Kk
K , k /ke I / (K's, k's )
1 N‑VAR K is the eleventh letter of the English alphabet.
2 K or k is used as an abbreviation for words beginning with k, such as 'kilometre', 'kilobyte', or 'king'.
3 NUM K or k is sometimes used to represent the number 1000, especially when referring to sums of money. [INFORMAL ] □ I used to make over 40k.
ka|bob /kəbɒ b/ (kabobs ) → see kebab
kaf|tan /kæ ftæn/ (kaftans ) → see caftan
Kal|ash|ni|kov /kəlæ ʃn I kɒf/ (Kalashnikovs ) N‑COUNT A Kalashnikov is a type of rifle that is made in Russia.
kale /ke I l/ N‑UNCOUNT Kale is a vegetable that is similar to a cabbage.
ka|lei|do|scope /kəla I dəskoʊp/ (kaleidoscopes )
1 N‑COUNT A kaleidoscope is a toy in the shape of a tube with a small hole at one end. If you look through the hole and turn the other end of the tube, you can see a pattern of colours which changes as you turn the tube round.
2 N‑SING You can describe something that is made up of a lot of different and frequently changing colours or elements as a kaleidoscope . □ [+ of ] …the vivid kaleidoscope of colours displayed in the plumage of the peacock.
ka|lei|do|scop|ic /kəla I dəskɒ p I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe something as kaleidoscopic , you mean that it consists of a lot of very different parts, such as different colours, patterns, or shapes. □ …a kaleidoscopic study of the shifting ideas and symbols of French nationhood.
ka|mi|ka|ze /kæ m I kɑː zi/ ADJ [ADJ n] If someone such as a soldier or terrorist performs a kamikaze act, they attack the enemy knowing that they will be killed doing it. □ …kamikaze pilots ready to bomb nuclear installations.
kan|ga|roo /kæ ŋgəruː / (kangaroos ) N‑COUNT A kangaroo is a large Australian animal which moves by jumping on its back legs. Female kangaroos carry their babies in a pouch on their stomach.
kan|ga|roo court (kangaroo courts ) N‑COUNT If you refer to a court or a meeting as a kangaroo court , you disapprove of it because it is unofficial or unfair, and is intended to find someone guilty. [DISAPPROVAL ]
ka|put /kəpʊ t/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that something is kaput , you mean that it is completely broken, useless, or finished. [INFORMAL ] □ 'What's happened to your car?'—'It's kaput.' □ He finally admitted that his film career was kaput.
kara|oke /kæ rioʊ ki/ N‑UNCOUNT Karaoke is a form of entertainment in which a machine plays the tunes of songs, and people take it in turns to sing the words.
ka|ra|te /kərɑː ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Karate is a Japanese sport or way of fighting in which people fight using their hands, elbows, feet, and legs.
kar|ma /kɑː r mə/ N‑UNCOUNT In religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism, karma is the belief that your actions in this life affect all your future lives.
kart /kɑː r t/ (karts ) N‑COUNT A kart is the same as a go-kart .
kay|ak /ka I æk/ (kayaks ) N‑COUNT A kayak is a narrow boat like a canoe, used by the Inuit people and in the sport of canoeing.
ka|zoo /kəzuː / (kazoos ) N‑COUNT A kazoo is a small musical instrument that consists of a pipe with a hole in the top. You play the kazoo by blowing into it while making sounds.
KB KB is a written abbreviation for kilobyte or kilobytes .
Kbps also kbps Kbps is a unit for measuring the speed of a modem. Kbps is a written abbreviation for 'kilobits per second'. [COMPUTING ] □ …a 28.8 Kbps modem.
ke|bab /kəbæ b, [AM ] -bɑː b/ (kebabs ) in AM, also use kabob N‑VAR A kebab is pieces of meat or vegetables grilled on a long thin stick, or slices of grilled meat served in pitta bread.
ked|geree /ke dʒəriː/ N‑UNCOUNT Kedgeree is a cooked dish consisting of rice, fish, and eggs.
keel /kiː l/ (keels , keeling , keeled )
1 N‑COUNT The keel of a boat is the long, specially shaped piece of wood or steel along the bottom of it.
2 PHRASE If you say that someone or something is on an even keel , you mean that they are working or progressing smoothly and steadily, without any sudden changes. □ Jason had helped him out with a series of loans, until he could get back on an even keel.
▸ keel over PHRASAL VERB If someone keels over , they collapse because they are tired or ill. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] He then keeled over and fell flat on his back.
keen ◆◇◇ /kiː n/ (keener , keenest )
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ that, ADJ to-inf] If you are keen on doing something, you very much want to do it. If you are keen that something should happen, you very much want it to happen. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ on ] You're not keen on going, are you? □ I'm very keen that the European Union should be as open as possible to trade from Russia. □ She's still keen to keep in touch. □ [+ for ] I am not keen for her to have a bicycle. ● keen|ness N‑UNCOUNT [oft N to-inf] □ …Doyle's keenness to please. □ [+ for ] …a keenness for the idea of a co-ordinated approach to development.
2 ADJ If you are keen on something, you like it a lot and are very enthusiastic about it. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ on ] I got quite keen on the idea. ● keen|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ for ] …his keenness for the arts.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] You use keen to indicate that someone has a lot of enthusiasm for a particular activity and spends a lot of time doing it. □ She was a keen amateur photographer. [Also + on ]
4 ADJ If you describe someone as keen , you mean that they have an enthusiastic nature and are interested in everything that they do. □ He's a very keen student and works very hard. ● keen|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the keenness of the students.
5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A keen interest or emotion is one that is very intense. □ He had retained a keen interest in the progress of the work. ● keen|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ She remained keenly interested in international affairs. □ This is a keenly awaited project.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] If you are a keen supporter of a cause, movement, or idea, you support it enthusiastically. □ He's been a keen supporter of the Labour Party all his life.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] If you say that someone has a keen mind, you mean that they are very clever and aware of what is happening around them. □ They described him as a man of keen intellect. ● keen|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ They're keenly aware that whatever they decide will set a precedent.
8 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you have a keen eye or ear, you are able to notice things that are difficult to detect. □ …an amateur artist with a keen eye for detail. ● keen|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Charles listened keenly.
9 ADJ A keen fight or competition is one in which the competitors are all trying very hard to win, and it is not easy to predict who will win. □ There is expected to be a keen fight in the local elections. ● keen|ly ADV □ The contest should be very keenly fought.
10 ADJ Keen prices are low and competitive. [mainly BRIT ] □ The company negotiates very keen prices with their suppliers. ● keen|ly ADV [ADV -ed] □ The shops also offer a keenly priced curtain-making service.
11 PHRASE If you say that someone is mad keen on something, you are emphasizing that they are very enthusiastic about it. [BRIT , INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ So you're not mad keen on science then?
keep ◆◆◆ /kiː p/ (keeps , keeping , kept )
1 V‑LINK If someone keeps or is kept in a particular state, they remain in it. □ [V n adj/prep] The noise kept him awake. □ [V adj/prep] To keep warm they burnt wood in a rusty oil barrel. □ [V adj/prep] For several years I kept in touch with her.
2 VERB If you keep or you are kept in a particular position or place, you remain in it. □ [V adv/prep] Keep away from the doors while the train is moving. □ [V n with adv] He kept his head down, hiding his features. □ [V n prep] Doctors will keep her in hospital for at least another week.
3 VERB If you keep off something or keep away from it, you avoid it. If you keep out of something, you avoid getting involved in it. You can also say that you keep someone off , away from or out of something. □ [V prep/adv] I managed to stick to the diet and keep off sweet foods. □ [V n prep/adv] The best way to keep babies off sugar is to go back to the natural diet.
4 VERB If someone or something keeps you from a particular action, they prevent you from doing it. □ [V n + from ] Embarrassment has kept me from doing all sorts of things.
5 VERB If you try to keep from doing something, you try to stop yourself from doing it. □ [V + from ] She bit her lip to keep from crying.
6 VERB If you keep something from someone, you do not tell them about it. □ [V n + from ] She knew that Gabriel was keeping something from her.
7 VERB If you keep doing something, you do it repeatedly or continue to do it. □ [V v-ing] I keep forgetting it's December. □ [V v-ing] I turned back after a while, but he kept walking. ● PHRASAL VERB Keep on means the same as keep . □ [V P v-ing] Did he give up or keep on trying?
8 VERB Keep is used with some nouns to indicate that someone does something for a period of time or continues to do it. For example, if you keep a grip on something, you continue to hold or control it. □ [V n] Until last year, the regime kept a tight grip on the country. □ [V n] One of them would keep a look-out on the road behind to warn us of approaching vehicles.
9 VERB If you keep something, you continue to have it in your possession and do not throw it away, give it away, or sell it. □ [V n] Lathan had to choose between marrying her and keeping his job.
10 VERB If you keep something in a particular place, you always have it or store it in that place so that you can use it whenever you need it. □ [V n prep/adv] She kept her money under the mattress. □ [V n adj] To make it easier to contact us, keep this card handy.
11 VERB When you keep something such as a promise or an appointment, you do what you said you would do. □ [V n] I'm hoping you'll keep your promise to come for a long visit.
12 VERB If you keep a record of a series of events, you write down details of it so that they can be referred to later. □ [V n] Eleanor began to keep a diary.
13 VERB If you keep yourself or keep someone else, you support yourself or the other person by earning enough money to provide food, clothing, money, and other necessary things. □ [V n] She could just about afford to keep her five kids. □ [V pron-refl] I just cannot afford to keep myself. □ [V n + in ] That should earn her enough to keep her in cookies for a while.
14 N‑SING Someone's keep is the cost of food and other things that they need in their daily life. □ Ray will earn his keep on local farms while studying.
15 VERB If you keep animals, you own them and take care of them. □ [V n] I've brought you some eggs. We keep chickens.
16 VERB If someone or something keeps you, they delay you and make you late. □ [V n] 'What kept you?'—'I went in the wrong direction.'
17 VERB If food keeps for a certain length of time, it stays fresh and suitable to eat for that time. □ [V ] Whatever is left over may be put into the refrigerator, where it will keep for 2-3 weeks.
18 VERB [only cont] You can say or ask how someone is keeping as a way of saying or asking whether they are well. □ [V adv] She hasn't been keeping too well lately.
19 N‑COUNT A keep is the main tower of a medieval castle, in which people lived.
20 PHRASE If you keep at it , you continue doing something that you have started, even if you are tired and would prefer to stop. □ It may take a number of attempts, but it is worth keeping at it.
21 PHRASE If you keep going , you continue moving along or doing something that you have started, even if you are tired and would prefer to stop. □ She forced herself to keep going.
22 PHRASE If one thing is in keeping with another, it is suitable in relation to that thing. If one thing is out of keeping with another, it is not suitable in relation to that thing. □ [+ with ] His office was in keeping with his station and experience.
23 PHRASE If you keep it up , you continue working or trying as hard as you have been in the past. □ You're doing a great job! Keep it up!
24 PHRASE If you keep something to yourself , you do not tell anyone else about it. □ I have to tell someone. I can't keep it to myself.
25 PHRASE If you keep yourself to yourself or keep to yourself , you stay on your own most of the time and do not mix socially with other people. □ He was a quiet man who kept himself to himself.
26 to keep someone company → see company
27 to keep a straight face → see face ➊
28 to keep your head → see head
29 to keep pace → see pace
30 to keep the peace → see peace
31 to keep a secret → see secret
32 to keep time → see time
33 to keep track → see track
▸ keep back
1 PHRASAL VERB If you keep back part of something, you do not use or give away all of it, so that you still have some to use at a later time. □ [V P n] Roughly chop the vegetables, and keep back a little to chop finely and serve as a garnish. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you keep some information back , you do not tell all that you know about something. □ [V n P ] Neither of them is telling the whole truth. Invariably, they keep something back. [Also V P n]
▸ keep down
1 PHRASAL VERB If you keep the number, size, or amount of something down , you do not let it get bigger or go higher. □ [V n P ] The prime aim is to keep inflation down. □ [V P n] Administration costs were kept down to just £460.
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone keeps a group of people down , they prevent them from getting power and status and being completely free. □ [V n P ] There is no holding her back or keeping her down. [Also V P n]
3 PHRASAL VERB If you keep food or drink down , you manage to swallow it properly and not vomit, even though you feel sick. □ [V n P ] I tried to give her something to drink but she couldn't keep it down.
▸ keep on
1 → see keep 7
2 PHRASAL VERB If you keep someone on , you continue to employ them, for example after they are old enough to retire or after other employees have lost their jobs. □ [V n P ] Sometimes they keep you on a bit longer if there's no one quite ready to step into your shoes. [Also V P n (not pron)]
▸ keep on about PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone keeps on about something, you mean that they keep talking about it in a boring way. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V P P n] He kept on about me being 'defensive'.
▸ keep on at PHRASAL VERB If you keep on at someone, you repeatedly ask or tell them something in a way that annoys them. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V P P n] You've constantly got to keep on at people about that. □ [V P P n to-inf] She kept on at him to get some qualifications.
▸ keep to
1 PHRASAL VERB If you keep to a rule, plan, or agreement, you do exactly what you are expected or supposed to do. □ [V P n] You've got to keep to the speed limit.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you keep to something such as a path or river, you do not move away from it as you go somewhere. □ [V P n] Please keep to the paths.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you keep to a particular subject, you talk only about that subject, and do not talk about anything else. □ [V P n] Let's keep to the subject, or you'll get me too confused.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you keep something to a particular number or quantity, you limit it to that number or quantity. □ [V n P n] Keep costs to a minimum.
▸ keep up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you keep up with someone or something that is moving near you, you move at the same speed. □ [V P + with ] She shook her head and started to walk on. He kept up with her. [Also V P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB To keep up with something that is changing means to be able to cope with the change, usually by changing at the same rate. □ [V P + with ] …wage increases which keep up with inflation. □ [V P ] Things are changing so fast, it's hard to keep up.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you keep up with your work or with other people, you manage to do or understand all your work, or to do or understand it as well as other people. □ [V P + with ] Penny tended to work through her lunch hour in an effort to keep up with her work. □ [V P ] Life is tough for kids who aren't keeping up in school.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you keep up with what is happening, you make sure that you know about it. □ [V P + with ] She did not bother to keep up with the news. [Also V P ]
5 PHRASAL VERB If you keep something up , you continue to do it or provide it. □ [V n P ] I was so hungry all the time that I could not keep the diet up for longer than a month. □ [V P n] They risk losing their homes because they can no longer keep up the repayments.
6 PHRASAL VERB If you keep something up , you prevent it from growing less in amount, level, or degree. □ [V n P ] There will be a major incentive among TV channels to keep standards up. □ [V P n] Opposition forces are keeping up the pressure against the government.
7
keep|er /kiː pə r / (keepers )
1 N‑COUNT In football, the keeper is the same as the goalkeeper . [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
2 N‑COUNT In American football, a keeper is a play in which the quarterback keeps the ball. [AM ]
3 N‑COUNT A keeper at a zoo is a person who takes care of the animals.
4 PHRASE If you say that you are not someone 's keeper , you mean that you are not responsible for what they do or for what happens to them.
kee p-fi t also keep fit N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Keep-fit is the activity of keeping your body in good condition by doing special exercises. [mainly BRIT ]
keep|sake /kiː pse I k/ (keepsakes ) N‑COUNT A keepsake is a small present that someone gives you so that you will not forget them.
keg /ke g/ (kegs ) N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A keg is a small barrel used for storing something such as beer or other alcoholic drinks.
kelp /ke lp/ N‑UNCOUNT Kelp is a type of flat brown seaweed.
ken /ke n/ PHRASE If something is beyond your ken , you do not have enough knowledge to be able to understand it. □ The subject matter was so technical as to be beyond the ken of the average layman.
ken|nel /ke n ə l/ (kennels )
1 N‑COUNT A kennel is a small building made especially for a dog to sleep in. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use doghouse 2 N‑COUNT Kennels or a kennels or a kennel is a place where dogs are bred and trained, or looked after when their owners are away. □ The guard dog was now in kennels as it was not aggressive.
Ken|yan /ke njən/ (Kenyans )
1 ADJ Kenyan means belonging or relating to Kenya, or to its people or culture.
2 N‑COUNT A Kenyan is a Kenyan citizen, or a person of Kenyan origin.
kept /ke pt/ Kept is the past tense and past participle of keep .
kerb /kɜː r b/ (kerbs ) N‑COUNT The kerb is the raised edge of a pavement which separates it from the road. [BRIT ] □ Stewart stepped off the kerb. in AM, use curb
ke rb-crawling N‑UNCOUNT Kerb-crawling is the activity of driving slowly along the side of a road in order to find and hire a prostitute. [BRIT ]
ker|chief /kɜː r tʃ I f/ (kerchiefs ) N‑COUNT A kerchief is a piece of cloth that you can wear on your head or round your neck. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
ker|fuf|fle /kə r fʌ f ə l/ N‑SING A kerfuffle is a lot of argument, noisy activity, or fuss. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ There was a bit of a kerfuffle during the race when a dog impeded the leading runners.
ker|nel /kɜː r n ə l/ (kernels )
1 N‑COUNT The kernel of a nut is the part that is inside the shell.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The kernel of something is the central and most important part of it. □ [+ of ] The kernel of the film is James Franco's relationship with his ill father.
3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A kernel of something is a small element of it. □ [+ of ] For all I know, there may be a kernel of truth in what he says.
kero|sene /ke rəsiːn/ N‑UNCOUNT Kerosene is a clear, strong-smelling liquid which is used as a fuel, for example in heaters and lamps. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, use paraffin
kes|trel /ke strəl/ (kestrels ) N‑COUNT A kestrel is a small bird of prey.
ketch /ke tʃ/ (ketches ) N‑COUNT A ketch is a type of sailing ship that has two masts.
ketch|up /ke tʃʌp/ in AM, also use catsup N‑UNCOUNT Ketchup is a thick, cold sauce, usually made from tomatoes, that is sold in bottles.
ket|tle /ke t ə l/ (kettles )
1 N‑COUNT A kettle is a covered container that you use for boiling water. It has a handle, and a spout for the water to come out of. [mainly BRIT ] □ I'll put the kettle on and make us some tea. ● N‑COUNT A kettle of water is the amount of water contained in a kettle. □ [+ of ] Pour a kettle of boiling water over the onions. [in AM, use teakettle ]
2 N‑COUNT A kettle is a metal pot for boiling or cooking things in. [mainly AM ] □ Put the meat into a small kettle. in BRIT, use pan
3 PHRASE If you say that something is a different kettle of fish , you mean that it is very different from another related thing that you are talking about. [INFORMAL ] □ Playing for the reserve team is a totally different kettle of fish.
kettle|drum /ke t ə ldrʌm/ (kettledrums ) N‑COUNT A kettledrum is a large bowl-shaped drum which can be tuned to play a particular note.
key ◆◆◇ /kiː / (keys , keying , keyed )
1 N‑COUNT A key is a specially shaped piece of metal that you place in a lock and turn in order to open or lock a door, or to start or stop the engine of a vehicle. □ [+ in ] They put the key in the door and entered.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The keys on a computer keyboard or typewriter are the buttons that you press in order to operate it.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The keys of a piano or organ are the long narrow pieces of wood or plastic that you press in order to play it.
4 N‑VAR In music, a key is a scale of musical notes that starts on one specific note. □ [+ of ] …the key of A minor.
5 N‑COUNT The key on a map or diagram or in a technical book is a list of the symbols or abbreviations used and their meanings. □ You will find a key at the front of the book.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] The key person or thing in a group is the most important one. □ He is expected to be the key witness at the trial.
7 N‑COUNT The key to a desirable situation or result is the way in which it can be achieved. □ [+ to ] The key to success is to be ready from the start.
8 → see also master key
▸ key in PHRASAL VERB If you key something in , you put information into a computer or you give the computer a particular instruction by typing the information or instruction on the keyboard. □ [V P n] Brian keyed in his personal code. [Also V n P ] SYNONYMS key NOUN 7
answer: Legislation is only part of the answer.
secret: The secret of success is honesty and fair dealing.
solution: …the ability to sort out simple, effective solutions to practical problems.
formula: He offered this simple formula for a long and happy life.
key|board /kiː bɔː r d/ (keyboards )
1 N‑COUNT The keyboard a computer, tablet, or on some phones is the set of keys that you press in order to operate it.
2 N‑COUNT The keyboard of a piano or organ is the set of black and white keys that you press in order to play it. □ Tanya's hands rippled over the keyboard.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] People sometimes refer to musical instruments that have a keyboard as keyboards . □ …Sean O'Hagan on keyboards.
key|board|er /kiː bɔː r də r / (keyboarders ) N‑COUNT A keyboarder is a person whose job is typing information into a computer or word processor.
key|board|ing /kiː bɔː r d I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Keyboarding is the activity of typing information into a computer or word processor.
key|board|ist /kiː bɔː r d I st/ (keyboardists ) N‑COUNT A keyboardist is someone who plays keyboard instruments, especially in popular music.
ke y card (key cards ) N‑COUNT A key card is a small plastic card which you can use instead of a key to open a door or barrier, for example in some hotels and car parks.
ke yed u p ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are keyed up , you are very excited or nervous before an important or dangerous event. □ I wasn't able to sleep that night, I was so keyed up.
key|hole /kiː hoʊl/ (keyholes ) N‑COUNT A keyhole is the hole in a lock that you put a key in. □ I looked through the keyhole.
ke y|hole sur|gery N‑UNCOUNT Keyhole surgery is a surgical technique in which the surgeon inserts the instruments through small cuts in the patient's body, guided by an image from equipment that has been inserted into the patient's body. [MEDICAL ]
key|note /kiː noʊt/ (keynotes ) N‑COUNT [usu sing, oft N n] The keynote of a policy, speech, or idea is the main theme of it or the part of it that is emphasized the most. □ He would be setting out his plans for the party in a keynote speech. [Also + of ]
key|pad /kiː pæd/ (keypads ) N‑COUNT The keypad on a phone or machine is a set of buttons that you press in order to operate it.
ke y pla y|er (key players ) N‑COUNT The key players in a particular organization, event, or situation are the most important people or things involved in it. □ [+ in ] The former chairman was a key player in the deals that pushed the bank to the top.
ke y ring (key rings ) also keyring N‑COUNT A key ring is a metal ring which you use to keep your keys together. You pass the ring through the holes in your keys.
key|stone /kiː stoʊn/ (keystones ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A keystone of a policy, system, or process is an important part of it, which is the basis for later developments. □ [+ of/in ] Keeping inflation low is the keystone of their economic policy.
key|stroke /kiː stroʊk/ (keystrokes ) N‑COUNT A keystroke is one touch of one of the keys on a computer or typewriter keyboard.
key|worker /kiː wɜː r kə r / (keyworkers ) N‑COUNT The keyworker for a particular group of clients or patients is the person who works with them most closely and has most responsibility for them.
kg kg is an abbreviation for kilogram or kilograms .
kha|ki /kɑː ki, [AM ] kæ ki/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Khaki is a strong material of a greenish brown colour, used especially to make uniforms for soldiers. □ On each side of me was a figure in khaki.
2 COLOUR Something that is khaki is greenish brown in colour. □ He was dressed in khaki trousers.
kHz kHz is a written abbreviation for kilohertz . It is often written on radios beside a range of numbers to help you find a particular radio station.
kib|butz /k I bʊ ts/ (kibbutzim /k I bʊtsiː m/) N‑COUNT A kibbutz is a place of work in Israel, for example a farm or factory, where the workers live together and share all the duties and income.
kick ◆◆◇ /k I k/ (kicks , kicking , kicked )
1 VERB If you kick someone or something, you hit them forcefully with your foot. □ [V n] He kicked the door hard. □ [V ] He threw me to the ground and started to kick. □ [V n with adj] He escaped by kicking open the window. □ [V n + in ] The fiery actress kicked him in the shins. □ [V n + to ] An ostrich can kick a man to death. ● N‑COUNT Kick is also a noun. □ [+ to ] He suffered a kick to the knee.
2 VERB When you kick a ball or other object, you hit it with your foot so that it moves through the air. □ [V n] I went to kick the ball and I completely missed it. □ [V n with adv] He kicked the ball away. □ [V n prep] A furious player kicked his racket into the grandstand. ● N‑COUNT Kick is also a noun. □ [+ from ] After just one kick from England, the referee blew his whistle.
3 VERB If you kick or if you kick your legs, you move your legs with very quick, small, and forceful movements, once or repeatedly. □ [V ] They were dragged away struggling and kicking. □ [V n] First he kicked the left leg, then he kicked the right. □ [V n adv/prep] He kicked his feet away from the window. [Also V prep] ● PHRASAL VERB Kick out means the same as kick . □ [V P ] As its rider tried to free it, the horse kicked out.
4 VERB If you kick your legs, you lift your legs up very high one after the other, for example when you are dancing. □ [V n] He was kicking his legs like a Can Can dancer. □ [V n adj] She begins dancing, kicking her legs high in the air.
5 VERB If you kick a habit, you stop doing something that is bad for you and that you find difficult to stop doing. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] She's kicked her drug habit and learned that her life has value.
6 N‑SING If something gives you a kick , it makes you feel very excited or very happy for a short period of time. [INFORMAL ] □ I got a kick out of seeing my name in print.
7 PHRASE If you say that someone kicks you when you are down , you think they are behaving unfairly because they are attacking you when you are in a weak position. □ In the end I just couldn't kick Jimmy when he was down.
8 PHRASE If you say that someone does something for kicks , you mean that they do it because they think it will be exciting. [INFORMAL ] □ They made a few small bets for kicks.
9 PHRASE If you say that someone is dragged kicking and screaming into a particular course of action, you are emphasizing that they are very unwilling to do what they are being made to do. [EMPHASIS ] □ [+ into ] He had to be dragged kicking and screaming into action.
10 PHRASE If you describe an event as a kick in the teeth , you are emphasizing that it is very disappointing and upsetting. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ This is another kick in the teeth for small businesses in the UK.
11 PHRASE You use kick yourself in expressions such as I could have kicked myself and you're going to kick yourself to indicate that you were annoyed or are going to be annoyed that you got something wrong. [FEELINGS ] □ I was still kicking myself for not paying attention.
12 alive and kicking → see alive
13 to kick up a fuss → see fuss
▸ kick around PHRASAL VERB If you kick around ideas or suggestions, you discuss them informally. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] We kicked a few ideas around. □ [V P n] They started to kick around the idea of an electric scraper.
▸ kick back PHRASAL VERB If you kick back , you relax. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] As soon as they've finished up, they kick back and wait for the next show.
▸ kick down or kick in PHRASAL VERB If someone kicks something down or if they kick it in , they hit it violently with their foot so that it breaks or falls over. □ [V P n] She was forced to kick down the front door. [Also V n P ]
▸ kick in
1 PHRASAL VERB If something kicks in , it begins to take effect. □ [V P ] As discounts kicked in, bookings for immediate travel rose by 15%.
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone kicks in a particular amount of money, they provide that amount of money to help pay for something. [AM ] □ [V P n] Kansas City area churches kicked in $35,000 to support the event.
3 → see also kick down
▸ kick off
1 PHRASAL VERB In football, when the players kick off , they start a game by kicking the ball from the centre of the pitch. □ [V P ] Liverpool kicked off an hour ago.
2 PHRASAL VERB If an event, game, series, or discussion kicks off , or is kicked off , it begins. □ [V P ] The shows kick off on October 24th. □ [V P n] The Mayor kicked off the party. □ [V P + with ] We kicked off with a slap-up dinner. [Also V n P ]
3 PHRASAL VERB If you kick off your shoes, you shake your feet so that your shoes come off. □ [V P n] She stretched out on the sofa and kicked off her shoes. [Also V n P ]
4 PHRASAL VERB To kick someone off an area of land means to force them to leave it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n P n] We can't kick them off the island. [Also V n P ]
▸ kick out
1 PHRASAL VERB To kick someone out of a place means to force them to leave it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n P + of ] The country's leaders kicked five foreign journalists out of the country. □ [V n P ] Her family kicked her out. [Also V P n]
2 → see also kick 3
▸ kick up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you kick up a fuss about something, you make it very obvious that you are annoyed or dissatisfied. □ [V P n] Those customers who have kicked up a fuss have received refunds.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you kick up dust or dirt, you create a cloud of dust or dirt as you move along a dusty road. □ [V P n] She shuffled along, kicking up clouds of dust.
kick|back /k I kbæk/ (kickbacks ) N‑COUNT A kickback is a sum of money that is paid to someone illegally, for example money which a company pays someone to arrange for the company to be chosen to do an important job. □ …alleged kickbacks and illegal party financing.
ki ck box|ing also kickboxing N‑UNCOUNT Kick boxing is a type of boxing in which the opponents are allowed to kick as well as punch each other.
ki ck-off (kick-offs ) in AM, use kickoff 1 N‑VAR In football, the kick-off is the time at which a particular game starts. [BRIT ] □ The kick-off is at 1.30.
2 N‑COUNT In American football, a kickoff is the kick that begins a play, for example at the beginning of a half or after a touchdown or field goal. [AM ]
3 N‑SING The kick-off of an event or activity is its beginning. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] People stood waiting for the kick-off of the parade.
ki ck-sta rt (kick-starts , kick-starting , kick-started ) also kickstart
1 VERB To kick-start a process that has stopped working or progressing is to take a course of action that will quickly start it going again. □ [V n] The President has chosen to kick-start the economy by slashing interest rates. ● N‑COUNT Kick-start is also a noun. □ The housing market needs a kick-start.
2 VERB If you kick-start a motorcycle, you press the lever that starts it with your foot. □ [V n] He lifted the bike off its stand and kick-started it.
kid ◆◆◇ /k I d/ (kids , kidding , kidded )
1 N‑COUNT You can refer to a child as a kid . [INFORMAL ] □ They've got three kids. □ All the kids in my class could read.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You can refer to your younger brother as your kid brother and your younger sister as your kid sister. [INFORMAL ]
3 N‑COUNT A kid is a young goat.
4 VERB [usu cont] If you are kidding , you are saying something that is not really true, as a joke. [INFORMAL ] □ [V ] I'm not kidding, Frank. There's a cow out there, just standing around. □ [V n] Are you sure you're not kidding me?
5 VERB If you kid someone, you tease them. □ [V n] He liked to kid Ingrid a lot. □ [V n + about ] He used to kid me about being chubby.
6 VERB If people kid themselves , they allow themselves to believe something that is not true because they wish that it was true. □ [V pron-refl] We're kidding ourselves, Bill. We're not winning, we're not even doing well. □ [V pron-refl that] I could kid myself that you did this for me, but it would be a lie.
7 CONVENTION You can say ' No kidding? ' to show that you are interested or surprised when someone tells you something. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ 'We won.'—'No kidding?'
8 PHRASE You can say ' you've got to be kidding ' or ' you must be kidding ' to someone if they have said something that you think is ridiculous or completely untrue. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ You've got to be kidding! I can't live here!
9 PHRASE You can say ' who is she kidding? ' or ' who is he trying to kid? ' if you think it is obvious that someone is not being sincere and does not mean what they say. [INFORMAL ] □ She played the role of a meek, innocent, shy girl. I don't know who she was trying to kid.
kid|die /k I di/ (kiddies ) also kiddy N‑COUNT A kiddie is a very young child. [INFORMAL ]
kiddo /k I doʊ/ (kiddos ) N‑COUNT You can call someone kiddo , especially someone who is younger than you, as a sign of affection. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ I'll miss you kiddo.
ki d glo ves N‑PLURAL [oft with N ] If you treat someone or something with kid gloves , or if you give them the kid glove treatment, you are very careful in the way you deal with them. □ In presidential campaigns, foreign policy is treated with kid gloves.
kid|nap /k I dnæp/ (kidnaps , kidnapping , kidnapped ) in AM, also use kidnaped , kidnaping 1 VERB To kidnap someone is to take them away illegally and by force, and usually to hold them prisoner in order to demand something from their family, employer, or government. □ [V n] Police in Brazil uncovered a plot to kidnap him. □ [V ] They were intelligent and educated, yet they chose to kidnap and kill. □ [V -ed] The kidnapped man was said to have been seized by five people. ● kid|nap|per (kidnappers ) N‑COUNT □ The kidnappers repeated demands for $1.5 billion and the release of two local leaders. ● kid|nap|ping (kidnappings ) N‑VAR □ Two youngsters have been arrested and charged with kidnapping.
2 N‑VAR Kidnap or a kidnap is the crime of taking someone away by force. □ He was charged with the kidnap of a 25 year-old woman.
kid|ney /k I dni/ (kidneys )
1 N‑COUNT Your kidneys are the organs in your body that take waste matter from your blood and send it out of your body as urine.
2 N‑VAR Kidneys are the kidneys of an animal, for example a lamb, calf, or pig, that are eaten as meat. □ …steak and kidney pie.
ki d|ney bean (kidney beans )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Kidney beans are small, reddish-brown beans that are eaten as a vegetable. They are the seeds of a bean plant.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Kidney beans are long, very narrow beans that are green in colour and are eaten as a vegetable. They grow on a tall climbing plant and are the cases that contain the seeds of the plant. [AM ] in BRIT, use French beans
kill ◆◆◆ /k I l/ (kills , killing , killed )
1 VERB If a person, animal, or other living thing is killed , something or someone causes them to die. □ [be V -ed] More than 1,000 people have been killed by the armed forces. □ [V pron-refl] He had attempted to kill himself on several occasions. □ [V n] The earthquake killed 62 people. □ [V ] Heroin can kill. ● kill|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] There is tension in the region following the killing of seven civilians.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The act of killing an animal after hunting it is referred to as the kill . □ After the kill the men and old women collect in an open space and eat a meal of whale meat.
3 VERB If someone or something kills a project, activity, or idea, they completely destroy or end it. □ [V n] His objective was to kill the space station project altogether. ● PHRASAL VERB Kill off means the same as kill . □ [V P n] He would soon launch a second offensive, killing off the peace process. □ [V n P ] The Government's financial squeeze had killed the scheme off.
4 VERB If something kills pain, it weakens it so that it is no longer as strong as it was. □ [V n] He was forced to take opium to kill the pain.
5 VERB [only cont] If you say that something is killing you, you mean that it is causing you physical or emotional pain. [INFORMAL ] □ [V pron] My feet are killing me.
6 VERB If you say that you kill yourself to do something, you are emphasizing that you make a great effort to do it, even though it causes you a lot of trouble or suffering. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ [V pron-refl] You shouldn't always have to kill yourself to do well.
7 VERB If you say that you will kill someone for something they have done, you are emphasizing that you are extremely angry with them. [EMPHASIS ] □ [V n] Tell Richard I'm going to kill him when I get hold of him.
8 VERB If you say that something will not kill you, you mean that it is not really as difficult or unpleasant as it might seem. [INFORMAL ] □ [V pron] Three or four more weeks won't kill me!
9 VERB If you are killing time, you are doing something because you have some time available, not because you really want to do it. □ [V n] I'm just killing time until I can talk to the other witnesses. □ [V n] To kill the hours while she waited, Ann worked in the garden. [Also V n v-ing]
10 PHRASE If you say that you will do something if it kills you, you are emphasizing that you are determined to do it even though it is extremely difficult or painful. [EMPHASIS ] □ I'll make this marriage work if it kills me.
11 PHRASE If you say that you killed yourself laughing , you are emphasizing that you laughed a lot because you thought something was extremely funny. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ]
12 PHRASE If you move in for the kill or if you close in for the kill , you take advantage of a changed situation in order to do something that you have been preparing to do. □ Seeing his chance, Dennis moved in for the kill.
13 to kill two birds with one stone → see bird
14 to be killed outright → see outright
▸ kill off
1 → see kill 3
2 PHRASAL VERB If you say that a group or an amount of something has been killed off , you mean that all of them or all of it have been killed or destroyed. □ [be V -ed P ] Their natural predators have been killed off. □ [V n P ] It is an effective treatment for the bacteria and does kill it off. □ [V P n] All blood products are now heat treated to kill off any infection.
kill|er ◆◇◇ /k I lə r / (killers )
1 N‑COUNT A killer is a person who has killed someone, or who intends to kill someone. □ The police are searching for his killers.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to something that causes death or is likely to cause death as a killer . □ [+ of ] Heart disease is the biggest killer of men in most developed countries.
ki ll|er bee (killer bees ) N‑COUNT A killer bee is a type of bee which is very aggressive and likely to attack and sting people.
ki ll|er i n|stinct (killer instincts ) N‑VAR If you say that a sports player or politician has the killer instinct , you admire them for their toughness and determination to succeed. [APPROVAL ] □ He quit the sport when he realised he didn't have the killer instinct.
ki ll|er wha le (killer whales ) N‑COUNT A killer whale is a type of black and white whale.
kill|ing ◆◇◇ /k I l I ŋ/ (killings )
1 N‑COUNT A killing is an act of deliberately killing a person. □ This is a brutal killing.
2 PHRASE If you make a killing , you make a large profit very quickly and easily. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ on ] They have made a killing on the deal. SYNONYMS killing NOUN 1
murder: …brutal murders.
massacre: Maria lost her 62-year-old mother in the massacre.
slaughter: …the slaughter of seal pups on the east coast of Canada.
execution: Execution by lethal injection is scheduled for July 30th. COLLOCATIONS killing NOUN 1
noun + killing : gangland, honour, revenge
adjective + killing : brutal, cold-blooded, gruesome, senseless; extrajudicial, sectarian, targeted; indiscriminate, mass, random
kill|joy /k I ldʒɔ I / (killjoys ) N‑COUNT If you call someone a killjoy , you are critical of them because they stop other people from enjoying themselves, often by reminding them of something unpleasant. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Don't be such a killjoy!
kiln /k I ln/ (kilns ) N‑COUNT A kiln is an oven that is used to bake pottery and bricks in order to make them hard.
kilo /kiː loʊ/ (kilos ) N‑COUNT [num N ] A kilo is the same as a kilogram . □ [+ in ] He'd lost ten kilos in weight. □ [+ of ] …a kilo of rice.
PREFIX kilo-
forms words that refer to things that have a thousand parts. For example, a kilometre is a thousand metres.
kilo|byte /k I ləba I t/ (kilobytes ) N‑COUNT In computing, a kilobyte is one thousand bytes of data. [COMPUTING ]
kilo|gram /k I ləgræm/ (kilograms ) also kilogramme N‑COUNT [num N ] A kilogram is a metric unit of weight. One kilogram is a thousand grams, or a thousandth of a metric ton, and is equal to 2.2 pounds. □ …a parcel weighing around 4.5 kilograms. [Also + of ]
kilo|hertz /k I ləhɜː r ts/ (kilohertz ) N‑COUNT [num N ] A kilohertz is a unit of measurement of radio waves. One kilohertz is a thousand hertz.
kilo|metre ◆◇◇ /k I ləmiːtə r , k I lɒ m I tə r / (kilometres ) in AM, use kilometer N‑COUNT [num N ] A kilometre is a metric unit of distance or length. One kilometre is a thousand metres and is equal to 0.62 miles. □ [+ from ] …about twenty kilometres from the border. □ [+ of ] The fire destroyed some 40,000 square kilometres of forest.
kilo|watt /k I ləwɒt/ (kilowatts ) N‑COUNT [num N ] A kilowatt is a unit of power. One kilowatt is a thousand watts.
ki lowatt-hour (kilowatt-hours ) N‑COUNT A kilowatt-hour is a unit of energy that is equal to the energy provided by a thousand watts in one hour.
kilt /k I lt/ (kilts ) N‑COUNT A kilt is a skirt with a lot of vertical folds, traditionally worn by Scottish men. Kilts can also be worn by women and girls.
kil|ter /k I ltə r /
1 PHRASE If one thing is out of kilter with another, the first thing does not agree with or fit in with the second. □ Her lifestyle was out of kilter with her politics.
2 PHRASE If something or someone is out of kilter or off kilter , they are not completely right. □ Ignoring feelings of tiredness knocks our body clocks out of kilter.
ki|mo|no /k I moʊ noʊ, [AM ] -nə/ (kimonos ) N‑COUNT A kimono is an item of Japanese clothing. It is long, shaped like a coat, and has wide sleeves.
kin /k I n/
1 N‑PLURAL Your kin are your relatives. [DIALECT or OLD-FASHIONED ] □ She has gone to live with her husband's kin.
2 → see also kith and kin , next of kin
kind
➊ NOUN USES AND PHRASES
➋ ADJECTIVE USES
➊ kind ◆◆◆ /ka I nd/ (kinds )
1 N‑COUNT If you talk about a particular kind of thing, you are talking about one of the types or sorts of that thing. □ [+ of ] The party needs a different kind of leadership. □ [+ of ] Had Jamie ever been in any kind of trouble? □ This book prize is the biggest of its kind in the world.
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone's kind , you are referring to all the other people that are like them or that belong to the same class or set. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I can take care of your kind.
3 PHRASE You can use all kinds of to emphasize that there are a great number and variety of particular things or people. [EMPHASIS ] □ Adoption can fail for all kinds of reasons.
4 PHRASE You use kind of when you want to say that something or someone can be roughly described in a particular way. [SPOKEN , VAGUENESS ] □ It was kind of sad, really.
5 PHRASE You can use of a kind to indicate that something is not as good as it might be expected to be, but that it seems to be the best that is possible or available. □ This, in itself, is bravery of a kind.
6 PHRASE If you refer to someone or something as one of a kind , you mean that there is nobody or nothing else like them. [APPROVAL ] □ She's a very unusual woman, one of a kind.
7 PHRASE If you refer, for example, to two, three, or four of a kind , you mean two, three, or four similar people or things that seem to go well or belong together. □ They were two of a kind, from the same sort of background.
8 PHRASE If you respond in kind , you react to something that someone has done to you by doing the same thing to them. □ They hurled defiant taunts at the riot police, who responded in kind.
9 PHRASE If you pay a debt in kind , you pay it in the form of goods or services and not money. □ …benefits in kind.
➋ kind /ka I nd/ (kinder , kindest )
1 ADJ Someone who is kind behaves in a gentle, caring, and helpful way towards other people. □ [+ to ] I must thank you for being so kind to me. □ [+ of ] It was very kind of you to come. ● kind|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ 'You seem tired this morning, Jenny,' she said kindly.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] You can use kind in expressions such as please be so kind as to and would you be kind enough to in order to ask someone to do something in a firm but polite way. [POLITENESS ] □ I wonder if you'd be kind enough to call him.
3 → see also kindly , kindness
kinda /ka I ndə/ Kinda is used in written English to represent the words 'kind of' when they are pronounced informally. □ I'd kinda like to have a sheep farm in New Mexico.
kin|der|gar|ten /k I ndə r gɑː r t ə n/ (kindergartens ) N‑COUNT [oft in/to/at N ] A kindergarten is an informal kind of school for very young children, where they learn things by playing. □ She's in kindergarten now.
ki nd-hea rted ADJ If you describe someone as kind-hearted , you mean that they are kind, caring, and generous. □ He was a warm, generous and kind-hearted man.
kin|dle /k I nd ə l/ (kindles , kindling , kindled )
1 VERB If something kindles a particular emotion in someone, it makes them start to feel it. □ [V n] The second world war kindled his enthusiasm for politics.
2 VERB If you kindle a fire, you light paper or wood in order to start it. □ [V n] I came in and kindled a fire in the stove.
kin|dling /k I ndl I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Kindling is small pieces of dry wood and other materials that you use to start a fire.
kind|ly /ka I ndli/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A kindly person is kind, caring, and sympathetic. □ He was a stern critic but an extremely kindly man.
2 ADV [ADV before v] If someone kindly does something for you, they act in a thoughtful and helpful way. □ He kindly carried our picnic in a rucksack.
3 ADV [ADV before v] If someone asks you to kindly do something, they are asking you in a way which shows that they have authority over you, or that they are angry with you. [FORMAL ] □ Will you kindly obey the instructions I am about to give?
4 → see also kind ➊
5 PHRASE If you look kindly on or look kindly upon someone or something, you support them or approve of what they are doing. □ Recent historical work looks kindly on the regime.
6 PHRASE If someone does not take kindly to something, they do not like it. □ She did not take kindly to being offered advice.
kind|ness /ka I ndnəs/ N‑UNCOUNT Kindness is the quality of being gentle, caring, and helpful. □ We have been treated with such kindness by everybody.
kin|dred /k I ndr I d/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [with poss] Your kindred are your family, and all the people who are related to you. [DIALECT or OLD-FASHIONED ]
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Kindred things are similar to each other. [FORMAL ] □ I recall many discussions with her on these and kindred topics.
ki n|dred spir|it (kindred spirits ) N‑COUNT A kindred spirit is a person who has the same view of life or the same interests as you.
ki|net|ic /k I ne t I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] In physics, kinetic is used to describe something that is concerned with movement. [TECHNICAL ]
ki |net|ic e n|er|gy N‑UNCOUNT In physics, kinetic energy is the energy that is produced when something moves. [TECHNICAL ]
king ◆◆◇ /k I ŋ/ (kings )
1 N‑TITLE ; N‑COUNT A king is a man who is the most important member of the royal family of his country, and who is considered to be the Head of State of that country. □ [+ of ] …the king and queen of Spain. □ [+ of ] In 1154, Henry II became King of England.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe a man as the king of something, you mean that he is the most important person doing that thing or he is the best at doing it. □ [+ of ] He's the king of unlicensed boxing.
3 N‑COUNT A king is a playing card with a picture of a king on it. □ [+ of ] …the king of diamonds.
4 N‑COUNT In chess, the king is the most important piece. When you are in a position to capture your opponent's king, you win the game.
king|dom /k I ŋdəm/ (kingdoms )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing, oft in names] A kingdom is a country or region that is ruled by a king or queen. □ The kingdom's power declined. □ …the United Kingdom.
2 N‑SING [usu n N ] All the animals, birds, and insects in the world can be referred to together as the animal kingdom . All the plants can be referred to as the plant kingdom .
king|fisher /k I ŋf I ʃə r / (kingfishers ) N‑COUNT A kingfisher is a brightly-coloured bird which lives near rivers and lakes and catches fish.
king|ly /k I ŋli/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Kingly means like a king, or related to the duties of a king. [LITERARY ] □ …a noble man, kingly in stature. □ They thought that he should resume his kingly duties.
king|pin /k I ŋp I n/ (kingpins ) N‑COUNT [n N ] If you describe someone as the kingpin of an organization, you mean that they are the most important person involved in it. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ of ] …one of the kingpins of a large drugs ring.
king|ship /k I ŋʃ I p/ N‑UNCOUNT Kingship is the fact or position of being a king. □ …the duties of kingship.
ki ng-size also king-sized ADJ [usu ADJ n] A king-size or king-sized version of something is a larger size than the standard version, and may be the largest size available. □ …a king-size bed. □ …king-size bars of chocolate.
kink /k I ŋk/ (kinks , kinking , kinked )
1 N‑COUNT A kink is a curve or twist in something which is otherwise or normally straight. □ [+ in ] …a tiny black kitten with tufted ears and a kink in her tail.
2 VERB If something kinks or is kinked , it has, or it develops a curve or twist in it. □ [V ] …her wet hair kinking in the breeze. □ [V n] Increased pillow height kinks the neck and airway.
kinky /k I ŋki/ (kinkier , kinkiest ) ADJ If you describe something, usually a sexual practice or preference, as kinky , you mean that it is unusual and would be considered strange by most people. [INFORMAL ] □ He had been engaging in some kind of kinky sexual activity.
kins|folk /k I nzfoʊk/ The spellings kinfolk , and sometimes in American English kinfolks are also used. N‑PLURAL [oft poss N ] Your kinsfolk or kinfolk are the people who are related to you. [LITERARY ] □ Poor Emily. Her kinsfolk should come to her. □ I sent my other son to the country to stay with kinfolk.
kin|ship /k I nʃ I p/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Kinship is the relationship between members of the same family. □ The ties of kinship may have helped the young man find his way in life.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you feel kinship with someone, you feel close to them, because you have a similar background or similar feelings or ideas. □ [+ with ] She evidently felt a sense of kinship with the woman.
kins|man /k I nzmən/ (kinsmen ) N‑COUNT [oft with poss] Someone's kinsman is their male relative. [LITERARY or WRITTEN ]
kins|woman /k I nzwʊmən/ (kinswomen ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Someone's kinswoman is their female relative. [LITERARY or WRITTEN ]
ki|osk /kiː ɒsk/ (kiosks )
1 N‑COUNT A kiosk is a small building or structure from which people can buy things such as sandwiches or newspapers through an open window. □ I tried to buy an ice-cream from a kiosk.
2 N‑COUNT A kiosk or a telephone kiosk used to be a public telephone box. [BRIT ] □ He phoned me from a kiosk.
kip /k I p/ (kips , kipping , kipped )
1 N‑SING Kip is sleep. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ Mason went home for a couple of hours' kip.
2 VERB If you kip somewhere, usually somewhere that is not your own home or bed, you sleep there. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V prep/adv] He moved from one friend's flat to another, first kipping on the floor of Theodore's studio. [Also V ]
kip|per /k I pə r / (kippers ) N‑COUNT A kipper is a fish, usually a herring, which has been preserved by being hung in smoke.
kirk /kɜː r k/ (kirks )
1 N‑COUNT A kirk is a church. [SCOTTISH ]
2 N‑PROPER The Kirk is the Church of Scotland, the main Protestant church in Scotland. [SCOTTISH ] □ …ministers of the Kirk.
kirsch /k I ə r ʃ/ also Kirsch N‑UNCOUNT Kirsch is a strong, colourless, alcoholic drink made from cherries which is usually drunk after a meal.
kiss ◆◇◇ /k I s/ (kisses , kissing , kissed )
1 VERB If you kiss someone, you touch them with your lips to show affection or sexual desire, or to greet them or say goodbye. □ [V n + on ] She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. □ [V n n] Her parents kissed her goodbye as she set off from their home. □ [V ] They kissed for almost half a minute. □ [V n] We kissed goodbye. ● N‑COUNT Kiss is also a noun. □ I put my arms around her and gave her a kiss.
2 VERB If you say that something kisses another thing, you mean that it touches that thing very gently. □ [V n] The wheels of the aircraft kissed the runway.
3 PHRASE If you blow someone a kiss or blow a kiss , you touch the palm of your hand lightly with your lips, and then blow across your hand towards the person, in order to show them your affection. □ Maria blew him a kiss.
4 PHRASE If you say that you kiss something goodbye or kiss goodbye to something, you accept the fact that you are going to lose it, although you do not want to. [INFORMAL ] □ I felt sure I'd have to kiss my dancing career goodbye.
ki ss-and-te ll ADJ [ADJ n] If someone who has had a love affair with a famous person tells the story of that affair in public, for example in a newspaper or book, you can refer to this as a kiss-and-tell story. □ …intimate photographs and kiss-and-tell revelations.
ki ss of dea th N‑SING If you say that a particular event is the kiss of death for something, you mean that it is certain to make them fail or be a disaster. □ [+ for ] Trying to please an audience is the kiss of death for an artist. [Also + to]
ki ss of li fe N‑SING If you give someone who has stopped breathing the kiss of life , you put your mouth onto their mouth and breathe into their lungs to make them start breathing again. [BRIT ] □ Julia was given the kiss of life but she could not be revived. in AM, use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
kit /k I t/ (kits , kitting , kitted )
1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A kit is a group of items that are kept together, often in the same container, because they are all used for similar purposes. □ …a well-stocked first aid kit.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Kit is special clothing and equipment that you use when you take part in a particular activity, especially a sport. [mainly BRIT ] □ I forgot my gym kit.
3 N‑COUNT A kit is a set of parts that can be put together in order to make something. □ Her popular pot holder is also available in do-it-yourself kits.
4 PHRASE If someone gets their kit off or takes their kit off , they take off all their clothes. If they keep their kit on , they do not take off all their clothes, even though people may be expecting them to. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ I don't like taking my kit off on screen.
▸ kit out PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If someone or something is kitted out , they have everything they need at a particular time, such as clothing, equipment, or furniture. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [be V -ed P + with ] She was kitted out with winter coat, skirts, jumpers. □ [be V -ed P + in ] The place is kitted out in upmarket Italian cafe style.
kit|bag /k I tbæg/ (kitbags ) N‑COUNT A kitbag is a long narrow bag, usually made of canvas, in which soldiers or sailors keep their clothing and personal possessions. [mainly BRIT ]
kitch|en ◆◆◇ /k I tʃ I n/ (kitchens )
1 N‑COUNT A kitchen is a room that is used for cooking and for household jobs such as washing dishes.
2 → see also soup kitchen
ki tch|en ca bi|net (kitchen cabinets ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] Journalists sometimes refer to the unofficial advisers of a prime minister or president as that person's kitchen cabinet , especially if they disapprove of the influence that the advisers seem to have. [DISAPPROVAL ]
kitch|en|ette /k I tʃ I ne t/ (kitchenettes ) N‑COUNT A kitchenette is a small kitchen, or a part of a larger room that is used for cooking.
ki tch|en ga r|den (kitchen gardens ) N‑COUNT A kitchen garden is a garden, or part of a garden, in which vegetables, herbs, and fruit are grown.
kite /ka I t/ (kites )
1 N‑COUNT A kite is an object, usually used as a toy, which is flown in the air. It consists of a light frame covered with paper or cloth and has a long string attached which you hold while the kite is flying.
2 PHRASE If you say that someone is as high as a kite , you mean that they are very excited or that they are greatly affected by alcohol or drugs.
Kite|mark /ka I tmɑː r k/ N‑SING In Britain, the Kitemark is a symbol which is put on products that have met certain standards of safety and quality. [BRIT ]
kith and kin /k I θ ən k I n/ N‑PLURAL You can refer to your friends and family as your kith and kin .
kitsch /k I tʃ/ N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to a work of art or an object as kitsch if it is showy and thought by some people to be in bad taste. □ …a hideous ballgown verging on the kitsch. ● ADJ Kitsch is also an adjective. □ Blue and green eyeshadow has long been considered kitsch.
kit|ten /k I t ə n/ (kittens ) N‑COUNT A kitten is a very young cat.
kit|ty /k I ti/ (kitties )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A kitty is an amount of money gathered from several people, which is meant to be spent on things that these people will share or use together. □ You haven't put any money in the kitty for three weeks.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A kitty is the total amount of money which is bet in a gambling game, and which is taken by the winner or winners. □ Each month the total prize kitty is £13.5 million.
kiwi /kiː wiː/ (kiwis )
1 N‑COUNT A kiwi is the same as a kiwi fruit .
2 N‑COUNT A kiwi is a type of bird that lives in New Zealand. Kiwis cannot fly.
3 N‑COUNT People who come from New Zealand are sometimes referred to as Kiwis . This use could cause offence. [BRIT , AUSTRALIAN ]
ki wi fruit (kiwi fruit or kiwi fruits ) N‑VAR A kiwi fruit is a fruit with a brown hairy skin and green flesh.
KKK /ke I ke I ke I / N‑PROPER [with sing or pl verb] KKK is an abbreviation for Ku Klux Klan.
Klans|man /klæ nzmən/ (Klansmen ) N‑COUNT A Klansman is a man who is a member of the Ku Klux Klan.
Kleen|ex /kliː neks/ (Kleenex ) N‑COUNT A Kleenex is a piece of soft tissue paper that is used as a handkerchief. [TRADEMARK ] □ …a box of Kleenex.
klep|to|ma|ni|ac /kle ptəme I niæk/ (kleptomaniacs ) N‑COUNT A kleptomaniac is a person who cannot control their desire to steal things, usually because of a medical condition.
kludge /klʌ dʒ/ (kludges ) N‑COUNT You can refer to an unsophisticated but fairly effective solution to a problem as a kludge . Kludge is used especially to talk about solutions to computing problems.
klutz /klʌ ts/ (klutzes ) N‑COUNT You can refer to someone who is very clumsy or who seems stupid as a klutz . [mainly AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
km (kms or km ) also km. km is a written abbreviation for kilometre .
knack /næ k/ (knacks ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A knack is a particularly clever or skilful way of doing something successfully, especially something which most people find difficult. □ [+ of/for ] He's got the knack of getting people to listen.
knack|er /næ kə r / (knackers ) N‑COUNT A knacker is someone who buys up old horses and then kills them for their meat, bones, or leather. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ The vet suggested that the knacker would collect JoJo, and even pay her for him.
knack|ered /næ kə r d/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that you are knackered , you are emphasizing that you are extremely tired. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ I was absolutely knackered at the end of the match.
2 ADJ If you say that something is knackered , you mean that it is completely broken or worn out. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ …a knackered old T- shirt .
knap|sack /næ psæk/ (knapsacks ) N‑COUNT A knapsack is a canvas or leather bag that you carry on your back or over your shoulder, for example when you are walking in the countryside.
knave /ne I v/ (knaves )
1 N‑COUNT If someone calls a man a knave , they mean that he is dishonest and should not be trusted. [OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ]
2 N‑COUNT In card games, knave is another word for jack . [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use jack
knead /niː d/ (kneads , kneading , kneaded )
1 VERB When you knead dough or other food, you press and squeeze it with your hands so that it becomes smooth and ready to cook. □ [V n] Lightly knead the mixture on a floured surface.
2 VERB If you knead a part of someone's body, you press or squeeze it with your fingers. □ [V n] She felt him knead the aching muscles.
knee ◆◇◇ /niː / (knees , kneeing , kneed )
1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your knee is the place where your leg bends. □ He will receive physiotherapy on his damaged left knee. □ …a knee injury.
2 N‑COUNT [oft on N ] If something or someone is on your knee or on your knees , they are resting or sitting on the upper part of your legs when you are sitting down. □ He sat with the package on his knees.
3 N‑PLURAL [usu on/to N ] If you are on your knees , your legs are bent and your knees are on the ground. □ She fell to the ground on her knees and prayed.
4 VERB If you knee someone, you hit them using your knee. □ [V n] Ian kneed him in the groin.
5 PHRASE If a country or organization is brought to its knees , it is almost completely destroyed by someone or something. □ The country was being brought to its knees by the loss of 2.4 million manufacturing jobs.
knee|cap /niː kæp/ (kneecaps ) also knee-cap N‑COUNT Your kneecaps are the bones at the front of your knees.
knee -capping (knee-cappings ) also kneecapping N‑VAR Knee-capping is the act of shooting someone in the knee and is carried out by some terrorist organizations as a form of punishment.
knee -dee p
1 ADJ Something that is knee-deep is as high as your knees. □ The water was only knee-deep.
2 ADJ [ADJ after v] If a person or a place is knee-deep in something such as water, the level of the water comes up to a person's knees. □ [+ in ] They spent much of their time knee-deep in mud.
knee -hi gh ADJ Something that is knee-high is as tall or high as an adult's knees.
knee -jerk ADJ [ADJ n] If you call someone's response to a question or situation a knee-jerk reaction, you mean that they react in a very predictable way, without thinking. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The knee-jerk reaction to this is to call for proper security in all hospitals.
kneel /niː l/ (kneels , kneeling , kneeled or knelt ) The forms kneeled and knelt can both be used for the past tense and past participle. VERB When you kneel , you bend your legs so that your knees are touching the ground. □ [V prep/adv] She knelt by the bed and prayed. □ [V ] Other people were kneeling, but she just sat. □ [V -ing] …a kneeling position. ● PHRASAL VERB Kneel down means the same as kneel . □ [V P ] She kneeled down beside him.
knee s-up (knees-ups ) N‑COUNT A knees-up is a party or celebration. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
knelt /ne lt/ Knelt is a past tense and past participle of kneel .
knew /njuː , [AM ] nuː / Knew is the past tense of know .
knick|ers /n I kə r z/ The form knicker is used as a modifier. 1 N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Knickers are a piece of underwear worn by women and girls which have holes for the legs and elastic around the waist to hold them up. [BRIT ] □ She bought Ann two bras and six pairs of knickers. in AM, use panties
2 PHRASE If someone is getting their knickers in a twist about something, they are getting annoyed or upset about it without good reason. [BRIT , HUMOROUS , INFORMAL ]
knick-knacks /n I k næks/ in AM, usually use knickknacks N‑PLURAL Knick-knacks are small objects which people keep as ornaments or toys, rather than for a particular use.
knife ◆◇◇ /na I f/ (knives , knifes , knifing , knifed ) knives is the plural form of the noun and knifes is the third person singular of the present tense of the verb. 1 N‑COUNT A knife is a tool for cutting or a weapon and consists of a flat piece of metal with a sharp edge on the end of a handle. □ …a knife and fork. □ Two robbers broke into her home, held a knife to her throat and stole her savings.
2 VERB To knife someone means to attack and injure them with a knife. □ [V n prep] Dawson takes revenge on the man by knifing him to death. [Also V n]
3 N‑COUNT A surgeon's knife is a piece of equipment used to cut flesh and organs during operations. It is made of metal and has a very thin sharp edge. ● PHRASE If you go under the knife , you have an operation in a hospital. □ Kelly was about to go under the knife when her surgeon stopped everything.
4 → see also carving knife , fish knife , flick-knife , palette knife , paper knife , pocket knife , Stanley knife
5 PHRASE If someone does something like a knife through butter or like a hot knife through butter , they do it very easily. □ Japanese companies will be cutting through the competition like a hot knife through butter.
6 PHRASE If you have been in a place where there was a very tense atmosphere, you can say that you could have cut the atmosphere with a knife . [mainly BRIT ]
7 PHRASE If a lot of people want something unpleasant to happen to someone, for example if they want them to lose their job, you can say that the knives are out for that person. [mainly BRIT ] □ The Party knives are out for the leader.
8 PHRASE If you twist the knife or if you turn the knife in someone's wound , you do or say something to make an unpleasant situation they are in even more unpleasant. □ Travis twisted the knife by laughing at her.
kni fe-edge also knife edge
1 PHRASE To be on a knife-edge means to be in a situation in which nobody knows what is going to happen next, or in which one thing is just as likely to happen as another. [mainly BRIT ] □ The game is poised on a knife-edge. One mistake or one piece of good luck could decide it.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use knife-edge to refer to something that is very exciting or tense because you do not know what is going to happen next. [mainly BRIT ] □ Tonight's knife-edge vote could be uncomfortably close.
knife|man /na I fmən/ (knifemen ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A knifeman is someone who has attacked or killed someone with a knife. [BRIT , mainly JOURNALISM ] □ A crazed knifeman attacked three policewomen.
knife|point /na I fpɔ I nt/ also knife-point PHRASE If you are attacked or robbed at knifepoint , someone threatens you with a knife while they attack or steal from you. [JOURNALISM ] □ A 15-year-old girl was attacked at knifepoint in a subway.
knif|ing /na I f I ŋ/ (knifings )
1 N‑COUNT A knifing is an incident in which someone is attacked and injured with a knife.
2 → see also knife
knight /na I t/ (knights , knighting , knighted )
1 N‑COUNT In medieval times, a knight was a man of noble birth, who served his king or lord in battle.
2 VERB [usu passive] If someone is knighted , they are given a knighthood. □ [be V -ed] He was knighted in the Queen's birthday honours list in June 1988.
3 N‑COUNT A knight is a man who has been knighted.
4 N‑COUNT In chess, a knight is a piece which is shaped like a horse's head.
5 PHRASE If you refer to someone as a knight in shining armour , you mean that they are kind and brave, and likely to rescue you from a difficult situation. □ Love songs trick us into believing in knights in shining armor.
knight|hood /na I thʊd/ (knighthoods ) N‑COUNT A knighthood is a title that is given to a man by a British king or queen for his achievements or his service to his country. A man who has been given a knighthood can put 'Sir' in front of his name instead of 'Mr'.
knit /n I t/ (knits , knitting , knitted )
1 VERB If you knit something, especially an article of clothing, you make it from wool or a similar thread by using two knitting needles or a machine. □ [V ] I had endless hours to knit and sew. □ [V n] I have already started knitting baby clothes. □ [V n n] She knitted him 10 pairs of socks to take with him. □ [V n + for ] During the war, Joan helped her mother knit scarves for soldiers. □ [V -ed] She pushed up the sleeves of her grey knitted cardigan and got to work. [Also V n + into ] ● COMB [ADJ n] Knit is also a combining form. □ Ferris wore a heavy knit sweater.
2 VERB If someone or something knits things or people together , they make them fit or work together closely and successfully. □ [V n with together ] The best thing about sport is that it knits the whole family close together. □ [V n + to/into ] People have reservations about their president's drive to knit them so closely to their neighbors. [Also V n]
3 COMB [usu ADJ n] Knit is also a combining form. □ …a tightly knit society.
4 VERB When broken bones knit , the broken pieces grow together again. □ [V + together ] The bone hasn't knitted together properly. □ [V ] …broken bones that have failed to knit.
5 PHRASE If you knit your brows or knit your eyebrows , you frown because you are angry or worried. [LITERARY ] □ They knitted their brows and started to grumble. □ Billy's eyebrows knitted together in a little frown.
knit|ting /n I t I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu poss N ] Knitting is something, such as an article of clothing, that is being knitted. □ She had been sitting with her knitting at her fourth-floor window.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Knitting is the action or process of knitting. □ Take up a relaxing hobby, such as knitting.
kni t|ting nee|dle (knitting needles ) N‑COUNT Knitting needles are thin plastic or metal rods which you use when you are knitting.
knit|wear /n I tweə r / N‑UNCOUNT Knitwear is clothing that has been knitted. □ …expensive Italian knitwear.
knives /na I vz/ Knives is the plural of knife .
knob /nɒ b/ (knobs )
1 N‑COUNT A knob is a round handle on a door or drawer which you use in order to open or close it. □ He turned the knob and pushed against the door.
2 N‑COUNT A knob is a round switch on a piece of machinery or equipment. □ …the volume knob.
3 N‑COUNT A knob of butter is a small amount of it. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ of ] Top the steaming hot potatoes with a knob of butter.
knob|bly /nɒ bli/ or knobby /nɒ bi/ ADJ Something that is knobbly or knobby has lumps on it which stick out and make the surface uneven. □ …knobbly knees.
knock ◆◇◇ /nɒ k/ (knocks , knocking , knocked )
1 VERB If you knock on something such as a door or window, you hit it, usually several times, to attract someone's attention. □ [V + on/at ] She went directly to Simon's apartment and knocked on the door. □ [V ] He knocked before going in. ● N‑COUNT Knock is also a noun. □ [+ at ] They heard a knock at the front door. ● knock|ing N‑SING □ [+ at ] They were wakened by a loud knocking at the door.
2 VERB If you knock something, you touch or hit it roughly, especially so that it falls or moves. □ [V n prep] She accidentally knocked the tea tin off the shelf. □ [V n with adv] Isabel rose so abruptly that she knocked down her chair. [Also V n] ● N‑COUNT Knock is also a noun. □ The bags have tough exterior materials to protect against knocks, rain and dust.
3 VERB If someone knocks two rooms or buildings into one, or knocks them together , they make them form one room or building by removing a wall. □ [V n + into ] They decided to knock the two rooms into one. □ [V n with together ] The spacious kitchen was achieved by knocking together three small rooms.
4 VERB To knock someone into a particular position or condition means to hit them very hard so that they fall over or become unconscious. □ [V n prep/adv] The third wave was so strong it knocked me backwards. □ [V n adj] Someone had knocked him unconscious.
5 VERB [no cont] To knock a particular quality or characteristic that someone has, or to knock it out of them means to make them lose it. □ [V n] Those people hurt me and knocked my confidence. □ [V n + out of ] The stories of his links with the actress had knocked the fun out of him.
6 VERB If you knock something or someone, you criticize them and say unpleasant things about them. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] I'm not knocking them: if they want to do it, it's up to them.
7 N‑COUNT If someone receives a knock , they have an unpleasant experience which prevents them from achieving something or which causes them to change their attitudes or plans. □ What they said was a real knock to my self-confidence.
8 to knock something on the head → see head
9 to knock someone or something into shape → see shape
▸ knock about → see knock around
▸ knock around in BRIT, also use knock about 1 PHRASAL VERB If someone knocks you around or knocks you about , they hit or kick you several times. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] He lied to me constantly and started knocking me around.
2 PHRASAL VERB If someone knocks around or knocks about somewhere, they spend time there, experiencing different situations or just passing time. □ [V P prep/adv] …reporters who knock around in troubled parts of the world. □ [V P n] I know nothing about him except that he knocked about South Africa for a while.
3 PHRASAL VERB [only cont] If someone or something is knocking around or knocking about , they are present in a particular place. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P ] There were a couple of decent kits knocking around, but this wasn't one of them!
4 PHRASAL VERB If you knock around or knock about with someone, you spend your spare time with them, either because you are one of their friends or because you are their boyfriend or girlfriend. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P + with ] I used to knock about with all the lads from round where Mum lives. □ [V P together ] They were knocking around together for about a year.
▸ knock back
1 PHRASAL VERB If you knock back a drink, especially an alcoholic one, you drink it quickly, and often in large amounts. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] He was knocking back his 10th gin and tonic of the day. □ [V n P ] She poured some vodka into a glass and knocked it back in two swallows.
2 PHRASAL VERB If an event, situation, or person knocks you back , they prevent you from progressing or achieving something. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n P ] It seemed as though every time we got rolling something came along to knock us back. □ [V P n] That really knocked back any hope for further peace negotiations.
▸ knock down
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone is knocked down or is knocked over by a vehicle or its driver, they are hit by a car and fall to the ground, and are often injured or killed. □ [be V -ed P ] He died in hospital after being knocked down by a car. □ [V P n] A drunk driver knocked down and killed two girls. □ [V n P ] A car knocked him over.
2 PHRASAL VERB To knock down a building or part of a building means to demolish it. □ [V n P ] Why doesn't he just knock the wall down? □ [V P n] They have since knocked down the shack.
3 PHRASAL VERB To knock down a price or amount means to decrease it. [mainly AM ] □ [V P n] The market might abandon the stock, and knock down its price. □ [V n P ] It manages to knock rents down to $1 per square foot. in BRIT, usually use bring down
▸ knock off
1 PHRASAL VERB To knock off an amount from a price, time, or level means to reduce it by that amount. □ [V n P n] Udinese have knocked 10% off admission prices. □ [V P amount] When pressed they knock off 10 per cent.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you knock something off a list or document, you remove it. □ [V n P n] Tighter rules for benefit entitlement have knocked many people off the unemployment register. [Also V n P ]
3 PHRASAL VERB When you knock off , you finish work at the end of the day or before a break. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] If I get this report finished I'll knock off early.
▸ knock out
1 PHRASAL VERB To knock someone out means to cause them to become unconscious or to go to sleep. □ [V n P ] The three drinks knocked him out. □ [be V -ed P ] He had never been knocked out in a professional fight. [Also V P n]
2 PHRASAL VERB If a person or team is knocked out of a competition, they are defeated in a game, so that they take no more part in the competition. □ [be V -ed P ] The Frenchman has been knocked out in the quarter-finals of the tournament. □ [V n P + of ] They knocked them out of the League Cup. [Also V P n]
3 → see also knockout
4 PHRASAL VERB If something is knocked out by enemy action or bad weather, it is destroyed or stops functioning because of it. □ [V P n] Our bombers have knocked out the mobile launchers.
▸ knock over → see knock down 1
knock|about /nɒ kəbaʊt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Knockabout comedy is lively and often involves people doing funny things, rather than saying them. [mainly BRIT ] □ He gave one of his best knockabout performances in a long time.
knock|back /nɒ kbæk/ (knockbacks ) also knock-back N‑COUNT A knockback is a problem or a rejection which delays your progress or which reverses some of the progress you have made. □ The schedule has suffered a knockback.
knock|down /nɒ kdaʊn/ also knock-down ADJ [ADJ n] A knockdown price is much lower than it would be normally. [INFORMAL ] □ …the chance to buy it now at a knockdown price.
knock|er /nɒ kə r / (knockers ) N‑COUNT A knocker is a piece of metal on the front door of a building, which you use to hit the door in order to attract the attention of the people inside.
kno ck-knee d ADJ Someone who is knock-kneed has legs which turn inwards at the knees.
knock|off /nɒ kɒf/ (knockoffs ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A knockoff is a cheap copy of a well-known product. [INFORMAL ] □ Frilly dresses are out; Chanel knockoffs are in. □ You can buy a nice knockoff watch from them.
kno ck-on ADJ [ADJ n] If there is a knock-on effect, one action or event causes several other events to happen one after the other. [BRIT ] □ The cut in new car prices has had a knock-on effect on the price of used cars.
knock|out /nɒ kaʊt/ (knockouts ) also knock-out
1 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] In boxing, a knockout is a situation in which a boxer wins the fight by making his opponent fall to the ground and be unable to stand up before the referee has counted to ten.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A knockout blow is an action or event that completely defeats an opponent. □ He delivered a knockout blow to all of his rivals.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] A knockout competition is one in which the players or teams that win continue playing until there is only one winner left. [mainly BRIT ] □ …the European Cup, a knockout competition between the top teams in Europe. in AM, use elimination 4 N‑SING If you describe someone or something as a knockout , you think that they are extremely attractive or impressive. [INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ [+ in ] She was a knockout in navy and scarlet.
knoll /noʊ l/ (knolls ) N‑COUNT A knoll is a low hill with gentle slopes and a rounded top. [LITERARY ] □ …a grassy knoll. □ …on Nibley Knoll.
knot /nɒ t/ (knots , knotting , knotted )
1 N‑COUNT If you tie a knot in a piece of string, rope, cloth, or other material, you pass one end or part of it through a loop and pull it tight. □ One lace had broken and been tied in a knot.
2 VERB If you knot a piece of string, rope, cloth, or other material, you pass one end or part of it through a loop and pull it tight. □ [V n with together ] He knotted the laces securely together. □ [V n] He knotted the bandanna around his neck. □ [V -ed] …a knotted rope.
3 N‑COUNT If you feel a knot in your stomach, you get an uncomfortable tight feeling in your stomach, usually because you are afraid or excited. □ [+ of ] There was a knot of tension in his stomach.
4 VERB If your stomach knots or if something knots it, it feels tight because you are afraid or excited. □ [V ] I felt my stomach knot with apprehension. □ [V n] The old dread knotted her stomach.
5 VERB If part of your face or your muscles knot , they become tense, usually because you are worried or angry. □ [V ] His forehead knotted in a frown. □ [V -ed] …his knotted muscles.
6 N‑COUNT A knot in a piece of wood is a small hard area where a branch grew.
7 N‑COUNT A knot is a unit of speed. The speed of ships, aircraft, and winds is measured in knots. □ They travel at speeds of up to 30 knots.
8 PHRASE If you tie yourself in knots , you get very confused and anxious. [INFORMAL ] □ The press agent tied himself in knots trying to apologise.
9 PHRASE If you say that two people tie the knot , you mean that they get married. [INFORMAL ] □ Len tied the knot with Kate five years ago.
knot|ty /nɒ ti/ (knottier , knottiest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A knotty problem is complicated and difficult to solve. □ The new management team faces some knotty problems.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Knotty wood has a lot of small hard areas on it where branches once grew.
know ◆◆◆ /noʊ / (knows , knowing , knew , known )
1 VERB [no cont] If you know a fact, a piece of information, or an answer, you have it correctly in your mind. □ [V n] I don't know the name of the place. □ [V that] 'People like doing things for nothing.'—'I know they do.' □ [V wh] I don't know what happened to her husband. □ [V ] 'How did he meet your mother?'—'I don't know.' □ [V + about ] We all know about his early experiments in flying. □ [V n to-inf] They looked younger than I knew them to be. □ [be V -ed wh] It is not known whether the bomb was originally intended for the capital itself. □ [be V -ed that] It's always been known that key figures in the government do very well for themselves.
2 VERB [no cont] If you know someone, you are familiar with them because you have met them and talked to them before. □ [V n] Gifford was a friend. I'd known him for nine years. □ [V n] Do you two know each other?
3 VERB [no cont] If you say that you know of something, you mean that you have heard about it but you do not necessarily have a lot of information about it. □ [V + of ] We know of the incident but have no further details. □ [V + of ] I know of no one who would want to murder Albert.
4 VERB [no cont] If you know about a subject, you have studied it or taken an interest in it, and understand part or all of it. □ [V + about ] Hire someone with experience, someone who knows about real estate. □ [V amount + about ] She didn't know anything about music but she liked to sing.
5 VERB [no cont] If you know a language, you have learned it and can understand it. □ [V n] It helps to know French and Creole if you want to understand some of the lyrics.
6 VERB [no cont] If you know something such as a place, a work of art, or an idea, you have visited it, seen it, read it, or heard about it, and so you are familiar with it. □ [V n] No matter how well you know Paris, it is easy to get lost.
7 VERB [no cont] If you know how to do something, you have the necessary skills and knowledge to do it. □ [V wh-to-inf] The health authorities now know how to deal with the disease. □ [V wh-to-inf] We know what to do to make it work.
8 VERB [no cont] You can say that someone knows that something is happening when they become aware of it. □ [V that] Then I saw a gun under the hall table so I knew that something was wrong. □ [V + about ] The first I knew about it was when I woke up in the ambulance.
9 VERB [no cont] If you know something or someone, you recognize them when you see them or hear them. □ [V n] Would she know you if she saw you on the street?
10 VERB [no cont] If someone or something is known as a particular name, they are called by that name. □ [be V -ed + as ] The disease is more commonly known as Mad Cow Disease. □ [V n + as ] He was born as John Birks Gillespie, but everyone knew him as Dizzy. □ [be V -ed + by ] He was the only boy in the school who was known by his Christian name and not his surname. □ [V -ed] …British Nuclear Fuels, otherwise known as BNFL.
11 VERB If you know someone or something as a person or thing that has particular qualities, you consider that they have those qualities. □ [V n + as ] Lots of people know her as a very kind woman.
12 → see also knowing , known
13 PHRASE If you talk about a thing or system as we know it , you are referring to the form in which it exists now and which is familiar to most people. □ He planned to end the welfare system as we know it.
14 PHRASE If you get to know someone, you find out what they are like by spending time with them. □ The new neighbours were getting to know each other.
15 PHRASE People use expressions such as goodness knows , Heaven knows , and God knows when they do not know something and want to suggest that nobody could possibly know it. [INFORMAL ] □ 'Who's he?'—'God knows.'
16 CONVENTION You say ' I know ' to show that you agree with what has just been said. □ 'This country is so awful.'—'I know, I know.'
17 CONVENTION You say ' I know ' to show that you accept that something is true, but think that it is not very important or relevant. □ 'There are trains straight from Cambridge.'—'I know, but it's no quicker.'
18 PHRASE You use ' I know ' to express sympathy and understanding towards someone. □ I know what you're going through.
19 PHRASE You can use I don't know to indicate that you do not completely agree with something or do not really think that it is true. □ 'He should quite simply resign.'—'I don't know about that.'
20 PHRASE You can say ' I don't know about you ' to indicate that you are going to give your own opinion about something and you want to find out if someone else feels the same. □ I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm hungry.
21 PHRASE You use I don't know in expressions which indicate criticism of someone's behaviour. For example, if you say that you do not know how someone can do something, you mean that you cannot understand or accept them doing it. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I don't know how he could do this to his own daughter.
22 PHRASE People sometimes use expressions such as I'm blessed if I know or damned if I know to emphasize the fact that they do not know something. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ 'What was that all about?'—'Darned if I know.'
23 PHRASE If you are in the know about something, especially something that is not known about or understood by many people, you have information about it. □ It was gratifying to be in the know about important people.
24 CONVENTION You can use expressions such as you know what I mean and if you know what I mean to suggest that the person listening to you understands what you are trying to say, and so you do not have to explain any more. [SPOKEN ] □ None of us stayed long. I mean, the atmosphere wasn't–well, you know what I mean.
25 CONVENTION You say ' You never know ' or ' One never knows ' to indicate that it is not definite or certain what will happen in the future, and to suggest that there is some hope that things will turn out well. [VAGUENESS ] □ You never know, I might get lucky.
26 CONVENTION You say ' Not that I know of ' when someone has asked you whether or not something is true and you think the answer is 'no' but you cannot be sure because you do not know all the facts. [VAGUENESS ] □ 'Is he married?'—'Not that I know of.'
27 PHRASE You can use expressions such as What does she know? and What do they know? when you think that someone has no right to comment on a situation because they do not understand it. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ about ] Don't listen to him, what does he know?
28 CONVENTION You use you know to emphasize or to draw attention to what you are saying. [SPOKEN , EMPHASIS ] □ The conditions in there are awful, you know. □ You know, it does worry me.
29 CONVENTION You use you know when you are trying to explain more clearly what you mean, by referring to something that the person you are talking to knows about. [SPOKEN ] □ Wear the white dress, you know, the one with all the black embroidery.
30 PHRASE You can say ' You don't know ' in order to emphasize how strongly you feel about the remark you are going to make. [SPOKEN , EMPHASIS ] □ You don't know how good it is to speak to somebody from home.
31 to know best → see best
32 to know better → see better
33 to know no bounds → see bound ➋
34 to know something for a fact → see fact
35 as far as I know → see far
36 not to know the first thing about something → see first
37 to know full well → see full
38 to let someone know → see let
39 not to know the meaning of the word → see meaning
40 to know your own mind → see mind ➊
41 to know the ropes → see rope
kno w-all (know-alls ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a know-all , you are critical of them because they think that they know a lot more than other people. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] in AM, use know-it-all
kno w-how ◆◇◇ in AM, use knowhow N‑UNCOUNT Know-how is knowledge of the methods or techniques of doing something, especially something technical or practical. [INFORMAL ] □ He hasn't got the know-how to run a farm.
know|ing /noʊ I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A knowing gesture or remark is one that shows that you understand something, for example the way that someone is feeling or what they really mean, even though it has not been mentioned directly. □ Ron gave her a knowing smile. □ Dan exchanged a knowing look with Harry. ● know|ing|ly ADV □ He smiled knowingly.
know|ing|ly /noʊ I ŋli/ ADV [ADV before v] If you knowingly do something wrong, you do it even though you know it is wrong. □ He repeated that he had never knowingly taken illegal drugs.
kno w-it-all (know-it-alls ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a know-it-all , you are critical of them because they think that they know a lot more than other people. [AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] in BRIT, use know-all
knowl|edge ◆◆◇ /nɒ l I dʒ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Knowledge is information and understanding about a subject which a person has, or which all people have. □ [+ of ] She told Parliament she had no knowledge of the affair. □ …the quest for scientific knowledge.
2 PHRASE If you say that something is true to your knowledge or to the best of your knowledge , you mean that you believe it to be true but it is possible that you do not know all the facts. □ Alec never carried a gun to my knowledge.
3 PHRASE If you do something safe in the knowledge that something else is the case, you do the first thing confidently because you are sure of the second thing. [WRITTEN ] □ You can let your kids play here, safe in the knowledge that they won't get sunburn. SYNONYMS knowledge NOUN 1
understanding: They have a basic understanding of computers.
awareness: The 1980s brought an awareness of green issues.
grasp: They have a good grasp of foreign languages.
appreciation: They have a stronger appreciation of the importance of economic incentives.
knowl|edge|able /nɒ l I dʒəb ə l/ ADJ Someone who is knowledgeable has or shows a clear understanding of many different facts about the world or about a particular subject. □ We employ friendly and knowledgeable staff. ● knowl|edge|ably ADV [ADV after v] □ Kaspar had spoken knowledgeably about the state of agriculture in Europe.
known /noʊ n/
1 Known is the past participle of know .
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use known to describe someone or something that is clearly recognized by or familiar to all people or to a particular group of people. □ …He was a known drug dealer. □ He became one of the best known actors of his day.
3 ADJ If someone or something is known for a particular achievement or feature, they are familiar to many people because of that achievement or feature. □ [+ for ] He is better known for his film and TV work.
4 PHRASE If you let it be known that something is the case, or you let something be known , you make sure that people know it or can find out about it. □ The Prime Minister has let it be known that he is against it.
knuck|le /nʌ k ə l/ (knuckles , knuckling , knuckled )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl, oft poss N ] Your knuckles are the rounded pieces of bone that form lumps on your hands where your fingers join your hands, and where your fingers bend. □ Brenda's knuckles were white as she gripped the arms of the chair.
2 a rap on the knuckles → see rap
▸ knuckle down PHRASAL VERB If someone knuckles down , they begin to work or study very hard, especially after a period when they have done very little work. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] The only thing to do was knuckle down and get on with some serious hard work. □ [V P + to ] He managed to knuckle down to his lessons long enough to pass his examination.
▸ knuckle under PHRASAL VERB If you knuckle under , you do what someone else tells you to do or what a situation forces you to do, because you realize that you have no choice. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] It is arguable whether the rebels will knuckle under. □ [V P + to ] The United States, he said, did not knuckle under to demands.
knu ckle-duster (knuckle-dusters ) also knuckleduster N‑COUNT A knuckle-duster is a piece of metal that is designed to be worn on the back of a person's hand as a weapon, so that if they hit someone they will hurt them badly. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use brass knuckles
KO /ke I oʊ / (KO's ) N‑COUNT KO is an abbreviation for knockout . □ 34 of his wins were KO's.
koa|la /koʊɑː lə/ (koalas ) N‑COUNT A koala or a koala bear is an Australian animal which looks like a small bear with grey fur and lives in trees.
kohl /koʊ l/ N‑UNCOUNT Kohl is a cosmetic used to make a dark line along the edges of someone's eyelids.
kohl|ra|bi /koʊlrɑː bi/ (kohlrabi ) N‑VAR Kohlrabi is a green vegetable that has a round ball of leaves like a cabbage. It has a thick stem that you boil in water before eating.
kook /kuː k/ (kooks ) N‑COUNT You can refer to someone who you think is slightly strange or eccentric as a kook . [mainly AM , INFORMAL ]
kooky /kuː ki/ ADJ Someone who is kooky is slightly strange or eccentric, but often in a way which makes you like them. [INFORMAL ] □ It's slightly kooky, but I love it. □ She's been mocked for her kooky ways.
Ko|ran /kɔːrɑː n/ N‑PROPER The Koran is the sacred book on which the religion of Islam is based.
Ko|ran|ic /kɔːræ n I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Koranic is used to describe something which belongs or relates to the Koran. □ …Koranic schools.
Ko|rean /kɔːriː ən/ (Koreans )
1 ADJ Korean means belonging or relating to North or South Korea, or to their people, language, or culture.
2 N‑COUNT A Korean is a North or South Korean citizen, or a person of North or South Korean origin.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Korean is the language spoken by people who live in North and South Korea.
ko|sher /koʊ ʃə r /
1 ADJ Something, especially food, that is kosher is approved of or allowed by the laws of Judaism. □ …a kosher butcher.
2 ADJ Something that is kosher is generally approved of or considered to be correct. [INFORMAL ] □ Acting was not a kosher trade for an upper-class girl.
kow|tow /kaʊ taʊ / (kowtows , kowtowing , kowtowed ) also kow-tow VERB If you say that someone kowtows to someone else, you are criticizing them because they are too eager to obey or be polite to someone in authority. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + to ] See how stupidly they kow-tow to persons higher in the hierarchy. [Also V ]
kph /ke I piː e I tʃ/ kph is written after a number to indicate the speed of something such as a vehicle. kph is an abbreviation for 'kilometres per hour'.
Krem|lin /kre ml I n/ N‑PROPER The Kremlin is the building in Moscow where Russian government business takes place. □ …a two hour meeting in the Kremlin. ● N‑PROPER The Kremlin is also used to refer to the central government of Russia and of the former Soviet Union. □ The Kremlin is still insisting on a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
kryp|ton /kr I ptɒn/ N‑UNCOUNT Krypton is an element that is found in the air in the form of a gas. It is used in fluorescent lights and lasers.
ku|dos /kjuː dɒs, [AM ] kuː doʊz/ N‑UNCOUNT Kudos is admiration or recognition that someone or something gets as a result of a particular action or achievement. □ [+ for ] …a new hotel chain that has won kudos for the way it treats guests.
Ku Klux Klan /kuː klʌ ks klæ n/ N‑PROPER [with sing or pl verb] The Ku Klux Klan is a secret organization of white Protestant men in the United States which promotes violence against black people, Jews, and other minorities.
kung fu /kʌ ŋ fuː / N‑UNCOUNT Kung fu is a Chinese way of fighting in which people use only their bare hands and feet.
Ku|wai|ti /kʊwe I ti/ (Kuwaitis )
1 ADJ Kuwaiti means belonging or relating to Kuwait, or to its people or culture.
2 N‑COUNT A Kuwaiti is a Kuwaiti citizen, or a person of Kuwaiti origin.
KW also kW KW is a written abbreviation for kilowatt .
Ll
L , l /e l/ (L's, l's )
1 N‑VAR L is the twelfth letter of the English alphabet.
2 N‑VAR L is the symbol for 'learner driver' in Britain. A large red 'L' on a white background is attached to cars in which people are learning to drive.
L8R L8R is the written abbreviation for 'later', sometimes used in text messages and emails. [COMPUTING ]
La. La. is a written abbreviation for lane , and is used especially in addresses and on maps or signs. [BRIT ] □ Andy's Records, 14–16 Lower Goat La., Norwich.
lab /læ b/ (labs )
1 N‑COUNT A lab is the same as a laboratory .
2 In Britain, Lab is the written abbreviation for labour . □ …Diane Abbott (Lab, Hackney North and Stoke Newington).
la|bel ◆◇◇ /le I b ə l/ (labels , labelling , labelled ) in AM, use labeling , labeled 1 N‑COUNT A label is a piece of paper or plastic that is attached to an object in order to give information about it. □ [+ on ] He peered at the label on the bottle.
2 VERB [usu passive] If something is labelled , a label is attached to it giving information about it. □ [be V -ed] The stuff has never been properly logged and labelled. □ [V -ed quote] Meat labelled 'Scotch Beef' sells for a premium in supermarkets. □ [be V -ed + with ] All the products are labelled with comprehensive instructions.
3 VERB [usu passive] If you say that someone or something is labelled as a particular thing, you mean that people generally describe them that way and you think that this is unfair. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [be V -ed + as ] Too often the press are labelled as bad boys. □ [be V -ed + as ] Certain estates are labelled as undesirable. □ [be V -ed n] They are afraid to contact the social services in case they are labelled a problem family. □ [be V -ed] If you venture from 'feminine' standards, you are labelled aggressive and hostile.
4 N‑COUNT If you say that someone gets a particular label , you mean that people show disapproval of them by describing them with a critical word or phrase. □ [+ of ] They remain on course for the label of worst Super League side.
la|bor /le I bə r / → see labour
la|bora|tory ◆◇◇ /ləbɒ rətri, [AM ] læ brətɔːri/ (laboratories )
1 N‑COUNT A laboratory is a building or a room where scientific experiments, analyses, and research are carried out.
2 N‑COUNT A laboratory in a school, college, or university is a room containing scientific equipment where students are taught science subjects such as chemistry.
3 → see also language laboratory
La |bor Day N‑UNCOUNT In the United States, Labor Day is a public holiday in honour of working people. It is the first Monday in September.
la|bor|er /le I bərə r / → see labourer
la|bo|ri|ous /ləbɔː riəs/ ADJ If you describe a task or job as laborious , you mean that it takes a lot of time and effort. □ Keeping the garden tidy all year round can be a laborious task. ● la|bo|ri|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …the embroidery she'd worked on so laboriously during the long winter nights.
la |bor un|ion (labor unions ) N‑COUNT A labor union is an organization that represents the rights and interests of workers to their employers, for example in order to improve working conditions or wages. [AM ] in BRIT, use trade union
la|bour ◆◆◆ /le I bə r / (labours , labouring , laboured ) in AM, use labor 1 N‑UNCOUNT Labour is very hard work, usually physical work. □ [+ of ] …the labour of seeding, planting and harvesting. □ The chef at the barbecue looked up from his labours; he was sweating.
2 → see also hard labour
3 VERB Someone who labours works hard using their hands. □ [V ] …peasants labouring in the fields. □ [V ] Her husband laboured at the plant for 17 years.
4 VERB If you labour to do something, you do it with difficulty. □ [V to-inf] For twenty-five years now he has laboured to build a religious community. □ [V + under ] …a young man who's labouring under all kinds of other difficulties.
5 N‑UNCOUNT Labour is used to refer to the workers of a country or industry, considered as a group. □ Latin America lacked skilled labour. □ They were cheap labour.
6 N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] The work done by a group of workers or by a particular worker is referred to as their labour . □ The unemployed cannot withdraw their labour–they have no power.
7 N‑PROPER [with sing or pl verb] In Britain, people use Labour to refer to the Labour Party . □ They all vote Labour.
8 ADJ A Labour politician or voter is a member of a Labour Party or votes for a Labour Party. □ …a Labour MP. □ Millions of Labour voters went unrepresented.
9 VERB If you labour under a delusion or misapprehension, you continue to believe something which is not true. □ [V + under ] She laboured under the illusion that I knew what I was doing. □ [V + under ] You seem to be labouring under considerable misapprehensions.
10 VERB If you labour a point or an argument, you keep making the same point or saying the same thing, although it is unnecessary. □ [V n] I don't want to labour the point but there it is.
11 N‑UNCOUNT Labour is the last stage of pregnancy, in which the baby is gradually pushed out of the womb by the mother. □ I thought the pains meant I was going into labour. COLLOCATIONS labour NOUN
1
adjective + labour : hard, manual; forced, unpaid
5
noun + labour : child, immigrant, migrant, slave
adjective + labour : semi-skilled, skilled, unskilled; organized; cheap
la |bour camp (labour camps ) in AM, use labor camp N‑COUNT A labour camp is a kind of prison, where the prisoners are forced to do hard, physical work, usually outdoors.
la|boured /le I bə r d/
1 ADJ If someone's breathing is laboured , it is slow and seems to take a lot of effort. □ From his slow walk and laboured breathing, Ginny realized he was far from well.
2 ADJ If something such as someone's writing or speech is laboured , they have put too much effort into it so it seems awkward and unnatural. □ Daniel's few encounters with Gold had been characterized by a laboured politeness.
la|bour|er /le I bərə r / (labourers ) in AM, use laborer N‑COUNT A labourer is a person who does a job which involves a lot of hard physical work. □ Her father had been a farm labourer.
la |bour force (labour forces ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The labour force consists of all the people who are able to work in a country or area, or all the people who work for a particular company. [BUSINESS ]
la bour-inte nsive ADJ Labour-intensive industries or methods of making things involve a lot of workers. Compare capital-intensive . [BUSINESS ] □ Construction remains a relatively labour-intensive industry.
la |bour mar|ket (labour markets ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] When you talk about the labour market , you are referring to all the people who are able to work and want jobs in a country or area, in relation to the number of jobs there are available in that country or area. [BUSINESS ] □ The longer people have been unemployed, the harder it is for them to compete in the labour market.
La |bour Par|ty N‑PROPER In Britain, the Labour Party is the main left-of-centre party. It believes that wealth and power should be shared fairly and public services should be free for everyone. □ The Labour Party and the teaching unions condemned the idea.
la |bour re|la |tions in AM use labor relations N‑PLURAL Labour relations refers to the relationship between employers and employees in industry, and the political decisions and laws that affect it. □ We have to balance good labor relations against the need to cut costs.
la bour-saving ADJ [usu ADJ n] A labour-saving device or idea makes it possible for you to do something with less effort than usual. □ …labour-saving devices such as washing machines.
lab|ra|dor /læ brədɔː r / (labradors ) or labrador retriever , Labrador retriever N‑COUNT A labrador or labrador retriever is a type of large dog with short, thick black or gold hair.
la|bur|num /ləbɜː r nəm/ (laburnums ) N‑VAR A laburnum or a laburnum tree is a small tree which has long stems of yellow flowers.
laby|rinth /læ b I r I nθ/ (labyrinths )
1 N‑COUNT If you describe a place as a labyrinth , you mean that it is made up of a complicated series of paths or passages, through which it is difficult to find your way. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] …the labyrinth of corridors.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe a situation, process, or area of knowledge as a labyrinth , you mean that it is very complicated. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …a labyrinth of conflicting political and sociological interpretations.
laby|rin|thine /læ b I r I nθa I n/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a place as labyrinthine , you mean that it is like a labyrinth. [FORMAL ] □ The streets of the Old City are narrow and labyrinthine.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a situation, process, or field of knowledge as labyrinthine , you mean that it is very complicated and difficult to understand. [FORMAL ] □ …his failure to understand the labyrinthine complexities of the situation.
lace /le I s/ (laces , lacing , laced )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Lace is a very delicate cloth which is made with a lot of holes in it. It is made by twisting together very fine threads of cotton to form patterns. □ …a plain white lace bedspread.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Laces are thin pieces of material that are put through special holes in some types of clothing, especially shoes. The laces are tied together in order to tighten the clothing. □ [+ of ] Barry was sitting on the bed, tying the laces of an old pair of running shoes.
3 VERB If you lace something such as a pair of shoes, you tighten the shoes by pulling the laces through the holes, and usually tying them together. □ [V n] I have a good pair of skates, but no matter how tightly I lace them, my ankles wobble. ● PHRASAL VERB Lace up means the same as lace . □ [V P n] He sat on the steps, and laced up his boots. □ [V n P ] Nancy was lacing her shoe up when the doorbell rang.
4 VERB To lace food or drink with a substance such as alcohol or a drug means to put a small amount of the substance into the food or drink. □ [V n + with ] She laced his food with sleeping pills.
▸ lace up → see lace 3
lac|er|ate /læ səre I t/ (lacerates , lacerating , lacerated ) VERB If something lacerates your skin, it cuts it badly and deeply. □ [V n] Its claws lacerated his thighs. [Also V ] ● lac|er|ated ADJ □ She was suffering from a badly lacerated hand.
lac|era|tion /læ səre I ʃ ə n/ (lacerations ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Lacerations are deep cuts on your skin. □ [+ on ] He had lacerations on his back and thighs.
la ce-ups The form lace-up is used as a modifier. N‑PLURAL Lace-ups are shoes which are fastened with laces. [BRIT ] □ Slip-on shoes are easier to put on than lace-ups. □ He was wearing black lace-up shoes.
lach|ry|mose /læ kr I moʊs, -moʊz/ ADJ Someone who is lachrymose cries very easily and very often. [LITERARY ] □ …the tears of lachrymose mourners.
lack ◆◆◇ /læ k/ (lacks , lacking , lacked )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] If there is a lack of something, there is not enough of it or it does not exist at all. □ [+ of ] Despite his lack of experience, he got the job. □ [+ of ] The charges were dropped for lack of evidence. □ [+ of ] There is a lack of people wanting to start up new businesses.
2 VERB If you say that someone or something lacks a particular quality or that a particular quality is lacking in them, you mean that they do not have any or enough of it. □ [V n] He lacked the judgment and political acumen for the post of chairman. □ [V ] Certain vital information is lacking in the report.
3 → see also lacking
4 PHRASE If you say there is no lack of something, you are emphasizing that there is a great deal of it. [EMPHASIS ] □ He said there was no lack of things for them to talk about. COLLOCATIONS lack NOUN 1
adjective + lack : apparent, distinct, general, relative; appalling, chronic, severe, woeful; complete, profound, total
verb + lack : bemoan, blame, criticize, lament; cite, expose, indicate, show VERB 2
lack + noun : confidence, experience, skill, power; credibility, discipline, imagination; support, resources
lacka|dai|si|cal /læ kəde I z I k ə l/ ADJ If you say that someone is lackadaisical , you mean that they are rather lazy and do not show much interest or enthusiasm in what they do. □ Dr. Jonsen seemed a little lackadaisical at times. □ …the lackadaisical attitude of a number of the principal players.
lack|ey /læ ki/ (lackeys ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a lackey , you are critical of them because they follow someone's orders completely, without ever questioning them. [DISAPPROVAL ]
lack|ing /la k I ŋ/
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something or someone is lacking in a particular quality, they do not have any of it or enough of it. □ [+ in ] She felt nervous, increasingly lacking in confidence about herself. □ Why was military intelligence so lacking?
2 → see also lack
lack|lustre /læ klʌstə r / in AM, use lackluster ADJ If you describe something or someone as lacklustre , you mean that they are not exciting or energetic. □ He has already been blamed for his party's lackluster performance during the election campaign.
la|con|ic /ləkɒ n I k/ ADJ If you describe someone as laconic , you mean that they use very few words to say something, so that they seem casual or unfriendly. □ Usually so laconic in the office, Dr. Lahey seemed less guarded, more relaxed.
lac|quer /læ kə r / (lacquers ) N‑VAR Lacquer is a special liquid which is painted on wood or metal in order to protect it and to make it shiny. □ We put on the second coating of lacquer. □ Only the finest lacquers are used for finishes.
lac|quered /læ kə r d/ ADJ [ADJ n] Lacquered is used to describe things that have been coated or sprayed with lacquer. □ …17th-century lacquered cabinets. □ …perfectly lacquered hair and face powder.
la|crosse /ləkrɒ s, [AM ] -krɔː s/ N‑UNCOUNT Lacrosse is an outdoor game in which players use long sticks with nets at the end to catch and throw a small ball, in order to try and score goals.
lac|ta|tion /lækte I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Lactation is the production of milk by women and female mammals during the period after they give birth. [FORMAL ]
lac|tic acid /læ kt I k æ s I d/ N‑UNCOUNT Lactic acid is a type of acid which is found in sour milk and is also produced by your muscles when you have been exercising a lot.
lac|tose /læ ktoʊs/ N‑UNCOUNT Lactose is a type of sugar which is found in milk and which is sometimes added to food.
la|cu|na /ləkjuː nə/ (lacunae ) N‑COUNT If you say that there is a lacuna in something such as a document or a person's argument, you mean that it does not deal with an important issue and is therefore not effective or convincing. [FORMAL ]
lacy /le I si/ (lacier , laciest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Lacy things are made from lace or have pieces of lace attached to them. □ …lacy nightgowns.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Lacy is used to describe something that looks like lace, especially because it is very delicate. □ …lacy ferns.
lad ◆◇◇ /læ d/ (lads )
1 N‑COUNT A lad is a young man or boy. [INFORMAL ] □ When I was a lad his age I would laugh at the strangest things. □ Come along, lad. Time for you to get home.
2 N‑PLURAL Some men refer to their male friends or colleagues as the lads . [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ …a drink with the lads.
lad|der /læ də r / (ladders )
1 N‑COUNT A ladder is a piece of equipment used for climbing up something or down from something. It consists of two long pieces of wood, metal, or rope with steps fixed between them.
2 N‑SING You can use the ladder to refer to something such as a society, organization, or system which has different levels that people can progress up or drop down. □ [+ of ] If they want to climb the ladder of success they should be given that opportunity.
3 N‑COUNT A ladder is a hole or torn part in a woman's stocking or tights, where some of the vertical threads have broken, leaving only the horizontal threads. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use run
lad|die /læ di/ (laddies ) N‑COUNT A laddie is a young man or boy. [mainly SCOTTISH , INFORMAL ] □ …this little laddie, aged about four. □ Now then, laddie, what's the trouble?
lad|dish /læ d I ʃ/ ADJ If you describe someone as laddish , you mean that they behave in a way that people think is typical of young men, for example by being rough and noisy, drinking a lot of alcohol, and having a bad attitude towards women. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Their manager is unconcerned at the laddish image and the drinking that goes with it.
lad|en /le I d ə n/
1 ADJ If someone or something is laden with a lot of heavy things, they are holding or carrying them. [LITERARY ] □ [+ with ] I came home laden with cardboard boxes. □ …heavily-laden mules.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] If you describe a person or thing as laden with something, particularly something bad, you mean that they have a lot of it. □ Many of their heavy industries are laden with debt.
-laden /-le I d ə n/ COMB [usu ADJ n] -laden combines with nouns to form adjectives which indicate that something has a lot of a particular thing or quality. □ …a fat-laden meal. □ …smoke-laden air. □ …a technology-laden military.
la-di-da /lɑː di dɑː / also lah-di-dah ADJ If you describe someone as la-di-da , you mean that they have an upper-class way of behaving, which you think seems unnatural and is only done to impress people. [OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ] □ I wouldn't trust them in spite of all their la-di-da manners.
la dies' man N‑SING If you say that a man is a ladies' man , you mean that he enjoys spending time socially with women and that women find him attractive. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
la dies' room N‑SING Some people refer to a public toilet for women as the ladies' room .
la|dle /le I d ə l/ (ladles , ladling , ladled )
1 N‑COUNT A ladle is a large, round, deep spoon with a long handle, used for serving soup, stew, or sauce.
2 VERB If you ladle food such as soup or stew, you serve it, especially with a ladle. □ [V n prep] Barry held the bowls while Liz ladled soup into them. □ [V n with adv] Mrs King went to the big black stove and ladled out steaming soup. [Also V n]
lady ◆◆◇ /le I di/ (ladies )
1 N‑COUNT You can use lady when you are referring to a woman, especially when you are showing politeness or respect. □ She's a very sweet old lady. □ …a lady doctor. □ …a cream-coloured lady's shoe.
2 → see also old lady
3 N‑COUNT You can say ' ladies ' when you are addressing a group of women in a formal and respectful way. [POLITENESS ] □ Your table is ready, ladies, if you'd care to come through. □ Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
4 N‑COUNT A lady is a woman from the upper classes, especially in former times. □ Our governess was told to make sure we knew how to talk like English ladies.
5 N‑TITLE In Britain, Lady is a title used in front of the names of some female members of the nobility, or the wives of knights. □ My dear Lady Mary, how very good to see you.
6 N‑COUNT If you say that a woman is a lady , you mean that she behaves in a polite, dignified, and graceful way. □ His wife was great as well, beautiful-looking and a real lady.
7 N‑SING People sometimes refer to a public toilet for women as the ladies . [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ At Temple station, Charlotte rushed into the Ladies.
8 N‑COUNT ' Lady ' is sometimes used by men as a form of address when they are talking to a woman that they do not know, especially in shops and in the street. [AM , INFORMAL , POLITENESS ] □ What seems to be the trouble, lady?
9 → see also first lady , Our Lady
lady|bird /le I dibɜː r d/ (ladybirds ) N‑COUNT A ladybird is a small round beetle that is red with black spots. [BRIT ] in AM, use ladybug
lady|bug /le I dibʌg/ (ladybugs ) → see ladybird
la dy friend (lady friends ) N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] A man's lady friend is the woman with whom he is having a romantic or sexual relationship. [BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ]
la dy-in-wai ting (ladies-in-waiting ) N‑COUNT A lady-in-waiting is a woman whose job is to help a queen or princess.
la dy-killer (lady-killers ) N‑COUNT If you refer to a man as a lady-killer , you mean that you think he is very successful at attracting women but quickly leaves them. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
lady|like /le I dila I k/ ADJ If you say that a woman or girl is ladylike , you mean that she behaves in a polite, dignified, and graceful way. □ I hate to be blunt, Frankie, but she just didn't strike me as being very ladylike. □ She crossed the room with quick, ladylike steps.
Lady|ship /le I diʃ I p/ (Ladyships ) N‑COUNT ; N‑PROPER In Britain, you use the expressions Your Ladyship , Her Ladyship , or Their Ladyships when you are addressing or referring to female members of the nobility or the wives of knights. [POLITENESS ] □ Her Ladyship's expecting you, sir.
lag /læ g/ (lags , lagging , lagged )
1 VERB If one thing or person lags behind another thing or person, their progress is slower than that of the other. □ [V + behind ] Britain still lags behind most of Europe in its provisions for women who want time off to have babies. □ [V + behind ] The restructuring of the pattern of consumption in Britain also lagged behind. □ [V amount + behind ] He now lags 10 points behind the champion. □ [V amount] They are lagging a point behind their rivals. □ [V ] Hague was lagging badly in the polls.
2 N‑COUNT A time lag or a lag of a particular length of time is a period of time between one event and another related event. □ [+ between ] There's a time lag between infection with HIV and developing AIDS. □ [+ of ] Price rises have matched rises in the money supply with a lag of two or three months.
3 VERB If you lag the inside of a roof, a pipe, or a water tank, you cover it with a special material in order to prevent heat escaping from it or to prevent it from freezing. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] If you have to take the floorboards up, take the opportunity to lag any pipes at the same time. □ [be V -ed] Water tanks should be well lagged and the roof well insulated.
4 → see also lagging
la|ger /lɑː gə r / (lagers ) N‑VAR Lager is a type of light beer. [BRIT ] □ …a pint of lager. □ He claims to sell the widest range of beers and lagers in the world. ● N‑COUNT A glass of lager can be referred to as a lager . □ Hewitt ordered a lager.
lag|gard /læ gə r d/ (laggards ) N‑COUNT If you describe a country, company, or product as a laggard , you mean that it is not performing as well as its competitors. □ [+ in ] The company has developed a reputation as a technological laggard.
lag|ging /læ g I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Lagging is special material which is used to cover pipes, water tanks, or the inside of a roof so that heat does not escape from them or so they do not freeze. [mainly BRIT ]
la|goon /ləguː n/ (lagoons ) N‑COUNT A lagoon is an area of calm sea water that is separated from the ocean by a line of rock or sand.
lah-di-dah /lɑː di dɑː / → see la-di-da
laid /le I d/ Laid is the past tense and past participle of lay .
lai d-ba ck ADJ If you describe someone as laid-back , you mean that they behave in a calm relaxed way as if nothing will ever worry them. [INFORMAL ] □ Nothing worried him, he was really laid back.
lain /le I n/ Lain is the past participle of lie .
lair /leə r / (lairs )
1 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] A lair is a place where a wild animal lives, usually a place which is underground or well-hidden. □ …a fox's lair.
2 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] Someone's lair is the particular room or hiding place that they go to, especially when they want to get away from other people. [INFORMAL ] □ The village was once a pirates' lair.
laird /leə r d/ (lairds ) N‑COUNT A laird is someone who owns a large area of land in Scotland.
laissez-faire /le I se I feə r , le s-/ N‑UNCOUNT Laissez-faire is the policy which is based on the idea that governments and the law should not interfere with business, finance, or the conditions of people's working lives. [BUSINESS ] □ …a policy of laissez faire.
la|ity /le I I ti/ N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] The laity are all the people involved in the work of a church who are not clergymen, monks, or nuns. □ The Church and the laity were increasingly active in charity work. □ Clergy and laity alike are divided in their views.
lake ◆◇◇ /le I k/ (lakes ) N‑COUNT [oft in names] A lake is a large area of fresh water, surrounded by land. □ They can go fishing in the lake. □ The Nile flows from Lake Victoria in East Africa north to the Mediterranean Sea.
lake|side /le I ksa I d/ N‑SING The lakeside is the area of land around the edge of a lake. □ They were out by the lakeside a lot. □ …the picturesque Italian lakeside town of Lugano.
La-La land /lɑːlɑː lænd/ also La La land , la-la land
1 N‑UNCOUNT People sometimes refer to Los Angeles, in particular the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, as La-La land . [HUMOROUS , INFORMAL ] □ …her position as La-La land's premiere hairdresser.
2 N‑UNCOUNT People sometimes use La-La land to mean an imaginary place. [INFORMAL ] □ For much of the time he was in hospital, he was under sedation. 'I was in La La Land,' he said.
lam /læ m/ PHRASE If someone is on the lam or if they go on the lam , they are trying to escape or hide from someone such as the police or an enemy. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ [+ for ] He was on the lam for seven years.
lama ◆◇◇ /lɑː mə/ (lamas ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A lama is a Buddhist priest or monk.
lamb /læ m/ (lambs )
1 N‑COUNT A lamb is a young sheep. ● N‑UNCOUNT Lamb is the flesh of a lamb eaten as food. □ Laura was basting the leg of lamb.
2 N‑COUNT People sometimes use lamb when they are addressing or referring to someone who they are fond of and who is young, gentle, or unfortunate. [FEELINGS ] □ She came and put her arms around me. 'You poor lamb. What's wrong?'
3 mutton dressed as lamb → see mutton
lam|bast /læmbæ st/ (lambasts , lambasting , lambasted ) in AM, usually use lambaste /læmbe I st/ VERB If you lambast someone, you criticize them severely, usually in public. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Grey took every opportunity to lambast Thompson and his organization.
lamb|ing /læ m I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Lambing is the time in the spring when female sheep give birth to lambs. □ …the lambing season.
lame /le I m/ (lamer , lamest )
1 ADJ If someone is lame , they are unable to walk properly because of damage to one or both of their legs. □ [+ in ] He was aware that she was lame in one leg. □ David had to pull out of the Championships when his horse went lame. ● N‑PLURAL The lame are people who are lame. This use could cause offence. □ … the wounded and the lame of the last war.
2 ADJ If you describe something, for example an excuse, argument, or remark, as lame , you mean that it is poor or weak. □ He mumbled some lame excuse about having gone to sleep. □ All our theories sound pretty lame. ● lame|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'Lovely house,' I said lamely.
lamé /lɑː me I , [AM ] læme I / N‑UNCOUNT Lamé is cloth that has threads of gold or silver woven into it, which make it reflect light. □ …a silver lamé dress.
la me du ck (lame ducks )
1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] If you describe someone or something as a lame duck , you are critical of them because they are not successful and need to be helped a lot. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …lame-duck industries.
2 N‑COUNT [usu N n] If you refer to a politician or a government as a lame duck , you mean that they have little real power, for example because their period of office is coming to an end. □ …a lame duck government.
la|ment /ləme nt/ (laments , lamenting , lamented )
1 VERB If you lament something, you express your sadness, regret, or disappointment about it. [mainly FORMAL or WRITTEN ] □ [V n] Ken began to lament the death of his only son. □ [V that] He laments that people in Villa El Salvador are suspicious of the police. □ [V with quote] 'Prices are down 40 per cent since Christmas,' he lamented. [Also V ]
2 N‑COUNT [oft with poss] Someone's lament is an expression of their sadness, regret, or disappointment about something. [mainly FORMAL or WRITTEN ] □ [+ that ] The lament that pop culture has swamped British intellectual life is heard constantly.
3 N‑COUNT A lament is a poem, song, or piece of music which expresses sorrow that someone has died.
lam|en|table /læ məntəb ə l, ləme nt-/ ADJ If you describe something as lamentable , you mean that it is very unfortunate or disappointing. [LITERARY , FEELINGS ] □ This lamentable state of affairs lasted until 1947. □ His command of English was lamentable. ● lam|en|tably /læ məntəbli/ ADV [usu ADV adj, oft ADV with v] □ There are still lamentably few women surgeons. □ They have failed lamentably.
la|men|ta|tion /læ mente I ʃ ə n/ (lamentations ) N‑VAR A lamentation is an expression of great sorrow. [FORMAL ] □ It was a time for mourning and lamentation. □ …special prayers and lamentations.
lami|nate /læ m I nət/ (laminates ) N‑VAR A laminate is a tough material that is made by sticking together two or more layers of a particular substance.
lami|nat|ed /læ m I ne I t I d/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Material such as wood or plastic that is laminated consists of several thin sheets or layers that are stuck together. □ Modern windscreens are made from laminated glass.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A product that is laminated is covered with a thin sheet of something, especially clear or coloured plastic, in order to protect it. □ The photographs were mounted on laminated cards. □ …laminated work surfaces.
lamp /læ mp/ (lamps )
1 N‑COUNT A lamp is a light that works by using electricity or by burning oil or gas. □ She switched on the bedside lamp. □ In the evenings we eat by the light of an oil lamp.
2 N‑COUNT A lamp is an electrical device which produces a special type of light or heat, used especially in medical or beauty treatment. □ …a sun lamp. □ …the use of infra-red lamps.
lamp|light /læ mpla I t/ N‑UNCOUNT Lamplight is the light produced by a lamp. □ Her cheeks glowed red in the lamplight.
lam|poon /læmpuː n/ (lampoons , lampooning , lampooned )
1 VERB If you lampoon someone or something, you criticize them very strongly, using humorous means. □ [be V -ed] He was lampooned for his short stature and political views.
2 N‑VAR A lampoon is a piece of writing or speech which criticizes someone or something very strongly, using humorous means. □ [+ of ] …his scathing lampoons of consumer culture. □ The style Shelley is using here is that of popular lampoon.
la mp-post (lamp-posts ) also lamppost N‑COUNT A lamp-post is a tall metal or concrete pole that is fixed beside a road and has a light at the top. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use street lamp , street light
lamp|shade /læ mpʃe I d/ (lampshades ) N‑COUNT A lampshade is a covering that is fitted round or over an electric light bulb in order to protect it or decorate it, or to make the light less harsh.
LAN /læ n/ (LANs ) N‑COUNT A LAN is a group of personal computers and associated equipment that are linked by cable, for example in an office building, and that share a communications line. LAN is an abbreviation for 'local area network'. [COMPUTING ] □ You can take part in multiplayer games either on a LAN network or via the internet.
lance /lɑː ns, læ ns/ (lances , lancing , lanced )
1 VERB [usu passive] If a boil on someone's body is lanced , a small cut is made in it so that the liquid inside comes out. [MEDICAL ] □ [have n V -ed] It is a painful experience having the boil lanced. [Also be V -ed]
2 N‑COUNT A lance is a long spear used in former times by soldiers on horseback. □ …the clang of lances striking armour.
land ◆◆◆ /læ nd/ (lands , landing , landed )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Land is an area of ground, especially one that is used for a particular purpose such as farming or building. □ Good agricultural land is in short supply. □ …160 acres of land. □ …a small piece of grazing land.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to an area of land which someone owns as their land or their lands . □ Their home is on his father's land. □ His lands were poorly farmed.
3 N‑SING If you talk about the land , you mean farming and the way of life in farming areas, in contrast to life in the cities. □ Living off the land was hard enough at the best of times.
4 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] Land is the part of the world that consists of ground, rather than sea or air. □ It isn't clear whether the plane went down over land or sea. □ …a stretch of sandy beach that was almost inaccessible from the land.
5 N‑COUNT You can use land to refer to a country in a poetic or emotional way. [LITERARY ] □ …America, land of opportunity.
6 VERB When someone or something lands , they come down to the ground after moving through the air or falling. □ [V ] Three mortar shells had landed close to a crowd of people.
7 VERB When someone lands a plane, ship, or spacecraft, or when it lands , it arrives somewhere after a journey. □ [V ] The jet landed after a flight of just under three hours. □ [V n] The crew finally landed the plane on its belly on the soft part of the runway.
8 VERB To land goods somewhere means to unload them there at the end of a journey, especially by ship. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] The vessels will have to land their catch at designated ports.
9 VERB If you land in an unpleasant situation or place or if something lands you in it, something causes you to be in it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V + in ] He landed in a psychiatric ward. □ [V n + in ] This is not the first time his exploits have landed him in trouble.
10 VERB If someone or something lands you with a difficult situation, they cause you to have to deal with the difficulties involved. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n + with ] The other options simply complicate the situation and could land him with more expense.
11 VERB If something lands somewhere, it arrives there unexpectedly, often causing problems. [INFORMAL ] □ [V prep/adv] Two days later the book had already landed on his desk.
12 VERB If you land something that is difficult to get and that many people want, you are successful in getting it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] He landed a place on the graduate training scheme. □ [V n n] His flair with hair soon landed him a part-time job at his local barbers.
13 to land on your feet → see foot
▸ land up PHRASAL VERB If you say that you land up in a place or situation, you mean that you arrive there after a long journey or at the end of a long series of events. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V P prep/adv] Half of those who went east seem to have landed up in southern India. □ [V P prep/adv] We landed up at the Las Vegas at about 6.30.
land|ed /læ nd I d/ ADJ [ADJ n] Landed means owning or including a large amount of land, especially land that has belonged to the same family for several generations. □ Most of them were the nobility and the landed gentry.
land|fall /læ ndfɔːl/ (landfalls ) N‑VAR Landfall is the act of arriving somewhere after a journey at sea, or the land that you arrive at. □ By the time we had made landfall the boat looked ten years older!
land|fill /læ ndf I l/ (landfills )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Landfill is a method of getting rid of very large amounts of rubbish by burying it in a large deep hole. □ …the environmental costs of landfill.
2 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A landfill is a large deep hole in which very large amounts of rubbish are buried. □ The rubbish in modern landfills does not rot. □ …the cost of disposing of refuse in landfill sites.
land|form /læ ndfɔrm/ (landforms ) also land form N‑COUNT A landform is any natural feature of the Earth's surface, such as a hill, a lake, or a beach. □ This small country has an amazing variety of landforms. □ …glacial land forms.
land|ing /læ nd I ŋ/ (landings )
1 N‑COUNT In a house or other building, the landing is the area at the top of the staircase which has rooms leading off it. □ I ran out onto the landing.
2 N‑VAR A landing is an act of bringing an aircraft or spacecraft down to the ground. □ [+ into ] I had to make a controlled landing into the sea. □ [+ at ] The plane had been cleared for landing at Brunswick's Glynco Airport.
3 N‑COUNT When a landing takes place, troops are unloaded from boats or aircraft at the beginning of a military invasion or other operation. □ American forces have begun a big landing.
4 N‑COUNT A landing is the same as a landing stage .
la nd|ing craft (landing craft ) N‑COUNT A landing craft is a small boat designed for the landing of troops and equipment on the shore.
la nd|ing gear N‑UNCOUNT The landing gear of an aircraft is its wheels and the structures that support the wheels.
la nd|ing stage (landing stages ) also landing-stage N‑COUNT A landing stage is a platform built over water where boats stop to let people get off, or to load or unload goods. [mainly BRIT ]
la nd|ing strip (landing strips ) N‑COUNT A landing strip is a long flat piece of land from which aircraft can take off and land, especially one used only by private or military aircraft.
land|lady /læ ndle I di/ (landladies )
1 N‑COUNT Someone's landlady is the woman who allows them to live or work in a building which she owns, in return for rent. □ We had been made homeless by our landlady.
2 N‑COUNT The landlady of a pub is the woman who owns or runs it, or the wife of the person who owns or runs it. [BRIT ] □ [+ of ] She became the landlady of a rural pub.
land|less /læ ndləs/ ADJ Someone who is landless is prevented from owning the land that they farm. □ …landless peasants. ● N‑PLURAL The landless are people who are landless. □ We are giving an equal area of land to the landless.
land|line /læ ndla I n/ (landlines ) N‑COUNT A landline is the phone connection that comes into a particular building using cables, rather than a mobile phone connection. □ One in five Britons no longer uses a landline.
land|locked /læ ndlɒkt/ also land-locked ADJ [usu ADJ n] A landlocked country is surrounded by other countries and does not have its own ports. □ …the landlocked West African nation of Mali.
land|lord /læ ndlɔː r d/ (landlords )
1 N‑COUNT Someone's landlord is the man who allows them to live or work in a building which he owns, in return for rent. □ His landlord doubled the rent.
2 N‑COUNT The landlord of a pub is the man who owns or runs it, or the husband of the person who owns or runs it. [mainly BRIT ] □ The landlord refused to serve him because he considered him too drunk.
land|lubber /læ ndlʌbə r / (landlubbers ) N‑COUNT A landlubber is someone who is not used to or does not like travelling by boat, and has little knowledge of boats and the sea. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
land|mark /læ ndmɑː r k/ (landmarks )
1 N‑COUNT A landmark is a building or feature which is easily noticed and can be used to judge your position or the position of other buildings or features. □ The Ambassador Hotel is a Los Angeles landmark.
2 N‑COUNT [oft N n] You can refer to an important stage in the development of something as a landmark . □ …a landmark arms control treaty. □ [+ in ] The baby was one of the big landmarks in our relationship.
la nd mass (land masses ) also landmass N‑COUNT A land mass is a very large area of land such as a continent. □ …the Antarctic landmass. □ [+ of ] …the country's large land mass of 768 million hectares.
land|mine /læ ndma I n/ (landmines ) also land mine N‑COUNT A landmine is an explosive device which is placed on or under the ground and explodes when a person or vehicle touches it.
land|owner /læ ndoʊnə r / (landowners ) N‑COUNT A landowner is a person who owns land, especially a large amount of land. □ …rural communities involved in conflicts with large landowners.
land|owning /læ ndoʊn I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] Landowning is used to describe people who own a lot of land, especially when they are considered as a group within society. □ …the Anglo-Irish landowning class.
la nd re|form (land reforms ) N‑VAR Land reform is a change in the system of land ownership, especially when it involves giving land to the people who actually farm it and taking it away from people who own large areas for profit. □ …the new land reform policy under which thousands of peasant families are to be resettled.
la nd reg|is|try (land registries ) N‑COUNT In Britain, a land registry is a government office where records are kept about each area of land in a country or region, including information about who owns it.
land|scape ◆◇◇ /læ ndske I p/ (landscapes , landscaping , landscaped )
1 N‑VAR The landscape is everything you can see when you look across an area of land, including hills, rivers, buildings, trees, and plants. □ …Arizona's desert landscape. □ [+ of ] We moved to Northamptonshire and a new landscape of hedges and fields.
2 N‑COUNT A landscape is all the features that are important in a particular situation. □ June's events completely altered the political landscape.
3 N‑COUNT A landscape is a painting which shows a scene in the countryside.
4 VERB If an area of land is landscaped , it is changed to make it more attractive, for example by adding streams or ponds and planting trees and bushes. □ [be V -ed] The gravel pits have been landscaped and planted to make them attractive to wildfowl. □ [V n + with ] They had landscaped their property with trees, shrubs, and lawns. □ [V -ed] …a smart suburb of landscaped gardens and wide streets. [Also V n] ● land|scap|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ The landowner insisted on a high standard of landscaping. COLLOCATIONS landscape NOUN
1
noun + landscape : desert
adjective + landscape : barren, bleak, flat, lunar; lush, natural, rugged, rural; urban
verb + landscape : dominate
2
adjective + landscape : cultural, musical, political; ever-changing, familiar, traditional
verb + landscape : alter, change, transform; dominate SYNONYMS landscape NOUN 1
scenery: Sometimes they just drive slowly down the lane enjoying the scenery.
countryside: We are surrounded by lots of beautiful countryside.
terrain: The terrain changed quickly from arable land to desert.
country: …some of the best walking country in the Sierras.
la nd|scape ga r|den|er (landscape gardeners ) or landscape architect , landscaper /læ ndske I pə r / N‑COUNT A landscape gardener is a person who designs gardens or parks so that they look attractive.
land|slide /læ ndsla I d/ (landslides )
1 N‑COUNT A landslide is a victory in an election in which a person or political party gets far more votes or seats than their opponents. □ He won last month's presidential election by a landslide. □ They won a landslide victory in the elections five months ago.
2 N‑COUNT A landslide is a large amount of earth and rocks falling down a cliff or the side of a mountain. □ The storm caused landslides and flooding in Savona.
land|slip /læ ndsl I p/ (landslips ) N‑COUNT A landslip is a small movement of soil and rocks down a slope. [mainly BRIT ] □ Roads were flooded or blocked by landslips. in AM, use slide , mudslide
land|ward /læ ndwə r d/ ADJ [ADJ n] The landward side of something is the side nearest to the land or facing the land, rather than the sea. □ Rebels surrounded the city's landward sides.
lane ◆◇◇ /le I n/ (lanes )
1 N‑COUNT A lane is a narrow road, especially in the country. □ …a quiet country lane. □ [+ to ] Follow the lane to the river.
2 N‑COUNT Lane is also used in the names of roads, either in cities or in the country. □ …The Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane.
3 N‑COUNT [usu adj N ] A lane is a part of a main road which is marked by the edge of the road and a painted line, or by two painted lines. □ The lorry was travelling at 20mph in the slow lane. □ I pulled out into the eastbound lane of Route 2.
4 N‑COUNT At a swimming pool or athletics track, a lane is a long narrow section which is marked by lines or ropes.
5 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A lane is a route that is frequently used by aircraft or ships. □ The collision took place in the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
lan|guage ◆◆◇ /læ ŋgw I dʒ/ (languages )
1 N‑COUNT A language is a system of communication which consists of a set of sounds and written symbols which are used by the people of a particular country or region for talking or writing. □ …the English language. □ Students are expected to master a second language.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Language is the use of a system of communication which consists of a set of sounds or written symbols. □ Students examined how children acquire language.
3 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to the words used in connection with a particular subject as the language of that subject. □ [+ of ] …the language of business.
4 N‑UNCOUNT [adj N ] You can refer to someone's use of rude words or swearing as bad language when you find it offensive. □ Television companies tend to censor bad language in feature films. □ There's a girl gonna be in the club, so you guys watch your language.
5 N‑UNCOUNT The language of a piece of writing or speech is the style in which it is written or spoken. □ …a booklet summarising it in plain language. □ The tone of his language was diplomatic and polite.
6 N‑VAR You can use language to refer to various means of communication involving recognizable symbols, non-verbal sounds, or actions. □ Some sign languages are very sophisticated means of communication. □ [+ of ] …the digital language of computers.
la n|guage la|bora|tory (language laboratories ) N‑COUNT A language laboratory is a classroom equipped with tape recorders or computers where people can practise listening to and talking foreign languages.
la n|guage school (language schools ) N‑COUNT A language school is a private school where a foreign language is taught.
lan|guid /læ ŋgw I d/ ADJ If you describe someone as languid , you mean that they show little energy or interest and are very slow and casual in their movements. [LITERARY ] □ To his delight a familiar, tall, languid figure lowered itself down the steps of a club. ● lan|guid|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ We sat about languidly after dinner.
lan|guish /læ ŋgw I ʃ/ (languishes , languishing , languished )
1 VERB If someone languishes somewhere, they are forced to remain and suffer in an unpleasant situation. □ [V prep/adv] Pollard continues to languish in prison.
2 VERB If something languishes , it is not successful, often because of a lack of effort or because of a lot of difficulties. □ [V ] Without the founder's drive and direction, the company gradually languished.
lan|guor /læ ŋgə r / N‑UNCOUNT Languor is a pleasant feeling of being relaxed and not having any energy or interest in anything. [LITERARY ] □ She, in her languor, had not troubled to eat much.
lan|guor|ous /læ ŋgərəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe an activity as languorous , you mean that it is lazy, relaxed, and not energetic, usually in a pleasant way. [LITERARY ] □ …languorous morning coffees on the terrace.
lank /læ ŋk/ ADJ If someone's hair is lank , it is long and perhaps greasy and hangs in a dull and unattractive way.
lanky /læ ŋki/ (lankier , lankiest ) ADJ If you describe someone as lanky , you mean that they are tall and thin and move rather awkwardly. □ He was six feet four, all lanky and leggy.
lan|tern /læ ntə r n/ (lanterns ) N‑COUNT A lantern is a lamp in a metal frame with glass sides and with a handle on top so you can carry it.
Lao|tian /le I oʊ ʃ ə n/ (Laotians )
1 ADJ Laotian means belonging or relating to Laos, or its people, language, or culture.
2 N‑COUNT A Laotian is a Laotian citizen, or a person of Laotian origin.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Laotian is the language spoken in Laos.
lap ◆◇◇ /læ p/ (laps , lapping , lapped )
1 N‑COUNT If you have something on your lap when you are sitting down, it is on top of your legs and near to your body. □ She waited quietly with her hands in her lap. □ Hugh glanced at the child on her mother's lap.
2 N‑COUNT In a race, a competitor completes a lap when they have gone round a course once. □ …that last lap of the race. □ On lap two, Baker edged forward.
3 VERB In a race, if you lap another competitor, you go past them while they are still on the previous lap. □ [V n] He was caught out while lapping a slower rider.
4 N‑COUNT A lap of a long journey is one part of it, between two points where you stop. □ [+ of ] I had thought we might travel as far as Oak Valley, but we only managed the first lap of the journey.
5 VERB When water laps against something such as the shore or the side of a boat, it touches it gently and makes a soft sound. [WRITTEN ] □ [V prep/adv] …the water that lapped against the pillars of the boathouse. □ [V n] The building was right on the river and the water lapped the walls. ● lap|ping N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The only sound was the lapping of the waves.
6 VERB When an animal laps a drink, it uses short quick movements of its tongue to take liquid up into its mouth. □ [V n] The cat lapped milk from a dish. ● PHRASAL VERB Lap up means the same as lap . □ [V n P ] She poured some water into a plastic bowl. Faust, her Great Dane, lapped it up with relish.
7 PHRASE If you say that a situation is in the lap of the gods , you mean that its success or failure depends entirely on luck or on things that are outside your control. □ They had to stop the operation, so at that stage my life was in the lap of the gods.
▸ lap up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone laps up something such as information or attention, you mean that they accept it eagerly, usually when you think they are being foolish for believing that it is sincere. □ [V P n] Their audience will lap up whatever they throw at them. □ [V n P ] They just haven't been to school before. They're so eager to learn, they lap it up.
2 → see lap 6
la p danc|ing N‑UNCOUNT Lap dancing is a type of entertainment in a bar or club in which a woman who is wearing very few clothes dances in a sexy way close to customers or sitting on their laps. ● lap danc|er (lap dancers ) N‑COUNT □ …a club full of lap dancers.
la|pel /ləpe l/ (lapels ) N‑COUNT The lapels of a jacket or coat are the two top parts at the front that are folded back on each side and join on to the collar.
la|pis lazu|li /læ p I s læ zjʊla I , [AM ] -liː/ N‑UNCOUNT Lapis lazuli is a bright blue stone, used especially in making jewellery.
la p of hon|our (laps of honour ) N‑COUNT If the winner of a race or game does a lap of honour , they run or drive slowly around a race track or sports field in order to receive the applause of the crowd. [BRIT ]
lapse /læ ps/ (lapses , lapsing , lapsed )
1 N‑COUNT [usu adj N ] A lapse is a moment or instance of bad behaviour by someone who usually behaves well. □ On Friday he showed neither decency nor dignity. It was an uncommon lapse. [Also + in ]
2 N‑COUNT A lapse of something such as concentration or judgment is a temporary lack of that thing, which can often cause you to make a mistake. □ [+ of ] I had a little lapse of concentration in the middle of the race. □ The incident was being seen as a serious security lapse.
3 VERB If you lapse into a quiet or inactive state, you stop talking or being active. □ [V + into ] She muttered something unintelligible and lapsed into silence.
4 VERB If someone lapses into a particular way of speaking, or behaving, they start speaking or behaving in that way, usually for a short period. □ [V + into ] Teenagers occasionally find it all too much to cope with and lapse into bad behaviour. ● N‑COUNT Lapse is also a noun. □ [+ into ] Her lapse into German didn't seem peculiar. After all, it was her native tongue.
5 N‑SING A lapse of time is a period that is long enough for a situation to change or for people to have a different opinion about it. □ [+ of ] …the restoration of diplomatic relations after a lapse of 24 years. □ [+ between ] There is usually a time lapse between receipt of new information and its publication.
6 VERB If a period of time lapses , it passes. □ [V ] Too much time has lapsed for police to now bring charges.
7 VERB If a situation or legal contract lapses , it is allowed to end rather than being continued, renewed, or extended. □ [V ] Her membership of the Labour Party has lapsed. □ [V ] Ford allowed the name and trademark to lapse during the Eighties.
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