the floor. □ Ingrid answered Peter's letter immediately.


2 ADV [ADV adj] If something is immediately obvious, it can be seen or understood without any delay. □ The cause of the accident was not immediately apparent.


3 ADV [ADV adj/-ed] Immediately is used to indicate that someone or something is closely and directly involved in a situation. □ The man immediately responsible for this misery is the province's governor.


4 ADV Immediately is used to emphasize that something comes next, or is next to something else. □ She always sits immediately behind the driver.


5 CONJ If one thing happens immediately something else happens, it happens after that event, without any delay. [mainly BRIT ] □ Immediately I've done it I feel completely disgusted with myself. SYNONYMS immediately ADV 1


at once: I have to go, I really must, at once.


instantly: The man was killed instantly.


straight away: I should go and see a doctor straight away.


promptly: Sister Francesca entered the chapel, took her seat, and promptly fell asleep.

im|memo|ri|al / I m I mɔː riəl/ PHRASE If you say that something has been happening since time immemorial or from time immemorial , you are emphasizing that it has been happening for many centuries. [LITERARY , EMPHASIS ] □ It has remained virtually unchanged since time immemorial.

im|mense / I me ns/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as immense , you mean that it is extremely large or great. □ …an immense cloud of smoke. □ With immense relief I stopped running. ● im|men|si|ty / I me ns I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The immensity of the universe is difficult to grasp.

im|mense|ly / I me nsli/ ADV [usu ADV adj, oft ADV after v] You use immensely to emphasize the degree or extent of a quality, feeling, or process. [EMPHASIS ] □ I enjoyed this movie immensely.

im|merse / I mɜː r s/ (immerses , immersing , immersed )


1 VERB If you immerse yourself in something that you are doing, you become completely involved in it. □ [V pron-refl + in ] Since then I've lived alone and immersed myself in my career. ● im|mersed ADJ □ [+ in ] He's really becoming immersed in his work.


2 VERB [usu passive] If something is immersed in a liquid, someone puts it into the liquid so that it is completely covered. □ [be V -ed + in ] The electrodes are immersed in liquid.

im|mer|sion / I mɜː r ʃ ə n/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Someone's immersion in a subject is their complete involvement in it. □ [+ in ] …long-term assignments that allowed them total immersion in their subjects.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Immersion of something in a liquid means putting it into the liquid so that it is completely covered. □ [+ in ] The wood had become swollen from prolonged immersion in water.

im|mi|grant ◆◇◇ / I m I grənt/ (immigrants ) N‑COUNT An immigrant is a person who has come to live in a country from some other country. Compare emigrant . □ …illegal immigrants. □ …immigrant visas.

im|mi|grate / I m I gre I t/ (immigrates , immigrating , immigrated ) VERB [no passive] If someone immigrates to a particular country, they come to live or work in that country, after leaving the country where they were born. □ [V + to ] …a Russian-born professor who had immigrated to the United States. □ [V + from ] He immigrated from Ulster in 1848. □ [V ] 10,000 people are expected to immigrate in the next two years.

im|mi|gra|tion ◆◇◇ / I m I gre I ʃ ə n/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Immigration is the coming of people into a country in order to live and work there. □ The government has decided to tighten its immigration policy.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Immigration or immigration control is the place at a port, airport, or international border where officials check the passports of people who wish to come into the country.

im|mi|nent / I m I nənt/ ADJ If you say that something is imminent , especially something unpleasant, you mean it is almost certain to happen very soon. □ There appeared no imminent danger. ● im|mi|nence N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The imminence of war was on everyone's mind.

im|mo|bile / I moʊ ba I l, [AM ] -b ə l/


1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone or something that is immobile is completely still. □ Joe remained as immobile as if he had been carved out of rock. ● im|mo|bil|ity / I moʊb I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Hyde maintained the rigid immobility of his shoulders.


2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone or something that is immobile is unable to move or unable to be moved. □ A riding accident left him immobile. ● im|mo|bil|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ Again, the pain locked me into immobility.

im|mo|bi|lize / I moʊ b I la I z/ (immobilizes , immobilizing , immobilized ) in BRIT, also use immobilise VERB To immobilize something or someone means to stop them from moving or operating. □ [V n] …a car alarm system that immobilises the engine.

im|mo|bi|liz|er / I moʊ b I la I zə r / (immobilizers ) in BRIT, also use immobiliser N‑COUNT An immobilizer is a device on a car which prevents it from starting unless a special key is used, so that no one can steal the car.

im|mod|er|ate / I mɒ dərət/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as immoderate , you disapprove of it because it is too extreme. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He launched an immoderate tirade on Turner.

im|mod|est / I mɒ d I st/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone's behaviour as immodest , you mean that it shocks or embarrasses you because you think that it is rude.


2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is immodest , you disapprove of the way in which they often say how good, important, or clever they are. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ about ] He could become ungraciously immodest about his own capacities.

im|mor|al / I mɒ r ə l, [AM ] -mɔː r-/ ADJ If you describe someone or their behaviour as immoral , you believe that their behaviour is morally wrong. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …those who think that birth control and abortion are immoral. ● im|mo|ral|ity / I məræ l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …a reflection of our society's immorality.

im|mor|tal / I mɔː r t ə l/ (immortals )


1 ADJ Someone or something that is immortal is famous and likely to be remembered for a long time. □ …Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte's immortal love story. ● N‑COUNT [usu pl] An immortal is someone who is immortal. □ [+ of ] He called Moore 'one of the immortals of soccer'. ● im|mor|tal|ity / I mɔː r tæ l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Some people want to achieve immortality through their works.


2 ADJ Someone or something that is immortal will live or last for ever and never die or be destroyed. □ The pharaohs were considered gods and therefore immortal. ● N‑COUNT [usu pl] An immortal is an immortal being. □ …porcelain figurines of the Chinese immortals. ● im|mor|tal|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The Greeks accepted belief in the immortality of the soul.


3 ADJ [ADJ n] If you refer to someone's immortal words, you mean that what they said is well-known, and you are usually about to quote it. □ …Roosevelt's immortal words, 'Speak softly and carry a big stick.'

im|mor|tal|ize / I mɔː r təla I z/ (immortalizes , immortalizing , immortalized ) in BRIT, also use immortalise VERB If someone or something is immortalized in a story, film, or work of art, they appear in it, and will be remembered for it. [WRITTEN ] □ [be V -ed] The town of Whitby was immortalised in Bram Stoker's famous Dracula story. □ [V n] D H Lawrence immortalised her in his novel 'Women in Love'.

im|mov|able / I muː vəb ə l/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An immovable object is fixed and cannot be moved.


2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone is immovable in their attitude to something, they will not change their mind. □ On one issue, however, she was immovable.

im|mune ◆◇◇ / I mjuː n/


1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are immune to a particular disease, you cannot be affected by it. □ [+ to ] Most adults are immune to rubella. ● im|mun|ity / I mjuː n I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ to ] Birds in outside cages develop immunity to airborne bacteria.


2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are immune to something that happens or is done, you are not affected by it. □ [+ to ] Football is not immune to economic recession.


3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] Someone or something that is immune from a particular process or situation is able to escape it. □ [+ from ] Members of the Bundestag are immune from prosecution for corruption. ● im|mun|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ The police are offering immunity to witnesses.


4 → see also diplomatic immunity SYNONYMS immune ADJ 3


exempt: Men in college were exempt from military service.


be excused from: She is usually excused from her duties during the school holidays.

im|mu ne sys|tem (immune systems ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] Your immune system consists of all the organs and processes in your body which protect you from illness and infection.

im|mun|ize / I mjʊna I z/ (immunizes , immunizing , immunized ) in BRIT, also use immunise VERB [usu passive] If people or animals are immunized , they are made immune to a particular disease, often by being given an injection. □ [be V -ed + against ] We should require that every student is immunized against hepatitis B. □ [be V -ed] The monkeys had been immunized with a vaccine made from infected cells. □ [have n V -ed] All parents should have their children immunized. ● im|mun|iza|tion / I mjʊna I ze I ʃ ə n/ (immunizations ) N‑VAR □ [+ against ] …universal immunization against childhood diseases.

im|mu|table / I mjuː təb ə l/ ADJ Something that is immutable will never change or cannot be changed. [FORMAL ] □ …the eternal and immutable principles of right and wrong.

imp / I mp/ (imps )


1 N‑COUNT In fairy stories, an imp is a small, magical creature that often causes trouble in a playful way.


2 N‑COUNT People sometimes refer to a naughty child as an imp . [INFORMAL ]

im|pact ◆◆◇ (impacts , impacting , impacted ) The noun is pronounced / I mpækt/. The verb is pronounced / I mpæ kt/. 1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The impact that something has on a situation, process, or person is a sudden and powerful effect that it has on them. □ [+ on ] They say they expect the meeting to have a marked impact on the future of the country. □ When an executive comes into a new job, he wants to quickly make an impact.


2 N‑VAR An impact is the action of one object hitting another, or the force with which one object hits another. □ The plane is destroyed, a complete wreck: the pilot must have died on impact.


3 VERB To impact on a situation, process, or person means to affect them. □ [V + on/upon ] Such schemes mean little unless they impact on people. □ [V n] …the potential for women to impact the political process.


4 VERB If one object impacts on another, it hits it with great force. [FORMAL ] □ [V + on/upon/with ] …the sharp tinkle of metal impacting on stone. □ [V n] When a large object impacts the Earth, it makes a crater. COLLOCATIONS impact NOUN


1


adjective + impact : dramatic, immediate, major, potential; economic, environmental, psychological; adverse, negative, positive


verb + impact : achieve, create, have, make; assess, consider, examine


2


adjective + impact : full, initial


verb + impact : absorb, cushion, lessen, soften; feel VERB 3


impact + noun : community, economy, market


impact + adverb : adversely, negatively, severely, significantly SYNONYMS impact NOUN 1


effect: Parents worry about the effect of music on their adolescent's behavior.


influence: Van Gogh had a major influence on the development of modern painting.


consequence: An economic crisis may have tremendous consequences for our global security.


repercussions: It was an effort which was to have painful repercussions.

im|pair / I mpeə r / (impairs , impairing , impaired ) VERB If something impairs something such as an ability or the way something works, it damages it or makes it worse. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Consumption of alcohol impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. ● im|paired ADJ □ The blast left him with permanently impaired hearing.

-impaired /- I mpeə r d/ COMB You use -impaired in adjectives where you are describing someone with a particular disability. For example, someone who is hearing-impaired has a disability affecting their hearing, and someone who is visually-impaired has a disability affecting their sight. □ More than 1 in 20 of the population is hearing-impaired to some extent. ● N‑PLURAL The hearing-impaired or the visually-impaired are people with disabilities affecting their hearing or sight. This use could cause offence. □ …giving a voice to the speech-impaired.

im|pair|ment / I mpeə r mənt/ (impairments ) N‑VAR If someone has an impairment , they have a condition which prevents their eyes, ears, or brain from working properly. □ He has a visual impairment in the right eye.

im|pale / I mpe I l/ (impales , impaling , impaled ) VERB To impale something on a pointed object means to cause the point to go into it or through it. □ [V n + on ] Researchers observed one bird impale a rodent on a cactus. [Also V n]

im|part / I mpɑː r t/ (imparts , imparting , imparted )


1 VERB If you impart information to people, you tell it to them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The ability to impart knowledge is the essential qualification for teachers. □ [V n + to ] I am about to impart knowledge to you that you will never forget.


2 VERB To impart a particular quality to something means to give it that quality. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + to ] She managed to impart great elegance to the unpretentious dress she was wearing.

im|par|tial / I mpɑː r ʃ ə l/ ADJ Someone who is impartial is not directly involved in a particular situation, and is therefore able to give a fair opinion or decision about it. □ Careers officers offer impartial advice to all pupils. ● im|par|tial|ity / I mpɑː r ʃiæ l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …a justice system lacking impartiality by democratic standards. ● im|par|tial|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He has vowed to oversee the elections impartially.

im|pass|able / I mpɑː səb ə l, -pæ s-/ ADJ If a road, path, or route is impassable , it is impossible to travel over because it is blocked or in bad condition.

im|passe /æ mpæs, I m-/ N‑SING If people are in a difficult position in which it is impossible to make any progress, you can refer to the situation as an impasse . □ The company says it has reached an impasse in negotiations with the union.

im|pas|sioned / I mpæ ʃ ə nd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An impassioned speech or piece of writing is one in which someone expresses their strong feelings about an issue in a forceful way. [JOURNALISM , WRITTEN ] □ He made an impassioned appeal for peace.

im|pas|sive / I mpæ s I v/ ADJ If someone is impassive or their face is impassive , they are not showing any emotion. [WRITTEN ] □ He searched Hill's impassive face for some indication that he understood. ● im|pas|sive|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The lawyer looked impassively at him and said nothing.

im|pa|tient / I mpe I ʃ ə nt/


1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are impatient , you are annoyed because you have to wait too long for something. □ [+ at ] The big clubs are becoming increasingly impatient at the rate of progress. ● im|pa|tient|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ People have been waiting impatiently for a chance to improve the situation. ● im|pa|tience / I mpe I ʃ ə ns/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ with ] There is considerable impatience with the slow pace of political change.


2 ADJ If you are impatient , you are easily irritated by things. □ [+ with ] Beware of being too impatient with others. ● im|pa|tient|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'Come on, David,' Harry said impatiently. ● im|pa|tience N‑UNCOUNT □ There was a hint of impatience in his tone.


3 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ to-inf] If you are impatient to do something or impatient for something to happen, you are eager to do it or for it to happen and do not want to wait. □ He was impatient to get home. [Also + for ] ● im|pa|tience N‑UNCOUNT [N to-inf] □ She showed impatience to continue the climb. [Also + for ]

im|peach / I mpiː tʃ/ (impeaches , impeaching , impeached ) VERB If a court or a group in authority impeaches a president or other senior official, it charges them with committing a crime which makes them unfit for office. □ [V n] …an opposition move to impeach the President.

im|peach|ment / I mpiː tʃmənt/ (impeachments ) N‑VAR The impeachment of a senior official is the process of charging them with a crime which makes them unfit for office. □ There are grounds for impeachment.

im|pec|cable / I mpe kəb ə l/ ADJ If you describe something such as someone's behaviour or appearance as impeccable , you are emphasizing that it is perfect and has no faults. [EMPHASIS ] □ She had impeccable taste in clothes. ● im|pec|cably / I mpe kəbli/ ADV □ He was impeccably polite.

im|pecu|ni|ous / I mp I kjuː niəs/ ADJ Someone who is impecunious has very little money. [FORMAL ]

im|pede / I mpiː d/ (impedes , impeding , impeded ) VERB If you impede someone or something, you make their movement, development, or progress difficult. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Fallen rock is impeding the progress of rescue workers.

im|pedi|ment / I mpe d I mənt/ (impediments )


1 N‑COUNT [oft without N ] Something that is an impediment to a person or thing makes their movement, development, or progress difficult. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] He was satisfied there was no legal impediment to the marriage.


2 N‑COUNT Someone who has a speech impediment has a disability which makes speaking difficult.

im|pel / I mpe l/ (impels , impelling , impelled ) VERB When something such as an emotion impels you to do something, it affects you so strongly that you feel forced to do it. □ [V n to-inf] …the courage and competitiveness which impels him to take risks.

im|pend|ing / I mpe nd I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] An impending event is one that is going to happen very soon. [FORMAL ] □ On the morning of the expedition I awoke with a feeling of impending disaster.

im|pen|etrable / I mpe n I trəb ə l/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something such as a barrier or a forest as impenetrable , you mean that it is impossible or very difficult to get through. □ …the Caucasus range, an almost impenetrable barrier between Europe and Asia.


2 ADJ If you describe something such as a book or a theory as impenetrable , you are emphasizing that it is impossible or very difficult to understand. [EMPHASIS ] □ His books are notoriously impenetrable. ● im|pen|etrably ADV [ADV adj] □ …impenetrably detailed reports on product sales.

im|pera|tive / I mpe rət I v/ (imperatives )


1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If it is imperative that something is done, that thing is extremely important and must be done. [FORMAL ] □ It was imperative that he act as naturally as possible.


2 N‑COUNT An imperative is something that is extremely important and must be done. [FORMAL ] □ The most important political imperative is to limit the number of U.S. casualties.


3 N‑SING In grammar, a clause that is in the imperative , or in the imperative mood, contains the base form of a verb and usually has no subject. Examples are 'Go away' and 'Please be careful'. Clauses of this kind are typically used to tell someone to do something.


4 N‑COUNT An imperative is a verb in the base form that is used, usually without a subject, in an imperative clause.

im|per|cep|tible / I mpə r se pt I b ə l/ ADJ Something that is imperceptible is so small that it is not noticed or cannot be seen. □ Brian's hesitation was almost imperceptible. ● im|per|cep|tibly / I mpə r se pt I bli/ ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ The disease develops gradually and imperceptibly.

im|per|fect / I mpɜː r f I kt/


1 ADJ Something that is imperfect has faults and is not exactly as you would like it to be. [FORMAL ] □ We live in an imperfect world. ● im|per|fect|ly ADV [usu ADV -ed/adj] □ This effect was imperfectly understood by designers at that time.


2 N‑SING In grammar, the imperfect or the imperfect tense of a verb is used to describe continuous situations or repeated actions in the past. Examples are 'I was reading' and 'they were eating'.

im|per|fec|tion / I mpə r fe kʃ ə n/ (imperfections )


1 N‑VAR An imperfection in someone or something is a fault, weakness, or undesirable feature that they have. □ [+ in ] He concedes that there are imperfections in the socialist system.


2 N‑COUNT An imperfection in something is a small mark or damaged area which may spoil its appearance. □ [+ in ] …imperfections in the cloth.

im|perial / I mp I ə riəl/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] Imperial is used to refer to things or people that are or were connected with an empire. □ …the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] The imperial system of measurement uses inches, feet, and yards to measure length, ounces and pounds to measure weight, and pints and gallons to measure volume.

im|peri|al|ism / I mp I ə riəl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Imperialism is a system in which a rich and powerful country controls other countries, or a desire for control over other countries.

im|peri|al|ist / I mp I ə riəl I st/ (imperialists ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] Imperialist means relating to or based on imperialism. □ The developed nations have all benefited from their imperialist exploitation. ● N‑COUNT An imperialist is someone who has imperialist views.

im|peri|al|is|tic / I mp I ə riəl I st I k/ ADJ If you describe a country as imperialistic , you disapprove of it because it wants control over other countries. [DISAPPROVAL ]

im|per|il / I mpe r I l/ (imperils , imperilling , imperilled ) in AM, use imperiling , imperiled VERB Something that imperils you puts you in danger. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] You imperilled the lives of other road users by your driving.

im|peri|ous / I mp I ə riəs/ ADJ If you describe someone as imperious , you mean that they have a proud manner and expect to be obeyed. [WRITTEN ] □ Her attitude is imperious at times. ● im|peri|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Imperiously she beckoned me out of the room.

im|per|ish|able / I mpe r I ʃəb ə l/ ADJ Something that is imperishable cannot disappear or be destroyed. [LITERARY ] □ My memories are within me, imperishable.

im|per|ma|nent / I mpɜː r mənənt/ ADJ Something that is impermanent does not last for ever. [FORMAL ] □ We are reminded just how small and how impermanent we are. ● im|per|ma|nence / I mpɜː r mənəns/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] He was convinced of the impermanence of his work.

im|per|meable / I mpɜː r miəb ə l/ ADJ Something that is impermeable will not allow fluid to pass through it. [FORMAL ] □ The canoe is made from an impermeable wood.

im|per|son|al / I mpɜː r sən ə l/


1 ADJ If you describe a place, organization, or activity as impersonal , you mean that it is not very friendly and makes you feel unimportant because it involves or is used by a large number of people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Before then many children were cared for in large impersonal orphanages.


2 ADJ If you describe someone's behaviour as impersonal , you mean that they do not show any emotion about the person they are dealing with. □ We must be as impersonal as a surgeon with his knife. ● im|per|son|al|ly ADV □ The doctor treated Ted gently but impersonally.


3 ADJ An impersonal room or statistic does not give any information about the character of the person to whom it belongs or relates. □ The rest of the room was neat and impersonal.

im|per|son|ate / I mpɜː r səne I t/ (impersonates , impersonating , impersonated ) VERB If someone impersonates a person, they pretend to be that person, either to deceive people or to make people laugh. □ [V n] He was returned to prison in 1977 for impersonating a police officer. ● im|per|sona|tion / I mpɜː r səne I ʃ ə n/ (impersonations ) N‑COUNT □ [+ of ] She did impersonations of his teachers.

im|per|sona|tor / I mpɜː r səne I tə r / (impersonators ) N‑COUNT An impersonator is a stage performer who impersonates famous people.

im|per|ti|nence / I mpɜː r t I nəns/ (impertinences ) N‑VAR If someone talks or behaves in a rather impolite and disrespectful way, you can call this behaviour impertinence or an impertinence . □ He was punished for his impertinence.

im|per|ti|nent / I mpɜː r t I nənt/ ADJ If someone talks or behaves in a rather impolite and disrespectful way, you can say that they are being impertinent . □ Would it be impertinent to ask where exactly you were?

im|per|turb|able / I mpə r tɜː r bəb ə l/ ADJ If you describe someone as imperturbable , you mean that they remain calm, even in disturbing or dangerous situations. [WRITTEN ] □ Thomas, of course, was cool and aloof and imperturbable.

im|per|vi|ous / I mpɜː r viəs/


1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are impervious to someone's actions, you are not affected or influenced by them. □ [+ to ] She seems almost impervious to the criticism from all sides.


2 ADJ Something that is impervious to water, heat, or a particular object is able to resist it or stop it passing through it. □ [+ to ] The floorcovering you select will need to be impervious to water.

im|petu|os|ity / I mpe tʃuɒ s I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Impetuosity is the quality of being impetuous. □ With characteristic impetuosity, he announced he was leaving school.

im|petu|ous / I mpe tʃuəs/ ADJ If you describe someone as impetuous , you mean that they are likely to act quickly and suddenly without thinking or being careful. □ He was young and impetuous.

im|petus / I mp I təs/ N‑VAR Something that gives a process impetus or an impetus makes it happen or progress more quickly. □ This decision will give renewed impetus to the economic regeneration of east London.

im|pinge / I mp I ndʒ/ (impinges , impinging , impinged ) VERB Something that impinges on you affects you to some extent. [FORMAL ] □ [V + on/upon ] …the cuts in defence spending that have impinged on two of the region's largest employers.

im|pi|ous / I mpiəs/ ADJ If you describe someone as impious , you mean that they show a lack of respect for religious things. [FORMAL ]

imp|ish / I mp I ʃ/ ADJ If you describe someone or their behaviour as impish , you mean that they are rather disrespectful or naughty in a playful way. □ Gillespie is well known for his impish sense of humour. ● imp|ish|ly ADV □ He smiled at me impishly.

im|plac|able / I mplæ kəb ə l/ ADJ If you say that someone is implacable , you mean that they have very strong feelings of hostility or disapproval which nobody can change. □ …the threat of invasion by a ruthless and implacable enemy. ● im|plac|ably ADV [usu ADV -ed/adj, oft ADV after v] □ His union was implacably opposed to the privatization of the company.

im|plant (implants , implanting , implanted ) The verb is pronounced / I mplɑː nt, -plæ nt/. The noun is pronounced / I mplɑːnt, -plænt/. 1 VERB To implant something into a person's body means to put it there, usually by means of a medical operation. □ [V n adv/prep] Two days later, they implanted the fertilized eggs back inside me. □ [V -ed] …a surgically implanted birth-control device. ● im|plan|ta|tion / I mplɑːnte I ʃ ə n, -plæn-/ N‑UNCOUNT □ The embryos were tested to determine their sex prior to implantation.


2 N‑COUNT An implant is something that is implanted into a person's body. □ A woman can choose to have breast implants.


3 VERB When an egg or embryo implants in the womb, it becomes established there and can then develop. □ [V + in ] Non-identical twins are the result of two fertilised eggs implanting in the uterus at the same time. [Also V ] ● im|plan|ta|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the 11 days required to allow for normal implantation of a fertilized egg.


4 VERB If you implant an idea or attitude in people, you make it become accepted or believed. □ [V n + in/into ] The speech implanted a dangerous prejudice in their minds. □ [V n + in ] He is devoting much of his energy to implanting an element of distrust in the community.

im|plau|sible / I mplɔː z I b ə l/ ADJ If you describe something as implausible , you believe that it is unlikely to be true. □ I had to admit it sounded like an implausible excuse. ● im|plau|sibly ADV □ They are, rather implausibly, close friends.

im|ple|ment ◆◇◇ (implements , implementing , implemented ) The verb is pronounced / I mpl I ment/. The noun is pronounced / I mpl I mənt/. 1 VERB If you implement something such as a plan, you ensure that what has been planned is done. □ [V n] The government promised to implement a new system to control financial loan institutions. ● im|ple|men|ta|tion / I mpl I mənte I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Very little has been achieved in the implementation of the peace agreement signed last January.


2 N‑COUNT An implement is a tool or other piece of equipment. [FORMAL ] □ …writing implements. SYNONYMS implement NOUN 2


tool: I find the best tool for the purpose is a pair of shears.


device: …an electronic device that protects your vehicle 24 hours a day.


instrument: …a thin tube-like optical instrument.


gadget: …kitchen gadgets including toasters, kettles and percolators.


utensil: …utensils such as bowls, steamers and frying pans. COLLOCATIONS implement VERB 1


implement + noun : changes, measures, proposals, recommendations, reforms; plan, policy, scheme, strategy; program, programme; change


implement + adverb : correctly, effectively, fully, properly, successfully; immediately, speedily, urgently

im|pli|cate / I mpl I ke I t/ (implicates , implicating , implicated )


1 VERB To implicate someone means to show or claim that they were involved in something wrong or criminal. □ [be V -ed] He was to resign when one of his own aides was implicated in a financial scandal. □ [V n] He didn't find anything in the notebooks to implicate Stuart. ● im|pli|ca|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ in ] …his implication in a murder. [Also + of ]


2 → see also implicated

im|pli|cat|ed / I mpl I ke I t I d/


1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone or something is implicated in a crime or a bad situation, they are involved in it or responsible for it. □ [+ in ] The President was implicated in the cover-up and forced to resign.


2 → see also implicate

im|pli|ca|tion ◆◇◇ / I mpl I ke I ʃ ə n/ (implications )


1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The implications of something are the things that are likely to happen as a result. □ [+ of ] The Attorney General was aware of the political implications of his decision to prosecute. □ [+ for ] The low level of current investment has serious implications for future economic growth.


2 N‑COUNT The implication of a statement, event, or situation is what it implies or suggests is the case. □ The implication was obvious: vote for us or it will be very embarrassing for you. ● PHRASE If you say that something is the case by implication , you mean that a statement, event, or situation implies that it is the case. □ His authority and, by implication, that of his management team is under threat.


3 → see also implicate SYNONYMS implication NOUN 2


suggestion: There are suggestions that he might be supported by the Socialists.


hint: The statement gave no hint as to what the measures would be.


overtone: It's a quite profound story, with powerful religious overtones.


intimation: I did not have any intimation that he was going to resign.

im|plic|it / I mpl I s I t/


1 ADJ Something that is implicit is expressed in an indirect way. □ This is seen as an implicit warning not to continue with military action. ● im|plic|it|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The jury implicitly criticised the government by their verdict.


2 ADJ If a quality or element is implicit in something, it is involved in it or is shown by it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ in ] …the delays implicit in formal council meetings.


3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that someone has an implicit belief or faith in something, you mean that they have complete faith in it and no doubts at all. □ He had implicit faith in the noble intentions of the Emperor. ● im|plic|it|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ I trust him implicitly.

im|plode / I mploʊ d/ (implodes , imploding , imploded )


1 VERB If something implodes , it collapses into itself in a sudden and violent way. □ [V ] The engine imploded.


2 VERB If something such as an organization or a system implodes , it suddenly ends completely because it cannot deal with the problems it is experiencing. □ [V ] …the possibility that the party may implode in opposition.

im|plore / I mplɔː r / (implores , imploring , implored ) VERB If you implore someone to do something, you ask them to do it in a forceful, emotional way. □ [V n to-inf] Opposition leaders this week implored the president to break the deadlock. □ [V n with quote] 'Tell me what to do!' she implored him. [Also V with quote, V n]

im|plor|ing / I mplɔː r I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] An imploring look, cry, or letter shows that you very much want someone to do something and are afraid they may not do it. □ Frank looked at Jim with imploring eyes. ● im|plor|ing|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ Michael looked at him imploringly, eyes brimming with tears.

im|ply ◆◇◇ / I mpla I / (implies , implying , implied )


1 VERB If you imply that something is the case, you say something which indicates that it is the case in an indirect way. □ [V that] 'Are you implying that I have something to do with those attacks?' she asked coldly. □ [V -ed] She felt undermined by the implied criticism. [Also V n]


2 VERB If an event or situation implies that something is the case, it makes you think it likely that it is the case. □ [V that] Exports in June rose 1.5%, implying that the economy was stronger than many investors thought. □ [V n] A high fat intake nearly always implies a low fibre intake. SYNONYMS imply VERB 1


suggest: It is wrong to suggest that there are easy alternatives.


insinuate: Are you insinuating that I smell?


hint: The President hinted he might make some changes in the government.


indicate: Mr Rivers has indicated that he may resign.


intimate: She intimated that she was contemplating a shake-up of the company.

im|po|lite / I mpəla I t/ ADJ If you say that someone is impolite , you mean that they are rather rude and do not have good manners. □ It is impolite to ask too many questions.

im|pon|der|able / I mpɒ ndərəb ə l/ (imponderables ) N‑COUNT An imponderable is something unknown which it is difficult or impossible to estimate or make correct guesses about. □ They are speculating on the imponderables of the future.

im|port ◆◆◇ (imports , importing , imported ) The verb is pronounced / I mpɔː r t/. The noun is pronounced / I mpɔː r t/. 1 VERB To import products or raw materials means to buy them from another country for use in your own country. □ [V n] Britain last year spent nearly £5000 million more on importing food than selling abroad. □ [V + from ] …oil, soy and other products it plans to import from Brazil. □ [V -ed] …imported goods from Mexico and India. ● N‑UNCOUNT Import is also a noun. □ [+ of ] There were new restrictions on the import of sweet chestnut trees. ● im|por|ta|tion / I mpɔː r te I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …restrictions concerning the importation of birds.


2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Imports are products or raw materials bought from another country for use in your own country. □ …farmers protesting about cheap imports.


3 N‑UNCOUNT The import of something is its importance. [FORMAL ] □ Such arguments are of little import.


4 VERB If you import files or information into one type of software from another type, you open them in a format that can be used in the new software. [COMPUTING ] □ [V n] This device will enable you to import these files onto your computer.


5 N‑SING [with poss] The import of something is its meaning, especially when the meaning is not clearly expressed. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] I have already spoken about the import of his speech.

im|por|tance ◆◇◇ / I mpɔː r t ə ns/


1 N‑UNCOUNT The importance of something is its quality of being significant, valued, or necessary in a particular situation. □ [+ of ] We have always stressed the importance of economic reform. □ Safety is of paramount importance.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Importance means having influence, power, or status. SYNONYMS importance NOUN 1


significance: Ideas about the social significance of religion have changed over time.


worth: He had never had a woman of her worth as a friend.


consequence: Where he is from is of no consequence to me.


substance: It's questionable whether anything of substance has been achieved.

im|por|tant ◆◆◆ / I mpɔː r t ə nt/


1 ADJ Something that is important is very significant, is highly valued, or is necessary. □ The planned general strike represents an important economic challenge to the government. □ It's important to answer her questions as honestly as you can. □ It was important that he rest. ● im|por|tant|ly ADV □ I was hungry, and, more importantly, my children were hungry.


2 ADJ Someone who is important has influence or power within a society or a particular group. □ …an important figure in the media world. USAGE important


Don’t use ‘important’ to say that an amount or quantity is very large. Don’t talk, for example, about ‘ an important sum of money ’. Use a word such as considerable or significant . □ A considerable amount of rain had fallen.

im|port|er / I mpɔː r tə r / (importers ) N‑COUNT An importer is a country, firm, or person that buys goods from another country for use in their own country. □ [+ of ] …an importer of exotic food.

im|por|tu|nate / I mpɔː r tjʊnət/ ADJ If you describe someone as importunate , you think they are annoying because they keep trying to get something from you. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ His secretary shielded him from importunate visitors.

im|por|tune / I mpɔː r tjuː n, [AM ] -tuː n/ (importunes , importuning , importuned ) VERB If someone importunes another person, they ask them for something or ask them to do something, in an annoying way. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] One can no longer walk the streets without seeing beggars importuning passers-by. [Also V n to-inf, V n + for ]

im|pose ◆◆◇ / I mpoʊ z/ (imposes , imposing , imposed )


1 VERB If you impose something on people, you use your authority to force them to accept it. □ [V n + on ] Britain imposed fines on airlines which bring in passengers without proper papers. □ [V n] Many companies have imposed a pay freeze. □ [V -ed] The conditions imposed on volunteers were stringent. ● im|po|si|tion / I mpəz I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the imposition of a ban on cycling in the city centre.


2 VERB If you impose your opinions or beliefs on other people, you try and make people accept them as a rule or as a model to copy. □ [V n + on ] Parents of either sex should beware of imposing their own tastes on their children.


3 VERB If something imposes strain, pressure, or suffering on someone, it causes them to experience it. □ [V n + on ] The filming imposed an additional strain on her.


4 VERB If someone imposes on you, they unreasonably expect you to do something for them which you do not want to do. □ [V + on/upon ] I was afraid you'd simply feel we were imposing on you. ● im|po|si|tion (impositions ) N‑COUNT □ I know this is an imposition. But please hear me out.


5 VERB If someone imposes themselves on you, they force you to accept their company although you may not want to. □ [V pron-refl + on ] I didn't want to impose myself on my married friends. SYNONYMS impose VERB 1


inflict: Rebels say they have inflicted heavy casualties on government forces.


enforce: They struggled to limit the cost by enforcing a low-tech specification.


force: To force this agreement on the nation is wrong.


foist: I don't see my role as foisting my beliefs on them.

im|pos|ing / I mpoʊ z I ŋ/ ADJ If you describe someone or something as imposing , you mean that they have an impressive appearance or manner. □ …the imposing wrought-iron gates at the entrance to the estate.

im|pos|sible ◆◆◇ / I mpɒ s I b ə l/


1 ADJ [ADJ to-inf] Something that is impossible cannot be done or cannot happen. □ It was impossible for anyone to get in because no one knew the password. □ He thinks the tax is impossible to administer. □ Keller is good at describing music–an almost impossible task to do well. ● N‑SING The impossible is something which is impossible. □ They were expected to do the impossible. ● im|pos|sibly ADV [ADV adj] □ Mathematical physics is an almost impossibly difficult subject. ● im|pos|sibil|ity / I mpɒ s I b I l I ti/ (impossibilities ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …the impossibility of knowing absolute truth.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] An impossible situation or an impossible position is one that is very difficult to deal with. □ The Government was now in an almost impossible position.


3 ADJ If you describe someone as impossible , you are annoyed that their bad behaviour or strong views make them difficult to deal with. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The woman is impossible, thought Frannie.

im|pos|tor / I mpɒ stə r / (impostors ) also imposter N‑COUNT Someone who is an impostor is dishonestly pretending to be someone else in order to gain an advantage. □ He was an imposter, who masqueraded as a doctor.

im|po|tence / I mpətəns/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Impotence is a lack of power to influence people or events. □ …a sense of impotence in the face of deplorable events.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Impotence is a man's sexual problem in which his penis fails to get hard or stay hard. □ Impotence affects 10 million men in the U.S. alone.

im|po|tent / I mpətənt/


1 ADJ If someone feels impotent , they feel that they have no power to influence people or events. □ The aggression of a bully leaves people feeling hurt, angry and impotent.


2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a man is impotent , he is unable to have sex normally, because his penis fails to get hard or stay hard.

im|pound / I mpaʊ nd/ (impounds , impounding , impounded ) VERB If something is impounded by the police, customs officers or other officials, they officially take possession of it because a law or rule has been broken. □ [be V -ed] The ship was impounded under the terms of the U.N. trade embargo. □ [V n] The police moved in, arrested him and impounded the cocaine.

im|pov|er|ish / I mpɒ vər I ʃ/ (impoverishes , impoverishing , impoverished )


1 VERB Something that impoverishes a person or a country makes them poor. □ [V n] We need to reduce the burden of taxes that impoverish the economy. □ [V -ed] …a society impoverished by wartime inflation. ● im|pov|er|ished ADJ □ …an attempt to lure businesses into impoverished areas.


2 VERB A person or thing that impoverishes something makes it worse in quality. □ [V n] …plants that impoverish the soil quickly.

im|pov|er|ish|ment / I mpɒ vər I ʃmənt/ N‑UNCOUNT Impoverishment is the state or process of being impoverished. □ National isolation can only cause economic and cultural impoverishment.

im|prac|ti|cable / I mpræ kt I kəb ə l/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If something such as a course of action is impracticable , it is impossible to do. □ Such measures would be highly impracticable and almost impossible to apply.

im|prac|ti|cal / I mpræ kt I k ə l/


1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you describe an object, idea, or course of action as impractical , you mean that it is not sensible or realistic, and does not work well in practice. □ It became impractical to make a business trip by ocean liner.


2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you describe someone as impractical , you mean that they do not have the abilities or skills to do practical work such as making, repairing, or organizing things. □ Geniuses are supposed to be eccentric and hopelessly impractical.

im|pre|ca|tion / I mpr I ke I ʃ ə n/ (imprecations ) N‑VAR An imprecation is something rude, angry, or hostile that is said to or about someone. [FORMAL ]

im|pre|cise / I mpr I sa I s/ ADJ Something that is imprecise is not clear, accurate, or precise. □ The charges were vague and imprecise.

im|pre|ci|sion / I mpr I s I ʒ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Imprecision is the quality of being imprecise. □ This served to hide the confusion and imprecision in their thinking.

im|preg|nable / I mpre gnəb ə l/


1 ADJ If you describe a building or other place as impregnable , you mean that it cannot be broken into or captured. □ The old Dutch fort with its thick high walls looks virtually impregnable.


2 ADJ If you say that a person or group is impregnable , or their position is impregnable , you think they cannot be defeated by anyone. □ The bank's seemingly impregnable position has begun to weaken.

im|preg|nate / I mpregne I t, [AM ] I mpre g-/ (impregnates , impregnating , impregnated )


1 VERB If someone or something impregnates a thing with a substance, they make the substance spread through it and stay in it. □ [V n + with ] Impregnating clothes with insect repellent is effective. [Also V n] ● -impregnated COMB □ …nicotine-impregnated chewing gum.


2 VERB When a man or a male animal impregnates a female, he makes her pregnant. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Norman's efforts to impregnate her failed.

im|pre|sa|rio / I mpr I sɑː rioʊ/ (impresarios ) N‑COUNT An impresario is a person who arranges for plays, concerts, and other entertainments to be performed.

im|press ◆◇◇ / I mpre s/ (impresses , impressing , impressed )


1 VERB If something impresses you, you feel great admiration for it. □ [V n] What impressed him most was their speed. □ [V ] Cannon's film impresses on many levels. ● im|pressed ADJ [v-link ADJ ] □ [+ by/with ] I was very impressed by one young man at my lectures.


2 VERB If you impress something on someone, you make them understand its importance or degree. □ [V + on/upon ] I had always impressed upon the children that if they worked hard they would succeed in life. □ [V + on/upon ] I've impressed upon them the need for more professionalism. □ [V + on/upon ] I impressed on him what a huge honour he was being offered.


3 VERB If something impresses itself on your mind, you notice and remember it. □ [V pron-refl + on ] But this change has not yet impressed itself on the minds of the British public.


4 VERB If someone or something impresses you as a particular thing, usually a good one, they gives you the impression of being that thing. □ [V n + as ] Billy Sullivan had impressed me as a fine man.

im|pres|sion ◆◇◇ / I mpre ʃ ə n/ (impressions )


1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N , N that] Your impression of a person or thing is what you think they are like, usually after having seen or heard them. Your impression of a situation is what you think is going on. □ [+ of ] What were your first impressions of college? □ My impression is that they are totally out of control.


2 N‑SING [oft N that] If someone gives you a particular impression , they cause you to believe that something is the case, often when it is not. □ I don't want to give the impression that I'm running away from the charges. [Also + of ]


3 N‑COUNT An impression is an amusing imitation of someone's behaviour or way of talking, usually someone well-known. □ [+ of ] At college in Glasgow he did impressions of teachers, but was otherwise well behaved.


4 N‑COUNT An impression of an object is a mark or outline that it has left after being pressed hard onto a surface. □ [+ of ] …the world's oldest fossil impressions of plant life.


5 PHRASE If someone or something makes an impression , they have a strong effect on people or a situation. □ [+ on ] The aid coming in has made no impression on the horrific death rates.


6 PHRASE If you are under the impression that something is the case, you believe that it is the case, usually when it is not actually the case. □ He had apparently been under the impression that a military coup was in progress.

im|pres|sion|able / I mpre ʃənəb ə l/ ADJ Someone who is impressionable , usually a young person, is not very critical and is therefore easy to influence. □ The law is intended to protect young and impressionable viewers.

Im|pres|sion|ism / I mpre ʃən I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Impressionism is a style of painting developed in France between 1870 and 1900 which concentrated on showing the effects of light on things rather than on clear and exact detail.

im|pres|sion|ist / I mpre ʃən I st/ (impressionists ) N‑COUNT An impressionist is an entertainer who does amusing imitations of well-known people.

Im|pres|sion|ist (Impressionists )


1 N‑COUNT An Impressionist is an artist who painted in the style of Impressionism. □ …the French Impressionists.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] An Impressionist painting is by an Impressionist or is in the style of Impressionism.

im|pres|sion|is|tic / I mpre ʃən I st I k/ ADJ An impressionistic work of art or piece of writing shows the artist's or writer's impressions of something rather than giving clear details. □ His paintings had become more impressionistic as his eyesight dimmed.

im|pres|sive ◆◇◇ / I mpre s I v/ ADJ Something that is impressive impresses you, for example because it is great in size or degree, or is done with a great deal of skill. □ It is an impressive achievement. ● im|pres|sive|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ …an impressively bright and energetic American woman called Cathie Gould. SYNONYMS impressive ADJ


striking: …her striking good looks.


grand: …this grand building in the center of town.


powerful: …a powerful new style of dance-theatre.


dramatic: Their arrival was dramatic and exciting.


awe-inspiring: …a museum with an awe-inspiring display of jewellery.

im|pri|ma|tur / I mpr I mɑː tə r / (imprimaturs ) N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] If something such as a product has someone's imprimatur , that person has given it their official approval, for example by allowing their name to be shown on it. □ The University of Glasgow gave its imprimatur to the school.

im|print (imprints , imprinting , imprinted ) The noun is pronounced / I mpr I nt/. The verb is pronounced / I mpr I nt/. 1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If something leaves an imprint on a place or on your mind, it has a strong and lasting effect on it. □ [+ of ] The city bears the imprint of Japanese investment. [Also + on ]


2 VERB When something is imprinted on your memory, it is firmly fixed in your memory so that you will not forget it. □ [be V -ed + on/in ] The skyline of domes and minarets was imprinted on my memory. □ [V n + on/in ] He repeated the names, as if to imprint them in his mind.


3 N‑COUNT An imprint is a mark or outline made by the pressure of one object on another. □ [+ of ] The ground still bore the imprints of their feet.


4 VERB [usu passive] If a surface is imprinted with a mark or design, that mark or design is printed on the surface or pressed into it. □ [be V -ed + with ] Stationery can be imprinted with your message or logo. [Also V n + on ]

im|pris|on / I mpr I z ə n/ (imprisons , imprisoning , imprisoned ) VERB If someone is imprisoned , they are locked up or kept somewhere, usually in prison as a punishment for a crime or for political opposition. □ [be V -ed] The local priest was imprisoned for 18 months on charges of anti-state agitation. □ [V n] Dutch colonial authorities imprisoned him for his part in the independence movement.

im|pris|on|ment / I mpr I z ə nmənt/ N‑UNCOUNT Imprisonment is the state of being imprisoned. □ She was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.

im|prob|able / I mprɒ bəb ə l/


1 ADJ Something that is improbable is unlikely to be true or to happen. □ …a highly improbable coincidence. ● im|prob|abil|ity / I mprɒ bəb I l I ti/ (improbabilities ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …the improbability of such an outcome.


2 ADJ If you describe something as improbable , you mean it is strange, unusual, or ridiculous. □ On the face of it, their marriage seems an improbable alliance. ● im|prob|ably ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ The sea is an improbably pale turquoise.

im|promp|tu / I mprɒ mptjuː, [AM ] -tuː/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An impromptu action is one that you do without planning or organizing it in advance. □ This afternoon the Palestinians held an impromptu press conference.

im|prop|er / I mprɒ pə r /


1 ADJ Improper activities are illegal or dishonest. [FORMAL ] □ 25 officers were investigated following allegations of improper conduct. ● im|prop|er|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ I acted neither fraudulently nor improperly.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] Improper conditions or methods of treatment are not suitable or good enough for a particular purpose. [FORMAL ] □ The improper use of medicine could lead to severe adverse reactions. ● im|prop|er|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The study confirmed many reports that doctors were improperly trained.


3 ADJ If you describe someone's behaviour as improper , you mean that it is rude or shocking. [OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He would never be improper, he is always the perfect gentleman.

im|pro|pri|ety / I mprəpra I I ti/ (improprieties ) N‑VAR Impropriety is improper behaviour. [FORMAL ] □ He resigned amid allegations of financial impropriety.

im|prov / I mprɒv/ N‑UNCOUNT Improv is acting or singing in which someone invents the words or music as they speak. Improv is an abbreviation for 'improvisation'. [INFORMAL ]

im|prove ◆◆◇ / I mpruː v/ (improves , improving , improved )


1 VERB If something improves or if you improve it, it gets better. □ [V ] Both the texture and condition of your hair should improve. □ [V n] Time won't improve the situation.


2 VERB If a skill you have improves or you improve a skill, you get better at it. □ [V ] Their French has improved enormously. □ [V n] He said he was going to improve his football.


3 VERB If you improve after an illness or an injury, your health gets better or you get stronger. □ [V ] He had improved so much the doctor had cut his dosage.


4 VERB If you improve on a previous achievement of your own or of someone else, you achieve a better standard or result. □ [V + on ] We need to improve on our performance against France. COLLOCATIONS improve VERB 1


improve + noun : efficiency, performance, quality, safety; condition, health; relations; service, standards


improve + adverb : considerably, greatly, markedly, significantly, substantially; dramatically, enormously, massively

im|prove|ment ◆◇◇ / I mpruː vmənt/ (improvements )


1 N‑VAR If there is an improvement in something, it becomes better. If you make improvements to something, you make it better. □ [+ in ] …the dramatic improvements in organ transplantation in recent years.


2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you say that something is an improvement on a previous thing or situation, you mean that it is better than that thing. □ [+ on ] The new Prime Minister is an improvement on his predecessor.

im|pro|vise / I mprəva I z/ (improvises , improvising , improvised )


1 VERB If you improvise , you make or do something using whatever you have or without having planned it in advance. □ [V ] You need a wok with a steaming rack for this; if you don't have one, improvise. □ [V n] The vet had improvised a harness. □ [V -ed] …an improvised stone shelter. ● im|provi|sa|tion / I mprəva I ze I ʃ ə n, [AM ] -v I z-/ (improvisations ) N‑VAR □ Funds were not abundant and clever improvisation was necessary.


2 VERB When performers improvise , they invent music or words as they play, sing, or speak. □ [V ] I asked her what the piece was and she said, 'Oh, I'm just improvising.' □ [V n] Uncle Richard intoned a chapter from the Bible and improvised a prayer. □ [V + on ] I think that the art of a storyteller is to take the story and improvise on it. ● im|provi|sa|tion (improvisations ) N‑VAR □ [+ on ] …an improvisation on 'Jingle Bells'.

im|pru|dent / I mpruː d ə nt/ ADJ If you describe someone's behaviour as imprudent , you think it is not sensible or carefully thought out. [FORMAL ] □ …an imprudent investment.

im|pu|dent / I mpjʊdənt/ ADJ If you describe someone as impudent , you mean they are rude or disrespectful, or do something they have no right to do. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Some of them were impudent and insulting. ● im|pu|dence N‑UNCOUNT □ One sister had the impudence to wear the other's clothes.

im|pugn / I mpjuː n/ (impugns , impugning , impugned ) VERB If you impugn something such as someone's motives or integrity, you imply that they are not entirely honest or honourable. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The Secretary's letter questions my veracity and impugns my motives.

im|pulse / I mpʌls/ (impulses )


1 N‑VAR [oft N to-inf] An impulse is a sudden desire to do something. □ Unable to resist the impulse, he glanced at the sea again.


2 N‑COUNT An impulse is a short electrical signal that is sent along a wire or nerve or through the air, usually as one of a series.


3 ADJ [ADJ n] An impulse buy or impulse purchase is something that you decide to buy when you see it, although you had not planned to buy it. □ The curtains were an impulse buy.


4 PHRASE If you do something on impulse , you suddenly decide to do it, without planning it. □ Sean's a fast thinker, and he acts on impulse.

im|pul|sive / I mpʌ ls I v/ ADJ If you describe someone as impulsive , you mean that they do things suddenly without thinking about them carefully first. □ He is too impulsive to be a responsible prime minister. ● im|pul|sive|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He studied her face for a moment, then said impulsively: 'Let's get married.' ● im|pul|sive|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ The president's impulsiveness often worries his advisers.

im|pu|nity / I mpjuː n I ti/ PHRASE If you say that someone does something with impunity , you disapprove of the fact that they are not punished for doing something bad. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ These gangs operate with apparent impunity.

im|pure / I mpjʊə r / ADJ A substance that is impure is not of good quality because it has other substances mixed with it.

im|pu|rity / I mpjʊə r I ti/ (impurities )


1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Impurities are substances that are present in small quantities in another substance and make it dirty or of an unacceptable quality. □ The air in the factory is filtered to remove impurities.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Impurity is the state of being no longer pure, especially sexually pure.

im|pute / I mpjuː t/ (imputes , imputing , imputed ) VERB If you impute something such as blame or a crime to someone, you say that they are responsible for it or are the cause of it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + to ] It is grossly unfair to impute blame to the United Nations.


in


➊ POSITION OR MOVEMENT


➋ INCLUSION OR INVOLVEMENT


➌ TIME AND NUMBERS


➍ STATES AND QUALITIES


➎ OTHER USES AND PHRASES


➊ in ◆◆◆ The preposition is pronounced / I n/. The adverb is pronounced / I n/. In addition to the uses shown below, in is used after some verbs, nouns, and adjectives in order to introduce extra information. In is also used with verbs of movement such as 'walk' and 'push', and in phrasal verbs such as 'give in' and 'dig in'. 1 PREP Someone or something that is in something else is enclosed by it or surrounded by it. If you put something in a container, you move it so that it is enclosed by the container. □ He was in his car. □ …clothes hanging in the wardrobe.


2 PREP If something happens in a place, it happens there. □ We spent a few days in a hotel. □ He had intended to take a holiday in America.


3 ADV [be ADV ] If you are in , you are present at your home or place of work. □ My flatmate was in at the time.


4 ADV [ADV after v] When someone comes in , they enter a room or building. □ She looked up anxiously as he came in. □ They shook hands and went in.


5 ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] If a train, boat, or plane has come in or is in , it has arrived at a station, port, or airport. □ We'd be watching every plane coming in from Melbourne. □ Look. The train's in. We'll have to run for it now.


6 ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] When the sea or tide comes in , the sea moves towards the shore rather than away from it. □ She thought of the tide rushing in, covering the wet sand.


7 PREP Something that is in a window, especially a shop window, is just behind the window so that you can see it from outside. □ There was a camera for sale in the window.


8 PREP When you see something in a mirror, the mirror shows an image of it. □ I couldn't bear to see my reflection in the mirror.


9 PREP If you are dressed in a piece of clothing, you are wearing it. □ He was a big man, smartly dressed in a suit and tie.


10 PREP Something that is covered or wrapped in something else has that thing over or round its surface. □ His legs were covered in mud.


11 PREP If there is something such as a crack or hole in something, there is a crack or hole on its surface. □ There was a deep crack in the ceiling above him.

➋ in ◆◆◆ / I n/


1 PREP If something is in a book, film, play, or picture, you can read it or see it there. □ Don't stick too precisely to what it says in the book.


2 PREP If you are in something such as a play or a race, you are one of the people taking part. □ Alf offered her a part in the play he was directing. □ More than fifteen thousand people took part in the memorial service.


3 PREP Something that is in a group or collection is a member of it or part of it. □ The New England team are the worst in the league.


4 PREP You use in to specify a general subject or field of activity. □ …those working in the defence industry. □ …future developments in medicine.

➌ in ◆◆◆ / I n/


1 PREP If something happens in a particular year, month, or other period of time, it happens during that time. □ …that early spring day in April 1949. □ Export orders improved in the last month. □ In the evening, the people assemble in the mosques.


2 PREP If something happens in a particular situation, it happens while that situation is going on. □ His father had been badly wounded in the last war. □ …issues you struggle with in your daily life.


3 PREP If you do something in a particular period of time, that is how long it takes you to do it. □ He walked two hundred and sixty miles in eight days.


4 PREP If something will happen in a particular length of time, it will happen after that length of time. □ I'll have some breakfast ready in a few minutes. □ They'll be back in six months.


5 PREP You use in to indicate roughly how old someone is. For example, if someone is in their fifties, they are between 50 and 59 years old. □ …young people in their twenties.


6 PREP You use in to indicate roughly how many people or things do something. □ …men who came there in droves.


7 PREP You use in to express a ratio, proportion, or probability. □ Last year, one in five boys left school without a qualification.

➍ in ◆◆◆ / I n/


1 PREP If something or someone is in a particular state or situation, that is their present state or situation. □ The economy was in trouble. □ Dave was in a hurry to get back to work. □ Their equipment was in poor condition.


2 PREP You use in to indicate the feeling or desire which someone has when they do something, or which causes them to do it. □ Simpson looked at them in surprise. □ Chris was weeping in anger and grief.


3 PREP If a particular quality or ability is in you, you naturally have it. □ Violence is not in his nature.


4 PREP You use in when saying that someone or something has a particular quality. □ He had all the qualities I was looking for in a partner. □ 'I don't agree,' she said, surprised at the strength in her own voice.


5 PREP You use in to indicate how someone is expressing something. □ Information is given to the patient verbally and in writing. □ …lessons in languages other than Spanish.


6 PREP You use in in expressions such as in a row or in a ball to describe the arrangement or shape of something. □ The cards need to be laid out in two rows. □ Her ear, shoulder and hip are in a straight line.


7 PREP If something is in a particular colour, it has that colour. □ …white flowers edged in pink.


8 PREP You use in to specify which feature or aspect of something you are talking about. □ The movie is nearly two hours in length. □ There is a big difference in the amounts that banks charge. □ …a real increase in the standard of living.

➎ in ◆◆◆ (ins ) Pronounced / I n/ for meanings 1 and 3 to 8 , and / I n/ for meaning 2 . 1 ADJ If you say that something is in , or is the in thing, you mean it is fashionable or popular. [INFORMAL ] □ A few years ago jogging was the in thing.


2 PREP [PREP v-ing] You use in with a present participle to indicate that when you do something, something else happens as a result. □ In working with others, you find out more about yourself.


3 PHRASE If you say that someone is in for a shock or a surprise, you mean that they are going to experience it. □ You might be in for a shock at the sheer hard work involved.


4 PHRASE If someone has it in for you, they dislike you and try to cause problems for you. [INFORMAL ] □ The other kids had it in for me.


5 PHRASE If you are in on something, you are involved in it or know about it. □ I don't know. I wasn't in on that particular argument.


6 PHRASE If you are in with a person or group, they like you and accept you, and are likely to help you. [INFORMAL ]


7 PHRASE You use in that to introduce an explanation of a statement you have just made. □ I'm lucky in that I've got four sisters.


8 PHRASE The ins and outs of a situation are all the detailed points and facts about it. □ [+ of ] …the ins and outs of high finance.

in. in. is a written abbreviation for inch . The plural can be 'in.' or 'ins'. □ …30.4 x 25.4 cm (12 x 10 in). □ It is 24 ins wide and 16 ins high.

PREFIX in-


can be added to some words to form words that have the opposite meaning. For example, someone who is independent is not dependent on anyone.

in|abil|ity / I nəb I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N to-inf, usu with poss] If you refer to someone's inability to do something, you are referring to the fact that they are unable to do it. □ Her inability to concentrate could cause an accident.

in|ac|ces|sible / I nəkse s I b ə l/


1 ADJ An inaccessible place is very difficult or impossible to reach. □ …the remote, inaccessible areas of the Andes rainforests. ● in|ac|ces|sibil|ity / I nəkses I b I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Its inaccessibility makes food distribution difficult.


2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If something is inaccessible , you are unable to see, use, or buy it. □ [+ to ] Ninety-five per cent of its magnificent collection will remain inaccessible to the public. ● in|ac|ces|sibil|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the problem of inaccessibility of essential goods.


3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone or something that is inaccessible is difficult or impossible to understand or appreciate. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ to ] …using language that is inaccessible to working people. ● in|ac|ces|sibil|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the inaccessibility of his literature.

in|ac|cu|ra|cy / I næ kjʊrəsi/ (inaccuracies ) N‑VAR The inaccuracy of a statement or measurement is the fact that it is not accurate or correct. □ [+ of ] He was disturbed by the inaccuracy of the answers.

in|ac|cu|rate / I næ kjʊrət/ ADJ If a statement or measurement is inaccurate , it is not accurate or correct. □ The book is both inaccurate and exaggerated. ● in|ac|cu|rate|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He claimed his remarks had been reported inaccurately.

in|ac|tion / I næ kʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] If you refer to someone's inaction , you disapprove of the fact that they are doing nothing. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] He is bitter about the inaction of the other political parties.

in|ac|tive / I næ kt I v/ ADJ Someone or something that is inactive is not doing anything or is not working. □ He certainly was not politically inactive. ● in|ac|tiv|ity / I nækt I v I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ The players have comparatively long periods of inactivity.

in|ad|equa|cy / I næ d I kwəsi/ (inadequacies )


1 N‑VAR The inadequacy of something is the fact that there is not enough of it, or that it is not good enough. □ [+ of ] …the inadequacy of the water supply.


2 N‑UNCOUNT If someone has feelings of inadequacy , they feel that they do not have the qualities and abilities necessary to do something or to cope with life in general. □ …his deep-seated sense of inadequacy.

in|ad|equate / I næ d I kwət/


1 ADJ If something is inadequate , there is not enough of it or it is not good enough. □ Supplies of food and medicines are inadequate. ● in|ad|equate|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The projects were inadequately funded.


2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone feels inadequate , they feel that they do not have the qualities and abilities necessary to do something or to cope with life in general. □ I still feel inadequate, useless and mixed up.

in|ad|mis|si|ble / I nədm I s I b ə l/


1 ADJ Inadmissible evidence cannot be used in a court of law. □ The judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible.


2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that something that someone says or does is inadmissible , you think that it is totally unacceptable. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He said the use of force would be inadmissible.

in|ad|vert|ent / I nədvɜː r tənt/ ADJ An inadvertent action is one that you do without realizing what you are doing. □ The government has said it was an inadvertent error. ● in|ad|vert|ent|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ I inadvertently pressed the wrong button.

in|ad|vis|able / I nədva I zəb ə l/ ADJ A course of action that is inadvisable should not be carried out because it is not wise or sensible. □ For three days, it was inadvisable to leave the harbour.

in|al|ien|able / I ne I ljənəb ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that someone has an inalienable right to something, you are emphasizing that they have a right to it which cannot be changed or taken away. [FORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ He said the republic now had an inalienable right to self-determination.

in|ane / I ne I n/ ADJ If you describe someone's behaviour or actions as inane , you think they are very silly or stupid. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He always had this inane grin. ● in|ane|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ He lurched through the bar, grinning inanely. ● in|an|ity / I næ n I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the inanity of the conversation.

in|ani|mate / I næ n I mət/ ADJ An inanimate object is one that has no life. □ He thought of the baby almost as an inanimate object.

in|ap|pli|cable / I nəpl I kəb ə l, [AM ] I næ pl I k-/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Something that is inapplicable to what you are talking about is not relevant or appropriate to it. □ [+ to ] His theory was inapplicable to many underdeveloped economies.

in|ap|pro|pri|ate / I nəproʊ priət/


1 ADJ Something that is inappropriate is not useful or suitable for a particular situation or purpose. □ There is no suggestion that clients have been sold inappropriate policies. ● in|ap|pro|pri|ate|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ [+ for ] He was dressed inappropriately for the heat in a dark suit.


2 ADJ If you say that someone's speech or behaviour in a particular situation is inappropriate , you are criticizing it because you think it is not suitable for that situation. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ for ] I feel the remark was inappropriate for such a serious issue. ● in|ap|pro|pri|ate|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ You have the law on your side if the bank is acting inappropriately.

in|ar|ticu|late / I nɑː r t I kjʊlət/ ADJ If someone is inarticulate , they are unable to express themselves easily or well in speech. □ Inarticulate and rather shy, he had always dreaded speaking in public.

in|as|much as / I nəzmʌ tʃ əz/ PHRASE You use inasmuch as to introduce a statement which explains something you have just said, and adds to it. [FORMAL ] □ This was a good decision inasmuch as it worked for you.

in|at|ten|tion / I nəte nʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT A person's inattention is their lack of attention. □ Vital evidence had been lost through a moment's inattention.

in|at|ten|tive / I nəte nt I v/ ADJ Someone who is inattentive is not paying complete attention to a person or thing, which often causes an accident or problems.

in|audible / I nɔː d I b ə l/ ADJ If a sound is inaudible , you are unable to hear it. □ His voice was almost inaudible.

in|augu|ral / I nɔː gjʊrəl/ ADJ [ADJ n] An inaugural meeting or speech is the first meeting of a new organization or the first speech by the new leader of an organization or a country. □ In his inaugural address, the President appealed for unity.

in|augu|rate / I nɔː gjʊre I t/ (inaugurates , inaugurating , inaugurated )


1 VERB [usu passive] When a new leader is inaugurated , they are formally given their new position at an official ceremony. □ [be V -ed] The new President will be inaugurated on January 20. ● in|augu|ra|tion / I nɔː gjʊre I ʃ ə n/ (inaugurations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …the inauguration of the new Governor.


2 VERB [usu passive] When a new building or institution is inaugurated , it is declared open in a formal ceremony. □ [be V -ed] A new Tibetan Centre was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama. ● in|augu|ra|tion N‑COUNT □ [+ of ] They later attended the inauguration of the University.


3 VERB If you inaugurate a new system or service, you start it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Pan Am inaugurated the first scheduled international flight.

in|aus|pi|cious / I nɔːsp I ʃəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An inauspicious event is one that gives signs that success is unlikely. [FORMAL ] □ The meeting got off to an inauspicious start when he was late.

in|authen|tic / I nɔːθe nt I k/ ADJ Something that is inauthentic is false or copied, often in a way that does not follow tradition. □ …an inauthentic but tasty paella recipe.

in|board / I nbɔː r d/ ADJ [ADJ n] An inboard motor or engine is inside a boat rather than attached to the outside.

in|born / I nbɔː r n/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Inborn qualities are natural ones which you are born with. □ He had an inborn talent for languages.

in|bound / I nbaʊnd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An inbound flight is one that is arriving from another place. □ …a special inbound flight from Honduras.

in|box / I nbɒks/ (inboxes )


1 N‑COUNT An inbox is a folder on a computer or phone where emails are received. [COMPUTING ] □ The phone hasn't stopped ringing, and I have 352 emails in my inbox.


2 N‑COUNT An inbox is a shallow container used in offices to put letters and documents in before they are dealt with. [AM ]

in|bred / I nbre d/


1 ADJ Inbred means the same as inborn . □ …behaviour patterns that are inbred.


2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] People who are inbred have ancestors who are all closely related to each other. □ The whole population is so inbred that no genetic differences remain.

in|breed|ing / I nbriːd I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Inbreeding is the repeated breeding of closely related animals or people. □ In the 19th century, inbreeding nearly led to the extinction of the royal family.

in|built / I nb I lt/ also in-built ADJ [usu ADJ n] An inbuilt quality is one that someone has from the time they were born or that something has from the time it was produced. [mainly BRIT ] □ The children had this inbuilt awareness that not everyone was as lucky as they were. in AM, usually use built-in

inc. In written advertisements, inc. is an abbreviation for including . □ …a two-night break for £210 per person, inc. breakfast and dinner.

Inc. Inc. is an abbreviation for Incorporated when it is used after a company's name. [AM , BUSINESS ] □ …BP America Inc.

in|cal|cu|lable / I nkæ lkjʊləb ə l/ ADJ Something that is incalculable cannot be calculated or estimated because it is so great. □ He warned that the effects of any war would be incalculable.

in|can|des|cent / I nkænde s ə nt/


1 ADJ Incandescent substances or devices give out a lot of light when heated. [TECHNICAL ] □ …incandescent gases.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone or something as incandescent , you mean that they are very lively and impressive. [LITERARY ] □ Gill had an extraordinary, incandescent personality. ● in|can|des|cence N‑UNCOUNT □ She burned with an incandescence that had nothing to do with her looks.


3 ADJ If you say that someone is incandescent with rage, you mean that they are extremely angry. [LITERARY ] □ [+ with ] It makes me incandescent with fury.

in|can|ta|tion / I nkænte I ʃ ə n/ (incantations ) N‑COUNT An incantation is a series of words that a person says or sings as a magic spell. [FORMAL ] □ …strange prayers and incantations.

in|ca|pable / I nke I pəb ə l/


1 ADJ Someone who is incapable of doing something is unable to do it. □ [+ of ] She seemed incapable of taking decisions.


2 ADJ An incapable person is weak or stupid. □ He lost his job for allegedly being incapable.

in|ca|paci|tate / I nkəpæ s I te I t/ (incapacitates , incapacitating , incapacitated ) VERB If something incapacitates you, it weakens you in some way, so that you cannot do certain things. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] A serious fall incapacitated the 68-year-old congressman. ● in|ca|paci|tat|ed ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] □ He is incapacitated and can't work.

in|ca|pac|ity / I nkəpæ s I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss, oft N to-inf] The incapacity of a person, society, or system to do something is their inability to do it. [FORMAL ] □ …Europe's incapacity to take collective action.

i n-car ADJ [ADJ n] In-car devices are ones that are designed to be used in a car. □ …a range of in-car entertainment systems.

in|car|cer|ate / I nkɑː r səre I t/ (incarcerates , incarcerating , incarcerated ) VERB If people are incarcerated , they are kept in a prison or other place. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] They were incarcerated for the duration of the war. □ [V n] It can cost $40,000 to $50,000 to incarcerate a prisoner for a year. ● in|car|cera|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ …her mother's incarceration in a psychiatric hospital.

in|car|nate (incarnates , incarnating , incarnated ) The adjective is pronounced / I nkɑː r nət/. The verb is pronounced / I nkɑː r ne I t/. 1 ADJ [n ADJ ] If you say that someone is a quality incarnate , you mean that they represent that quality or are typical of it in an extreme form. □ She is evil incarnate.


2 ADJ [v-link ADJ , n ADJ , ADJ n] You use incarnate to say that something, especially a god or spirit, is represented in human form. □ Why should God become incarnate as a male?


3 VERB If you say that a quality is incarnated in a person, you mean that they represent that quality or are typical of it in an extreme form. □ [be V -ed + in ] The iniquities of the regime are incarnated in one man. □ [V n] …a writer who incarnates the changing consciousness of the Americas.


4 VERB [usu passive] If you say that someone or something is incarnated in a particular form, you mean that they appear on Earth in that form. □ [be V -ed prep] The god Vishnu was incarnated on Earth as a king.

in|car|na|tion / I nkɑː r ne I ʃ ə n/ (incarnations )


1 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is the incarnation of a particular quality, you mean that they represent that quality or are typical of it in an extreme form. □ [+ of ] The regime was the very incarnation of evil.


2 N‑COUNT An incarnation is an instance of being alive on Earth in a particular form. Some religions believe that people have several incarnations in different forms. □ She began recalling a series of previous incarnations.

in|cau|tious / I nkɔː ʃəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that someone is incautious , you are criticizing them because they do or say something without thinking or planning. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] ● in|cau|tious|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Incautiously, Crook had asked where she was.

in|cen|di|ary / I nse ndiəri, [AM ] -eri/ (incendiaries )


1 ADJ [ADJ n] Incendiary weapons or attacks are ones that cause large fires. □ Five incendiary devices were found in her house.


2 N‑COUNT An incendiary is an incendiary bomb. □ A shower of incendiaries struck the Opera House.

in|cense (incenses , incensing , incensed ) The noun is pronounced / I nsens/. The verb is pronounced / I nse ns/. 1 N‑UNCOUNT Incense is a substance that is burned for its sweet smell, often as part of a religious ceremony.


2 VERB If you say that something incenses you, you mean that it makes you extremely angry. □ [V n] This proposal will incense conservation campaigners. ● in|censed ADJ [usu v-link ADJ , ADJ that] □ [+ at/by ] Mum was incensed at his lack of compassion.

in|cen|tive / I nse nt I v/ (incentives ) N‑VAR [oft N to-inf] If something is an incentive to do something, it encourages you to do it. □ There is little or no incentive to adopt such measures.

in|cep|tion / I nse pʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [with poss] The inception of an institution or activity is the start of it. [FORMAL ] □ Since its inception the company has produced 53 different aircraft designs.

in|ces|sant / I nse s ə nt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An incessant process or activity is one that continues without stopping. □ …incessant rain. ● in|ces|sant|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Dee talked incessantly.

in|cest / I nsest/ N‑UNCOUNT Incest is the crime of two members of the same family having sexual intercourse, for example a father and daughter, or a brother and sister.

in|ces|tu|ous / I nse stʃuəs/


1 ADJ An incestuous relationship is one involving sexual intercourse between two members of the same family, for example a father and daughter, or a brother and sister. □ They accused her of an incestuous relationship with her father.


2 ADJ If you describe a group of people as incestuous , you disapprove of the fact that they are not interested in ideas or people from outside the group. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Its inhabitants are a close and incestuous lot.

inch ◆◇◇ / I ntʃ/ (inches , inching , inched )


1 N‑COUNT [num N ] An inch is an imperial unit of length, approximately equal to 2.54 centimetres. There are twelve inches in a foot. □ …18 inches below the surface.


2 VERB To inch somewhere or to inch something somewhere means to move there very slowly and carefully, or to make something do this. □ [V prep/adv] …a climber inching up a vertical wall of rock. □ [V n prep/adv] He inched the van forward. □ [V n prep/adv] An ambulance inched its way through the crowd.


3 PHRASE If you say that someone looks every inch a certain type of person, you are emphasizing that they look exactly like that kind of person. [EMPHASIS ] □ He looks every inch the City businessman.


4 PHRASE If someone or something moves inch by inch , they move very slowly and carefully. [EMPHASIS ] □ The car moved forward inch by inch.

in|cho|ate / I nkoʊ ət/ ADJ If something is inchoate , it is recent or new, and vague or not yet properly developed. [FORMAL ] □ His dreams were senseless and inchoate.

in|ci|dence / I ns I dəns/ (incidences ) N‑VAR The incidence of something bad, such as a disease, is the frequency with which it occurs, or the occasions when it occurs. □ [+ of ] The incidence of breast cancer increases with age.

in|ci|dent ◆◆◇ / I ns I dənt/ (incidents ) N‑COUNT [oft without N ] An incident is something that happens, often something that is unpleasant. [FORMAL ] □ These incidents were the latest in a series of disputes between the two nations.

in|ci|den|tal / I ns I de nt ə l/ ADJ If one thing is incidental to another, it is less important than the other thing or is not a major part of it. □ [+ to ] The playing of music proved to be incidental to the main business of the evening.

in|ci|den|tal|ly / I ns I de ntli/


1 ADV You use incidentally to introduce a point which is not directly relevant to what you are saying, often a question or extra information that you have just thought of. □ 'I didn't ask you to come. Incidentally, why have you come?'


2 ADV [ADV with v] If something occurs only incidentally , it is less important than another thing or is not a major part of it. □ The letter mentioned my great-aunt and uncle only incidentally.

i n|ci|den|tal mu |sic N‑UNCOUNT In a film, play, or television programme, incidental music is music that is played to create a particular atmosphere.

i n|ci|dent room (incident rooms ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] An incident room is a room used by the police while they are dealing with a major crime or accident. [BRIT ] □ Police have set up an incident room as they begin to investigate this morning's fire.

in|cin|er|ate / I ns I nəre I t/ (incinerates , incinerating , incinerated ) VERB When authorities incinerate rubbish or waste material, they burn it completely in a special container. □ [V n] The government is trying to stop hospitals incinerating their own waste. ● in|cin|era|tion / I ns I nəre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …banning the incineration of lead batteries.

in|cin|era|tor / I ns I nəre I tə r / (incinerators ) N‑COUNT An incinerator is a special large container for burning rubbish at a very high temperature.

in|cipi|ent / I ns I piənt/ ADJ [ADJ n] An incipient situation or quality is one that is starting to happen or develop. [FORMAL ] □ …an incipient economic recovery.

in|cise / I nsa I z/ (incises , incising , incised ) VERB [usu passive] If an object is incised with a design, the design is carefully cut into the surface of the object with a sharp instrument. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] After the surface is polished, a design is incised or painted. □ [V -ed] …a set of chairs incised with Grecian scrolls.

in|ci|sion / I ns I ʒ ə n/ (incisions ) N‑COUNT An incision is a sharp cut made in something, for example by a surgeon who is operating on a patient. □ [+ in ] The technique involves making a tiny incision in the skin.

in|ci|sive / I nsa I s I v/ ADJ You use incisive to describe a person, their thoughts, or their speech when you approve of their ability to think and express their ideas clearly, briefly, and forcefully. [APPROVAL ] □ …a shrewd operator with an incisive mind.

in|ci|sor / I nsa I zə r / (incisors ) N‑COUNT Your incisors are the teeth at the front of your mouth which you use for biting into food.

in|cite / I nsa I t/ (incites , inciting , incited ) VERB If someone incites people to behave in a violent or illegal way, they encourage people to behave in that way, usually by making them excited or angry. □ [V n to-inf] He incited his fellow citizens to take their revenge. □ [V n + to ] The party agreed not to incite its supporters to violence. □ [V n] They pleaded guilty to possessing material likely to incite racial hatred.

in|cite|ment / I nsa I tmənt/ (incitements ) N‑VAR If someone is accused of incitement to violent or illegal behaviour, they are accused of encouraging people to behave in that way. □ [+ to ] British law forbids incitement to murder.

incl.


1 In written advertisements, incl. is an abbreviation for including . □ …only £19.95 (incl. VAT and delivery).


2 In written advertisements, incl. is an abbreviation for inclusive . □ Open 19th July–6th September, Sun to Thurs incl.

in|clem|ent / I nkle mənt/ ADJ Inclement weather is unpleasantly cold or stormy. [FORMAL ]

in|cli|na|tion / I nkl I ne I ʃ ə n/ (inclinations ) N‑VAR [oft N to-inf] An inclination is a feeling that makes you want to act in a particular way. □ He had neither the time nor the inclination to think of other things.

in|cline (inclines , inclining , inclined ) The verb is pronounced / I nkla I n/. The noun is pronounced / I nkla I n/. 1 VERB If you incline to think or act in a particular way, or if something inclines you to it, you are likely to think or act in that way. [FORMAL ] □ [V + to/towards ] I incline to the view that he is right. □ [V n + to/towards ] …the factors which incline us towards particular beliefs. □ [V n to-inf] Many end up as team leaders, which inclines them to co-operate with the bosses. □ [V to-inf] Those who fail incline to blame the world for their failure.


2 VERB If you incline your head, you bend your neck so that your head is leaning forward. [WRITTEN ] □ [V n] Jack inclined his head very slightly.


3 N‑COUNT An incline is land that slopes at an angle. [FORMAL ] □ He came to a halt at the edge of a steep incline.

in|clined / I nkla I nd/


1 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ to-inf, so ADJ ] If you are inclined to behave in a particular way, you often behave in that way, or you want to do so. □ Nobody felt inclined to argue with Smith. □ If you are so inclined, you can watch TV.

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