Mm
M , m /e m/ (M's, m's )
1 N‑VAR M is the thirteenth letter of the English alphabet.
2 m is a written abbreviation for metres or metre . □ The island is only 200m wide at its narrowest point.
3 m is a written abbreviation for the number million . □ Last year exports reached $150m in value. □ …500m tonnes of coal.
-'m /-m/ 'm is the usual spoken form of 'am', used after 'I' in 'I'm'.
ma /mɑː / (mas ) N‑COUNT Some people refer to or address their mother as ma . [INFORMAL ] □ Ma was still at work when I got back.
MA /e m e I / (MAs ) also M.A. N‑COUNT An MA is a master's degree in an arts or social science subject. MA is an abbreviation for 'Master of Arts'. □ She then went on to university where she got a BA and then an MA.
ma'am /mæ m, mɑː m/ N‑COUNT People sometimes say ma'am as a very formal and polite way of addressing a woman whose name they do not know or a woman of superior rank. [mainly AM , POLITENESS ] □ Would you repeat that please, ma'am?
mac /mæ k/ (macs ) N‑COUNT A mac is a raincoat, especially one made from a particular kind of waterproof cloth. [BRIT ]
ma|ca|bre /məkɑː brə/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] You describe something such as an event or story as macabre when it is strange and horrible or upsetting, usually because it involves death or injury. □ Police have made a macabre discovery.
maca|ro|ni /mæ kəroʊ ni/ N‑UNCOUNT Macaroni is a kind of pasta made in the shape of short hollow tubes.
ma ca|ro|ni chee se in AM, use macaroni and cheese N‑UNCOUNT Macaroni cheese is a dish made from macaroni and cheese sauce.
maca|roon /mæ kəruː n/ (macaroons ) N‑COUNT Macaroons are sweet cake-like biscuits that are flavoured with coconut or almond.
McCoy /məkɔ I / PHRASE If you describe someone or something as the real McCoy , you mean that they really are what they claim to be and are not an imitation. [INFORMAL ]
mace /me I s/ (maces )
1 N‑COUNT A mace is an ornamental stick carried by an official or placed somewhere as a symbol of authority.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Mace is a substance that causes tears and sickness, and that is used in sprays as a defence against rioters or attackers. [TRADEMARK ]
mac|er|ate /mæ səre I t/ (macerates , macerating , macerated ) VERB If you macerate food, or if it macerates , you soak it in a liquid for a period of time so that it absorbs the liquid. □ [V n + in ] I like to macerate the food in liqueur for a few minutes before serving. □ [V n] Cognac is also used to macerate and flavour ingredients and casseroles. □ [V ] Seal tightly then leave for four to five days to macerate.
Mach /mɑː k/ N‑UNCOUNT Mach is used as a unit of measurement in stating the speed of a moving object in relation to the speed of sound. For example, if an aircraft is travelling at Mach 1, it is travelling at exactly the speed of sound. [TECHNICAL ]
ma|chete /məʃe ti/ (machetes ) N‑COUNT A machete is a large knife with a broad blade.
Machia|vel|lian /mæ kiəve liən/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as Machiavellian , you are critical of them because they often make clever and secret plans to achieve their aims and are not honest with people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …Machiavellian republicans plotting to destabilise the throne. □ A Machiavellian plot was suspected.
machi|na|tions /mæ k I ne I ʃ ə nz, mæ ʃ-/ N‑PLURAL You use machinations to describe secret and complicated plans, especially to gain power. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the political machinations that brought him to power.
ma|chine ◆◆◇ /məʃiː n/ (machines , machining , machined )
1 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A machine is a piece of equipment which uses electricity or an engine in order to do a particular kind of work. □ I put the coin in the machine and pulled the lever. □ …a color photograph of the sort taken by machine to be pasted in passports.
2 VERB [usu passive] If you machine something, you make it or work on it using a machine. □ [be V -ed] The material is machined in a factory. □ [be V -ed + from ] All parts are machined from top grade, high tensile aluminium. □ [V -ed] …machined brass zinc alloy gears. ● ma|chin|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …our machining, fabrication and finishing processes.
3 N‑COUNT You can use machine to refer to a large and well-controlled system or organization. □ …Nazi Germany's military machine. □ He has put the party publicity machine behind another candidate.
4 → see also fruit machine , sewing machine , slot machine , vending machine SYNONYMS machine NOUN 1
appliance: He could also learn to use other household appliances.
device: It is an electronic device that protects your vehicle 24 hours a day.
apparatus: One of the boys had to be rescued by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.
ma|chi ne code N‑UNCOUNT Machine code is a way of expressing instructions and information in the form of numbers which can be understood by a computer or microchip. [COMPUTING ]
ma|chi ne gun (machine guns ) also machine-gun
1 N‑COUNT A machine gun is a gun which fires a lot of bullets one after the other very quickly. □ …a burst of machine-gun fire.
2 → see also sub-machine gun
ma|chin|ery /məʃiː nəri/
1 N‑UNCOUNT You can use machinery to refer to machines in general, or machines that are used in a factory or on a farm. □ …quality tools and machinery. □ …your local garden machinery specialist.
2 N‑SING The machinery of a government or organization is the system and all the procedures that it uses to deal with things. □ [+ of ] The machinery of democracy could be created quickly.
ma|chi ne tool (machine tools ) N‑COUNT A machine tool is a machine driven by power that cuts, shapes, or finishes metal or other materials.
ma|chin|ist /məʃiː n I st/ (machinists ) N‑COUNT A machinist is a person whose job is to operate a machine, especially in a factory.
ma|chis|mo /mætʃ I zmoʊ, [AM ] mɑːtʃiː z-/ N‑UNCOUNT You use machismo to refer to men's behaviour or attitudes when they are very conscious and proud of their masculinity. □ Hooky, naturally, has to prove his machismo by going on the scariest rides twice.
macho /mæ tʃoʊ, [AM ] mɑː -/ ADJ You use macho to describe men who are very conscious and proud of their masculinity. [INFORMAL ] □ …displays of macho bravado.
mac|in|tosh /mæ k I ntɒʃ/ → see mackintosh
macke|rel /mæ kərəl/ (mackerel ) N‑VAR A mackerel is a sea fish with a dark, patterned back. □ They'd gone out to fish for mackerel. ● N‑UNCOUNT Mackerel is this fish eaten as food.
mack|in|tosh /mæ k I ntɒʃ/ (mackintoshes ) N‑COUNT A mackintosh is a raincoat, especially one made from a particular kind of waterproof cloth. [mainly BRIT ]
macro /mæ kroʊ/ (macros )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use macro to indicate that something relates to a general area, rather than being detailed or specific. [TECHNICAL ] □ …regulation of the economy both at the macro level and at the micro level.
2 N‑COUNT A macro is a shortened version of a computer command which makes the computer carry out a set of actions. [COMPUTING ]
PREFIX macro-
is added to words in order to form new words that are technical and that refer to things which are large or involve the whole of something. For example, macroeconomic policies relate to the economic system of a whole country.
macro|bi|ot|ic /mæ kroʊba I ɒ t I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Macrobiotic food consists of whole grains and vegetables that are grown without chemicals. [TECHNICAL ] □ …a strict macrobiotic diet.
macro|bi|ot|ics /mæ kroʊba I ɒ t I ks/ N‑UNCOUNT Macrobiotics is the practice of eating macrobiotic food. [TECHNICAL ]
macro|cosm /mæ kroʊkɒzəm/ N‑SING A macrocosm is a complex organized system such as the universe or a society, considered as a single unit. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The macrocosm of the universe is mirrored in the microcosm of the mind.
macro|eco|nom|ics /mæ kroʊiː kənɒ m I ks, -e k-/ also macro-economics N‑UNCOUNT [BUSINESS ] Macroeconomics is the branch of economics that is concerned with the major, general features of a country’s economy, such as the level of inflation, unemployment, or interest rates. □ Too many politicians forget the importance of macroeconomics. ● ma|cro|ec|o|nom|ic /mæ kroʊiː kənɒ m I k, -e k-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] □ …macro-economic policy.
mad ◆◇◇ /mæ d/ (madder , maddest )
1 ADJ Someone who is mad has a mind that does not work in a normal way, with the result that their behaviour is very strange. □ She was afraid of going mad. ● mad|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ He was driven to the brink of madness.
2 ADJ You use mad to describe people or things that you think are very foolish. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ You'd be mad to work with him again. □ Isn't that a rather mad idea? ● mad|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ It is political madness.
3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is mad , you mean that they are very angry. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ at ] You're just mad at me because I don't want to go. [Also + about ]
4 ADJ If you are mad about or mad on something or someone, you like them very much indeed. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ about ] She's not as mad about sport as I am. □ [+ about ] He's mad about you. □ [+ on ] He's mad on trains. ● COMB Mad is also a combining form. □ …his football-mad son. □ He's not power-mad.
5 ADJ Mad behaviour is wild and uncontrolled. □ You only have an hour to complete the game so it's a mad dash against the clock. □ The audience went mad. ● mad|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Down in the streets people were waving madly.
6 PHRASE If you say that someone or something drives you mad , you mean that you find them extremely annoying. [INFORMAL ] □ There are certain things he does that drive me mad. □ This itching is driving me mad.
7 PHRASE If you do something like mad , you do it very energetically or enthusiastically. [INFORMAL ] □ He was weight training like mad.
8 → see also madly
9 mad keen → see keen
mad|am /mæ dəm/ also Madam N‑COUNT People sometimes say Madam as a very formal and polite way of addressing a woman whose name they do not know or a woman of superior rank. For example, a shop assistant might address a woman customer as Madam . [POLITENESS ] □ Try them on, madam.
mad|cap /mæ dkæp/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A madcap plan or scheme is very foolish and not likely to succeed. [INFORMAL ] □ The politicians simply flitted from one madcap scheme to another.
ma d co w dis|ease N‑UNCOUNT Mad cow disease is a disease which affects the nervous system of cattle and causes death. [mainly BRIT ]
mad|den /mæ d ə n/ (maddens , maddening , maddened ) VERB To madden a person or animal means to make them very angry. □ [V n] He knew that what he was saying did not reach her. And the knowledge of it maddened him.
mad|den|ing /mæ dən I ŋ/ ADJ If you describe something as maddening , you mean that it makes you feel angry, irritated, or frustrated. □ Shopping in the January sales can be maddening. ● mad|den|ing|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV after v] □ The service is maddeningly slow.
made /me I d/
1 Made is the past tense and past participle of make .
2 ADJ If something is made of or made out of a particular substance, that substance was used to build it. □ [+ of ] The top of the table is made of glass. □ [+ out of ] What is the statue made out of?
3 PHRASE If you say that someone has it made or has got it made , you mean that they are certain to be rich or successful. [INFORMAL ] □ When I was at school, I thought I had it made.
-made /-me I d/ COMB [usu ADJ n] -made combines with words such as 'factory' to make adjectives that indicate that something has been made or produced in a particular place or in a particular way. □ …a British-made car. □ …specially-made footwear.
ma de-to-mea sure ADJ [usu ADJ n] A made-to-measure suit, shirt, or other item of clothing is one that is made by a tailor to fit you exactly, rather than one that you buy already made in a shop.
ma de-up ◆◇◇ also made up
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ , adv ADJ n] If you are made-up , you are wearing make-up such as powder or eye shadow. □ She was beautifully made-up, beautifully groomed.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A made-up word, name, or story is invented, rather than really existing or being true. □ It looks like a made-up word.
3 ADJ If you are made-up , you are happy. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ I'll be made up if I get in the top five, that would be great.
mad|house /mæ dhaʊs/ (madhouses ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you describe a place or situation as a madhouse , you mean that it is full of confusion and noise. □ That place is a madhouse.
mad|ly /mæ dli/
1 ADV [ADV after v] You can use madly to indicate that one person loves another a great deal. □ She has fallen madly in love with him.
2 ADV [ADV adj] You can use madly in front of an adjective in order to emphasize the quality expressed by the adjective. [mainly BRIT , EMPHASIS ] □ Inside it is madly busy.
mad|man /mæ dmən/ (madmen ) N‑COUNT A madman is a man who is insane. □ He wanted to jump up and run outside, screaming like a madman.
Ma|don|na /mədɒ nə/ N‑PROPER Catholics and other Christians sometimes call Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, the Madonna .
mad|ras /mədræ s, -drɑː s/ ADJ [ADJ n] A madras curry is a rather hot spicy curry.
mad|ri|gal /mæ dr I g ə l/ (madrigals ) N‑COUNT A madrigal is a song sung by several singers without any musical instruments. Madrigals were popular in England in the sixteenth century.
mad|woman /mædwʊmən/ (madwomen ) N‑COUNT A madwoman is a woman who is insane. [INFORMAL ]
mael|strom /me I lstrɒm/ (maelstroms ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you describe a situation as a maelstrom , you mean that it is very confused or violent. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] …the maelstrom of ethnic hatreds and vendetta politics. □ [+ of ] Inside, she was a maelstrom of churning emotions.
maes|tro /ma I stroʊ/ (maestros ) N‑COUNT A maestro is a skilled and well-known musician or conductor. □ …the urbane maestro's delightful first show.
ma|fia /mæ fiə, [AM ] mɑː f-/ (mafias )
1 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] The Mafia is a criminal organization that makes money illegally, especially by threatening people and dealing in drugs. □ The Mafia is by no means ignored by Italian television.
2 N‑COUNT You can use mafia to refer to an organized group of people who you disapprove of because they use unfair or illegal means in order to get what they want. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ They are well-connected with the south-based education-reform mafia.
mag /mæ g/ (mags ) N‑COUNT A mag is the same as a magazine. [INFORMAL ] □ …a well-known glossy mag.
maga|zine ◆◆◇ /mæ gəziː n, [AM ] -ziːn/ (magazines )
1 N‑COUNT A magazine is a publication with a paper cover which is issued regularly, usually every week or every month, and which contains articles, stories, photographs, and advertisements. □ Her face is on the cover of a dozen or more magazines.
2 N‑COUNT In an automatic gun, the magazine is the part that contains the bullets.
ma|gen|ta /mədʒe ntə/ (magentas ) COLOUR Magenta is used to describe things that are dark reddish-purple in colour.
mag|got /mæ gət/ (maggots ) N‑COUNT Maggots are creatures that look like very small worms and turn into flies.
mag|ic ◆◇◇ /mæ dʒ I k/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Magic is the power to use supernatural forces to make impossible things happen, such as making people disappear or controlling events in nature. □ They believe in magic. □ Older legends say that Merlin raised the stones by magic.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You can use magic when you are referring to an event that is so wonderful, strange, or unexpected that it seems as if supernatural powers have caused it. You can also say that something happens as if by magic or like magic . □ All this was supposed to work magic. □ The picture will now appear, as if by magic!
3 ADJ [ADJ n] You use magic to describe something that does things, or appears to do things, by magic. □ So it's a magic potion? □ …the magic ingredient that helps to keep skin looking smooth.
4 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Magic is the art and skill of performing mysterious tricks to entertain people, for example by making things appear and disappear. □ His secret hobby: performing magic tricks.
5 N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to the magic of something, you mean that it has a special mysterious quality which makes it seem wonderful and exciting to you and which makes you feel happy. □ [+ of ] It infected them with some of the magic of a lost age. ● ADJ Magic is also an adjective. □ Then came those magic moments in the rose-garden.
6 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] If you refer to a person's magic , you mean a special talent or ability that they have, which you admire or consider very impressive. □ The fighter believes he can still regain some of his old magic.
7 ADJ You can use expressions such as the magic number and the magic word to indicate that a number or word is the one which is significant or desirable in a particular situation. □ …their quest to gain the magic number of 270 electoral votes on Election Day.
8 ADJ [ADJ n, with neg] Magic is used in expressions such as there is no magic formula and there is no magic solution to say that someone will have to make an effort to solve a problem, because it will not solve itself. □ There is no magic formula for producing winning products.
9 ADJ If you say that something is magic , you think it is very good or enjoyable. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ It was magic–one of the best days of my life.
magi|cal /mæ dʒ I k ə l/
1 ADJ Something that is magical seems to use magic or to be able to produce magic. □ …the story of Sin-Sin, a little boy who has magical powers. ● magi|cal|ly /mæ dʒ I kli/ ADV [ADV with v] □ …the story of a young boy's adventures after he is magically transported through the cinema screen.
2 ADJ You can say that a place or object is magical when it has a special mysterious quality that makes it seem wonderful and exciting. □ The beautiful island of Cyprus is a magical place to get married.
ma g|ic bu l|let (magic bullets )
1 N‑COUNT In medicine, a magic bullet is a drug or treatment that can cure a disease quickly and completely.
2 N‑COUNT A magic bullet is an easy solution to a difficult problem. [INFORMAL ] □ A lot of people are looking for some sort of magic bullet that will solve this problem.
ma g|ic ca r|pet (magic carpets ) N‑COUNT In stories, a magic carpet is a special carpet that can carry people through the air.
ma|gi|cian /mədʒ I ʃ ə n/ (magicians ) N‑COUNT A magician is a person who entertains people by doing magic tricks.
ma g|ic mu sh|room (magic mushrooms ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Magic mushrooms are a type of mushroom which contain a drug and may make the person who eats them believe they are seeing things which are not real.
ma g|ic re |al|ism also magical realism N‑UNCOUNT Magic realism is a style of writing or painting which sometimes describes dreams as though they were real, and real events as though they were dreams.
ma g|ic wa nd (magic wands )
1 N‑COUNT A magic wand or a wand is a long thin rod that magicians and fairies wave when they are performing tricks and magic.
2 N‑COUNT You use magic wand , especially in the expression there is no magic wand , to indicate that someone is dealing with a difficult problem which cannot be solved quickly and easily. □ There is no magic wand to secure a just peace. □ People can't expect him to just wave a magic wand.
mag|is|te|rial /mæ dʒ I st I ə ri ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone's behaviour or work as magisterial , you mean that they show great authority or ability. [FORMAL ] □ …his magisterial voice and bearing. □ The Cambridge World History of Human Disease is a magisterial work.
mag|is|trate /mæ dʒ I stre I t/ (magistrates ) N‑COUNT A magistrate is an official who acts as a judge in law courts which deal with minor crimes or disputes.
mag|ma /mæ gmə/ N‑UNCOUNT Magma is molten rock that is formed in very hot conditions inside the earth. [TECHNICAL ] □ The volcano threw new showers of magma and ash into the air.
mag|na|nim|ity /mæ gnən I m I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Magnanimity is kindness and generosity towards someone, especially after defeating them or being treated badly by them. [FORMAL ] □ The father of one victim spoke with remarkable magnanimity.
mag|nani|mous /mægnæ n I məs/ ADJ If you are magnanimous , you behave kindly and generously towards someone, especially after defeating them or being treated badly by them. □ I was prepared to be magnanimous, prepared to feel compassion for him. ● mag|nani|mous|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ 'You were right, and we were wrong,' he said magnanimously.
mag|nate /mæ gne I t/ (magnates ) N‑COUNT A magnate is someone who has earned a lot of money from a particular business or industry. □ …a multimillionaire shipping magnate.
mag|ne|sium /mægniː ziəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Magnesium is a light silvery-white metal which burns with a bright white flame.
mag|net /mæ gn I t/ (magnets )
1 N‑COUNT If you say that something is a magnet or is like a magnet , you mean that people are very attracted by it and want to go to it or look at it. □ [+ for ] Prospect Park, with its vast lake, is a magnet for all health freaks.
2 N‑COUNT A magnet is a piece of iron or other material which attracts iron towards it. □ …a fridge magnet.
mag|net|ic /mægne t I k/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If something metal is magnetic , it acts like a magnet. □ …magnetic particles.
2 ADJ You use magnetic to describe something that is caused by or relates to the force of magnetism. □ The electrically charged gas particles are affected by magnetic forces. ● mag|neti|cal|ly /mægne t I kli/ ADV [ADV after v] □ …metal fragments held together magnetically.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use magnetic to describe tapes and other objects which have a coating of a magnetic substance and contain coded information that can be read by computers or other machines. □ …her magnetic strip ID card.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as magnetic , you mean that it is very attractive to people because it has unusual, powerful, and exciting qualities. □ London's creative reputation has had a magnetic effect.
ma g|net|ic fie ld (magnetic fields ) N‑COUNT A magnetic field is an area around a magnet, or something functioning as a magnet, in which the magnet's power to attract things is felt.
ma g|net|ic ta pe (magnetic tapes ) N‑VAR Magnetic tape is plastic tape covered with iron oxide or a similar magnetic substance. It is used for recording sounds, film, or computer information.
mag|net|ism /mæ gn I t I zəm/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Someone or something that has magnetism has unusual, powerful, and exciting qualities which attract people to them. □ There was no doubting the animal magnetism of the man.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Magnetism is the natural power of some objects and substances, especially iron, to attract other objects towards them.
mag|net|ize /mæ gn I ta I z/ (magnetizes , magnetizing , magnetized ) in BRIT, also use magnetise VERB If you magnetize something, you make it magnetic. □ [V n] Make a Mobius strip out of a ribbon of mild steel and magnetise it. □ [V -ed] …a small metal chessboard with magnetized playing pieces.
ma g|net schoo l (magnet schools ) N‑COUNT A magnet school is a state-funded school, usually in a poor area, which is given extra resources in order to attract new pupils from other areas and help improve the school's performance. [JOURNALISM ]
mag|ni|fi|ca|tion /mæ gn I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ (magnifications )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Magnification is the act or process of magnifying something. □ Pores are visible without magnification.
2 N‑VAR Magnification is the degree to which a lens, mirror, or other device can magnify an object, or the degree to which the object is magnified. □ The electron microscope uses a beam of electrons to produce images at high magnifications.
mag|nifi|cent /mægn I f I sənt/ ADJ If you say that something or someone is magnificent , you mean that you think they are extremely good, beautiful, or impressive. □ …a magnificent country house in wooded grounds. □ …magnificent views over the San Fernando Valley. ● mag|nifi|cence N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the magnificence of the Swiss mountains. ● mag|nifi|cent|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV adj/-ed] □ The team played magnificently throughout the competition.
mag|ni|fy /mæ gn I fa I / (magnifies , magnifying , magnified )
1 VERB To magnify an object means to make it appear larger than it really is, by means of a special lens or mirror. □ [V n n] This version of the Digges telescope magnifies images 11 times. □ [V n] A lens would magnify the picture so it would be like looking at a large TV screen. □ [V -ing] …magnifying lenses.
2 VERB To magnify something means to increase its effect, size, loudness, or intensity. □ [V n] Their noises were magnified in the still, wet air.
3 VERB If you magnify something, you make it seem more important or serious than it really is. □ [V n] They do not grasp the broad situation and spend their time magnifying ridiculous details.
ma g|ni|fy|ing glass (magnifying glasses ) N‑COUNT A magnifying glass is a piece of glass which makes objects appear bigger than they actually are.
mag|ni|tude /mæ gn I tjuːd, [AM ] -tuːd/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you talk about the magnitude of something, you are talking about its great size, scale, or importance. □ An operation of this magnitude is going to be difficult.
2 PHRASE You can use order of magnitude when you are giving an approximate idea of the amount or importance of something. □ America and Russia do not face a problem of the same order of magnitude as Japan.
mag|no|lia /mægnoʊ liə/ (magnolias ) N‑VAR A magnolia is a kind of tree with white, pink, yellow, or purple flowers.
mag|num /mæ gnəm/ (magnums ) N‑COUNT A magnum is a wine bottle holding the equivalent of two normal bottles, approximately 1.5 litres. □ [+ of ] …a magnum of champagne.
ma g|num o pus N‑SING [oft poss N ] A magnum opus is the greatest or most important work produced by a writer, artist, musician, or academic. □ …Gadamer's magnum opus 'Truth and Method'.
mag|pie /mæ gpa I / (magpies ) N‑COUNT A magpie is a large black and white bird with a long tail.
ma|ha|ra|ja /mɑː hərɑː dʒə/ (maharajas ) also maharajah N‑COUNT A maharaja is the head of one of the royal families that used to rule parts of India.
ma|hoga|ny /məhɒ gəni/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Mahogany is a dark reddish-brown wood that is used to make furniture. □ …mahogany tables and chairs.
maid /me I d/ (maids )
1 N‑COUNT A maid is a woman who works as a servant in a hotel or private house. □ A maid brought me breakfast at half past eight.
2 → see also old maid
maid|en /me I d ə n/ (maidens )
1 N‑COUNT A maiden is a young girl or woman. [LITERARY ] □ …stories of noble princes and their brave deeds on behalf of beautiful maidens.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] The maiden voyage or flight of a ship or aircraft is the first official journey that it makes. □ In 1912, the Titanic sank on her maiden voyage.
mai d|en au nt (maiden aunts ) N‑COUNT A maiden aunt is an aunt who is not married. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
mai d|en name (maiden names ) N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] A married woman's maiden name is her parents' surname, which she used before she got married and started using her husband's surname.
mai d|en spee ch (maiden speeches ) N‑COUNT A politician's maiden speech is the first speech that he or she makes in parliament after becoming a member of it. [BRIT ]
mai d of ho n|our (maids of honour ) N‑COUNT A maid of honour is the chief bridesmaid at a wedding. [AM ]
mail ◆◇◇ /me I l/ (mails , mailing , mailed )
1 N‑SING [oft by N ] The mail is the public service or system by which letters and parcels are collected and delivered. □ Your check is in the mail. □ The firm has offices in several large cities, but does most of its business by mail.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] You can refer to letters and parcels that are delivered to you as mail . □ There was no mail except the usual junk addressed to the occupier.
3 VERB If you mail a letter or parcel to someone, you send it to them by putting it in a post box or taking it to a post office. [mainly AM ] □ [V n + to ] Last year, he mailed the documents to French journalists. □ [V n n] He mailed me the contract. □ [V n + with ] The Government has already mailed some 18 million households with details of the public offer. [Also V n] in BRIT, usually use post 4 VERB To mail a message to someone means to send it to them by means of email or a computer network. □ [be V -ed prep] …if a report must be electronically mailed to an office by 9 am the next day. [Also V n] ● N‑UNCOUNT Mail is also a noun. □ If you have any problems then send me some mail.
5 → see also mailing , chain mail , electronic mail , email , hate mail , junk mail , surface mail
▸ mail out PHRASAL VERB If someone mails out things such as letters, leaflets, or bills, they send them to a large number of people at the same time. [mainly AM ] □ [V P n] This week, the company mailed out its annual report. [Also V n P ] in BRIT, use send out COLLOCATIONS mail NOUN 2
noun + mail : fan, hate, junk, snail
adjective + mail : first-class, second-class; undelivered, unopened, unsolicited
verb + mail : deliver, forward, redirect, send; receive
mail|bag /me I lbæg/ (mailbags ) also mail bag N‑COUNT A mailbag is a large bag that is used by postal workers for carrying mail.
mail|box /me I lbɒks/ (mailboxes )
1 N‑COUNT A mailbox is a box outside your house where your letters are delivered. [AM ]
2 N‑COUNT A mailbox is a metal box in a public place, where you put letters and packets to be collected. They are then sorted and delivered. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, use post box 3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] On a computer, your mailbox is the file where your email is stored.
mail|ing /me I l I ŋ/ (mailings )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Mailing is the activity of sending things to people through the postal service. □ The newsletter was printed towards the end of June in readiness for mailing. □ The owners of the store have stepped up customer mailings.
2 N‑COUNT A mailing is something that is sent to people through the postal service. □ The seniors organizations sent out mailings to their constituencies.
mai l|ing list (mailing lists ) N‑COUNT A mailing list is a list of names and addresses that a company or organization keeps, so that they can send people information or advertisements.
mail|man /me I lmæn/ (mailmen ) N‑COUNT A mailman is a man whose job is to collect and deliver letters and parcels that are sent by post. [AM ] in BRIT, usually use postman
mai l me rge N‑UNCOUNT Mail merge is a word processing procedure which enables you to combine a document with a data file, for example a list of names and addresses, so that copies of the document are different for each person it is sent to. [COMPUTING ] □ He sent every member of staff a mail-merge letter wishing them a merry Christmas.
mai l o r|der (mail orders )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft by N , N n] Mail order is a system of buying and selling goods. You choose the goods you want from a company by looking at their catalogue, and the company sends them to you by post. □ The toys are available by mail order from Opi Toys.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Mail orders are goods that have been ordered by mail order. [mainly AM ] □ I supervise the packing of all mail orders.
mail|shot /me I lʃɒt/ (mailshots ) N‑COUNT A mailshot is a letter advertising something or appealing for money for a particular charity. Mailshots are sent out to a large number of people at once. [BRIT ]
maim /me I m/ (maims , maiming , maimed ) VERB To maim someone means to injure them so badly that part of their body is permanently damaged. □ [V n] Mines have been scattered in rice paddies and jungles, maiming and killing civilians.
main ◆◆◆ /me I n/ (mains )
1 ADJ The main thing is the most important one of several similar things in a particular situation. □ …one of the main tourist areas of Amsterdam. □ My main concern now is to protect the children. □ What are the main differences and similarities between them?
2 PHRASE If you say that something is true in the main , you mean that it is generally true, although there may be exceptions. □ Tourists are, in the main, sympathetic people.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The mains are the pipes which supply gas or water to buildings, or which take sewage away from them. □ …the water supply from the mains. □ The capital has been without mains water since Wednesday night.
4 N‑PLURAL The mains are the wires which supply electricity to buildings, or the place where the wires end inside the building. [mainly BRIT ] □ …amplifiers which plug into the mains.
mai n clau se (main clauses ) N‑COUNT A main clause is a clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence. Compare subordinate clause .
mai n dra g N‑SING The main drag in a town or city is its main street. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ]
main|frame /me I nfre I m/ (mainframes ) N‑COUNT A mainframe or mainframe computer is a large powerful computer which can be used by many people at the same time and which can do very large or complicated tasks.
main|land /me I nlænd/ N‑SING [N n] You can refer to the largest part of a country or continent as the mainland when contrasting it with the islands around it. □ She was going to Nanaimo to catch the ferry to the mainland. □ …the islands that lie off the coast of mainland Britain.
main|line /me I nla I n/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A mainline railway is a major railway between two important places. □ …the first mainline railway to be built in Britain for almost a hundred years. □ …London's mainline stations.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use mainline to describe people, ideas, and activities that belong to the most central, conventional, and normal part of a tradition, institution, or business. □ We observe a striking shift away from a labor theory among all mainline economists.
main|ly ◆◆◇ /me I nli/
1 ADV [ADV with v] You use mainly when mentioning the main reason or thing involved in something. □ He did not want to take up a competitive sport, mainly because he did not have anyone to play with. □ The birds live mainly on nectar.
2 ADV You use mainly when you are referring to a group and stating something that is true of most of it. □ The African half of the audience was mainly from Senegal or Mali. □ The spacious main bedroom is mainly blue. SYNONYMS mainly ADV 1
chiefly: His response to attacks on his work was chiefly bewilderment.
mostly: I am working with mostly highly motivated people.
largely: The French empire had expanded largely through military conquest.
generally: As women we generally say and feel too much about these things.
primarily: Public order is primarily an urban problem.
mai n roa d (main roads ) N‑COUNT A main road is an important road that leads from one town or city to another. □ Webb turned off the main road and drove round to the car park.
main|spring /me I nspr I ŋ/ (mainsprings ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you say that an idea, emotion, or other factor is the mainspring of something, you mean that it is the most important reason or motive for that thing. [WRITTEN ] □ My life has been music, and a constant search for it has been the mainspring of my life. □ You begin to understand what actions were the mainspring of the story.
main|stay /me I nste I / (mainstays ) N‑COUNT If you describe something as the mainstay of a particular thing, you mean that it is the most basic part of it. □ Fish and rice were the mainstays of the country's diet. □ This principle of collective bargaining has been a mainstay in labor relations in this country.
main|stream /me I nstriːm/ (mainstreams ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] People, activities, or ideas that are part of the mainstream are regarded as the most typical, normal, and conventional because they belong to the same group or system as most others of their kind. □ …people outside the economic mainstream. □ The show wanted to attract a mainstream audience.
mai n|stream me |dia N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] The mainstream media refers to conventional newspapers, television and other news sources that most people know about and regard as reliable. □ We have seen how the mainstream media uniformly support the official government line on this. □ The story got little mainstream media coverage.
Mai n Stree t
1 N‑PROPER In small towns in the United States, the street where most of the shops are is often called Main Street .
2 N‑UNCOUNT Main Street is used by journalists to refer to the ordinary people of America who live in small towns rather than big cities or are not very rich. [AM ] □ This financial crisis had a much greater impact on Main Street.
main|tain ◆◆◇ /me I nte I n/ (maintains , maintaining , maintained )
1 VERB If you maintain something, you continue to have it, and do not let it stop or grow weaker. □ [V n] The Department maintains many close contacts with the chemical industry.
2 VERB If you say that someone maintains that something is true, you mean that they have stated their opinion strongly but not everyone agrees with them or believes them. □ [V that] He has maintained that the money was donated for international purposes. □ [V with quote] 'Not all feminism has to be like this,' Jo maintains. □ [V n] He had always maintained his innocence.
3 VERB If you maintain something at a particular rate or level, you keep it at that rate or level. □ [V n + at ] The government was right to maintain interest rates at a high level.
4 VERB If you maintain a road, building, vehicle, or machine, you keep it in good condition by regularly checking it and repairing it when necessary. □ [V n] The house costs a fortune to maintain. □ [V -ed] The cars are getting older and less well-maintained.
5 VERB If you maintain someone, you provide them with money and other things that they need. □ [V n] …the basic costs of maintaining a child. SYNONYMS maintain VERB
1
retain: The interior of the shop still retains a nineteenth-century atmosphere.
preserve: We will do everything to preserve peace.
sustain: The parameters within which life can be sustained on Earth are extraordinarily narrow.
keep up: There will be a major incentive among TV channels to keep standards up.
2
assert: The defendants, who continue to assert their innocence, are expected to appeal.
state: 'Our relationship is totally platonic,' she stated.
claim: He claimed that it was all a conspiracy against him.
contend: The government contends that he is fundamentalist.
profess: Why do organisations profess that they care?
main|te|nance /me I nt I nəns/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The maintenance of a building, vehicle, road, or machine is the process of keeping it in good condition by regularly checking it and repairing it when necessary. □ …maintenance work on government buildings. □ The window had been replaced last week during routine maintenance.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Maintenance is money that someone gives regularly to another person to pay for the things that the person needs. □ …the government's plan to make absent fathers pay maintenance for their children.
3 N‑UNCOUNT If you ensure the maintenance of a state or process, you make sure that it continues. □ [+ of ] …the maintenance of peace and stability in Asia.
mai|son|ette /me I zəne t/ (maisonettes ) N‑COUNT A maisonette is a flat that usually has a separate door to the outside from other flats in the same building. Many maisonettes are on two floors. [BRIT ]
maize /me I z/ N‑UNCOUNT Maize is a tall plant which produces long objects covered with yellow seeds called sweetcorn. It is often grown as a food crop. [mainly BRIT ] □ …vast fields of maize. in AM, usually use corn
Maj N‑TITLE Maj is a written abbreviation for major when it is used as a title. □ …Maj D B Lee.
ma|jes|tic /mədʒe st I k/ ADJ If you describe something or someone as majestic , you think they are very beautiful, dignified, and impressive. □ …a majestic country home that once belonged to the Astor family. ● ma|jes|ti|cal|ly /mədʒe st I kli/ ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ Fuji is a majestically beautiful mountain.
maj|es|ty /mæ dʒ I sti/ (majesties )
1 N‑COUNT You use majesty in expressions such as Your Majesty or Her Majesty when you are addressing or referring to a King or Queen. [POLITENESS ] □ His Majesty requests your presence in the royal chambers.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Majesty is the quality of being beautiful, dignified, and impressive. □ …the majesty of the mainland mountains.
ma|jor ◆◆◆ /me I dʒə r / (majors , majoring , majored )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] You use major when you want to describe something that is more important, serious, or significant than other things in a group or situation. □ The major factor in the decision to stay or to leave was usually professional. □ Studies show that stress can also be a major problem. □ Exercise has a major part to play in preventing and combating disease.
2 N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A major is an officer of middle rank in the British army or the United States army, air force, or marines. □ …Major Alan Bulman.
3 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] At a university or college in the United States, a student's major is the main subject that they are studying. □ English majors would be asked to explore the roots of language.
4 N‑COUNT [n N ] At a university or college in the United States, if a student is, for example, a geology major , geology is the main subject they are studying. □ She was named the outstanding undergraduate history major at the University of Oklahoma.
5 VERB If a student at a university or college in the United States majors in a particular subject, that subject is the main one they study. □ [V + in ] He majored in finance at Claremont Men's College in California.
6 ADJ [n ADJ , ADJ n] In music, a major scale is one in which the third note is two tones higher than the first. □ …Mozart's Symphony No 35 in D Major.
7 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A major is a large or important company. [BUSINESS ] □ Oil majors need not fear being unable to sell their crude.
8 N‑PLURAL The majors are groups of professional sports teams that compete against each other, especially in American baseball. [mainly AM ] □ I knew what I could do in the minor leagues, I just wanted a chance to prove myself in the majors.
9 N‑COUNT A major is an important sporting competition, especially in golf or tennis. □ Sarazen became the first golfer to win all four majors. SYNONYMS major ADJ 1
vital: The port is vital to supply relief to millions of drought victims.
critical: He says setting priorities is of critical importance.
important: The planned general strike represents an important economic challenge to the government.
significant: It is the first drug that seems to have a very significant effect on this disease.
ma|jor|ette /me I dʒəre t/ (majorettes ) N‑COUNT A majorette is one of a group of girls or young women who march at the front of a musical band in a procession.
ma |jor ge n|er|al (major generals ) also major-general N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE In Britain, a major general is a senior officer in the army. In the United States, a major general is a senior officer in the army, air force, or marines.
ma|jor|ity ◆◆◇ /mədʒɒ r I ti, [AM ] -dʒɔː r-/ (majorities )
1 N‑SING [with sing or pl verb, usu sing] The majority of people or things in a group is more than half of them. □ [+ of ] The vast majority of our cheeses are made with pasteurised milk. □ Still, a majority continue to support the treaty. ● PHRASE If a group is in a majority or in the majority , they form more than half of a larger group. □ Surveys indicate that supporters of the treaty are still in the majority.
2 N‑COUNT A majority is the difference between the number of votes or seats in parliament or legislature that the winner gets in an election, and the number of votes or seats that the next person or party gets. □ Members of Parliament approved the move by a majority of ninety-nine. □ According to most opinion polls, he is set to win a clear majority.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Majority is used to describe opinions, decisions, and systems of government that are supported by more than half the people involved. □ …her continuing disagreement with the majority view. □ A majority vote of 75% is required from shareholders for the plan to go ahead.
4 N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] Majority is the state of legally being an adult. In Britain and most states in the United States, people reach their majority at the age of eighteen. □ The age of majority in Romania is eighteen.
5 → see also absolute majority , moral majority
ma |jor lea gue (major leagues )
1 N‑PLURAL The major leagues are groups of professional sports teams that compete against each other, especially in American baseball. □ Chandler was instrumental in making Jackie Robinson the first black player in the major leagues.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Major league means connected with the major leagues in baseball. □ …a town with no major league baseball.
3 ADJ Major league people or institutions are important or successful. □ James Hawes's first film boasts major-league stars.
4 PHRASE If someone moves into the major league or makes it into the major league , they become very successful in their career. [JOURNALISM ] □ Once a girl has made it into the major league every detail is mapped out by her agency.
make
➊ CARRYING OUT AN ACTION
➋ CAUSING OR CHANGING
➌ CREATING OR PRODUCING
➍ LINK VERB USES
➎ ACHIEVING OR REACHING
➏ STATING AN AMOUNT OR TIME
➐ PHRASAL VERBS
➊ make ◆◆◆ /me I k/ (makes , making , made ) Make is used in a large number of expressions which are explained under other words in this dictionary. For example, the expression 'to make sense' is explained at 'sense'. 1 VERB You can use make with a wide range of nouns to indicate that someone performs an action or says something. For example, if you make a suggestion, you suggest something. □ [V n] I'd just like to make a comment. □ [V n] I made a few phone calls. □ [V n] I think you're making a serious mistake.
2 VERB You can use make with certain nouns to indicate that someone does something well or badly. For example, if you make a success of something, you do it successfully, and if you make a mess of something, you do it very badly. □ [V n + of ] Apparently he made a mess of his audition. □ [V n + of ] Are you really going to make a better job of it this time?
3 VERB If you make as if to do something or make to do something, you behave in a way that makes it seem that you are just about to do it. [WRITTEN ] □ [V as if to-inf] Mary made as if to protest, then hesitated. □ [V to-inf] He made to chase Davey, who ran back laughing.
4 VERB In cricket, if a player makes a particular number of runs, they score that number of runs. In baseball or American football, if a player makes a particular score, they achieve that score. □ [V amount] He made 1,972 runs for the county.
5 PHRASE If you make do with something, you use or have it instead of something else that you do not have, although it is not as good. □ Why make do with a copy if you can afford the genuine article?
6 PHRASE If you make like you are doing something, you act as if you are doing it, and if you make like someone, you act as if you are that person. [INFORMAL ] □ Bob makes like he's a fish blowing bubbles.
➋ make ◆◆◆ /me I k/ (makes , making , made )
→ Please look at category 11 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 VERB If something makes you do something, it causes you to do it. □ [V n inf] Grit from the highway made him cough. □ [be V -ed to-inf] I was made to feel guilty and irresponsible.
2 VERB If you make someone do something, you force them to do it. □ [V n inf] You can't make me do anything. □ [be V -ed to-inf] They were made to pay $8.8 million in taxes.
3 VERB You use make to talk about causing someone or something to be a particular thing or to have a particular quality. For example, to make someone a star means to cause them to become a star, and to make someone angry means to cause them to become angry. □ [V n n] …James Bond, the role that made him a star. □ [V n adj] She made life very difficult for me. □ [V n adj that] She's made it obvious that she's appalled by me. □ [V n adj to-inf] Rationing has made it easier to find some products like eggs, butter and meat. □ [V n + of ] Does your film make a hero of Jim Garrison?
4 VERB If you say that one thing or person makes another seem, for example, small, stupid, or good, you mean that they cause them to seem small, stupid, or good in comparison, even though they are not. □ [V n inf adj/prep/n] They live in fantasy worlds which make Euro Disney seem uninventive.
5 VERB If you make yourself understood, heard, or known, you succeed in getting people to understand you, hear you, or know that you are there. □ [V pron-refl -ed] Aron couldn't speak Polish. I made myself understood with difficulty.
6 VERB If you make someone something, you appoint them to a particular job, role, or position. □ [V n n] Mr Blair made him transport minister.
7 VERB If you make something into something else, you change it in some way so that it becomes that other thing. □ [V n + into ] We made it into a beautiful home.
8 VERB To make a total or score a particular amount means to increase it to that amount. □ [V n amount] This makes the total cost of the bulb and energy £27.
9 VERB When someone makes a friend or an enemy, someone becomes their friend or their enemy, often because of a particular thing they have done. □ [V n] Lorenzo was a natural leader who made friends easily. □ [V n + of ] He was unruly in class and made an enemy of most of his teachers.
10 PHRASE If someone makes something of themselves or makes something of their life , they become successful. □ My father lived long enough to see that I'd made something of myself. □ The nuns who taught him urged him to make something of his life and he did.
11 to make friends → see friend
➌ make ◆◆◆ /me I k/ (makes , making , made )
1 VERB To make something means to produce, construct, or create it. □ [V n] She made her own bread. □ [have n V -ed] Having curtains made professionally can be costly. □ [V n + from/out of ] They make compost out of all kinds of waste.
2 VERB If you make a note or list, you write something down in that form. □ [V n] Mr Perry made a note in his book. □ [V n] Make a list of your questions beforehand.
3 VERB If you make rules or laws, you decide what these should be. □ [V n] The police don't make the laws, they merely enforce them.
4 VERB If you make money, you get it by working for it, by selling something, or by winning it. □ [V n] I think every business's goal is to make money. □ [V n + out of/from ] Can it be moral to make so much money out of a commodity which is essential to life?
5 VERB If something makes something else, it is responsible for the success of that thing. □ [V n] What really makes the book are the beautiful designs.
6 N‑COUNT The make of something such as a car or radio is the name of the company that made it. □ …a certain make of wristwatch.
7 PHRASE If you say that someone is on the make , you disapprove of them because they are trying to get a lot of money or power, possibly by illegal or immoral methods. [DISAPPROVAL ]
➍ make ◆◆◆ /me I k/ (makes , making , made )
1 V‑LINK You can use make to say that someone or something has the right qualities for a particular task or role. For example, if you say that someone will make a good politician, you mean that they have the right qualities to be a good politician. □ [V n] You've a very good idea there. It will make a good book. □ [V n n] I'm very fond of Maurice and I'd make him a good partner.
2 V‑LINK If people make a particular pattern such as a line or a circle, they arrange themselves in this way. □ [V n] A group of people made a circle around the Pentagon.
3 V‑LINK You can use make to say what two numbers add up to. □ [V amount] Four twos make eight.
➎ make ◆◆◆ /me I k/ (makes , making , made )
1 VERB If someone makes a particular team or makes a particular high position, they do so well that they are put in that team or get that position. □ [V n] The athletes are just happy to make the British team. □ [V n] He knew he was never going to make director.
2 VERB If you make a place in or by a particular time, you get there in or by that time, often with some difficulty. □ [V n prep] They were trying to make New Orleans by nightfall.
3 PHRASE If you make it somewhere, you succeed in getting there, especially in time to do something. □ …the hostages who never made it home. □ I just made it!
4 PHRASE If you make it , you are successful in achieving something difficult, or in surviving through a very difficult period. □ I believe I have the talent to make it.
5 PHRASE If you cannot make it , you are unable to attend an event that you have been invited to. □ He hadn't been able to make it to our dinner.
➏ make ◆◆◆ /me I k/ (makes , making , made )
1 VERB You use make it when saying what you calculate or guess an amount to be. □ [V n] All I want to know is how many T-shirts Jim Martin has got. I make it three.
2 VERB You use make it when saying what time your watch says it is. □ [V n n] I make it nearly 9.30. □ [V n n] 'What time d'you make it?'—'Thirteen past.'
➐ make ◆◆◆ /me I k/ (makes , making , made )
▸ make for
1 PHRASAL VERB If you make for a place, you move towards it. □ [V P n] He rose from his seat and made for the door.
2 PHRASAL VERB If something makes for another thing, it causes or helps to cause that thing to happen or exist. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] A happy parent makes for a happy child.
▸ make of PHRASAL VERB If you ask a person what they make of something, you want to know what their impression, opinion, or understanding of it is. □ [V P n] Nancy wasn't sure what to make of Mick's apology.
▸ make off PHRASAL VERB If you make off , you leave somewhere as quickly as possible, often in order to escape. □ [V P ] They broke free and made off in a stolen car.
▸ make off with PHRASAL VERB If you make off with something, you steal it and take it away with you. □ [V P P n] Masked robbers broke in and made off with $8,000.
▸ make out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you make something out , you manage with difficulty to see or hear it. □ [V P n] I could just make out a tall, pale, shadowy figure tramping through the undergrowth. □ [V n P ] She thought she heard a name. She couldn't make it out, though. □ [V P wh] I heard the voices, but couldn't make out what they were saying.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you try to make something out , you try to understand it or decide whether or not it is true. □ [V n P ] I couldn't make it out at all. □ [V P wh] It is hard to make out what criteria are used. □ [V P ] This was, as far as I can make out, the only time he's had proper employment.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you make out that something is the case or make something out to be the case, you try to cause people to believe that it is the case. □ [V P that] They were trying to make out that I'd actually done it. □ [V n P to-inf] I don't think it was as glorious as everybody made it out to be. □ [V P ] He was never half as bad as his teachers made out.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you make out a case for something, you try to establish or prove that it is the best thing to do. □ [V P n + for/against ] You could certainly make out a case for this point of view. [Also V n P ]
5 PHRASAL VERB When you make out a cheque, receipt, or order form, you write all the necessary information on it. □ [V n P + to ] If you would like to send a donation, you can make a cheque out to Feed the Children. □ [V P n] I'm going to make out a receipt for you.
6 PHRASAL VERB If two people are making out , they are engaged in sexual activity. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ …pictures of the couple making out on the beach. [Also V P + with ]
▸ make up
1 PHRASAL VERB The people or things that make up something are the members or parts that form that thing. □ [V P n] UK shoppers make up the largest percentage of foreign buyers. □ [be V -ed P + of ] Insects are made up of tens of thousands of proteins. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you make up something such as a story or excuse, you invent it, sometimes in order to deceive people. □ [V P n] I think it's very unkind of you to make up stories about him. □ [V n P ] I'm not making it up. The character exists in real life.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you make yourself up or if someone else makes you up , make-up such as powder or lipstick is put on your face. □ [V n P ] She spent too much time making herself up. □ [V n P ] She chose Maggie to make her up for her engagement photographs. □ [V P n] I can't be bothered to make up my face.
4 PHRASAL VERB If you make up an amount, you add something to it so that it is as large as it should be. □ [V P n] We can't cover our costs, and rely on donors to make up the difference. □ [V n P ] The team had six professionals and made the number up with five amateurs. □ [V n P + to ] For every £100 you save, I will make it up to £125.
5 PHRASAL VERB If you make up time or hours, you work some extra hours because you have previously taken some time off work. □ [V P n] They'll have to make up time lost during the strike. [Also V n P ]
6 PHRASAL VERB If two people make up or make it up after a quarrel or disagreement, they become friends again. □ [V P ] She came back and they made up. □ [V P n] They never made up the quarrel. □ [V P + with ] They should make up with their ex-enemy in the West. □ [V n P + with ] I'll make it up with him again.
7 PHRASAL VERB If you make up something such as food or medicine, you prepare it by mixing or putting different things together. □ [V P n] Prepare the souffle dish before making up the souffle mixture. [Also V n P ]
8 PHRASAL VERB If you make up a bed, you put sheets and blankets on it so that someone can sleep there. □ [V P n] Her mother made up a bed in her old room.
▸ make up for PHRASAL VERB To make up for a bad experience or the loss of something means to make the situation better or make the person involved happier. □ [V P P n] Ask for an extra compensation payment to make up for the stress you have been caused.
▸ make up to PHRASAL VERB If you say that you will make it up to someone, you are promising that you will do something good for them after they have been upset or disappointed, especially by you. □ [V n P P n] I'll make it up to you, I promise. □ [V n P P n + for ] I must make it up to him for the awful intrusion of last night.
ma ke-belie ve
1 N‑UNCOUNT If someone is living in a make-believe world, they are pretending that things are better, different, or more exciting than they really are instead of facing up to reality. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the glamorous make-believe world of show business.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You use make-believe to refer to the activity involved when a child plays a game in which they pretend something, for example that they are someone else. □ She used to play games of make-believe with her elder sister. □ …his make-believe playmate.
3 ADJ You use make-believe to describe things, for example in a play or film, that imitate or copy something real, but which are not what they appear to be. □ The violence in those films was too unreal, it was make-believe.
make|over /me I koʊvə r / (makeovers )
1 N‑COUNT If a person or room is given a makeover , their appearance is improved, usually by an expert. □ She received a cosmetic makeover at a beauty salon as a birthday gift.
2 N‑COUNT If an organization or system is given a makeover , important changes are made in order to improve it. □ The biggest makeover has been in TV drama.
mak|er ◆◆◇ /me I kə r / (makers )
1 N‑COUNT The maker of a product is the firm that manufactures it. □ …Japan's two largest car makers.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to the person who makes something as its maker . □ …the makers of news and current affairs programmes.
3 → see also peacemaker SYNONYMS maker NOUN 1
manufacturer: …the world's largest doll manufacturer.
producer: The estate is generally a producer of high quality wines.
creator: I have always believed that a garden dies with its creator.
make|shift /me I kʃ I ft/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Makeshift things are temporary and usually of poor quality, but they are used because there is nothing better available. □ …the cardboard boxes and makeshift shelters of the homeless.
ma ke-up ◆◇◇ also makeup
1 N‑UNCOUNT Make-up consists of things such as lipstick, eye shadow, and powder which some women put on their faces to make themselves look more attractive or which actors use to change or improve their appearance. □ Normally she wore little make-up.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu poss N ] Someone's make-up is their nature and the various qualities in their character. □ There was some fatal flaw in his makeup.
3 N‑UNCOUNT The make-up of something consists of its different parts and the way these parts are arranged. □ [+ of ] The ideological make-up of the unions is now radically different from what it had been.
make|weight /me I kwe I t/ (makeweights ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone or something as a makeweight , you think that they are not good or valuable and that they have been included in an activity in order to fill up a gap. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He has not been signed to the club as a makeweight to fill out the numbers.
mak|ing /me I k I ŋ/ (makings )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [n N ] The making of something is the act or process of producing or creating it. □ [+ of ] …Salamon's book about the making of this movie.
2 PHRASE If you describe a person or thing as something in the making , you mean that they are going to become known or recognized as that thing. □ Her drama teacher is confident Julie is a star in the making.
3 PHRASE If something is the making of a person or thing, it is the reason that they become successful or become very much better than they used to be. □ This discovery may yet be the making of him.
4 PHRASE If you say that a person or thing has the makings of something, you mean it seems possible or likely that they will become that thing, as they have the necessary qualities. □ Godfrey had the makings of a successful journalist.
5 PHRASE If you say that something such as a problem you have is of your own making , you mean you have caused or created it yourself. □ Some of the university's financial troubles are of its own making.
PREFIX mal-
forms words that refer to things that are bad or unpleasant, or that are unsuccessful or imperfect. For example, malware is a type of computer program that damages a computer.
mal|ad|just|ed /mæ lədʒʌ st I d/ ADJ If you describe a child as maladjusted , you mean that they have psychological problems and behave in a way which is not acceptable to society. □ …a school for maladjusted children.
mal|ad|min|is|tra|tion /mæ lædm I n I stre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Maladministration is the act or process of running a system or organization incorrectly. [FORMAL ] □ …a request to investigate a claim about maladministration.
mala|droit /mæ lədrɔ I t/ ADJ If you describe someone as maladroit , you mean that they are clumsy or handle situations badly. [FORMAL ] □ Some of his first interviews with the press were rather maladroit.
mala|dy /mæ lədi/ (maladies )
1 N‑COUNT A malady is an illness or disease. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ He was stricken at twenty-one with a crippling malady.
2 N‑COUNT In written English, people sometimes use maladies to refer to serious problems in a society or situation. □ When apartheid is over the maladies will linger on.
ma|laise /mæle I z/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Malaise is a state in which there is something wrong with a society or group, for which there does not seem to be a quick or easy solution. [FORMAL ] □ There is no easy short-term solution to Britain's chronic economic malaise.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Malaise is a state in which people feel dissatisfied or unhappy but feel unable to change, usually because they do not know what is wrong. [FORMAL ] □ He complained of depression, headaches and malaise.
ma|laria /məleə riə/ N‑UNCOUNT Malaria is a serious disease carried by mosquitoes which causes periods of fever. WORD HISTORY malaria
The word malaria come from early Italian mal , meaning 'bad' and aria , meaning 'air'. People used to think that the bad air coming from the swamps around Rome caused this particular fever. We now know that it's the mosquitoes that inhabit this type of area which are to blame.
ma|lar|ial /məleə riəl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use malarial to refer to things connected with malaria or areas which are affected by malaria. □ …malarial parasites.
Ma|lay /məle I / (Malays )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Malay means belonging or relating to the people, language, or culture of the largest racial group in Malaysia.
2 N‑COUNT A Malay is a member of the largest racial group in Malaysia.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Malay is a language that is spoken in Malaysia and in parts of Indonesia.
Ma|lay|sian /məle I ʒ ə n/ (Malaysians )
1 ADJ Malaysian means belonging or relating to Malaysia, or to its people or culture.
2 N‑COUNT A Malaysian is a person who comes from Malaysia.
mal|con|tent /mæ lkəntent/ (malcontents ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] You can describe people as malcontents when you disapprove of the fact that they are dissatisfied with a situation and want it to change. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Five years ago a band of malcontents, mainly half-educated radicals, seized power.
male ◆◆◇ /me I l/ (males )
1 ADJ Someone who is male is a man or a boy. □ Many women achievers appear to pose a threat to their male colleagues. □ Most of the demonstrators were white and male. ● male|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …the solidarity among men which is part of maleness.
2 N‑COUNT Men and boys are sometimes referred to as males when they are being considered as a type. □ A high proportion of crime is perpetrated by young males in their teens and twenties.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Male means relating, belonging, or affecting men rather than women. □ Women entered the workforce in greater numbers and male unemployment rose. □ …a deep male voice.
4 N‑COUNT You can refer to any creature that belongs to the sex that cannot lay eggs or have babies as a male . □ Males and females take turns brooding the eggs. ● ADJ Male is also an adjective. □ After mating the male wasps tunnel through the sides of their nursery.
ma le chau |vin|ism N‑UNCOUNT If you accuse a man of male chauvinism , you disapprove of him because his beliefs and behaviour show that he thinks men are naturally superior to women. [DISAPPROVAL ]
ma le chau |vin|ist (male chauvinists ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe an attitude or remark as male chauvinist , you are critical of it because you think it is based on the belief that men are naturally superior to women. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The male chauvinist attitude of some people in the company could get you down. ● N‑COUNT A male chauvinist is a man who has male chauvinist views. □ I'm not a male chauvinist.
ma le-dominated ADJ [usu ADJ n] A male-dominated society, organization, or area of activity is one in which men have most of the power and influence. □ …the male-dominated world of journalism.
mal|efac|tor /mæ l I fæktə r / (malefactors ) N‑COUNT A malefactor is someone who has done something bad or illegal. [FORMAL ] □ …a well-known criminal lawyer who had saved many a malefactor from going to jail.
ma|levo|lent /mæle vələnt/ ADJ A malevolent person deliberately tries to cause harm or evil. [FORMAL ] □ Her stare was malevolent, her mouth a thin line. ● ma|levo|lence N‑UNCOUNT □ …a rare streak of malevolence. ● ma|levo|lent|ly ADV □ Mark watched him malevolently.
mal|for|ma|tion /mæ lfɔː r me I ʃ ə n/ (malformations ) N‑COUNT A malformation in a person's body is a part which does not have the proper shape or form, especially when it has been like this since birth. [WRITTEN ] □ …babies with a high incidence of congenital malformations.
mal|formed /mæ lfɔː r md/ ADJ If people or parts of their body are malformed , they do not have the shape or form that they are supposed to, especially when they have been like this since birth. [FORMAL ] □ …malformed babies. □ More rarely, the tubes have been malformed from birth.
mal|func|tion /mæ lfʌ ŋkʃ ə n/ (malfunctions , malfunctioning , malfunctioned ) VERB If a machine or part of the body malfunctions , it fails to work properly. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] The radiation can damage microprocessors and computer memories, causing them to malfunction. ● N‑COUNT Malfunction is also a noun. □ There must have been a computer malfunction.
mal|ice /mæ l I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Malice is behaviour that is intended to harm people or their reputations, or cause them embarrassment and upset. □ There was a strong current of malice in many of his portraits.
ma|li|cious /məl I ʃəs/ ADJ If you describe someone's words or actions as malicious , you mean that they are intended to harm people or their reputation, or cause them embarrassment and upset. □ That might merely have been malicious gossip. ● ma|li|cious|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ …his maliciously accurate imitation of Hubert de Burgh.
ma|lign /məla I n/ (maligns , maligning , maligned )
1 VERB If you malign someone, you say unpleasant and untrue things about them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] We maligned him dreadfully when you come to think of it.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If something is malign , it causes harm. [FORMAL ] □ …the malign influence jealousy had on their lives.
3 → see also much-maligned
ma|lig|nan|cy /məl I gnənsi/ (malignancies ) N‑VAR A tumour or disease in a state of malignancy is out of control and is likely to cause death. [MEDICAL ] □ Tissue that is removed during the operation is checked for signs of malignancy.
ma|lig|nant /məl I gnənt/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A malignant tumour or disease is out of control and likely to cause death. [MEDICAL ] □ She developed a malignant breast tumour.
2 ADJ If you say that someone is malignant , you think they are cruel and like to cause harm. □ He said that we were evil, malignant and mean.
ma|lin|ger /məl I ŋgə r / (malingers , malingering , malingered ) VERB [usu cont] If someone is malingering , they pretend to be ill in order to avoid working. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V ] She was told by her doctor that she was malingering.
mall /mɔː l, mæ l/ (malls ) N‑COUNT A mall is a very large enclosed shopping area.
mal|lard /mæ lɑː r d/ (mallards ) N‑COUNT A mallard is a kind of wild duck which is very common.
mal|le|able /mæ liəb ə l/
1 ADJ If you say that someone is malleable , you mean that they are easily influenced or controlled by other people. [WRITTEN ] □ She was young enough to be malleable.
2 ADJ A substance that is malleable is soft and can easily be made into different shapes. □ Silver is the most malleable of all metals.
mal|let /mæ l I t/ (mallets ) N‑COUNT A mallet is a wooden hammer with a square head.
ma ll rat (mall rats ) N‑COUNT Mall rats are young people who spend a lot of time hanging around in shopping malls with their friends. [AM , DISAPPROVAL ]
mal|nour|ished /mæ lnʌ r I ʃt/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone is malnourished , they are physically weak because they do not eat enough food or do not eat the right kind of food. □ About thirty per-cent of the country's children were malnourished.
mal|nu|tri|tion /mæ lnjuːtr I ʃ ə n, [AM ] -nuːt-/ N‑UNCOUNT If someone is suffering from malnutrition , they are physically weak and extremely thin because they have not eaten enough food. □ Infections are more likely in those suffering from malnutrition.
mal|odor|ous /mæloʊ dərəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is malodorous has an unpleasant smell. [LITERARY ] □ …tons of malodorous garbage bags.
mal|prac|tice /mæ lpræ kt I s/ (malpractices ) N‑VAR [oft N n] If you accuse someone of malpractice , you are accusing them of breaking the law or the rules of their profession in order to gain some advantage for themselves. [FORMAL ] □ There were only one or two serious allegations of malpractice. □ …alleged financial malpractices.
malt /mɔː lt/ (malts )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Malt is a substance made from grain that has been soaked in water and then dried in a hot oven. Malt is used in the production of whisky, beer, and other alcoholic drinks. □ German beer has traditionally been made from just four ingredients–hops, malt, yeast and water.
2 N‑COUNT A malt is a drink made from malted milk and sometimes other flavourings. [AM ]
malt|ed /mɔː lt I d/ ADJ [ADJ n] Malted barley has been soaked in water and then dried in a hot oven. It is used in the production of whisky, beer, and other alcoholic drinks.
Mal|tese /mɒ ltiː z/ (Maltese )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Maltese means belonging or relating to Malta, or to its people, language, or culture.
2 N‑COUNT A Maltese is a person who comes from Malta.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Maltese is a language spoken in Malta.
mal|treat /mæ ltriː t/ (maltreats , maltreating , maltreated ) VERB [usu passive] If a person or animal is maltreated , they are treated badly, especially by being hurt. □ [be V -ed] He said that he was not tortured or maltreated during his detention.
mal|treat|ment /mæ ltriː tmənt/ N‑UNCOUNT Maltreatment is cruel behaviour, especially involving hurting a person or animal. □ [+ of ] 2,000 prisoners died as a result of torture and maltreatment.
ma lt whi s|ky (malt whiskies ) N‑VAR Malt whisky or malt is whisky that is made from malt.
mal|ware /mæ lweə r / N‑UNCOUNT Malware is a type of computer program that is designed to damage or disrupt a computer. [COMPUTING ] □ Hackers conceal malware in pop-up windows.
mam /mæ m/ (mams ) N‑COUNT Mam is used to mean mother. You can call your mam 'Mam'. [BRIT , DIALECT ] □ You sit here and rest, Mam.
mama /məmɑː / (mamas ) N‑COUNT Mama means the same as mother . You can call your mama 'Mama'. [BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ]
mam|ma /mɑː mə/ (mammas ) also mama N‑COUNT Mamma means the same as mother . You can call your mamma 'Mamma'. [AM , INFORMAL ]
mam|mal /mæ m ə l/ (mammals ) N‑COUNT Mammals are animals such as humans, dogs, lions, and whales. In general, female mammals give birth to babies rather than laying eggs, and feed their young with milk.
mam|ma|lian /mæme I liən/ ADJ [ADJ n] In zoology, mammalian means relating to mammals. [TECHNICAL ] □ The disease can spread from one mammalian species to another.
mam|ma|ry /mæ məri/ ADJ [ADJ n] Mammary means relating to the breasts. [TECHNICAL ] □ …the mammary glands.
mam|mo|gram /mæ məgræm/ (mammograms ) N‑COUNT A mammogram is a test used to check whether women have breast cancer, using x-rays.
Mam|mon /mæ mən/ N‑UNCOUNT You can use Mammon to refer to money and business activities if you want to show your disapproval of people who think that becoming rich is the most important thing in life. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It is not every day that one meets a business-person who is not obsessed with Mammon.
mam|moth /mæ məθ/ (mammoths )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use mammoth to emphasize that a task or change is very large and needs a lot of effort to achieve. [EMPHASIS ] □ …the mammoth task of relocating the library.
2 N‑COUNT A mammoth was an animal like an elephant, with very long tusks and long hair, that lived a long time ago but no longer exists.
mam|my /mæ mi/ (mammies ) N‑COUNT In some dialects of English, mammy is used to mean mother. You can call your mammy 'Mammy'. [INFORMAL ]
man ◆◆◆ /mæ n/ (men , mans , manning , manned )
1 N‑COUNT A man is an adult male human being. □ He had not expected the young man to reappear before evening. □ [+ of ] I have always regarded him as a man of integrity. □ …the thousands of men, women and children who are facing starvation.
2 N‑VAR Man and men are sometimes used to refer to all human beings, including both males and females. Some people dislike this use. □ The chick initially has no fear of man.
3 N‑COUNT If you say that a man is, for example, a gambling man or an outdoors man , you mean that he likes gambling or outdoor activities. □ Are you a gambling man, Mr Graham?
4 N‑COUNT If you say that a man is, for example, a London man or an Oxford man , you mean that he comes from London or Oxford, or went to university there. □ …as the Stockport man collected his winnings.
5 N‑COUNT If you refer to a particular company's or organization's man , you mean a man who works for or represents that company or organization. [JOURNALISM ] □ …the Daily Telegraph's man in Abu Dhabi.
6 N‑SING Some people refer to someone's husband, lover, or boyfriend as their man . [INFORMAL ] □ …if they see your man cuddle you in the kitchen or living room.
7 N‑COUNT In very informal social situations, man is sometimes used as a greeting or form of address to a man. [FORMULAE ] □ Hey wow, man! Where d'you get those boots?
8 VERB If you man something such as a place or machine, you operate it or are in charge of it. □ [V n] …the person manning the phone at the complaints department. □ [be V -ed] The station is seldom manned in the evening.
9 → see also manned , ladies' man , no-man's land
10 PHRASE If you say that a man is man enough to do something, you mean that he has the necessary courage or ability to do it. □ I told him that he should be man enough to admit he had done wrong.
11 PHRASE If you describe a man as a man's man , you mean that he has qualities which make him popular with other men rather than with women.
12 PHRASE If you say that a man is his own man , you approve of the fact that he makes his decisions and his plans himself, and does not depend on other people. [APPROVAL ] □ Be your own man. Make up your own mind.
13 PHRASE If you say that a group of men are, do, or think something to a man , you are emphasizing that every one of them is, does, or thinks that thing. [EMPHASIS ] □ To a man, the surveyors blamed the government.
14 PHRASE A man-to-man conversation or meeting takes place between two men, especially two men who meet to discuss a serious personal matter. □ He called me to his office for a man-to-man talk. □ Me and Ben should sort this out man to man.
15 the man in the street → see street
16 man of the world → see world
▸ man up PHRASAL VERB If you man up , you start to be more brave in the way that you deal with a situation. □ [V P ] You need to man up and confront them.
-man /-mæn/ COMB [ADJ n] -man combines with numbers to make adjectives which indicate that something involves or is intended for that number of people. □ …the four-man crew on board the fishing trawler. □ …a two-man tent.
mana|cle /mæ nək ə l/ (manacles , manacling , manacled )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Manacles are metal devices attached to a prisoner's wrists or legs in order to prevent him or her from moving or escaping.
2 VERB [usu passive] If a prisoner is manacled , their wrists or legs are put in manacles in order to prevent them from moving or escaping. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] His hands were manacled behind his back. □ [be V -ed] He was manacled by the police.
man|age ◆◆◇ /mæ n I dʒ/ (manages , managing , managed )
1 VERB If you manage an organization, business, or system, or the people who work in it, you are responsible for controlling them. □ [V n] Within two years he was managing the store. □ [be V -ed] Most factories in the area are obsolete and badly managed. □ [V n] There is a lack of confidence in the government's ability to manage the economy.
2 VERB If you manage time, money, or other resources, you deal with them carefully and do not waste them. □ [V n] In a busy world, managing your time is increasingly important. □ [V n] Josh expects me to manage all the household expenses on very little.
3 VERB If you manage to do something, especially something difficult, you succeed in doing it. □ [V to-inf] Somehow, he'd managed to persuade Kay to buy one for him. □ [V n] Over the past 12 months the company has managed a 10 per cent improvement.
4 VERB If you manage , you succeed in coping with a difficult situation. □ [V ] She had managed perfectly well without medication for three years. □ [V ] I am managing, but I could not possibly give up work.
5 VERB If you say that you can manage an amount of time or money for something, you mean that you can afford to spend that time or money on it. □ [V n] 'All right, I can manage a fiver,' McMinn said with reluctance.
6 VERB If you say that someone managed a particular response, such as a laugh or a greeting, you mean that it was difficult for them to do it because they were feeling sad or upset. □ [V n] He looked dazed as he spoke to reporters, managing only a weak smile.
7 CONVENTION You say ' I can manage ' or ' I'll manage ' as a way of refusing someone's offer of help and insisting on doing something by yourself. □ I know you mean well, but I can manage by myself.
man|age|able /mæ n I dʒəb ə l/ ADJ Something that is manageable is of a size, quantity, or level of difficulty that people are able to deal with. □ He will now try to cut down the task to a manageable size. □ The present flow of refugees was manageable.
man|age|ment ◆◆◇ /mæ n I dʒmənt/ (managements )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Management is the control and organizing of a business or other organization. □ The zoo needed better management rather than more money. □ [+ of ] The dispute is about wages, working conditions and the management of the mining industry. □ …the responsibility for its day-to-day management.
2 N‑VAR [with sing or pl verb] You can refer to the people who control and organize a business or other organization as the management . [BUSINESS ] □ The management is doing its best to improve the situation. □ We need to get more women into top management.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Management is the way people control different parts of their lives. □ [+ of ] …her management of her professional life. □ …intelligent money management, for example paying big bills monthly where possible.
ma n|age|ment bu y|out (management buyouts ) N‑COUNT A management buyout is the buying of a company by its managers. The abbreviation MBO is also used. [BUSINESS ] □ Of the first three franchises to be awarded, two went to management buyouts led by former BR executives.
ma n|age|ment con|su lt|ant (management consultants ) N‑COUNT A management consultant is someone whose job is to advise companies on the most efficient ways to run their business. [BUSINESS ] □ …a leading firm of management consultants.
man|ag|er ◆◆◇ /mæ n I dʒə r / (managers )
1 N‑COUNT A manager is a person who is responsible for running part of or the whole of a business organization. □ The chef, staff and managers are all Chinese. □ …a retired bank manager.
2 N‑COUNT The manager of a pop star or other entertainer is the person who looks after their business interests.
3 N‑COUNT The manager of a sports team is the person responsible for training the players and organizing the way they play. In American English, manager is only used for baseball; in other sports, coach is used instead. SYNONYMS manager NOUN 1
supervisor: She has a full-time job as a supervisor at a factory.
head: He was the head waiter.
director: He works as the director of the intensive care unit at Guy's Hospital.
boss: He cannot stand his boss.
man|ag|er|ess /mæ n I dʒəre s/ (manageresses ) N‑COUNT The manageress of a shop, restaurant, or other small business is the woman who is responsible for running it. Some women object to this word and prefer to be called a 'manager'. □ [+ of ] …the manageress of a betting shop.
mana|gerial /mæ n I dʒ I ə ri ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Managerial means relating to the work of a manager. □ …his managerial skills. □ …a managerial career. □ Some see themselves as the provider of ideas, while others view their role as essentially managerial.
ma n|ag|ing di|re c|tor (managing directors ) N‑COUNT The managing director of a company is the most important working director, and is in charge of the way the company is managed. The abbreviation MD is also used. [mainly BRIT , BUSINESS ] in AM, usually use chief executive officer
man|da|rin /mæ ndər I n/ (mandarins )
1 N‑COUNT Journalists sometimes use mandarin to refer to someone who has an important job in the Civil Service. [BRIT ] □ …Foreign Office mandarins.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Mandarin is the official language of China.
3 N‑COUNT A mandarin or a mandarin orange is a small orange whose skin comes off easily.
4 N‑COUNT A mandarin was, in former times, an important government official in China.
man|date /mæ nde I t/ (mandates , mandating , mandated )
1 N‑COUNT [N to-inf] If a government or other elected body has a mandate to carry out a particular policy or task, they have the authority to carry it out as a result of winning an election or vote. □ [+ for ] The President and his supporters are almost certain to read this vote as a mandate for continued economic reform.
2 N‑COUNT [oft N to-inf] If someone is given a mandate to carry out a particular policy or task, they are given the official authority to do it. □ How much longer does the independent prosecutor have a mandate to pursue this investigation?
3 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] You can refer to the fixed length of time that a country's leader or government remains in office as their mandate . [FORMAL ] □ …his intention to leave politics once his mandate ends.
4 VERB [usu passive] When someone is mandated to carry out a particular policy or task, they are given the official authority to do it. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed to-inf] He'd been mandated by the West African Economic Community to go in and to enforce a ceasefire. □ [be V -ed] The elections are mandated by a peace accord signed by the government last May.
5 VERB To mandate something means to make it mandatory. [AM ] □ [V n] The proposed initiative would mandate a reduction of carbon dioxide of 40%. □ [V that] Quebec mandated that all immigrants send their children to French schools. □ [V -ed] …constitutionally mandated civil rights.
man|da|tory /mæ ndətri Am -tɔːri/
1 ADJ If an action or procedure is mandatory , people have to do it, because it is a rule or a law. [FORMAL ] □ …the mandatory retirement age of 65. □ Attendance is mandatory.
2 ADJ If a crime carries a mandatory punishment, that punishment is fixed by law for all cases, in contrast to crimes for which the judge or magistrate has to decide the punishment for each particular case. [FORMAL ] □ …the mandatory life sentence for murder.
man|di|ble /mæ nd I b ə l/ (mandibles )
1 N‑COUNT A mandible is the bone in the lower jaw of a person or animal. [TECHNICAL ]
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] An insect's mandibles are the two parts of its mouth which it uses for biting, similar to an animal's jaws. [TECHNICAL ]
man|do|lin /mæ ndəl I n, -l I n/ (mandolins ) N‑VAR A mandolin is a musical instrument that looks like a small guitar and has four pairs of strings.
mane /me I n/ (manes ) N‑COUNT The mane on a horse or lion is the long thick hair that grows from its neck.
ma n-eating ADJ [ADJ n] A man-eating animal is one that has killed and eaten human beings, or that people think might do so. □ …man-eating lions.
ma|neu|ver /mənuː və r / → see manoeuvre
ma|neu|ver|able /mənuː vərəb ə l/ → see manoeuvrable
man|ful|ly /mæ nf ə li/ ADV [ADV with v] If you say that someone, especially a man, does something manfully , you mean that they do it in a very determined or brave way. □ They stuck to their task manfully.
man|ga /mæ ŋgə/ N‑UNCOUNT Manga is a type of Japanese comic book, which often contains material that is intended for adults. □ Most manga is targeted toward a specific readership. □ When he smiles, he looks like a character from a manga comic or computer game.
man|ga|nese /mæ ŋgəniːz/ N‑UNCOUNT Manganese is a greyish-white metal that is used in making steel.
man|ger /me I ndʒə r / (mangers ) N‑COUNT A manger is a low open container which cows, horses, and other animals feed from when indoors. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
mange|tout /mɒ nʒtuː / (mangetout or mangetouts ) also mange-tout N‑COUNT [usu pl] Mangetout are a type of pea whose pods are eaten as well as the peas inside them. [BRIT ] in AM, use snow pea
man|gle /mæ ŋg ə l/ (mangles , mangling , mangled )
1 VERB [usu passive] If a physical object is mangled , it is crushed or twisted very forcefully, so that it is difficult to see what its original shape was. □ [be V -ed] His body was crushed and mangled beyond recognition. □ [V -ed] …the mangled wreckage.
2 VERB If you say that someone mangles words or information, you are criticizing them for not speaking or writing clearly or correctly. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] They don't know what they're talking about and mangle scientific information.
man|go /mæ ŋgoʊ/ (mangoes or mangos ) N‑VAR A mango is a large sweet yellowish fruit which grows on a tree in hot countries. □ Peel, stone and dice the mango. □ …mango chutney. ● N‑VAR [oft N n] A mango or a mango tree is the tree that this fruit grows on. □ …orchards of lime and mango trees.
man|grove /mæ ŋgroʊv/ (mangroves ) N‑VAR [oft N n] A mangrove or mangrove tree is a tree with roots which are above the ground and that grows along coasts or on the banks of large rivers in hot countries. □ …mangrove swamps.
man|gy /me I ndʒi/ (mangier , mangiest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] A mangy animal looks dirty, uncared for or ill. □ …mangy old dogs.
man|handle /mæ nhænd ə l/ (manhandles , manhandling , manhandled )
1 VERB If someone is manhandled , they are physically held or pushed, for example when they are being taken somewhere. □ [be V -ed] Foreign journalists were manhandled by armed police, and told to leave. □ [V n prep/adv] They manhandled the old man along the corridor. [Also V n]
2 VERB If you manhandle something big or heavy somewhere, you move it there by hand. □ [V n prep/adv] The three of us manhandled the uncovered dinghy out of the shed.
man|hole /mæ nhoʊl/ (manholes ) N‑COUNT A manhole is a large hole in a road or path, covered by a metal plate that can be removed. Workers climb down through manholes when they want to examine or clean the drains.
man|hood /mæ nhʊd/ N‑UNCOUNT Manhood is the state of being a man rather than a boy. □ They were failing lamentably to help their sons grow from boyhood to manhood.
ma n-hour (man-hours ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] A man-hour is the average amount of work that one person can do in an hour. Man-hours are used to estimate how long jobs take, or how many people are needed to do a job in a particular time. □ The restoration took almost 4,000 man-hours over four years.
man|hunt /mæ nhʌnt/ (manhunts ) N‑COUNT A manhunt is a major search for someone who has escaped or disappeared.
ma|nia /me I niə/ (manias )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing, n N ] If you say that a person or group has a mania for something, you mean that they enjoy it very much or spend a lot of time on it. □ [+ for ] It seemed to some observers that the English had a mania for travelling. □ …Mozart mania.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Mania is a mental illness which causes the sufferer to become very worried or concerned about something. □ …the treatment of mania.
ma|ni|ac /me I niæk/ (maniacs )
1 N‑COUNT A maniac is a mad person who is violent and dangerous. □ …a drug-crazed maniac.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone's behaviour as maniac , you are emphasizing that it is extremely foolish and uncontrolled. [EMPHASIS ] □ A maniac driver sped 35 miles along the wrong side of a motorway at 110 mph.
3 N‑COUNT If you call someone, for example, a religious maniac or a sports maniac , you are critical of them because they have such a strong interest in religion or sport. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ My mum is turning into a religious maniac. □ …football maniacs.
ma|nia|cal /məna I ək ə l/ ADJ If you describe someone's behaviour as maniacal , you mean that it is extreme, violent, or very determined, as if the person were insane. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He was almost maniacal in his pursuit of sporting records. □ She is hunched forward over the wheel with a maniacal expression. ● ma|nia|cal|ly /məna I əkli/ ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ He was last seen striding maniacally to the hotel reception.
man|ic /mæ n I k/
1 ADJ If you describe someone as manic , you mean that they do things extremely quickly or energetically, often because they are very excited or anxious about something. □ He was really manic. □ He seemed to have an almost manic energy. ● man|ic|al|ly /mæ n I kli/ ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ We cleaned the house manically over the weekend.
2 ADJ If you describe someone's smile, laughter, or sense of humour as manic , you mean that it seems excessive or strange, as if they were insane. □ …a manic grin.
ma nic-depre ssive (manic-depressives ) also manic depressive ADJ If someone is manic-depressive , they have a medical condition in which they sometimes feel excited and confident and at other times very depressed. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ She told them that her daughter-in-law was manic-depressive. ● N‑COUNT A manic-depressive is someone who is manic-depressive. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ Her mother is a manic depressive.
mani|cure /mæ n I kjʊə r / (manicures , manicuring , manicured ) VERB If you manicure your hands or nails, you care for them by softening your skin and cutting and polishing your nails. □ [V n] He was surprised to see how carefully she had manicured her broad hands. ● N‑COUNT Manicure is also a noun. □ I have a manicure occasionally.
mani|cured /mæ n I kjʊə r d/ ADJ [oft adv ADJ ] A manicured lawn, park, or garden has very short neatly cut grass. [WRITTEN ] □ …the manicured lawns of Government House.
mani|cur|ist /mæ n I kjʊər I st/ (manicurists ) N‑COUNT A manicurist is a person whose job is manicuring people's hands and nails.
mani|fest /mæ n I fest/ (manifests , manifesting , manifested )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that something is manifest , you mean that it is clearly true and that nobody would disagree with it if they saw it or considered it. [FORMAL ] □ …the manifest failure of the policies. □ There may be unrecognised cases of manifest injustice of which we are unaware. ● mani|fest|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ She manifestly failed to last the mile and a half of the race.
2 VERB If you manifest a particular quality, feeling, or illness, or if it manifests itself , it becomes visible or obvious. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He manifested a pleasing personality on stage. □ [V pron-refl + in ] Their frustration and anger will manifest itself in crying and screaming. ● ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Manifest is also an adjective. □ The same alarm is manifest everywhere.
mani|fes|ta|tion /mæ n I feste I ʃ ə n/ (manifestations ) N‑COUNT A manifestation of something is one of the different ways in which it can appear. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Different animals in the colony had different manifestations of the disease.
mani|fes|to /mæ n I fe stoʊ/ (manifestos or manifestoes ) N‑COUNT [usu sing, usu with poss] A manifesto is a statement published by a person or group of people, especially a political party, or a government, in which they say what their aims and policies are. □ The Tories are currently drawing up their election manifesto.
mani|fold /mæ n I foʊld/ ADJ Things that are manifold are of many different kinds. [LITERARY ] □ Gaelic can be heard here in manifold forms.
ma|nila /mən I lə/ also manilla ADJ [ADJ n] A manila envelope or folder is made from a strong paper that is usually light brown.
ma|nipu|late /mən I pjʊle I t/ (manipulates , manipulating , manipulated )
1 VERB If you say that someone manipulates people, you disapprove of them because they skilfully force or persuade people to do what they want. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] He is a very difficult character. He manipulates people. □ [V n to-inf] She's always borrowing my clothes and manipulating me to give her money. □ [V n + into ] They have kids who manipulate them into buying toys. ● ma|nipu|la|tion /mən I pjʊle I ʃ ə n/ (manipulations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …repeated criticism or manipulation of our mind.
2 VERB If you say that someone manipulates an event or situation, you disapprove of them because they use or control it for their own benefit, or cause it to develop in the way they want. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] She was unable, for once, to control and manipulate events. ● ma|nipu|la|tion N‑VAR □ …accusations of political manipulation.
3 VERB If you manipulate something that requires skill, such as a complicated piece of equipment or a difficult idea, you operate it or process it. □ [V n] The puppets are expertly manipulated by Liz Walker. ● ma|nipu|la|tion N‑VAR □ …science that requires only the simplest of mathematical manipulations.
4 VERB If someone manipulates your bones or muscles, they skilfully move and press them with their hands in order to push the bones into their correct position or make the muscles less stiff. □ [V n] The way he can manipulate my leg has helped my arthritis so much. ● ma|nipu|la|tion N‑VAR □ A permanent cure will only be effected by acupuncture, chiropractic or manipulation.
ma|nipu|la|tive /mən I pjʊlət I v/ ADJ If you describe someone as manipulative , you disapprove of them because they skilfully force or persuade people to act in the way that they want. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He described Mr Long as cold, calculating and manipulative.
ma|nipu|la|tor /mən I pjʊle I tə r / (manipulators ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a manipulator , you mean that they skilfully control events, situations, or people, often in a way that other people disapprove of. □ Jean Brodie is a manipulator. She cons everybody.
man|kind /mæ nka I nd/ N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to all human beings as mankind when considering them as a group. Some people dislike this use. □ …the evolution of mankind.
man|ly /mæ nli/ (manlier , manliest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a man's behaviour or appearance as manly , you approve of it because it shows qualities that are considered typical of a man, such as strength or courage. [APPROVAL ] □ He was the ideal of manly beauty. ● man|li|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ He has no doubts about his manliness.
ma n-ma de ADJ Man-made things are created or caused by people, rather than occurring naturally. □ Man-made and natural disasters have disrupted the Government's economic plans. □ …a variety of materials, both natural and man-made.
ma n ma n|age|ment N‑UNCOUNT Man management involves controlling and organizing the people who work in a business or organization. [BUSINESS ] □ Team captains need to have effective man-management skills.
man|na /mæ nə/ PHRASE If you say that something unexpected is manna from heaven , you mean that it is good and happened just at the time that it was needed. □ Ex-forces personnel could be the manna from heaven employers are seeking.
manned /mæ nd/
1 ADJ A manned vehicle such as a spacecraft has people in it who are operating its controls. □ In thirty years from now the United States should have a manned spacecraft on Mars.
2 → see also man
man|ne|quin /mæ n I k I n/ (mannequins ) N‑COUNT A mannequin is a life-sized model of a person which is used to display clothes, especially in shop windows. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
man|ner ◆◇◇ /mæ nə r / (manners )
1 N‑SING The manner in which you do something is the way that you do it. □ She smiled again in a friendly manner. □ I'm a professional and I have to conduct myself in a professional manner. □ The manner in which young children are spoken to varies depending on who is present.
2 N‑SING [usu poss N ] Someone's manner is the way in which they behave and talk when they are with other people, for example whether they are polite, confident, or bad-tempered. □ His manner was self-assured and brusque. ● -mannered COMB □ Forrest was normally mild-mannered, affable, and untalkative. □ The British are considered ill-mannered, badly dressed and unsophisticated.
3 N‑PLURAL If someone has good manners , they are polite and observe social customs. If someone has bad manners , they are impolite and do not observe these customs. □ He dressed well and had impeccable manners. □ They taught him his manners.
4 → see also bedside manner , table manners
5 PHRASE If you refer to all manner of objects or people, you are talking about objects or people of many different kinds. □ Mr Winchester is impressively knowledgeable about all manner of things.
6 PHRASE You say in a manner of speaking to indicate that what you have just said is true, but not absolutely or exactly true. [VAGUENESS ] □ An attorney is your employee, in a manner of speaking. SYNONYMS manner NOUN 1
style: Sam celebrated in fine style.
way: Freezing isn't a bad way of preserving food.
fashion: There is another drug called DHE that works in a similar fashion.
method: The pill is the most efficient method of birth control.
means: The move is a means to fight crime.
man|nered /mæ nə r d/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone's behaviour or a work of art as mannered , you dislike it because it is elaborate or formal, and therefore seems false or artificial. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …Naomi's mannered voice. □ If you arrange your picture too systematically, the results can look very mannered.
2 ADJ Mannered behaviour is polite and observes social customs. □ Its intention is to restore pride in the past and create a more mannered society.
man|ner|ism /mæ nər I zəm/ (mannerisms ) N‑COUNT Someone's mannerisms are the gestures or ways of speaking which are very characteristic of them, and which they often use. □ His mannerisms are more those of a preoccupied math professor.
man|nish /mæ n I ʃ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a woman's appearance or behaviour as mannish , you mean it is more like a man's appearance or behaviour than a woman's. □ She shook hands in a mannish way, her grip dry and firm. □ …a mannish trouser suit.
ma|noeu|vrable /mənuː vərəb ə l/ in AM, use maneuverable ADJ Something that is manoeuvrable can be easily moved into different positions. □ Ferries are very powerful and manoeuvrable compared to cargo ships. □ …the light, manoeuvrable cart.
ma|noeu|vre /mənuː və r / (manoeuvres , manoeuvring , manoeuvred ) in AM, use maneuver 1 VERB If you manoeuvre something into or out of an awkward position, you skilfully move it there. □ [V n adv/prep] We attempted to manoeuvre the canoe closer to him. □ I manoeuvred my way among the tables to the back corner of the place. □ [V ] The pilot instinctively maneuvered to avoid them. ● N‑VAR Manoeuvre is also a noun. □ …a ship capable of high speed and rapid manoeuvre.
2 VERB If you manoeuvre a situation, you change it in a clever and skilful way so that you can benefit from it. □ [V n prep/adv] The authorities have to manoeuvre the markets into demanding a cut in interest rates. □ [V ] He manoeuvres to foster recovery. ● N‑COUNT Manoeuvre is also a noun. □ …manoeuvres to block the electoral process. ● man|oeuv|ring (manoeuvrings ) N‑VAR □ …his unrivalled skill in political manoeuvring. □ …his manoeuvrings on the matter of free trade.
3 N‑PLURAL Military manoeuvres are training exercises which involve the movement of soldiers and equipment over a large area. □ Allied troops begin maneuvers tomorrow.
4 room for manoeuvre → see room
man|or /mæ nə r / (manors ) N‑COUNT [oft in names] A manor is a large private house in the country, usually built in the Middle Ages, and also includes the land and smaller buildings around it. [BRIT ] □ Thieves broke into the manor at night.
ma n|or house (manor houses ) N‑COUNT A manor house is the main house that is or was on a medieval manor. [BRIT ]
man|power /mæ npaʊə r / N‑UNCOUNT Workers are sometimes referred to as manpower when they are being considered as a part of the process of producing goods or providing services. □ …the shortage of skilled manpower in the industry. □ These people do not have the equipment or the manpower to cut down the trees.
man|qué /mɒ ŋke I , [AM ] -ke I / ADJ [n ADJ ] You use manqué to describe someone who has never had the type of job indicated, although they had the ability for it or wanted it. □ …his inescapable feeling that he is a great actor manqué.
manse /mæ ns/ (manses ) N‑COUNT In some Christian churches, a manse is the house provided for a clergyman to live in. [mainly BRIT ]
man|servant /mæ nsɜː r v ə nt/ (manservants ) N‑COUNT A manservant is a man who works as a servant in a private house. [BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ] in AM, use houseman
man|sion /mæ nʃ ə n/ (mansions ) N‑COUNT A mansion is a very large house. □ …an eighteenth century mansion in Hampshire.
man|slaughter /mæ nslɔːtə r / N‑UNCOUNT Manslaughter is the illegal killing of a person by someone who did not intend to kill them. [LEGAL ] □ A judge accepted her plea that she was guilty of manslaughter, not murder.
man|tel /mæ nt ə l/ (mantels ) N‑COUNT A mantel is a mantelpiece. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
mantel|piece /mæ nt ə lpiːs/ (mantelpieces ) also mantlepiece N‑COUNT [usu sing] A mantelpiece is a wood or stone shelf which is the top part of a border round a fireplace. □ On the mantelpiece are a pair of bronze Ming vases.
mantel|shelf /mæ nt ə lʃelf/ (mantelshelves ) also mantleshelf N‑COUNT [usu sing] A mantelshelf is a mantelpiece. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
man|tle /mæ nt ə l/ (mantles )
1 N‑SING If you take on the mantle of something such as a profession or an important job, you take on the responsibilities and duties which must be fulfilled by anyone who has this profession or job. [WRITTEN ] □ [+ of ] Glasgow has broadened its appeal since taking on the mantle of European City of Culture in 1990.
2 N‑COUNT A mantle of something is a layer of it covering a surface, for example a layer of snow on the ground. [WRITTEN ] □ [+ of ] The parks and squares looked grim under a mantle of soot and ash.
3 → see also mantel
mantle|piece /mæ nt ə lpiːs/ → see mantelpiece
ma n-to-ma n → see man
man|tra /mæ ntrə/ (mantras )
1 N‑COUNT A mantra is a word or phrase repeated by Buddhists and Hindus when they meditate, or to help them feel calm.
2 N‑COUNT You can use mantra to refer to a statement or a principle that people repeat very often because they think it is true, especially when you think that it not true or is only part of the truth. □ [+ of ] Listening to customers is now part of the mantra of new management in public services.
manu|al /mæ njuəl/ (manuals )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Manual work is work in which you use your hands or your physical strength rather than your mind. □ …skilled manual workers. □ They have no reservations about taking factory or manual jobs.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Manual is used to talk about movements which are made by someone's hands. [FORMAL ] □ …toys designed to help develop manual dexterity.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Manual means operated by hand, rather than by electricity or a motor. □ There is a manual pump to get rid of the water. ● manu|al|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The device is manually operated, using a simple handle.
4 N‑COUNT A manual is a book which tells you how to do something or how a piece of machinery works. □ …the instruction manual.
manu|fac|ture ◆◇◇ /mæ njʊfæ ktʃə r / (manufactures , manufacturing , manufactured )
1 VERB To manufacture something means to make it in a factory, usually in large quantities. [BUSINESS ] □ [V n] They manufacture the class of plastics known as thermoplastic materials. □ [V -ed] We import foreign manufactured goods. ● N‑UNCOUNT Manufacture is also a noun. □ …the manufacture of nuclear weapons. □ …celebrating 90 years of car manufacture. ● manu|fac|tur|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …management headquarters for manufacturing.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Manufactures are goods or products which have been made in a factory. [BUSINESS ] □ …a long-term rise in the share of manufactures in non-oil exports.
3 VERB If you say that someone manufactures information, you are criticizing them because they invent information that is not true. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] According to the prosecution, the officers manufactured an elaborate story. SYNONYMS manufacture VERB 1
make: Nissan now makes cars at two plants in Europe.
build: Workers at the plant build the F-16 jet fighter.
produce: The company produced circuitry for communications systems.
construct: The boxes should be constructed from rough-sawn timber.
manu|fac|tur|er ◆◇◇ /mæ njʊfæ ktʃərə r / (manufacturers ) N‑COUNT A manufacturer is a business or company which makes goods in large quantities to sell. [BUSINESS ] □ …the world's largest doll manufacturer.
ma|nure /mənjʊə r , [AM ] -nʊr / (manures ) N‑VAR Manure is animal faeces, sometimes mixed with chemicals, that is spread on the ground in order to make plants grow healthy and strong. □ …bags of manure.
manu|script /mæ njʊskr I pt/ (manuscripts ) N‑COUNT [oft in N ] A manuscript is a handwritten or typed document, especially a writer's first version of a book before it is published. □ He had seen a manuscript of the book. □ I am grateful to him for letting me read his early chapters in manuscript.
Manx /mæ ŋks/ ADJ Manx is used to describe people or things that belong to or concern the Isle of Man and the people who live there.
many ◆◆◆ /me ni/
1 DET You use many to indicate that you are talking about a large number of people or things. □ I don't think many people would argue with that. □ Not many films are made in Finland. □ Many holidaymakers had avoided the worst of the delays by consulting tourist offices. □ Acting is definitely a young person's profession in many ways. ● PRON Many is also a pronoun. □ We stood up, thinking through the possibilities. There weren't many. ● QUANT Many is also a quantifier. □ [+ of ] So, once we have cohabited, why do many of us feel the need to get married? □ [+ of ] It seems there are not very many of them left in the sea. ● ADJ [v-link ADJ ] Many is also an adjective. □ Among his many hobbies was the breeding of fine horses. □ The possibilities are many.
2 ADV You use many in expressions such as 'not many', 'not very many', and 'too many' when replying to questions about numbers of things or people. □ [+ of ] 'How many of the songs that dealt with this theme became hit songs?'—'Not very many.'. □ How many years is it since we've seen each other? Too many, anyway.
3 PREDET You use many followed by 'a' and a noun to emphasize that there are a lot of people or things involved in something. [EMPHASIS ] □ Many a mother tries to act out her unrealized dreams through her daughter.
4 DET You use many after 'how' to ask questions about numbers or quantities. You use many after 'how' in reported clauses to talk about numbers or quantities. □ How many years have you been here? □ No-one knows how many people have been killed since the war began. ● PRON Many is also a pronoun. □ How many do you need?
5 DET You use many with 'as' when you are comparing numbers of things or people. □ I've always entered as many photo competitions as I can. □ We produced ten times as many tractors as the United States. ● PRON [as PRON ] Many is also a pronoun. □ Let the child try on as many as she likes.
6 PRON You use many to mean 'many people'. □ Iris Murdoch was regarded by many as a supremely good and serious writer.
7 N‑SING The many means a large group of people, especially the ordinary people in society, considered as separate from a particular small group. □ The printing press gave power to a few to change the world for the many.
8 PHRASE You use as many as before a number to suggest that it is surprisingly large. [EMPHASIS ] □ As many as four and a half million people watched today's parade.
9 PHRASE You use a good many or a great many to emphasize that you are referring to a large number of things or people. [EMPHASIS ] □ I am staying there for a good many reasons. □ There have been a great many books written about sports injuries.
10 many happy returns → see return
11 in so many words → see word
Mao|ri /maʊ ri/ (Maoris )
1 ADJ Maori means belonging to or relating to the race of people who have lived in New Zealand and the Cook Islands since before Europeans arrived.
2 N‑COUNT The Maori or the Maoris are people who are Maori.
map ◆◇◇ /mæ p/ (maps , mapping , mapped )
1 N‑COUNT A map is a drawing of a particular area such as a city, a country, or a continent, showing its main features as they would appear if you looked at them from above. □ He unfolded the map and set it on the floor. □ [+ of ] Have you got a map of the city centre?
2 VERB To map an area means to make a map of it. □ [V n] …a spacecraft which is using radar to map the surface of Venus.
3 PHRASE If you say that someone or something put a person, thing, or place on the map , you approve of the fact that they made it become well-known and important. [APPROVAL ] □ …the attempts of the Edinburgh Festival's organisers to put C.P. Taylor firmly on the map.
▸ map out PHRASAL VERB If you map out something that you are intending to do, you work out in detail how you will do it. □ [V P n] I went home and mapped out my strategy. □ [V n P ] I cannot conceive of anybody writing a play by sitting down and mapping it out. □ [be V -ed P ] This whole plan has been most carefully mapped out.
ma|ple /me I p ə l/ (maples ) N‑VAR A maple or a maple tree is a tree with five-pointed leaves which turn bright red or gold in autumn. ● N‑VAR Maple is the wood of this tree. □ …a solid maple worktop.
ma |ple sy r|up N‑UNCOUNT Maple syrup is a sweet, sticky, brown liquid made from the sap of maple trees, that can be eaten with pancakes or used to make desserts.
mar /mɑː r / (mars , marring , marred ) VERB To mar something means to spoil or damage it. □ [V n] A number of problems marred the smooth running of this event.
Mar. Mar. is a written abbreviation for March .
mara|thon /mæ rəθən, [AM ] -θɒn/ (marathons )
1 N‑COUNT A marathon is a race in which people run a distance of 26 miles, which is about 42 km. □ …running in his first marathon. □ She has run the London marathon three times.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you use marathon to describe an event or task, you are emphasizing that it takes a long time and is very tiring. [EMPHASIS ] □ People make marathon journeys to buy glass here. □ …a marathon session of talks with government representatives.
ma|raud|er /mərɔː də r / (marauders ) N‑COUNT If you describe a group of people or animals as marauders , you mean they are unpleasant and dangerous, because they wander around looking for opportunities to steal or kill. [LITERARY ] □ They were raided by roaming bands of marauders.
ma|raud|ing /mərɔː d I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you talk about marauding groups of people or animals, you mean they are unpleasant and dangerous, because they wander around looking for opportunities to steal or kill. [LITERARY ] □ Marauding gangs of armed men have been looting food relief supplies.
mar|ble /mɑː r b ə l/ (marbles )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Marble is a type of very hard rock which feels cold when you touch it and which shines when it is cut and polished. Statues and parts of buildings are sometimes made of marble. □ The house has a superb staircase made from oak and marble.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Marbles are sculptures made of marble. □ …marbles and bronzes from the Golden Age of Athens.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Marbles is a children's game played with small balls, usually made of coloured glass. You roll a ball along the ground and try to hit an opponent's ball with it. □ On the far side of the street, two boys were playing marbles.
4 N‑COUNT A marble is one of the small balls used in the game of marbles.
mar|bled /mɑː r b ə ld/ ADJ [usu ADJ n, Also v-link ADJ with/in n] Something that is marbled has a pattern or colouring like that of marble. □ …green marbled soap.
march ◆◇◇ /mɑː r tʃ/ (marches , marching , marched )
1 VERB When soldiers march somewhere, or when a commanding officer marches them somewhere, they walk there with very regular steps, as a group. □ [V prep/adv] A Scottish battalion was marching down the street. □ [V n adv/prep] Captain Ramirez called them to attention and marched them off to the main camp. □ [V amount/n] We marched fifteen miles to Yadkin River. [Also V ] ● N‑COUNT March is also a noun. □ After a short march, the column entered the village.
2 VERB When a large group of people march for a cause, they walk somewhere together in order to express their ideas or to protest about something. □ [V prep/adv] The demonstrators then marched through the capital chanting slogans and demanding free elections. [Also V ] ● N‑COUNT March is also a noun. □ Organisers expect up to 300,000 protesters to join the march. ● march|er (marchers ) N‑COUNT □ Fights between police and marchers lasted for three hours.
3 VERB If you say that someone marches somewhere, you mean that they walk there quickly and in a determined way, for example because they are angry. □ [V prep/adv] He marched into the kitchen without knocking.
4 VERB If you march someone somewhere, you force them to walk there with you, for example by holding their arm tightly. □ [V n prep/adv] I marched him across the room, down the hall and out onto the doorstep.
5 N‑SING The march of something is its steady development or progress. □ It is easy to feel trampled by the relentless march of technology.
6 N‑COUNT A march is a piece of music with a regular rhythm that you can march to. □ A military band played Russian marches and folk tunes.
7 PHRASE If you give someone their marching orders , you tell them that you no longer want or need them, for example as your employee or as your lover. [BRIT ] □ What does it take for a woman to say 'that's enough' and give her man his marching orders? in AM, use walking papers
8 PHRASE If you steal a march on someone, you start doing something before they do it in order to gain an advantage over them. □ If its strategy succeeds, Mexico could even steal a march on its northern neighbour.
March (Marches ) N‑VAR March is the third month of the year in the Western calendar. □ I flew to Milan in early March. □ She was born in Austria on 6 March, 1920. □ The election could be held as early as next March.
ma rch|ing ba nd (marching bands ) N‑COUNT A marching band is a group of musicians who play music as they march along the street or march as part of a ceremony.
mar|chion|ess /mɑː r ʃəne s/ (marchionesses ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A marchioness is the wife of a marquis, or a woman with the same rank as a marquis.
ma rch-past (march-pasts ) also march past N‑COUNT When soldiers take part in a march-past , they march past an important person as part of a ceremonial occasion.
Mar|di Gras /mɑː r di grɑː / N‑UNCOUNT Mardi Gras is the Christian festival of Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent, which people in some places celebrate by wearing colourful costumes and dancing through the streets.
mare /meə r / (mares ) N‑COUNT A mare is an adult female horse.
mar|ga|rine /mɑː r dʒəriː n, [AM ] -r I n/ (margarines ) N‑VAR Margarine is a yellow substance made from vegetable oil and animal fats that is similar to butter. You spread it on bread or use it for cooking.
marge /mɑː r dʒ/ also marg N‑UNCOUNT Marge is the same as margarine . [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
mar|gin ◆◇◇ /mɑː r dʒ I n/ (margins )
1 N‑COUNT A margin is the difference between two amounts, especially the difference in the number of votes or points between the winner and the loser in an election or other contest. □ They could end up with a 50-point winning margin. □ The Sunday Times remains the brand leader by a huge margin.
2 N‑COUNT The margin of a written or printed page is the empty space at the side of the page. □ She added her comments in the margin.
3 N‑VAR If there is a margin for something in a situation, there is some freedom to choose what to do or decide how to do it. □ [+ for ] The money is collected in a straightforward way with little margin for error.
4 N‑COUNT The margin of a place or area is the extreme edge of it. □ …the low coastal plain along the western margin.
5 N‑PLURAL To be on the margins of a society, group, or activity means to be among the least typical or least important parts of it. □ Students have played an important role in the past, but for the moment, they're on the margins.
6 → see also profit margin COLLOCATIONS margin NOUN 1
adjective + margin : narrow, slender, slim, thin, tight; comfortable, considerable, wide; winning
verb + margin : cut, erode, narrow, reduce, shrink; extend, improve, stretch, widen SYNONYMS margin NOUN
1
gap: Britain needs to bridge the technology gap between academia and industry.
difference: The difference between the numbers is 8,532.
4
edge: Daniel stepped in front of her desk and sat down on its edge.
side: Coyne slid his legs over the side of the bed.
limit: … the city limits of Baghdad.
border: …the low coastal plain along the western margin.
mar|gin|al /mɑː r dʒ I n ə l/ (marginals )
1 ADJ If you describe something as marginal , you mean that it is small or not very important. □ This is a marginal improvement on October. □ The role of the opposition party proved marginal.
2 ADJ If you describe people as marginal , you mean that they are not involved in the main events or developments in society because they are poor or have no power. □ Andy Warhol made glamorous icons out of the most marginal people.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] In political elections, a marginal seat or constituency is one which is usually won or lost by only a few votes, and is therefore of great interest to politicians and journalists. [BRIT ] □ …the views of voters in five marginal seats. ● N‑COUNT A marginal is a marginal seat. [BRIT ] □ The votes in the marginals are those that really count.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Marginal activities, costs, or taxes are not the main part of a business or an economic system, but often make the difference between its success or failure, and are therefore important to control. [BUSINESS ] □ Consumer electronics has become a marginal business for the group.
mar|gin|al|ize /mɑː r dʒ I nəla I z/ (marginalizes , marginalizing , marginalized ) in BRIT, also use marginalise VERB To marginalize a group of people means to make them feel isolated and unimportant. □ [be V -ed] We've always been marginalized, exploited, and constantly threatened.
mar|gin|al|ly /mɑː r dʒ I nəli/ ADV [ADV with v] Marginally means to only a small extent. □ Sales last year were marginally higher than the year before. □ These cameras have increased only marginally in value over the past decade.
mari|gold /mæ r I goʊld/ (marigolds ) N‑VAR A marigold is a type of yellow or orange flower.
ma|ri|jua|na /mæ r I wɑː nə/ N‑UNCOUNT Marijuana is a drug which is made from the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, and which can be smoked.
ma|ri|na /məriː nə/ (marinas ) N‑COUNT A marina is a small harbour for small boats that are used for leisure.
mari|nade /mæ r I ne I d/ (marinades , marinading , marinaded )
1 N‑COUNT A marinade is a sauce of oil, vinegar, spices, and herbs, which you pour over meat or fish before you cook it, in order to add flavour, or to make the meat or fish softer.
2 VERB To marinade means the same as to marinate . □ [V n] Marinade the chicken breasts in the tandoori paste. □ [V ] Leave to marinade for 24 hours.
mari|nate /mæ r I ne I t/ (marinates , marinating , marinated ) VERB If you marinate meat or fish, or if it marinates , you keep it in a mixture of oil, vinegar, spices, and herbs, before cooking it, so that it can develop a special flavour. □ [V n] Marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours. □ [V ] Put it in a screw-top jar with French dressing and leave to marinate.
ma|rine ◆◇◇ /məriː n/ (marines )
1 N‑COUNT A marine is a member of an armed force, for example the US Marine Corps or the Royal Marines, who is specially trained for military duties at sea as well as on land.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Marine is used to describe things relating to the sea or to the animals and plants that live in the sea. □ …breeding grounds for marine life. □ …research in marine biology.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Marine is used to describe things relating to ships and their movement at sea. □ …a solicitor specialising in marine law. □ …marine insurance claims.
mari|ner /mæ r I nə r / (mariners ) N‑COUNT A mariner is a sailor. [LITERARY ]
mari|on|ette /mæ riəne t/ (marionettes ) N‑COUNT A marionette is a puppet whose different parts you can move using strings or wires.
mari|tal /mæ r I t ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Marital is used to describe things relating to marriage. □ Caroline was keen to make her marital home in London. □ Her son had no marital problems.
ma ri|tal sta |tus N‑UNCOUNT Your marital status is whether you are married, single, or divorced. [FORMAL ] □ How well off you are in old age is largely determined by race, sex, and marital status.
mari|time /mæ r I ta I m/ ADJ [ADJ n] Maritime is used to describe things relating to the sea and to ships. □ …the largest maritime museum of its kind.
mar|jo|ram /mɑː r dʒərəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Marjoram is a kind of herb.
mark ◆◆◇ /mɑː r k/ (marks , marking , marked )
1 N‑COUNT A mark is a small area of something such as dirt that has accidentally got onto a surface or piece of clothing. □ The dogs are always rubbing against the wall and making dirty marks. □ A properly fitting bra should never leave red marks.
2 VERB If something marks a surface, or if the surface marks , the surface is damaged by marks or a mark. □ [V n] Leather overshoes were put on the horses' hooves to stop them marking the turf. □ [V ] I have to be more careful with the work tops, as wood marks easily.
3 N‑COUNT A mark is a written or printed symbol, for example a letter of the alphabet. □ He made marks with a pencil.
4 VERB If you mark something with a particular word or symbol, you write that word or symbol on it. □ [V n quote] The bank marks the check 'certified'. □ [V n + with ] Mark the frame with your postcode. □ [V -ed] For more details about these products, send a postcard marked HB/FF.
5 N‑COUNT A mark is a point that is given for a correct answer or for doing something well in an exam or competition. A mark can also be a written symbol such as a letter that indicates how good a student's or competitor's work or performance is. □ …a simple scoring device of marks out of 10, where '1' equates to 'Very poor performance'. □ He did well to get such a good mark.
6 N‑PLURAL If someone gets good or high marks for doing something, they have done it well. If they get poor or low marks , they have done it badly. □ You have to give her top marks for moral guts. □ His administration has earned low marks for its economic policies.
7 VERB When a teacher marks a student's work, the teacher decides how good it is and writes a number or letter on it to indicate this opinion. □ [V n] He was marking essays in his small study. ● mark|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ For the rest of the lunchbreak I do my marking.
8 N‑COUNT A particular mark is a particular number, point, or stage which has been reached or might be reached, especially a significant one. □ Unemployment is rapidly approaching the one million mark.
9 N‑COUNT The mark of something is the characteristic feature that enables you to recognize it. □ [+ of ] The mark of a civilized society is that it looks after its weakest members.
10 N‑SING If you say that a type of behaviour or an event is a mark of a particular quality, feeling, or situation, you mean it shows that that quality, feeling, or situation exists. □ [+ of ] It was a mark of his unfamiliarity with Hollywood that he didn't understand that an agent was paid out of his client's share.
11 VERB If something marks a place or position, it shows where something else is or where it used to be. □ [V n] A huge crater marks the spot where the explosion happened.
12 VERB An event that marks a particular stage or point is a sign that something different is about to happen. □ [V n] The announcement marks the end of an extraordinary period in European history.
13 VERB If you do something to mark an event or occasion, you do it to show that you are aware of the importance of the event or occasion. □ [V n] Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to mark the occasion.
14 VERB Something that marks someone as a particular type of person indicates that they are that type of person. □ [V n + as ] Her opposition to abortion and feminism mark her as a convinced traditionalist.
15 VERB In a team game, when a defender is marking an attacker, they are trying to stay close to the attacker and prevent them from getting the ball. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] Every player knows who to mark when we start a game. in AM, use guard , cover ● mark|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ They had stopped Ecuador from building up attacks with good marking.
16 N‑COUNT The mark was the unit of money that was used in Germany. In 2002 it was replaced by the euro. □ The government gave 30 million marks for new school books. ● N‑SING The mark was also used to refer to the German currency system. □ The mark appreciated 12 per cent against the dollar.
17 N‑UNCOUNT Mark is used before a number to indicate a particular temperature level in a gas oven. [BRIT ] □ Set the oven at gas mark 4.
18 N‑UNCOUNT Mark is used before a number to indicate a particular version or model of a vehicle, machine, or device. □ All eyes will be on the unveiling of the mark III model at the Detroit car show.
19 → see also marked , marking , black mark , check mark , exclamation mark , full marks , high-water mark , punctuation mark , question mark , scuff mark , stretch marks
20 PHRASE If someone or something leaves their mark or leaves a mark , they have a lasting effect on another person or thing. □ All the quarrelling and fighting going on around me has left its mark on me.
21 PHRASE If you make your mark or make a mark , you become noticed or famous by doing something impressive or unusual. □ [+ on/in ] She made her mark in the film industry in the 1960s.
22 PHRASE If you are quick off the mark , you are quick to understand or respond to something. If you are slow off the mark , you are slow to understand or respond to something.
23 CONVENTION On your marks in British English, or on your mark in American English, is a command given to runners at the beginning of a race in order to get them into the correct position to start. □ On your marks–get set–go!
24 PHRASE If something is off the mark , it is inaccurate or incorrect. If it is on the mark , it is accurate or correct. □ Robinson didn't think the story was so far off the mark.
25 PHRASE If something such as a claim or estimate is wide of the mark , it is incorrect or inaccurate. □ That comparison isn't as wide of the mark as it seems.
26 to overstep the mark → see overstep
▸ mark down
1 PHRASAL VERB If you mark something down , you write it down. □ [V n P ] I tend to forget things unless I mark them down. □ [V P n] As he marks down the prices, he stops now and then to pack things into a large bag.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you mark someone down as a particular type of person, especially a type that you do not like, you consider that they have the qualities which make them that type of person. □ [V n P + as ] If he'd taken that five pounds, I would have marked him down as a greedy fool.
3 PHRASAL VERB To mark an item down or mark its price down means to reduce its price. □ [V P n] The toy store has marked down copies of the computer game. □ [V -ed P ] Clothes are the best bargain, with many items marked down. [Also V n P ]
4 PHRASAL VERB If a teacher marks a student down , the teacher puts a lower grade on the student's work because of a mistake that has been made. □ [V n P ] If you mark each other's work, they don't mark you down because then you can mark them down.
▸ mark off
1 PHRASAL VERB If you mark off a piece or length of something, you make it separate, for example by putting a line on it or around it. □ [V P n] He used a rope to mark off the circle.
2 PHRASAL VERB If a particular quality or feature marks someone or something off from other people or things, it is unusual and makes them obviously different. □ [V n P + from ] Her clothes, of course, marked her off from a great number of the delegates at the conference. □ [V n P + as ] Traditionalist influences within the navy marked it off as a rather old-fashioned institution.
▸ mark out
1 PHRASAL VERB To mark out an area or shape means to show where it begins and ends. □ [V P n] When planting seedlings I prefer to mark out the rows in advance. [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If a particular quality or feature marks someone or something out , it makes them obviously different from other people or things. □ [V n P + as ] There were several things about that evening that marked it out as very unusual. □ [V n P + from ] Her independence of spirit marked her out from her male fellow officers. [Also V P n]
▸ mark up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you mark something up , you increase its price. □ [V n P ] You can sell it to them at a set wholesale price, allowing them to mark it up for retail. □ [V P n] A typical warehouse club marks up its goods by only 10 to 15 percent.
2 → see also mark-up SYNONYMS mark NOUN 1
spot: The leaves have yellow areas on the top and underneath are powdery orange spots.
stain: Remove stains by soaking in a mild solution of bleach.
smudge: There was a dark smudge on his forehead.
blotch: His face was covered in red blotches, seemingly a nasty case of acne.
mark|down /mɑː r kdaʊn/ (markdowns ) N‑COUNT A markdown is a reduction in the price of something. □ Customers know that our stocktake sales offer genuine markdowns across the store.
marked ◆◇◇ /mɑː r kt/
1 ADJ A marked change or difference is very obvious and easily noticed. □ There has been a marked increase in crimes against property. □ He was a man of austere habits, in marked contrast to his more flamboyant wife. ● mark|ed|ly /mɑː r k I dli/ ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ America's current economic downturn is markedly different from previous recessions.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone as a marked man or woman, you mean that they are in danger from someone who wants to harm or kill them. □ All he needs to do is make one phone call and I'm a marked man.
mark|er /mɑː r kə r / (markers )
1 N‑COUNT A marker is an object which is used to show the position of something, or is used to help someone remember something. □ He put a marker in his book and followed her out.
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to something as a marker for a particular quality or feature, you mean that it demonstrates the existence or presence of that quality or feature. □ [+ for ] Vitamin C is a good marker for the presence of other vitamins and nutrients in frozen food.
3 N‑COUNT A marker or a marker pen is a pen with a thick tip made of felt, which is used for drawing and for colouring things. □ Draw your child's outline with a heavy black marker.
mar|ket ◆◆◆ /mɑː r k I t/ (markets , marketing , marketed )
1 N‑COUNT A market is a place where goods are bought and sold, usually outdoors. □ He sold boots on a market stall.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The market for a particular type of thing is the number of people who want to buy it, or the area of the world in which it is sold. [BUSINESS ] □ The foreign market was increasingly crucial. □ [+ for ] …the Russian market for personal computers. [Also + in ]
3 N‑SING The market refers to the total amount of a product that is sold each year, especially when you are talking about the competition between the companies who sell that product. [BUSINESS ] □ The two big companies control 72% of the market.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] If you talk about a market economy, or the market price of something, you are referring to an economic system in which the prices of things depend on how many are available and how many people want to buy them, rather than prices being fixed by governments. [BUSINESS ] □ Their ultimate aim was a market economy for Hungary. □ He must sell the house for the current market value. □ …the market price of cocoa.
5 VERB To market a product means to organize its sale, by deciding on its price, where it should be sold, and how it should be advertised. [BUSINESS ] □ [V n] …if you marketed our music the way you market pop music. □ [be V -ed + as ] …if a soap is marketed as an anti-acne product.
6 N‑SING The job market or the labour market refers to the people who are looking for work and the jobs available for them to do. [BUSINESS ] □ Every year, 250,000 people enter the job market. □ …the changes in the labour market during the 1980s.
7 N‑SING The stock market is sometimes referred to as the market . [BUSINESS ] □ The market collapsed last October.
8 → see also black market , market forces , open market
9 PHRASE If you say that it is a buyer's market , you mean that it is a good time to buy a particular thing, because there is a lot of it available, so its price is low. If you say that it is a seller's market , you mean that very little of it is available, so its price is high. [BUSINESS ] □ Don't be afraid to haggle: for the moment, it's a buyer's market.
10 PHRASE If you are in the market for something, you are interested in buying it. □ If you're in the market for a new radio, you'll see that the latest models are very different.
11 PHRASE If something is on the market , it is available for people to buy. If it comes onto the market , it becomes available for people to buy. [BUSINESS ] □ …putting more empty offices on the market. □ …new medicines that have just come onto the market.
12 PHRASE If you price yourself out of the market , you try to sell goods or services at a higher price than other people, with the result that no one buys them from you. [BUSINESS ] □ At £150,000 for a season, he really is pricing himself out of the market.
mar|ket|able /mɑː r k I təb ə l/ ADJ Something that is marketable is able to be sold because people want to buy it. [BUSINESS ] □ …telling them how to turn their prize research projects into marketable products.
mar|ket|eer /mɑː r k I t I ə r / (marketeers )
1 N‑COUNT A marketeer is the same as a marketer . [BUSINESS ]
2 → see also black marketeer , free-marketeer
mar|ket|er /mɑː r k I tə r / (marketers ) N‑COUNT A marketer is someone whose job involves marketing. [BUSINESS ]
ma r|ket fo rces N‑PLURAL When politicians and economists talk about market forces , they mean the economic factors that affect the availability of goods and the demand for them, without any help or control by governments. [BUSINESS ] □ …opening the economy to market forces and increasing the role of private enterprise.
ma r|ket ga r|den (market gardens ) N‑COUNT A market garden is a small farm where vegetables and fruit are grown for sale. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use truck farm
mar|ket|ing ◆◇◇ /mɑː r k I t I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Marketing is the organization of the sale of a product, for example, deciding on its price, the areas it should be supplied to, and how it should be advertised. [BUSINESS ] □ …expert advice on production and marketing. □ …a marketing campaign. SYNONYMS marketing NOUN
promotion: The company spent a lot of money on advertising and promotion.
advertising: We need a bigger advertising budget.
PR: It will be good PR.
ma r|ket|ing mi x N‑SING A company's marketing mix is the combination of marketing activities it uses in order to promote a particular product or service. [BUSINESS ] □ The key focus of the marketing mix will be on price and distribution.
ma r|ket lea d|er (market leaders ) N‑COUNT A market leader is a company that sells more of a particular product or service than most of its competitors do. [BUSINESS ] □ We are becoming one of the market leaders in the fashion industry.
market|place /mɑː r k I tple I s/ (marketplaces ) also market place
1 N‑COUNT The marketplace refers to the activity of buying and selling products. [BUSINESS ] □ We need to test our strategies in the marketplace.
2 N‑COUNT A marketplace is a small area in a town or city where goods are bought and sold, often outdoors. □ The marketplace was jammed with buyers and sellers.
ma r|ket re|sea rch N‑UNCOUNT Market research is the activity of collecting and studying information about what people want, need, and buy. [BUSINESS ] □ …a market research company.
ma r|ket sha re (market shares ) N‑VAR [oft with poss] A company's market share in a product is the proportion of the total sales of that product that is produced by that company. [BUSINESS ] □ Ford has been gaining market share this year at the expense of GM.
ma r|ket te st (market tests , market testing , market tested )
1 N‑COUNT If a company carries out a market test , it asks a group of people to try a new product or service and give their opinions on it. [BUSINESS ] □ Results from market tests in the U.S. and Europe show little enthusiasm for the product.
2 VERB If a new product or service is market tested , a group of people are asked to try it and then asked for their opinions on it. [BUSINESS ] □ [V n] The company uses the simulator to market test new designs. ● mar|ket test|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ They learnt a lot from the initial market testing exercise.
ma r|ket to wn (market towns ) N‑COUNT A market town is a town, especially in a country area, that has or used to have a market in it.
mark|ing /mɑː r k I ŋ/ (markings )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Markings are coloured lines, shapes, or patterns on the surface of something, which help to identify it. □ A plane with Danish markings was over-flying his vessel.
2 → see also mark
marks|man /mɑː r ksmən/ (marksmen ) N‑COUNT A marksman is a person who can shoot very accurately. □ Police marksmen opened fire.
marks|man|ship /mɑː r ksmənʃ I p/ N‑UNCOUNT Marksmanship is the ability to shoot accurately.
ma rk-up (mark-ups ) in AM, also use markup N‑COUNT A mark-up is an increase in the price of something, for example the difference between its cost and the price that it is sold for.
mar|ma|lade /mɑː r məle I d/ (marmalades ) N‑VAR Marmalade is a food made from oranges, lemons, or grapefruit that is similar to jam. It is eaten on bread or toast at breakfast.
mar|mo|set /mɑː r məzet/ (marmosets ) N‑COUNT A marmoset is a type of small monkey.
ma|roon /məruː n/ (maroons , marooning , marooned )
1 COLOUR Something that is maroon is dark reddish-purple in colour. □ …maroon velvet curtains.
2 VERB [usu passive] If someone is marooned somewhere, they are left in a place that is difficult for them to escape from. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] Five couples were marooned in their caravans when the River Avon broke its banks.
ma|rooned /məruː nd/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that you are marooned , you mean that you feel alone and helpless and you cannot escape from the place or situation you are in. □ …families marooned in decaying inner-city areas.
marque /mɑː r k/ (marques ) N‑COUNT A marque is the name of a famous company that makes motor vehicles, or the vehicles it produces. □ …a marque long-associated with motor racing success, Alfa Romeo.
mar|quee /mɑː r kiː / (marquees )
1 N‑COUNT A marquee is a large tent which is used at a fair, garden party, or other outdoor event, usually for eating and drinking in.
2 N‑COUNT A marquee is a cover over the entrance of a building, for example a hotel or a theatre. [AM ]
mar|quis /mɑː r kw I s/ (marquises ) also marquess N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A marquis is a male member of the nobility who has a rank between duke and earl.
mar|riage ◆◆◇ /mæ r I dʒ/ (marriages )
1 N‑COUNT A marriage is the relationship between two people who are married. □ When I was 35 my marriage broke up. □ His son by his second marriage lives in Paris.
2 N‑VAR A marriage is the act of marrying someone, or the ceremony at which this is done. □ [+ to ] I opposed her marriage to Darryl.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Marriage is the state of being married. □ Marriage might not suit you.
4 → see also arranged marriage COLLOCATIONS marriage NOUN
1
adjective + marriage : broken, failed, loveless, unhappy; happy, successful; first, previous, second
verb + marriage : contemplate, propose; dissolve, end, fail; save
2
adjective + marriage : civil, gay, same-sex; sham
verb + marriage : celebrate; oppose
mar|riage|able /mæ r I dʒəb ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as marriageable , you mean that they are suitable for marriage, especially that they are the right age to marry. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ …girls of marriageable age. □ …a marriageable daughter.
ma r|riage gui d|ance N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Marriage guidance is advice given to couples who are having problems in their relationship. [BRIT ]
mar|ried ◆◇◇ /mæ rid/
1 ADJ If you are married , you have a husband or wife. □ We have been married for 14 years. □ [+ to ] She is married to an Englishman. □ …a married man with two children.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Married means relating to marriage or to people who are married. □ For the first ten years of our married life we lived in a farmhouse.
3 ADJ If you say that someone is married to their work or another activity, you mean that they are very involved with it and have little interest in anything else. □ [+ to ] She was a very strict Christian who was married to her job.
mar|row /mæ roʊ/ (marrows )
1 N‑VAR A marrow is a long, thick, green vegetable with soft white flesh that is eaten cooked. [BRIT ] in AM, use squash 2 N‑SING The marrow of something is the most important and basic part of it. □ [+ of ] We're getting into the marrow of the film.
ma r|row bone (marrow bones ) also marrowbone N‑VAR Marrow bones are the bones of certain animals, especially cows, that contain a lot of bone marrow. They are used in cooking and in dog food. □ …marrowbone jelly.
mar|ry ◆◆◇ /mæ ri/ (marries , marrying , married )
1 VERB When two people get married or marry , they legally become partners in a special ceremony. Get married is less formal and more commonly used than marry . □ [get V -ed] I thought he would change after we got married. □ [V ] They married a month after they met. □ [V n] He wants to marry her. □ [get V -ed + to ] He got married to wife Beryl when he was 19. □ [get V -ed] I am getting married on Monday. □ [V ] She ought to marry again, don't you think?
2 VERB When a priest or official marries two people, he or she conducts the ceremony in which the two people legally become partners. □ [V n] The local vicar has agreed to marry us in the chapel on the estate. USAGE marry
You don’t usually use ‘marry’ without a following noun. Don’t say, for example, ‘
She married
’ or ‘
They married
’. Use get married
. □
I’m getting married
next month.
marsh /mɑː r ʃ/ (marshes ) N‑VAR A marsh is a wet, muddy area of land.
mar|shal /mɑː r ʃ ə l/ (marshals , marshalling , marshalled ) in AM, use marshaling , marshaled 1 VERB If you marshal people or things, you gather them together and arrange them for a particular purpose. □ [V n] Richard was marshalling the doctors and nurses, showing them where to go. □ [V n] …the way in which Britain marshalled its economic and political resources to protect its security interests.
2 N‑COUNT A marshal is an official who helps to supervise a public event, especially a sports event. □ The Grand Prix is controlled by well-trained marshals.
3 N‑COUNT In the United States and some other countries, a marshal is a police officer, often one who is responsible for a particular area. □ A federal marshal was killed in a shoot-out.
4 N‑COUNT A marshal is an officer in a fire department. [AM ] □ …a Cleveland county fire marshal.
5 N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE In Britain and some other countries, a marshal is the most senior officer in an army or air force. □ …Air Chief Marshal Sir Kenneth Cross.
marsh|land /mɑː r ʃlænd/ (marshlands ) N‑UNCOUNT Marshland is land with a lot of wet, muddy areas.
marsh|mal|low /mɑː r ʃmæ loʊ, [AM ] -mel-/ (marshmallows )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Marshmallow is a soft, sweet food that is used in some cakes, puddings, and sweets.
2 N‑COUNT Marshmallows are sweets made from marshmallow.
marshy /mɑː r ʃi/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Marshy land is always wet and muddy. □ …the broad, marshy plain of the River Spey.
mar|su|pial /mɑː r suː piəl/ (marsupials ) N‑COUNT A marsupial is an animal such as a kangaroo or an opossum. Female marsupials carry their babies in a pouch on their stomach.
mart /mɑː r t/ (marts ) N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A mart is a place such as a market where things are bought and sold. [AM ] □ …the flower mart.
mar|tial /mɑː r ʃ ə l/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Martial is used to describe things relating to soldiers or war. [FORMAL ] □ The paper was actually twice banned under the martial regime.
2 → see also court martial
ma r|tial a rt (martial arts ) N‑COUNT A martial art is one of the methods of fighting, often without weapons, that come from the Far East, for example kung fu, karate, or judo.
ma r|tial la w N‑UNCOUNT Martial law is control of an area by soldiers, not the police. □ The military leadership have lifted martial law in several more towns.
Mar|tian /mɑː r ʃ ə n/ (Martians )
1 N‑COUNT A Martian is an imaginary creature from the planet Mars. □ Orson Welles managed to convince many Americans that they were being invaded by Martians.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is Martian exists on or relates to the planet Mars. □ The Martian atmosphere contains only tiny amounts of water.
mar|tin /mɑː r t I n/ (martins ) N‑COUNT A martin is a small bird with a forked tail.
mar|ti|net /mɑː r t I ne t/ (martinets ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a martinet , you are criticizing them because they are very strict and demand that people obey their rules and orders. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He's a retired Lieutenant Colonel and a bit of a martinet.
mar|tyr /mɑː r tə r / (martyrs , martyring , martyred )
1 N‑COUNT A martyr is someone who is killed or made to suffer greatly because of their religious or political beliefs, and is admired and respected by people who share those beliefs. □ [+ to ] …a glorious martyr to the cause of liberty. □ …a Christian martyr.
2 VERB [usu passive] If someone is martyred , they are killed or made to suffer greatly because of their religious or political beliefs. □ [be V -ed] St Pancras was martyred in 304 AD. □ [V -ed] …whether its martyred leader is released or not.
3 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a martyr , you disapprove of the fact that they pretend to suffer, or exaggerate their suffering, in order to get sympathy or praise from other people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ When are you going to quit acting like a martyr?
4 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a martyr to something, you mean that they suffer as a result of it. □ [+ to ] Ellsworth was a martyr to his sense of honour and responsibility.
5 → see also martyred
mar|tyr|dom /mɑː r tə r dəm/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If someone suffers martyrdom , they are killed or made to suffer greatly because of their religious or political beliefs. □ [+ of ] …the martyrdom of Bishop Feliciano. □ He suffered martyrdom by stoning.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you describe someone's behaviour as martyrdom , you are critical of them because they are exaggerating their suffering in order to gain sympathy or praise. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ She sat picking at her small plate of rice salad with an air of martyrdom.
mar|tyred /mɑː r tə r d/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe a person or their behaviour as martyred , you mean that they often exaggerate their suffering in order to gain sympathy or praise. [LITERARY , DISAPPROVAL ] □ 'As usual,' muttered his martyred wife. □ …with a lot of sighs, moans and a martyred air.
mar|vel /mɑː r v ə l/ (marvels , marvelling , marvelled ) in AM, use marveling , marveled 1 VERB If you marvel at something, you express your great surprise, wonder, or admiration. □ [V + at ] Her fellow members marveled at her seemingly infinite energy. □ [V ] Sara and I read the story and marveled. □ [V with quote] 'That's the weirdest thing I've ever seen,' marveled Carl. □ [V that] He marvelled that a man in such intense pain could be so coherent.
2 N‑COUNT You can describe something or someone as a marvel to indicate that you think that they are wonderful. □ [+ of ] The whale, like the dolphin, has become a symbol of the marvels of creation.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Marvels are things that people have done, or that have happened, which are very unexpected or surprising. □ He's done marvels with the team.
mar|vel|lous /mɑː r vələs/ in AM, use marvelous ADJ If you describe someone or something as marvellous , you are emphasizing that they are very good. □ He certainly is a marvellous actor. □ He looked marvellous. ● mar|vel|lous|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/adv] □ He always painted marvellously.
ТЕЛЕГРАМКанал с обзорами, анонсами новинок и книжными подборками
Книжный Вестник
Бот для удобного поиска книг (если не нашлось на сайте)
Поиск книг
Свежие любовные романы в удобных форматах
Любовные романы
Детективы и триллеры, все новинки
Детективы
Фантастика и фэнтези, все новинки
Фантастика
Отборные классические книги
Классика
ВКОНТАКТЕБиблиотека с любовными романами, которая наверняка придётся по вкусу женской части аудитории
Любовные романы
Библиотека с фантастикой и фэнтези, а также смежных жанров
Фантастика
Самые популярные книги в формате фб2
Топ фб2
книги