2 VERB If you nickname someone or something, you give them an informal name. □ [V n n] When he got older I nicknamed him Little Alf. □ [be V -ed n] Which newspaper was once nicknamed The Thunderer?
nico|tine /n I k I tiːn/ N‑UNCOUNT Nicotine is the substance in tobacco that people can become addicted to. □ Nicotine marks stained his chin and fingers.
niece /niː s/ (nieces ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Someone's niece is the daughter of their sister or brother. □ …his niece from America, the daughter of his eldest sister.
nif|ty /n I fti/ (niftier , niftiest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as nifty , you think it is neat and pleasing or cleverly done. [INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ Bridgeport was a pretty nifty place. □ It was a nifty arrangement, a perfect partnership.
Ni|gerian /na I dʒ I ə riən/ (Nigerians )
1 ADJ Nigerian means belonging or relating to Nigeria, its people, or its culture.
2 N‑COUNT A Nigerian is a Nigerian citizen, or a person of Nigerian origin.
nig|gard|ly /n I gə r dli/ ADJ If you describe someone as niggardly , you are criticizing them because they do not give or provide much of something. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It seems a little niggardly not to include any photographs. □ …a niggardly supply of hot water.
nig|ger /n I gə r / (niggers ) N‑COUNT Nigger is an extremely offensive word for a black person. [VERY OFFENSIVE ]
nig|gle /n I g ə l/ (niggles , niggling , niggled )
1 VERB If something niggles you, it causes you to worry slightly over a long period of time. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] I realise now that the things which used to niggle and annoy me just don't really matter. □ [V + at ] It's been niggling at my mind ever since I met Neville in Nice. □ [V away ] The puzzle niggled away in Arnold's mind. [Also V ] ● N‑COUNT Niggle is also a noun. □ So why is there a little niggle at the back of my mind?
2 VERB If someone niggles you, they annoy you by continually criticizing you for what you think are small or unimportant things. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] I don't react anymore when opponents try to niggle me. □ [V + at ] You tend to niggle at your partner, and get hurt when he doesn't hug you. [Also V , V n that] ● N‑COUNT Niggle is also a noun. □ Our life together is more important than any minor niggle we might have.
nig|gling /n I gəl I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A niggling injury or worry is small but bothers you over a long period of time. □ Both players have been suffering from niggling injuries. □ …a niggling worry that the cheap car is also the one that will cause endless trouble.
nigh /na I /
1 ADV [be ADV ] If an event is nigh , it will happen very soon. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ The end of the world may be nigh, but do we really care?
2 → see also well-nigh
3 PHRASE Nigh on an amount, number, or age means almost that amount, number, or age. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ I had to pay nigh on forty pounds for it.
night ◆◆◆ /na I t/ (nights )
1 N‑VAR The night is the part of each day when the sun has set and it is dark outside, especially the time when people are sleeping. □ He didn't sleep a wink all night. □ The fighting began in the late afternoon and continued all night. □ Our reporter spent the night crossing the border from Austria into Slovenia. □ Finally night fell.
2 N‑COUNT The night is the period of time between the end of the afternoon and the time that you go to bed, especially the time when you relax before going to bed. □ So whose party was it last night? □ Demiris took Catherine to dinner the following night.
3 N‑COUNT A particular night is a particular evening when a special event takes place, such as a show or a play. □ The first night crowd packed the building. □ …election night.
4 PHRASE If it is a particular time at night , it is during the time when it is dark and is before midnight. □ It's eleven o'clock at night in Moscow. □ He works obsessively from 7.15 am to 9 or 10 at night.
5 PHRASE If something happens at night , it happens regularly during the evening or night. □ He was going to college at night, in order to become an accountant. □ The veranda was equipped with heavy wooden rain doors that were kept closed at night.
6 PHRASE If something happens day and night or night and day , it happens all the time without stopping. □ Dozens of doctors and nurses have been working day and night for weeks. □ He was at my door night and day, demanding my attention.
7 PHRASE If you have an early night , you go to bed early. If you have a late night , you go to bed late. □ I've had a bad day, and all I want is an early night. □ In spite of the travelling and the late night, she did not feel tired.
8 morning, noon, and night → see morning
night|cap /na I tkæp/ (nightcaps ) N‑COUNT A nightcap is a drink that you have just before you go to bed, usually an alcoholic drink. □ Perhaps you would join me for a nightcap?
night|clothes /na I tkloʊðz/ N‑PLURAL Nightclothes are clothes that you wear in bed.
night|club /na I tklʌb/ (nightclubs ) also night club N‑COUNT A nightclub is a place where people go late in the evening to drink and dance.
night|club|bing /na I tklʌb I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Nightclubbing is the activity of going to nightclubs.
night|dress /na I tdres/ (nightdresses ) N‑COUNT A nightdress is a sort of loose dress that a woman or girl wears in bed. [BRIT ] in AM, use nightgown
night|fall /na I tfɔːl/ N‑UNCOUNT Nightfall is the time of day when it starts to get dark. □ I need to get to Lyon by nightfall.
night|gown /na I tgaʊn/ (nightgowns ) N‑COUNT A nightgown is the same as a nightdress . [AM ]
nightie /na I ti/ (nighties ) N‑COUNT A nightie is the same as a nightdress or nightgown. [INFORMAL ]
night|in|gale /na I t I ŋge I l, [AM ] -t ə n-/ (nightingales ) N‑COUNT A nightingale is a small brown bird. The male, which can be heard at night, sings beautifully.
night|life /na I tla I f/ also night-life N‑UNCOUNT Nightlife is all the entertainment and social activities that are available at night in towns and cities, such as nightclubs and theatres. □ …Hamburg's energetic nightlife. □ There are free buses around the resort and plenty of nightlife.
ni ght light (night lights ) N‑COUNT A night light is a light that is not bright and is kept on during the night, especially in a child's room.
night|ly /na I tli/ ADJ [ADJ n] A nightly event happens every night. □ I'm sure we watched the nightly news, and then we turned on the movie. □ For months at a time, air raids were a nightly occurrence. ● ADV [usu ADV after v] Nightly is also an adverb. □ She appears nightly on the television news.
night|mare ◆◇◇ /na I tmeə r / (nightmares )
1 N‑COUNT A nightmare is a very frightening dream. □ All the victims still suffered nightmares. □ Jane did not eat cheese because it gives her nightmares.
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to a situation as a nightmare , you mean that it is very frightening and unpleasant. □ The years in prison were a nightmare.
3 N‑COUNT If you refer to a situation as a nightmare , you are saying in a very emphatic way that it is irritating because it causes you a lot of trouble. [EMPHASIS ] □ Taking my son Peter to a restaurant was a nightmare. □ In practice a graduate tax is an administrative nightmare. WORD HISTORY nightmare
Nightmare comes from night and Old English mare , meaning 'evil spirit'.
ni ght|mare sce|na rio (nightmare scenarios ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you describe a situation or event as a nightmare scenario , you mean that it is one of the worst possible things that could happen. □ The sudden outbreak of a lethal virus is a nightmare scenario.
night|mar|ish /na I tmeər I ʃ/ ADJ If you describe something as nightmarish , you mean that it is extremely frightening and unpleasant. □ She described a nightmarish scene of dead bodies lying in the streets.
ni ght owl (night owls ) N‑COUNT A night owl is someone who regularly stays up late at night, or who prefers to work at night. [INFORMAL ]
ni ght por|ter (night porters ) N‑COUNT A night porter is a person whose job is to be on duty at the main reception desk of a hotel throughout the night. [mainly BRIT ]
ni ght school (night schools ) N‑VAR Someone who goes to night school does an educational course in the evenings. □ People can go out to work in the daylight hours and then come to night school in the evening.
night|shirt /na I tʃɜː r t/ (nightshirts ) N‑COUNT A nightshirt is a long, loose shirt worn in bed.
night|spot /na I tspɒt/ (nightspots ) N‑COUNT A nightspot is a nightclub. [INFORMAL ] □ …Harlem's most famous nightspot, the Cotton Club.
ni ght stand (night stands ) N‑COUNT A night stand is a small table or cupboard that you have next to your bed. [AM ] in BRIT, use bedside table
night|stick /na I tst I k/ (nightsticks ) N‑COUNT A nightstick is a short thick club that is carried by police officers in the United States. [AM ] in BRIT, use truncheon
ni ght-time also night time N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Night-time is the period of time between when it gets dark and when the sun rises. □ They wanted someone responsible to look after the place at night-time. □ A twelve hour night time curfew is in force.
ni ght vi|sion N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Night vision equipment enables people, for example soldiers or pilots, to see better at night. □ …night vision goggles.
night|watch|man /na I twɒ tʃmən/ (nightwatchmen ) also night watchman N‑COUNT A nightwatchman is a person whose job is to guard buildings at night.
night|wear /na I tweə r / N‑UNCOUNT Nightwear is clothing that you wear in bed.
ni|hil|ism /na I I l I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Nihilism is a belief which rejects all political and religious authority and current ideas in favour of the individual. ● ni|hil|ist (nihilists ) N‑COUNT □ Why wasn't Weber a nihilist?
ni|hil|is|tic /na I I l I st I k/ ADJ If you describe someone as nihilistic , you mean they do not trust political and religious authority and place their faith in the individual. □ She exhibited none of the narcissistic and nihilistic tendencies of her peers.
nil /n I l/
1 NUM Nil means the same as zero. It is usually used to say what the score is in sports such as rugby or football. [BRIT ] □ They beat us one-nil in the final.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that something is nil , you mean that it does not exist at all. □ Their legal rights are virtually nil.
nim|ble /n I mb ə l/ (nimbler , nimblest )
1 ADJ Someone who is nimble is able to move their fingers, hands, or legs quickly and easily. □ Everything had been stitched by Molly's nimble fingers. □ [+ on ] Val, who was light and nimble on her feet, learnt to dance the tango. ● nim|bly ADV [ADV with v] □ Sabrina jumped nimbly out of the van.
2 ADJ If you say that someone has a nimble mind, you mean they are clever and can think very quickly. □ A nimble mind backed by a degree in economics gave him a firm grasp of financial matters.
nim|bus /n I mbəs/ N‑SING [usu N n] A nimbus is a large grey cloud that brings rain or snow. [TECHNICAL ] □ …layers of cold nimbus clouds.
nim|by /n I mbi/ also Nimby , NIMBY ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that someone has a nimby attitude, you are criticizing them because they do not want something such as a new road, housing estate, or prison built near to where they live. Nimby is an abbreviation for 'not in my backyard'. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the usual nimby protests from local residents.
nine ◆◆◆ /na I n/ (nines )
1 NUM Nine is the number 9. □ We still sighted nine yachts. □ …nine hundred pounds.
2 nine times out of ten → see time
911 /na I n wʌ n wʌ n/ NUM 911 is the number that you call in the United States in order to contact the emergency services. □ The women made their first 911 call about a prowler at 12:46 a.m.
999 /na I n na I n na I n/ NUM 999 is the number that you call in Britain in order to contact the emergency services. □ …a fire engine answering a 999 call. □ She dialled 999 on her mobile.
nine|pins /na I np I nz/ PHRASE If you say that people or things are going down like ninepins , you mean that large numbers of them are suddenly becoming ill, collapsing, or doing very badly. [mainly BRIT ] □ There was a time when Liverpool players never seemed to get injured, but now they are going down like ninepins.
nine|teen ◆◆◆ /na I ntiː n/ (nineteens ) NUM Nineteen is the number 19. □ They have nineteen days to make up their minds.
nine|teenth ◆◆◇ /na I ntiː nθ/
1 ORD The nineteenth item in a series is the one that you count as number nineteen. □ …my nineteenth birthday. □ …the nineteenth century.
2 FRACTION A nineteenth is one of nineteen equal parts of something.
nine|ti|eth ◆◆◇ /na I ntiəθ/ ORD The ninetieth item in a series is the one that you count as number ninety. □ He celebrates his ninetieth birthday on Friday.
nine|ty ◆◆◆ /na I nti/ (nineties )
1 NUM Ninety is the number 90. □ It was decided she had to stay another ninety days.
2 N‑PLURAL When you talk about the nineties , you are referring to numbers between 90 and 99. For example, if you are in your nineties , you are aged between 90 and 99. If the temperature is in the nineties , the temperature is between 90 and 99 degrees. □ By this time she was in her nineties and needed help more and more frequently.
3 N‑PLURAL The nineties is the decade between 1990 and 1999. □ These trends only got worse as we moved into the nineties.
nin|ny /n I ni/ (ninnies ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a ninny , you think that they are foolish or silly. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ]
ninth ◆◆◇ /na I nθ/ (ninths )
1 ORD The ninth item in a series is the one that you count as number nine. □ …January the ninth. □ …students in the ninth grade. □ …ninth century illustrated manuscripts.
2 FRACTION A ninth is one of nine equal parts of something. □ I would be happy to do that job for a ninth of her salary.
nip /n I p/ (nips , nipping , nipped )
1 VERB [no passive] If you nip somewhere, usually somewhere nearby, you go there quickly or for a short time. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V adv/prep] Should I nip out and get some groceries?
2 VERB If an animal or person nips you, they bite you lightly or squeeze a piece of your skin between their finger and thumb. □ [V n] I have known cases where dogs have nipped babies. [Also V at n, V ] ● N‑COUNT Nip is also a noun. □ Some ants can give you a nasty nip.
3 N‑COUNT A nip is a small amount of a strong alcoholic drink. □ [+ from ] She had a habit of taking an occasional nip from a flask of cognac.
4 to nip something in the bud → see bud
nip|per /n I pə r / (nippers ) N‑COUNT A nipper is a child. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ I'm not ever going to forget what you've done for the nippers.
nip|ple /n I p ə l/ (nipples )
1 N‑COUNT The nipples on someone's body are the two small pieces of slightly hard flesh on their chest. Babies suck milk from their mothers' breasts through their mothers' nipples. □ Sore nipples can inhibit the milk supply.
2 N‑COUNT A nipple is a piece of rubber or plastic which is fitted to the top of a baby's bottle. □ …a white plastic bottle with a rubber nipple.
nip|py /n I pi/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If the weather is nippy , it is rather cold. [INFORMAL ] □ It could get suddenly nippy in the evenings.
2 ADJ If you describe something or someone as nippy , you mean that they can move very quickly over short distances. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ This nippy new car has fold down rear seats.
niqab /n I kɑː b/ (niqabs ) N‑COUNT A niqab is a piece of cloth that some Muslim women wear covering their face apart from their eyes.
nir|va|na /n I ə r vɑː nə, nɜː r -/
1 N‑UNCOUNT In the Hindu and Buddhist religions, Nirvana is the highest spiritual state that can possibly be achieved. □ Entering the realm of Nirvana is only possible for those who have become pure.
2 N‑UNCOUNT People sometimes refer to a state of complete happiness and peace as nirvana . □ Many businessmen think that a world where relative prices never varied would be nirvana.
Nissen hut /n I s ə n hʌt/ (Nissen huts ) N‑COUNT A Nissen hut is a military hut made of metal. The walls and roof form the shape of a semi-circle. [BRIT ] in AM, use Quonset hut
nit /n I t/ (nits )
1 N‑PLURAL Nits are the eggs of insects called lice which live in people's hair.
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a nit , you think they are stupid or silly. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ I'd rather leave the business than work with such a nit.
nit|pick /n I tp I k/ (nitpicks , nitpicking , nitpicked ) VERB If someone nitpicks , they criticize small and unimportant details. [INFORMAL ] □ I looked hard for items to nitpick about, and couldn't find any. Altogether a great car.
nit|pick|ing /n I tp I k I ŋ/ also nit-picking N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to someone's opinion as nitpicking , you disapprove of the fact that it concentrates on small and unimportant details, especially to try and find fault with something. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ A lot of nit-picking was going on about irrelevant things. □ I can get down to nitpicking detail, I am pretty fussy about certain things.
ni|trate /na I tre I t/ (nitrates ) N‑VAR Nitrate is a chemical compound that includes nitrogen and oxygen. Nitrates are used as fertilizers in agriculture. □ High levels of nitrate occur in eastern England because of the heavy use of fertilizers.
ni|tric /na I tr I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Nitric means relating to or containing nitrogen. □ …nitric oxide.
ni |tric a cid N‑UNCOUNT Nitric acid is a strong colourless acid containing nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen.
nitro- /na I troʊ-/ COMB Nitro- combines with nouns to form other nouns referring to things which contain nitrogen and oxygen. □ …highly corrosive substances such as nitro-phosphates.
ni|tro|gen /na I trədʒən/ N‑UNCOUNT Nitrogen is a colourless element that has no smell and is usually found as a gas. It forms about 78% of the earth's atmosphere, and is found in all living things.
ni|tro|glyc|er|in /na I troʊgl I sər I n/ also nitroglycerine N‑UNCOUNT Nitroglycerin is a liquid that is used to make explosives and also in some medicines.
ni|trous /na I trəs/ ADJ [ADJ n] Nitrous means coming from, relating to, or containing nitrogen. □ …nitrous oxides.
nitty-gritty /n I ti gr I ti/ also nitty gritty N‑SING If people get down to the nitty-gritty of a matter, situation, or activity, they discuss the most important, basic parts of it or facts about it. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the nitty gritty of everyday politics.
nit|wit /n I tw I t/ (nitwits ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a nitwit , you think they are stupid or silly. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ You great nitwit!
no ◆◆◆ /noʊ / (noes or no's )
1 CONVENTION You use no to give a negative response to a question. □ 'Any problems?'—'No, I'm O.K.' □ 'Haven't you got your driver's licence?'—'No.'
2 CONVENTION You use no to say that something that someone has just said is not true. □ 'We thought you'd emigrated.'—'No, no.' □ 'You're getting worse than me.'—'No I'm not.'
3 CONVENTION You use no to refuse an offer or a request, or to refuse permission. □ 'Here, have mine.'—'No, this is fine.' □ 'Can you just get the message through to Pete for me?'—'No, no I can't.' □ After all, the worst the boss can do is say no if you ask him.
4 EXCLAM You use no to indicate that you do not want someone to do something. □ No. I forbid it. You cannot. □ She put up a hand to stop him. 'No. It's not right. We mustn't.'
5 CONVENTION You use no to acknowledge a negative statement or to show that you accept and understand it. □ 'We're not on the main campus.'—'No.' □ 'It's not one of my favourite forms of music.'—'No.'
6 CONVENTION You use no before correcting what you have just said. □ I was twenty-two–no, twenty-one.
7 EXCLAM You use no to express shock or disappointment at something you have just been told. [FEELINGS ] □ 'John phoned to say that his computer wasn't working.'—'Oh God no.'
8 DET You use no to mean not any or not one person or thing. □ He had no intention of paying the cash. □ No job has more influence on the future of the world. □ No letters survive from this early period.
9 DET You use no to emphasize that someone or something is not the type of thing mentioned. [EMPHASIS ] □ He is no singer. □ I make it no secret that our worst consultants earn nothing.
10 ADV You can use no to make the negative form of a comparative. □ It is to start broadcasting no later than the end of next year. □ Yesterday no fewer than thirty climbers reached the summit.
11 DET You use no in front of an adjective and noun to make the noun group mean its opposite. □ Sometimes a bit of selfishness, if it leads to greater self-knowledge, is no bad thing. □ Today's elections are of no great importance in themselves.
12 DET No is used in notices or instructions to say that a particular activity or thing is forbidden. □ The captain turned out the 'no smoking' signs. □ …a notice saying 'No Dogs'.
13 N‑COUNT A no is a person who has answered 'no' to a question or who has voted against something. No is also used to refer to their answer or vote. □ According to the latest opinion polls, the noes have 50 percent, the yeses 35 percent.
14 PHRASE If you say there is no doing a particular thing, you mean that it is very difficult or impossible to do that thing. [EMPHASIS ] □ There is no going back to the life she had.
15 not to take no for an answer → see answer
16 no doubt → see doubt
17 no less than → see less
18 no longer → see long ➌
19 in no way → see way
20 there's no way → see way
21 no way → see way
No. (Nos ) No. is a written abbreviation for number . □ That year he was named the nation's No. 1 college football star. □ Columbia Law Review, vol. no. 698 p1317.
no -accou nt ADJ [usu ADJ n] A no-account person or thing is one that you consider worthless. [AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a mongrelized, no-account place.
nob /nɒ b/ (nobs ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] If you refer to a group of people as the nobs , you mean they are rich or come from a much higher social class than you do. [BRIT , INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ …the nobs who live in the Big House.
no -ba ll (no-balls ) N‑COUNT In cricket, a no-ball is a ball that is bowled in a way that is not allowed by the rules. It results in an extra run being given to the side that is batting. □ In the nine matches, they bowled 48 wides and 29 no-balls.
nob|ble /nɒ b ə l/ (nobbles , nobbling , nobbled )
1 VERB If someone nobbles an important group of people such as a committee, they offer them money or threaten them in order to make them do something. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n] The trial was stopped before Christmas after allegations of attempts to nobble the jury.
2 VERB If someone nobbles a racehorse, they deliberately harm it, often using drugs, in order to prevent it from winning a race. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n] …the substance used to nobble two horses at Doncaster.
3 VERB If someone nobbles your plans or chances of succeeding, they prevent you from achieving what you want. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] His opportunity to re-establish himself had been nobbled by the manager's tactics.
Nobel Prize /noʊbe l pra I z/ (Nobel Prizes ) N‑COUNT A Nobel Prize is one of a set of prizes that are awarded each year to people who have done important work in science, literature, or economics, or for world peace. □ [+ for ] …the Nobel Prize for literature.
no|bil|ity /noʊb I l I ti/
1 N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] The nobility of a society are all the people who have titles and belong to a high social class. □ They married into the nobility and entered the highest ranks of state administration.
2 N‑UNCOUNT A person's nobility is their noble character and behaviour. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …his nobility of character, and his devotion to his country.
no|ble /noʊ b ə l/ (nobles , nobler , noblest )
1 ADJ If you say that someone is a noble person, you admire and respect them because they are unselfish and morally good. [APPROVAL ] □ He was an upright and noble man who was always willing to help in any way he could. □ I wanted so much to believe he was pure and noble. ● no|bly ADV [ADV with v] □ Eric's sister had nobly volunteered to help with the gardening.
2 ADJ If you say that something is a noble idea, goal, or action, you admire it because it is based on high moral principles. [APPROVAL ] □ He had implicit faith in the noble intentions of the Emperor. □ We'll always justify our actions with noble sounding theories.
3 ADJ If you describe something as noble , you think that its appearance or quality is very impressive, making it superior to other things of its type. □ …the great parks with their noble trees.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Noble means belonging to a high social class and having a title. □ Although he was of noble birth, he lived as a poor man.
noble|man /noʊ b ə lmən/ (noblemen ) N‑COUNT In former times, a nobleman was a man who was a member of the nobility. □ It had once been the home of a wealthy nobleman.
no|blesse oblige /noʊble s əbliː ʒ/ N‑UNCOUNT Noblesse oblige is the idea that people with advantages, for example those of a high social class, should help and do things for other people. [FORMAL ] □ They did so without hope of further profit and out of a sense of noblesse oblige.
noble|woman /noʊ b ə lwʊmən/ (noblewomen ) N‑COUNT In former times, a noblewoman was a woman who was a member of the nobility.
no|body ◆◆◇ /noʊ bɒdi/ (nobodies )
1 PRON Nobody means not a single person, or not a single member of a particular group or set. □ They were shut away in a little room where nobody could overhear. □ Nobody realizes how bad things are. □ Nobody else in the neighbourhood can help.
2 N‑COUNT If someone says that a person is a nobody , they are saying in an unkind way that the person is not at all important. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ A man in my position has nothing to fear from a nobody like you.
no-brainer /noʊ bre I nə r / (no-brainers )
1 N‑COUNT If you describe a question or decision as a no-brainer , you mean that it is a very easy one to answer or make. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ It should be illegal to drink and drive. That's a no-brainer.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe a person or action as a no-brainer , you mean that they are stupid. [AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
no clai ms also no-claims ADJ [ADJ n] A no claims discount or bonus is a reduction in the money that you have to pay for an insurance policy, which you get when you have not made any claims in the previous year. □ Motorists could lose their no-claims discount, even if they are not at fault in an accident.
no -co nfidence
1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu n of N , N n] If members of an organization pass a vote or motion of no-confidence in someone, they take a vote which shows that they no longer support that person or their ideas. □ [+ in ] A call for a vote of no-confidence in the president was rejected. □ …a no-confidence motion.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu n of N ] You can refer to something people say or do as a vote of no-confidence when it shows that they no longer support a particular person or organization. □ [+ in ] Many police officers view this action as a vote of no-confidence in their service.
noc|tur|nal /nɒktɜː r n ə l/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Nocturnal means occurring at night. □ …long nocturnal walks.
2 ADJ Nocturnal creatures are active mainly at night. □ When there is a full moon, this nocturnal rodent is careful to stay in its burrow.
noc|turne /nɒ ktɜː r n/ (nocturnes ) N‑COUNT A nocturne is a short gentle piece of music, often one written to be played on the piano.
nod ◆◇◇ /nɒ d/ (nods , nodding , nodded )
1 VERB [no passive] If you nod , you move your head downwards and upwards to show that you are answering 'yes' to a question, or to show agreement, understanding, or approval. □ [V ] 'Are you okay?' I asked. She nodded and smiled. □ [V n] Jacques tasted one and nodded his approval. □ [V with quote] 'Oh, yes,' she nodded. 'I understand you very well.' ● N‑COUNT Nod is also a noun. □ She gave a nod and said, 'I see'. □ He gave Sabrina a quick nod of acknowledgement.
2 VERB [no passive] If you nod in a particular direction, you bend your head once in that direction in order to indicate something or to give someone a signal. □ [V prep] 'Does it work?' he asked, nodding at the piano. □ [V + to ] He lifted the end of the canoe, nodding to me to take up mine.
3 VERB [no passive] If you nod , you bend your head once, as a way of saying hello or goodbye. □ [V ] All the girls nodded and said 'Hi'. □ [V n] Tom nodded a greeting but didn't say anything. □ [V + at/to ] Both of them smiled and nodded at friends. □ [V n + to ] They nodded goodnight to the security man.
4 VERB In football, if a player nods the ball in a particular direction, they hit the ball there with their head. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n adv/prep] Taylor leapt up to nod the ball home.
▸ nod off PHRASAL VERB If you nod off , you fall asleep, especially when you had not intended to. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] The judge appeared to nod off yesterday while a witness was being cross-examined. □ [V P + to ] He was nodding off to sleep in an armchair.
node /noʊ d/ (nodes ) N‑COUNT A node is a point, especially in the form of lump or swelling, where one thing joins another. □ Cut them off cleanly through the stem just below the node. □ …nerve nodes.
nod|ule /nɒ djuːl, [AM ] -dʒuːl/ (nodules )
1 N‑COUNT A nodule is a small round lump that can appear on your body and is a sign of an illness. [MEDICAL ]
2 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A nodule is a small round lump which is found on the roots of certain plants.
Noel /noʊe l/ N‑PROPER Noel is sometimes printed on Christmas cards and Christmas wrapping paper to mean 'Christmas'.
no -fly zone (no-fly zones ) N‑COUNT A no-fly zone is an area of sky where military and other aircraft are not allowed to fly, especially because of a war.
no -go area (no-go areas )
1 N‑COUNT If you refer to a place as a no-go area , you mean that it has a reputation for violence and crime which makes people frightened to go there. [mainly BRIT ] □ The subway's reputation for violence makes it a no-go area for many natives of the city.
2 N‑COUNT A no-go area is a place which is controlled by a group of people who use force to prevent other people from entering it. [mainly BRIT ] □ The area of the President's residence is a no-go area after six p.m.
noise ◆◇◇ /nɔ I z/ (noises )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Noise is a loud or unpleasant sound. □ There was too much noise in the room and he needed peace. □ [+ of ] The noise of bombs and guns was incessant. □ The baby was filled with alarm at the darkness and the noise.
2 N‑COUNT A noise is a sound that someone or something makes. □ Sir Gerald made a small noise in his throat. □ …birdsong and other animal noises.
3 N‑PLURAL If someone makes noises of a particular kind about something, they say things that indicate their attitude to it in a rather indirect or vague way. □ [+ about ] The President took care to make encouraging noises about the future. □ [+ about ] His mother had also started making noises about it being time for him to leave home.
4 PHRASE If you say that someone makes the right noises or makes all the right noises , you think that they are showing concern or enthusiasm about something because they feel they ought to rather than because they really want to. □ He was making all the right noises about multi-party democracy and human rights.
5 → see also big noise COLLOCATIONS noise NOUN 1
adjective + noise : deafening, loud; ambient
noun + noise : aircraft, engine, road, traffic; background; crowd
verb + noise : minimise, reduce; muffle
noise|less /nɔ I zləs/ ADJ Something or someone that is noiseless does not make any sound. □ The snow was light and noiseless as it floated down. ● noise|less|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ I shut the door noiselessly behind me.
noi|some /nɔ I səm/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something or someone as noisome , you mean that you find them extremely unpleasant. [LITERARY ] □ Noisome vapours arise from the mud left in the docks. □ His noisome reputation for corruption had already begun to spread.
noisy /nɔ I zi/ (noisier , noisiest )
1 ADJ A noisy person or thing makes a lot of loud or unpleasant noise. □ …my noisy old typewriter. □ His daughter was very active and noisy in the mornings. ● noisi|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ The students on the grass bank cheered noisily. □ She sat by the window, noisily gulping her morning coffee.
2 ADJ A noisy place is full of a lot of loud or unpleasant noise. □ It's a noisy place with film clips showing constantly on one of the cafe's giant screens. □ The baggage hall was crowded and noisy.
3 ADJ If you describe someone as noisy , you are critical of them for trying to attract attention to their views by frequently and forcefully discussing them. [DISAPPROVAL ]
no|mad /noʊ mæd/ (nomads ) N‑COUNT A nomad is a member of a group of people who travel from place to place rather than living in one place all the time. □ …a country of nomads who raise cattle and camels.
no|mad|ic /noʊmæ d I k/
1 ADJ Nomadic people travel from place to place rather than living in one place all the time. □ …the great nomadic tribes of the Western Sahara.
2 ADJ If someone has a nomadic way of life, they travel from place to place and do not have a settled home. □ The daughter of a railway engineer, she at first had a somewhat nomadic childhood.
no -man's land
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] No-man's land is an area of land that is not owned or controlled by anyone, for example the area of land between two opposing armies. □ In Tobruk, leading a patrol in no-man's land, he was blown up by a mortar bomb. □ [+ between ] The station has been built on the former no-man's-land between East and West Berlin.
2 N‑SING If you refer to a situation as a no-man's land between different things, you mean that it seems unclear because it does not fit into any of the categories. □ [+ between ] The play is set in the dangerous no-man's land between youth and adolescence.
nom de guerre /nɒ m də geə r / (noms de guerre ) N‑COUNT A nom de guerre is a false name which is sometimes used by people who belong to an unofficial military organization. [FORMAL ] □ He joined the Resistance and adopted the nom de guerre Revel.
nom de plume /nɒ m də pluː m/ (noms de plume ) N‑COUNT An author's nom de plume is a name that he or she uses instead of their real name. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] She writes under the nom de plume of Alison Cooper.
no|men|cla|ture /nəme ŋklətʃə r , [AM ] noʊ mənkle I tʃər/ (nomenclatures ) N‑UNCOUNT The nomenclature of a particular set of things is the system of naming those things. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …mistakes arising from ignorance of the nomenclature of woody plants.
no|men|kla|tu|ra /noʊ menklɑtʊə rə/ N‑SING In former communist countries, the nomenklatura were the people the Communist Party approved of and appointed to positions of authority.
nomi|nal /nɒ m I n ə l/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use nominal to indicate that someone or something is supposed to have a particular identity or status, but in reality does not have it. □ As he was still not allowed to run a company, his partner became its nominal head. □ I was brought up a nominal Christian. ● nomi|nal|ly ADV [oft ADV before v] □ The Sultan was still nominally the Chief of Staff.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A nominal price or sum of money is very small in comparison with the real cost or value of the thing that is being bought or sold. □ All the ferries carry bicycles free or for a nominal charge.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] In economics, the nominal value, rate, or level of something is the one expressed in terms of current prices or figures, without taking into account general changes in prices that take place over time. □ Inflation would be lower and so nominal rates would be rather more attractive in real terms.
no mi|nal grou p (nominal groups ) N‑COUNT A nominal group is the same as a noun group .
nomi|nate /nɒ m I ne I t/ (nominates , nominating , nominated )
1 VERB If someone is nominated for a job or position, their name is formally suggested as a candidate for it. □ [be V -ed] Under party rules each candidate has to be nominated by 55 Labour MPs. □ [V n + for ] The public will be able to nominate candidates for awards such as the MBE. □ [V n + as ] …a presidential decree nominating him as sports ambassador. [Also V n, V n to-inf]
2 VERB If you nominate someone to a job or position, you formally choose them to hold that job or position. □ [V n] Voters will choose fifty of the seventy five deputies. The Emir will nominate the rest. □ [V n + to ] The E.U. would nominate two members to the committee. □ [be V -ed + as ] He was nominated by the African National Congress as one of its team at the Groote Sehuur talks. □ [V n to-inf] An elderly person can nominate someone to act for them. [Also V n + as , V n n]
3 VERB If someone or something such as an actor or a film is nominated for an award, someone formally suggests that they should be given that award. □ [be V -ed + for ] Practically every movie he made was nominated for an Oscar. □ [V n + as ] …a campaign to nominate the twice World Champion as Sports Personality of the Year. [Also V n + for ]
nomi|na|tion /nɒ m I ne I ʃ ə n/ (nominations )
1 N‑COUNT A nomination is an official suggestion of someone as a candidate in an election or for a job. □ …his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination. □ [+ for ] …a list of nominations for senior lectureships.
2 N‑COUNT A nomination for an award is an official suggestion that someone or something should be given that award. □ [+ for ] They say he's certain to get a nomination for best supporting actor. □ He has nominations in four categories: Male Solo Artist, Breakthrough Artist, British Album of the Year and British Single.
3 N‑VAR The nomination of someone to a particular job or position is their appointment to that job or position. □ [+ of ] They opposed the nomination of a junior officer to the position of Inspector General of Police.
nomi|na|tive /nɒ m I nət I v/ N‑SING In the grammar of some languages, the nominative or the nominative case is the case used for a noun when it is the subject of a verb. Compare accusative .
nomi|nee /nɒ m I niː / (nominees ) N‑COUNT A nominee is someone who is nominated for a job, position, or award. □ I was delighted to be a nominee for such a prestigious award.
PREFIX non-
1 also forms nouns that refer to situations where a particular action has not taken place. For example, someone’s non-attendance at a meeting is the fact that they did not go to the meeting.
2 forms nouns and adjectives that refer to people or things that do not have a particular quality or characteristic. For example, a non-fatal accident is not fatal.
no n-aggre ssion in AM, also use nonaggression N‑UNCOUNT If a country adopts a policy of non-aggression , it declares that it will not attack or try to harm a particular country in any way. □ A non-aggression pact will be signed between the two countries.
no n-alcoho lic in AM, also use nonalcoholic ADJ [usu ADJ n] A non-alcoholic drink does not contain alcohol. □ …bottles of non-alcoholic beer.
no n-ali gned in AM, also use nonaligned ADJ [usu ADJ n] Non-aligned countries did not support or were in no way linked to groups of countries headed by the United States or the former Soviet Union. □ …a meeting of foreign ministers from non-aligned countries.
no n-ali gnment in AM, also use nonalignment N‑UNCOUNT Non-alignment is the state or policy of being non-aligned. □ The Afro-Asian nations had approved the basic general principles of non-alignment.
non|cha|lant /nɒ nʃələnt, [AM ] -lɑː nt/ ADJ If you describe someone as nonchalant , you mean that they appear not to worry or care about things and that they seem very calm. □ [+ about ] Clark's mother is nonchalant about her role in her son's latest work. □ It merely underlines our rather more nonchalant attitude to life. ● non|cha|lance /nɒ nʃələns, [AM ] -lɑː ns/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Affecting nonchalance, I handed her two hundred dollar bills. ● non|cha|lant|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ 'Does Will intend to return with us?' Joanna asked as nonchalantly as she could.
no n-co mbatant (non-combatants ) in AM, usually use noncombatant 1 N‑COUNT [usu N n] Non-combatant troops are members of the armed forces whose duties do not include fighting. □ The General does not like non-combatant personnel near a scene of action.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] In a war, non-combatants are people who are not members of the armed forces. □ The Red Cross has arranged two local ceasefires, allowing non-combatants to receive medical help.
no n-commi ssioned in AM, use noncommissioned ADJ [ADJ n] A non-commissioned officer in the armed forces is someone with a rank such as corporal or sergeant who used to have a lower rank, rather than an officer of higher rank who has been given a commission.
non|com|mit|tal /nɒ nkəm I t ə l/ also non-committal ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] You can describe someone as noncommittal when they deliberately do not express their opinion or intentions clearly. □ Mr Hall is non-committal about the number of jobs that the development corporation has created. □ Sylvia's face was noncommittal. □ …a very bland non-committal answer. ● non|com|mit|tal|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ 'I like some of his novels better than others,' I said noncommittally.
non|con|form|ist /nɒ nkənfɔː r m I st/ (nonconformists ) also non-conformist
1 ADJ If you say that someone's way of life or opinions are nonconformist , you mean that they are different from those of most people. □ Their views are non-conformist and their political opinions are extreme. □ …a nonconformist lifestyle. ● N‑COUNT A nonconformist is someone who is nonconformist. □ Victoria stood out as a dazzling non-conformist.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] In Britain, nonconformist churches are Protestant churches which are not part of the Church of England. □ His father was a Nonconformist minister. ● N‑COUNT A nonconformist is a member of a nonconformist church. □ Although he seems to be an old-fashioned non-conformist, he is in fact a very devout Catholic.
non|con|form|ity /nɒ nkənfɔː r m I ti/ also non-conformity N‑UNCOUNT Nonconformity is behaviour or thinking which is different from that of most people. □ Your unconventional choice of clothes is a statement of your non-conformity. □ Lovelock's principled nonconformity can be traced to his childhood.
no n-custo dial
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone who has been found guilty of a crime or offence is given a non-custodial sentence, their punishment does not involve going to prison. [FORMAL ] □ …non-custodial punishments for minor criminals.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] The non-custodial parent in a couple who are separated or divorced is the parent who does not live with the children. □ More than half the children of divorce did not see the non-custodial parent on a regular basis.
non|de|script /nɒ nd I skr I pt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something or someone as nondescript , you mean that their appearance is rather dull, and not at all interesting or attractive. □ Europa House is one of those hundreds of nondescript buildings along the Bath Road. □ …a nondescript woman of uncertain age.
non-dom /nɒ ndɒm/ (non-doms ) N‑COUNT A non-dom is a person who does not live in the country in which they were born. □ The spotlight is on the bewildering world of non-doms and offshore taxation.
none ◆◆◇ /nʌ n/
1 QUANT None of something means not even a small amount of it. None of a group of people or things means not even one of them. □ [+ of ] She did none of the maintenance on the vehicle itself. □ [+ of ] None of us knew how to treat her. ● PRON None is also a pronoun. □ I turned to bookshops and libraries seeking information and found none. □ No one could imagine a great woman painter. None had existed yet. □ Only two cars produced by Austin-Morris could reach 100 mph and none could pass the 10-second acceleration test.
2 PHRASE If you say that someone will have none of something, or is having none of something, you mean that they refuse to accept it. [INFORMAL ] □ He knew his own mind and was having none of their attempts to keep him at home.
3 PHRASE You use none too in front of an adjective or adverb in order to emphasize that the quality mentioned is not present. [FORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ He was none too thrilled to hear from me at that hour. □ Her hand grasped my shoulder, none too gently.
4 PHRASE You use none the to say that someone or something does not have any more of a particular quality than they did before. □ You could end up none the wiser about managing your finances. □ He became convinced that his illness was purely imaginary: that made it none the better.
5 none of your business → see business
6 none other than → see other
7 second to none → see second ➋
non|en|tity /nɒne nt I ti/ (nonentities ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a nonentity , you mean that they are not special or important in any way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Amidst the current bunch of nonentities, he is a towering figure. □ She was written off then as a political nonentity.
no n-esse ntial (non-essentials ) in AM, also use nonessential 1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Non-essential means not absolutely necessary. □ The crisis has led to the closure of a number of non-essential government services. □ …non-essential goods.
2 N‑PLURAL Non-essentials are things that are not absolutely necessary. □ In a recession, consumers could be expected to cut down on non-essentials like toys.
none|the|less /nʌ nðəle s/ ADV Nonetheless means the same as nevertheless . [FORMAL ] □ There was still a long way to go. Nonetheless, some progress had been made. □ His face is serious but nonetheless very friendly.
no n-eve nt (non-events ) in AM, also use nonevent N‑COUNT If you say that something was a non-event , you mean that it was disappointing or dull, especially when this was not what you had expected. □ Unfortunately, the entire evening was a total non-event.
no n-exe cutive (non-executives )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Someone who has a non-executive position in a company or organization gives advice but is not responsible for making decisions or ensuring that decisions are carried out. [BUSINESS ] □ …non-executive directors.
2 N‑COUNT A non-executive is someone who has a non-executive position in a company or organization. [BUSINESS ]
no n-exi stence also nonexistence N‑UNCOUNT Non-existence is the fact of not existing. □ [+ of ] I was left with puzzlement as to the existence or non-existence of God.
no n-exi stent also nonexistent ADJ If you say that something is non-existent , you mean that it does not exist when you feel that it should. □ Hygiene was non-existent: no running water, no bathroom.
no n-fat also nonfat ADJ Non-fat foods have very low amounts of fat in them. □ …plain non-fat yogurt.
no n-fi ction also nonfiction N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Non-fiction is writing that gives information or describes real events, rather than telling a story. □ The series will include both fiction and non-fiction. □ Lewis is the author of thirteen novels and ten non-fiction books.
no n-fi nite also nonfinite ADJ [usu ADJ n] A non-finite clause is a clause which is based on an infinitive or a participle and has no tense. Compare finite .
no n-governme ntal or|gani|za |tion (non-governmental organizations ) N‑COUNT A non-governmental organization is the same as an NGO .
no n-hu man also nonhuman ADJ Non-human means not human or not produced by humans. □ Hostility towards outsiders is characteristic of both human and non-human animals.
no n-interve ntion in AM, also use nonintervention N‑UNCOUNT Non-intervention is the practice or policy of not becoming involved in a dispute or disagreement between other people and of not helping either side. □ Generally, I think the policy of non-intervention is the correct one.
no n-li near also nonlinear ADJ If you describe something as non-linear , you mean that it does not progress or develop smoothly from one stage to the next in a logical way. Instead, it makes sudden changes, or seems to develop in different directions at the same time. □ …a non-linear narrative structure.
no n-me mber (non-members ) in AM, also use nonmember N‑COUNT [usu pl] Non-members of a club or organization are people who are not members of it. □ The scheme is also open to non-members. □ Spain imposed levies on farm imports from non-member states.
no n-nu clear in AM, also use nonnuclear ADJ Non-nuclear means not using or involving nuclear weapons or nuclear power. □ …a treaty to reduce non-nuclear weapons.
no -no N‑SING If you say that something is a no-no , you think it is undesirable or unacceptable. [INFORMAL ] □ We all know that cheating on our taxes is a no-no.
no -no nsense
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as a no-nonsense person, you approve of the fact that they are efficient, direct, and quite tough. [APPROVAL ] □ She saw herself as a direct, no-nonsense modern woman.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as a no-nonsense thing, you approve of the fact that it is plain and does not have unnecessary parts. [APPROVAL ] □ You'll need no-nonsense boots for the jungle.
no n-pa rtisan in AM, use nonpartisan ADJ A person or group that is non-partisan does not support or help a particular political party or group. □ …a non-partisan organization that does economic research for business and labor groups. □ …the president's Thanksgiving Day call for a non-partisan approach to the problem.
no n-pa yment also nonpayment N‑UNCOUNT Non-payment is a failure to pay a sum of money that you owe. □ [+ of ] She has received an eviction order from the council for non-payment of rent.
non|plussed /nɒ nplʌ st/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are nonplussed , you feel confused and unsure how to react. □ He is completely nonplussed by the question.
no n-pro fit also nonprofit ADJ [usu ADJ n] A non-profit organization is one which is not run with the aim of making a profit. [BUSINESS ] □ Her center is a non-profit organization that cares for about 50 children.
no n-pro fit-making also nonprofit-making ADJ [usu ADJ n] A non-profit-making organization or charity is not run with the intention of making a profit. [mainly BRIT , BUSINESS ] □ …the Film Theatre Foundation, a non-profit-making company which raises money for the arts.
no n-prolifera tion also nonproliferation N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Non-proliferation is the limiting of the production and spread of something such as nuclear or chemical weapons. □ …the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
no n-re sident (non-residents ) in AM, also use nonresident ADJ A non-resident person is someone who is visiting a particular place but who does not live or stay there permanently. □ 100,000 non-resident workers would be sent back to their home villages. ● N‑COUNT A non-resident is someone who is non-resident. □ Both hotels have gardens and restaurants open to non-residents.
non|sense /nɒ nsəns/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that something spoken or written is nonsense , you mean that you consider it to be untrue or silly. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Most orthodox doctors however dismiss this as complete nonsense. □ …all that poetic nonsense about love. □ 'I'm putting on weight.'—'Nonsense my dear.'
2 N‑VAR [oft a N ] You can use nonsense to refer to something that you think is foolish or that you disapprove of. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Surely it is an economic nonsense to deplete the world of natural resources. □ I think there is a limit to how much of this nonsense people are going to put up with.
3 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to spoken or written words that do not mean anything because they do not make sense as nonsense . □ …a children's nonsense poem by Charles E Carryl.
4 → see also no-nonsense
5 PHRASE To make a nonsense of something or to make nonsense of it means to make it seem ridiculous or pointless. □ The fighting made a nonsense of the peace pledges made last week.
non|sen|si|cal /nɒnse ns I k ə l/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that something is nonsensical , you think it is stupid, ridiculous, or untrue. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It seemed to me that Sir Robert's arguments were nonsensical. □ There were no nonsensical promises about reviving the economy.
non se|qui|tur /nɒ n se kw I tə r / (non sequiturs ) N‑VAR A non sequitur is a statement, remark, or conclusion that does not follow naturally or logically from what has just been said. [FORMAL ] □ Had she missed something important, or was this just a non sequitur?
no n-smo ker (non-smokers ) also nonsmoker N‑COUNT A non-smoker is someone who does not smoke. □ Nobody will be allowed to smoke in an office if there are non-smokers present.
no n-smo king also nonsmoking
1 ADJ A non-smoking area in a public place is an area in which people are not allowed to smoke. □ More and more restaurants are providing non-smoking areas.
2 ADJ A non-smoking person is a person who does not smoke. □ The fertility of women who smoke is half that of non-smoking women.
no n-speci fic also nonspecific
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Non-specific medical conditions or symptoms have more than one possible cause. □ …non-specific headaches.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is non-specific is general rather than precise or exact. □ I intend to use these terms in a deliberately non-specific and all-embracing way.
no n-sta ndard also nonstandard ADJ [usu ADJ n] Non-standard things are different from the usual version or type of that thing. □ The shop is completely out of non-standard sizes.
no n-sta rter (non-starters ) also nonstarter N‑COUNT If you describe a plan or idea as a non-starter , you mean that it has no chance of success. [INFORMAL ] □ The United States is certain to reject the proposal as a non-starter.
no n-sti ck also nonstick ADJ [usu ADJ n] Non-stick saucepans, frying pans, or baking tins have a special coating on the inside which prevents food from sticking to them.
no n-sto p also nonstop ADJ Something that is non-stop continues without any pauses or interruptions. □ Many U.S. cities now have non-stop flights to Aspen. □ …80 minutes of non-stop music. □ The training was non-stop and continued for three days. ● ADV [ADV after v] Non-stop is also an adverb. □ Amy and her group had driven non-stop through Spain. □ [+ for ] The snow fell non-stop for 24 hours.
no n-u nion in AM, use nonunion ADJ [usu ADJ n] Non-union workers do not belong to a trade union or labor union. A non-union company or organization does not employ workers who belong to a trade union or labor union. [BUSINESS ] □ The company originally intended to reopen the factory with non-union workers.
no n-ve rbal also nonverbal ADJ [usu ADJ n] Non-verbal communication consists of things such as the expression on your face, your arm movements, or your tone of voice, which show how you feel about something without using words.
no n-vi olent also nonviolent
1 ADJ Non-violent methods of bringing about change do not involve hurting people or causing damage. □ King was a worldwide symbol of non-violent protest against racial injustice. □ I would only belong to an environmental movement if it was explicitly non-violent. ● non-violence N‑UNCOUNT □ His commitment to non-violence led to a Nobel peace prize.
2 ADJ You can refer to someone or something such as a crime as non-violent when that person or thing does not hurt or injure people. □ …non-violent offenders.
no n-whi te (non-whites ) in AM, also use nonwhite ADJ A non-white person is a member of a race of people who are not of European origin. □ Non-white people are effectively excluded from certain jobs. □ 60 percent of the population is non-white. ● N‑COUNT Non-white is also a noun. □ Not one non-white has ever been selected to play for the team.
noo|dle /nuː d ə l/ (noodles ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Noodles are long, thin, curly strips of pasta. They are used especially in Chinese and Italian cooking.
nook /nʊ k/ (nooks )
1 N‑COUNT A nook is a small and sheltered place. □ We found a seat in a little nook, and had some lunch.
2 PHRASE If you talk about every nook and cranny of a place or situation, you mean every part or every aspect of it. [EMPHASIS ] □ Boxes are stacked in every nook and cranny at the factory. □ [+ of ] …Cole's vast knowledge of the nooks and crannies of British politics.
nookie /nʊ ki/ also nooky N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to sexual intercourse as nookie . Some people consider this word offensive. [INFORMAL ] □ …the fearful Hollywood sin of pre-marital nookie.
noon /nuː n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft prep N ] Noon is twelve o'clock in the middle of the day. □ The long day of meetings started at noon. □ Our branches are open from 9am to 5pm during the week and until 12 noon on Saturdays.
2 → see also high noon
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Noon means happening or appearing in the middle part of the day. □ The noon sun was fierce. □ He expected the transfer to go through by today's noon deadline.
4 morning, noon, and night → see morning
noon|day /nuː nde I / ADJ [ADJ n] Noonday means happening or appearing in the middle part of the day. □ It was hot, nearly 90 degrees in the noonday sun.
no one ◆◆◇ also no-one PRON No one means not a single person, or not a single member of a particular group or set. □ Everyone wants to be a hero, but no one wants to die. □ No one can open mail except the person to whom it has been addressed. USAGE no one
You don’t usually use any other negative word after no one
or nobody
. Don’t say, for example, ‘
No one didn’t come
’. Say ‘No one came
’. Similarly, don’t use ‘no one’ or ‘nobody’ as the object of a sentence which already has a negative word in it. Don’t say, for example, ‘
We didn’t see no one
’. You say ‘We didn’t see anyone
’ or ‘We didn’t see anybody
’. □
You mustn’t tell anyone
.
noose /nuː s/ (nooses ) N‑COUNT A noose is a circular loop at the end of a piece of rope or wire. A noose is tied with a knot that allows it to be tightened, and it is usually used to trap animals or hang people.
nope /noʊ p/ CONVENTION Nope is sometimes used instead of 'no' as a negative response. [INFORMAL , SPOKEN ] □ 'Is she supposed to work today?'—'Nope, tomorrow.'
nor ◆◆◇ /nɔː r /
1 CONJ You use nor after 'neither' in order to introduce the second alternative or the last of a number of alternatives in a negative statement. □ Neither Mr Rose nor Mr Woodhead was available for comment yesterday. □ I can give you neither an opinion nor any advice. □ They can neither read nor write, nor can they comprehend such concepts.
2 CONJ You use nor after a negative statement in order to indicate that the negative statement also applies to you or to someone or something else. □ 'We have no idea how long we're going to be here.'—'Nor do I.' □ I don't want to see him go and nor do the fans. □ He doesn't want to live in the country when he grows up, nor does he want to live in the city.
3 CONJ You use nor after a negative statement in order to introduce another negative statement which adds information to the previous one. □ Cooking quickly doesn't mean sacrificing flavour. Nor does fast food have to be junk food.
Nor|dic /nɔː r d I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Nordic means relating to the Scandinavian countries of northern Europe. □ The Nordic countries have been quick to assert their interest in the development of the Baltic States.
norm /nɔː r m/ (norms )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Norms are ways of behaving that are considered normal in a particular society. □ [+ of ] …the commonly accepted norms of democracy. □ …a social norm that says drunkenness is inappropriate behaviour.
2 N‑SING If you say that a situation is the norm , you mean that it is usual and expected. □ [+ in ] Families of six or seven are the norm in Borough Park. □ [+ of ] There will be more leases of 15 years than the present norm of 25 years. [Also + for ]
3 N‑COUNT A norm is an official standard or level that organizations are expected to reach. □ …an agency which would establish European norms and co-ordinate national policies to halt pollution.
nor|mal ◆◆◇ /nɔː r m ə l/
1 ADJ Something that is normal is usual and ordinary, and is what people expect. □ He has occasional injections to maintain his good health but otherwise he lives a normal life. □ The two countries resumed normal diplomatic relations. □ [+ for ] Some of the shops were closed but that's quite normal for a Thursday afternoon. □ Life here will continue as normal.
2 ADJ A normal person has no serious physical or mental health problems. □ Normal people just don't react like that. □ Will the baby be normal?
nor|mal|cy /nɔː r m ə lsi/ N‑UNCOUNT Normalcy is a situation in which everything is normal. □ Underneath this image of normalcy, addiction threatened to rip this family apart.
nor|mal|ity /nɔː r mæ l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Normality is a situation in which everything is normal. □ A semblance of normality has returned with people going to work and shops re-opening. [Also + of ]
nor|mal|ize /nɔː r məla I z/ (normalizes , normalizing , normalized ) in BRIT, also use normalise 1 VERB When you normalize a situation or when it normalizes , it becomes normal. □ [V n] Meditation tends to lower or normalize blood pressure. □ [V ] After the interview your body chemistry normalizes.
2 VERB If people, groups, or governments normalize relations, or when relations normalize , they become normal or return to normal. □ [V n] The two governments were close to normalizing relations. □ [V n + with ] The United States says they are not prepared to join in normalizing ties with their former enemy. □ [V ] If relations between the two countries begin to normalise, anything is possible. ● nor|mali|za|tion /nɔː r məla I ze I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The two sides would like to see the normalisation of diplomatic relations.
nor|mal|ly ◆◇◇ /nɔː r məli/
1 ADV [ADV with v] If you say that something normally happens or that you normally do a particular thing, you mean that it is what usually happens or what you usually do. □ All airports in the country are working normally today. □ Social progress is normally a matter of struggles and conflicts. □ Normally, the transportation system in Paris carries 950,000 passengers a day.
2 ADV [ADV after v] If you do something normally , you do it in the usual or conventional way. □ She would apparently eat normally and then make herself sick. □ …failure of the blood to clot normally. SYNONYMS normally ADV 1
usually: Usually, the work is boring.
generally: It is generally true that the darker the fruit, the higher its iron content.
commonly: Parsley is probably the most commonly used of all herbs.
typically: It typically takes a day or two, depending on size.
Nor|man /nɔː r mən/ (Normans )
1 N‑COUNT The Normans were the people who came from northern France and took control of England in 1066, or their descendants.
2 ADJ Norman is used to refer to the period of history in Britain from 1066 until around 1300, and in particular to the style of architecture of that period. □ In Norman England, the greyhound was a symbol of nobility. □ …a Norman castle.
nor|ma|tive /nɔː r mət I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Normative means creating or stating particular rules of behaviour. [FORMAL ] □ Normative sexual behaviour in our society remains heterosexual. □ …a normative model of teaching.
Norse /nɔː r s/
1 ADJ Norse means belonging or relating to Scandinavian countries in medieval times. □ In Norse mythology the moon is personified as male.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Norse is the language that was spoken in Scandinavian countries in medieval times.
Norse|man /nɔː r smən/ (Norsemen ) N‑COUNT The Norsemen were people who lived in Scandinavian countries in medieval times.
north ◆◆◆ /nɔː r θ/ also North
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] The north is the direction which is on your left when you are looking towards the direction where the sun rises. □ In the north the ground becomes very cold as the winter snow and ice covers the ground. □ Birds usually migrate from north to south.
2 N‑SING The north of a place, country, or region is the part which is in the north. □ The scheme mostly benefits people in the North and Midlands. □ [+ of ] …a tiny house in a village in the north of France.
3 ADV [ADV after v] If you go north , you travel towards the north. □ Anita drove north up Pacific Highway.
4 ADV Something that is north of a place is positioned to the north of it. □ [+ of ] …a little village a few miles north of Portsmouth.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] The north edge, corner, or part of a place or country is the part which is towards the north. □ …the north side of the mountain. □ They were coming in to land on the north coast of Crete.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] ' North ' is used in the names of some countries, states, and regions in the north of a larger area. □ There were demonstrations this weekend in cities throughout North America, Asia and Europe.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] A north wind is a wind that blows from the north. □ …a bitterly cold north wind.
8 N‑SING The North is used to refer to the richer, more developed countries of the world. □ Developing countries are critical of the North's environmental attitudes.
north|bound /nɔː r θbaʊnd/ ADJ [ADJ n, n ADJ ] Northbound roads or vehicles lead or are travelling towards the north. □ A 25 mile traffic jam clogged the northbound carriageway of the M6. □ Traffic was already very congested by six thirty this morning, particularly on the M1 northbound.
no rth-ea st ◆◆◇ also northeast
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] The north-east is the direction which is halfway between north and east. □ The land to the north-east fell away into meadows.
2 N‑SING The north-east of a place, country, or region is the part which is in the north-east. □ The north-east, with 60 million people, is the most densely populated part of the United States. □ [+ of ] They're all from Newcastle in the North East of England.
3 ADV [ADV after v] If you go north-east , you travel towards the north-east. □ The streets were jammed with slow-moving traffic, army convoys moving north-east.
4 ADV Something that is north-east of a place is positioned to the north-east of it. □ [+ of ] This latest attack was at Careysburg, twenty miles north-east of the capital, Monrovia.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] The north-east part of a place, country, or region is the part which is towards the north-east. □ …Waltham Abbey on the north-east outskirts of London.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] A north-east wind is a wind that blows from the north-east. □ By 9.15 a bitter north-east wind was blowing.
no rth-ea sterly also northeasterly ADJ [usu ADJ n] A north-easterly point, area, or direction is to the north-east or towards the north-east.
no rth-ea stern also north eastern ADJ [usu ADJ n] North-eastern means in or from the north-east of a region or country. □ …the north-eastern coast of the United States.
nor|ther|ly /nɔː r ðə r li/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A northerly point, area, or direction is to the north or towards the north. □ Unst is the most northerly island in the British Isles. □ I wanted to go a more northerly route across Montana.
2 ADJ A northerly wind is a wind that blows from the north.
north|ern ◆◆◇ /nɔː r ðə r n/ also Northern ADJ [ADJ n] Northern means in or from the north of a region, state, or country. □ Prices at three-star hotels fell furthest in several northern cities.
north|ern|er /nɔː r ðə r nə r / (northerners ) N‑COUNT A northerner is a person who was born in or who lives in the north of a place or country. □ I like the openness and directness of northerners.
north|ern|most /nɔː r ðə r nmoʊst/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] The northernmost part of an area or the northernmost place is the one that is farthest towards the north. □ …the northernmost tip of the British Isles. □ The Chablis vineyard is the northernmost in Burgundy.
No rth Po le N‑PROPER The North Pole is the place on the surface of the earth which is farthest towards the north.
north|ward /nɔː r θwə r d/ also northwards ADV [usu ADV after v, oft n ADV ] Northward or northwards means towards the north. □ Tropical storm Marco is pushing northward up Florida's coast. □ …the flow of immigrants northward. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Northward is also an adjective. □ The northward journey from Jalalabad was no more than 120 miles.
no rth-we st ◆◆◇ also northwest
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] The north-west is the direction which is halfway between north and west. □ …Ushant, five miles out to the north-west.
2 N‑SING The north-west of a place, country, or region is the part which is towards the north-west. □ Labour took its pre-election campaign to the North-West. □ [+ of ] …the extreme north-west of South America.
3 ADV [ADV after v] If you go north-west , you travel towards the north-west. □ Take the narrow lane going north-west, parallel with the railway line.
4 ADV Something that is north-west of a place is positioned to the north-west of it. □ [+ of ] This was situated to the north-west of the town, a short walk from the railway station.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] The north-west part of a place, country, or region is the part which is towards the north-west. □ …the north-west coast of the United States. □ …Sydney's north-west suburbs.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] A north-west wind is a wind that blows from the north-west. □ A brisk north-west wind swept across the region.
no rth-we sterly also northwesterly ADJ [usu ADJ n] A north-westerly point, area, or direction is to the north-west or towards the north-west.
no rth-we stern also north western ADJ [usu ADJ n] North-western means in or from the north-west of a region or country. □ He was from north-western Russia.
Nor|we|gian /nɔː r wiː dʒ ə n/ (Norwegians )
1 ADJ Norwegian means belonging or relating to Norway, or to its people, language, or culture.
2 N‑COUNT A Norwegian is a person who comes from Norway.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Norwegian is the language spoken in Norway.
no -sco re dra w (no-score draws ) N‑COUNT A no-score draw is the result of a football match in which neither team scores any goals.
nose ◆◇◇ /noʊ z/ (noses , nosing , nosed )
1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your nose is the part of your face which sticks out above your mouth. You use it for smelling and breathing. □ She wiped her nose with a tissue. □ She's got funny eyes and a big nose.
2 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] The nose of a vehicle such as a car or aeroplane is the front part of it. □ Sue parked off the main street, with the van's nose pointing away from the street.
3 N‑COUNT You can refer to your sense of smell as your nose . □ The river that runs through Middlesbrough became ugly on the eye and hard on the nose.
4 VERB If a vehicle noses in a certain direction or if you nose it there, you move it slowly and carefully in that direction. □ [V adv/prep] He could not see the driver as the car nosed forward. □ [V n prep/adv] Ben drove past them, nosing his car into the garage.
5 → see also hard-nosed , toffee-nosed
6 PHRASE If you keep your nose clean , you behave well and stay out of trouble. [INFORMAL ] □ If you kept your nose clean, you had a job for life.
7 PHRASE If you follow your nose to get to a place, you go straight ahead or follow the most obvious route. □ Just follow your nose and in about five minutes you're at the old railway.
8 PHRASE If you follow your nose , you do something in a particular way because you feel it should be done like that, rather than because you are following any plan or rules. □ You won't have to think, just follow your nose.
9 PHRASE If you say that someone has a nose for something, you mean that they have a natural ability to find it or recognize it. □ He had a nose for trouble and a brilliant tactical mind.
10 PHRASE If you say that someone or something gets up your nose , you mean that they annoy you. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ He's just getting up my nose so much at the moment.
11 PHRASE If you say that someone looks down their nose at something or someone, you mean that they believe they are superior to that person or thing and treat them with disrespect. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ They rather looked down their noses at anyone who couldn't speak French.
12 PHRASE If you say that you paid through the nose for something, you are emphasizing that you had to pay what you consider too high a price for it. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ [+ for ] We pay through the nose for a ticket then stand up all the way to work.
13 PHRASE If someone pokes their nose into something or sticks their nose into something, they try to interfere with it even though it does not concern them. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ We don't like strangers who poke their noses into our affairs. □ Why did you have to stick your nose in?
14 PHRASE To rub someone's nose in something that they do not want to think about, such as a failing or a mistake they have made, means to remind them repeatedly about it. [INFORMAL ] □ His enemies will attempt to rub his nose in past policy statements.
15 PHRASE If you say that someone is cutting off their nose to spite their face , you mean they do something that they think will hurt someone, without realizing or caring that it will hurt themselves as well. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The industry's greed means it is cutting off its nose to spite its face.
16 PHRASE If vehicles are nose to tail , the front of one vehicle is close behind the back of another. [mainly BRIT ] □ …a line of about twenty fast-moving trucks driving nose to tail. in AM, use bumper-to-bumper
17 PHRASE If you thumb your nose at someone, you behave in a way that shows that you do not care what they think. □ He has always thumbed his nose at the media.
18 PHRASE If you turn up your nose at something, you reject it because you think that it is not good enough for you. □ I'm not in a financial position to turn up my nose at several hundred thousand pounds.
19 PHRASE If you do something under someone's nose , you do it right in front of them, without trying to hide it from them. □ Okay so have an affair, but not right under my nose.
20 to put someone's nose out of joint → see joint
nose|bleed /noʊ zbliːd/ (nosebleeds ) also nose bleed N‑COUNT If someone has a nosebleed , blood comes out from inside their nose. □ Whenever I have a cold I get a nosebleed.
nose|dive /noʊ zda I v/ (nosedives , nosediving , nosedived ) also nose-dive
1 VERB If prices, profits, or exchange rates nosedive , they suddenly fall by a large amount. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V ] The value of other shares nosedived by £2.6 billion. ● N‑SING Nosedive is also a noun. □ [+ in ] The bank yesterday revealed a 30 per cent nosedive in profits.
2 VERB If something such as someone's reputation or career nosedives , it suddenly gets much worse. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V ] Since the U.S. invasion the president's reputation has nosedived. ● N‑SING Nosedive is also a noun. □ He told the tribunal his career had 'taken a nosedive' since his dismissal last year.
no se job (nose jobs ) N‑COUNT A nose job is a surgical operation that some people have to improve the shape of their nose. [INFORMAL ] □ I've never had plastic surgery, though people always think I've had a nose job.
nos|ey /noʊ zi/ → see nosy
nosh /nɒ ʃ/ (noshes , noshing , noshed )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Food can be referred to as nosh . [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ Fancy some nosh?
2 N‑SING A nosh is a snack or light meal. [AM , INFORMAL ]
3 VERB If you nosh , you eat. [INFORMAL ] □ [V ] She sprinkled pepper on my grub, watching me nosh. □ [V n] …a big-bellied bird noshing some heather.
no -sho w N‑SING If someone who is expected to go somewhere fails to go there, you can say that they are a no-show . □ He was a no-show at last week's game in Milwaukee.
nos|tal|gia /nɒstæ ldʒə/ N‑UNCOUNT Nostalgia is an affectionate feeling you have for the past, especially for a particularly happy time. □ [+ for ] He might be influenced by nostalgia for his happy youth. □ He discerned in the novel an air of Sixties nostalgia.
nos|tal|gic /nɒstæ ldʒ I k/
1 ADJ Nostalgic things cause you to think affectionately about the past. □ Although we still depict nostalgic snow scenes on Christmas cards, winters are now very much warmer. □ Somehow the place even smelt wonderfully nostalgic.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you feel nostalgic , you think affectionately about experiences you had in the past. □ [+ for/about ] Many people were nostalgic for the good old days. ● nos|tal|gi|cal|ly /nɒstæ ldʒ I kli/ ADV [ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ People look back nostalgically on the war period, simply because everyone pulled together.
nos|tril /nɒ str I l/ (nostrils ) N‑COUNT Your nostrils are the two openings at the end of your nose.
nos|trum /nɒ strəm/ (nostrums )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] You can refer to ideas or theories about how something should be done as nostrums , especially when you think they are old-fashioned or wrong in some way. [FORMAL ] □ …yesterday's failed socialist nostrums. [Also + of ]
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to a medicine as a nostrum , you mean that it is not effective or has not been tested in a proper scientific way. □ …pills, tablets, and other nostrums claiming to be magic potions.
nosy /noʊ zi/ (nosier , nosiest ) also nosey ADJ If you describe someone as nosy , you mean that they are interested in things which do not concern them. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He was having to whisper in order to avoid being overheard by their nosy neighbours. □ I agree that the press is often too nosy about a candidate's personal history.
not ◆◆◆ /nɒ t/ Not is often shortened to n't in spoken English, and added to the auxiliary or modal verb. For example, 'did not' is often shortened to 'didn't'. 1 ADV You use not with verbs to form negative statements. □ The sanctions are not working the way they were intended. □ I was not in Britain at the time. □ There are many things you won't understand here. □ I don't trust my father anymore.
2 ADV You use not to form questions to which you expect the answer 'yes'. □ Haven't they got enough problems there already? □ Didn't I see you at the party last week? □ Don't you just love lying in the sunshine?
3 ADV You use not , usually in the form n't , in questions which imply that someone should have done something, or to express surprise that something is not the case. □ Why didn't you do it months ago? □ Hasn't anyone ever kissed you before? □ Shouldn't you have gone further?
4 ADV You use not , usually in the form n't , in question tags after a positive statement. □ 'It's a nice piece of jewellery though, isn't it?'. □ I've been a great husband, haven't I?
5 ADV You use not , usually in the form n't , in polite suggestions. [POLITENESS ] □ Actually we do have a position in mind. Why don't you fill out our application? □ Couldn't they send it by train?
6 ADV You use not to represent the negative of a word, group, or clause that has just been used. □ 'Have you found Paula?'—'I'm afraid not, Kate.' □ At first I really didn't care whether he came or not.
7 ADV You can use not in front of 'all' or 'every' when you want to say something that applies only to some members of the group that you are talking about. □ Not all the money, to put it mildly, has been used wisely. □ Not every applicant had a degree.
8 ADV If something is not always the case, you mean that sometimes it is the case and sometimes it is not. □ She couldn't always afford a babysitter. □ The life of an FBI agent wasn't always as glamorous as people thought.
9 ADV You can use not or not even in front of 'a' or 'one' to emphasize that there is none at all of what is being mentioned. [EMPHASIS ] □ The houses are beautiful, but there's no shop, not even a pub to go into. □ I sent report after report. But not one word was published.
10 ADV You can use not in front of a word referring to a distance, length of time, or other amount to say that the actual distance, time, or amount is less than the one mentioned. □ The tug crossed our stern not fifty yards away. □ They were here not five minutes ago!
11 ADV You use not when you are contrasting something that is true with something that is untrue. You use this especially to indicate that people might think that the untrue statement is true. □ They married not because it made economic sense but because they loved one another. □ Training is an investment not a cost.
12 ADV You use not in expressions such as 'not only', 'not just', and 'not simply' to emphasize that something is true, but it is not the whole truth. [EMPHASIS ] □ These movies were not only making money; they were also perceived to be original. □ The 1790s were bad times, not just in Scotland but all across England.
13 PHRASE You use not that to introduce a negative clause that contradicts something that the previous statement implies. □ His death took me a year to get over; not that you're ever really over it.
14 CONVENTION Not at all is an emphatic way of saying 'No' or of agreeing that the answer to a question is 'No'. [EMPHASIS ] □ 'Sorry. I sound like Abby, don't I?'—'No. Not at all.' □ 'You don't think that you've betrayed your country.'—'No I don't. No, not at all.'
15 CONVENTION Not at all is a polite way of acknowledging a person's thanks. [FORMULAE ] □ 'Thank you very much for speaking with us.'—'Not at all.'
16 not half → see half
17 if not → see if
18 not least → see least
19 not to mention → see mention
20 nothing if not → see nothing
21 more often than not → see often
no|table /noʊ təb ə l/ ADJ Someone or something that is notable is important or interesting. □ [+ for ] The proposed new structure is notable not only for its height, but for its shape. □ With a few notable exceptions, doctors are a pretty sensible lot.
no|tably /noʊ təbli/
1 ADV You use notably to specify an important or typical example of something that you are talking about. □ More important problems, notably the fate of the children, had to be decided. □ It was a question of making sure certain needs were addressed, notably in the pensions area.
2 ADV [ADV adj/adv] You can use notably to emphasize a particular quality that someone or something has. [EMPHASIS ] □ Old established friends are notably absent, so it's a good opportunity to make new contacts.
no|ta|ry /noʊ təri/ (notaries ) N‑COUNT A notary or a notary public is a person, usually a lawyer, who has legal authority to witness the signing of documents in order to make them legally valid.
no|ta|tion /noʊte I ʃ ə n/ (notations ) N‑VAR A system of notation is a set of written symbols that are used to represent something such as music or mathematics. □ Musical notation was conceived for the C major scale. □ …some other abstract notation system like a computer language.
notch /nɒ tʃ/ (notches , notching , notched )
1 N‑COUNT You can refer to a level on a scale of measurement or achievement as a notch . [JOURNALISM ] □ Average earnings in the economy moved up another notch in August. □ In this country the good players are pulled down a notch or two.
2 VERB If you notch a success, especially in a sporting contest, you achieve it. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V n] The President is keen to notch a political triumph that would foster freer world trade and faster economic growth.
3 N‑COUNT A notch is a small V-shaped or circular cut in the surface or edge of something. □ [+ in ] They cut notches in the handle of their pistol for each man they shot.
4 → see also top-notch
▸ notch up PHRASAL VERB If you notch up something such as a score or total, you achieve it. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V P n] He had notched up more than 25 victories worldwide. [Also V n P ]
note ◆◆◇ /noʊ t/ (notes , noting , noted )
1 N‑COUNT A note is a short letter. □ Stevens wrote him a note asking him to come to his apartment. □ [+ for ] I'll have to leave a note for Karen.
2 N‑COUNT A note is something that you write down to remind yourself of something. □ I knew that if I didn't make a note I would forget. □ Take notes during the consultation as the final written report is very concise.
3 N‑COUNT In a book or article, a note is a short piece of additional information. □ See Note 16 on page p. 223.
4 N‑COUNT A note is a short document that has to be signed by someone and that gives official information about something. □ Since Mr Bennett was going to need some time off work, he asked for a sick note. □ I've got half a ton of gravel in the lorry but he won't sign my delivery note.
5 N‑COUNT You can refer to a banknote as a note . [BRIT ] □ Her husband received a telephone call ordering him to collect £ 40,000 in used notes. □ …a five pound note. in AM, use bill 6 N‑COUNT In music, a note is the sound of a particular pitch, or a written symbol representing this sound. □ She has a deep voice and doesn't even try for the high notes.
7 N‑SING You can use note to refer to a particular quality in someone's voice that shows how they are feeling. □ [+ of ] There is an unmistakable note of nostalgia in his voice. □ [+ of ] It was not difficult for him to catch the note of bitterness in my voice.
8 N‑SING You can use note to refer to a particular feeling, impression, or atmosphere. □ [+ of ] Yesterday's testimony began on a note of passionate but civilized disagreement. □ [+ of ] Somehow he tells these stories without a note of horror. □ The furniture strikes a traditional note which is appropriate to its Edwardian setting.
9 VERB If you note a fact, you become aware of it. □ [V n] The White House has noted his promise to support any attack that was designed to enforce the U.N. resolutions. □ [V that] Suddenly, I noted that the rain had stopped. □ [V wh] Haig noted how he 'looked pinched and rather tired'.
10 VERB If you tell someone to note something, you are drawing their attention to it. □ [V n] Note the statue to Sallustio Bandini, a prominent Sienese. □ [V that] Please note that there are a limited number of tickets.
11 VERB If you note something, you mention it in order to draw people's attention to it. □ [V that] The report notes that export and import volumes picked up in leading economies. □ [V n] The yearbook also noted a sharp drop in reported cases of sexually transmitted disease.
12 VERB When you note something, you write it down as a record of what has happened. □ [V with quote] 'He has had his tonsils out and has been ill, too', she noted in her diary. □ [V n] One policeman was clearly visible noting the number plates of passing cars. □ [V wh] A guard came and took our names and noted where each of us was sitting. [Also V that]
13 → see also noted , promissory note , sleeve note
14 PHRASE If you compare notes with someone on a particular subject, you talk to them and find out whether their opinion, information, or experience is the same as yours. □ The women were busily comparing notes on the queen's outfit. [Also + with ]
15 PHRASE Someone or something that is of note is important, worth mentioning, or well-known. □ …politicians of note. □ He has published nothing of note in the last ten years.
16 PHRASE If someone or something strikes a particular note or sounds a particular note , they create a particular feeling, impression, or atmosphere. □ Before his first round of discussions, Mr Baker sounded an optimistic note. □ Plants growing out of cracks in paving strike the right note up a cottage-garden path.
17 PHRASE If you take note of something, you pay attention to it because you think that it is important or significant. □ [+ of ] Take note of the weather conditions. □ They took note that she showed no surprise at the news of the murder.
18 to make a mental note → see mental
▸ note down PHRASAL VERB If you note down something, you write it down quickly, so that you have a record of it. □ [V P n] She had noted down the names and she told me the story simply and factually. □ [V n P ] If you find a name that's on the list I've given you, note it down. □ [V P wh] Please note down what I'm about to say. SYNONYMS note NOUN 1
message: I got a message you were trying to reach me.
communication: The ambassador has brought a communication from the President.
memo: Did you get the memo about opening hours?
letter: I had received a letter from a very close friend. VERB
9
notice: Luckily, I'd noticed where you left the car.
observe: In 1664 Hooke observed a reddish spot on the surface of the planet.
perceive: 'Precisely what other problems do you perceive?' she asked.
12
write down: On the morning before starting the fast, write down your starting weight.
record: …a place which has rarely suffered a famine in its recorded history.
jot down: Keep a pad handy to jot down queries as they occur.
note|book /noʊ tbʊk/ (notebooks )
1 N‑COUNT A notebook is a small book for writing notes in. □ He brought out a notebook and pen from his pocket. □ …her reporter's notebook.
2 N‑COUNT [usu N n] A notebook computer is a small personal computer. □ This is a super-slim, lightweight notebook computer.
not|ed ◆◇◇ /noʊ t I d/ ADJ To be noted for something you do or have means to be well-known and admired for it. □ [+ for ] …a television programme noted for its attacks on organised crime. □ [+ for ] Lawyers are not noted for rushing into change. SYNONYMS noted ADJ
famous: New Orleans is famous for its cuisine.
celebrated: He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.
well-known: He surrounds himself with attractive, intelligent, or well-known people.
prominent: …a prominent member of the Law Society.
renowned: …Sir William Crookes, the renowned chemist.
note|pad /noʊ tpæd/ (notepads ) N‑COUNT A notepad is a pad of paper that you use for writing notes or letters on.
note|paper /noʊ tpe I pə r / N‑UNCOUNT Notepaper is paper that you use for writing letters on. □ He had written letters on official notepaper to promote a relative's company.
note|worthy /noʊ twɜː r ði/ ADJ A fact or event that is noteworthy is interesting, remarkable, or significant in some way. [FORMAL ] □ It is noteworthy that the programme has been shifted from its original August slot to July. □ I found nothing particularly noteworthy to report. □ The most noteworthy feature of the list is that there are no women on it.
noth|ing ◆◆◆ /nʌ θ I ŋ/ (nothings )
1 PRON Nothing means not a single thing, or not a single part of something. □ I've done nothing much since coffee time. □ [+ of ] The man knows nothing of history or sociology. □ He was dressed in jeans and nothing else. □ There is nothing wrong with the car.
2 PRON You use nothing to indicate that something or someone is not important or significant. □ Because he had always had money, it meant nothing to him. □ This cold snap is nothing compared to a real winter. □ She kept bursting into tears over nothing at work. □ Do our years together mean nothing? ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Nothing is also a noun. □ It is the picture itself that is the problem; so small, so dull. It's a nothing, really.
3 PRON If you say that something cost nothing or is worth nothing , you are indicating that it cost or is worth a surprisingly small amount of money. □ The furniture was threadbare; he'd obviously picked it up for nothing. □ His net UK estate was worth nothing after debts were taken into account.
4 PRON You use nothing before an adjective or 'to'-infinitive to say that something or someone does not have the quality indicated. □ Around the lake the countryside generally is nothing special. □ There was nothing remarkable about him. □ All kids her age do silly things; it's nothing to worry about.
5 PRON You can use nothing before 'so' and an adjective or adverb, or before a comparative, to emphasize how strong or great a particular quality is. [EMPHASIS ] □ Youngsters learn nothing so fast as how to beat the system. □ I consider nothing more important in my life than songwriting. □ There's nothing better than a good cup of hot coffee.
6 PHRASE You can use all or nothing to say that either something must be done fully and completely or else it cannot be done at all. □ Either he went through with this thing or he did not; it was all or nothing.
7 PHRASE If you say that something is better than nothing , you mean that it is not what is required, but that it is better to have that thing than to have nothing at all. □ After all, 15 minutes of exercise is better than nothing.
8 PHRASE You use nothing but in front of a noun, an infinitive without 'to', or an '-ing' form to mean 'only'. □ All that money brought nothing but sadness and misery and tragedy. □ It did nothing but make us ridiculous. □ They care for nothing but fighting.
9 PHRASE If you say that there is nothing for it but to take a particular action, you mean that it is the only possible course of action that you can take, even though it might be unpleasant. [BRIT ] □ Surrounded by empty fields, there was nothing for it but to keep going.
10 PHRASE You use nothing if not in front of an adjective to indicate that someone or something clearly has a lot of the particular quality mentioned. [EMPHASIS ] □ Professor Fish has been nothing if not professional.
11 CONVENTION People sometimes say ' It's nothing ' as a polite response after someone has thanked them for something they have done. [FORMULAE ] □ 'Thank you for the wonderful dinner.'—'It's nothing', Sarah said. □ 'I'll be on my way. I can't thank you enough, Alan'.—'It was nothing, but take care'.
12 PHRASE If you say about a story or report that there is nothing in it or nothing to it , you mean that it is untrue. □ It's all rubbish and superstition, and there's nothing in it.
13 PHRASE If you say about an activity that there is nothing to it or nothing in it , you mean that it is extremely easy. □ This device has a gripper that electrically twists off the jar top. Nothing to it. □ If you've shied away from making pancakes, don't be put off–there's really nothing in it!
14 PHRASE If you say about a contest or competition that there is nothing in it , you mean that two or more of the competitors are level and have an equal chance of winning.
15 PHRASE Nothing of the sort is used when strongly contradicting something that has just been said. [EMPHASIS ] □ 'We're going to talk this over in my office'.—'We're going to do nothing of the sort'. □ Mrs Adamson said that she was extremely sorry, in tones that made it clear that she was nothing of the sort.
16 → see also sweet nothings
17 nothing to write home about → see home ➊
18 to say nothing of → see say
19 nothing short of → see short ➊
20 to stop at nothing → see stop
21 to think nothing of → see think USAGE nothing
You don’t usually use any other negative word such as ‘not’ after nothing
. Don’t say, for example, ‘
Nothing didn’t happen
’. You say ‘Nothing happened
’. Similarly, don’t use ‘nothing’ as the object of a sentence which already has a negative word in it. Don’t say, for example, ‘
I couldn’t hear nothing
’. Say ‘I couldn’t hear anything
.’ □
I did not say anything
.
noth|ing|ness /nʌ θ I ŋnəs/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Nothingness is the fact of not existing. □ There might be something beyond the grave, you know, and not nothingness.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Nothingness means complete emptiness. □ I peered out into what seemed like nothingness.
no|tice ◆◆◇ /noʊ t I s/ (notices , noticing , noticed )
1 VERB If you notice something or someone, you become aware of them. □ [V n] People should not hesitate to contact the police if they've noticed anyone acting suspiciously. □ [V that] I noticed that most academics were writing papers during the summer. □ [V wh] Luckily, I'd noticed where you left the car. □ [V n v-ing] Mrs Shedden noticed a bird sitting on the garage roof. □ [V ] She needn't worry that he'll think she looks a mess. He won't notice. [Also V n inf]
2 N‑COUNT A notice is a written announcement in a place where everyone can read it. □ A few guest houses had 'No Vacancies' notices in their windows. □ …a notice which said 'Beware Flooding'.
3 N‑UNCOUNT If you give notice about something that is going to happen, you give a warning in advance that it is going to happen. □ Interest is paid monthly. Three months' notice is required for withdrawals. □ She was transferred without notice.
4 N‑COUNT A notice is a formal announcement in a newspaper or magazine about something that has happened or is going to happen. □ [+ in ] I rang The Globe with news of Blake's death, and put notices in the personal column of The Times.
5 N‑COUNT A notice is one of a number of letters that are similar or exactly the same which an organization sends to people in order to give them information or ask them to do something. □ Bonus notices were issued each year from head office to local agents.
6 N‑COUNT A notice is a written article in a newspaper or magazine in which someone gives their opinion of a play, film, or concert. □ Nevertheless, it's good to know you've had good notices, even if you don't read them.
7 PHRASE Notice is used in expressions such as ' at short notice ', ' at a moment's notice ', or ' at twenty-four hours' notice ', to indicate that something can or must be done within a short period of time. □ There's no one available at such short notice to take her class. □ All our things stayed in our suitcase, as if we had to leave at a moment's notice.
8 PHRASE If you bring something to someone's notice , you make them aware of it. □ I am so glad that you have brought this to my notice.
9 PHRASE If something comes to your notice , you become aware of it. □ Her work also came to the notice of the King.
10 PHRASE If something escapes your notice , you fail to recognize it or realize it. □ [PHR that] Besides, it hadn't escaped my notice that he was very good-looking.
11 PHRASE If a situation is said to exist until further notice , it will continue for an uncertain length of time until someone changes it. □ All flights to Lanchow had been cancelled until further notice.
12 PHRASE If an employer gives an employee notice , the employer tells the employee that he or she must leave his or her job within a fixed period of time. [BUSINESS ] □ The next morning I phoned him and gave him his notice.
13 PHRASE If you hand in your notice or give in your notice , you tell your employer that you intend to leave your job soon within a set period of time. [BUSINESS ] □ He handed in his notice at the bank and ruined his promising career.
14 PHRASE If you take notice of a particular fact or situation, you behave in a way that shows that you are aware of it. □ [+ of ] We want the government to take notice of what we think they should do for single parents. □ This should make people sit up and take notice.
15 PHRASE If you take no notice of someone or something, you do not consider them to be important enough to affect what you think or what you do. □ They took no notice of him, he did not stand out, he was in no way remarkable. □ I tried not to take any notice at first but then I was offended by it. COLLOCATIONS notice NOUN
3
adjective + notice : advance, prior; adequate, reasonable
verb + notice : give, serve
5
noun + notice : enforcement, eviction, infringement, redundancy
verb + notice : circulate, issue; receive VERB 1
notice + noun : change, difference, increase
no|tice|able /noʊ t I səb ə l/ ADJ Something that is noticeable is very obvious, so that it is easy to see, hear, or recognize. □ It is noticeable that women do not have the rivalry that men have. □ The most noticeable effect of these changes is in the way people are now working together. ● no|tice|ably ADV [ADV with v] □ Standards of living were deteriorating rather noticeably. □ There are also many physical signs, most noticeably a change in facial features.
no|tice|board /noʊ t I sbɔː r d/ (noticeboards ) N‑COUNT A noticeboard is a board which is usually attached to a wall in order to display notices giving information about something. [BRIT ] □ She added her name to the list on the noticeboard. in AM, use bulletin board
no|ti|fi|able /noʊ t I fa I əb ə l/ ADJ A notifiable disease or crime is one that must be reported to the authorities whenever it occurs, because it is considered to be dangerous to the community. □ Many doctors fail to report cases, even though food poisoning is a notifiable disease.
no|ti|fi|ca|tion /noʊ t I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ (notifications )
1 N‑VAR If you are given notification of something, you are officially informed of it. □ [+ of ] Names of the dead and injured are being withheld pending notification of relatives. □ Payments should be sent with the written notification.
2 N‑COUNT A notification is a message, sound, or symbol on your phone or computer telling you that someone has sent you a message or put something new for you to look at on a website. □ The thought of logging back on and sifting through a huge number of notifications was tiring.
no|ti|fy /noʊ t I fa I / (notifies , notifying , notified ) VERB If you notify someone of something, you officially inform them about it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + of/about ] The skipper notified the coastguard of the tragedy. □ [be V -ed that] Earlier this year they were notified that their homes were to be cleared away. □ [V n] She confirmed that she would notify the police and the hospital. [Also V n that]
no|tion ◆◇◇ /noʊ ʃ ə n/ (notions ) N‑COUNT [N that] A notion is an idea or belief about something. □ [+ of ] We each have a notion of just what kind of person we'd like to be. □ [+ that ] I reject absolutely the notion that privatisation of our industry is now inevitable. SYNONYMS notion NOUN
idea: Some of his ideas about democracy are entirely his own.
view: My own view is absolutely clear. What I did was right.
opinion: He held the opinion that a government should think before introducing a tax.
no|tion|al /noʊ ʃən ə l/ ADJ Something that is notional exists only in theory or as a suggestion or idea, but not in reality. [FORMAL ] □ …the notional value of state assets. ● no|tion|al|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …those who notionally supported the republic but did nothing in terms of action. □ That meant that he, notionally at least, outranked them all.
no|to|ri|ety /noʊ təra I I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT To achieve notoriety means to become well-known for something bad. □ He achieved notoriety as chief counsel to President Nixon in the Watergate break-in.
no|to|ri|ous /noʊtɔː riəs/ ADJ To be notorious means to be well-known for something bad. □ [+ for ] …an area notorious for crime and violence. □ She told us the story of one of Britain's most notorious country house murders. ● no|to|ri|ous|ly ADV [usu ADV group, oft ADV before v] □ The train company is overstaffed and notoriously inefficient. □ Doctors notoriously neglect their own health and fail to seek help when they should.
not|with|stand|ing /nɒ tw I ðstæ nd I ŋ/ PREP If something is true notwithstanding something else, it is true in spite of that other thing. [FORMAL ] □ He despised William Pitt, notwithstanding the similar views they both held. ● ADV [n ADV ] Notwithstanding is also an adverb. □ His relations with colleagues, differences of opinion notwithstanding, were unfailingly friendly.
nou|gat /nuː gɑː, [AM ] -gət/ N‑UNCOUNT Nougat is a kind of firm sweet, containing nuts and sometimes fruit.
nought /nɔː t/ (noughts ) The spelling naught is also used for meaning 2 . 1 NUM Nought is the number 0. [mainly BRIT ] □ Sales rose by nought point four per cent last month. □ Houses are graded from nought to ten for energy efficiency. in AM, use zero
2 PHRASE If you try to do something but your efforts are not successful, you can say that your efforts come to nought . [FORMAL ] □ Numerous attempts to persuade him to write his memoirs came to nought.
Nought|ies also noughties /nɔː tiz/ N‑PLURAL The Noughties is the decade between 2000 to 2009. [INFORMAL ] □ …the economic realities of the noughties.
noun /naʊ n/ (nouns )
1 N‑COUNT A noun is a word such as 'car', 'love', or 'Anne' which is used to refer to a person or thing.
2 → see also collective noun , count noun , mass noun , proper noun , singular noun , uncount noun
nou n group (noun groups ) N‑COUNT A noun group is a noun or pronoun, or a group of words based on a noun or pronoun. In the sentence, 'He put the bottle of wine on the kitchen table', 'He', 'the bottle of wine', and 'the kitchen table' are all noun groups.
nou n phrase (noun phrases ) N‑COUNT A noun phrase is the same as a noun group .
nour|ish /nʌ r I ʃ, [AM ] nɜː r I ʃ/ (nourishes , nourishing , nourished )
1 VERB To nourish a person, animal, or plant means to provide them with the food that is necessary for life, growth, and good health. □ [V n] The food she eats nourishes both her and the baby. □ [V n] …microbes in the soil which nourish the plant. ● nour|ish|ing ADJ □ Most of these nourishing substances are in the yolk of the egg. □ …sensible, nourishing food.
2 VERB To nourish something such as a feeling or belief means to allow or encourage it to grow. □ [V n] Journalists on the whole don't create public opinion. They can help to nourish it.
3 → see also -nourished
-nourished /-nʌ r I ʃt, [AM ] -nɜː r-/ COMB -nourished is used with adverbs such as 'well' or 'under' to indicate how much food someone eats or whether it is the right kind of food. □ To make sure the children are well-nourished, vitamin drops are usually recommended. □ …under-nourished and poorly dressed orphans.
nour|ish|ment /nʌ r I ʃmənt, [AM ] nɜː r-/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If something provides a person, animal, or plant with nourishment , it provides them with the food that is necessary for life, growth, and good health. □ He was unable to take nourishment for several days.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The action of nourishing someone or something, or the experience of being nourished, can be referred to as nourishment . □ Sugar gives quick relief to hunger but provides no lasting nourishment.
nous /naʊ s/ N‑UNCOUNT Nous is intelligence or common sense. [BRIT ] □ Few ministers have the nous or the instinct required to understand the ramifications. □ He is a man of extraordinary vitality, driving ambition and political nous.
nou|veau riche /nuː voʊ riː ʃ/ (nouveau riche or nouveaux riches ) also nouveau-riche
1 N‑PLURAL The nouveaux riches are people who have only recently become rich and who have tastes and manners that some people consider vulgar. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The nouveau riche have to find a way to be accepted.
2 ADJ Nouveau-riche means belonging or relating to the nouveaux riches. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …critics who did not appreciate his nouveau-riche taste.
nou|velle cui|sine /nuː vel kw I zin / N‑UNCOUNT Nouvelle cuisine is a style of cooking in which very fresh foods are lightly cooked and served in unusual combinations. You can also refer to food that has been cooked in this way as nouvelle cuisine . □ The classics of Gascony are served as well as nouvelle cuisine.
Nov. Nov. is a written abbreviation for November . □ The first ballot is on Tuesday Nov 20.
nov|el ◆◆◇ /nɒ v ə l/ (novels )
1 N‑COUNT A novel is a long written story about imaginary people and events. □ [+ by ] …a novel by Herman Hesse. □ …historical novels set in the time of the Pharaohs.
2 ADJ Novel things are new and different from anything that has been done, experienced, or made before. □ Protesters found a novel way of demonstrating against steeply rising oil prices. □ The very idea of a sixth form college was novel in 1962. SYNONYMS novel ADJ 2
new: …the introduction of new drugs to suppress the immune system.
different: This recipe is certainly interesting and different.
original: It is one of the most original works of imagination in the language.
innovative: …products which are more innovative than those of their competitors.
nov|el|ist /nɒ vəl I st/ (novelists ) N‑COUNT A novelist is a person who writes novels. □ …a romantic novelist.
no|vel|la /noʊve lə/ (novellas ) N‑COUNT A novella is a short novel or a long short story. □ [+ from ] …an autobiographical novella from French writer Marguerite Duras.
nov|el|ty /nɒ v ə lti/ (novelties )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Novelty is the quality of being different, new, and unusual. □ After a few hours, however, the novelty wore off.
2 N‑COUNT A novelty is something that is new and therefore interesting. □ It came from the days when a motor car was a novelty.
3 N‑COUNT Novelties are cheap toys, ornaments, or other objects that are sold as presents or souvenirs. □ At Easter, we give them plastic eggs filled with small toys, novelties and coins.
No|vem|ber /noʊve mbə r / (Novembers ) N‑VAR November is the eleventh month of the year in the Western calendar. □ He arrived in London in November 1939. □ He died on 24 November 2001, aged 80. □ There's no telling what the voters will do next November.
nov|ice /nɒ v I s/ (novices )
1 N‑COUNT [N n] A novice is someone who has been doing a job or other activity for only a short time and so is not experienced at it. □ [+ at ] I'm a novice at these things, Lieutenant. You're the professional. □ As a novice writer, this is something I'm interested in.
2 N‑COUNT In a monastery or convent, a novice is a person who is preparing to become a monk or nun.
now ◆◆◆ /naʊ /
1 ADV You use now to refer to the present time, often in contrast to a time in the past or the future. □ She's a widow now. □ But we are now a much more fragmented society. □ Coffee now costs well over 3 dollars a kilo. □ She should know that by now. ● PRON Now is also a pronoun. □ Now is the time when we must all live as economically as possible.
2 ADV [ADV after v] If you do something now , you do it immediately. □ I'm sorry, but I must go now. □ I fear that if I don't write now I shall never have another opportunity to do so. ● PRON Now is also a pronoun. □ Now is your chance to talk to him.
3 CONJ You use now or now that to indicate that an event has occurred and as a result something else may or will happen. □ Now you're settled, why don't you take up some serious study? □ Now that she was retired she lived with her sister.
4 ADV [ADV before v] You use now to indicate that a particular situation is the result of something that has recently happened. □ She told me not to repeat it, but now I don't suppose it matters. □ Diplomats now expect the mission to be much less ambitious.
5 ADV In stories and accounts of past events, now is used to refer to the particular time that is being written or spoken about. □ She felt a little better now. □ It was too late now for Blake to lock his room door. □ By now it was completely dark outside.
6 ADV [ADV with v, n ADV ] You use now in statements which specify the length of time up to the present that something has lasted. □ They've been married now for 30 years. □ They have been missing for a long time now. □ It's some days now since I heard anything.
7 ADV You say ' Now ' or ' Now then ' to indicate to the person or people you are with that you want their attention, or that you are about to change the subject. [SPOKEN ] □ 'Now then,' Max said, 'to get back to the point.' □ Now, can we move on and discuss the vital business of the day, please.
8 ADV You use now to give a slight emphasis to a request or command. [SPOKEN ] □ Come on now. You know you must be hungry. □ Come and sit down here, now. □ Now don't talk so loud and bother him, honey.
9 ADV You can say ' Now ' to introduce information which is relevant to the part of a story or account that you have reached, and which needs to be known before you can continue. [SPOKEN ] □ My son went to Almeria in Southern Spain. Now he is someone who loves a quiet holiday. □ Now, I hadn't told him these details, so he must have done some research on his own.
10 ADV You say ' Now ' to introduce something which contrasts with what you have just said. [SPOKEN ] □ Now, if it was me, I'd want to do more than just change the locks.
11 PHRASE If you say that something happens now and then or every now and again , you mean that it happens sometimes but not very often or regularly. □ My father has a collection of magazines to which I return every now and then. □ Now and again he'd join in when we were playing video games.
12 PHRASE If you say that something will happen any day now , any moment now , or any time now , you mean that it will happen very soon. □ Jim expects to be sent to Europe any day now. □ Any moment now the silence will be broken.
13 PHRASE People such as television presenters sometimes use now for when they are going to start talking about a different subject or presenting a new activity. [SPOKEN ] □ And now for something completely different. □ Now for a quick look at some of the other stories in the news.
14 PHRASE Just now means a very short time ago. [SPOKEN ] □ You looked pretty upset just now. □ I spoke just now of being in love.
15 PHRASE You use just now when you want to say that a particular situation exists at the time when you are speaking, although it may change in the future. [SPOKEN ] □ I'm pretty busy just now. □ Mr Goldsworth is not available just now.
16 PHRASE If you say ' It's now or never ', you mean that something must be done immediately, because if it is not done immediately there will not be another chance to do it. [SPOKEN ] □ It's now or never, so make up your mind.
17 CONVENTION You can say ' now, now ' as a friendly way of trying to comfort someone who is upset or distressed. [SPOKEN ] □ 'I figure it's all over.'—'Now, now. You did just fine.'
18 CONVENTION You can say ' Now, then ' or ' Now, now ' when you want to give someone you know well a friendly warning not to behave in a particular way. [SPOKEN ] □ Now then, no unpleasantness, please. □ Now, now Roger, I'm sure you didn't mean it but that remark was in very poor taste. SYNONYMS now ADV 1
nowadays: I don't see much of Tony nowadays.
currently: He currently has no strong rivals for power.
at the moment: At the moment, no one is talking to me.
these days: She is doing just fine these days.
nowa|days /naʊ əde I z/ ADV Nowadays means at the present time, in contrast with the past. □ Nowadays it's acceptable for women to be ambitious. But it wasn't then. □ I don't see much of Tony nowadays.
no|where ◆◇◇ /noʊ h weə r /
1 ADV [ADV with be , ADV after v] You use nowhere to emphasize that a place has more of a particular quality than any other places, or that it is the only place where something happens or exists. [EMPHASIS ] □ Nowhere is language a more serious issue than in Hawaii. □ This kind of forest exists nowhere else in the world. □ If you are extremely rich, you could stay nowhere better than the Ruislip Court Hotel.
2 ADV [be ADV , ADV after v, usu ADV to-inf] You use nowhere when making negative statements to say that a suitable place of the specified kind does not exist. □ There was nowhere to hide and nowhere to run. □ I have nowhere else to go, nowhere in the world. □ He had nowhere to call home.
3 ADV [be ADV , oft ADV to-inf, ADV adv/prep] You use nowhere to indicate that something or someone cannot be seen or found. □ Michael glanced anxiously down the corridor, but Wilfred was nowhere to be seen. □ The escaped prisoner was nowhere in sight.
4 ADV [ADV after v] You can use nowhere to refer in a general way to small, unimportant, or uninteresting places. □ …endless paths that led nowhere in particular. □ …country roads that go from nowhere to nowhere.
5 ADV If you say that something or someone appears from nowhere or out of nowhere , you mean that they appear suddenly and unexpectedly. □ A car came from nowhere, and I had to jump back into the hedge just in time. □ Houses had sprung up out of nowhere on the hills.
6 ADV [ADV before v, be ADV ] You use nowhere to mean not in any part of a text, speech, or argument. [EMPHASIS ] □ He nowhere offers concrete historical background to support his arguments. □ Point taken, but nowhere did we suggest that this yacht's features were unique. □ The most important issue for most ordinary people was nowhere on the proposed agenda.
7 PHRASE If you say that a place is in the middle of nowhere , you mean that it is a long way from other places. □ At dusk we pitched camp in the middle of nowhere.
8 PHRASE If you say that you are getting nowhere , or getting nowhere fast , or that something is getting you nowhere , you mean that you are not achieving anything or having any success. □ My mind won't stop going round and round on the same subject and I seem to be getting nowhere. □ 'Getting nowhere fast,' pronounced Crosby, 'that's what we're doing.' □ Oh, stop it! This is getting us nowhere.
9 PHRASE If you use nowhere near in front of a word or expression, you are emphasizing that the real situation is very different from, or has not yet reached, the state which that word or expression suggests. [EMPHASIS ] □ He's nowhere near recovered yet from his experiences. □ The chair he sat in was nowhere near as comfortable as the custom-designed one behind his desk. USAGE nowhere
You don’t usually use another negative word with ‘nowhere’. Don’t say, for example, ‘
I couldn’t find her nowhere
’. You say ‘I couldn’t find her anywhere
’. □
I changed my mind and decided not to go anywhere
.
no -wi n ADJ [ADJ n] If you are in a no-win situation, any action you take will fail to benefit you in any way. □ It was a no-win situation. Either she pretended she hated Ned and felt awful or admitted she loved him and felt even worse!
nowt /naʊ t/ PRON Nowt is sometimes used to mean the same as 'nothing'. [BRIT , DIALECT ] □ I'd got nowt to worry about.
nox|ious /nɒ kʃəs/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A noxious gas or substance is poisonous or very harmful. □ Many household products give off noxious fumes.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you refer to someone or something as noxious , you mean that they are extremely unpleasant. [FORMAL ] □ …the heavy, noxious smell of burning sugar, butter, fats, and flour. □ Their behaviour was noxious.
noz|zle /nɒ z ə l/ (nozzles ) N‑COUNT The nozzle of a hose or pipe is a narrow piece fitted to the end to control the flow of liquid or gas. □ If he put his finger over the nozzle, he could produce a forceful spray.
nr In addresses, nr is used as a written abbreviation for near . [BRIT ] □ Brackhurst Agricultural College, nr Southwell, Notts.
-n't /- ə nt/ → see not
nth /e nθ/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you refer to the most recent item in a series of things as the nth item, you are emphasizing the number of times something has happened. [EMPHASIS ] □ The story was raised with me for the nth time two days before the article appeared.
nu|ance /njuː ɑːns, [AM ] nuː -/ (nuances ) N‑VAR A nuance is a small difference in sound, feeling, appearance, or meaning. □ Do you understand the nuances of British humour?
nub /nʌ b/ N‑SING The nub of a situation, problem, or argument is the central and most basic part of it. □ [+ of ] That, I think, is the nub of the problem. □ [+ of ] Here we reach the nub of the argument.
nu|bile /njuː ba I l, [AM ] nuː b I l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A nubile woman is young, physically mature, and sexually attractive. □ What is this current television obsession with older men and nubile young women?
nu|clear ◆◆◇ /njuː kliə r , [AM ] nuː k-/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Nuclear means relating to the nuclei of atoms, or to the energy released when these nuclei are split or combined. □ …a nuclear power station. □ …nuclear energy. □ …nuclear physics.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Nuclear means relating to weapons that explode by using the energy released when the nuclei of atoms are split or combined. □ They rejected a demand for the removal of all nuclear weapons from U.K. soil. □ …nuclear testing.
nu |clear ca |pa|bi l|ity (nuclear capabilities ) N‑VAR If a country has nuclear capability , it is able to produce nuclear power and usually nuclear weapons.
nu |clear fa mi|ly (nuclear families ) N‑COUNT A nuclear family is a family unit that consists of father, mother, and children.
nu clear-free ADJ [usu ADJ n] A nuclear-free place is a place where nuclear energy or nuclear weapons are forbidden. □ Strathclyde council has declared itself a nuclear-free zone.
nu |clear fu el (nuclear fuels ) N‑VAR Nuclear fuel is fuel that provides nuclear energy, for example in power stations.
nu |clear re|a c|tor (nuclear reactors ) N‑COUNT A nuclear reactor is a machine which is used to produce nuclear energy or the place where this machine and other related machinery and equipment is kept. □ They shut down the nuclear reactor for safety reasons.
nu |clear wi n|ter N‑VAR [oft a N ] Nuclear winter refers to the possible effects on the environment of a war in which large numbers of nuclear weapons are used. It is thought that there would be very low temperatures and very little light during a nuclear winter.
nu|cleic acid /njuːkle I I k æ s I d, [AM ] nuː -/ (nucleic acids ) N‑VAR Nucleic acids are complex chemical substances, such as DNA, which are found in living cells. [TECHNICAL ]
nu|cleus /njuː kliəs, [AM ] nuː -/ (nuclei /njuː klia I , [AM ] nuː -/)
1 N‑COUNT The nucleus of an atom or cell is the central part of it. □ [+ of ] Neutrons and protons are bound together in the nucleus of an atom.
2 N‑COUNT The nucleus of a group of people or things is the small number of members which form the most important part of the group. □ [+ of ] A small group of shareholders formed the nucleus of a new management team.
nude /njuː d, [AM ] nuː d/ (nudes )
1 ADJ [ADJ n, ADJ after v, v-link ADJ ] A nude person is not wearing any clothes. □ The occasional nude bather comes here. □ She turned down £1.2 million to pose nude in the magazine. ● PHRASE If you do something in the nude , you are not wearing any clothes. If you paint or draw someone in the nude , they are not wearing any clothes. □ Sleeping in the nude, if it suits you, is not a bad idea.
2 N‑COUNT A nude is a picture or statue of a person who is not wearing any clothes. A nude is also a person in a picture who is not wearing any clothes. □ He was one of Australia's most distinguished artists, renowned for his portraits, landscapes and nudes.
nudge /nʌ dʒ/ (nudges , nudging , nudged )
1 VERB If you nudge someone, you push them gently, usually with your elbow, in order to draw their attention to something. □ [V n] I nudged Stan and pointed again. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Nudge is also a noun. □ She slipped her arm under his and gave him a nudge.
2 VERB If you nudge someone or something into a place or position, you gently push them there. □ [V n prep/adv] Edna Swinson nudged him into the sitting room. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Nudge is also a noun. □ McKinnon gave the wheel another slight nudge.
3 VERB If you nudge someone into doing something, you gently persuade them to do it. □ [V n + into ] Bit by bit, Bob had nudged Fritz into selling his controlling interest. □ [V n + towards ] Foreigners must use their power to nudge the country towards greater tolerance. □ [V n to-inf] British tour companies are nudging clients to travel further afield. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Nudge is also a noun. □ I had a feeling that the challenge appealed to him. All he needed was a nudge.
4 VERB [usu cont] If someone or something is nudging a particular amount, level, or state, they have almost reached it. □ [V n] The temperature when we were there was nudging 80°F.
nud|ism /njuː d I zəm, [AM ] nuː -/ N‑UNCOUNT Nudism is the practice of not wearing any clothes on beaches and other areas specially set aside for this purpose. □ Nudism, the council decided, was doing the resort more harm than good. ● nud|ist (nudists ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] □ There are no nudist areas and topless sunbathing is only allowed on a few beaches.
nu|dity /njuː d I ti, [AM ] nuː -/ N‑UNCOUNT Nudity is the state of wearing no clothes. □ …constant nudity and bad language on TV.
nug|get /nʌ g I t/ (nuggets ) N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A nugget is a small lump of something, especially gold. □ …pure high-grade gold nuggets. □ [+ of ] …a small nugget of butter.
nui|sance /njuː s ə ns, [AM ] nuː -/ (nuisances ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you say that someone or something is a nuisance , you mean that they annoy you or cause you a lot of problems. □ He could be a bit of a nuisance when he was drunk. □ Sorry to be a nuisance. ● PHRASE If someone makes a nuisance of themselves, they behave in a way that annoys other people. □ [+ of ] He spent three days making an absolute nuisance of himself.
nuke /njuː k, [AM ] nuː k/ (nukes , nuking , nuked )
1 N‑COUNT A nuke is a nuclear weapon. [INFORMAL ] □ They have nukes, and if they're sufficiently pushed, they'll use them.
2 VERB If one country nukes another, it attacks it using nuclear weapons. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] He wanted to nuke the area.
null /nʌ l/ PHRASE If an agreement, a declaration, or the result of an election is null and void , it is not legally valid. □ A spokeswoman said the agreement had been declared null and void.
nul|li|fy /nʌ l I fa I / (nullifies , nullifying , nullified )
1 VERB To nullify a legal decision or procedure means to declare that it is not legally valid. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He used his broad executive powers to nullify decisions by local governments. □ [be V -ed] It is worth remembering that previous wills are nullified automatically upon marriage.
2 VERB To nullify something means to make it have no effect. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He may be able to nullify that disadvantage by offering a wider variety of produce.
numb /nʌ m/ (numbs , numbing , numbed )
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a part of your body is numb , you cannot feel anything there. □ He could feel his fingers growing numb at their tips. □ My legs felt numb and my toes ached. ● numb|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ in ] I have recently been suffering from pain and numbness in my hands.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are numb with shock, fear, or grief, you are so shocked, frightened, or upset that you cannot think clearly or feel any emotion. □ [+ with ] The mother, numb with grief, has trouble speaking. □ I was so shocked I went numb. ● numb|ness N‑UNCOUNT [oft adj N ] □ Many men become more aware of emotional numbness in their 40s. ● numb|ly /nʌ mli/ ADV [ADV with v] □ He walked numbly into the cemetery.
3 VERB If an event or experience numbs you, you can no longer think clearly or feel any emotion. □ [V n] For a while the shock of Philippe's letter numbed her. □ [V n] The horror of my experience has numbed my senses. ● numbed ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] □ I'm so numbed with shock that I can hardly think. □ …the sort of numbed hush which usually follows an automobile accident.
4 → see also mind-numbing
5 VERB If cold weather, a drug, or a blow numbs a part of your body, you can no longer feel anything in it. □ [V n] An injection of local anaesthetic is usually given first to numb the area. □ [V -ed] She awoke with a numbed feeling in her left leg.
num|ber ◆◆◆ /nʌ mbə r / (numbers , numbering , numbered )
1 N‑COUNT A number is a word such as 'two', 'nine', or 'twelve', or a symbol such as 1, 3, or 47. You use numbers to say how many things you are referring to or where something comes in a series. □ No, I don't know the room number. □ Stan Laurel was born at number 3, Argyll Street. □ The number 47 bus leaves in 10 minutes.
2 N‑COUNT [adj N ] You use number with words such as 'large' or 'small' to say approximately how many things or people there are. □ [+ of ] Quite a considerable number of interviews are going on. □ [+ of ] I have had an enormous number of letters from single parents. □ [+ of ] Growing numbers of people in the rural areas are too frightened to vote.
3 N‑SING If there are a number of things or people, there are several of them. If there are any number of things or people, there is a large quantity of them. □ [+ of ] I seem to remember that Sam told a number of lies. □ [+ of ] There must be any number of people in my position.
4 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to someone's or something's position in a list of the most successful or most popular of a particular type of thing as, for example, number one or number two. □ …the 19-year-old Norwegian who is already ranked world number one. □ Before you knew it, the single was at Number 90 in the U.S. singles charts.
5 VERB If a group of people or things numbers a particular total, that is how many there are. □ [V num] They told me that their village numbered 100. □ [be V -ed + in ] This time the dead were numbered in hundreds, not dozens. [Also V n + in ]
6 N‑COUNT A number is the series of numbers that you dial when you are making a phone call. □ Sarah sat down and dialled a number. □ …a list of names and phone numbers. □ My number is 414-3925. □ 'You must have a wrong number,' she said. 'There's no one of that name here'.
7 N‑COUNT You can refer to a short piece of music, a song, or a dance as a number . □ …'Unforgettable', a number that was written and performed in 1951. □ Responsibility for the dance numbers was split between Robert Alton and the young George Balanchine.
8 VERB If someone or something is numbered among a particular group, they are believed to belong in that group. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed + among ] The Leicester Swannington Railway is numbered among Britain's railway pioneers. □ [V n + among ] He numbered several Americans among his friends.
9 VERB If you number something, you mark it with a number, usually starting at 1. □ [V n] He cut his paper up into tiny squares, and he numbered each one.
10 → see also opposite number , prime number , serial number
11 PHRASE [with poss] If you say that someone's or something's days are numbered , you mean that they will not survive or be successful for much longer. □ Critics believe his days are numbered because audiences are tired of watching him.
12 PHRASE If you refer to the numbers game , the numbers racket , or the numbers , you are referring to an illegal lottery or illegal betting. [AM ]
13 → see also numbers game
14 safety in numbers → see safety
nu m|ber crunch|er (number crunchers ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] If you refer to number crunchers , you mean people whose jobs involve dealing with numbers or mathematical calculations, for example in finance or statistics. [INFORMAL ] □ Number crunchers were forecasting the total would hit 75,000.
nu m|ber crunch|ing N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] If you refer to number crunching , you mean activities or processes concerned with numbers or mathematical calculation, for example in finance, statistics, or computing. [INFORMAL ] □ The computer does most of the number crunching.
num|ber|less /nʌ mbə r ləs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If there are numberless things, there are too many to be counted. [LITERARY ] □ …numberless acts of personal bravery by firefighters and rescue workers.
nu m|ber o ne (number ones )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Number one means better, more important, or more popular than anything else of its kind. [INFORMAL ] □ The economy is the number one issue by far. □ By the way, I'm your number-one fan.
2 N‑COUNT In popular music, the number one is the best-selling song in any one week, or the group or person who has recorded that song. [INFORMAL ] □ Paula is the only artist to achieve four number ones from a debut album.
nu m|ber plate (number plates ) also numberplate N‑COUNT A number plate is a sign on the front and back of a vehicle that shows its registration number. [BRIT ] □ He drove a Rolls-Royce with a personalised number plate. in AM, use license plate
nu m|bers game
1 N‑SING If you say that someone is playing the numbers game , you think that they are concentrating on the aspects of something which can be expressed in statistics, usually in order to mislead people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It's a numbers game, and the odds favour the bad guys.
2 → see also number
Nu m|ber Te n N‑PROPER Number Ten is often used to refer to 10 Downing Street, London, which is the official home of the British Prime Minister. □ He called senior Unionist politicians to a meeting at Number Ten.
numb|skull /nʌ mskʌl/ (numbskulls ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a numbskull , you mean that they are very stupid. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED , DISAPPROVAL ] □ How were we to know that he was a numbskull?
nu|mera|cy /njuː mərəsi, [AM ] nuː -/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Numeracy is the ability to do arithmetic. □ Six months later John had developed literacy and numeracy skills, plus confidence.
nu|mer|al /njuː mərəl, [AM ] nuː -/ (numerals ) N‑COUNT Numerals are written symbols used to represent numbers. □ …a flat, square wristwatch with classic Roman numerals. □ …the numeral six.
nu|mer|ate /njuː mərət, [AM ] nuː -/ ADJ Someone who is numerate is able to do arithmetic. □ Your children should be literate and numerate.
nu|meri|cal /njuːme r I k ə l, [AM ] nuː -/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Numerical means expressed in numbers or relating to numbers. □ Your job is to group them by letter and put them in numerical order. ● nu|meri|cal|ly ADV □ …a numerically coded colour chart. □ Numerically, there are a lot of young people involved in crime.
nu|mer|ol|ogy /njuː mərɒ lədʒi, [AM ] nuː -/ N‑UNCOUNT Numerology is the study of particular numbers, such as a person's date of birth, in the belief that they may have special significance in a person's life.
nu|mer|ous ◆◇◇ /njuː mərəs, [AM ] nuː m-/ ADJ If people or things are numerous , they exist or are present in large numbers. □ Sex crimes were just as numerous as they are today. □ Despite numerous attempts to diet, her weight soared. SYNONYMS numerous ADJ
many: Acting is a young person's profession in many ways.
several: I had lived two doors away from this family for several years.
a lot of: I remember a lot of things.
countless: She brought joy to countless people through her music.
nu|mi|nous /njuː m I nəs, [AM ] nuː m-/ ADJ Things that are numinous seem holy or spiritual and mysterious. [LITERARY ] □ The account of spiritual struggle that follows has a humbling and numinous power.
nun /nʌ n/ (nuns ) N‑COUNT A nun is a member of a female religious community. □ Mr Thomas was taught by the Catholic nuns whose school he attended.
nun|cio /nʌ nsioʊ/ (nuncios ) N‑COUNT In the Roman Catholic church, a nuncio is an official who represents the Pope in a foreign country. □ …the papal nuncio.
nun|nery /nʌ nəri/ (nunneries ) N‑COUNT A nunnery is a group of buildings in which a community of nuns live together. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
nup|tial /nʌ pʃ ə l/ (nuptials )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Nuptial is used to refer to things relating to a wedding or to marriage. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ I went to the room which he had called the nuptial chamber.
2 N‑PLURAL [usu with poss] Someone's nuptials are their wedding celebrations. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ She became immersed in planning her nuptials.
nurse ◆◇◇ /nɜː r s/ (nurses , nursing , nursed )
1 N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A nurse is a person whose job is to care for people who are ill. □ She had spent 29 years as a nurse. □ Patients were dying because of an acute shortage of nurses.
2 VERB If you nurse someone, you care for them when they are ill. □ [V n] All the years he was sick, my mother had nursed him. □ [V n + back ] She rushed home to nurse her daughter back to health.
3 VERB If you nurse an illness or injury, you allow it to get better by resting as much as possible. □ [V n] We're going to go home and nurse our colds.
4 VERB If you nurse an emotion or desire, you feel it strongly for a long time. □ [V n] Jane still nurses the pain of rejection. □ [V n] He had nursed an ambition to lead his own big orchestra.
5 VERB When a baby nurses or when its mother nurses it, it feeds by sucking milk from its mother's breast. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ [V ] Most authorities recommend letting the baby nurse whenever it wants. □ [V n] …young women nursing babies. □ [V -ing] Young people and nursing mothers are exempted from charges.
6 → see also nursery nurse , nursing , wet nurse COLLOCATIONS nurse NOUN 1
noun + nurse : agency, practice, student, trainee
adjective + nurse : cardiac, dental, paediatric, psychiatric; veterinary; qualified, trained
nurse|maid /nɜː r sme I d/ (nursemaids ) N‑COUNT A nursemaid is a woman or girl who is paid to look after young children. [AM , also BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ]
nurse|ry /nɜː r səri/ (nurseries )
1 N‑COUNT [oft at/from/to N ] A nursery is a place where children who are not old enough to go to school are looked after. □ This nursery will be able to cater for 29 children. □ Her company ran its own workplace nursery.
2 → see also day nursery
3 N‑VAR [oft N n] Nursery is a school for very young children. □ An affordable nursery education service is an essential basic amenity. □ …a nursery teacher.
4 N‑COUNT A nursery is a room in a family home in which the young children of the family sleep or play. □ He has painted murals in his children's nursery.
5 N‑COUNT A nursery is a place where plants are grown in order to be sold. □ The garden, developed over the past 35 years, includes a nursery.
nursery|man /nɜː r sərimən/ (nurserymen ) N‑COUNT A nurseryman is a man who works in a place where young plants are grown in order to be sold.
nu rse|ry nurse (nursery nurses ) N‑COUNT A nursery nurse is a person who has been trained to look after very young children. [BRIT ]
nu rse|ry rhyme (nursery rhymes ) N‑COUNT A nursery rhyme is a poem or song for young children, especially one that is old or well known.
nu rse|ry school (nursery schools ) N‑VAR A nursery school or a nursery is a school for very young children. □ The availability of nursery school places varies widely across London.
nurs|ing /nɜː r s I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Nursing is the profession of looking after people who are ill. □ She had no aptitude for nursing. □ Does the nursing staff seem to care?
nu rs|ing bot|tle (nursing bottles ) N‑COUNT A nursing bottle is a plastic bottle with a special rubber top through which a baby can suck milk or another liquid. [AM ] in BRIT, use feeding bottle
nu rs|ing home (nursing homes ) N‑COUNT A nursing home is a private hospital, especially one for old people. □ He died in a nursing home at the age of 87.
nur|ture /nɜː r tʃə r / (nurtures , nurturing , nurtured )
1 VERB If you nurture something such as a young child or a young plant, you care for it while it is growing and developing. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Parents want to know the best way to nurture and raise their child to adulthood. □ [V n] The modern conservatory is not an environment for nurturing plants. ● nur|tur|ing ADJ □ She was not receiving warm nurturing care. ● nur|tur|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Which adult in these children's lives will provide the nurturing they need?
2 VERB If you nurture plans, ideas, or people, you encourage them or help them to develop. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] She had always nurtured great ambitions for her son. □ [be V -ed] …parents whose political views were nurtured in the sixties. ● nur|tur|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The decision to cut back on film-making had a catastrophic effect on the nurturing of new talent.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Nurture is care that is given to someone while they are growing and developing. □ The human organism learns partly by nature, partly by nurture.
nut /nʌ t/ (nuts )
1 N‑COUNT The firm shelled fruit of some trees and bushes are called nuts . Some nuts can be eaten. □ Nuts and seeds are good sources of vitamin E.
2 → see also groundnut , hazelnut , peanut
3 N‑COUNT A nut is a thick metal ring which you screw onto a metal rod called a bolt. Nuts and bolts are used to hold things such as pieces of machinery together. □ If you want to repair the wheels, you just undo the four nuts. □ …nuts and bolts that haven't been tightened up.
4 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as, for example, a football nut or a health nut , you mean that they are extremely enthusiastic about the thing mentioned. [INFORMAL ] □ …a football nut who spends thousands of pounds travelling to watch games.
5 ADJ If you are nuts about something or someone, you like them very much. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ [+ about ] She's nuts about you.
6 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a nut , you mean that they are mad. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ There's some nut out there with a gun.
7 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone goes nuts or is nuts , you mean that they go crazy or are very foolish. [INFORMAL ] □ You guys are nuts. □ A number of the French players went nuts, completely out of control.
8 PHRASE If someone goes nuts , or in British English does their nut , they become extremely angry. [INFORMAL ] □ My father would go nuts if he saw bruises on me. □ We heard your sister doing her nut.
9 PHRASE If you talk about the nuts and bolts of a subject or an activity, you are referring to the detailed practical aspects of it rather than abstract ideas about it. □ He's more concerned about the nuts and bolts of location work.
nu t-bro wn COLOUR Nut-brown is used to describe things that are dark reddish brown in colour.
nut|case /nʌ tke I s/ (nutcases ) also nut case N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a nutcase , you mean that they are mad or that their behaviour is very strange. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ The woman's a nutcase. She needs locking up.
nut|cracker /nʌ tkrækə r / (nutcrackers ) N‑COUNT A nutcracker is a device used to crack the shell of a nut. Nutcrackers can be used to refer to one or more of these devices.
nut|meg /nʌ tmeg/ N‑UNCOUNT Nutmeg is a spice made from the seed of a tree that grows in hot countries. Nutmeg is usually used to flavour sweet food.
nu|tri|ent /njuː triənt, [AM ] nuː -/ (nutrients ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Nutrients are substances that help plants and animals to grow. □ …the role of vegetable fibres, vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients.
nu|tri|tion /njuːtr I ʃ ə n, [AM ] nuː -/ N‑UNCOUNT Nutrition is the process of taking food into the body and absorbing the nutrients in those foods. □ There are alternative sources of nutrition to animal meat.
nu|tri|tion|al /njuːtr I ʃən ə l, [AM ] nuː -/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] The nutritional content of food is all the substances that are in it which help you to remain healthy. □ It does sometimes help to know the nutritional content of foods. □ Cooking vegetables reduces their nutritional value. ● nu|tri|tion|al|ly ADV □ …a nutritionally balanced diet.
nu|tri|tion|ist /njuːtr I ʃən I st, [AM ] nuː-/ (nutritionists ) N‑COUNT A nutritionist is a person whose job is to give advice on what you should eat to remain healthy. □ Nutritionists say only 33% of our calorie intake should be from fat.
nu|tri|tious /njuːtr I ʃəs, [AM ] nuː-/ ADJ Nutritious food contains substances which help your body to be healthy. □ It is always important to choose enjoyable, nutritious foods. □ Some ready made meals are nutritious and very easy to prepare.
nu|tri|tive /njuː tr I t I v, [AM ] nuː -/ ADJ [ADJ n] The nutritive content of food is all the substances that are in it which help you to remain healthy. □ Coconut milk has little nutritive value.
nut|shell /nʌ tʃel/ PHRASE You can use in a nutshell to indicate that you are saying something in a very brief way, using few words. □ In a nutshell, the owners thought they knew best.
nut|ter /nʌ tə r / (nutters ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a nutter , you mean that they are mad or that their behaviour is very strange. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He was a bit of a nutter.
nut|ty /nʌ ti/ (nuttier , nuttiest )
1 ADJ If you describe food as nutty , you mean that it tastes of nuts, has the texture of nuts, or is made with nuts. □ …nutty butter cookies. □ Chick peas have a distinctive, delicious and nutty flavour.
2 ADJ If you describe someone as nutty , you mean that their behaviour is very strange or foolish. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He looked like a nutty professor. □ That's a nutty idea.
nuz|zle /nʌ z ə l/ (nuzzles , nuzzling , nuzzled ) VERB If you nuzzle someone or something, you gently rub your nose and mouth against them to show affection. □ [V n] She nuzzled me and I cuddled her. □ [V adv/prep] The dog came and nuzzled up against me.
NW NW is a written abbreviation for north-west . □ …Ivor Place, London NW 1.
ny|lon /na I lɒn/ (nylons )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Nylon is a strong, flexible artificial fibre. □ I put on a new pair of nylon socks.
2 N‑PLURAL Nylons are stockings made of nylon. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ This woman wore seamed nylons and kept smoothing her skirt.
nymph /n I mf/ (nymphs )
1 N‑COUNT In Greek and Roman mythology, nymphs were spirits of nature who appeared as young women.
2 N‑COUNT A nymph is the larva, or young form, of an insect such as a dragonfly.
nym|pho|ma|ni|ac /n I mfəme I niæk/ (nymphomaniacs ) N‑COUNT If someone refers to a woman as a nymphomaniac , they mean that she has sex or wants to have sex much more often than they consider normal or acceptable. [DISAPPROVAL ]
ТЕЛЕГРАМКанал с обзорами, анонсами новинок и книжными подборками
Книжный Вестник
Бот для удобного поиска книг (если не нашлось на сайте)
Поиск книг
Свежие любовные романы в удобных форматах
Любовные романы
Детективы и триллеры, все новинки
Детективы
Фантастика и фэнтези, все новинки
Фантастика
Отборные классические книги
Классика
ВКОНТАКТЕБиблиотека с любовными романами, которая наверняка придётся по вкусу женской части аудитории
Любовные романы
Библиотека с фантастикой и фэнтези, а также смежных жанров
Фантастика
Самые популярные книги в формате фб2
Топ фб2
книги