COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (Collins Cobuild)

as|sas|si|nate /əsæ s I ne I t/ (assassinates , assassinating , assassinated ) VERB When someone important is assassinated , they are murdered as a political act. □ [be V -ed] Would the U.S.A. be radically different today if Kennedy had not been assassinated? □ [V n] The plot to assassinate Martin Luther King had started long before he was actually killed. ● as|sas|si|na|tion /əsæ s I ne I ʃ ^ə n/ (assassinations ) N‑VAR [N n] □ [+ of ] She would like an investigation into the assassination of her husband. □ He lives in constant fear of assassination.

as|sault ◆◇◇ /əsɔː lt/ (assaults , assaulting , assaulted )

1 N‑COUNT An assault by an army is a strong attack made on an area held by the enemy. □ [+ on/upon/against ] The rebels are poised for a new assault on the government garrisons.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Assault weapons such as rifles are intended for soldiers to use in battle rather than for purposes such as hunting.

3 N‑VAR An assault on a person is a physical attack on them. □ [+ on/upon ] The attack is one of a series of savage sexual assaults on women in the university area. □ At the police station, I was charged with assault.

4 VERB To assault someone means to physically attack them. □ [V n] The gang assaulted him with iron bars. □ [be V -ed] She may have been sexually assaulted by her killer.

5 N‑COUNT An assault on someone's beliefs is a strong criticism of them. □ [+ on/upon/against ] He leveled a verbal assault against his Democratic opponents. COLLOCATIONS assault NOUN

1

noun + assault : air, ground

adjective + assault : aerial, frontal; full-scale, sustained

verb + assault : launch, mount, plan

3

adjective + assault : domestic, physical, sexual; indecent, serious, vicious, violent; alleged, common, unlawful

verb + assault : commit; investigate, report; admit, deny

5

adjective + assault : full-on, verbal, withering

verb + assault : launch

as|sau lt and ba t|tery N‑UNCOUNT Assault and battery is the crime of attacking someone and causing them physical harm. [LEGAL ]

as|sau lt course (assault courses ) N‑COUNT An assault course is an area of land covered with obstacles such as walls which people, especially soldiers, use to improve their skills and strength. [BRIT ] in AM, use obstacle course

as|say /æse I / (assays ) N‑COUNT An assay is a test of a substance to find out what chemicals it contains. It is usually carried out to find out how pure a substance is. [TECHNICAL ]

as|sem|blage /əse mbl I dʒ/ (assemblages ) N‑COUNT An assemblage of people or things is a collection of them. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] He had an assemblage of old junk cars filling the backyard.

as|sem|ble /əse mb ^ə l/ (assembles , assembling , assembled )

1 VERB When people assemble or when someone assembles them, they come together in a group, usually for a particular purpose such as a meeting. □ [V ] There wasn't even a convenient place for students to assemble between classes. □ [V + in/at ] Thousands of people, mainly Zulus, assembled in a stadium in Thokoza. □ [V n] He has assembled a team of experts to handle queries.

2 VERB To assemble something means to collect it together or to fit the different parts of it together. □ [V n] Greenpeace managed to assemble enough boats to waylay the ship at sea.

as|sem|bler /əse mblə ^r / (assemblers ) N‑COUNT An assembler is a person, a machine, or a company which assembles the individual parts of a vehicle or a piece of equipment such as a computer.

as|sem|bly ◆◇◇ /əse mbli/ (assemblies )

1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] An assembly is a large group of people who meet regularly to make decisions or laws for a particular region or country. □ …the campaign for the first free election to the National Assembly. □ …an assembly of party members from the Russian republic.

2 N‑COUNT An assembly is a group of people gathered together for a particular purpose. □ He waited until complete quiet settled on the assembly.

3 N‑UNCOUNT When you refer to rights of assembly or restrictions on assembly , you are referring to the legal right that people have to gather together. [FORMAL ]

4 N‑VAR In a school, assembly is a gathering of all the teachers and pupils at the beginning of every school day. □ By 9, the juniors are in the hall for assembly. □ …a long room with a stage at one end for assemblies.

5 N‑UNCOUNT The assembly of a machine, device, or object is the process of fitting its different parts together. □ For the rest of the day, he worked on the assembly of an explosive device. SYNONYMS assembly NOUN 2

gathering: …the twenty-second annual gathering of the South Pacific Forum.

conference: The president summoned the state governors to a conference on education.

rally: Supporters of the policy are gathering in Delhi for a rally.

convention: …the annual convention of the Society of Professional Journalists.

crowd: A huge crowd gathered in a square outside the Kremlin walls.

as|se m|bly line (assembly lines ) N‑COUNT An assembly line is an arrangement of workers and machines in a factory, where each worker deals with only one part of a product. The product passes from one worker to another until it is finished.

as|sembly|man /əse mblimən/ (assemblymen ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE In the United States, an assemblyman is an elected member of an assembly of people who make decisions and laws.

as|se m|bly plant (assembly plants ) N‑COUNT An assembly plant is a factory where large items such as cars are put together, usually using parts which have been made in other factories.

assembly|woman /əse mbliwʊmən/ (assemblywomen ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE In the United States, an assemblywoman is a female elected member of an assembly of people who make decisions and laws.

as|sent /əse nt/ (assents , assenting , assented )

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] If someone gives their assent to something that has been suggested, they formally agree to it. □ [+ to/for ] He gave his assent to the proposed legislation.

2 VERB If you assent to something, you agree to it or agree with it. □ [V + to ] I assented to the request of the American publishers to write this book. [Also V ]

as|sert /əsɜː ^r t/ (asserts , asserting , asserted )

1 VERB If someone asserts a fact or belief, they state it firmly. [FORMAL ] □ [V that] Mr. Helm plans to assert that the bill violates the First Amendment. □ [V n] The defendants, who continue to assert their innocence, are expected to appeal. □ [V with quote] Altman asserted, 'We were making a political statement about western civilisation and greed.' ● as|ser|tion /əsɜː ^r ʃ ^ə n/ (assertions ) N‑VAR □ There is no concrete evidence to support assertions that the recession is truly over.

2 VERB If you assert your authority, you make it clear by your behaviour that you have authority. □ [V n] After the war, the army made an attempt to assert its authority in the south of the country. ● as|ser|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The decision is seen as an assertion of his authority within the company.

3 VERB If you assert your right or claim to something, you insist that you have the right to it. □ [V n] The republics began asserting their right to govern themselves. ● as|ser|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] These institutions have made the assertion of ethnic identity possible.

4 VERB If you assert yourself , you speak and act in a forceful way, so that people take notice of you. □ [V pron-refl] He's speaking up and asserting himself confidently.

as|ser|tive /əsɜː ^r t I v/ ADJ Someone who is assertive states their needs and opinions clearly, so that people take notice. □ Women have become more assertive in the past decade. ● as|ser|tive|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ 'You don't need to do that,' said Pearl assertively. ● as|ser|tive|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ …an assertiveness training class.

as|sess ◆◇◇ /əse s/ (assesses , assessing , assessed )

1 VERB When you assess a person, thing, or situation, you consider them in order to make a judgment about them. □ [V n] Our correspondent has been assessing the impact of the sanctions. □ [V wh] It would be a matter of assessing whether she was well enough to travel.

2 VERB When you assess the amount of money that something is worth or should be paid, you calculate or estimate it. □ [V n] Ask them to send you information on how to assess the value of your belongings. [Also V wh]

as|sess|ment ◆◇◇ /əse smənt/ (assessments )

1 N‑VAR An assessment is a consideration of someone or something and a judgment about them. □ [+ of ] There is little assessment of the damage to the natural environment.

2 N‑VAR An assessment of the amount of money that something is worth or that should be paid is a calculation or estimate of the amount. □ [+ of ] The losses were due to lenders' inflated assessments of mortgaged property. COLLOCATIONS assessment NOUN 1

noun + assessment : impact, risk

adjective + assessment : accurate, detailed, honest, objective; damning, downbeat, upbeat, withering; medical, psychiatric

verb + assessment : complete, conduct, make, undertake; undergo SYNONYMS assessment NOUN 1

analysis: We did an analysis of the way that government money was spent.

evaluation: They announced that an inspection team was visiting the site, `for evaluation'.

appraisal: What is needed in such cases is a calm appraisal of the situation.

study: …the first study of English children's attitudes.

as|ses|sor /əse sə ^r / (assessors )

1 N‑COUNT An assessor is a person who is employed to calculate the value of something, or the amount of money that should be paid, for example in tax. [BUSINESS ]

2 N‑COUNT An assessor is a person who is an expert in a subject, especially someone asked to advise a court of law on that subject.

3 N‑COUNT An assessor is a person who judges the performance of someone else, for example in an exam, at an interview or at a sporting event.

as|set ◆◆◇ /æ set/ (assets )

1 N‑COUNT Something or someone that is an asset is considered useful or helps a person or organization to be successful. □ [+ of ] He considered that the greatest asset of a bank was its reputation for probity.

2 N‑PLURAL The assets of a company or a person are all the things that they own. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ of ] By the end of 1989 the group had assets of 3.5 billion francs. COLLOCATIONS asset NOUN

1

adjective + asset : important, key, prize, valuable; natural

2

noun + assets : liquid, property, state

adjective + assets : financial, fixed, net, total; risky

verb + assets : acquire, buy, sell, transfer; freeze, seize; manage, protect SYNONYMS asset NOUN 1

benefit: I'm a great believer in the benefits of this form of therapy.

advantage: A good crowd will be a definite advantage to the team.

blessing: Rivers are a blessing for an agricultural country.

a sset-stripping N‑UNCOUNT If a person or company is involved in asset-stripping , they buy companies cheaply, sell off their assets to make a profit, and then close the companies down. [BUSINESS , DISAPPROVAL ]

ass|hole /æ shoʊl/ (assholes ) N‑COUNT If one person calls another person an asshole , they think that person is extremely stupid or has behaved in a stupid way. [AM , RUDE , DISAPPROVAL ] in BRIT, use arsehole

as|sidu|ous /əs I dʒuəs/ ADJ Someone who is assiduous works hard or does things very thoroughly. □ Podulski had been assiduous in learning his adopted language.

as|sign /əsa I n/ (assigns , assigning , assigned )

1 VERB If you assign a piece of work to someone, you give them the work to do. □ [V n + to ] When I taught, I would assign a topic to children which they would write about. □ [V n n] Later in the year, she'll assign them research papers. □ [V n] When teachers assign homework, students usually feel an obligation to do it. [Also V n to-inf]

2 VERB If you assign something to someone, you say that it is for their use. □ [V n + to ] The selling broker is then required to assign a portion of the commission to the buyer broker. □ [V n n] He assigned her all his land in Ireland.

3 VERB [usu passive] If someone is assigned to a particular place, group, or person, they are sent there, usually in order to work at that place or for that person. □ [be V -ed + to ] I was assigned to Troop A of the 10th Cavalry. □ [be V -ed adv] Did you choose Russia or were you simply assigned there? □ [be V -ed n] Each of us was assigned a minder, someone who looked after us.

4 VERB If you assign a particular function or value to someone or something, you say they have it. □ [V n + to ] Under Mr. Harel's system, each business must assign a value to each job. □ [V n n] Assign the letters of the alphabet their numerical values–A equals 1, B equals 2, etc.

as|sig|na|tion /æ s I gne I ʃ ^ə n/ (assignations ) N‑COUNT An assignation is a secret meeting with someone, especially with a lover. [FORMAL ] □ [+ with ] She had an assignation with her boyfriend.

as|sign|ment /əsa I nmənt/ (assignments )

1 N‑COUNT An assignment is a task or piece of work that you are given to do, especially as part of your job or studies. □ The assessment for the course involves written assignments and practical tests.

2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to someone being given a particular task or job as their assignment to the task or job. □ [+ to ] The Australian division was scheduled for assignment to Greece.

as|simi|late /əs I m I le I t/ (assimilates , assimilating , assimilated )

1 VERB When people such as immigrants assimilate into a community or when that community assimilates them, they become an accepted part of it. □ [V ] There is every sign that new Asian-Americans are just as willing to assimilate. □ [V + into/with ] His family tried to assimilate into the white and Hispanic communities. □ [V pron-refl] The Vietnamese are trying to assimilate themselves and become Americans. [Also V n, V n into n] ● as|simi|la|tion /əs I m I le I ʃ ^ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] They promote social integration and assimilation of minority ethnic groups into the culture.

2 VERB If you assimilate new ideas, techniques, or information, you learn them or adopt them. □ [V n] I was speechless, still trying to assimilate the enormity of what he'd told me. ● as|simi|la|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] This technique brings life to instruction and eases assimilation of knowledge.

as|sist ◆◇◇ /əs I st/ (assists , assisting , assisted )

1 VERB If you assist someone, you help them to do a job or task by doing part of the work for them. □ [V n + with ] The family decided to assist me with my chores. □ [be V -ed] Dr Amid was assisted by a young Asian nurse.

2 VERB If you assist someone, you give them information, advice, or money. □ [V n + in ] The public is urgently requested to assist police in tracing this man. □ [V + with ] Foreign Office officials assisted with transport and finance problems. □ [V n] The Authority will provide a welfare worker to assist you. [Also V n to-inf]

3 VERB If something assists in doing a task, it makes the task easier to do. □ [V + in/with ] …a chemical that assists in the manufacture of proteins. □ [V n + in/with ] Here are some good sources of information to assist you in making the best selection. [Also V n to-inf] SYNONYMS assist VERB 1

back: The Prime Minister is backed by the civic movement, Public Against Violence.

support: The vice president insisted that he supported the hard-working people of New York.

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

as|sis|tance ◆◇◇ /əs I stəns/

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] If you give someone assistance , you help them do a job or task by doing part of the work for them. □ Since 1976 he has been operating the shop with the assistance of volunteers. □ She can still come downstairs with assistance but she's very weak.

2 N‑UNCOUNT If you give someone assistance , you give them information or advice. □ Any assistance you could give the police will be greatly appreciated.

3 N‑UNCOUNT If someone gives a person or country assistance , they help them by giving them money. □ …a viable programme of economic assistance.

4 N‑UNCOUNT If something is done with the assistance of a particular thing, that thing is helpful or necessary for doing it. □ The translations were carried out with the assistance of a medical dictionary.

5 PHRASE Someone or something that is of assistance to you is helpful or useful to you. □ Can I be of any assistance?

6 PHRASE If you come to someone's assistance , you take action to help them. □ The Goodwins, who were staying opposite them, noticed their struggle and came to their assistance. SYNONYMS assistance NOUN 1

backing: The president had the full backing of his government to negotiate a deal.

aid: He was forced to turn for aid to his former enemy.

support: The prime minister gave his full support to the government's reforms.

as|sis|tant ◆◇◇ /əs I stənt/ (assistants )

1 ADJ [ADJ n] Assistant is used in front of titles or jobs to indicate a slightly lower rank. For example, an assistant director is one rank lower than a director in an organization. □ …the Assistant Secretary of Defense.

2 N‑COUNT Someone's assistant is a person who helps them in their work. □ Kalan called his assistant, Hashim, to take over while he went out.

3 N‑COUNT An assistant is a person who works in a shop selling things to customers. □ The assistant took the book and checked the price on the back cover. SYNONYMS assistant NOUN 2

helper: One table of six children had nearly as many helpers.

ally: He is a close ally of the Prime Minister.

aide: …a close aide to the Prime Minister.

as|si s|tant re f|eree (assistant referees ) N‑COUNT An assistant referee is the same as a linesman .

Assoc. Assoc. is a written abbreviation for association , associated , or associate .

as|so|ci|ate ◆◇◇ (associates , associating , associated ) The verb is pronounced /əsoʊ sie I t/. The noun and adjective are pronounced /əsoʊ siət/. 1 VERB If you associate someone or something with another thing, the two are connected in your mind. □ [V n + with ] Through science we've got the idea of associating progress with the future.

2 VERB If you are associated with a particular organization, cause, or point of view, or if you associate yourself with it, you support it publicly. □ [be V -ed + with ] I haven't been associated with the project over the last year. □ [V pron-refl + with ] The press feels the need to associate itself with the green movement.

3 VERB If you say that someone is associating with another person or group of people, you mean they are spending a lot of time in the company of people you do not approve of. □ [V + with ] What would they think if they knew that they were associating with a murderer?

4 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] Your associates are the people you are closely connected with, especially at work. □ …the restaurant owner's business associates.

5 ADJ [ADJ n] Associate is used before a rank or title to indicate a slightly different or lower rank or title. □ Mr Lin is associate director of the Institute.

as|so|ci|at|ed ◆◇◇ /əsoʊ sie I t I d/

1 ADJ If one thing is associated with another, the two things are connected with each other. □ These symptoms are particularly associated with migraine headaches.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Associated is used in the name of a company that is made up of a number of smaller companies which have joined together. □ …the Associated Press. SYNONYMS associated ADJ 1

connected: The dispute is not directly connected to the negotiations.

related: …equipment and accessories for diving and related activities.

allied: …lectures on subjects allied to health, beauty and fitness.

as|so|cia|tion ◆◆◇ /əsoʊ sie I ʃ ^ə n/ (associations )

1 N‑COUNT [oft in names] An association is an official group of people who have the same job, aim, or interest. □ …the Association of British Travel Agents. □ Research associations are often linked to a particular industry.

2 → see also housing association

3 N‑COUNT Your association with a person or a thing such as an organization is the connection that you have with them. □ [+ with ] …the company's six-year association with retailer J.C. Penney Co.

4 N‑COUNT [usu pl] If something has particular associations for you, it is connected in your mind with a particular memory, idea, or feeling. □ [+ for ] He has a shelf full of things, each of which has associations for him.

5 PHRASE If you do something in association with someone else, you do it together. SYNONYMS association NOUN

1

club: …a youth club.

union: …the question of which countries should join the currency union.

society: …the North of England Horticultural Society.

league: …the League of Nations.

coalition: He was opposed by a coalition of civil rights and women's organizations.

3

friendship: She struck up a close friendship with Desiree during rehearsals.

relationship: …the friendly relationship between France and Britain.

link: Kiev hopes to cement close links with Bonn.

tie: Quebec has always had particularly close ties to France.

as|so|cia|tive /əsoʊ ʃət I v, [AM ] -ʃie I t I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Associative thoughts are things that you think of because you see, hear, or think of something that reminds you of those things or which you associate with those things. □ The associative guilt was ingrained in his soul.

as|sort|ed /əsɔː ^r t I d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A group of assorted things is a group of similar things that are of different sizes or colours or have different qualities. □ …swimsuits, sizes 12-18, in assorted colours.

as|sort|ment /əsɔː ^r tmənt/ (assortments ) N‑COUNT An assortment is a group of similar things that are of different sizes or colours or have different qualities. □ [+ of ] …an assortment of cheese.

asst. Asst. is an abbreviation for assistant .

as|suage /əswe I dʒ/ (assuages , assuaging , assuaged )

1 VERB If you assuage an unpleasant feeling that someone has, you make them feel it less strongly. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] The announcement appeared designed to assuage concerns at home and abroad.

2 VERB If you assuage a need or desire for something, you satisfy it. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] The meat they'd managed to procure assuaged their hunger.

as|sume ◆◆◇ /əsjuː m, [AM ] əsuː m/ (assumes , assuming , assumed )

1 VERB If you assume that something is true, you imagine that it is true, sometimes wrongly. □ [V that] It is a misconception to assume that the two continents are similar. □ [be V -ed to-inf] If mistakes occurred, they were assumed to be the fault of the commander on the spot. □ [V so ] 'Today?'—'I'd assume so, yeah.'

2 VERB If someone assumes power or responsibility, they take power or responsibility. □ [V n] Mr Cross will assume the role of Chief Executive with a team of four directors.

3 VERB If something assumes a particular quality, it begins to have that quality. □ [V n] In his dreams, the mountains assumed enormous importance.

4 PHRASE You can use let us assume or let's assume when you are considering a possible situation or event, so that you can think about the consequences. □ Let us assume those clubs actually win something. Then players will receive large bonuses. □ Let's assume for a moment that I am a litigant in your court.

5 → see also assuming

as|su med na me (assumed names ) N‑COUNT [usu under N ] If you do something under an assumed name , you do it using a name that is not your real name.

as|sum|ing /əsjuː m I ŋ, [AM ] -suː m-/ CONJ You use assuming or assuming that when you are considering a possible situation or event, so that you can think about the consequences. □ 'Assuming you're right,' he said, 'there's not much I can do about it, is there?'.

as|sump|tion ◆◇◇ /əsʌ mpʃ ^ə n/ (assumptions )

1 N‑COUNT [oft N that, adj N , on N ] If you make an assumption that something is true or will happen, you accept that it is true or will happen, often without any real proof. □ …the scientific assumption on which the global warming theory is based.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Someone's assumption of power or responsibility is their taking of it. □ [+ of ] The government have retained the support which greeted their assumption of power last March. SYNONYMS assumption NOUN 1

presumption: …the presumption that a defendant is innocent until proved guilty.

guess: Well, we can hazard a guess at the answer.

inference: There were two inferences to be drawn from her letter.

conjecture: That was a conjecture, not a fact.

supposition: There's a popular supposition that we're publicly funded.

as|sur|ance /əʃʊə rəns/ (assurances )

1 N‑VAR [oft N that] If you give someone an assurance that something is true or will happen, you say that it is definitely true or will definitely happen, in order to make them feel less worried. □ He would like an assurance that other forces will not move into the territory. □ [+ of ] …the assurance of being loved and valued as a member of the household.

2 N‑UNCOUNT If you do something with assurance , you do it with a feeling of confidence and certainty. □ Masur led the orchestra with assurance. □ The E.U. is now acquiring greater assurance and authority.

3 N‑UNCOUNT Assurance is insurance that provides cover in the event of death. [BRIT ] □ …endowment assurance.

4 → see also life assurance

as|sure /əʃʊə ^r / (assures , assuring , assured )

1 VERB If you assure someone that something is true or will happen, you tell them that it is definitely true or will definitely happen, often in order to make them less worried. □ [V n that] He hastened to assure me that there was nothing traumatic to report. □ [V n with quote] 'Are you sure the raft is safe?' she asked anxiously. 'Couldn't be safer,' Max assured her confidently. □ [V n + of ] Government officials recently assured Hindus of protection.

2 → see also assured

3 VERB To assure someone of something means to make certain that they will get it. □ [V n + of ] Real Madrid's 2-1 victory has all but assured them of the title. □ [V n n] Ways must be found to assure our children a decent start in life.

4 PHRASE You use phrases such as I can assure you or let me assure you to emphasize the truth of what you are saying. [EMPHASIS ] □ I can assure you that the animals are well cared for.

as|sured ◆◇◇ /əʃʊə ^r d/

1 ADJ Someone who is assured is very confident and relaxed. □ He was infinitely more assured than in his more recent parliamentary appearances. ● as|sur|ed|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ This a lyrical work written with the authority and assuredness of an experienced writer.

2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something is assured , it is certain to happen. □ Our victory is assured; nothing can stop us.

3 ADJ If you are assured of something, you are certain to get it or achieve it. □ [+ of ] Laura Davies is assured of a place in Europe's team.

4 PHRASE If you say that someone can rest assured that something is the case, you mean that it is definitely the case, so they do not need to worry about it. [EMPHASIS ] □ Their parents can rest assured that their children's safety will be of paramount importance.

as|sur|ed|ly /əʃʊə r I dli/ ADV [ADV before v] If something is assuredly true, it is definitely true. □ He is, assuredly, not alone in believing they will win. □ The government most assuredly does believe in organic farming.

as|ter|isk /æ stər I sk/ (asterisks ) N‑COUNT An asterisk is the sign *. It is used especially to indicate that there is further information about something in another part of the text.

astern /əstɜː ^r n/ ADV [be ADV ] Something that is astern is at the back of a ship or behind the back part. [TECHNICAL ]

as|ter|oid /æ stərɔ I d/ (asteroids ) N‑COUNT An asteroid is one of the very small planets that move around the sun between Mars and Jupiter.

asth|ma /æ smə, [AM ] æ z-/ N‑UNCOUNT Asthma is a lung condition which causes difficulty in breathing.

asth|mat|ic /æsmæ t I k, [AM ] æz-/ (asthmatics )

1 N‑COUNT People who suffer from asthma are sometimes referred to as asthmatics . □ I have been an asthmatic from childhood and was never able to play any sports. ● ADJ Asthmatic is also an adjective. □ One child in ten is asthmatic.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Asthmatic means relating to asthma. □ …asthmatic breathing.

astig|ma|tism /əst I gmət I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT If someone has astigmatism , the front of their eye has a slightly irregular shape, so they cannot see properly.

aston|ish /əstɒ n I ʃ/ (astonishes , astonishing , astonished ) VERB If something or someone astonishes you, they surprise you very much. □ [V n] Her dedication constantly astonishes me.

aston|ished /əstɒ n I ʃt/ ADJ [ADJ to-inf, ADJ that] If you are astonished by something, you are very surprised about it. □ They were astonished to find the driver was a six-year-old boy.

aston|ish|ing /əstɒ n I ʃ I ŋ/ ADJ Something that is astonishing is very surprising. □ …an astonishing display of physical strength. ● aston|ish|ing|ly ADV [ADV adj/adv] □ Isabella was an astonishingly beautiful young woman.

aston|ish|ment /əstɒ n I ʃmənt/ N‑UNCOUNT Astonishment is a feeling of great surprise. □ I spotted a shooting star which, to my astonishment, was bright green in colour. □ 'What?' Meg asked in astonishment.

astound /əstaʊ nd/ (astounds , astounding , astounded ) VERB If something astounds you, you are very surprised by it. □ [V n] He used to astound his friends with feats of physical endurance. [Also V ]

astound|ed /əstaʊ nd I d/ ADJ [ADJ to-inf, ADJ that] If you are astounded by something, you are very shocked or surprised that it could exist or happen. □ [+ by ] I was astounded by its beauty. □ [+ at ] I was astounded at the kindness of the gesture.

astound|ing /əstaʊ nd I ŋ/ ADJ If something is astounding , you are shocked or amazed that it could exist or happen. □ The results are quite astounding. ● astound|ing|ly ADV [ADV adj/adv] □ …astoundingly blue eyes.

as|tra|khan /æ strəkæn/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Astrakhan is black or grey curly fur from the skins of lambs. It is used for making coats and hats. □ …a coat with an astrakhan collar.

as|tral /æ strəl/ ADJ Astral means relating to the stars. [FORMAL ]

astray /əstre I /

1 PHRASE If you are led astray by someone or something, you behave badly or foolishly because of them. □ The judge thought he'd been led astray by older children.

2 PHRASE If someone or something leads you astray , they make you believe something which is not true, causing you to make a wrong decision. □ We drove east to Rostock, where my map led me astray.

3 PHRASE If something goes astray , it gets lost while it is being taken or sent somewhere. □ Many items of mail being sent to her have gone astray.

astride /əstra I d/ ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] If you sit or stand astride something, you sit or stand with one leg on each side of it. □ …three youths who stood astride their bicycles and stared.

as|trin|gent /əstr I ndʒ ^ə nt/ (astringents ) N‑COUNT An astringent is a liquid that you put on your skin to make it less oily or to make cuts stop bleeding. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Astringent is also an adjective. □ …an astringent lotion.

PREFIX astro-

is used to form words which refer to things relating to the stars or to outer space. For example, astronomy is the scientific study of the stars, the planets and other objects in space.

as|trolo|ger /əstrɒ lədʒə ^r / (astrologers ) N‑COUNT An astrologer is a person who uses astrology to try to tell you things about your character and your future.

as|trol|ogy /əstrɒ lədʒi/ N‑UNCOUNT Astrology is the study of the movements of the planets, sun, moon, and stars in the belief that these movements can have an influence on people's lives. ● as|tro|logi|cal /æ strəlɒ dʒ I k ^ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] □ He has had a keen and lifelong interest in astrological research.

as|tro|naut /æ strənɔːt/ (astronauts ) N‑COUNT An astronaut is a person who is trained for travelling in a spacecraft.

as|trono|mer /əstrɒ nəmə ^r / (astronomers ) N‑COUNT An astronomer is a scientist who studies the stars, planets, and other natural objects in space.

as|tro|nomi|cal /æ strənɒ m I k ^ə l/

1 ADJ If you describe an amount, especially the cost of something as astronomical , you are emphasizing that it is very large indeed. [EMPHASIS ] □ Houses in the village are selling for astronomical prices. ● as|tro|nomi|cal|ly /æ strənɒ m I kli/ ADV [ADV adj, ADV after v] □ He was astronomically wealthy. □ House prices had risen astronomically.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Astronomical means relating to astronomy. □ …the British Astronomical Association.

as|trono|my /əstrɒ nəmi/ N‑UNCOUNT Astronomy is the scientific study of the stars, planets, and other natural objects in space.

as|tro|physi|cist /æ stroʊf I z I s I st/ (astrophysicists ) N‑COUNT An astrophysicist is someone who studies astrophysics.

as|tro|phys|ics /æ stroʊf I z I ks/ N‑UNCOUNT Astrophysics is the study of the physical and chemical structure of the stars, planets, and other natural objects in space.

as|tute /əstjuː t, [AM ] əstuː t/ ADJ If you describe someone as astute , you think they show an understanding of behaviour and situations, and are skilful at using this knowledge to their own advantage. □ She was politically astute. □ He made a series of astute business decisions. ● as|tute|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ It soon became clear that they had chosen astutely.

asun|der /əsʌ ndə ^r / ADV [ADV after v] If something tears or is torn asunder , it is violently separated into two or more parts or pieces. [LITERARY ]

asy|lum /əsa I ləm/ (asylums )

1 N‑UNCOUNT If a government gives a person from another country asylum , they allow them to stay, usually because they are unable to return home safely for political reasons. □ He applied for asylum in 1987 after fleeing the police back home.

2 N‑COUNT An asylum is a psychiatric hospital. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

asy |lum seek|er (asylum seekers ) N‑COUNT An asylum seeker is a person who is trying to get asylum in a foreign country. □ Fewer than 7% of asylum seekers are accepted as political refugees.

asym|met|ric /e I s I me tr I k/ ADJ Asymmetric means the same as asymmetrical .

asym|met|ri|cal /e I s I me tr I k ^ə l/ ADJ Something that is asymmetrical has two sides or halves that are different in shape, size, or style. □ …asymmetrical shapes.

asym|me|try /e I s I mətri/ (asymmetries ) N‑VAR Asymmetry is the appearance that something has when its two sides or halves are different in shape, size, or style. □ [+ of ] …the asymmetry of Van de Velde's designs of this period.

asymp|to|mat|ic /e I s I mptəmæ t I k/ ADJ If someone with a disease is asymptomatic , it means that they do not show any symptoms of the disease. [MEDICAL ] □ I have patients who are HIV-positive and asymptomatic.

at ◆◆◆ /ət, STRONG æt/ In addition to the uses shown below, at is used after some verbs, nouns, and adjectives to introduce extra information. At is also used in phrasal verbs such as 'keep on at' and 'play at'. 1 PREP You use at to indicate the place or event where something happens or is situated. □ We had dinner at a restaurant in Attleborough. □ I didn't like being alone at home. □ Hamstrings are supporting muscles at the back of the thigh. □ The announcement was made at a news conference in Peking.

2 PREP If someone is at school or college, or at a particular school or college, they go there regularly to study. □ He was shy and nervous as a boy, and unhappy at school. □ I majored in psychology at Hunter College.

3 PREP If you are at something such as a table, a door, or someone's side, you are next to it or them. □ Graham was already at the door. □ At his side was a beautiful young woman. □ He gave the girl at the desk the message.

4 PREP When you are describing where someone or something is, you can say that they are at a certain distance. You can also say that one thing is at an angle in relation to another thing. □ The two journalists followed at a discreet distance. □ The tree was leaning at a low angle from the ground.

5 PREP If something happens at a particular time, that is the time when it happens or begins to happen. □ The funeral will be carried out this afternoon at 3.00. □ He only sees her at Christmas and Easter.

6 PREP If you do something at a particular age, you do it when you are that age. □ Blake emigrated to Australia with his family at 13. □ Mary Martin has died at her home in California at the age of seventy-six.

7 PREP You use at to express a rate, frequency, level, or price. □ I drove back down the highway at normal speed. □ Check the oil at regular intervals, and have the car serviced regularly. □ The submarine lies at a depth of 6,000 feet in the Barents Sea.

8 PREP You use at before a number or amount to indicate a measurement. □ …as unemployment stays pegged at three million.

9 PREP If you look at someone or something, you look towards them. If you direct an object or a comment at someone, you direct it towards them. □ He looked at Michael and laughed. □ The crowds became violent and threw petrol bombs at the police.

10 PREP You can use at after verbs such as 'smile' or 'wave' and before nouns referring to people to indicate that you have put on an expression or made a gesture which someone is meant to see or understand. □ She opened the door and stood there, frowning at me. □ We waved at the staff to try to get the bill.

11 PREP If you point or gesture at something, you move your arm or head in its direction so that it will be noticed by someone you are with. □ He pointed at the empty bottle and the waitress quickly replaced it. □ He gestured at the shelves. 'I've bought many books from him.'

12 PREP If you are working at something, you are dealing with it. If you are aiming at something, you are trying to achieve it. □ She has worked hard at her marriage. □ …a $1.04m grant aimed at improving student performance on placement examinations.

13 PREP If something is done at someone's invitation or request, it is done as a result of it. □ She left the light on in the bathroom at his request.

14 PREP You use at to say that someone or something is in a particular state or condition. □ I am afraid we are not at liberty to disclose that information. □ Their countries had been at war for nearly six weeks.

15 PREP You use at before a possessive pronoun and a superlative adjective to say that someone or something has more of a particular quality than at any other time. □ He was at his happiest whilst playing cricket.

16 PREP You use at to say how something is being done. □ Three people were killed by shots fired at random from a minibus. □ Mr Martin was taken out of his car at gunpoint.

17 PREP You use at to show that someone is doing something repeatedly. □ She lowered the handkerchief which she had kept dabbing at her eyes. □ Miss Melville took a cookie and nibbled at it.

18 PREP You use at to indicate an activity or task when saying how well someone does it. □ I'm good at my work. □ Robin is an expert at cheesemaking.

19 PREP You use at to indicate what someone is reacting to. □ Eleanor was annoyed at having had to wait so long for him. □ The British team did not disguise their delight at their success.

20 at all → see all

ata|vis|tic /æ təv I st I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Atavistic feelings or behaviour seem to be very primitive, like the feelings or behaviour of our earliest ancestors. [FORMAL ] □ …an atavistic fear of snakes.

ate /e t, e I t/ Ate is the past tense of eat .

at|el|ier /əte lie I , [AM ] æ t ^ə lje I / (ateliers ) N‑COUNT An atelier is an artist's studio or workshop.

athe|ism /e I θi I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Atheism is the belief that there is no God. Compare agnosticism .

athe|ist /e I θi I st/ (atheists ) N‑COUNT An atheist is a person who believes that there is no God. Compare agnostic .

athe|is|tic /e I θi I st I k/ ADJ Atheistic means connected with or holding the belief that there is no God. □ …atheistic philosophers.

ath|lete ◆◇◇ /æ θliːt/ (athletes )

1 N‑COUNT An athlete is a person who does a sport, especially athletics, or track and field events. □ Many top athletes find it hard, if not impossible to find real life again after retiring.

2 N‑COUNT You can refer to someone who is fit and athletic as an athlete . □ I was no athlete.

a th|lete's foo t N‑UNCOUNT Athlete's foot is a fungal infection in which the skin between the toes becomes cracked or peels off.

ath|let|ic /æθle t I k/

1 ADJ [ADJ n] Athletic means relating to athletes and athletics. □ They have been given college scholarships purely on athletic ability.

2 ADJ An athletic person is fit, and able to perform energetic movements easily. □ Xandra is an athletic 36-year-old with a 21-year-old's body.

ath|leti|cism /æθle t I s I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Athleticism is someone's fitness and ability to perform well at sports or other physical activities.

ath|let|ics /æθle t I ks/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Athletics refers to track and field sports such as running, the high jump, and the javelin. [mainly BRIT ] □ As the modern Games grew in stature, so too did athletics. in AM, use track and field 2 N‑UNCOUNT Athletics refers to any kind of physical sports, exercise, or games. [AM ] □ …students who play intercollegiate athletics.

SUFFIX -ation

forms nouns that refer to a state or process, or to an instance of that process. For example, formation is the process of forming something.

atishoo /ət I ʃuː/ Atishoo is used, especially in writing, to represent the sound that you make when you sneeze.

at|las /æ tləs/ (atlases ) N‑COUNT An atlas is a book of maps.

ATM /e I tiː e m/ (ATMs ) N‑COUNT An ATM is a machine built into the wall of a bank or other building, which allows people to take out money from their bank account by using a special card. ATM is an abbreviation for 'automated teller machine'. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, use cash dispenser

at|mos|phere ◆◇◇ /æ tməsf I ə ^r / (atmospheres )

1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A planet's atmosphere is the layer of air or other gases around it. □ …dangerous levels of pollution in the Earth's atmosphere.

2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The atmosphere of a place is the air that you breathe there. □ [+ of ] These gases pollute the atmosphere of towns and cities.

3 N‑SING The atmosphere of a place is the general impression that you get of it. □ [+ of ] There's still an atmosphere of great hostility and tension in the city.

4 N‑UNCOUNT If a place or an event has atmosphere , it is interesting. □ The old harbour is still full of atmosphere and well worth visiting. SYNONYMS atmosphere NOUN 3

feel: The room has a warm, cosy feel.

mood: First set the mood with music.

ambience: The overall ambience of the room is cosy. COLLOCATIONS atmosphere NOUN 3

noun + atmosphere : carnival, festival, party; village

adjective + atmosphere : convivial, friendly, intimate, relaxed; electric, incredible; febrile, hostile, tense

verb + atmosphere : create

at|mos|pher|ic /æ tməsfe r I k/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Atmospheric is used to describe something which relates to the Earth's atmosphere. □ …atmospheric gases. □ …atmospheric pressure.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a place or a piece of music as atmospheric , you like it because it has a particular quality which is interesting or exciting and makes you feel a particular emotion. [APPROVAL ]

a t|mo|spher|ic pre s|sure N‑UNCOUNT Atmospheric pressure is the pressure of the atmosphere on the Earth's surface.

at|mos|pher|ics /æ tməsfe r I ks/ N‑PLURAL Atmospherics are elements in something such as a piece of music or a book which create a certain atmosphere. □ …Dickensian atmospherics.

at|oll /æ tɒl, [AM ] -tɔːl/ (atolls ) N‑COUNT An atoll is a ring of coral rock, or a group of coral islands surrounding a lagoon.

atom /æ təm/ (atoms ) N‑COUNT An atom is the smallest amount of a substance that can take part in a chemical reaction.

atom|ic /ətɒ m I k/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Atomic means relating to power that is produced from the energy released by splitting atoms. □ …atomic energy. □ …atomic weapons.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Atomic means relating to the atoms of substances.

ato m|ic bo mb (atomic bombs ) The form atom bomb is also used, mainly in British English. N‑COUNT An atomic bomb or an atom bomb is a bomb that causes an explosion by a sudden release of energy that results from splitting atoms.

aton|al /e I toʊ n ^ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Atonal music is music that is not written or played in any key or system of scales.

atone /ətoʊ n/ (atones , atoning , atoned ) VERB If you atone for something that you have done, you do something to show that you are sorry you did it. [FORMAL ] □ [V + for ] He felt he had atoned for what he had done to his son.

atone|ment /ətoʊ nmənt/ N‑UNCOUNT If you do something as an atonement for doing something wrong, you do it to show that you are sorry. [FORMAL ] □ [+ for ] He is working for the world's poor as a personal atonement for his part in the war.

atop /ətɒ p/ PREP If something is atop something else, it is on top of it. [AM , also BRIT , LITERARY ] □ Under the newspaper, atop a sheet of paper, lay an envelope.

A to Z /e I tə ze d, [AM ] - ziː / (A to Zs )

1 N‑COUNT An A to Z is a book of maps showing all the streets and roads in a particular city and its surrounding towns. [BRIT , TRADEMARK ]

2 N‑SING An A to Z of a particular subject is a book or programme which gives information on all aspects of it, arranging it in alphabetical order. □ [+ of ] An A to Z of careers gives helpful information about courses.

atrium /e I triəm/ (atriums ) N‑COUNT An atrium is a part of a building such as a hotel or shopping centre, which extends up through several floors of the building and often has a glass roof.

atro|cious /ətroʊ ʃəs/

1 ADJ If you describe something as atrocious , you are emphasizing that its quality is very bad. [EMPHASIS ] □ The food here is atrocious. ● atro|cious|ly ADV [ADV adj/-ed, ADV after v] □ He had written the note from memory, word perfect, and spelled atrociously.

2 ADJ If you describe someone's behaviour or their actions as atrocious , you mean that it is unacceptable because it is extremely violent or cruel. □ The judge said he had committed atrocious crimes against women.

3 ADJ If you say that weather conditions are atrocious , you mean they are very bad, for example that it is extremely cold, wet, or windy.

atroc|ity /ətrɒ s I ti/ (atrocities ) N‑VAR An atrocity is a very cruel, shocking action. □ Those who committed this atrocity should be tried and punished.

at|ro|phy /æ trəfi/ (atrophies , atrophying , atrophied ) VERB If a muscle or other part of the body atrophies , it decreases in size or strength, often as a result of an illness. [FORMAL ]

at|tach ◆◇◇ /ətæ tʃ/ (attaches , attaching , attached )

1 VERB If you attach something to an object, you join it or fasten it to the object. □ [be V -ed + to ] The gadget can be attached to any vertical surface. □ [V n] The astronauts will attach a motor that will boost the satellite into its proper orbit. □ [V -ed] For further information, please contact us on the attached form.

2 VERB If someone attaches himself or herself to you, they join you and stay with you, often without being invited to do so. □ [V pron-refl + to ] Natasha attached herself to the film crew filming at her orphanage.

3 VERB If people attach a quality to someone or something, or if it attaches to them, people consider that they have that quality. □ [V n + to ] The authorities attached much significance to his visit. □ [V + to ] …the magic that still attaches to the word 'spy'. □ [V -ed] …the stigma attached to mental illness.

4 VERB If you attach conditions to something such as an agreement, you state that specific things must be done before the agreement is valid. □ [V n + to ] Banks do have the right to attach conditions to loans.

5 VERB In computing, if you attach a file to a message that you send to someone, you send it with the message but separate from it. □ [V n + to ] It is possible to attach executable program files to e-mail.

6 → see also attached

7 no strings attached → see string SYNONYMS attach VERB 1

stick: Clip the token and stick it on your card.

bind: Bind the ends of the cord together with thread.

join: The link is used to join the two ends of the chain.

fix: It is fixed on the wall.

fasten: Mamma fastened the picture on the wall.

at|ta|ché /ætæ ʃe I , [AM ] æ tæʃe I / (attachés ) N‑COUNT An attaché is a member of staff in an embassy, usually with a special responsibility for something.

at|ta |ché case (attaché cases ) N‑COUNT An attaché case is a flat case for holding documents.

at|tached /ətæ tʃt/

1 ADJ If you are attached to someone or something, you like them very much. □ [+ to ] She is very attached to her family and friends.

2 ADJ If someone is attached to an organization or group of people, they are working with them, often only for a short time. □ [+ to ] Ford was attached to the battalion's first line of transport.

3 ADJ If one organization or institution is attached to a larger organization, it is part of that organization and is controlled and run by it. □ [+ to ] At one time the schools were mainly attached to the church.

at|tach|ment /ətæ tʃmənt/ (attachments )

1 N‑VAR If you have an attachment to someone or something, you are fond of them or loyal to them. □ [+ to ] As a teenager she formed a strong attachment to one of her teachers.

2 N‑COUNT An attachment is a device that can be fixed onto a machine in order to enable it to do different jobs. □ [+ for ] Some models come with attachments for dusting.

3 N‑COUNT An attachment is an extra document that is added to another document. □ [+ to ] Justice Fitzgerald included a 120-page discussion paper as an attachment to the annual report.

4 N‑COUNT In computing, an attachment is a file which is attached separately to a message that you send to someone. □ When you send an e-mail you can also send a sound or graphic file as an attachment.

at|tack ◆◆◆ /ətæ k/ (attacks , attacking , attacked )

1 VERB To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence. □ [V n] He bundled the old lady into her hallway and brutally attacked her. □ [V ] While Haig and Foch argued, the Germans attacked. ● N‑VAR Attack is also a noun. □ [+ on ] …a campaign of air attacks on strategic targets. □ [+ from ] Refugees had come under attack from federal troops.

2 VERB If you attack a person, belief, idea, or act, you criticize them strongly. □ [V n] He publicly attacked the people who've been calling for secret ballot nominations. □ [V n + for ] A newspaper ran an editorial attacking him for being a showman. [Also V n as n/adj] ● N‑VAR Attack is also a noun. □ The role of the state as a prime mover in planning social change has been under attack. □ [+ on ] The committee yesterday launched a scathing attack on British business for failing to invest.

3 VERB If something such as a disease, a chemical, or an insect attacks something, it harms or spoils it. □ [V n] The virus seems to have attacked his throat. □ [be V -ed] Several key crops failed when they were attacked by pests. ● N‑UNCOUNT Attack is also a noun. □ [+ from ] This greatly reduces attacks from pests and diseases.

4 VERB If you attack a job or a problem, you start to deal with it in an energetic way. □ [V n] …an attempt to attack the budget problem.

5 VERB In games such as football, when one team attacks the opponent's goal, they try to score a goal. □ [V n] Now the U.S. is controlling the ball and attacking the opponent's goal. □ [V ] The goal was just reward for Villa's decision to attack constantly in the second half. ● N‑COUNT Attack is also a noun. □ Lee was at the hub of some incisive attacks in the second half.

6 N‑COUNT An attack of an illness is a short period in which you suffer badly from it. □ [+ of ] It had brought on an attack of asthma.

7 → see also counter-attack , heart attack

at|tack|er /ətæ kə ^r / (attackers ) N‑COUNT You can refer to a person who attacks someone as their attacker . □ There were signs that she struggled with her attacker before she was repeatedly stabbed.

at|tain /əte I n/ (attains , attaining , attained )

1 VERB If you attain something, you gain it or achieve it, often after a lot of effort. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Jim is halfway to attaining his pilot's licence.

2 VERB If you attain a particular state or condition, you may reach it as a result of natural development or work hard to attain this state. □ [V n] …attaining a state of calmness and confidence.

at|tain|able /əte I nəb ^ə l/ ADJ Something that is attainable can be achieved. □ It is unrealistic to believe perfection is an attainable goal.

at|tain|ment /əte I nmənt/ (attainments )

1 N‑UNCOUNT The attainment of an aim is the achieving of it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the attainment of independence.

2 N‑COUNT An attainment is a skill you have learned or something you have achieved. [FORMAL ] □ …their educational attainments.

at|tempt ◆◆◆ /əte mpt/ (attempts , attempting , attempted )

1 VERB If you attempt to do something, especially something difficult, you try to do it. □ [V to-inf] The only time that we attempted to do something like that was in the city of Philadelphia. □ [V n] Before I could attempt a reply he added over his shoulder: 'Wait there.'

2 N‑COUNT [oft N to-inf] If you make an attempt to do something, you try to do it, often without success. □ …a deliberate attempt to destabilise the defence. □ [+ at ] It was one of his rare attempts at humour.

3 N‑COUNT An attempt on someone's life is an attempt to kill them. □ [+ on ] …an attempt on the life of the former Iranian Prime Minister. COLLOCATIONS attempt NOUN 2

noun + attempt : assassination, coup; escape, rescue; takeover

adjective + attempt : abortive, botched, failed, futile, unsuccessful, vain; desperate; brave, valiant

verb + attempt : block, defeat, foil, frustrate, prevent; make SYNONYMS attempt VERB 1

seek: He also denied that he would seek to annex the country.

try: I tried calling him when I got here but he wasn't at home.

aim: …an appeal which aims to raise funds for children with special needs.

strive: He strives hard to keep himself very fit.

endeavour: They are endeavouring to protect trade union rights NOUN 2

try: After a few tries Patrick gave up any attempt to reform her.

bid: …Sydney's successful bid for the 2000 Olympic Games®.

shot: The heavyweight champion will be given a shot at Holyfield's world title.

go: I always wanted to have a go at football.

effort: …his efforts to reform Italian research.

at|tempt|ed /əte mpt I d/ ADJ [ADJ n] An attempted crime or unlawful action is an unsuccessful effort to commit the crime or action. □ …a case of attempted murder.

at|tend ◆◆◇ /əte nd/ (attends , attending , attended )

1 VERB If you attend a meeting or other event, you are present at it. □ [be V -ed + by ] The meeting will be attended by finance ministers from many countries. □ [V ] We want the maximum number of people to attend to help us cover our costs.

2 VERB If you attend an institution such as a school, college, or church, you go there regularly. □ [V n] They attended college together at the University of Pennsylvania. [Also V ]

3 VERB If you attend to something, you deal with it. If you attend to someone who is hurt or injured, you care for them. □ [V + to ] The staff will helpfully attend to your needs. □ [V + to ] The main thing is to attend to the injured. COLLOCATIONS attend VERB

1

attend + noun : ceremony, event, function, party, reception, service; conference, hearing, meeting, session; class, course, seminar, workshop; funeral, wedding

2

attend + noun : college, school, university; church

at|tend|ance /əte ndəns/ (attendances )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Someone's attendance at an event or an institution is the fact that they are present at the event or go regularly to the institution. □ [+ at ] Her attendance at school was sporadic.

2 N‑VAR The attendance at an event is the number of people who are present at it. □ Average weekly cinema attendance in February was 2.41 million. □ This year attendances were 28% lower than forecast.

3 PHRASE If someone is in attendance at a place or an event, they are there.

at|tend|ant /əte ndənt/ (attendants )

1 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] An attendant is someone whose job is to serve or help people in a place such as a car park or a cloakroom. □ Tony Williams was working as a car-park attendant in Los Angeles.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use attendant to describe something that results from a thing already mentioned or that is connected with it. □ Mr Branson's victory, and all the attendant publicity, were well deserved. □ [+ on/upon ] …the risks attendant on the exploration of the unknown.

at|tend|ee /əte ndiː / (attendees ) N‑COUNT The attendees at something such as a meeting or a conference are the people who are attending it. [mainly AM ]

at|tend|er /əte ndə ^r / (attenders ) N‑COUNT [usu adj N ] The attenders at a particular place or event are the people who go there. □ [+ at ] He was a regular attender at the opera. [Also + in ]

at|ten|tion ◆◆◇ /əte nʃ ^ə n/ (attentions )

1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] If you give someone or something your attention , you look at it, listen to it, or think about it carefully. □ You have my undivided attention. □ Later he turned his attention to the desperate state of housing in the province. □ …young children with short attention spans.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Attention is great interest that is shown in someone or something, particularly by the general public. □ The property has already attracted considerable attention from overseas buyers. □ The conference may help to focus attention on the economy.

3 N‑UNCOUNT If someone or something is getting attention , they are being dealt with or cared for. □ Each year more than two million household injuries need medical attention.

4 N‑PLURAL You can refer to someone's efforts to help you, or the interest they show in you, as their attentions , especially if you dislike or disapprove of them. □ [+ of ] The only way to escape the unwanted attentions of the local men was not to go out.

5 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] If you bring something to someone's attention or draw their attention to it, you tell them about it or make them notice it. □ [+ of ] If we don't keep bringing this to the attention of the people, nothing will be done.

6 PHRASE If someone or something attracts your attention or catches your attention , you suddenly notice them. □ He sat at one of the round tables and tried to attract her attention.

7 PHRASE If you pay attention to someone, you watch them, listen to them, or take notice of them. If you pay no attention to someone, you behave as if you are not aware of them or as if they are not important. □ [+ to ] More than ever before, the food industry is paying attention to young consumers. □ Other people walk along the beach at night, so I didn't pay any attention at first.

8 PHRASE When people stand to attention or stand at attention , they stand straight with their feet together and their arms at their sides. □ Soldiers in full combat gear stood at attention. COLLOCATIONS attention NOUN

1

adjective + attention : careful, close, full, undivided; particular, special

verb + attention : give; have

2

noun + attention : media, press

adjective + attention : unwanted, unwelcome; international, national, public

verb + attention : attract, catch, command, grab; deflect, distract, divert; focus

3

adjective + attention : medical; immediate, urgent

verb + attention : receive, require

4

adjective + attention : unwanted SYNONYMS attention NOUN

1

thought: Usually at this time our thoughts are on Christmas.

mind: I put what happened during that game to the back of my mind.

scrutiny: His private life came under media scrutiny.

observation: She has good powers of observation.

3

care: Most of the staff specialize in the care of children.

support: We hope to continue to have her close support and friendship.

treatment: …a veterinary surgeon who specializes in the treatment of cage birds.

at|te n|tion de fi|cit dis|o r|der N‑UNCOUNT Attention deficit disorder is a condition where people, especially children, are unable to concentrate on anything for very long and so find it difficult to learn and often behave in inappropriate ways. The abbreviation ADD is often used.

at|te n|tion de fi|cit hyper|ac|ti v|ity dis|o r|der N‑UNCOUNT Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a condition where people, especially children, are extremely active and unable to concentrate on anything for very long, with the result that they find it difficult to learn and often behave in inappropriate ways. The abbreviation ADHD is often used.

atte ntion-grabbing ADJ [usu ADJ n] An attention-grabbing remark or activity is one that is intended to make people notice it. □ …an attention-grabbing marketing campaign.

at|ten|tive /əte nt I v/

1 ADJ If you are attentive , you are paying close attention to what is being said or done. □ He wishes the government would be more attentive to detail in their response. ● at|ten|tive|ly ADV [usu ADV after v] □ He questioned Chrissie, and listened attentively to what she told him.

2 ADJ Someone who is attentive is helpful and polite. □ [+ to ] Linda and her team are extremely attentive to the individual's needs.

at|tenu|ate /əte njue I t/ (attenuates , attenuating , attenuated ) VERB To attenuate something means to reduce it or weaken it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] You could never eliminate risk, but preparation and training could attenuate it.

at|tenu|at|ed /əte njue I t I d/ ADJ An attenuated object is unusually long and thin. [FORMAL ] □ …round arches and attenuated columns.

at|test /əte st/ (attests , attesting , attested ) VERB To attest something or attest to something means to say, show, or prove that it is true. [FORMAL ] □ [V + to ] Police records attest to his long history of violence. □ [V that] I can personally attest that the cold and flu season is here. [Also V with quote]

at|tic /æ t I k/ (attics ) N‑COUNT An attic is a room at the top of a house just below the roof.

at|tire /əta I ə ^r / N‑UNCOUNT [with poss] Your attire is the clothes you are wearing. [FORMAL ] □ …seven women dressed in their finest attire.

at|tired /əta I ə ^r d/ ADJ [adv ADJ ] If you describe how someone is attired , you are describing how they are dressed. [FORMAL ] □ [+ in ] He was faultlessly attired in black coat and striped trousers.

at|ti|tude ◆◆◇ /æ t I tjuːd, [AM ] -tuːd/ (attitudes )

1 N‑VAR Your attitude to something is the way that you think and feel about it, especially when this shows in the way you behave. □ [+ to/towards ] …the general change in attitude towards people with disabilities. □ His attitude made me angry.

2 N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to someone as a person with attitude , you mean that they have a striking and individual style of behaviour, especially a forceful or aggressive one. [JOURNALISM ] COLLOCATIONS attitude NOUN 1

adjective + attitude : negative, positive; can-do, cavalier, laissez-faire, relaxed; aggressive, caring, hostile, responsible

verb + attitude : adopt, develop, reflect; affect, change, influence SYNONYMS attitude NOUN 1

opinion: Most who expressed an opinion spoke favorably of Thomas.

view: I take the view that she should be stopped as soon as possible.

point of view: Try to look at this from my point of view.

perspective: The death of his father gave him a new perspective on life.

stance: They have maintained a consistently neutral stance.

at|ti|tu|di|nal /æ t I tjuː d I n ^ə l, [AM ] -tuː d-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Attitudinal means related to people's attitudes and the way they look at their life. [FORMAL ] □ Does such an attitudinal change reflect real experiences in daily life?

at|tor|ney ◆◇◇ /ətɜː ^r ni/ (attorneys )

1 N‑COUNT In the United States, an attorney or attorney at law is a lawyer. □ …a prosecuting attorney.

2 → see also District Attorney SYNONYMS attorney NOUN

lawyer: Prosecution and defence lawyers are expected to deliver closing arguments next week.

solicitor: You will need advice from a solicitor.

counsel: The defence counsel warned that the judge should stop the trial.

advocate: The court will appoint a public advocate to represent your son.

barrister: But their barristers pleaded for some leniency.

At|to r|ney Ge n|er|al (Attorneys General ) N‑COUNT A country's Attorney General is its chief law officer, who advises its government or ruler.

at|tract ◆◆◇ /ətræ kt/ (attracts , attracting , attracted )

1 VERB If something attracts people or animals, it has features that cause them to come to it. □ [V n] The Cardiff Bay project is attracting many visitors. □ [V n adv/prep] Warm weather has attracted the flat fish close to shore.

2 VERB If someone or something attracts you, they have particular qualities which cause you to like or admire them. If a particular quality attracts you to a person or thing, it is the reason why you like them. □ [V n] He wasn't sure he'd got it right, although the theory attracted him by its logic. □ [be V -ed + to ] More people would be attracted to cycling if conditions were right.

3 VERB If you are attracted to someone, you are interested in them sexually. □ [be V -ed + to ] In spite of her hostility, she was attracted to him. ● at|tract|ed ADJ [v-link ADJ ] □ [+ to ] He was nice looking, but I wasn't deeply attracted to him.

4 VERB If something attracts support, publicity, or money, it receives support, publicity, or money. □ [V n] President Mwinyi said his country would also like to attract investment from private companies.

5 VERB If one object attracts another object, it causes the second object to move towards it. □ [V n + to ] Anything with strong gravity attracts other things to it. [Also V n]

6 to attract someone's attention → see attention SYNONYMS attract VERB 1

draw: The game is currently drawing huge crowds.

appeal: On the other hand, the idea appealed to him.

lure: They did not realise that they were being lured into a trap.

entice: They'll entice doctors to move from the cities by paying them better salaries.

at|trac|tion /ətræ kʃ ^ə n/ (attractions )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Attraction is a feeling of liking someone, and often of being sexually interested in them. □ His love for her was not just physical attraction.

2 N‑COUNT An attraction is a feature which makes something interesting or desirable. □ [+ of ] …the attractions of living on the waterfront.

3 N‑COUNT An attraction is something that people can go to for interest or enjoyment, for example a famous building. □ The walled city is an important tourist attraction.

at|trac|tive ◆◇◇ /ətræ kt I v/

1 ADJ A person who is attractive is pleasant to look at. □ She's a very attractive woman. □ He was always immensely attractive to women. ● at|trac|tive|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Most of us would say that physical attractiveness does not play a major part in how we react to the people we meet.

2 ADJ Something that is attractive has a pleasant appearance or sound. □ The creamy white flowers are attractive in the spring. ● at|trac|tive|ly ADV [usu ADV -ed/adj] □ It's an attractively illustrated, detailed guide that's very practical.

3 ADJ You can describe something as attractive when it seems worth having or doing. □ Smoking is still attractive to many young people who see it as glamorous. ● at|trac|tive|ly ADV [ADV -ed/adj] □ The services are attractively priced and are tailored to suit individual requirements.

at|trib|ut|able /ətr I bjʊtəb ^ə l/ ADJ If something is attributable to an event, situation, or person, it is likely that it was caused by that event, situation or person. □ [+ to ] 10,000 deaths a year from chronic lung disease are attributable to smoking.

at|trib|ute (attributes , attributing , attributed ) The verb is pronounced /ətr I bjuːt/. The noun is pronounced /æ tr I bjuːt/. 1 VERB If you attribute something to an event or situation, you think that it was caused by that event or situation. □ [V n + to ] Women tend to attribute their success to external causes such as luck.

2 VERB If you attribute a particular quality or feature to someone or something, you think that they have got it. □ [V n + to ] People were beginning to attribute superhuman qualities to him.

3 VERB [usu passive] If a piece of writing, a work of art, or a remark is attributed to someone, people say that they wrote it, created it, or said it. □ [be V -ed + to ] This, and the remaining frescoes, are not attributed to Giotto.

4 N‑COUNT An attribute is a quality or feature that someone or something has. □ Cruelty is a normal attribute of human behaviour.

at|tri|tion /ətr I ʃ ^ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Attrition is a process in which you steadily reduce the strength of an enemy by continually attacking them. [FORMAL ] □ The rebels have declared a cease-fire in their war of attrition against the government.

at|tuned /ətjuː nd, [AM ] ətuː nd/

1 ADJ If you are attuned to something, you can understand and appreciate it. □ He seemed unusually attuned to people's feelings.

2 ADJ If your ears are attuned to a sound, you can hear it and recognize it quickly. □ [+ to ] Their ears were still attuned to the sounds of the London suburb.

atypi|cal /e I t I p I k ^ə l/ ADJ Someone or something that is atypical is not typical of its kind. □ The economy of the province was atypical because it was particularly small.

auber|gine /oʊ bə ^r ʒiːn/ (aubergines ) N‑VAR An aubergine is a vegetable with a smooth, dark purple skin. [BRIT ] in AM, use eggplant

auburn /ɔː bə ^r n/ COLOUR Auburn hair is reddish brown.

auc|tion ◆◇◇ /ɔː kʃ ^ə n/ (auctions , auctioning , auctioned )

1 N‑VAR [oft for/at N , N n] An auction is a public sale where goods are sold to the person who offers the highest price. □ He bought the picture at auction in London some years ago.

2 VERB If something is auctioned , it is sold in an auction.

▸ auction off PHRASAL VERB If you auction off something, you sell it to the person who offers the most money for it, often at an auction. □ [be V -ed P ] Her dresses will be auctioned off for charity. □ [V n P ] We later auctioned it off to raise money for Jamie's foundation.

auc|tion|eer /ɔː kʃən I ə ^r / (auctioneers ) N‑COUNT An auctioneer is a person in charge of an auction.

auda|cious /ɔːde I ʃəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Someone who is audacious takes risks in order to achieve something. □ …an audacious plan to win the presidency.

audac|ity /ɔːdæ s I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Audacity is audacious behaviour. □ I was shocked at the audacity and brazenness of the gangsters.

audible /ɔː d I b ^ə l/ ADJ A sound that is audible is loud enough to be heard. □ The Colonel's voice was barely audible. ● audibly /ɔː d I bli/ ADV □ Hugh sighed audibly.

audi|ence ◆◆◇ /ɔː diəns/ (audiences )

1 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] The audience at a play, concert, film, or public meeting is the group of people watching or listening to it. □ He was speaking to an audience of students at the Institute for International Affairs.

2 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] The audience for a television or radio programme consists of all the people who watch or listen to it. □ The concert will be relayed to a worldwide television audience.

3 → see also studio audience

4 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb, usu sing] The audience of a writer or artist is the people who read their books or look at their work. □ Merle's writings reached a wide audience during his lifetime.

5 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you have an audience with someone important, you have a formal meeting with them. □ [+ with ] The Prime Minister will seek an audience with the Queen later this morning. COLLOCATIONS audience NOUN

1

noun + audience : cinema, theatre

adjective + audience : entire; large, packed, vast

verb + audience : attract, delight, entertain, wow; address, face

2

noun + audience : radio, studio, TV

adjective + audience : live, peak; captive, worldwide

4

adjective + audience : potential, receptive, wide

verb + audience : reach

5

adjective + audience : private

verb + audience : request, seek SYNONYMS audience NOUN 1

house: They played in front of a packed house.

crowd: The crowd were enormously enthusiastic.

audio /ɔː dioʊ/ ADJ [ADJ n] Audio equipment is used for recording and reproducing sound. □ She uses her vocal training to make audio recordings of books for blind people.

audio|tape /ɔː dioʊte I p/ (audiotapes , audiotaping , audiotaped ) N‑UNCOUNT Audiotape is magnetic tape which is used to record sound.

au dio-vi sual also audiovisual ADJ [ADJ n] Audio-visual equipment and materials involve both recorded sound and pictures.

audit /ɔː d I t/ (audits , auditing , audited ) VERB When an accountant audits an organization's accounts, he or she examines the accounts officially in order to make sure that they have been done correctly. □ [V n] Each year they audit our accounts and certify them as being true and fair. ● N‑COUNT Audit is also a noun. □ The bank first learned of the problem when it carried out an internal audit.

audi|tion /ɔːd I ʃ ^ə n/ (auditions , auditioning , auditioned )

1 N‑COUNT An audition is a short performance given by an actor, dancer, or musician so that a director or conductor can decide if they are good enough to be in a play, film, or orchestra.

2 VERB If you audition or if someone auditions you, you do an audition. □ [V + for ] They're auditioning for new members of the cast for 'Miss Saigon' today. □ [V ] I heard your record and I want you to come and audition. [Also V n, V n + for ]

audi|tor /ɔː d I tə ^r / (auditors ) N‑COUNT An auditor is an accountant who officially examines the accounts of organizations.

audi|to|rium /ɔː d I tɔː riəm/ (auditoriums or auditoria /ɔː d I tɔː riə/)

1 N‑COUNT An auditorium is the part of a theatre or concert hall where the audience sits.

2 N‑COUNT An auditorium is a large room, hall, or building which is used for events such as meetings and concerts. [AM ]

audi|tory /ɔː d I tri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Auditory means related to hearing. [TECHNICAL ] □ …the limits of the human auditory range.

au fait /oʊ fe I , [AM ] ɔː -/ ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] If you are au fait with something, you are familiar with it and know about it. □ [+ with ] …children who are so much more au fait with today's technology.

Aug. Aug. is a written abbreviation for August .

aug|ment /ɔːgme nt/ (augments , augmenting , augmented ) VERB To augment something means to make it larger, stronger, or more effective by adding something to it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] While searching for a way to augment the family income, she began making dolls. ● aug|men|ta|tion /ɔː gmente I ʃ ^ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The augmentation of the army began along traditional lines.

augur /ɔː gə ^r / (augurs , auguring , augured ) VERB If something augurs well or badly for a person or a future situation, it is a sign that things will go well or badly. [FORMAL ] □ [V adv + for ] The renewed violence this week hardly augurs well for smooth or peaceful change. [Also V n]

augu|ry /ɔː gjʊri/ (auguries ) N‑COUNT An augury is a sign of what will happen in the future. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] The auguries of death are fast gathering round his head.

august /ɔːgʌ st/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Someone or something that is august is dignified and impressive. [FORMAL ] □ …the august surroundings of the Liberal Club.

August /ɔː gəst/ (Augusts ) N‑VAR August is the eighth month of the year in the Western calendar. □ The world premiere took place in August 1956. □ The trial will resume on 22 August. □ This August has been the wettest for four years.

auk /ɔː k/ (auks ) N‑COUNT An auk is a seabird with a heavy body and short tail.

Auld Lang Syne /oʊ ld læŋ za I n/ N‑PROPER Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish song about friendship that is traditionally sung as clocks strike midnight on New Year's Eve.

aunt ◆◆◇ /ɑː nt, æ nt/ (aunts )

1 N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE Someone's aunt is the sister of their mother or father, or the wife of their uncle. □ She wrote to her aunt in America. □ It was a present from Aunt Vera.

2 → see also agony aunt

auntie /ɑː nti, æ nti/ (aunties ) also aunty N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE Someone's auntie is their aunt. [INFORMAL ] □ His uncle is dead, but his auntie still lives here. □ …my Auntie Elsie.

au pair /oʊ peə ^r , [AM ] ɔː -/ (au pairs ) N‑COUNT An au pair is a young person from a foreign country who lives with a family in order to learn the language and who helps to look after the children.

aura /ɔː rə/ (auras ) N‑COUNT An aura is a quality or feeling that seems to surround a person or place or to come from them. □ [+ of ] She had an aura of authority.

aural /ɔː rəl, aʊ rəl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Aural means related to the sense of hearing. Compare acoustic . □ He became famous as an inventor of astonishing visual and aural effects.

aus|pices /ɔː sp I s I z/ PHRASE If something is done under the auspices of a particular person or organization, or under someone's auspices , it is done with their support and approval. [FORMAL ]

aus|pi|cious /ɔːsp I ʃəs/ ADJ Something that is auspicious indicates that success is likely. [FORMAL ] □ His career as a playwright had an auspicious start.

Aussie /ɒ zi, [AM ] ɔː -/ (Aussies ) ADJ [ADJ n] Aussie means Australian. [INFORMAL ] □ He is one of Aussie Rugby League's greats. ● N‑COUNT An Aussie is a person from Australia. [INFORMAL ]

aus|tere /ɔːst I ə ^r /

1 ADJ If you describe something as austere , you approve of its plain and simple appearance. [APPROVAL ] □ The church was austere and simple.

2 ADJ If you describe someone as austere , you disapprove of them because they are strict and serious. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I found her a rather austere, distant, somewhat cold person.

3 ADJ An austere way of life is one that is simple and without luxuries. □ The life of the troops was still comparatively austere.

4 ADJ An austere economic policy is one which reduces people's living standards sharply. □ …a set of very austere economic measures to control inflation.

aus|ter|ity /ɔːste r I ti/ (austerities )

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Austerity is a situation in which people's living standards are reduced because of economic difficulties. □ …the years of austerity which followed the war.

2 N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to something as showing austerity , you like its plain and simple appearance. [FORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ …many abandoned buildings, some of which have a compact classical austerity and dignity.

Aus|tral|asian /ɒ strəle I ʒ ^ə n, [AM ] ɔː s-/ ADJ [ADJ n] Australasian means belonging or relating to Australasia or to its people.

Aus|tral|ian /ɒstre I liən/ (Australians )

1 ADJ Australian means belonging or relating to Australia, or to its people or culture. □ She went solo backpacking for eight months in the Australian outback.

2 N‑COUNT An Australian is someone who comes from Australia.

Aus|trian /ɒ striən, [AM ] ɔː s-/ (Austrians )

1 ADJ Austrian means belonging or relating to Austria, or to its people or culture. □ …the Austrian government.

2 N‑COUNT An Austrian is a person who comes from Austria.

Austro- /ɒ stroʊ, [AM ] ɔː stroʊ/ COMB Austro- combines with adjectives indicating nationality to form adjectives which describe something connected with Austria and another country. □ …the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

auteur /ɔːtɜː ^r / (auteurs ) N‑COUNT You can refer to a film director as an auteur when they have a very strong artistic influence on the films they make.

authen|tic /ɔːθe nt I k/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An authentic person, object, or emotion is genuine. □ …authentic Italian food. □ They have to look authentic. ● au|then|tic|ity /ɔː θent I s I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] □ There are factors, however, that have cast doubt on the statue's authenticity.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as authentic , you mean that it is such a good imitation that it is almost the same as or as good as the original. [APPROVAL ] □ …patterns for making authentic frontier-style clothing.

3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An authentic piece of information or account of something is reliable and accurate. □ I had obtained the authentic details about the birth of the organization.

authen|ti|cate /ɔːθe nt I ke I t/ (authenticates , authenticating , authenticated ) VERB If you authenticate something, you state officially that it is genuine after examining it. □ [V n] He says he'll have no problem authenticating the stamp. [Also V n as n]

author ◆◆◇ /ɔː θə ^r / (authors )

1 N‑COUNT The author of a piece of writing is the person who wrote it. □ [+ of ] She is the joint author of a booklet on Integrated Education.

2 N‑COUNT An author is a person whose job is writing books. □ …Philip Pullman, the best-selling author of children's fiction.

3 N‑COUNT The author of a plan or proposal is the person who thinks of it and works out the details. □ [+ of ] The authors of the plan believe they can reach this point within about two years.

4 → see also co-author SYNONYMS author NOUN 1

novelist: …a romantic novelist.

writer: …detective stories by American writers.

hack: …a hack writer of cheap romances.

columnist: …the gossip columnists' favourite target.

journalist: I am doing media studies and hope to become a journalist.

author|ess /ɔː θəres/ (authoresses ) N‑COUNT An authoress is a female author. Many female writers object to this word, and prefer to be called authors.

autho|rial /ɔːθɔː riəl/ ADJ [ADJ n] Authorial means relating to the author of something such as a book or play. □ There are times when the book suffers from excessive authorial control.

author|ing /ɔː θər I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Authoring is the creation of documents, especially for the internet. [COMPUTING ] □ …software authoring tools.

author|ise /ɔː θəra I z/ → see authorize

authori|tar|ian /ɔːθɒ r I teə riən, [AM ] -θɔː r-/ (authoritarians ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a person or an organization as authoritarian , you are critical of them controlling everything rather than letting people decide things for themselves. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Senior officers could be considering a coup to restore authoritarian rule. ● N‑COUNT An authoritarian is someone who is authoritarian. □ Don became the overly strict authoritarian he felt his brother needed.

authori|tari|an|ism /ɔːθɒ r I teə riən I zəm, [AM ] -θɔː r-/ N‑UNCOUNT Authoritarianism is the state of being authoritarian or the belief that people with power, especially the State, have the right to control other people's actions. [FORMAL ]

authori|ta|tive /ɔːθɒ r I tət I v, [AM ] əθɔː r I te I t I v/

1 ADJ Someone or something that is authoritative gives an impression of power and importance and is likely to be obeyed. □ He has a commanding presence and a deep, authoritative voice.

2 ADJ Someone or something that is authoritative has a lot of knowledge of a particular subject. □ The first authoritative study of polio was published in 1840.

author|ity ◆◆◆ /ɔːθɒ r I ti, [AM ] -tɔː r-/ (authorities )

1 N‑PLURAL The authorities are the people who have the power to make decisions and to make sure that laws are obeyed. □ This provided a pretext for the authorities to cancel the elections.

2 N‑COUNT [oft in names] An authority is an official organization or government department that has the power to make decisions. □ …the Health Education Authority. □ Any alterations had to meet the approval of the local planning authority.

3 → see also local authority

4 N‑UNCOUNT Authority is the right to command and control other people. □ The judge had no authority to order a second trial.

5 N‑UNCOUNT If someone has authority , they have a quality which makes other people take notice of what they say. □ He had no natural authority and no capacity for imposing his will on others.

6 N‑UNCOUNT Authority is official permission to do something. □ The police were given authority to arrest anyone suspected of subversive thoughts.

7 N‑COUNT Someone who is an authority on a particular subject knows a lot about it. □ [+ on ] He's universally recognized as an authority on Russian affairs.

8 PHRASE If you say you have it on good authority that something is true, you mean that you believe it is true because you trust the person who told you about it. □ I have it on good authority that there's no way this light can cause skin cancer. COLLOCATIONS authority NOUN

1

noun + authority : health, immigration, prison, tax

authority + be + adjective : powerless

verb + authority : alert

2

noun + authority : education, planning

adjective + authority : regulatory, relevant, statutory

4

adjective + authority : moral

verb + authority : abuse, assert, exercise

7

adjective + authority : leading SYNONYMS authority NOUN

1

the powers that be: The powers that be may keep us from building our house.

the state: The state does not collect enough revenue to cover its expenditure.

the system: He wants to be the tough rebel who bucks the system.

the Establishment: What do you expect? This is the Establishment we're taking on.

government: …fighting between government forces and left-wing rebels.

4

power: The police have the power of arrest.

jurisdiction: The British police have no jurisdiction over foreign bank accounts.

supremacy: The conservative old guard had re-established its political supremacy.

author|ize /ɔː θəra I z/ (authorizes , authorizing , authorized ) in BRIT, also use authorise VERB If someone in a position of authority authorizes something, they give their official permission for it to happen. □ [V n] It would certainly be within his power to authorize a police raid like that. ● authori|za|tion /ɔː θəra I ze I ʃ ^ə n/ (authorizations ) N‑VAR □ The United Nations will approve his request for authorization to use military force to deliver aid.

author|ship /ɔː θə ^r ʃ I p/ N‑UNCOUNT The authorship of a piece of writing is the identity of the person who wrote it.

autism /ɔː t I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Autism is a developmental disorder that can cause someone to have difficulty in communicating with and responding to other people.

autis|tic /ɔːt I st I k/ ADJ An autistic person suffers from autism.

auto ◆◇◇ /ɔː toʊ/ (autos ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] An auto is a car. [AM ] □ …the auto industry.

PREFIX auto-

forms words that refer to someone doing something to, for, or about themselves. For example, your autobiography is an account of your life, which you write yourself.

auto|bahn /ɔː toʊbɑːn/ (autobahns ) N‑COUNT An autobahn is a German motorway.

auto|bio|graphi|cal /ɔː toʊba I əgræ f I k ^ə l/ ADJ An autobiographical piece of writing relates to events in the life of the person who has written it. □ …a highly autobiographical novel of a woman's search for identity.

auto|bi|og|ra|phy /ɔː təba I ɒ grəfi/ (autobiographies ) N‑COUNT [usu with poss] Your autobiography is an account of your life, which you write yourself. □ He published his autobiography last autumn.

autoc|ra|cy /ɔːtɒ krəsi/ (autocracies )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Autocracy is government or control by one person who has complete power. □ Many poor countries are abandoning autocracy.

2 N‑COUNT An autocracy is a country or organization that is ruled by one person who has complete power. □ She ceded all power to her son-in-law who now runs the country as an autocracy.

auto|crat /ɔː təkræt/ (autocrats ) N‑COUNT An autocrat is a person in authority who has complete power.

auto|crat|ic /ɔː təkræ t I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An autocratic person or organization has complete power and makes decisions without asking anyone else's advice. □ The people have grown intolerant in recent weeks of the King's autocratic ways.

Auto|cue /ɔː toʊkjuː/ (Autocues ) N‑COUNT An Autocue is a device used by people speaking on television or at a public event, which displays words for them to read. [BRIT , TRADEMARK ] in AM, use Teleprompter

auto|graph /ɔː təgrɑːf, -græf/ (autographs , autographing , autographed )

1 N‑COUNT [oft with poss] An autograph is the signature of someone famous which is specially written for a fan to keep. □ He went backstage and asked for her autograph.

2 VERB If someone famous autographs something, they put their signature on it. □ [V n] I autographed a copy of one of my books. □ [V -ed] …an autographed photo of her idol.

au to-immu ne also autoimmune ADJ [usu ADJ n] Auto-immune describes medical conditions in which normal cells are attacked by the body's immune system. □ …auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

auto|mate /ɔː təme I t/ (automates , automating , automated ) VERB To automate a factory, office, or industrial process means to put in machines which can do the work instead of people. □ [V n] He wanted to use computers to automate the process. ● auto|ma|tion /ɔː təme I ʃ ^ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ In the last ten years automation has reduced the work force here by half.

auto|mat|ed /ɔː təme I t I d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An automated factory, office, or industrial process uses machines to do the work instead of people.

auto|mat|ic ◆◇◇ /ɔː təmæ t I k/ (automatics )

1 ADJ An automatic machine or device is one which has controls that enable it to perform a task without needing to be constantly operated by a person. Automatic methods and processes involve the use of such machines. □ Modern trains have automatic doors.

2 N‑COUNT An automatic is a gun that keeps firing shots until you stop pulling the trigger. □ He drew his automatic and began running in the direction of the sounds.

3 N‑COUNT An automatic is a car in which the gears change automatically as the car's speed increases or decreases.

4 ADJ An automatic action is one that you do without thinking about it. □ All of the automatic body functions, even breathing, are affected. ● auto|mati|cal|ly /ɔː təmæ t I kli/ ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Strangely enough, you will automatically wake up after this length of time.

5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If something such as an action or a punishment is automatic , it happens without people needing to think about it because it is the result of a fixed rule or method. □ Those drivers should face an automatic charge of manslaughter. ● auto|mati|cal|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV n/adj] □ As an account customer, you are automatically entitled to a variety of benefits. SYNONYMS automatic ADJ 1

mechanized: …highly mechanised production methods.

mechanical: Most mechanical devices require oil as a lubricant.

automated: The equipment was made on highly automated production lines.

au to|mat|ic pi |lot or autopilot

1 PHRASE If you are on automatic pilot or on autopilot , you are acting without thinking about what you are doing, usually because you have done it many times before.

2 N‑SING An automatic pilot or an autopilot is a device in an aircraft that automatically keeps it on a particular course.

au to|mat|ic trans|mi s|sion N‑UNCOUNT A car that is fitted with automatic transmission has a gear system in which the gears change automatically.

automa|ton /ɔːtɒ mətən/ (automatons or automata /ɔːtɒ mətə/)

1 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is an automaton , you are critical of them because they behave as if they are so tired or bored that they do things without thinking. [DISAPPROVAL ]

2 N‑COUNT An automaton is a small, mechanical figure that can move automatically.

auto|mo|bile /ɔː təməbiːl, [AM ] -moʊbiː l/ (automobiles ) N‑COUNT An automobile is a car. [mainly AM ]

auto|mo|tive /ɔː təmoʊ t I v/ ADJ [ADJ n] Automotive is used to refer to things relating to cars. □ …a chain of stores selling automotive parts.

autono|mous /ɔːtɒ nəməs/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An autonomous country, organization, or group governs or controls itself rather than being controlled by anyone else. □ They proudly declared themselves part of a new autonomous province.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An autonomous person makes their own decisions rather than being influenced by someone else. □ Autonomous individuals are those who follow their own courses of action relatively unimpeded by others.

autono|my /ɔːtɒ nəmi/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Autonomy is the control or government of a country, organization, or group by itself rather than by others. □ Activists stepped up their demands for local autonomy last month.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Autonomy is the ability to make your own decisions about what to do rather than being influenced by someone else or told what to do. [FORMAL ] □ Each of the area managers enjoys considerable autonomy in the running of his own area.

auto|pi|lot /ɔː toʊpa I lət/ (autopilots ) → see automatic pilot

autop|sy /ɔː tɒpsi/ (autopsies ) N‑COUNT An autopsy is an examination of a dead body by a doctor who cuts it open in order to try to discover the cause of death.

autumn ◆◇◇ /ɔː təm/ (autumns ) N‑VAR Autumn is the season between summer and winter when the weather becomes cooler and the leaves fall off the trees. [BRIT ] □ We are always plagued by wasps in autumn. □ A final vote will take place next autumn. □ …in the autumn of 2000. □ Her hair was the colour of autumn leaves. in AM, usually use fall

autum|nal /ɔːtʌ mn ^ə l/

1 ADJ Autumnal means having features that are characteristic of autumn. [LITERARY ] □ …the autumnal colours of the trees.

2 ADJ Autumnal means happening in autumn. □ …the autumnal equinox.

aux|ilia|ry /ɔːgz I ljəri, [AM ] -ləri/ (auxiliaries )

1 N‑COUNT An auxiliary is a person who is employed to assist other people in their work. Auxiliaries are often medical workers or members of the armed forces. □ Nursing auxiliaries provide basic care, but are not qualified nurses.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Auxiliary staff and troops assist other staff and troops. □ The government's first concern was to augment the army and auxiliary forces.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] Auxiliary equipment is extra equipment that is available for use when necessary. □ …an auxiliary motor. □ …auxiliary fuel tanks.

4 N‑COUNT In grammar, an auxiliary or auxiliary verb is a verb which is used with a main verb, for example to form different tenses or to make the verb passive. In English, the basic auxiliary verbs are 'be', 'have', and 'do'. Modal verbs such as 'can' and 'will' are also sometimes called auxiliaries.

avail /əve I l/ (avails , availing , availed )

1 PHRASE If you do something to no avail or to little avail , what you do fails to achieve what you want. [WRITTEN ] □ His efforts were to no avail.

2 VERB If you avail yourself of an offer or an opportunity, you accept the offer or make use of the opportunity. [FORMAL ] □ [V pron-refl + of ] Guests should feel at liberty to avail themselves of your facilities.

avail|able ◆◆◆ /əve I ləb ^ə l/

1 ADJ If something you want or need is available , you can find it or obtain it. □ The amount of money available to buy books has fallen by 17%. □ [+ for ] There are three small boats available for hire. ● avail|abil|ity /əve I ləb I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the easy availability of guns.

2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] Someone who is available is not busy and is therefore free to talk to you or to do a particular task. □ [+ for ] Mr Leach is on holiday and was not available for comment.

ava|lanche /æ vəlɑːntʃ, -læntʃ/ (avalanches )

1 N‑COUNT An avalanche is a large mass of snow that falls down the side of a mountain.

2 N‑SING You can refer to a very large quantity of things that all arrive or happen at the same time as an avalanche of them. □ [+ of ] …an avalanche of publicity

avant-garde /æ vɒŋ gɑː ^r d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Avant-garde art, music, theatre, and literature is very modern and experimental. □ …avant-garde concert music. ● N‑SING Avant-garde is also a noun. □ He was an enthusiast for the avant-garde.

ava|rice /æ vər I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Avarice is extremely strong desire for money and possessions. [LITERARY ] □ He paid a month's rent in advance, just enough to satisfy the landlord's avarice.

ava|ri|cious /æ vər I ʃəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An avaricious person is very greedy for money or possessions. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He sacrificed his own career so that his avaricious brother could succeed.

ava|tar /æ vətɑː ^r / (avatars ) N‑COUNT An avatar is an image that represents you on the screen in an online game or chatroom □ My avatar has long hair.

Ave. N‑COUNT Ave. is a written abbreviation for avenue . □ …90 Dayton Ave.

avenge /əve ndʒ/ (avenges , avenging , avenged ) VERB If you avenge a wrong or harmful act, you hurt or punish the person who is responsible for it. □ [V n] He has devoted the past five years to avenging his daughter's death. □ [V pron-refl] She had decided to avenge herself and all the other women he had abused.

av|enue /æ v I njuː, [AM ] -nuː/ (avenues )

1 N‑COUNT Avenue is sometimes used in the names of streets. The written abbreviation Ave. is also used. □ …the most expensive stores on Park Avenue.

2 N‑COUNT An avenue is a wide, straight road, especially one with trees on either side.

3 N‑COUNT An avenue is a way of getting something done. □ [+ of ] Talbot was presented with 80 potential avenues of investigation.

aver /əvɜː ^r / (avers , averring , averred ) VERB If you aver that something is the case, you say very firmly that it is true. [FORMAL ] □ [V that] He avers that chaos will erupt if he loses. □ [V with quote] 'Entertaining is something that everyone in the country can enjoy,' she averred. [Also V ]

av|er|age ◆◆◇ /æ vər I dʒ/ (averages , averaging , averaged )

1 N‑COUNT An average is the result that you get when you add two or more numbers together and divide the total by the number of numbers you added together. □ [+ of ] Take the average of those ratios and multiply by a hundred. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Average is also an adjective. □ The average price of goods rose by just 2.2%.

2 N‑SING You use average to refer to a number or size that varies but is always approximately the same. □ [+ of ] It takes an average of ten weeks for a house sale to be completed.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] An average person or thing is typical or normal. □ The average adult man burns 1,500 to 2,000 calories per day.

4 N‑SING An amount or quality that is the average is the normal amount or quality for a particular group of things or people. □ Most areas suffered more rain than usual, with Northern Ireland getting double the average for the month. ● ADJ Average is also an adjective. □ £2.20 for a coffee is average. □ …a woman of average height.

5 ADJ Something that is average is neither very good nor very bad, usually when you had hoped it would be better. □ I was only average academically.

6 VERB To average a particular amount means to do, get, or produce that amount as an average over a period of time. □ [V n] We averaged 42 miles per hour.

7 PHRASE You say on average or on an average to indicate that a number is the average of several numbers. □ American shares rose, on average, by 38%.

8 PHRASE If you say that something is true on average , you mean that it is generally true. □ On average, American firms remain the most productive in the world.

9 law of averages → see law

▸ average out PHRASAL VERB If a set of numbers average out to a particular figure or if you average them out to that figure, their average is calculated to be that figure. □ [V P + to/at ] Last year the Police lost nearly 27,000 hours to sick leave, which averages out at eight days per officer. □ [V n P ] Averaging it out between us there's less than £10 a month each to live on. [Also V P n]

averse /əvɜː ^r s/ ADJ [usu with neg] If you say that you are not averse to something, you mean that you quite like it or quite want to do it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] He's not averse to publicity, of the right kind.

aver|sion /əvɜː ^r ʃ ^ə n, [AM ] -ʒ ^ə n/ (aversions ) N‑VAR If you have an aversion to someone or something, you dislike them very much. □ [+ to/for ] Many people have a natural and emotional aversion to insects.

avert /əvɜː ^r t/ (averts , averting , averted )

1 VERB If you avert something unpleasant, you prevent it from happening. □ [V n] Talks with the teachers' union over the weekend have averted a strike.

2 VERB If you avert your eyes or gaze from someone or something, you look away from them. [Also V n from n]

a|vi|an flu /e I viən fluː/ N‑UNCOUNT Avian flu is a serious illness that can be transmitted to people from chickens, ducks, and other birds.

aviary /e I vjəri/ (aviaries ) N‑COUNT An aviary is a large cage or covered area in which birds are kept.

avia|tion /e I vie I ʃ ^ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Aviation is the operation and production of aircraft.

avia|tor /e I vie I tə ^r / (aviators ) N‑COUNT An aviator is a pilot of a plane, especially in the early days of flying. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

avid /æ v I d/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use avid to describe someone who is very enthusiastic about something that they do. □ He misses not having enough books because he's an avid reader. ● av|id|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Thank you for a most entertaining magazine, which I read avidly each month.

2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is avid for something, you mean that they are very eager to get it. □ [+ for ] He was intensely eager, indeed avid, for wealth. ● av|id|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Western suppliers too are competing avidly for business abroad.

avi|on|ics /e I viɒ n I ks/ N‑UNCOUNT Avionics is the science of electronics used in aviation. [TECHNICAL ]

avo|ca|do /æ vəkɑː doʊ/ (avocados ) in BRIT, also use avocado pear N‑VAR Avocados are pear-shaped vegetables, with hard skins and large stones, which are usually eaten raw.

avo|ca|tion /æ voʊke I ʃ ^ə n/ (avocations ) N‑VAR Your avocation is a job or activity that you do because you are interested in it, rather than to earn your living. [FORMAL ] □ He was a printer by trade and naturalist by avocation.

avoid ◆◆◇ /əvɔ I d/ (avoids , avoiding , avoided )

1 VERB If you avoid something unpleasant that might happen, you take action in order to prevent it from happening. □ [V n] The pilots had to take emergency action to avoid a disaster. □ [V v-ing] Women have to dress modestly, to avoid being harassed by the locals.

2 VERB If you avoid doing something, you choose not to do it, or you put yourself in a situation where you do not have to do it. □ [V v-ing] Swann managed to avoid learning that lesson for a long time. □ [V n] He was always careful to avoid embarrassment.

3 VERB If you avoid a person or thing, you keep away from them. When talking to someone, if you avoid the subject, you keep the conversation away from a particular topic. □ [V n] She eventually had to lock herself in the toilets to avoid him.

4 VERB If a person or vehicle avoids someone or something, they change the direction they are moving in, so that they do not hit them. □ [V n] The driver had ample time to brake or swerve and avoid the woman.

avoid|able /əvɔ I dəb ^ə l/ ADJ Something that is avoidable can be prevented from happening. □ The tragedy was entirely avoidable.

avoid|ance /əvɔ I dəns/ N‑UNCOUNT Avoidance of someone or something is the act of avoiding them. □ [+ of ] …the avoidance of stress.

avow /əvaʊ / (avows , avowing , avowed ) VERB If you avow something, you admit it or declare it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] …a public statement avowing neutrality. [Also V with quote]

avowed /əvaʊ d/

1 ADJ [ADJ n] If you are an avowed supporter or opponent of something, you have declared that you support it or oppose it. [FORMAL ] □ She is an avowed vegetarian.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] An avowed belief or aim is one that you have declared formally or publicly. [FORMAL ] □ …the council's avowed intention to stamp on racism.

avun|cu|lar /əvʌ ŋkjʊlə ^r / ADJ [usu ADJ n] An avuncular man or a man with avuncular behaviour is friendly and helpful towards someone younger. [FORMAL ] □ He began to talk in his most gentle and avuncular manner.

await ◆◇◇ /əwe I t/ (awaits , awaiting , awaited )

1 VERB If you await someone or something, you wait for them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He's awaiting trial, which is expected to begin early next year.

2 VERB Something that awaits you is going to happen or come to you in the future. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] A nasty surprise awaited them in Rosemary Lane.

awake /əwe I k/ (awakes , awaking , awoke , awoken )

1 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ after v] Someone who is awake is not sleeping. □ I don't stay awake at night worrying about that. □ Nightmares kept me awake all night.

2 PHRASE Someone who is wide awake is fully awake and unable to sleep. □ I could not relax and still felt wide awake.

3 VERB When you awake or when something awakes you, you wake up. [LITERARY ] □ [V ] At midnight he awoke and listened to the radio for a few minutes. □ [V n] The sound of many voices awoke her with a start. [Also V to-inf]

awak|en /əwe I kən/ (awakens , awakening , awakened )

1 VERB To awaken a feeling in a person means to cause them to start having this feeling. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] The aim of the cruise was to awaken an interest in and an understanding of foreign cultures.

2 VERB When you awaken , or when something or someone awakens you, you wake up. [LITERARY ] □ [V ] Unfortunately, Grandma always seems to awaken at awkward moments. □ [V n] He was snoring when Desmond awakened him.

awak|en|ing /əwe I kən I ŋ/ (awakenings )

1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The awakening of a feeling or realization is the start of it. □ [+ of ] …the awakening of national consciousness in people.

2 PHRASE If you have a rude awakening , you are suddenly made aware of an unpleasant fact.

award ◆◆◇ /əwɔː ^r d/ (awards , awarding , awarded )

1 N‑COUNT An award is a prize or certificate that a person is given for doing something well. □ She presented a bravery award to schoolgirl Caroline Tucker.

2 N‑COUNT In law, an award is a sum of money that a court decides should be given to someone. □ …workmen's compensation awards.

3 N‑COUNT A pay award is an increase in pay for a particular group of workers. □ …this year's average pay award for teachers of just under 8%.

4 VERB If someone is awarded something such as a prize or an examination mark, it is given to them. □ [be V -ed n] She was awarded the prize for both films. □ [V n n] For his dedication the Mayor awarded him a medal of merit. [Also V n to n]

5 VERB To award something to someone means to decide that it will be given to that person. □ [V n + to ] We have awarded the contract to a British shipyard. □ [V n n] A High Court judge had awarded him £6 million damages.

awa rd-wi nning ADJ [ADJ n] An award-winning person or thing has won an award, especially an important or valuable one. □ …an award-winning photo-journalist. □ …his award-winning film.

aware ◆◆◇ /əweə ^r /

1 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ that] If you are aware of something, you know about it. □ [+ of ] Smokers are well aware of the dangers to their own health. □ [+ of ] He should have been aware of what his junior officers were doing. □ Some people may not be aware that this was a problem. ● aware|ness N‑UNCOUNT [oft N that] □ [+ of/about ] Candidates must demonstrate an awareness of diversity issues within the workplace.

2 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ that] If you are aware of something, you realize that it is present or is happening because you hear it, see it, smell it, or feel it. □ [+ of ] She was acutely aware of the noise of the city. □ Jane was suddenly aware that she was digging her nails into her thigh.

3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] Someone who is aware notices what is happening around them or happening in the place where they live. □ They are politically very aware. ● aware|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ He introduced radio to the school to increase the children's awareness.

awash /əwɒ ʃ/

1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If the ground or a floor is awash , it is covered in water, often because of heavy rain or as the result of an accident. □ The bathroom floor was awash.

2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If a place is awash with something, it contains a large amount of it. □ [+ with ] This, after all, is a company which is awash with cash.

away ◆◆◆ /əwe I / Away is often used with verbs of movement, such as 'go' and 'drive', and also in phrasal verbs such as 'do away with' and 'fade away'. 1 ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] If someone or something moves or is moved away from a place, they move or are moved so that they are no longer there. If you are away from a place, you are not in the place where people expect you to be. □ An injured policeman was led away by colleagues. □ He walked away from his car. □ She drove away before either of them could speak again. □ Jason was away on a business trip.

2 ADV [ADV after v] If you look or turn away from something, you move your head so that you are no longer looking at it. □ She quickly looked away and stared down at her hands. □ As he stands up, he turns his face away from her so that she won't see his tears.

3 ADV [ADV after v] If you put or tidy something away , you put it where it should be. If you hide someone or something away , you put them in a place where nobody can see them or find them. □ I put my journal away and prepared for bed. □ All her letters were carefully filed away in folders. □ I have $100m hidden away where no one will ever find it.

4 PHRASE If something is away from a person or place, it is at a distance from that person or place. □ The two women were sitting as far away from each other as possible. □ …a country estate thirty miles away from town.

5 ADV You use away to talk about future events. For example, if an event is a week away , it will happen after a week. □ …the Washington summit, now only just over two weeks away.

6 ADV [ADV after v] When a sports team plays away , it plays on its opponents' ground. □ …a sensational 4-3 victory for the team playing away. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Away is also an adjective. □ Charlton are about to play an important away match.

7 ADV [ADV after v] You can use away to say that something slowly disappears, becomes less significant, or changes so that it is no longer the same. □ So much snow has already melted away. □ His voice died away in a whisper.

8 ADV [ADV after v, n ADV ] You use away to show that there has been a change or development from one state or situation to another. □ There's been a dramatic shift away from traditional careers towards business and commerce.

9 ADV [ADV after v] You can use away to emphasize a continuous or repeated action. [EMPHASIS ] □ He would often be working away on his computer late into the night.

10 ADV [ADV after v] You use away to show that something is removed. □ The waitress whipped the plate away and put down my bill.

11 far and away → see far

12 right away → see right ➎

awe /ɔː / (awes , awed )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Awe is the feeling of respect and amazement that you have when you are faced with something wonderful and often rather frightening. □ She gazed in awe at the great stones.

2 VERB [usu passive, no cont] If you are awed by someone or something, they make you feel respectful and amazed, though often rather frightened. □ [be V -ed] I am still awed by David's courage. □ [V -ed] The crowd listened in awed silence.

3 PHRASE If you are in awe of someone or if you stand in awe of them, you have a lot of respect for them and are slightly afraid of them.

a we-inspiring ADJ If you describe someone or something as awe-inspiring , you are emphasizing that you think that they are remarkable and amazing, although sometimes rather frightening. [EMPHASIS ] □ The higher we climbed, the more awe-inspiring the scenery became.

awe|some /ɔː səm/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An awesome person or thing is very impressive and often frightening. □ …the awesome responsibility of sending men into combat.

awe|struck /ɔː strʌk/ also awe-struck ADJ If someone is awestruck , they are very impressed and amazed by something. [WRITTEN ] □ I stood and gazed at him, awestruck that anyone could be so beautiful.

aw|ful ◆◇◇ /ɔː fʊl/

1 ADJ If you say that someone or something is awful , you dislike that person or thing or you think that they are not very good. □ We met and I thought he was awful. □ …an awful smell of paint. □ Even if the weather's awful there's lots to do. □ Jeans look awful on me. ● aw|ful|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ The programme's awfulness has ensured it is talked about.

2 ADJ If you say that something is awful , you mean that it is extremely unpleasant, shocking, or bad. □ Her injuries were massive. It was awful. □ Some of their offences are so awful they would chill the blood.

3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you look or feel awful , you look or feel ill. □ I hardly slept at all and felt pretty awful.

4 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use awful with noun groups that refer to an amount in order to emphasize how large that amount is. [EMPHASIS ] □ I've got an awful lot of work to do. ● aw|ful|ly ADV [usu ADV adj/adv] □ Would you mind awfully waiting a bit, I'll be back right away.

5 ADV [ADV adj] You can use awful with adjectives that describe a quality in order to emphasize that particular quality. [AM , INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ Gosh, you're awful pretty.

awhile /ə ^h wa I l/ ADV [usu ADV after v] Awhile means for a short time. It is more commonly spelled 'a while', which is considered more correct, especially in British English. □ He worked awhile as a pharmacist in Cincinnati.

awk|ward /ɔː kwə ^r d/

1 ADJ An awkward situation is embarrassing and difficult to deal with. □ I was the first to ask him awkward questions but there'll be harder ones to come. □ There was an awkward moment as couples decided whether to stand next to their partners. ● awk|ward|ly ADV [ADV adj/-ed] □ There was an awkwardly long silence.

2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ , oft ADJ to-inf] Something that is awkward to use or carry is difficult to use or carry because of its design. A job that is awkward is difficult to do. □ It was small but heavy enough to make it awkward to carry. □ Full-size tripods can be awkward, especially if you're shooting a low-level subject. ● awk|ward|ly ADV [ADV -ed] □ The autoexposure button is awkwardly placed under the lens release button.

3 ADJ An awkward movement or position is uncomfortable or clumsy. □ Amy made an awkward gesture with her hands. ● awk|ward|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He fell awkwardly and went down in agony clutching his right knee.

4 ADJ Someone who feels awkward behaves in a shy or embarrassed way. □ Women frequently say that they feel awkward taking the initiative in sex. ● awk|ward|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ 'This is Malcolm,' the girl said awkwardly, to fill the silence. ● awk|ward|ness N‑UNCOUNT

5 ADJ If you say that someone is awkward , you are critical of them because you find them unreasonable and difficult to live with or deal with. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ She's got to an age where she is being awkward.

awn|ing /ɔː n I ŋ/ (awnings ) N‑COUNT An awning is a piece of material attached to a caravan or building which provides shelter from the rain or sun.

awoke /əwoʊ k/ Awoke is the past tense of awake .

awok|en /əwoʊ kən/ Awoken is the past participle of awake .

AWOL /e I wɒl/

1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone in the Armed Forces goes AWOL , they leave their post without the permission of a superior officer. AWOL is an abbreviation for 'absent without leave'.

2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone has gone AWOL , you mean that they have disappeared without telling anyone where they were going. [INFORMAL ]

awry /əra I / ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something goes awry , it does not happen in the way it was planned. □ She was in a fury over a plan that had gone awry.

axe /æ ks/ (axes , axing , axed ) in AM, use ax 1 N‑COUNT An axe is a tool used for cutting wood. It consists of a heavy metal blade which is sharp at one edge and attached by its other edge to the end of a long handle.

2 VERB [usu passive] If someone's job or something such as a public service or a television programme is axed , it is ended suddenly and without discussion. □ [be V -ed] Community projects are being axed by hard-pressed social services departments.

3 N‑SING If a person or institution is facing the axe , that person is likely to lose their job or that institution is likely to be closed, usually in order to save money. [JOURNALISM ]

4 PHRASE If someone has an axe to grind , they are doing something for selfish reasons. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ with ] He seems like a decent bloke and I've got no axe to grind with him.

axes Pronounced /æ ks I z/ for meaning 1 , and /æ ksiːz/ for meaning 2 . 1 Axes is the plural of axe .

2 Axes is the plural of axis .

axi|om /æ ksiəm/ (axioms ) N‑COUNT [oft N that] An axiom is a statement or idea which people accept as being true. [FORMAL ] □ …the long-held axiom that education leads to higher income.

axio|mat|ic /æ ksiəmæ t I k/ ADJ If something is axiomatic , it seems to be obviously true. [FORMAL ]

axis /æ ks I s/ (axes )

1 N‑COUNT An axis is an imaginary line through the middle of something.

2 N‑COUNT An axis of a graph is one of the two lines on which the scales of measurement are marked.

axle /æ ks ^ə l/ (axles ) N‑COUNT An axle is a rod connecting a pair of wheels on a car or other vehicle.

aya|tol|lah /a I ətɒ lə/ (ayatollahs ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE An ayatollah is a type of Muslim religious leader.

aye /a I / (ayes ) also ay

1 CONVENTION Aye means yes; used in some dialects of British English. □ 'Do you remember your first day at school?'—'Oh aye. Yeah.'

2 ADV If you vote aye , you vote in favour of something.

3 N‑PLURAL The ayes are the people who vote in favour of something.

Ayurvedic /a I ʊə ^r ve I d I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Ayurvedic medicine is a type of complementary medicine, originally from India, that uses herbs and other natural treatments. □ …an Ayurvedic practitioner.

azalea /əze I liə/ (azaleas ) N‑COUNT An azalea is a woody plant with shiny, dark-green leaves which produces many brightly-coloured flowers in the spring.

az|ure /æ ʒuə ^r / COLOUR Azure is used to describe things that are bright blue. [LITERARY ] □ …an azure sky.

Bb

B , b /biː / (B's, b's )

1 N‑VAR B is the second letter of the English alphabet.

2 N‑VAR If you get a B as a mark for a piece of work or in an exam, your work is good.

B2B /biː tə biː / N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] B2B is the selling of goods and services by one company to another using the internet. B2B is an abbreviation for 'business to business'. [BUSINESS ] □ American analysts have been somewhat cautious in estimating the size of the B2B market.

B2C /biː tə siː / N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] B2C is the selling of goods and services by businesses to consumers using the internet. B2C is an abbreviation for 'business to consumer'. [BUSINESS ] □ 19 per cent of B2C companies are now worth little more than the cash on their balance sheets.

B4 B4 is the written abbreviation for 'before', mainly used in text messages and emails.

BA /biː e I / (BAs ) also B.A.

1 N‑COUNT A BA is a first degree in an arts or social science subject. BA is an abbreviation for 'Bachelor of Arts'. □ [+ in ] I did a BA in film making.

2 BA is written after someone's name to indicate that they have a BA. □ …Helen Rich, BA (Hons).

bab|ble /bæ b ^ə l/ (babbles , babbling , babbled )

1 VERB If someone babbles , they talk in a confused or excited way. □ [V on/away ] Momma babbled on and on about how he was ruining me. □ [V ] They all babbled simultaneously. □ [V with quote] 'Er, hello, viewers,' he babbled.

2 N‑SING You can refer to people's voices as a babble of sound when they are excited and confused, preventing you from understanding what they are saying. □ [+ of ] Kemp knocked loudly so as to be heard above the high babble of voices.

babe /be I b/ (babes )

1 N‑COUNT Some people use babe as an affectionate way of addressing someone they love. [AM , INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ I'm sorry, babe. I didn't mean it.

2 N‑COUNT Some men refer to an attractive young woman as a babe . This use could cause offence. [INFORMAL ]

3 N‑COUNT A babe is the same as a baby . [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ …newborn babes.

ba|bel /be I b ^ə l/ N‑SING If there is a babel of voices, you hear a lot of people talking at the same time, so that you cannot understand what they are saying. □ …a confused babel of sound.

ba|boon /bæbuː n/ (baboons ) N‑COUNT A baboon is a large monkey that lives in Africa.

baby ◆◆◇ /be I bi/ (babies )

1 N‑COUNT A baby is a very young child, especially one that cannot yet walk or talk. □ My wife has just had a baby. □ Claire had to dress her baby sister.

2 N‑COUNT [usu N n] A baby animal is a very young animal. □ …a baby elephant. □ …baby birds.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] Baby vegetables are vegetables picked when they are very small. □ Serve with baby new potatoes.

4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] Some people use baby as an affectionate way of addressing someone, especially a young woman, or referring to them. [INFORMAL ] □ You have to wake up now, baby. COLLOCATIONS baby NOUN 1

adjective + baby : healthy, newborn, premature; stillborn, unborn

verb + baby : adopt, conceive, deliver, expect; breastfeed; lose

ba by boom (baby booms ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A baby boom is a period of time when a lot of babies are born in a particular place. [INFORMAL ] □ I'm a product of the postwar baby boom.

baby boom|er /be I bi buːmə ^r / (baby boomers ) also baby-boomer N‑COUNT [oft N n] A baby boomer is someone who was born during a baby boom, especially during the years after the end of the Second World War. [INFORMAL , mainly JOURNALISM ]

ba by bug|gy (baby buggies )

1 N‑COUNT A baby buggy is a small folding seat with wheels, which a young child can sit in and which can be pushed around. [BRIT ] in AM, use stroller 2 N‑COUNT A baby buggy is another word for a baby carriage . [AM ]

ba by car|riage (baby carriages ) N‑COUNT A baby carriage is a small vehicle in which a baby can lie as it is pushed along. [AM ] in BRIT, use pram

ba|by|hood /be I bihʊd/ N‑UNCOUNT Your babyhood is the period of your life when you were a baby.

ba|by|ish /be I bi I ʃ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Babyish actions, feelings, or looks are like a baby's, or are immature. □ …a fat, babyish face. □ I'm ashamed of the babyish nonsense I write.

baby|sit /be I bis I t/ (babysits , babysitting , babysat ) VERB If you babysit for someone or babysit their children, you look after their children while they are out. □ [V + for ] I promised to babysit for Mrs Plunkett. □ [V ] You can take it in turns to babysit. □ [V n] She had been babysitting him and his four-year-old sister. ● baby|sitter (babysitters ) N‑COUNT □ It can be difficult to find a good babysitter. ● baby|sitting N‑UNCOUNT □ Would you like me to do any babysitting?

ba by talk also baby-talk N‑UNCOUNT Baby talk is the language used by babies when they are just learning to speak, or the way in which some adults speak when they are talking to babies. □ Maria was talking baby talk to the little one.

bac|ca|lau|re|ate /bækəlɔː riət/ (baccalaureates )

1 N‑SING The baccalaureate is an examination taken by students at the age of eighteen in France and some other countries.

2 N‑COUNT [usu N n] In the United States, a baccalaureate service or address is a service that is held or a talk that is given during the ceremony when students receive their degrees.

bach|elor /bæ tʃələ ^r / (bachelors ) N‑COUNT A bachelor is a man who has never married.

Ba ch|elor of A rts (Bachelors of Arts ) N‑COUNT A Bachelor of Arts is a first degree in an arts or social science subject. In British English, it can also mean a person with that degree. The abbreviation BA or B.A. is also used.

Ba ch|elor of Sci |ence (Bachelors of Science ) N‑COUNT A Bachelor of Science is a first degree in a science subject. In British English, it can also mean a person with that degree. The abbreviation BSc or B.Sc. is also used.

ba ch|elor's de|gree (bachelor's degrees )

1 N‑COUNT A bachelor's degree is a first degree awarded by universities.

2 → see also BA , BSc

ba|cil|lus /bəs I ləs/ (bacilli ) N‑COUNT A bacillus is any bacterium that has a long, thin shape.

back

➊ ADVERB USES

➋ OPPOSITE OF FRONT; NOUN AND ADJECTIVE USES

➌ VERB USES

➊ back ◆◆◆ /bæ k/ In addition to the uses shown below, back is also used in phrasal verbs such as 'date back' and 'fall back on'. → Please look at category 17 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.

1 ADV [ADV after v] If you move back , you move in the opposite direction to the one in which you are facing or in which you were moving before. □ The photographers drew back to let us view the body. □ [+ from ] She stepped back from the door expectantly. □ He pushed her away and she fell back on the wooden bench.

2 ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] If you go back somewhere, you return to where you were before. □ [+ to ] I went back to bed. □ [+ in ] I'm due back in London by late afternoon. □ Smith changed his mind and moved back home. □ I'll be back as soon as I can. □ He made a round-trip to the terminal and back.

3 ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] If someone or something is back in a particular state, they were in that state before and are now in it again. □ The rail company said it expected services to get slowly back to normal. □ Denise hopes to be back at work by the time her daughter is one.

4 ADV [ADV after v] If you give or put something back , you return it to the person who had it or to the place where it was before you took it. If you get or take something back , you then have it again after not having it for a while. □ She handed the knife back. □ [+ in ] Put it back in the freezer. □ You'll get your money back.

5 ADV [ADV after v] If you put a clock or watch back , you change the time shown on it so that it shows an earlier time, for example when the time changes to winter time or standard time.

6 ADV [ADV after v] If you write or call back , you write to or phone someone after they have written to or phoned you. If you look back at someone, you look at them after they have started looking at you. □ [+ to ] They wrote back to me and they told me that I didn't have to do it. □ If the phone rings, say you'll call back after dinner. □ Lee looked at Theodora. She stared back.

7 ADV [ADV after v] You can say that you go or come back to a particular point in a conversation to show that you are mentioning or discussing it again. □ [+ to ] Can I come back to the question of policing once again? □ [+ to ] Going back to the school, how many staff are there?

8 ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] If something is or comes back , it is fashionable again after it has been unfashionable for some time. □ Short skirts are back. □ [+ into ] Consensus politics could easily come back into fashion.

9 ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] If someone or something is kept or situated back from a place, they are at a distance away from it. □ [+ from ] Keep back from the edge of the platform. □ [+ from ] I'm a few miles back from the border. □ He started for Dot's bedroom and Myrtle held him back.

10 ADV [ADV after v] If something is held or tied back , it is held or tied so that it does not hang loosely over something. □ The curtains were held back by tassels.

11 ADV [ADV after v] If you lie or sit back , you move your body backwards into a relaxed sloping or flat position, with your head and body resting on something. □ She lay back and stared at the ceiling. □ She leaned back in her chair and smiled.

12 ADV [ADV after v] If you look or shout back at someone or something, you turn to look or shout at them when they are behind you. □ Nick looked back over his shoulder and then stopped, frowning. □ He called back to her.

13 ADV You use back in expressions like back in London or back at the house when you are giving an account, to show that you are going to start talking about what happened or was happening in the place you mention. □ [+ in ] Meanwhile, back in London, Palace Pictures was collapsing. □ [+ at ] Later, back at home, the telephone rang.

14 ADV [ADV with v, n ADV ] If you talk about something that happened back in the past or several years back , you are emphasizing that it happened quite a long time ago. [EMPHASIS ] □ [+ in ] The story starts back in 1950, when I was five. □ He contributed £50m to the project a few years back.

15 ADV [ADV after v] If you think back to something that happened in the past, you remember it or try to remember it. □ [+ to ] I thought back to the time in 1975 when my son was desperately ill.

16 PHRASE If someone moves back and forth , they repeatedly move in one direction and then in the opposite direction. □ He paced back and forth.

17 to cast your mind back → see mind ➊

➋ back ◆◆◆ /bæ k/ (backs )

→ Please look at categories 22 to 24 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.

1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] A person's or animal's back is the part of their body between their head and their legs that is on the opposite side to their chest and stomach. □ She turned her back to the audience. □ Three of the victims were shot in the back.

2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The back of something is the side or part of it that is towards the rear or farthest from the front. The back of something is normally not used or seen as much as the front. □ [+ of ] …a room at the back of the shop. □ [+ of ] She raised her hands to the back of her neck. □ [+ of ] Smooth the mixture with the back of a soup spoon.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] Back is used to refer to the side or part of something that is towards the rear or farthest from the front. □ He opened the back door. □ Ann could remember sitting in the back seat of their car. □ …the path leading to the back garden.

4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The back of a chair or sofa is the part that you lean against when you sit on it. □ [+ of ] There was a neatly folded pink sweater on the back of the chair.

5 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The back of something such as a piece of paper or an envelope is the side which is less important. □ [+ of ] He scribbled some notes on the back of the envelope.

6 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The back of a book is the part nearest the end, where you can find the index or the notes, for example. □ [+ of ] …the index at the back of the book.

7 N‑SING You can use back in expressions such as round the back and out the back to refer generally to the area behind a house or other building. [BRIT , SPOKEN ] □ He had chickens and things round the back.

8 N‑UNCOUNT You use back in expressions such as out back to refer to the area behind a house or other building. You also use in back to refer to the rear part of something, especially a car or building. [AM ] □ Dan informed her that he would be out back on the patio cleaning his shoes. □ Catlett got behind the wheel and I sat in back. [Also + of ]

9 N‑COUNT In team games such as football and hockey, a back is a player who is concerned mainly with preventing the other team from scoring goals, rather than scoring goals for their own team.

10 N‑COUNT In American football, a back is a player who stands behind the front line, runs with the ball and attacks rather than defends.

11 PHRASE If you say that something was done behind someone's back , you disapprove of it because it was done without them knowing about it, in an unfair or dishonest way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ You eat her food, enjoy her hospitality and then criticize her behind her back.

12 PHRASE If you break the back of a task or problem, you do the most difficult part of what is necessary to complete the task or solve the problem. □ It seems at least that we've broken the back of inflation in this country.

13 PHRASE If two or more things are done back to back , one follows immediately after the other without any interruption. □ …two half-hour shows, which will be screened back to back.

14 PHRASE If you are wearing something back to front , you are wearing it with the back of it at the front of your body. If you do something back to front , you do it the wrong way around, starting with the part that should come last. [mainly BRIT ] □ He wears his baseball cap back to front. □ The picture was printed back to front. in AM, use backward

15 PHRASE If you say that one thing happens on the back of another thing, you mean that it happens after that other thing and in addition to it. □ The cuts, if approved, come on the back of a difficult eight years that have seen three fire stations closed.

16 PHRASE If someone is on the back foot , or if something puts them on the back foot , they feel threatened and act defensively. □ From now on, Labour will be on the back foot on the subject of welfare. □ I thought it would knock my confidence and put me on the back foot.

17 PHRASE If someone or something puts your back up or gets your back up , they annoy you. [INFORMAL ] □ Some food labelling practices really get my back up.

18 to take a back seat → see seat

➌ back ◆◆◆ /bæ k/ (backs , backing , backed )

1 VERB If a building backs onto something, the back of it faces in the direction of that thing or touches the edge of that thing. □ [V + onto ] We live in a ground floor flat which backs onto a busy street. □ [V + onto ] His garden backs onto a school.

2 VERB When you back a car or other vehicle somewhere or when it backs somewhere, it moves backwards. □ [V n prep/adv] He backed his car out of the drive. □ [V ] I heard the engines revving as the lorries backed and turned.

3 VERB If you back a person or a course of action, you support them, for example by voting for them or giving them money. □ [V n] There is a new witness to back his claim that he is a victim of mistaken identity. ● -backed COMB □ …government-backed loans to Egypt.

4 VERB If you back a particular person, team, or horse in a competition, you predict that they will win, and usually you bet money that they will win. □ [V n to-inf] He was heavily backed to win two Majors. □ [V n] It is upsetting to discover that you have backed a loser.

5 VERB [usu passive] If a singer is backed by a band or by other singers, they provide the musical background for the singer. □ [be V -ed + by ] She was backed by acoustic guitar, bass and congas.

6 → see also backing

▸ back away

1 PHRASAL VERB If you back away from a commitment that you made or something that you were involved with in the past, you try to show that you are no longer committed to it or involved with it. □ [V P + from ] The company backed away from plans to cut their pay by 15%. □ [V P ] Until yesterday, Britain had backed away because it didn't like the cost.

2 PHRASAL VERB If you back away , you walk backwards away from someone or something, often because you are frightened of them. □ [V P ] James got to his feet and started to come over, but the girls hastily backed away. [Also V P + from ]

▸ back down PHRASAL VERB If you back down , you withdraw a claim, demand, or commitment that you made earlier, because other people are strongly opposed to it. □ [V P ] It's too late to back down now. □ [V P + on/over ] He had to back down on plans to backdate the tax changes.

▸ back off

1 PHRASAL VERB If you back off , you move away in order to avoid problems or a fight. □ [V P ] They backed off in horror.

2 PHRASAL VERB If you back off from a claim, demand, or commitment that you made earlier, or if you back off it, you withdraw it. □ [V P + from ] A spokesman says the president has backed off from his threat to boycott the conference. □ [V P n] The union has publicly backed off that demand.

▸ back out PHRASAL VERB If you back out , you decide not to do something that you previously agreed to do. □ [V P + of ] Madonna backed out of the project after much wrangling. □ [V P ] Wells was supposed to put up half the money, but later backed out.

▸ back up

1 PHRASAL VERB If someone or something backs up a statement, they supply evidence to suggest that it is true. □ [V P n] Radio signals received from the galaxy's centre back up the black hole theory. [Also V n P ]

2 PHRASAL VERB If you back up a computer file, you make a copy of it which you can use if the original file is damaged or lost. [COMPUTING ] □ [V P n] Make a point of backing up your files at regular intervals. □ [V n P ] I get so annoyed when I lose work because I've forgotten to back it up.

3 PHRASAL VERB If an idea or intention is backed up by action, action is taken to support or confirm it. □ [be V -ed P ] The Secretary General says the declaration must now be backed up by concrete and effective actions. □ [V P n] It is time the Government backed up its advert campaigns with tougher measures. [Also V n P ]

4 PHRASAL VERB If you back someone up , you show your support for them. □ [V n P ] His employers, Norfolk Social Services, backed him up. [Also V P n]

5 PHRASAL VERB If you back someone up , you help them by confirming that what they are saying is true. □ [V n P ] The girl denied being there, and the man backed her up. [Also V P n]

6 PHRASAL VERB If you back up , the car or other vehicle that you are driving moves back a short distance. □ [V P ] Back up, Hans. □ [V P + to ] A police van drove through the protesters and backed up to the front door of the house.

7 PHRASAL VERB If vehicles back up , they form a line of traffic which has to wait before it can move on. □ [be V -ed P ] Traffic into London on the M11 was backed up for several miles. [Also V P , V P n]

8 PHRASAL VERB If you back up , you move backwards a short distance. □ [V P ] I backed up carefully until I felt the wall against my back. □ [V P amount] She backed up a few steps.

9 → see also backup USAGE back

You never use ‘back’ with the verb return . You do not say, for example, ‘ He returned back to his office ’. You say ‘He returned to his office’. □ I returned from the Middle East in 1956.

back|ache /bæ ke I k/ (backaches ) N‑VAR Backache is a dull pain in your back.

back|bench /bæ kbentʃ/ ADJ [ADJ n] A backbench MP is a Member of Parliament who is not a minister and who does not hold an official position in his or her political party. [BRIT , AUSTRALIAN ] □ Some backbench MPs have threatened to rebel.

back|bencher /bæ kbe ntʃə ^r / (backbenchers ) N‑COUNT A backbencher is a Member of Parliament who is not a minister and who does not hold an official position in his or her political party. [BRIT ] □ …a senior Conservative backbencher.

back|benches /bæ kbe ntʃ I z/ N‑PLURAL The backbenches are the seats in the British House of Commons where backbenchers sit. The Members of Parliament who sit on the backbenches are also referred to as the backbenches . [BRIT ] □ This issue is creating unrest on the backbenches.

back|bit|ing /bæ kba I t I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT If you accuse someone of backbiting , you mean that they say unpleasant or unkind things about someone who is not present, especially in order to stop them doing well at work. [DISAPPROVAL ]

back|bone /bæ kboʊn/ (backbones )

1 N‑COUNT Your backbone is the column of small linked bones down the middle of your back.

2 N‑SING [usu with poss] The backbone of an organization or system is the part of it that gives it its main strength. □ [+ of ] Small businesses are the economic backbone of this country.

ba ck-breaking also backbreaking ADJ [usu ADJ n] Back-breaking work involves a lot of hard physical effort.

ba ck burn|er also backburner N‑SING If you put an issue on the back burner , you leave it in order to deal with it later because you now consider it to have become less urgent or important. □ Many speculated that the U.S. would put the peace process on the back burner.

ba ck ca ta|logue (back catalogues ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] A musical performer's back catalogue is the music which they recorded and released in the past rather than their latest recordings.

back|cloth /bæ kklɒθ, [AM ] -klɔːθ/ (backcloths )

1 N‑COUNT A backcloth is a large piece of cloth, often with scenery or buildings painted on it, that is hung at the back of a stage while a play is being performed. [BRIT ] in AM, use backdrop 2 N‑SING The backcloth of an event is the general situation in which it happens. [BRIT , JOURNALISM , LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] …the promise of tax cuts against the backcloth of a public-spending deficit.

ba ck co py (back copies ) N‑COUNT A back copy of a magazine or newspaper is the same as a back issue .

ba ck coun|try also backcountry N‑SING The back country is an area that is a long way from any city and has very few people living in it. [AM ] □ They have moved deep into the back country.

back|date /bæ kde I t/ (backdates , backdating , backdated ) also back-date VERB If a document or an arrangement is backdated , it is valid from a date before the date when it is completed or signed. □ [be V -ed + to ] The contract that was signed on Thursday morning was backdated to March 11. □ [V n + to ] Anyone who has overpaid tax will be able to backdate their claim to last April. [Also V n]

back|door /bæ kdɔː ^r / also back door

1 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use backdoor to describe an action or process if you disapprove of it because you think it has been done in a secret, indirect, or dishonest way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He did the backdoor deals that allowed the government to get its budget through Parliament on time. □ He brushed aside talk of greedy MPs voting themselves a backdoor pay rise.

2 N‑SING If you say that someone is doing something through or by the backdoor , you disapprove of them because they are doing it in a secret, indirect, or dishonest way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Dentists claim the Government is privatising dentistry through the back door.

back|drop /bæ kdrɒp/ (backdrops )

1 N‑COUNT A backdrop is a large piece of cloth, often with scenery painted on it, that is hung at the back of a stage while a play is being performed.

2 N‑COUNT The backdrop to an object or a scene is what you see behind it. □ Leeds Castle will provide a dramatic backdrop to a fireworks display next Saturday.

3 N‑COUNT The backdrop to an event is the general situation in which it happens. □ The election will take place against a backdrop of increasing instability.

back|er /bæ kə ^r / (backers ) N‑COUNT A backer is someone who helps or supports a project, organization, or person, often by giving or lending money. □ I was looking for a backer to assist me in the attempted buy-out.

back|fire /bæ kfa I ə ^r , [AM ] -fa I r/ (backfires , backfiring , backfired )

1 VERB If a plan or project backfires , it has the opposite result to the one that was intended. □ [V ] The President's tactics could backfire. □ [V + on/against ] It all backfired on me!

2 VERB When a motor vehicle or its engine backfires , it produces an explosion in the exhaust pipe. □ [V ] The car backfired.

back|gam|mon /bæ kgæmən/ N‑UNCOUNT Backgammon is a game for two people, played on a board marked with long triangles. Each player has 15 wooden or plastic discs. The players throw dice and move the discs around the board.

back|ground ◆◇◇ /bæ kgraʊnd/ (backgrounds )

1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] Your background is the kind of family you come from and the kind of education you have had. It can also refer to such things as your social and racial origins, your financial status, or the type of work experience that you have. □ She came from a working-class background. □ His background was in engineering.

2 N‑COUNT [usu sing, oft against N ] The background to an event or situation consists of the facts that explain what caused it. □ The meeting takes place against a background of continuing political violence. □ …background information.

3 N‑SING The background is sounds, such as music, which you can hear but which you are not listening to with your full attention. □ I kept hearing the sound of applause in the background. □ The background music was provided by an accordion player.

4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can use background to refer to the things in a picture or scene that are less noticeable or important than the main things or people in it. □ …roses patterned on a blue background. ● PHRASE Someone who stays in the background avoids being noticed, although the things that they do are important or influential. □ Rosemary likes to stay in the background. SYNONYMS background NOUN

1

upbringing: Martin's upbringing shaped his whole life.

childhood: She had a happy childhood.

nurture: The human organism learns partly by nature, partly by nurture.

2

environment: The twins were brought up in entirely different environments.

circumstances: The strategy was too dangerous in the explosive circumstances of the times.

history: He couldn't get a new job because of his medical history.

conditions: The conditions are ripe for the spread of disease.

back|hand /bæ khænd/ (backhands ) N‑VAR A backhand is a shot in tennis or squash, which you make with your arm across your body. □ She practised her backhand.

back|hand|ed /bæ khæ nd I d, [AM ] -hænd I d/ also back-handed

1 ADJ [ADJ n] A backhanded compliment is a remark which seems to be an insult but could also be understood as a compliment. A backhanded compliment is also a remark which seems to be a compliment but could also be understood as an insult. □ Saying she's improved comes over as a backhanded compliment.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you say that someone is doing something in a backhanded way, they are doing it indirectly. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ In a backhanded way, I think a lot of my energy and strength comes from my campaigning.

back|hand|er /bæ khændə ^r / (backhanders ) also back-hander N‑COUNT A backhander is an amount of money that is illegally paid to someone in a position of authority in order to encourage them to do something. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]

back|ing ◆◇◇ /bæ k I ŋ/ (backings )

1 N‑UNCOUNT If someone has the backing of an organization or an important person, they receive support or money from that organization or person in order to do something. □ [+ of ] He said the president had the full backing of his government to negotiate a deal. □ [+ of ] Mr Bach set up his own consulting business with the backing of his old boss. [Also + for ]

2 N‑VAR A backing is a layer of something such as cloth that is put onto the back of something in order to strengthen or protect it.

3 N‑COUNT [oft N n] The backing of a popular song is the music which is sung or played to accompany the main tune. □ For a while, she sang backing vocals in a folk-rock group. SYNONYMS backing NOUN 1

support: The prime minister gave his full support to the government's reforms.

approval: The chairman has also given his approval for an investigation into the case.

endorsement: It's important that we get the endorsement of the local colleges.

ba ck i s|sue (back issues ) N‑COUNT A back issue of a magazine or newspaper is one that was published some time ago and is not the most recent.

back|lash /bæ klæʃ/ N‑SING A backlash against a tendency or recent development in society or politics, is a sudden, strong reaction against it. □ …the male backlash against feminism. □ …a right-wing backlash.

back|less /bæ kləs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A backless dress leaves most of a woman's back uncovered down to her waist.

back|log /bæ klɒg, [AM ] -lɔːg/ (backlogs ) N‑COUNT A backlog is a number of things which have not yet been done but which need to be done. □ There is a backlog of repairs and maintenance in schools.

ba ck nu m|ber (back numbers ) N‑COUNT A back number of a magazine or newspaper is the same as a back issue .

back|pack /bæ kpæk/ (backpacks ) N‑COUNT A backpack is a bag with straps that go over your shoulders, so that you can carry things on your back when you are walking or climbing.

back|pack|er /bæ kpækə ^r / (backpackers ) N‑COUNT A backpacker is a person who goes travelling with a backpack.

back|pack|ing /bæ kpæk I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT If you go backpacking , you go travelling with a backpack.

ba ck pa s|sage (back passages ) N‑COUNT People sometimes refer to their rectum as their back passage . [BRIT , INFORMAL ]

ba ck pay N‑UNCOUNT Back pay is money which an employer owes an employee for work that he or she did in the past. [BUSINESS ] □ He will receive $6,000 in back pay.

ba ck-pe dal (back-pedals , back-pedalling , back-pedalled ) also backpedal The forms back-pedaling and back-pedaled are used in American English. 1 VERB If you back-pedal , you express a different or less forceful opinion about something from the one you have previously expressed. □ [V ] Allen back-pedalled, saying that he had had no intention of offending them. □ [V + on ] He appeared to back-pedal on that statement.

2 VERB If you say that someone back-pedals , you disapprove of their behaviour because they are not doing what they promised. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V ] She's backpedaled twice already. □ [V + on/from ] The cabinet may backpedal on these commitments. ● back-pedalling N‑UNCOUNT □ …Britain's back-pedalling on reforms.

back|rest /bæ krest/ (backrests ) N‑COUNT The backrest of a seat or chair is the part which you rest your back on.

ba ck road (back roads ) N‑COUNT A back road is a small country road with very little traffic.

back|room /bæ krʊm/ (back rooms ) also back-room , back room

1 N‑COUNT A backroom is a room that is situated at the back of a building, especially a private room. □ …the backroom of the officers' club.

2 N‑COUNT You can use backroom to refer to people in an organization who do important work but are not seen or known about by the public. You can also use backroom to refer to a place where such people work. □ Public scrutiny had brought civil servants out from the backroom and into the spotlight. □ …Mr Smith's backroom staff.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] If you refer to a deal made by someone such as a politician as a backroom deal, you disapprove of it because it has been made in a secret, dishonest way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ They have been calling the Presidency decision a backroom deal.

ba ck|room boy (backroom boys ) also backroom-boy N‑COUNT You can refer to a man as a backroom boy when he does important work in an organization and has good ideas but is not seen or known about by the public. [BRIT ]

ba ck-seat dri v|er (back-seat drivers ) also backseat driver