Oo
O , o /oʊ / (O's, o's )
1 N‑VAR O is the fifteenth letter of the English alphabet.
2 NUM O is used to mean zero, for example when you are telling someone a phone number, or mentioning a year such as 1908. [SPOKEN ]
3 EXCLAM O is used in exclamations, especially when you are expressing strong feelings. [LITERARY , FEELINGS ] □ O how mistaken you are! □ O God, I want to go home.
4 → see also oh
o' /ə/
1 PREP O' is used in written English to represent the word 'of' pronounced in a particular way. □ I lost a lot o' blood. □ Can we have a cup o' coffee, please?
2 → see also o'clock
oaf /oʊ f/ (oafs ) N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] If you refer to someone, especially a man or boy, as an oaf , you think that they are impolite, clumsy, or aggressive. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Leave the lady alone, you drunken oaf.
oaf|ish /oʊ f I ʃ/ ADJ If you describe someone, especially a man or a boy, as oafish , you disapprove of their behaviour because you think that it is impolite, clumsy, or aggressive. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The bodyguards, as usual, were brave but oafish. □ …oafish humour.
oak /oʊ k/ (oaks ) N‑VAR An oak or an oak tree is a large tree that often grows in woods and forests and has strong, hard wood. □ Many large oaks were felled during the war. □ …forests of beech, chestnut, and oak. ● N‑UNCOUNT Oak is the wood of this tree. □ The cabinet was made of oak.
OAP /oʊ e I piː / (OAPs ) N‑COUNT An OAP is a person who is old enough to receive an old age pension from the government. OAP is an abbreviation for 'old age pensioner'. [BRIT ] □ …tickets only £6 each and half that for OAPs and kids.
oar /ɔː r / (oars ) N‑COUNT Oars are long poles with a wide, flat blade at one end which are used for rowing a boat.
oar|lock /ɔː r lɒk/ (oarlocks ) N‑COUNT The oarlocks on a rowing boat are the U-shaped pieces of metal that keep the oars in position while you move them backwards and forwards. [AM ] in BRIT, use rowlock
oasis /oʊe I s I s/ (oases /oʊe I siːz/)
1 N‑COUNT An oasis is a small area in a desert where water and plants are found.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to a pleasant place or situation as an oasis when it is surrounded by unpleasant ones. □ [+ in ] The immaculately tended gardens are an oasis in the midst of Cairo's urban sprawl.
oath /oʊθ / (oaths )
1 N‑COUNT An oath is a formal promise, especially a promise to be loyal to a person or country. □ [+ of ] He took an oath of loyalty to the government.
2 → see also Hippocratic oath
3 N‑SING [oft on/under N ] In a court of law, when someone takes the oath , they make a formal promise to tell the truth. You can say that someone is on oath or under oath when they have made this promise. □ His girlfriend had gone into the witness box and taken the oath. □ Under oath, Aston finally admitted that he had lied. □ Three officers gave evidence on oath against him.
4 N‑COUNT An oath is an offensive or emphatic word or expression which you use when you are angry or shocked. [WRITTEN ] □ Wellor let out a foul oath and hurled himself upon him.
oat|meal /oʊ tmiːl/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Oatmeal is a kind of flour made by crushing oats. □ …oatmeal biscuits.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Oatmeal is a thick sticky food made from oats cooked in water or milk and eaten hot, especially for breakfast. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use porridge
oats /oʊ ts/ The form oat is used as a modifier. 1 N‑PLURAL Oats are a cereal crop or its grains, used for making biscuits or a food called porridge, or for feeding animals. □ Oats provide good, nutritious food for horses. □ …oat bran.
2 PHRASE If a young person sows their wild oats , they behave in a rather uncontrolled way, especially by having a lot of sexual relationships. □ The kids need to sow a few wild oats.
ob|du|ra|cy /ɒ bdjʊrəsi, [AM ] -dʊr-/ N‑UNCOUNT If you accuse someone of obduracy , you think their refusal to change their decision or opinion is unreasonable. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ MPs have accused the government of obduracy and called on ministers to reverse their decision.
ob|du|rate /ɒ bdjʊrət, [AM ] -dʊr-/ ADJ If you describe someone as obdurate , you think that they are being unreasonable in their refusal to change their decision or opinion. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …obdurate defenders of the status quo.
obedi|ent /oʊbiː diənt/ ADJ A person or animal who is obedient does what they are told to do. □ He was very respectful at home and obedient to his parents. ● obedi|ence N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ to ] …unquestioning obedience to the law. ● obedi|ent|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He was looking obediently at Keith, waiting for orders.
obei|sance /oʊbe I səns/ (obeisances )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Obeisance to someone or something is great respect shown for them. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] While he was still young and strong all paid obeisance to him.
2 N‑VAR An obeisance is a physical gesture, especially a bow, that you make in order to show your respect for someone or something. [FORMAL ] □ One by one they came forward, mumbled grudging words of welcome, made awkward obeisances.
ob|elisk /ɒ bəl I sk/ (obelisks ) N‑COUNT An obelisk is a tall stone pillar that has been built in honour of a person or an important event.
obese /oʊbiː s/ ADJ If someone is obese , they are extremely fat. □ Obese people tend to have higher blood pressure than lean people. ● obesity /oʊbiː s I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …the excessive consumption of sugar that leads to problems of obesity.
obey /oʊbe I / (obeys , obeying , obeyed ) VERB If you obey a person, a command, or an instruction, you do what you are told to do. □ [V n] Cissie obeyed her mother without question. □ [V n] Most people obey the law. □ [V ] It was still Baker's duty to obey.
ob|fus|cate /ɒ bfʌske I t/ (obfuscates , obfuscating , obfuscated ) VERB To obfuscate something means to deliberately make it seem confusing and difficult to understand. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] They are obfuscating the issue, as only insurance companies can. □ [V ] Macdonald accepted that such information could be used to obfuscate and to mislead.
obi|tu|ary /oʊb I tʃuəri, [AM ] -ʃueri/ (obituaries ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Someone's obituary is an account of their life and character which is printed in a newspaper or broadcast soon after they die. □ [+ in ] I read your brother's obituary in the Times.
ob|ject ◆◆◇ (objects , objecting , objected ) The noun is pronounced /ɒ bdʒ I kt/. The verb is pronounced /əbdʒe kt/. 1 N‑COUNT An object is anything that has a fixed shape or form, that you can touch or see, and that is not alive. □ …an object the shape of a coconut. □ In the cosy consulting room the children are surrounded by familiar objects.
2 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] The object of what someone is doing is their aim or purpose. □ [+ of ] The object of the exercise is to raise money for the charity. □ My object was to publish a scholarly work on Peter Mourne.
3 N‑COUNT The object of a particular feeling or reaction is the person or thing it is directed towards or that causes it. □ [+ of ] The object of her hatred was a 24-year-old model. □ [+ of ] The object of great interest at the Temple was a large marble tower built in memory of Buddha.
4 → see also sex object
5 N‑COUNT In grammar, the object of a verb or a preposition is the word or phrase which completes the structure begun by the verb or preposition.
6 → see also direct object , indirect object
7 VERB If you object to something, you express your dislike or disapproval of it. □ [V + to ] A lot of people will object to the book. □ [V that] Cullen objected that his small staff would be unable to handle the added work. □ [V ] We objected strongly but were outvoted. □ [V with quote] 'Hey, I don't know what you're talking about,' Russo objected.
8 PHRASE If you say that money is no object or distance is no object , you are emphasizing that you are willing or able to spend as much money as necessary or travel whatever distance is required. [EMPHASIS ] □ Hugh Johnson's shop in London has a range of superb Swedish crystal glasses that I would have if money were no object. □ Although he was based in Wales, distance was no object.
ob|jec|tion /əbdʒe kʃ ə n/ (objections )
1 N‑VAR If you make or raise an objection to something, you say that you do not like it or agree with it. □ Some managers have recently raised objection to the PFA handling these negotiations. □ [+ by ] Despite objections by the public, the government voted today to cut off aid.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that you have no objection to something, you mean that you are not annoyed or bothered by it. □ I have no objection to banks making money. □ I no longer have any objection to your going to see her.
ob|jec|tion|able /əbdʒe kʃənəb ə l/ ADJ If you describe someone or something as objectionable , you consider them to be extremely offensive and unacceptable. [FORMAL ] □ I don't like your tone young woman, in fact I find it highly objectionable.
ob|jec|tive ◆◇◇ /əbdʒe kt I v/ (objectives )
1 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] Your objective is what you are trying to achieve. □ Our main objective was the recovery of the child safe and well. □ His objective was to play golf and win.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Objective information is based on facts. □ He had no objective evidence that anything extraordinary was happening. ● ob|jec|tive|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ We simply want to inform people objectively about events. ● ob|jec|tiv|ity /ɒ bdʒekt I v I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ The poll, whose objectivity is open to question, gave the party a 39% share of the vote.
3 ADJ If someone is objective, they base their opinions on facts rather than on their personal feelings. □ I believe that a journalist should be completely objective. □ I would really like to have your objective opinion on this. ● ob|jec|tive|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Try to view situations more objectively, especially with regard to work. ● ob|jec|tiv|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ The psychiatrist must learn to maintain an unusual degree of objectivity. SYNONYMS objective NOUN 1
purpose: The purpose of the occasion was to raise money for medical supplies.
aim: The aim of the festival is to increase awareness of Hindu culture and traditions.
goal: The goal is to raise as much money as possible.
target: He's won back his place too late to achieve his target of 20 goals this season. ADJ 3
unbiased: The researchers were expected to be unbiased.
neutral: Let's meet on neutral territory.
impartial: Careers officers offer impartial advice to all pupils.
o b|ject les|son (object lessons ) N‑COUNT If you describe an action, event, or situation as an object lesson , you think that it demonstrates the correct way to do something, or that it demonstrates the truth of a particular principle. □ [+ on/in ] It was an object lesson in how to use television as a means of persuasion.
ob|ject|or /əbdʒe ktə r / (objectors )
1 N‑COUNT An objector is someone who states or shows that they oppose or disapprove of something. □ The district council agreed with the objectors and turned down the application.
2 → see also conscientious objector
o bject-o riented ADJ [usu ADJ n] In computing, object-oriented programming involves dealing with code and data in blocks so that it is easier to change or do things with. □ …object-oriented software.
ob|jet d'art /ɒ bʒe I dɑː r / (objets d'art ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Objets d'art are small ornaments that are considered to be attractive and of quite good quality. [FORMAL ]
ob|li|gate /ɒ bl I ge I t/ (obligates , obligating , obligated ) VERB If something obligates you to do a particular thing, it creates a situation where you have to do it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n to-inf] The ruling obligates airlines to release information about their flight delays.
ob|li|gat|ed /ɒ bl I ge I t I d/ ADJ [v-link ADJ , oft ADJ to-inf] If you feel obligated to do something, you feel that it is your duty to do it. If you are obligated to someone, you feel that it is your duty to look after them. [FORMAL ] □ I felt obligated to let him read the letter. □ [+ to ] He had got a girl pregnant and felt obligated to her and the child.
ob|li|ga|tion /ɒ bl I ge I ʃ ə n/ (obligations )
1 N‑VAR [usu N to-inf] If you have an obligation to do something, it is your duty to do that thing. □ When teachers assign homework, students usually feel an obligation to do it. □ Ministers are under no obligation to follow the committee's recommendations.
2 N‑VAR If you have an obligation to a person, it is your duty to look after them or protect their interests. □ [+ to ] The United States will do that which is necessary to meet its obligations to its own citizens. □ [+ to ] I have an ethical and a moral obligation to my client.
3 PHRASE In advertisements, if a product or a service is available without obligation , you do not have to pay for that product or service until you have tried it and are satisfied with it. □ If you are selling your property, why not call us for a free valuation without obligation?
ob|liga|tory /əbl I gətri, [AM ] -tɔːri/
1 ADJ If something is obligatory , you must do it because of a rule or a law. □ Most women will be offered an ultrasound scan during pregnancy, although it's not obligatory. □ These rates do not include the charge for obligatory medical consultations.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe something as obligatory , you mean that it is done from habit or custom and not because the person involved has thought carefully about it or really means it. □ She was wearing the obligatory sweater and pearl necklace.
oblige /əbla I dʒ/ (obliges , obliging , obliged )
1 VERB If you are obliged to do something, a situation, rule, or law makes it necessary for you to do that thing. □ [be V -ed to-inf] The storm got worse and worse. Finally, I was obliged to abandon the car and continue on foot. □ [V n to-inf] This decree obliges unions to delay strikes.
2 VERB To oblige someone means to be helpful to them by doing what they have asked you to do. □ [V ] If you ever need help with the babysitting, I'd be glad to oblige. □ [V + with ] The gracious star was more than happy to oblige with an autograph. □ [V n + with ] Mr Oakley always has been ready to oblige journalists with information. [Also V n]
3 CONVENTION People sometimes use obliged in expressions such as ' much obliged ' or ' I am obliged to you ' when they want to indicate that they are very grateful for something. [FORMAL or OLD-FASHIONED , FORMULAE ] □ [+ for ] Much obliged for your assistance. □ [+ to ] Thank you very much indeed, Doctor, I am extremely obliged to you.
4 CONVENTION If you tell someone that you would be obliged or should be obliged if they would do something, you are telling them in a polite but firm way that you want them to do it. [FORMAL , POLITENESS ] □ [+ if ] I would be obliged if you could read it to us.
oblig|ing /əbla I dʒ I ŋ/ ADJ If you describe someone as obliging , you think that they are willing and eager to be helpful. [OLD-FASHIONED or WRITTEN , APPROVAL ] □ He is an extremely pleasant and obliging man. ● oblig|ing|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He swung round and strode towards the door. Benedict obligingly held it open.
oblique /oʊbliː k/
1 ADJ If you describe a statement as oblique , you mean that is not expressed directly or openly, making it difficult to understand. □ Mr Golding delivered an oblique warning, talking of the danger of sudden action. ● oblique|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He obliquely referred to the U.S., Britain and Saudi Arabia.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An oblique line is a straight line that is not horizontal or vertical. An oblique angle is any angle other than a right angle. □ It lies between the plain and the sea at an oblique angle to the coastline. ● oblique|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ This muscle runs obliquely downwards inside the abdominal cavity.
oblit|erate /əbl I təre I t/ (obliterates , obliterating , obliterated )
1 VERB If something obliterates an object or place, it destroys it completely. □ [V n] Their warheads are enough to obliterate the world several times over. ● oblit|era|tion /əbl I təre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the obliteration of three isolated rainforests.
2 VERB If you obliterate something such as a memory, emotion, or thought, you remove it completely from your mind. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] There was time enough to obliterate memories of how things once were for him.
oblivi|on /əbl I viən/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu into N ] Oblivion is the state of not being aware of what is happening around you, for example because you are asleep or unconscious. □ He just drank himself into oblivion.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu into N ] Oblivion is the state of having been forgotten or of no longer being considered important. □ It seems that the so-called new theory is likely to sink into oblivion.
3 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that something is bombed or blasted into oblivion , you are emphasizing that it is completely destroyed. [EMPHASIS ] □ An entire poor section of town was bombed into oblivion.
oblivi|ous /əbl I viəs/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are oblivious to something or oblivious of it, you are not aware of it. □ [+ to/of ] She lay motionless where she was, oblivious to pain. ● ob|livi|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Burke was asleep, sprawled obliviously against the window. ● ob|livi|ous|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Her obliviousness of what was happening in Germany seems extraordinary.
ob|long /ɒ blɒŋ, [AM ] -lɔːŋ/ (oblongs ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] An oblong is a shape which has two long sides and two short sides and in which all the angles are right angles. □ …an oblong table.
ob|nox|ious /ɒbnɒ kʃəs/ ADJ If you describe someone as obnoxious, you think that they are very unpleasant. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ One of the parents was a most obnoxious character. No-one liked him.
oboe /oʊ boʊ/ (oboes ) N‑VAR An oboe is a musical instrument shaped like a tube which you play by blowing through a double reed in the top end. WORD HISTORY oboe
Oboe comes from French haut bois , meaning 'high wood', a reference to the instrument's high pitch compared to other instruments of the woodwind family.
obo|ist /oʊ boʊ I st/ (oboists ) N‑COUNT An oboist is someone who plays the oboe.
ob|scene /ɒbsiː n/
1 ADJ If you describe something as obscene , you mean it offends you because it relates to sex or violence in a way that you think is unpleasant and shocking. □ I'm not prudish but I think these photographs are obscene. □ He continued to use obscene language and also to make threats.
2 ADJ In legal contexts, books, pictures, or films which are judged obscene are illegal because they deal with sex or violence in a way that is considered offensive to the general public. □ A city magistrate ruled that the novel was obscene and copies should be destroyed.
3 ADJ If you describe something as obscene , you disapprove of it very strongly and consider it to be offensive or immoral. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It was obscene to spend millions producing unwanted food.
ob|scen|ity /ɒbse n I ti/ (obscenities )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Obscenity is behaviour, art, or language that is sexual and offends or shocks people. □ He insisted these photographs were not art but obscenity.
2 N‑VAR An obscenity is a very offensive word or expression. □ They shouted obscenities at us and smashed bottles on the floor.
ob|scu|rant|ism /ɒ bskjʊræ ntizəm, [AM ] ɒbskjʊ rənt-/ N‑UNCOUNT Obscurantism is the practice or policy of deliberately making something vague and difficult to understand, especially in order to prevent people from finding out the truth. [FORMAL or WRITTEN ] □ …legalistic obscurantism.
ob|scu|rant|ist /ɒ bskjʊræ nt I st, [AM ] ɒbskjʊ rənt-/ ADJ If you describe something as obscurantist , you mean that it is deliberately vague and difficult to understand, so that it prevents people from finding out the truth about it. [FORMAL or WRITTEN ] □ I think that a lot of poetry published today is obscurantist nonsense.
ob|scure /ɒbskjʊə r / (obscurer , obscurest , obscures , obscuring , obscured )
1 ADJ If something or someone is obscure , they are unknown, or are known by only a few people. □ The origin of the custom is obscure. □ The hymn was written by an obscure Greek composer.
2 ADJ Something that is obscure is difficult to understand or deal with, usually because it involves so many parts or details. □ The contracts are written in obscure language.
3 VERB If one thing obscures another, it prevents it from being seen or heard properly. □ [be V -ed] One wall of the parliament building is now almost completely obscured by a huge banner.
4 VERB To obscure something means to make it difficult to understand. □ [V n] …the jargon that frequently obscures educational writing. □ [be V -ed] This issue has been obscured by recent events.
ob|scu|rity /ɒbskjʊə r I ti/ (obscurities )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Obscurity is the state of being known by only a few people. □ Tom's showbiz career began when he was plucked from obscurity by director Stephen Daldry.
2 N‑VAR Obscurity is the quality of being difficult to understand. An obscurity is something that is difficult to understand. □ [+ of ] 'How can that be?' asked Hunt, irritated by the obscurity of Henry's reply.
ob|se|qui|ous /ɒbsiː kwiəs/ ADJ If you describe someone as obsequious , you are criticizing them because they are too eager to help or agree with someone more important than them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Perhaps your mother was very obsequious to doctors. ● ob|se|qui|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He smiled and bowed obsequiously to Winger. ● ob|se|qui|ous|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ His tone quickly changed from obsequiousness to outright anger.
ob|serv|able /əbzɜː r vəb ə l/ ADJ Something that is observable can be seen. □ Mars is too faint and too low in the sky to be observable.
ob|ser|vance /əbzɜː r v ə ns/ (observances ) N‑VAR The observance of something such as a law or custom is the practice of obeying or following it. □ [+ of ] Local councils should use their powers to ensure strict observance of laws.
ob|ser|vant /əbzɜː r v ə nt/ ADJ Someone who is observant pays a lot of attention to things and notices more about them than most people do. □ That's a marvellous description, Mrs Drummond. You're unusually observant. □ An observant doctor can often detect depression from expression, posture, and movement.
ob|ser|va|tion /ɒ bzə r ve I ʃ ə n/ (observations )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Observation is the action or process of carefully watching someone or something. □ [+ of ] …careful observation of the movement of the planets. □ In hospital she'll be under observation all the time.
2 N‑COUNT An observation is something that you have learned by seeing or watching something and thinking about it. □ [+ about ] This book contains observations about the causes of addictions.
3 N‑COUNT If a person makes an observation , they make a comment about something or someone, usually as a result of watching how they behave. □ 'You're an obstinate man,' she said. 'Is that a criticism,' I said, 'or just an observation?'.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Observation is the ability to pay a lot of attention to things and to notice more about them than most people do. □ She has good powers of observation.
ob|ser|va|tion|al /ɒ bzə r ve I ʃən ə l/ ADJ Observational means relating to the watching of people or things, especially in order to learn something new. [FORMAL ] □ …observational humour. □ The observational work is carried out on a range of telescopes.
ob|ser|va|tory /əbzɜː r vətri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ (observatories ) N‑COUNT An observatory is a building with a large telescope from which scientists study things such as the planets by watching them.
ob|serve ◆◇◇ /əbzɜː r v/ (observes , observing , observed )
1 VERB If you observe a person or thing, you watch them carefully, especially in order to learn something about them. □ [V n] Stern also studies and observes the behaviour of babies. □ [V n v-ing] Our sniper teams observed them manning an anti-aircraft gun. [Also V , V n inf]
2 VERB If you observe someone or something, you see or notice them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] In 1664 Hooke observed a reddish spot on the surface of the planet.
3 VERB If you observe that something is the case, you make a remark or comment about it, especially when it is something you have noticed and thought about a lot. [FORMAL ] □ [V that] When he spoke, it was to observe that the world was full of criminals. □ [V with quote] 'He is a fine young man,' observed Stephen.
4 VERB If you observe something such as a law or custom, you obey it or follow it. □ [V n] Imposing speed restrictions is easy, but forcing motorists to observe them is trickier. □ [V n] The army was observing a ceasefire. SYNONYMS observe VERB 1
watch: The man was standing in his doorway watching him.
study: Debbie studied her friend's face for a moment.
look at: She turned to look at him.
ob|serv|er ◆◇◇ /əbzɜː r və r / (observers )
1 N‑COUNT You can refer to someone who sees or notices something as an observer . □ A casual observer would have taken them to be three men out for an evening stroll. □ Observers say the woman pulled a knife out of the bunch of flowers and stabbed him in the neck.
2 N‑COUNT An observer is someone who studies current events and situations, especially in order to comment on them and predict what will happen next. [JOURNALISM ] □ Political observers believe that a new cabinet may be formed shortly.
3 N‑COUNT An observer is a person who is sent to observe an important event or situation, especially in order to make sure it happens as it should, or so that they can tell other people about it. □ The president suggested that a U.N. observer should attend the conference.
ob|sess /əbse s/ (obsesses , obsessing , obsessed ) VERB If something obsesses you or if you obsess about something, you keep thinking about it and find it difficult to think about anything else. □ [V n] A string of scandals is obsessing America. □ [V + about/over ] She stopped drinking but began obsessing about her weight. □ [V that] I started obsessing that Trish might die.
ob|sessed /əbse st/ ADJ If someone is obsessed with a person or thing, they keep thinking about them and find it difficult to think about anything else. □ [+ with ] He was obsessed with American gangster movies. □ [+ by ] She wasn't in love with Steve, she was obsessed by him physically.
ob|ses|sion /əbse ʃ ə n/ (obsessions ) N‑VAR If you say that someone has an obsession with a person or thing, you think they are spending too much time thinking about them. □ [+ with ] She would try to forget her obsession with Christopher. □ 95% of patients know their obsessions are irrational.
ob|ses|sion|al /əbse ʃən ə l/ ADJ Obsessional means the same as obsessive . □ She became almost obsessional about the way she looked.
ob|ses|sive /əbse s I v/ (obsessives )
1 ADJ If someone's behaviour is obsessive , they cannot stop doing a particular thing or behaving in a particular way. □ [+ about ] Williams is obsessive about motor racing. ● ob|ses|sive|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ He couldn't help worrying obsessively about what would happen. □ The Ministry is being obsessively secretive about the issue.
2 N‑COUNT An obsessive is someone who is obsessive about something or who behaves in an obsessive way. □ I am not an obsessive. Not at all.
obse ssive-compu lsive dis|o r|der N‑UNCOUNT If someone suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder , they cannot stop doing a particular thing, for example washing their hands.
ob|so|les|cence /ɒ bsəle s ə ns/ N‑UNCOUNT Obsolescence is the state of being no longer needed because something newer or more efficient has been invented. □ The aircraft was nearing obsolescence by early 1942.
ob|so|les|cent /ɒ bsəle s ə nt/ ADJ If something is obsolescent , it is no longer needed because something better has been invented. □ …outmoded, obsolescent equipment.
ob|so|lete /ɒ bsəliː t/ ADJ Something that is obsolete is no longer needed because something better has been invented. □ So much equipment becomes obsolete almost as soon as it's made.
ob|sta|cle /ɒ bstək ə l/ (obstacles )
1 N‑COUNT An obstacle is an object that makes it difficult for you to go where you want to go, because it is in your way. □ Most competition cars will only roll over if they hit an obstacle. □ He left her to navigate her own way round the trolleys and other obstacles.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to anything that makes it difficult for you to do something as an obstacle . □ [+ to ] Overcrowding remains a large obstacle to improving conditions. □ To succeed, you must learn to overcome obstacles.
o b|sta|cle course (obstacle courses ) N‑COUNT In a race, an obstacle course is a series of obstacles that people have to go over or round in order to complete the race.
ob|ste|tri|cian /ɒ bstətr I ʃ ə n/ (obstetricians ) N‑COUNT An obstetrician is a doctor who is specially trained to deal with pregnant women and with women who are giving birth. [MEDICAL ]
ob|stet|rics /ɒbste tr I ks/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Obstetrics is the branch of medicine that is concerned with pregnancy and giving birth. [MEDICAL ]
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Obstetric medicine and care is concerned with pregnancy and giving birth. [MEDICAL ] □ For a child to be born with this disability indicates a defect in obstetric care.
ob|sti|nate /ɒ bst I nət/
1 ADJ If you describe someone as obstinate , you are being critical of them because they are very determined to do what they want, and refuse to change their mind or be persuaded to do something else. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He is obstinate and determined and will not give up. ● ob|sti|nate|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ I stayed obstinately in my room, sitting by the phone. ● ob|sti|na|cy N‑UNCOUNT □ I might have become a dangerous man with all that stubbornness and obstinacy built into me.
2 ADJ You can describe things as obstinate when they are difficult to move, change, or destroy. □ …rusted farm equipment strewn among the obstinate weeds. ● ob|sti|nate|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …the door of the shop which obstinately stayed closed when he tried to push it open.
ob|strep|er|ous /ɒbstre pərəs/ ADJ If you say that someone is obstreperous , you think that they are noisy and difficult to control. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ You know I have no intention of being awkward and obstreperous.
ob|struct /ɒbstrʌ kt/ (obstructs , obstructing , obstructed )
1 VERB If something obstructs a road or path, it blocks it, stopping people or vehicles getting past. □ [V n] Tractors and container lorries have completely obstructed the road.
2 VERB To obstruct someone or something means to make it difficult for them to move forward by blocking their path. □ [V n] A number of local people have been arrested for trying to obstruct lorries loaded with logs.
3 VERB To obstruct progress or a process means to prevent it from happening properly. □ [V n] The authorities are obstructing a United Nations investigation.
4 VERB If someone or something obstructs your view, they are positioned between you and the thing you are trying to look at, stopping you from seeing it properly. □ [V n] Claire positioned herself so as not to obstruct David's line of sight.
ob|struc|tion /ɒbstrʌ kʃ ə n/ (obstructions )
1 N‑COUNT An obstruction is something that blocks a road or path. □ John was irritated by drivers parking near his house and causing an obstruction.
2 N‑VAR An obstruction is something that blocks a passage in your body. □ The boy was suffering from a bowel obstruction and he died.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Obstruction is the act of deliberately delaying something or preventing something from happening, usually in business, law, or government. □ Mr Guest refused to let them in and now faces a criminal charge of obstruction.
ob|struc|tion|ism /ɒbstrʌ kʃən I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Obstructionism is the practice of deliberately delaying or preventing a process or change, especially in politics. □ Obstructionism is generally most evident at the stage of implementing a law.
ob|struc|tive /ɒbstrʌ kt I v/ ADJ If you say that someone is being obstructive , you think that they are deliberately causing difficulties for other people. □ Mr Smith was obstructive and refused to follow correct procedure.
ob|tain ◆◇◇ /ɒbte I n/ (obtains , obtaining , obtained ) VERB To obtain something means to get it or achieve it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Evans was trying to obtain a false passport and other documents. USAGE obtain
You don’t usually use ‘get’ in the passive. Don’t say, for example, ‘
Maps can be got from the Tourist Office
’. Say ‘Maps can be obtained
from the Tourist Office’ or, in conversation, ‘You can get
maps from the Tourist Office’. □
All the above items can be obtained
from most supermarkets.
SYNONYMS
obtain
VERB
get: I got a job at the sawmill.
acquire: I recently acquired some wood from a holly tree.
gain: Students can gain valuable experience by working on the campus radio or magazine.
procure: It remained very difficult to procure food, fuel and other daily necessities.
ob|tain|able /ɒbte I nəb ə l/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If something is obtainable , it is possible to get or achieve it. □ [+ from ] The dried herb is obtainable from health shops.
ob|trude /ɒbtruː d/ (obtrudes , obtruding , obtruded ) VERB When something obtrudes or when you obtrude it, it becomes noticeable in an undesirable way. [LITERARY ] □ [V ] A 40 watt bulb would be quite sufficient and would not obtrude. □ [V n] Gertrude now clearly felt that she had obtruded her sorrow. □ [V + on ] He didn't want to obtrude on her privacy.
ob|tru|sive /ɒbtruː s I v/ ADJ If you say that someone or something is obtrusive , you think they are noticeable in an unpleasant way. □ These heaters are less obtrusive and are easy to store away in the summer. ● ob|tru|sive|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Hawke got up and walked obtrusively out of the building.
ob|tuse /əbtjuː s, [AM ] -tuː s/
1 ADJ Someone who is obtuse has difficulty understanding things, or makes no effort to understand them. [FORMAL ] □ I've really been very obtuse and stupid. ● ob|tuse|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Naivety bordering on obtuseness helped sustain his faith.
2 ADJ An obtuse angle is between 90° and 180°. Compare acute angle. [TECHNICAL ]
ob|verse /ɒ bvɜː r s/ N‑SING The obverse of an opinion, situation, or argument is its opposite. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The obverse of rising unemployment is continued gains in productivity.
ob|vi|ate /ɒ bvie I t/ (obviates , obviating , obviated ) VERB To obviate something such as a problem or a need means to remove it or make it unnecessary. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Our old-fashioned push-mower, for instance, obviates the needs for extension leads.
ob|vi|ous ◆◆◇ /ɒ bviəs/
1 ADJ If something is obvious , it is easy to see or understand. □ …the need to rectify what is an obvious injustice. □ Determining how he will conduct his presidency isn't quite so obvious.
2 ADJ If you describe something that someone says as obvious , you are being critical of it because you think it is unnecessary or shows lack of imagination. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ There are some very obvious phrases that we should know better than to use. ● ob|vi|ous|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Francis smiled agreement, irritated by the obviousness of his answer. ● PHRASE If you say that someone is stating the obvious , you mean that they are saying something that everyone already knows and understands. □ It may be stating the obvious, but most teleworking at present is connected with computers.
ob|vi|ous|ly ◆◆◇ /ɒ bviəsli/
1 ADV You use obviously when you are stating something that you expect the person who is listening to know already. [EMPHASIS ] □ Obviously, they've had sponsorship from some big companies. □ There are obviously exceptions to this.
2 ADV You use obviously to indicate that something is easily noticed, seen, or recognized. □ They obviously appreciate you very much. SYNONYMS obviously ADV
1
clearly: Clearly, the police cannot break the law in order to enforce it.
evidently: The two Russians evidently knew each other.
of course: Of course there were lots of other interesting things at the exhibition.
needless to say: Needless to say, the cat moved quicker than me and caught the bird.
2
plainly: The judge's conclusion was plainly wrong.
patently: He made his displeasure patently obvious.
unquestionably: He is unquestionably a star.
obvs /ɒ bvz/ ADV Obvs is a written and sometimes spoken abbreviation for 'obviously', often used in emails and text messages [INFORMAL ] □ I won't be inviting Jenna, obvs.
oc|ca|sion ◆◆◇ /əke I ʒ ə n/ (occasions )
1 N‑COUNT An occasion is a time when something happens, or a case of it happening. □ I often think fondly of an occasion some years ago at Covent Garden. □ Mr Davis has been asked on a number of occasions.
2 N‑COUNT An occasion is an important event, ceremony, or celebration. □ Taking her with me on official occasions has been a challenge. □ It will be a unique family occasion.
3 N‑COUNT An occasion for doing something is an opportunity for doing it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ for ] It is an occasion for all the family to celebrate. □ [+ for ] It is always an important occasion for setting out government policy.
4 VERB To occasion something means to cause it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He argued that the release of hostages should not occasion a change in policy.
5 → see also sense of occasion
6 PHRASE If you have occasion to do something, it is necessary for you to do it. □ We have had occasion to deal with members of the group on a variety of charges.
7 PHRASE If something happens on occasion , it happens sometimes, but not very often. □ He translated not only from the French but also, on occasion, from the Polish.
8 PHRASE If you say that someone rose to the occasion , you mean that they did what was necessary to successfully overcome a difficult situation. □ It was a big day and we rose to the occasion.
oc|ca|sion|al ◆◇◇ /əke I ʒən ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Occasional means happening sometimes, but not regularly or often. □ I've had occasional mild headaches all my life. □ Esther used to visit him for the occasional days and weekends. ● oc|ca|sion|al|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He still misbehaves occasionally.
oc|ci|den|tal /ɒ ks I de nt ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Occidental means relating to the countries of Europe and America. [FORMAL ] □ There is a fundamental division between oriental and occidental approaches to land use.
oc|cult /ɒkʌ lt, ɒ kʌlt/ N‑SING The occult is the knowledge and study of supernatural or magical forces. □ …sinister experiments with the occult. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Occult is also an adjective. □ …organisations which campaign against paganism and occult practice.
oc|cult|ist /ɒkʌ lt I st/ (occultists ) N‑COUNT An occultist is a person who believes in the supernatural and the power of magic.
oc|cu|pan|cy /ɒ kjʊpənsi/ N‑UNCOUNT Occupancy is the act of using a room, building, or area of land, usually for a fixed period of time. [FORMAL ] □ Hotel occupancy has been as low as 40%.
oc|cu|pant /ɒ kjʊpənt/ (occupants )
1 N‑COUNT The occupants of a building or room are the people who live or work there. □ Most of the occupants had left before the fire broke out.
2 N‑PLURAL You can refer to the people who are in a place such as a room, vehicle, or bed at a particular time as the occupants . □ The lifeboat capsized, throwing the occupants into the water.
oc|cu|pa|tion ◆◇◇ /ɒ kjʊpe I ʃ ə n/ (occupations )
1 N‑COUNT Your occupation is your job or profession. □ I suppose I was looking for an occupation which was going to be an adventure. □ Occupation: administrative assistant.
2 N‑COUNT An occupation is something that you spend time doing, either for pleasure or because it needs to be done. □ Parachuting is a dangerous occupation.
3 N‑UNCOUNT The occupation of a country happens when it is entered and controlled by a foreign army. □ …the deportation of Jews from Paris during the German occupation. SYNONYMS occupation NOUN
1
job: Once I'm in America I can get a job.
business: You can't mix business with pleasure.
work: What kind of work do you do?
career: She is now concentrating on a career as a fashion designer.
2
hobby: My hobbies are football, music, photography, and tennis.
pastime: His favourite pastime is golf.
diversion: Finger painting is very messy but an excellent diversion.
oc|cu|pa|tion|al /ɒ kjʊpe I ʃən ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Occupational means relating to a person's job or profession. □ Some received substantial occupational assistance in the form of low-interest loans. ● oc|cu|pa|tion|al|ly ADV [usu ADV adj/-ed] □ You might be having an occupationally related skin problem.
o c|cu|pa|tion|al ha z|ard (occupational hazards ) N‑COUNT An occupational hazard is something unpleasant that you may suffer or experience as a result of doing your job or hobby. □ Catching colds is unfortunately an occupational hazard in this profession.
o c|cu|pa|tion|al hea lth N‑UNCOUNT Occupational health is the branch of medicine that deals with the health of people in their workplace or in relation to their job. □ Over the years, occupational health has moved more towards preventive medicine.
o c|cu|pa|tion|al the ra|pist (occupational therapists ) N‑COUNT An occupational therapist is someone whose job involves helping people by means of occupational therapy.
o c|cu|pa|tion|al the ra|py N‑UNCOUNT Occupational therapy is a method of helping people who have been ill or injured to develop skills or get skills back by giving them certain activities to do. □ She will now begin occupational therapy to regain the use of her hands.
oc|cu|pi|er /ɒ kjʊpa I ə r / (occupiers )
1 N‑COUNT The occupier of a house, flat, or piece of land is the person who lives or works there. [FORMAL ]
2 → see also owner-occupier
oc|cu|py ◆◆◇ /ɒ kjʊpa I / (occupies , occupying , occupied )
1 VERB The people who occupy a building or a place are the people who live or work there. □ [V n] There were over 40 tenants, all occupying one wing of the hospital. □ [V n] Land is, in most instances, purchased by those who occupy it.
2 V-PASSIVE If a room or something such as a seat is occupied , someone is using it, so that it is not available for anyone else. □ [be V -ed] Two-thirds of hospital beds are occupied by the elderly. □ [be V -ed] I saw three camp beds, two of which were occupied.
3 VERB If a group of people or an army occupies a place or country, they move into it, using force in order to gain control of it. □ [V n] U.S. forces now occupy a part of the country. □ [V -ed] …the occupied territories.
4 VERB If someone or something occupies a particular place in a system, process, or plan, they have that place. □ [V n] Men still occupy more positions of power than women.
5 VERB If something occupies you, or if you occupy yourself, your time, or your mind with it, you are busy doing that thing or thinking about it. □ [V n] Her parliamentary career has occupied all of her time. □ [V pron-refl + with ] He hurried to take the suitcases and occupy himself with packing the car. □ [V pron-refl] I would deserve to be pitied if I couldn't occupy myself. [Also V n + with ] ● oc|cu|pied ADJ [v-link ADJ ] □ Keep the brain occupied. □ [+ with ] I had forgotten all about it because I had been so occupied with other things.
6 VERB If something occupies you, it requires your efforts, attention, or time. □ [V n] I had other matters to occupy me, during the day at least. □ [V n] This challenge will occupy Europe for a generation or more.
7 VERB If something occupies a particular area or place, it fills or covers it, or exists there. □ [V n] Even quite small aircraft occupy a lot of space. □ [V n] Bookshelves occupied most of the living room walls. SYNONYMS occupy VERB
1
inhabit: The valley is inhabited by the Dani tribe.
live in: She has lived in this house for ten years.
reside: All single full-time students must reside in university residence halls.
3
invade: The Romans and the Normans came to Britain as invading armies.
take over: The Belgians took over Rwanda under a League of Nations mandate.
capture: They now appear ready to capture more territory.
seize: Troops have seized the airport and railroad terminals.
oc|cur ◆◆◇ /əkɜː r / (occurs , occurring , occurred )
1 VERB When something occurs , it happens. □ [V ] If headaches only occur at night, lack of fresh air and oxygen is often the cause. □ [V ] The crash occurred when the crew shut down the wrong engine. □ In March 1770, there occurred what became known as the Boston Massacre.
2 VERB When something occurs in a particular place, it exists or is present there. □ [V adv/prep] The cattle disease occurs more or less anywhere in Africa where the fly occurs. □ [V adv/prep] These snails do not occur on low-lying coral islands or atolls.
3 VERB [no passive, no cont] If a thought or idea occurs to you, you suddenly think of it or realize it. □ [V to n to-inf] It did not occur to me to check my insurance policy. □ [V + to ] The same idea had occurred to Elizabeth. USAGE occur
Don’t say that a planned event ‘occurs’ or ‘happens’. Say that it takes place . □ The first meeting of this committee took place on 9 January. SYNONYMS occur VERB 1
happen: We cannot say for sure what will happen.
take place: The discussion took place in a famous villa on the lake's shore.
come about: That came about when we went to Glastonbury last year.
oc|cur|rence /əkʌ rəns, [AM ] -kɜː r-/ (occurrences )
1 N‑COUNT An occurrence is something that happens. [FORMAL ] □ Complaints seemed to be an everyday occurrence. □ The food queues have become a daily occurrence across the country.
2 N‑COUNT The occurrence of something is the fact that it happens or is present. □ [+ of ] The greatest occurrence of coronary heart disease is in those over 65.
ocean ◆◇◇ /oʊ ʃ ə n/ (oceans )
1 N‑SING The ocean is the sea. □ There were few sights as beautiful as the calm ocean on a warm night.
2 N‑COUNT An ocean is one of the five very large areas of sea on the Earth's surface. □ They spent many days cruising the northern Pacific Ocean. □ …the Indian Ocean.
3 N‑COUNT If you say that there is an ocean of something, you are emphasizing that there is a very large amount of it. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ [+ of ] I had cried oceans of tears. □ [+ of ] APEC seems be drowning in an ocean of jargon.
4 PHRASE If you say that something is a drop in the ocean , you mean that it is a very small amount which is unimportant compared to the cost of other things or is so small that it has very little effect on something. [EMPHASIS ] □ His fee is a drop in the ocean compared with the real cost of broadcasting. SYNONYMS ocean NOUN 1
sea: Most of the kids have never seen the sea.
the deep: …a vast unfrequented pool, traversed by whales and creatures of the deep.
o cean-going ADJ [usu ADJ n] Ocean-going ships are designed for travelling on the sea rather than on rivers, canals, or lakes. □ At the height of his shipping career, he owned about 60 ocean-going vessels.
ocean|ic /oʊ ʃiæ n I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Oceanic means belonging or relating to an ocean or to the sea. □ Many oceanic islands are volcanic.
ocean|og|ra|phy /oʊ ʃənɒ grəfi/ N‑UNCOUNT Oceanography is the scientific study of sea currents, the sea bed, and the fish and animals that live in the sea. ● ocean|og|ra|pher (oceanographers ) N‑COUNT □ …an oceanographer working on an environmental protection programme. ● oceano|graph|ic /oʊ ʃənəgræ f I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] □ …oceanographic research.
och /ɒ x/ CONVENTION Och is used to express surprise at something, or to emphasize agreement or disagreement with what has just been said. [IRISH , SCOTTISH ] □ 'Och be quiet then,' Shawn said. □ Och aye. I always liked him.
ochre /oʊ kə r / in AM, also use ocher COLOUR Something that is ochre is a yellowish orange colour. □ For our dining room I have chosen ochre yellow walls.
o'clock ◆◇◇ /əklɒ k/ ADV You use o'clock after numbers from one to twelve to say what time it is. For example, if you say that it is 9 o'clock, you mean that it is nine hours after midnight or nine hours after midday. □ The trouble began just after ten o'clock last night. □ I went to sleep, and at two o'clock in the morning I woke up.
Oct. Oct. is a written abbreviation for October . □ …Tuesday Oct. 25th.
oc|ta|gon /ɒ ktəgən/ (octagons ) N‑COUNT An octagon is a shape that has eight straight sides.
oc|tago|nal /ɒktæ gən ə l/ ADJ Something that is octagonal has eight straight sides. □ …a white octagonal box.
oc|tane /ɒ kte I n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Octane is a chemical substance that exists in petrol or gasoline and that is used to measure the quality of the fuel. □ …high octane fuel for cars.
2 → see also high-octane
oc|tave /ɒ kt I v/ (octaves ) N‑COUNT An octave is a series of eight notes in a musical scale. It is also used to talk about the difference in pitch between the first and last notes in a musical scale.
oc|tet /ɒkte t/ (octets ) N‑COUNT [oft in names] An octet is a group of eight singers or musicians. □ …the Stan Tracey Octet.
Oc|to|ber /ɒktoʊ bə r / (Octobers ) N‑VAR October is the tenth month of the year in the Western calendar. □ Most seasonal hiring is done in early October. □ The first plane is due to leave on 2 October. □ My grandson has been away since last October.
oc|to|genar|ian /ɒ ktoʊdʒ I neə riən/ (octogenarians ) N‑COUNT An octogenarian is a person who is between eighty and eighty-nine years old.
oc|to|pus /ɒ ktəpəs/ (octopuses ) N‑VAR An octopus is a soft sea creature with eight long arms called tentacles which it uses to catch food. ● N‑UNCOUNT Octopus is this creature eaten as food.
ocu|lar /ɒ kjələ r / ADJ [ADJ n] Ocular means relating to the eyes or the ability to see. [MEDICAL ] □ Other ocular signs include involuntary rhythmic movement of the eyeball.
OD /oʊ diː / (OD's , OD'ing , OD'd ) VERB To OD means the same as to overdose . [INFORMAL ] □ [V ] His son was a junkie, the kid OD'd a year ago. ● N‑COUNT OD is also a noun. □ 'I had a friend who died of an OD,' she said.
odd ◆◆◇ /ɒ d/ (odder , oddest )
1 ADJ If you describe someone or something as odd , you think that they are strange or unusual. □ He'd always been odd, but not to this extent. □ What an odd coincidence that he should have known your family. □ Something odd began to happen. ● odd|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/-ed] □ …an oddly shaped hill. □ His own boss was behaving rather oddly.
2 → see also odd-looking
3 ADJ You use odd before a noun to indicate that you are not mentioning the type, size, or quality of something because it is not important. □ …moving from place to place where she could find the odd bit of work. □ I knew that Alan liked the odd drink.
4 ADV You use odd after a number to indicate that it is only approximate. [INFORMAL ] □ He has now appeared in sixty odd films. □ 'How long have you lived here?'—'Twenty odd years.'
5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Odd numbers, such as 3 and 17, are those which cannot be divided exactly by the number two. □ The odd numbers are on the left as you walk up the street. □ There's an odd number of candidates.
6 ADJ You say that two things are odd when they do not belong to the same set or pair. □ I'm wearing odd socks today by the way.
7 PHRASE The odd man out , the odd woman out , or the odd one out in a particular situation is a person who is different from the other people in it. □ He is very much the odd man out in the team's successful season so far. □ Parents did not want their children to be the odd ones out.
8 → see also odds , odds and ends SYNONYMS odd ADJ
1
strange: Then a strange thing happened.
peculiar: Rachel thought it tasted peculiar.
unusual: They have replanted many areas with rare and unusual plants.
weird: That first day was weird.
3
occasional: I've had occasional mild headaches all my life.
random: …random variations of the wind.
various: The school has received various grants from the education department.
odd|ball /ɒ dbɔːl/ (oddballs ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as an oddball , you think they behave in a strange way. [INFORMAL ] □ His mother and father thought Jim was a bit of an oddball too. ● ADJ Oddball is also an adjective. □ I came from a family that was decidedly oddball, you know.
odd|ity /ɒ d I ti/ (oddities )
1 N‑COUNT An oddity is someone or something that is very strange. □ Carlson noticed another oddity; his plant had bloomed twice.
2 N‑COUNT The oddity of something is the fact that it is very strange. □ [+ of ] …the oddities of the Welsh legal system.
o dd-jo b man (odd-job men ) N‑COUNT An odd-job man is a man who is paid to do various jobs such as cleaning or repairing things, usually in someone's home.
o dd-looking ADJ If you describe someone or something as odd-looking , you think that they look strange or unusual. □ They were an odd-looking couple.
odd|ly /ɒ dli/
1 ADV [ADV adj] You use oddly to indicate that what you are saying is true, but that it is not what you expected. □ He said no and seemed oddly reluctant to talk about it. □ Oddly, Emma says she never considered her face was attractive.
2 → see also odd
odd|ment /ɒ dmənt/ (oddments ) N‑COUNT Oddments are unimportant objects of any kind, usually ones that are old or left over from a larger group of things. □ …searching street markets for interesting jewellery and oddments.
odds /ɒ dz/
1 N‑PLURAL You refer to how likely something is to happen as the odds that it will happen. □ [+ of ] What are the odds of finding a parking space right outside the door? □ The odds are that you are going to fail.
2 → see also odds-on
3 N‑PLURAL In betting, odds are expressions with numbers such as '10 to 1' and '7 to 2' that show how likely something is thought to be, for example how likely a particular horse is to lose or win a race. □ [+ of ] Gavin Jones, who put £25 on Eugene, at odds of 50 to 1, has won £1,250.
4 PHRASE If someone is at odds with someone else, or if two people are at odds , they are disagreeing or quarrelling with each other. □ [+ with ] He was at odds with his Prime Minister. □ An adviser said there was no reason why the two countries should remain at odds.
5 PHRASE If you say that the odds are against something or someone, you mean that they are unlikely to succeed. □ He reckoned the odds are against the scheme going ahead.
6 PHRASE If something happens against all odds , it happens or succeeds although it seemed impossible or very unlikely. □ Some women do manage to achieve business success against all odds.
7 PHRASE If you say that the odds are in someone's favour , you mean that they are likely to succeed in what they are doing. □ His troops will only engage in a ground battle when all the odds are in their favour.
8 PHRASE To shorten the odds on something happening means to make it more likely to happen. To lengthen the odds means to make it less likely to happen. You can also say that the odds shorten or lengthen . □ His reception there shortened the odds that he might be the next Tory leader.
o dds and e nds N‑PLURAL You can refer to a disorganized group of things of various kinds as odds and ends . [INFORMAL ] □ She put in some clothes, odds and ends, and make-up.
o dds-o n also odds on ADJ If there is an odds-on chance that something will happen, it is very likely that it will happen. [INFORMAL ] □ Gerald was no longer the odds-on favourite to win the contest. □ It was odds-on that there was no killer.
ode /oʊ d/ (odes ) N‑COUNT An ode is a poem, especially one that is written in praise of a particular person, thing, or event. □ [+ of ] …Keats' Ode to a Nightingale.
odi|ous /oʊ diəs/ ADJ If you describe people or things as odious , you think that they are extremely unpleasant. □ Herr Schmidt is certainly the most odious man I have ever met.
odium /oʊ diəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Odium is the dislike, disapproval, or hatred that people feel for a particular person, usually because of something that the person has done. [FORMAL ] □ The complainant has been exposed to public odium, scandal and contempt.
odom|eter /ɒdɒ m I tə r / (odometers ) N‑COUNT An odometer is a device in a vehicle which shows how far the vehicle has travelled. [mainly AM ]
odor /oʊ də r / → see odour
odour /oʊ də r / (odours ) in AM, use odor 1 N‑VAR An odour is a particular and distinctive smell. □ The whole herb has a characteristic taste and odour. □ The taste is only slightly bitter, and there is little odour.
2 → see also body odour
odour|less /oʊ də r ləs/ in AM, use odorless ADJ An odourless substance has no smell. □ …a completely odourless, colourless, transparent liquid. □ The gases are odourless.
od|ys|sey /ɒ d I si/ (odysseys ) N‑COUNT An odyssey is a long exciting journey on which a lot of things happen. [LITERARY ] □ The march to Travnik was the final stretch of a 16-hour odyssey.
Oedipus com|plex /iː d I pəs kɒmpleks/ N‑SING If a boy or man has an Oedipus complex , he feels sexual desire for his mother and has hostile feelings towards his father.
o'er /ɔː r / PREP O'er means the same as 'over'. [LITERARY , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ As long as mist hangs o'er the mountains, the deeds of the brave will be remembered.
oesopha|gus /iːsɒ fəgəs/ (oesophaguses ) in AM, use esophagus N‑COUNT Your oesophagus is the part of your body that carries the food from the throat to the stomach.
oes|tro|gen /iː strədʒ ə n, [AM ] e -/ also estrogen N‑UNCOUNT Oestrogen is a hormone produced in the ovaries of female animals. Oestrogen controls the reproductive cycle and prepares the body for pregnancy. □ As ovulation gets nearer, oestrogen levels rise.
of ◆◆◆ /əv, STRONG ɒv, [AM ] ʌv/ In addition to the uses shown below, of is used after some verbs, nouns, and adjectives in order to introduce extra information. Of is also used in phrasal prepositions such as 'because of', 'instead of' and 'in spite of', and in phrasal verbs such as 'make of' and 'dispose of'. 1 PREP You use of to combine two nouns when the first noun identifies the feature of the second noun that you want to talk about. □ The average age of the women interviewed was only 21.5. □ …the population of this town. □ The aim of the exercise is to come up with more ideas
2 PREP You use of to combine two nouns, or a noun and a present participle, when the second noun or present participle defines or gives more information about the first noun. □ She let out a little cry of pain. □ …the problem of a national shortage of teachers. □ …an idealized but hazy notion of world socialism. □ …the recession of 1974–75.
3 PREP You use of after nouns referring to actions to specify the person or thing that is affected by the action or that performs the action. For example, 'the kidnapping of the child' refers to an action affecting a child; 'the arrival of the next train' refers to an action performed by a train. □ …the reduction of trade union power inside the party. □ …the assessment of future senior managers. □ …the death of their father.
4 PREP You use of after words and phrases referring to quantities or groups of things to indicate the substance or thing that is being measured. □ …40 litres of water. □ …dozens of people. □ …billions of dollars. □ …a collection of short stories.
5 PREP You use of after the name of someone or something to introduce the institution or place they belong to or are connected with. □ …the Prince of Wales. □ …the Finance Minister of Bangladesh.
6 PREP You use of after a noun referring to a container to form an expression referring to the container and its contents. □ She brought out a bottle of sauce. □ …a box of tissues. □ …a packet of spaghetti. □ …a roomful of people.
7 PREP You use of after a count noun and before an uncount noun when you want to talk about an individual piece or item. □ …a blade of grass. □ Marina ate only one slice of bread. □ With a stick of chalk he wrote her order on a blackboard.
8 PREP You use of to indicate the materials or things that form something. □ …local decorations of wood and straw. □ …loose-fitting garments of linen. □ …a mixture of paint-thinner and petrol.
9 PREP You use of after a noun which specifies a particular part of something, to introduce the thing that it is a part of. □ …the other side of the square. □ We had almost reached the end of the street. □ …the beginning of the year. □ Edward disappeared around 9.30pm on the 23rd of July. □ …the core of the problem.
10 PREP You use of after some verbs to indicate someone or something else involved in the action. □ He'd been dreaming of her. □ Listen, I shall be thinking of you always. □ Her parents did not approve of her decision.
11 PREP You use of after some adjectives to indicate the thing that a feeling or quality relates to. □ I have grown very fond of Alec. □ His father was quite naturally very proud of him. □ I think everyone was scared of her.
12 PREP You use of before a word referring to the person who performed an action when saying what you think about the action. □ This has been so nice, so terribly kind of you. □ That's certainly very generous of you Tony.
13 PREP You use of after a noun which describes someone or something, to introduce the person or thing you are talking about. □ …an awkward, slow-moving giant of a man.
14 PREP If something is more of or less of a particular thing, it is that thing to a greater or smaller degree. □ Your extra fat may be more of a health risk than you realize. □ As time goes by, sleeping becomes less of a problem.
15 PREP You use of to indicate a characteristic or quality that someone or something has. □ She is a woman of enviable beauty. □ …a matter of overwhelming importance.
16 PREP You use of to specify an amount, value, or age. □ Last Thursday, Nick announced record revenues of $3.4 billion. □ He has been sentenced to a total of 21 years in prison since 1973. □ …young people under the age of 16 years.
17 PREP You use of after a noun such as 'month' or 'year' to indicate the length of time that some state or activity continues. □ …eight bruising years of war. □ The project has gone through nearly a dozen years of planning.
18 PREP You can use of to say what time it is by indicating how many minutes there are before the hour mentioned. [AM ] □ At about a quarter of eight in the evening, Joe Urber calls. □ We got to the beach at five of one in the afternoon. USAGE of
Don’t use ‘of ’ in front of a personal pronoun such as ‘me’, ‘him’, or ‘them’ when you are talking about possession. Don’t say, for example, ‘
the sister of me
’. Instead, you use a possessive determiner such as my
, his
, or their
. □
My
sister visited us last week.
of cou rse ◆◆◆
1 ADV You say of course to suggest that something is normal, obvious, or well-known, and should therefore not surprise the person you are talking to. [SPOKEN ] □ Of course there were lots of other interesting things at the exhibition. □ 'I have read about you in the newspapers of course,' Charlie said. □ The only honest answer is, of course, yes.
2 CONVENTION You use of course as a polite way of giving permission. [SPOKEN , FORMULAE ] □ 'Can I just say something about the cup game on Saturday?'—'Yes of course you can.' □ 'Could I see these documents?'—'Of course.'
3 ADV You use of course in order to emphasize a statement that you are making, especially when you are agreeing or disagreeing with someone. [SPOKEN , EMPHASIS ] □ 'I expect you're right.'—'Of course I'm right.'. □ 'You will strictly observe your diet.'—'Of course.'
4 CONVENTION Of course not is an emphatic way of saying no. [SPOKEN , EMPHASIS ] □ 'You're not really seriously considering this thing, are you?'—'No, of course not.'
off ◆◆◆ The preposition is pronounced /ɒf, [AM ] ɔːf/. The adverb is pronounced /ɒ f, [AM ] ɔː f/ In addition to the uses shown below, off is used after some verbs and nouns in order to introduce extra information. Off is also used in phrasal verbs such as 'get off', 'pair off', and 'sleep off'. 1 PREP If something is taken off something else or moves off it, it is no longer touching that thing. □ He took his feet off the desk. □ I took the key for the room off a rack above her head. □ Hugh wiped the rest of the blood off his face with his handkerchief. ● ADV [ADV after v] Off is also an adverb. □ Lee broke off a small piece of orange and held it out to him. □ His exhaust fell off six laps from the finish.
2 PREP When you get off a bus, train, or plane, you come out of it or leave it after you have been travelling on it. □ Don't try to get on or off a moving train! □ As he stepped off the aeroplane, he was shot dead. ● ADV [ADV after v] Off is also an adverb. □ At the next stop the man got off too and introduced himself.
3 PREP If you keep off a street or piece of land, you do not step on it or go there. □ Locking up men does nothing more than keep them off the streets. □ The local police had warned visitors to keep off the beach at night. ● ADV Off is also an adverb. □ …a sign saying 'Keep Off'.
4 PREP If something is situated off a place such as a coast, room, or road, it is near to it or next to it, but not exactly in it. □ The boat was anchored off the northern coast of the peninsula. □ Lily lives in a penthouse just off Park Avenue.
5 ADV [ADV after v, be ADV , oft ADV -ing] If you go off , you leave a place. □ He was just about to drive off when the secretary came running out. □ She gave a hurried wave and set off across the grass. □ She was off again. Last year she had been to Kenya. This year it was Goa. □ When his master's off traveling, Caleb stays with Pierre's parents.
6 ADV [ADV after v] When you take off clothing or jewellery that you are wearing, you remove it from your body. □ He took off his spectacles and rubbed frantically at the lens. □ He hastily stripped off his old uniform and began pulling on the new one.
7 ADV [oft be ADV ] If you have time off or a particular day off, you do not go to work or school, for example because you are ill or it is a day when you do not usually work. □ The rest of the men had the day off. □ She was sacked for demanding Saturdays off. □ I'm off tomorrow. □ The average worker was off sick 27 days last year. ● PREP Off is also a preposition. □ He could not get time off work to go on holiday.
8 PREP If you keep off a subject, you deliberately avoid talking about it. □ Keep off the subject of politics. □ Keep the conversation off linguistic matters.
9 ADV [be ADV , ADV after v] If something such as an agreement or a sporting event is off , it is cancelled. □ Until Pointon is completely happy, however, the deal's off. □ Greenpeace refused to call off the event.
10 PREP If someone is off something harmful such as a drug, they have stopped taking or using it. □ She was taken off antibiotics and given pain killers.
11 PREP If you are off something, you have stopped liking it. □ I'm off coffee at the moment. □ Diarrhoea can make you feel weak, as well as putting you off your food.
12 ADV [be ADV , ADV after v] When something such as a machine or electric light is off , it is not functioning or in use. When you switch it off , you stop it functioning. □ As he pulled into the driveway, he saw her bedroom light was off. □ We used sail power and turned the engine off to save our fuel. □ The microphones had been switched off.
13 PREP If there is money off something, its price is reduced by the amount specified. □ …Simons Leatherwear, 37 Old Christchurch Road. 20 per cent off all jackets this Saturday. □ …discounts offering thousands of pounds off the normal price of a car. ● ADV [ADV after v, v-link ADV ] Off is also an adverb. □ I'm prepared to knock five hundred pounds off but no more.
14 ADV If something is a long way off , it is a long distance away from you. □ Florida was a long way off. □ Below you, though still 50 miles off, is the most treeless stretch of land imaginable.
15 ADV If something is a long time off , it will not happen for a long time. □ An end to the crisis seems a long way off. □ The required technology is probably still two years off.
16 PREP If you get something off someone, you obtain it from them. [SPOKEN ] □ I don't really get a lot of information, and if I do I get it off Mark. □ 'Telmex' was bought off the government by a group of investors.
17 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If food has gone off , it tastes and smells bad because it is no longer fresh enough to be eaten. [mainly BRIT ] □ Don't eat that! It's mouldy. It's gone off! in AM, usually use spoiled , bad 18 PREP If you live off a particular kind of food, you eat it in order to live. If you live off a particular source of money, you use it to live. □ Living off papaya, mango and pineapple might sound delicious, but is not practical. □ Antony had been living off the sale of his own paintings.
19 PREP If a machine runs off a particular kind of fuel or power, it uses that power in order to function. □ During the daytime the mechanical heart works off batteries.
20 PHRASE If something happens on and off , or off and on , it happens occasionally, or only for part of a period of time, not in a regular or continuous way. □ I was still working on and off as a waitress to support myself. □ We lived together, off and on, for two years.
o ff-ai r also off air ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] In radio or television, when a programme goes off-air or when something happens off-air , it is not broadcast. □ The argument continued off air. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Off-air is also an adjective. □ …a special off-air advice line.
of|fal /ɒ f ə l, [AM ] ɔː f ə l/ N‑UNCOUNT Offal is the internal organs of animals, for example their hearts and livers, when they are cooked and eaten.
o ff-ba lance also off balance
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone or something is off-balance , they can easily fall or be knocked over because they are not standing firmly. □ He tried to use his own weight to push his attacker off but he was off balance.
2 ADJ If someone is caught off-balance , they are extremely surprised or upset by a particular event or piece of news they are not expecting. □ Mullins knocked me off-balance with his abrupt change of subject. □ The government was thrown off-balance by the attempted coup.
o ff-bea m also off beam ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you describe something or someone as off-beam , you mean that they are wrong or inaccurate. [INFORMAL ] □ Everything she says is a little off beam.
off|beat /ɒ fbiː t, [AM ] ɔː f-/ also off-beat ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something or someone as offbeat , you think that they are different from normal. □ …a wickedly offbeat imagination.
off-Broadway /ɒ f brɔː dwe I , [AM ] ɔː f -/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] An off-Broadway theatre is located close to Broadway, the main theatre district in New York.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] An off-Broadway play is less commercial and often more unusual than those usually staged on Broadway.
o ff-ce ntre in AM, use off-center 1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If something is off-centre , it is not exactly in the middle of a space or surface. □ If the blocks are placed off-centre, they will fall down.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you describe someone or something as off-centre , you mean that they are less conventional than other people or things. □ Davies's writing is far too off-centre to be commercial.
o ff-chance also off chance PHRASE If you do something on the off-chance , you do it because you hope that it will succeed, although you think that this is unlikely. □ [PHR that] He had taken a flight to Paris on the off-chance that he might be able to meet Francesca. [Also + of ]
o ff-co lour in AM, use off-color 1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that you are feeling off-colour , you mean that you are slightly ill. [BRIT ] □ For three weeks Maurice felt off-colour but did not have any dramatic symptoms.
2 ADJ If you say that someone's performance is off-colour , you mean that they are not performing as well as they usually do. [BRIT , JOURNALISM ] □ Milan looked off-colour but eventually took the lead in the 82nd minute.
o ff day (off days ) also off-day N‑COUNT If someone has an off day , they do not perform as well as usual. [INFORMAL ] □ Whittingham, the League's top scorer, had an off day, missing three good chances.
o ff-du ty ADJ When someone such as a soldier or police officer is off-duty , they are not working. □ The place is the haunt of off-duty police officers.
of|fence ◆◇◇ /əfe ns/ (offences ) The spelling offense is used in American English. 1 N‑COUNT An offence is a crime that breaks a particular law and requires a particular punishment. □ Thirteen people have been charged with treason–an offence which can carry the death penalty. □ In Britain the Consumer Protection Act makes it a criminal offence to sell goods that are unsafe.
2 N‑VAR Offence or an offence is behaviour which causes people to be upset or embarrassed. □ The book might be published without creating offense. □ [+ to ] Privilege determined by birth is an offence to any modern sense of justice.
3 CONVENTION Some people say ' no offence ' to make it clear that they do not want to upset you, although what they are saying may seem rather rude. [FORMULAE ] □ Dad, you need a bath. No offence.
4 PHRASE If someone takes offence at something you say or do, they feel upset, often unnecessarily, because they think you are being rude to them. □ She never takes offence at anything. □ Never had she seen him so tense, so quick to take offence as he had been in recent weeks. SYNONYMS offence NOUN
1
crime: He and Lieutenant Cassidy were checking the scene of the crime.
wrong: …a man who believes that he has done no wrong.
sin: Was it the sin of pride to have believed too much in themselves?
wrongdoing: The city attorney's office hasn't found any evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
2
outrage: The Treaty has failed to arouse genuine public outrage.
anger: Ellen felt both despair and anger at her mother.
indignation: No wonder he could hardly contain his indignation.
of|fend /əfe nd/ (offends , offending , offended )
1 VERB If you offend someone, you say or do something rude which upsets or embarrasses them. □ [V n] He apologizes for his comments and says he had no intention of offending the community. □ [be V -ed] The survey found almost 90 percent of people were offended by strong swearwords. □ [V ] Television censors are cutting out scenes which they claim may offend. ● of|fend|ed ADJ [v-link ADJ ] □ She is terribly offended, angered and hurt by this.
2 VERB To offend against a law, rule, or principle means to break it. [FORMAL ] □ [V + against ] This bill offends against good sense and against justice. □ [V n] The peak age for offending the law is between 15 and 25.
3 VERB [no cont] If someone offends , they commit a crime. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] In Western countries girls are far less likely to offend than boys.
of|fend|er /əfe ndə r / (offenders )
1 N‑COUNT An offender is a person who has committed a crime. □ This led to a large number of convicted offenders being released from prison.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to someone or something which you think is causing a problem as an offender . □ Excessive noise was the worst offender in a list of complaints made to landlords.
of|fend|ing /əfe nd I ŋ/
1 ADJ You can use offending to describe something that is causing a problem that needs to be dealt with. □ The book was withdrawn for the offending passages to be deleted.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Offending is the act of committing a crime. □ Ms Mann is working with young offenders and trying to break cycles of offending.
of|fense /əfe ns, ɒ fens/ → see offence
of|fen|sive ◆◇◇ /əfe ns I v/ (offensives )
1 ADJ Something that is offensive upsets or embarrasses people because it is rude or insulting. □ Some friends of his found the play horribly offensive. □ …offensive remarks which called into question the integrity of my firm. ● of|fen|sive|ly ADV [ADV after v, oft ADV adj] □ The group who had been shouting offensively opened to let her through.
2 N‑COUNT A military offensive is a carefully planned attack made by a large group of soldiers. □ [+ against ] Its latest military offensive against rebel forces is aimed at re-opening trade routes.
3 N‑COUNT If you conduct an offensive , you take strong action to show how angry you are about something or how much you disapprove of something. □ [+ on ] Republicans acknowledged that they had little choice but to mount an all-out offensive on the Democratic nominee.
4 → see also charm offensive
5 PHRASE If you go on the offensive , go over to the offensive , or take the offensive , you begin to take strong action against people who have been attacking you. □ The West African forces went on the offensive in response to attacks on them. □ The Foreign Secretary has decided to take the offensive in the discussion on the future of the community. SYNONYMS offensive ADJ 1
rude: Unfair bosses and rude customers make us unhappy on the job.
insulting: One of the apprentices made an insulting remark to a passing officer.
objectionable: I find your tone highly objectionable.
disrespectful: They shouldn't treat their mother in this disrespectful way.
of|fer ◆◆◆ /ɒ fə r , [AM ] ɔː fər/ (offers , offering , offered )
1 VERB If you offer something to someone, you ask them if they would like to have it or use it. □ [V n + to ] He has offered seats at the conference table to the Russian leader and the president of Kazakhstan. □ [V n n] The number of companies offering them work increased. □ [V n] Western governments have offered aid.
2 VERB If you offer to do something, you say that you are willing to do it. □ [V to-inf] Peter offered to teach them water-skiing. □ [V with quote] 'Can I get you a drink?' she offered.
3 N‑COUNT An offer is something that someone says they will give you or do for you. □ [+ of ] The offer of talks marks a significant change from their previous position. □ 'I ought to reconsider her offer to move in,' he mused. □ He had refused several excellent job offers.
4 VERB If you offer someone information, advice, or praise, you give it to them, usually because you feel that they need it or deserve it. □ [V n] They manage a company offering advice on mergers and acquisitions. □ [be V -ed n] They are offered very little counselling or support. [Also V n + to ]
5 VERB If you offer someone something such as love or friendship, you show them that you feel that way towards them. □ [V n + to ] The Prime Minister offered his sympathy to the families of the victims. □ [V n n] It must be better to be able to offer them love and security. □ [V n] John's mother and sister rallied round offering comfort.
6 VERB If people offer prayers, praise, or a sacrifice to God or a god, they speak to or give something to their god. □ [V n] Church leaders offered prayers and condemned the bloodshed. □ [V n + to ] He will offer the first harvest of rice to the sun goddess. [Also V n n] ● PHRASAL VERB Offer up means the same as offer . □ [V P n] He should consider offering up a prayer to St Lambert.
7 VERB If an organization offers something such as a service or product, it provides it. □ [V n] We have been successful because we are offering a quality service. □ [V n n] Sainsbury's is offering customers 1p for each shopping bag re-used. □ [V n + to ] The insurance company offers a 10% discount to the over-55s.
8 N‑COUNT [oft on N ] An offer in a shop is a specially low price for a specific product or something extra that you get if you buy a certain product. □ This month's offers include a shirt, trousers and bed covers. □ Today's special offer gives you a choice of three destinations. □ Over 40 new books are on offer at 25 per cent off their normal retail price.
9 VERB If you offer a particular amount of money for something, you say that you will pay that much to buy it. □ [V amount] Whitney has offered $21.50 a share in cash. □ [V n amount] They are offering farmers $2.15 a bushel for corn. □ [V n n] He will write Rachel a note and offer her a fair price for the land. □ [V n] It was his custom in buying real estate to offer a rather low price. [Also V n + to ]
10 N‑COUNT An offer is the amount of money that someone says they will pay to buy something or give to someone because they have harmed them in some way. □ He has dismissed an offer of compensation.
11 PHRASE If you have something to offer , you have a quality or ability that makes you important, attractive, or useful. □ In your free time, explore all that this incredible city has to offer.
12 PHRASE If there is something on offer , it is available to be used or bought. □ Savings schemes are the best retail investment products on offer. □ …country cottages on offer at bargain prices.
13 PHRASE If you are open to offers , you are willing to do something if someone will pay you an amount of money that you think is reasonable. □ It seems that while the Kiwis are keen to have him, he is still open to offers.
▸ offer up → see offer 6 SYNONYMS offer NOUN 3
proposal: The Security Council has rejected the latest peace proposal.
suggestion: He followed her suggestion of a stroll to the river.
proposition: I want to make you a proposition.
of|fer|ing ◆◇◇ /ɒ fər I ŋ, [AM ] ɔː f-/ (offerings )
1 N‑COUNT An offering is something that is specially produced to be sold. □ [+ in ] It was very, very good, far better than vegetarian offerings in many a posh restaurant.
2 N‑COUNT An offering is a gift that people offer to their God or gods as a form of worship. □ …the holiest of the Shinto rituals, where offerings are made at night to the great Sun.
o f|fer price (offer prices )
1 N‑COUNT The offer price for a particular stock or share is the price that the person selling it says that they want for it. [BUSINESS ] □ BET shares closed just above the offer price, up 1.5p at 207p.
2 → see also asking price , bid price
o ff-gua rd ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone is caught off-guard , they are not expecting a surprise or danger that suddenly occurs. □ The question caught her completely off-guard.
off|hand /ɒ fhæ nd/ also off-hand
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is being offhand , you are critical of them for being unfriendly or impolite, and not showing any interest in what other people are doing or saying. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Consumers found the attitude of its staff offhand.
2 ADV [ADV after v] If you say something offhand , you say it without checking the details or facts of it. □ 'Have you done the repairs?'—'Can't say off-hand, but I doubt it.'.
of|fice ◆◆◆ /ɒ f I s, [AM ] ɔː f-/ (offices )
1 N‑COUNT An office is a room or a part of a building where people work sitting at desks. □ He had an office just big enough for his desk and chair. □ At about 4.30 p.m. Audrey arrived at the office. □ Phone their head office for more details. □ …an office block.
2 N‑COUNT An office is a department of an organization, especially the government, where people deal with a particular kind of administrative work. □ Thousands have registered with unemployment offices. □ …Downing Street's press office. □ …the Congressional Budget Office.
3 N‑COUNT An office is a small building or room where people can go for information, tickets, or a service of some kind. □ The tourist office operates a useful room-finding service. □ …the airline ticket offices.
4 N‑COUNT A doctor's or dentist's office is a place where a doctor or dentist sees their patients. [AM ] in BRIT, use surgery 5 N‑UNCOUNT [oft in/out of N ] If someone holds office in a government, they have an important job or position of authority. □ The events to mark the President's ten years in office went ahead as planned. □ They are fed up with the politicians and want to vote them out of office. □ The president shall hold office for five years. □ He ran for office.
6 → see also booking office , box office , post office , register office , registry office COLLOCATIONS office NOUN 5
adjective + office : public
verb + office : assume, hold, take; leave SYNONYMS office NOUN 2
branch: The local branch of Bank of America is handling the accounts.
department: He moved to the sales department.
division: …the bank's Latin American division.
o f|fice boy (office boys ) N‑COUNT An office boy is a young man, especially one who has just left school, who is employed in an office to do simple tasks. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
o ffice-holder (office-holders ) also office holder N‑COUNT An office-holder is a person who has an important official position in an organization or government. □ They appear to be in a mood to vote against office-holders in the elections.
o f|fice hou rs N‑PLURAL Office hours are the times when an office or similar place is open for business. For example, office hours in Britain are usually between 9 o'clock and 5 o'clock from Monday to Friday. □ If you have any queries, please call Anne Fisher during office hours.
of|fic|er ◆◆◆ /ɒ f I sə r , [AM ] ɔː f-/ (officers )
1 N‑COUNT In the armed forces, an officer is a person in a position of authority. □ …a retired British army officer. □ He was an officer in the Cadet Corps.
2 N‑COUNT An officer is a person who has a responsible position in an organization, especially a government organization. □ …a local authority education officer.
3 N‑COUNT Members of the police force can be referred to as officers . □ …senior officers in the West Midlands police force. □ Thank you, Officer.
4 → see also commanding officer , petty officer , pilot officer , police officer , probation officer , returning officer , warrant officer
of|fi|cial ◆◆◆ /əf I ʃ ə l/ (officials )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Official means approved by the government or by someone in authority. □ According to the official figures, over one thousand people died during the revolution. □ A report in the official police newspaper gave no reason for the move. ● of|fi|cial|ly ADV [oft ADV -ed, ADV after v] □ The nine-year civil war is officially over.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Official activities are carried out by a person in authority as part of their job. □ The President is in Brazil for an official two-day visit.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Official things are used by a person in authority as part of their job. □ …the official residence of the Head of State.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone's explanation or reason for something as the official explanation, you are suggesting that it is probably not true, but is used because the real explanation is embarrassing. □ The official reason given for the President's absence was sickness. ● of|fi|cial|ly ADV □ Officially, the guard was to protect us. In fact, they were there to report on our movements.
5 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] An official is a person who holds a position of authority in an organization. □ A senior U.N. official hopes to visit Baghdad this month.
6 N‑COUNT An official at a sports event is a referee, umpire, or other person who checks that the players follow the rules. SYNONYMS official ADJ 1
authorized: Only authorized personnel may enter the building.
approved: The approved method of cleaning is industrial sand-blasting.
sanctioned: The use of force is not sanctioned.
of|fi|cial|dom /əf I ʃ ə ldəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Officialdom is used to refer to officials who work for the government or in other organizations, especially when you think that their rules are unhelpful. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Officialdom has been against us from the start.
of|fi|ci|ate /əf I ʃie I t/ (officiates , officiating , officiated )
1 VERB When someone officiates at a ceremony or formal occasion, they are in charge and perform the official part of it. □ [V + at ] Bishop Silvester officiated at the funeral. □ [V ] A memorial service was held yesterday at Wadhurst Parish Church. The Rev Michael Inch officiated.
2 VERB When someone officiates at a sports match or competition, they are in charge and make sure the players do not break the rules. □ [V + at ] Mr Ellis was selected to officiate at a cup game between Grimsby and Rotherham. □ [V ] Frik Burger will officiate when the Pumas play Scotland. [Also V + in ]
of|fi|cious /əf I ʃəs/ ADJ If you describe someone as officious , you are critical of them because they are eager to tell people what to do when you think they should not. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ When people put on uniforms, their attitude becomes more confident and their manner more officious. ● of|fi|cious|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Lance Corporal Williams officiously ordered them out.
of|fing /ɒ f I ŋ, [AM ] ɔː f-/ PHRASE If you say that something is in the offing , you mean that it is likely to happen soon. □ A general amnesty for political prisoners may be in the offing.
o ff-ke y ADJ When music is off-key , it is not in tune. □ …wailing, off-key vocals and strangled guitars. ● ADV [ADV after v] Off-key is also an adverb. □ Moe was having fun banging the drums and singing off-key.
o ff-licence (off-licences ) N‑COUNT An off-licence is a shop which sells beer, wine, and other alcoholic drinks. [BRIT ] in AM, use liquor store
o ff li m|its also off-limits
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a place is off limits to someone, they are not allowed to go there. □ [+ to ] Downing Street has been off limits to the general public since 1982. □ [+ to ] Certain areas have been declared off limits to servicemen.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that an activity or a substance is off limits for someone, you mean that they are not allowed to do it or have it. □ Fraternizing with the customers is off-limits. [Also + for ]
off|line ◆◇◇ /ɒ fla I n/
1 ADJ If a computer is offline , it is not connected to the internet. Compare online . [COMPUTING ] ● ADV [ADV with v] Offline is also an adverb. □ Most software programs allow you to compose emails offline.
2 off line → see line
off|load /ɒ floʊ d, [AM ] ɔː f-/ (offloads , offloading , offloaded )
1 VERB If you offload something that you do not want, you get rid of it by giving it or selling it to someone else. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] Prices have been cut by developers anxious to offload unsold apartments. □ [V n + onto ] Already in financial difficulties, Turner offloaded the painting on to the Getty Museum. in AM, usually use unload 2 VERB When goods are offloaded , they are removed from a container or vehicle and put somewhere else. [mainly BRIT ] □ [be V -ed] The cargo was due to be offloaded in Singapore three days later. [Also V n] in AM, usually use unload
o ff-me ssage ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a politician is off-message , they say something that does not follow the official policy of their party.
o ff-pea k ADJ [ADJ n] You use off-peak to describe something that happens or that is used at times when there is least demand for it. Prices at off-peak times are often lower than at other times. □ The price for indoor courts is £10 per hour at peak times and £7 per hour at off-peak times. □ …off-peak electricity. ● ADV [ADV after v] Off-peak is also an adverb. □ Calls cost 36p per minute off-peak and 48p at other times.
o ff-pu tting ADJ If you describe a quality or feature of something as off-putting , you mean that it makes you dislike that thing or not want to get involved with it. [mainly BRIT ] □ However, many customers found the smell of this product distinctly off-putting.
o ff-roa der (off-roaders ) N‑COUNT An off-roader is the same as an off-road vehicle . [INFORMAL ]
o ff-roa ding N‑UNCOUNT Off-roading is the activity of driving off-road vehicles over rough ground. □ …training sessions for anyone who wants to go off-roading.
o ff-roa d ve hicle (off-road vehicles ) N‑COUNT An off-road vehicle is a vehicle that is designed to travel over rough ground.
o ff-scree n also offscreen ADV You use off-screen to refer to the real lives of film or television actors, in contrast with the lives of the characters they play. □ He was immensely attractive to women, onscreen and offscreen. □ Off-screen, Kathy is under the watchful eye of her father Terry. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Off-screen is also an adjective. □ They were quick to dismiss rumours of an off-screen romance.
o ff sea|son also off-season
1 N‑SING [oft N n] The off season is the time of the year when not many people go on holiday and when things such as hotels and plane tickets are often cheaper. □ It is possible to vacation at some of the more expensive resorts if you go in the off-season. □ Although it was off-season, the hotel was fully occupied. □ …off-season prices. ● ADV [oft ADV after v] Off season is also an adverb. □ Times become more flexible off-season, especially in the smaller provincial museums.
2 N‑SING [oft N n] The off season is the time of the year when a particular sport is not played. □ He has coached and played in Italy during the Australian off-season. □ …intensive off-season training. ● ADV [oft ADV after v] Off season is also an adverb. □ To stay fit off season, I play tennis or football.
off|set /ɒ fse t, [AM ] ɔː f-/ (offsets , offsetting ) The form offset is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle of the verb. VERB If one thing is offset by another, the effect of the first thing is reduced by the second, so that any advantage or disadvantage is cancelled out. □ [be V -ed] The increase in pay costs was more than offset by higher productivity. □ [V n] The move is designed to help offset the shortfall in world oil supplies.
off|shoot /ɒ fʃuːt, [AM ] ɔː f-/ (offshoots ) N‑COUNT [usu with poss] If one thing is an offshoot of another, it has developed from that other thing. □ Psychology began as a purely academic offshoot of natural philosophy.
off|shore /ɒ fʃɔː r , [AM ] ɔː f-/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Offshore means situated or happening in the sea, near to the coast. □ …Britain's offshore oil industry. □ …offshore islands. ● ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] Offshore is also an adverb. □ One day a larger ship anchored offshore. □ When they hit the rocks, they were just 500 yards offshore.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] An offshore wind blows from the land towards the sea.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Offshore investments or companies are located in a place, usually an island, which has fewer tax regulations than most other countries. [BUSINESS ] □ The island offers a wide range of offshore banking facilities.
off|shor|ing /ɒ fʃɔːr I ŋ, [AM ] ɔː f-/ N‑UNCOUNT Offshoring is the practice of moving a company's work to a foreign country where labour costs are cheaper. [BUSINESS ] □ Offshoring provides an opportunity to obtain I.T. services at low cost.
off|side /ɒ fsa I d, [AM ] ɔː f-/ also off-side
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] In games such as football or hockey, when an attacking player is offside , they have broken the rules by being nearer to the goal than a defending player when the ball is passed to them. □ The goal was disallowed because she was offside. ● ADV [ADV after v] Offside is also an adverb. □ Wise was standing at least ten yards offside. ● N‑UNCOUNT Offside is also a noun. □ Rush had a 45th-minute goal disallowed for offside.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] In American football, a player is offside if they cross the line of scrimmage before a play begins. [AM ]
3 N‑SING [usu N n] The offside of a vehicle is the side that is farthest from the edge of the road when the vehicle is being driven normally. [BRIT ] □ The driver of the car lowered his offside front window.
o ff-si te → see site
off|spring /ɒ fspr I ŋ, [AM ] ɔː f-/ (offspring ) N‑COUNT [oft with poss] You can refer to a person's children or to an animal's young as their offspring . [FORMAL ] □ Eleanor was now less anxious about her offspring than she had once been.
off|stage /ɒ fste I dʒ, [AM ] ɔː f-/ also off-stage
1 ADV [ADV after v, n ADV ] When an actor or entertainer goes offstage , they go into the area behind or to the side of the stage, so that the audience no longer sees them. □ She ran offstage in tears. □ There was a lot of noise offstage.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Offstage is used to describe the behaviour of actors or entertainers in real life, when they are not performing. □ …the tragedies of their off-stage lives. ● ADV Offstage is also an adverb. □ Despite their bitter screen rivalry, off-stage they are close friends.
o ff-the-cu ff → see cuff
o ff-the-pe g → see peg
o ff-the-re cord → see record
o ff-the-she lf → see shelf
o ff-the-wa ll
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as off-the-wall , you mean that it is unusual and rather strange but in an amusing or interesting way. [INFORMAL ] □ …surreal off-the-wall humor.
2 ADJ If you say that a person, their ideas, or their ways of doing something are off-the-wall , you are critical of them because you think they are mad or very foolish. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It can be done without following some absurd, off-the-wall investment strategy.
o ff to p|ic also off-topic ADJ If you describe something that someone says or writes as off topic , you mean that it is not relevant to the current discussion; used especially of discussions on the internet. □ A troll is someone who posts inflammatory or off-topic messages in an online community.
o ff-whi te COLOUR Something that is off-white is not pure white, but slightly grey or yellow.
o ff-yea r (off-years ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] An off-year is a year when no major political elections are held. [AM ] □ Election officials predict they'll set a new turnout record for an off-year election in Washington state.
oft- /ɒ ft-, [AM ] ɔː ft-/ COMB Oft- combines with past participles to form adjectives that mean that something happens or is done often. [LITERARY ] □ The Foreign Secretary's views on the treaty are well-documented and oft-repeated.
of|ten ◆◆◆ /ɒ f ə n, [AM ] ɔː f-/ Often is usually used before the verb, but it may be used after the verb when it has a word like 'less' or 'more' before it, or when the clause is negative. 1 ADV [ADV before v] If something often happens, it happens many times or much of the time. □ They often spent Christmas at Prescott Hill. □ It was often hard to work and do the course at the same time. □ That doesn't happen very often.
2 ADV You use how often to ask questions about frequency. You also use often in reported clauses and other statements to give information about the frequency of something. □ How often do you brush your teeth? □ Unemployed Queenslanders were victims of personal crime twice as often as employed people.
3 PHRASE If something happens every so often , it happens regularly, but with fairly long intervals between each occasion. □ She's going to come back every so often. □ Every so often he would turn and look at her.
4 PHRASE If you say that something happens as often as not, or more often than not , you mean that it happens fairly frequently, and that this can be considered as typical of the kind of situation you are talking about. □ Yet, as often as not, they find themselves the target of persecution rather than praise. SYNONYMS often ADV 1
frequently: Folic acid supplements are frequently given to pregnant women.
generally: We generally say and feel too much about these things.
repeatedly: Both men have repeatedly denied the allegations. USAGE often
Don’t use ‘often’ to talk about something that happens several times within a short period of time. Don’t say, for example, ‘
I often phoned her yesterday
’. You say ‘I phoned her several times
yesterday’ or ‘I kept phoning
her yesterday’. □
That fear was expressed several times
last week.
often|times /ɒ f ə nta I mz, [AM ] ɔː f-/ ADV [ADV with v] If something oftentimes happens, it happens many times or much of the time. [AM ] □ Oftentimes, I wouldn't even return the calls.
ogle /oʊ g ə l/ (ogles , ogling , ogled ) VERB If you say that one person is ogling another, you disapprove of them continually staring at that person in a way that indicates a strong sexual interest. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] All she did was hang around ogling the men in the factory. □ [V + at ] Paula is not used to everyone ogling at her while she undresses backstage. [Also V ]
ogre /oʊ gə r / (ogres ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as an ogre , you are saying in a humorous way that they are very frightening. □ Bank managers–like tax inspectors–do not really like being thought of as ogres.
oh ◆◆◇ /oʊ /
1 CONVENTION You use oh to introduce a response or a comment on something that has just been said. [SPOKEN ] □ 'Had you seen the car before?'—'Oh yes, it was always in the drive.' □ 'You don't understand!'—'Oh, I think I do, Grace.'
2 EXCLAM You use oh to express a feeling such as surprise, pain, annoyance, or happiness. [SPOKEN , FEELINGS ] □ 'Oh!' Kenny blinked. 'Has everyone gone?' □ Oh, I'm so glad you're here.
3 CONVENTION You use oh when you are hesitating while speaking, for example because you are trying to estimate something, or because you are searching for the right word. [SPOKEN ] □ I've been here, oh, since the end of June.
ohm /oʊ m/ (ohms ) N‑COUNT An ohm is a unit which is used to measure electrical resistance. [TECHNICAL ]
OHMS /oʊ e I tʃ em e s/ OHMS is used on official letters from British or Commonwealth government offices. OHMS is the abbreviation for 'On Her Majesty's Service' or 'On His Majesty's Service'.
OHP /oʊ e I tʃ piː / (OHPs ) N‑COUNT An OHP is the same as an overhead projector .
oi /ɔ I / EXCLAM In informal situations, people say or shout ' oi ' to attract someone's attention, especially if they are angry. [BRIT ] □ Oi! You lot! Shut up!
oik /ɔ I k/ (oiks ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as an oik , you think that they behave in a rude or unacceptable way, especially in a way that you believe to be typical of a low social class. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ They imply that Tony is an uneducated oik, who spends too much time down the pub.
oil ◆◆◆ /ɔ I l/ (oils , oiling , oiled )
1 N‑VAR Oil is a smooth, thick liquid that is used as a fuel and for making the parts of machines move smoothly. Oil is found underground. □ The company buys and sells about 600,000 barrels of oil a day. □ …the rapid rise in prices for oil and petrol. □ …a small oil lamp.
2 VERB If you oil something, you put oil onto or into it, for example to make it work smoothly or to protect it. □ [V n] A crew of assistants oiled and adjusted the release mechanism until it worked perfectly.
3 N‑VAR [usu n N ] Oil is a smooth, thick liquid made from plants and is often used for cooking. □ Combine the beans, chopped mint and olive oil in a large bowl.
4 N‑VAR Oil is a smooth, thick liquid, often with a pleasant smell, that you rub into your skin or add to your bath. □ Try a hot bath with some relaxing bath oil.
5 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Oils are oil paintings . □ Her colourful oils and works on paper have a naive, dreamlike quality.
6 N‑PLURAL When an artist paints in oils , he or she uses oil paints. □ When she paints in oils she always uses the same range of colours.
7 → see also castor oil , crude oil , olive oil
8 PHRASE If someone or something oils the wheels of a process or system, they help things to run smoothly and successfully. □ On all such occasions, the king stands in the wings, oiling the wheels of diplomacy.
9 to burn the midnight oil → see midnight
oil|cloth /ɔ I lklɒθ, [AM ] -klɔːθ/ (oilcloths )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Oilcloth is a cotton fabric with a shiny waterproof surface.
2 N‑COUNT An oilcloth is a covering made from oilcloth, such as a tablecloth.
oiled /ɔ I ld/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is oiled has had oil put into or onto it, for example to make it work smoothly or to protect it. □ Oiled wood is water-resistant and won't flake.
2 → see also well-oiled
oil|field /ɔ I lfiːld/ (oilfields ) also oil field N‑COUNT An oilfield is an area of land or sea under which there is oil.
oi l-fired ADJ [ADJ n] Oil-fired heating systems and power stations use oil as a fuel. □ …an oil-fired furnace.
oil|man /ɔ I lmæn/ (oilmen ) also oil man N‑COUNT An oilman is a man who owns an oil company or who works in the oil business. [JOURNALISM ]
oi l paint (oil paints ) N‑UNCOUNT Oil paint is a thick paint used by artists. It is made from coloured powder and linseed oil.
oi l paint|ing (oil paintings ) N‑COUNT An oil painting is a picture which has been painted using oil paints. □ Several magnificent oil paintings adorn the walls.
oi l pan (oil pans ) N‑COUNT An oil pan is the place under an engine which holds the engine oil. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use sump
oi l plat|form (oil platforms ) N‑COUNT An oil platform is a structure that is used when getting oil from the ground under the sea.
oi l rig (oil rigs ) N‑COUNT An oil rig is a structure on land or in the sea that is used when getting oil from the ground.
oil|seed rape /ɔ I lsiːd re I p/ also oil-seed rape N‑UNCOUNT Oilseed rape is a plant with yellow flowers which is grown as a crop. Its seeds are crushed to make cooking oil. [BRIT ] in AM, use rape
oil|skins /ɔ I lsk I nz/ N‑PLURAL Oilskins are a coat and a pair of trousers made from thick waterproof cotton cloth.
oi l slick (oil slicks ) N‑COUNT An oil slick is a layer of oil that is floating on the sea or on a lake because it has accidentally come out of a ship or container. □ The oil slick is now 35 miles long.
oi l tank|er (oil tankers ) N‑COUNT An oil tanker is a ship that is used for transporting oil.
oi l well (oil wells ) N‑COUNT An oil well is a deep hole which is made in order to get oil out of the ground.
oily /ɔ I li/ (oilier , oiliest )
1 ADJ Something that is oily is covered with oil or contains oil. □ He was wiping his hands on an oily rag. □ When she was younger, she had very oily skin.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Oily means looking, feeling, tasting, or smelling like oil. □ …traces of an oily substance.
3 ADJ If you describe someone as oily , you dislike them because you think they are too polite or say exaggeratedly nice things, and are insincere. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He had behaved with undue and oily familiarity.
oint|ment /ɔ I ntmənt/ (ointments )
1 N‑VAR An ointment is a smooth thick substance that is put on sore skin or a wound to help it heal. □ A range of ointments and creams is available for the treatment of eczema. □ He received ointment for his flaking skin.
2 PHRASE If you describe someone or something as a fly in the ointment , you think they spoil a situation and prevent it being as successful as you had hoped. □ Rachel seems to be the one fly in the ointment of Caroline's smooth life.
OK /oʊ ke I / → see okay
okay ◆◆◇ /oʊ ke I / (okays , okaying , okayed ) also OK , O.K. , ok
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that something is okay , you find it satisfactory or acceptable. [INFORMAL ] □ …a shooting range where it's OK to use weapons. □ Is it okay if I come by myself? □ I guess for a fashionable restaurant like this the prices are OK. ● ADV [ADV after v] Okay is also an adverb. □ We seemed to manage okay for the first year or so after David was born.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is okay , you mean that they are safe and well. [INFORMAL ] □ Check that the baby's okay. □ 'Don't worry about me,' I said. 'I'll be okay.'
3 CONVENTION You can say ' Okay ' to show that you agree to something. [INFORMAL , FORMULAE ] □ 'Just tell him Sir Kenneth would like to talk to him.'—'OK.' □ 'Shall I give you a ring on Friday?'—'Yeah okay.'
4 CONVENTION You can say ' Okay? ' to check whether the person you are talking to understands what you have said and accepts it. [INFORMAL ] □ We'll get together next week, OK?
5 CONVENTION You can use okay to indicate that you want to start talking about something else or doing something else. [INFORMAL ] □ OK. Now, let's talk some business. □ Tim jumped to his feet. 'Okay, let's go.'
6 CONVENTION You can use okay to stop someone arguing with you by showing that you accept the point they are making, though you do not necessarily regard it as very important. [INFORMAL ] □ Okay, there is a slight difference. □ Okay, so I'm forty-two.
7 VERB If someone in authority okays something, they officially agree to it or allow it to happen. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] His doctor wouldn't OK the trip. ● N‑SING Okay is also a noun. □ He gave the okay to issue a new press release.
okey doke /oʊ ke I doʊ k/ or okey dokey CONVENTION Okey doke is used in the same way as 'OK' to show that you agree to something, or that you want to start talking about something else or doing something else. [INFORMAL , SPOKEN ] □ Okey doke. I'll give you a ring.
okra /oʊ krə/ N‑UNCOUNT Okra is a vegetable that consists of long green parts containing seeds.
old ◆◆◆ /oʊ ld/ (older , oldest )
1 ADJ Someone who is old has lived for many years and is no longer young. □ …a white-haired old man. □ [+ for ] He was considered too old for the job. ● N‑PLURAL The old are people who are old. This use could cause offence. □ …providing a caring response for the needs of the old.
2 ADJ [oft as ADJ as ] You use old to talk about how many days, weeks, months, or years someone or something has lived or existed. □ He was abandoned by his father when he was three months old. □ The paintings in the chapel were perhaps a thousand years old. □ How old are you now? □ Bill was six years older than David.
3 ADJ Something that is old has existed for a long time. □ She loved the big old house. □ These books must be very old. □ …an old Arab proverb.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is old is no longer in good condition because of its age or because it has been used a lot. □ He took a bunch of keys from the pocket of his old corduroy trousers. □ …an old toothbrush.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] You use old to refer to something that is no longer used, that no longer exists, or that has been replaced by something else. □ The old road had disappeared under grass and heather. □ Although the old secret police have been abolished, the military police still exist.
6 ADJ You use old to refer to something that used to belong to you, or to a person or thing that used to have a particular role in your life. □ I'll make up the bed in your old room. □ Mark was heartbroken when Jane returned to her old boyfriend.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] An old friend, enemy, or rival is someone who has been your friend, enemy, or rival for a long time. □ I called my old friend John Horner. □ The French and English are old rivals.
8 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use old to express affection when talking to or about someone you know. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ Are you all right, old chap? □ Good old Bergen would do him the favor.
9 PHRASE You use any old to emphasize that the quality or type of something is not important. If you say that a particular thing is not any old thing, you are emphasizing how special or famous it is. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ He didn't want to make just any old china. He wanted to make the world's best.
10 PHRASE In the old days means in the past, before things changed. □ In the old days we got a visit from the vet maybe once a year.
11 PHRASE When people refer to the good old days , they are referring to a time in the past when they think that life was better than it is now. □ He remembers the good old days when you could leave your door open at night.
12 good old → see good
13 to settle an old score → see score
14 up to one's old tricks → see trick SYNONYMS old ADJ 1
elderly: …an elderly couple.
aged: She has an aged parent who's capable of being very difficult.
ageing: John lives with his ageing mother.
mature: …a man of mature years.
o ld a ge N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] Your old age is the period of years towards the end of your life. □ They worry about how they will support themselves in their old age.
o ld age pe n|sion (old age pensions ) also old-age pension N‑COUNT An old age pension is a regular amount of money that people receive from the government when they have retired from work. [BRIT ] in AM, use social security benefit , social security payment
o ld age pe n|sion|er (old age pensioners ) also old-age pensioner N‑COUNT An old age pensioner is a person who is old enough to receive a pension from their employer or the government. [BRIT ]
o ld ba t (old bats ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If someone refers to an old person, especially an old woman, as an old bat , they think that person is silly, annoying, or unpleasant. [INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ]
o ld boy (old boys ) N‑COUNT You can refer to a man who used to be a pupil at a particular school or university as an old boy . [BRIT ] □ …Eton College, with all its traditions and long list of famous old boys.
o ld-boy net|work (old-boy networks ) also old boy network N‑COUNT When people talk about the old-boy network , they are referring to a situation in which people who went to the same public school or university use their positions of influence to help each other. [BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ] □ The majority obtained their positions through the old boy network.
olde /oʊ ld/ ADJ [ADJ n] Olde is used in names of places and in advertising to make people think that something is very old and interesting. □ I always feel at home at Ye Olde Starre Inn.
old|en /oʊ ldən/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you refer to a period in the past as the olden days , you feel affection for it. [LITERARY ] □ We had a delightful time talking about the olden days on his farm. □ …the nicely painted railways of olden times. ● PHRASE In the olden days or in olden days means in the past. □ In the olden days the girls were married young.
olde worlde /oʊ ldi wɜː ldi/ ADJ Olde worlde is used to describe places and things that are or seem to be from an earlier period of history, and that look interesting or attractive. [BRIT ] □ …the quaint olde worlde part of town. □ There is an olde worlde look about the clothes for summer.
o ld-fa shioned
1 ADJ Something such as a style, method, or device that is old-fashioned is no longer used, done, or admired by most people, because it has been replaced by something that is more modern. □ The house was dull, old-fashioned and in bad condition. □ There are some traditional farmers left who still make cheese the old-fashioned way.
2 ADJ Old-fashioned ideas, customs, or values are the ideas, customs, and values of the past. □ She has some old-fashioned values and can be a strict disciplinarian. □ …good old-fashioned English cooking.
o ld fla me (old flames ) N‑COUNT An old flame is someone with whom you once had a romantic relationship. □ Sue was seen dating an old flame.
o ld girl (old girls ) N‑COUNT You can refer to a woman who used to be a pupil at a particular school or university as an old girl . [BRIT ] □ …the St Mary's Ascot Old Girls' Reunion Lunch.
O ld Glo |ry N‑UNCOUNT People sometimes refer to the flag of the United States as Old Glory . [AM ]
o ld gua rd N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] If you refer to a group of people as the old guard , you mean that they have worked in a particular organization for a very long time and are unwilling to accept new ideas or practices. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The old guard did not like the changes that Brewer introduced.
o ld ha nd (old hands ) N‑COUNT If someone is an old hand at something, they are very skilled at it because they have been doing it for a long time. □ [+ at ] An old hand at photography, Tim has been shooting wildlife as a hobby for the last 13 years.
o ld ha t → see hat
oldie /oʊ ldi/ (oldies )
1 N‑COUNT You can refer to something such as an old song or film as an oldie , especially when you think it is still good. [INFORMAL ] □ Radio Aire only plays Top 40 stuff and oldies. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Oldie is also an adjective. □ During the festival, we'll be showing 13 classic oldie films.
2 N‑COUNT You can use oldies to refer to fairly old people. [BRIT , HUMOROUS , INFORMAL ] □ …a lush English fairy tale that many oldies will remember from their youth.
o ld la dy N‑SING [usu poss N ] Some men refer to their wife, girlfriend, or mother as their old lady . [INFORMAL ] □ He had met his old lady when he was a house painter and she was a waitress.
o ld mai d (old maids ) N‑COUNT People sometimes refer to an old or middle-aged woman as an old maid when she has never married and they think that it is unlikely that she ever will marry. This use could cause offence. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Alex is too young to be already thinking of herself as an old maid.
o ld ma n N‑SING Some people refer to their father, husband, or boyfriend as their old man . [INFORMAL ] □ Her old man left her a few million when he died.
o ld ma s|ter (old masters ) N‑COUNT An old master is a painting by one of the famous European painters of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. These painters can also be referred to as the Old Masters . □ …his collection of old masters and modern art. □ …portraits by Gainsborough, Rubens and other Old Masters.
o ld peo|ple's ho me (old people's homes ) N‑COUNT An old people's home is a place where old people live and are cared for when they are too old to look after themselves. [mainly BRIT ]
o ld school tie N‑SING When people talk about the old school tie , they are referring to the situation in which people who attended the same public school use their positions of influence to help each other. [BRIT ] □ Of course, the old school tie has been a help.
o ld-style ADJ [ADJ n] You use old-style to describe something or someone of a type that was common or popular in the past but is not common or popular now. □ …a proper barber shop with real old-style barber chairs.
O ld Te s|ta|ment N‑PROPER The Old Testament is the first part of the Bible. It deals especially with the relationship between God and the Jewish people.
o ld-time ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe something as old-time , you mean that it was common or popular in the past but is not common or popular now. □ …an old-time dance hall which still has a tea dance on Monday afternoons.
o ld-timer (old-timers )
1 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as an old-timer , you mean that he or she has been living in a particular place or doing a particular job for a long time. [INFORMAL ] □ The old-timers and established families clutched the reins of power.
2 N‑COUNT An old man is sometimes referred to as an old-timer . [AM , INFORMAL ]
o ld wi ves' tale (old wives' tales ) N‑COUNT An old wives' tale is a traditional belief, especially one which is incorrect. □ Ann Bradley dispels the old wives' tales and gives the medical facts.
o ld wo m|an (old women ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone, especially a man, as an old woman , you are critical of them because you think they are too anxious about things. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
ole /oʊ l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Ole is used in written English to represent the word 'old' pronounced in a particular way. □ 'I started fixin' up ole bicycles fer poor kids.'
olean|der /oʊ liæ ndə r / (oleanders ) N‑VAR An oleander is an evergreen tree or shrub that has white, pink, or purple flowers. Oleanders grow in Mediterranean countries and in some parts of Asia and Australia.
ol|fac|tory /ɒlfæ ktəri/ ADJ [ADJ n] Olfactory means concerned with the sense of smell. [FORMAL ] □ This olfactory sense develops in the womb.
oli|gar|chy /ɒ l I gɑː r ki/ (oligarchies )
1 N‑COUNT An oligarchy is a small group of people who control and run a particular country or organization. You can also refer to a country which is governed in this way as an oligarchy .
2 N‑UNCOUNT Oligarchy is a situation in which a country or organization is run by an oligarchy. □ …a protest against imperialism and oligarchy in the region.
ol|ive /ɒ l I v/ (olives )
1 N‑VAR Olives are small green or black fruit with a bitter taste. Olives are often pressed to make olive oil.
2 N‑VAR An olive or an olive tree is a tree on which olives grow. □ …an olive grove.
3 COLOUR Something that is olive is yellowish-green in colour. □ …glowing colours such as deep red, olive, saffron and ochre. ● ADJ Olive is also a combining form. □ She wore an olive-green T-shirt.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone has olive skin, the colour of their skin is light brown. □ They are handsome with dark, shining hair, olive skin and fine brown eyes.
o l|ive branch (olive branches ) also olive-branch N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you offer an olive branch to someone, you say or do something in order to show that you want to end a disagreement or quarrel. □ Clarke also offered an olive branch to critics in his party.
o l|ive oil (olive oils ) N‑VAR Olive oil is oil that is obtained by pressing olives. It is used for putting on salads or in cooking.
SUFFIX -ological
is used to replace -ology at the end of nouns in order to form adjectives that describe something as relating to a particular science or subject. For example, biological systems relate to biology.
SUFFIX -ologist
is used to replace -ology at the end of nouns in order to form other nouns that refer to people who are concerned with a particular science or subject. For example, a biologist is someone who studies biology.
SUFFIX -ology
is used at the end of some nouns that refer to a particular science or subject. For example, geology or sociology .
Olym|pian /əl I mpiən/ (Olympians )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Olympian means very powerful, large, or impressive. [FORMAL ] □ Getting his book into print has been an Olympian task in itself.
2 N‑COUNT An Olympian is a competitor in the Olympic Games. [TRADEMARK ] □ The importance of being an Olympian will vary from athlete to athlete.
Olym|pic /əl I mp I k/ (Olympics )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Olympic means relating to the Olympic Games. [TRADEMARK ] □ …the reigning Olympic champion.
2 N‑PROPER The Olympics are the Olympic Games. [TRADEMARK ] □ She won the individual gold medal at the Winter Olympics.
Olym|pic Ga mes N‑PROPER [with sing or pl verb] The Olympic Games are a set of international sports competitions which take place every four years, each time in a different country. [TRADEMARK ] □ At the recent Olympic Games she won gold medals in races at 200, 400, and 800m.
om|buds|man /ɒ mbʊdzmən/ (ombudsmen ) N‑COUNT The ombudsman is an independent official who has been appointed to investigate complaints that people make against the government or public organizations. □ The leaflet explains how to complain to the banking ombudsman.
ome|lette /ɒ mlət/ (omelettes ) in AM, use omelet N‑COUNT An omelette is a type of food made by beating eggs and cooking them in a flat pan. □ …a cheese omelette.
omen /oʊ men/ (omens ) N‑COUNT If you say that something is an omen , you think it indicates what is likely to happen in the future and whether it will be good or bad. □ [+ for ] Could this at last be a good omen for peace?
OMG OMG is the written abbreviation for 'Oh my God!', used especially in emails and text messages.
omi|nous /ɒ m I nəs/ ADJ If you describe something as ominous , you mean that it worries you because it makes you think that something unpleasant is going to happen. □ There was an ominous silence at the other end of the phone. ● omi|nous|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ The bar seemed ominously quiet. □ Ominously, car sales slumped in August.
omis|sion /oʊm I ʃ ə n/ (omissions )
1 N‑COUNT An omission is something that has not been included or has not been done, either deliberately or accidentally. □ [+ from ] There is one striking omission from the plot.
2 N‑VAR Omission is the act of not including a particular person or thing or of not doing something. □ [+ of ] …the prosecution's seemingly malicious omission of recorded evidence.
omit /oʊm I t/ (omits , omitting , omitted )
1 VERB If you omit something, you do not include it in an activity or piece of work, deliberately or accidentally. □ [V n] Omit the salt in this recipe. □ [V n + from ] Our apologies to David Pannick for omitting his name from last week's article.
2 VERB If you omit to do something, you do not do it. [FORMAL ] □ [V to-inf] His new girlfriend had omitted to tell him she was married.
om|ni|bus /ɒ mn I bʌs/ (omnibuses )
1 N‑COUNT [usu N n] An omnibus edition of a radio or television programme contains two or more similar programmes that were originally broadcast separately. [BRIT ] □ I enjoy the omnibus edition of the show on Sunday.
2 N‑COUNT An omnibus is a book which contains a large collection of stories or articles, often by a particular person or about a particular subject. □ [usu N n] …a new omnibus edition of three thrillers.
om|nipo|tence /ɒmn I pətəns/ N‑UNCOUNT Omnipotence is the state of having total authority or power. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the omnipotence of God.
om|nipo|tent /ɒmn I pətənt/ ADJ Someone or something that is omnipotent has complete power over things or people. [FORMAL ] □ Doug lived in the shadow of his seemingly omnipotent father.
om|ni|pres|ent /ɒ mnipre z ə nt/ ADJ Something that is omnipresent is present everywhere or seems to be always present. [FORMAL ] □ The sound of sirens was an omnipresent background noise in New York.
om|nis|ci|ent /ɒmn I siənt, [AM ] -n I ʃənt/ ADJ If you describe someone as omniscient , you mean they know or seem to know everything. [FORMAL ] □ …a benevolent and omniscient deity. □ …the Financial Times's omniscient data-gathering network. ● om|nis|ci|ence N‑UNCOUNT □ …the divine attributes of omnipotence, benevolence and omniscience.
om|niv|or|ous /ɒmn I vərəs/
1 ADJ An omnivorous person or animal eats all kinds of food, including both meat and plants. [TECHNICAL , FORMAL ] □ Brown bears are omnivorous, eating anything that they can get their paws on.
2 ADJ Omnivorous means liking a wide variety of things of a particular type. [FORMAL ] □ As a child, Coleridge developed omnivorous reading habits.
on ◆◆◆ The preposition is pronounced /ɒn/. The adverb and the adjective are pronounced /ɒ n/. In addition to the uses shown below, on is used after some verbs, nouns, and adjectives in order to introduce extra information. On is also used in phrasal verbs such as 'keep on', 'cotton on', and 'sign on'. 1 PREP If someone or something is on a surface or object, the surface or object is immediately below them and is supporting their weight. □ He is sitting beside her on the sofa. □ On top of the cupboards are vast straw baskets which Pat uses for dried flower arrangements. □ On the table were dishes piled high with sweets.
2 PREP If something is on a surface or object, it is stuck to it or attached to it. □ I admired the peeling paint on the ceiling. □ The clock on the wall showed one minute to twelve. □ There was a smear of gravy on his chin. ● ADV [ADV after v] On is also an adverb. □ I know how to darn, and how to sew a button on.
3 PREP If you put, throw, or drop something on a surface, you move it or drop it so that it is then supported by the surface. □ He got his winter jacket from the closet and dropped it on the sofa. □ He threw a folded dollar on the counter.
4 PREP You use on to say what part of your body is supporting your weight. □ He continued to lie on his back and look at clouds. □ He raised himself on his elbows, squinting into the sun. □ She was on her hands and knees in the bathroom.
5 PREP You use on to say that someone or something touches a part of a person's body. □ He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the mouth. □ His jaw was broken after he was hit on the head.
6 PREP If someone has a particular expression on their face, their face has that expression. □ The maid looked at him, a nervous smile on her face. □ She looked at him with a hurt expression on her face.
7 ADV [ADV after v] When you put a piece of clothing on , you place it over part of your body in order to wear it. If you have it on , you are wearing it. □ He put his coat on while she opened the front door. □ I had a hat on.
8 PREP You can say that you have something on you if you are carrying it in your pocket or in a bag. □ I didn't have any money on me.
9 PREP If someone's eyes are on you, they are looking or staring at you. □ Everyone's eyes were fixed on him. □ It's as if all eyes are focused on me.
10 PREP If you hurt yourself on something, you accidentally hit a part of your body against it and that thing causes damage to you. □ Mr Pendle hit his head on a wall as he fell.
11 PREP If you are on an area of land, you are there. □ You lived on the farm until you came back to America? □ …a tall tree on a mountain.
12 PREP If something is situated on a place such as a road or coast, it forms part of it or is by the side of it. □ The company has opened a men's store on Fifth Avenue. □ The hotel is on the coast. □ He visited relatives at their summer house on the river.
13 PREP If you get on a bus, train, or plane, you go into it in order to travel somewhere. If you are on it, you are travelling in it. □ We waited till twelve and we finally got on the plane. □ I never go on the bus into the town. ● ADV [ADV after v] On is also an adverb. □ He showed his ticket to the conductor and got on.
14 PREP If there is something on a piece of paper, it has been written or printed there. □ The writing on the back of the card was cramped but scrupulously neat. □ The numbers she put on the chart were 98.4, 64, and 105.
15 PREP If something is on a list, it is included in it. □ Nutritionists placed certain seafood dishes on the list of foods to limit or avoid. □ …the range of topics on the agenda for their talks.
16 PREP Books, discussions, or ideas on a particular subject are concerned with that subject. □ They offer a free counselling service which can offer help and advice on legal matters. □ He declined to give any information on the Presidential election.
17 PREP You use on to introduce the method, principle, or system which is used to do something. □ …a television that we bought on credit two months ago. □ …a levelling system which acts on the same principle as a spirit level. □ They want all groups to be treated on an equal basis.
18 PREP If something is done on an instrument or a machine, it is done using that instrument or machine. □ …songs that I could just sit down and play on the piano. □ I could do all my work on the computer.
19 PREP If information is, for example, on tape or on computer, that is the way that it is stored. □ Tourists try, and fail, to capture the view on film. □ Descriptions of the pieces have been logged on computer by the Art Loss Register.
20 PREP If something is being broadcast, you can say that it is on the radio or television. □ Every sporting event on television and satellite over the next seven days is listed. □ Here, listen, they're talking about it on Radio-Paris right now. ● ADJ [v-link ADJ ] On is also an adjective. □ …teenagers complaining there's nothing good on.
21 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] When an activity is taking place, you can say that it is on . □ There's a marvellous match on at Wimbledon at the moment. □ We in Berlin hardly knew a war was on during the early part of 1941.
22 ADV [ADV after v] You use on in expressions such as ' have a lot on ' and ' not have very much on ' to indicate how busy someone is. [SPOKEN ] □ I have a lot on in the next week.
23 PREP You use on to introduce an activity that someone is doing, particularly travelling. □ I've always wanted to go on a cruise. □ Students on the full-time course of study are usually sponsored.
24 ADV [be ADV , ADV after v] When something such as a machine or an electric light is on , it is functioning or in use. When you switch it on , it starts functioning. □ The central heating's been turned off. I've turned it on again. □ The light had been left on. □ He didn't bother to switch on the light.
25 PREP If you are on a committee or council, you are a member of it. □ Claire and Beryl were on the organizing committee. □ He was on the Council of Foreign Relations.
26 PREP You can indicate when something happens by saying that it happens on a particular day or date. □ This year's event will take place on June 19th, a week earlier than usual. □ She travels to Korea on Monday. □ I was born on Christmas day. □ Dr. Keen arrived about seven on Sunday morning.
27 PREP You use on when mentioning an event that was followed by another one. □ She waited in her hotel to welcome her children on their arrival from London. □ On reaching Dubai, the evacuees are taken straight to Dubai international airport.
28 ADV [ADV after v] You use on to say that someone is continuing to do something. □ They walked on in silence for a while. □ If the examination shows your company enjoys basically good health, read on. □ He happened to be in England when the war broke out and he just stayed on.
29 ADV [be ADV , ADV after v] If you say that someone goes on at you, you mean that they continually criticize you, complain to you, or ask you to do something. □ [+ at ] She's been on at me for weeks to show her round the stables. □ [+ at ] He used to keep on at me about the need to win.
30 ADV [from n ADV ] You use on in expressions such as from now on and from then on to indicate that something starts to happen at the time mentioned and continues to happen afterwards. □ Perhaps it would be best not to see much of you from now on. □ We can expect trouble from this moment on.
31 ADV [adv ADV ] You often use on after the adverbs 'early', 'late', 'far', and their comparative forms, especially at the beginning or end of a sentence, or before a preposition. □ The market square is a riot of colour and animation from early on in the morning. □ Later on I learned how to read music. □ The pub where I had arranged to meet Nobby was a good five minutes walk further on.
32 PREP Someone who is on a drug takes it regularly. □ She was on antibiotics for an eye infection that wouldn't go away. □ Many of the elderly are on medication.
33 PREP If you live on a particular kind of food, you eat it. If a machine runs on a particular kind of power or fuel, it uses it in order to function. □ The caterpillars feed on a wide range of trees, shrubs and plants. □ He lived on a diet of water and tinned fish. □ …making and selling vehicles that run on batteries or fuel-cells.
34 PREP If you are on a particular income, that is the income that you have. □ He's on three hundred a week. □ You won't be rich as an MP, but you'll have enough to live on.
35 PREP Taxes or profits that are obtained from something are referred to as taxes or profits on it. □ …a general strike to protest a tax on food and medicine last week. □ The Church was to receive a cut of the profits on every record sold.
36 PREP When you buy something or pay for something, you spend money on it. □ I resolved not to waste money on a hotel. □ He spent more on feeding the dog than he spent on feeding himself. □ More money should be spent on education and housing.
37 PREP When you spend time or energy on a particular activity, you spend time or energy doing it. □ People complain about how children spend so much time on computer games. □ …the opportunity to concentrate more time and energy on America's domestic agenda.
38 PHRASE If you say that something is not on or is just not on , you mean that it is unacceptable or impossible. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ We shouldn't use the police in that way. It's just not on.
39 PHRASE If you say that something happens on and on , you mean that it continues to happen for a very long time. □ …designers, builders, fitters–the list goes on and on. □ Lobell drove on and on through the dense and blowing snow. □ …a desert of ice stretching on and on.
40 PHRASE If you ask someone what they are on about or what they are going on about , you are puzzled because you cannot understand what they are talking about. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ What on earth are you going on about? □ Honest, Kate, I don't know what you're on about.
41 PHRASE If you say that someone knows what they are on about , you are confident that what they are saying is true or makes sense, for example because they are an expert. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ It looks like he knows what he's on about.
42 PHRASE If someone has something on you, they have evidence that you have done something wrong or bad. If they have nothing on you, they cannot prove that you have done anything wrong or bad. [INFORMAL ] □ Secret services now had something on her if they needed it. □ You've got nothing on me and you know it. Your theory would never stand up in a court of law.
43 on behalf of → see behalf
44 on and off → see off
45 and so on → see so
46 on top of → see top
once ◆◆◆ /wʌ ns/
1 ADV [ADV with v] If something happens once , it happens one time only. □ I met Wilma once, briefly. □ Since that evening I haven't once slept through the night. □ Mary had only been to Manchester once before. ● PRON Once is also a pronoun. □ 'Have they been to visit you yet?'—'Just the once, yeah.' □ Listen to us, if only this once.
2 ADV You use once with 'a' and words like 'day', 'week', and 'month' to indicate that something happens regularly, one time in each day, week, or month. □ Lung cells die and are replaced about once a week. □ We arranged a special social event once a year to which we invited our major customers.
3 ADV [ADV with v, ADV with be ] If something was once true, it was true at some time in the past, but is no longer true. □ The culture minister once ran a theatre. □ I lived there once myself, before I got married. □ The house where she lives was once the village post office. □ My memory isn't as good as it once was.
4 ADV [ADV with v] If someone once did something, they did it at some time in the past. □ I once went camping at Lake Darling with a friend. □ We once walked across London at two in the morning. □ Diana had taken that path once.
5 CONJ If something happens once another thing has happened, it happens immediately afterwards. □ The decision had taken about 10 seconds once he'd read a market research study. □ Once customers come to rely on these systems they almost never take their business elsewhere.
6 PHRASE If something happens all at once , it happens suddenly, often when you are not expecting it to happen. □ All at once there was someone knocking on the door.
7 PHRASE If you do something at once , you do it immediately. □ I have to go, I really must, at once. □ Remove from the heat, add the parsley, toss and serve at once. □ The audience at once greeted him warmly.
8 PHRASE If a number of different things happen at once or all at once , they all happen at the same time. □ You can't be doing two things at once. □ No bank could ever pay off its creditors if they all demanded their money at once.
9 PHRASE For once is used to emphasize that something happens on this particular occasion, especially if it has never happened before, and may never happen again. [EMPHASIS ] □ For once, dad is not complaining. □ His smile, for once, was genuine.
10 PHRASE If something happens once again or once more , it happens again. □ Amy picked up the hairbrush and smoothed her hair once more. □ Once again an official inquiry has spoken of weak management and ill-trained workers.
11 PHRASE If something happens once and for all , it happens completely or finally. [EMPHASIS ] □ We have to resolve this matter once and for all. □ If we act fast, we can once and for all prevent wild animals in Britain from suffering terrible cruelty.
12 PHRASE If something happens once in a while , it happens sometimes, but not very often. □ Earrings need to be taken out and cleaned once in a while.
13 PHRASE If you have done something once or twice , you have done it a few times, but not very often. □ I popped my head round the door once or twice. □ Once or twice she had caught a flash of interest in William's eyes.
14 PHRASE Once upon a time is used to indicate that something happened or existed a long time ago or in an imaginary world. It is often used at the beginning of children's stories. □ 'Once upon a time,' he began, 'there was a man who had everything.'. □ Once upon a time, asking a woman if she has a job was quite a straightforward question.
15 once in a blue moon → see moon
o nce-over PHRASE If you give something or someone the once-over , you quickly look at or examine them. [INFORMAL ] □ She gave the apartment a once-over.
on|coming /ɒ nkʌm I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] Oncoming means moving towards you. □ She was thrown from his car after it skidded into the path of an oncoming car.
o n-dema nd ADJ [usu ADJ n] An on-demand service is available at any time that you want to use it. □ …a TV package offering thousands of on-demand programmes and movies. ● ADV [ADV after v] On-demand is also an adverb. □ Viewers increasingly choose to watch on-demand.
one ◆◆◆ /wʌ n/ (ones )
1 NUM One is the number 1. □ They had three sons and one daughter. □ …one thousand years ago. □ Our team beat them one-nil at Wembley. □ …one of the children killed in the crash.
2 ADJ If you say that someone or something is the one person or thing of a particular kind, you are emphasizing that they are the only person or thing of that kind. [EMPHASIS ] □ They had alienated the one man who knew the business. □ His one regret is that he has never learned a language.
3 DET One can be used instead of 'a' to emphasize the following noun. [EMPHASIS ] □ There is one thing I would like to know–What is it about Tim that you find so irresistible? □ One person I hate is Russ.
4 DET You can use one instead of 'a' to emphasize the following adjective or expression. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ If we ever get married we'll have one terrific wedding. □ It's like one enormous street carnival here.
5 DET You can use one to refer to the first of two or more things that you are comparing. □ Prices vary from one shop to another. □ The road hugs the coast for hundreds of miles, the South China Sea on one side, jungle on the other. ● ADJ One is also an adjective. □ We ask why peace should have an apparent chance in the one territory and not the other. ● PRON One is also a pronoun. □ The twins were dressed differently and one was thinner than the other.
6 PRON You can use one or ones instead of a noun when it is clear what type of thing or person you are referring to and you are describing them or giving more information about them. □ They are selling their house to move to a smaller one. □ We test each one to see that it flies well.
7 PRON You use ones to refer to people in general. □ We are the only ones who know.
8 PRON You can use one instead of a noun group when you have just mentioned something and you want to describe it or give more information about it. □ His response is one of anger and frustration. □ The issue of land reform was one that dominated parliamentary elections.
9 DET You can use one when you have been talking or writing about a group of people or things and you want to say something about a particular member of the group. □ 'A college degree isn't enough,' said one honors student. ● PRON One is also a pronoun. □ Some of them couldn't eat a thing. One couldn't even drink.
10 QUANT You use one in expressions such as ' one of the biggest airports ' or ' one of the most experienced players ' to indicate that something or someone is bigger or more experienced than most other things or people of the same kind. □ Subaru is one of the smallest Japanese car makers.
11 DET You can use one when referring to a time in the past or in the future. For example, if you say that you did something one day , you mean that you did it on a day in the past. □ How would you like to have dinner one night, just you and me? □ Then one evening Harry phoned, asking me to come to their flat as soon as possible.
12 one day → see day
13 PRON You use one to make statements about people in general which also apply to themselves. One can be used as the subject or object of a sentence. [FORMAL ] □ If one looks at the longer run, a lot of positive things are happening. □ Shares and bonds can bring one quite a considerable additional income.
14 PHRASE If you say that someone is one for or is a one for something, you mean that they like or approve of it or enjoy doing it. □ I'm not one for political discussions. □ She was a real one for flirting with the boys.
15 PHRASE You can use for one to emphasize that a particular person is definitely reacting or behaving in a particular way, even if other people are not. [EMPHASIS ] □ I, for one, hope you don't get the job.
16 PHRASE You can use expressions such as a hundred and one , a thousand and one , and a million and one to emphasize that you are talking about a large number of things or people. [EMPHASIS ] □ There are a hundred and one ways in which you can raise money.
17 PHRASE You can use in one to indicate that something is a single unit, but is made up of several different parts or has several different functions. □ …a love story and an adventure all in one. □ This cream moisturises and repairs in one.
18 PHRASE You use one after the other or one after another to say that actions or events happen with very little time between them. □ My three guitars broke one after the other. □ One after another, people described how hard it is for them to get medical care.
19 PHRASE The one and only can be used in front of the name of an actor, singer, or other famous person when they are being introduced on a show. □ …one of the greatest ever rock performers, the one and only Tina Turner.
20 PHRASE You can use one by one to indicate that people do things or that things happen in sequence, not all at the same time. □ We went into the room one by one. □ One by one the houses burst into flames.
21 PHRASE You use one or other to refer to one or more things or people in a group, when it does not matter which particular one or ones are thought of or chosen. □ [+ of ] One or other of the two women was wrong.
22 PHRASE One or two means a few. □ We may make one or two changes. □ [+ of ] I asked one or two of the stallholders about it.
23 PHRASE If you say that someone is not one to do something, you think that it is very unlikely that they would do it because it is not their normal behaviour. □ I'm not one to waste time on just anyone.
24 PHRASE If you try to get one up on someone, you try to gain an advantage over them. □ …the competitive kind who will see this as the opportunity to be one up on you.
25 one another → see another
26 one thing after another → see another
27 of one mind → see mind ➊
28 in one piece → see piece USAGE one
You can’t use a plural form of ‘one’ in this kind of sentence. Don’t say, for example, ‘
If you like grapes, I’ll get you ones
’. Say ‘If you like grapes, I’ll get you some
’. □
If you want more staples, there are some
in the stationery cupboard.
o ne-armed ba n|dit (one-armed bandits ) N‑COUNT A one-armed bandit is the same as a fruit machine .
o ne-horse
1 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone describes a town as a one-horse town, they mean it is very small, dull, and old-fashioned. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Would you want to live in a small, one-horse town for your whole life?
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If a contest is described as a one-horse race, it is thought that one person or thing will obviously win it. □ He described the referendum as a one-horse race.
o ne-li ner (one-liners ) N‑COUNT A one-liner is a funny remark or a joke told in one sentence, for example in a play or comedy programme. [INFORMAL ] □ The book is witty and peppered with good one-liners.
o ne-man
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A one-man performance is given by only one man rather than by several people. □ I saw him do his one-man show in London, which I loved.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A one-man organization, such as a business or type of government, is controlled by one person, rather than by several people. □ It has grown from a one-man business to a multi-million dollar business. □ He established one-man rule in his country seven months ago.
o ne-man ba nd (one-man bands ) N‑COUNT A one-man band is a street entertainer who wears and plays a lot of different instruments at the same time.
o ne-night sta nd (one-night stands ) N‑COUNT A one-night stand is a very brief sexual relationship, usually one that is casual and perhaps only lasts one night. [INFORMAL ]
o ne-of-a-ki nd ADJ [ADJ n] You use one-of-a-kind to describe something that is special because there is nothing else exactly like it. [mainly AM ] □ …a small one-of-a-kind publishing house.
o ne-off (one-offs )
1 N‑COUNT You can refer to something as a one-off when it is made or happens only once. [mainly BRIT ] □ Our survey revealed that these allergies were mainly one-offs.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A one-off thing is made or happens only once. [mainly BRIT ] □ …one-off cash benefits.
o ne-on-o ne ADJ [usu ADJ n] A one-on-one situation, meeting, or contest involves only two people. □ …a one-on-one therapy session. ● ADV [ADV after v] One-on-one is also an adverb. □ [+ with ] Talking one-on-one with people is not his idea of fun. ● N‑SING One-on-one is also a noun. □ [+ with ] Holloway was beaten in a one-on-one with Miklosko just before half-time.
o ne-parent fa mi|ly (one-parent families ) N‑COUNT A one-parent family is a family that consists of one parent and his or her children living together. □ Many children are now born into or raised in one-parent families.
o ne-piece (one-pieces )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A one-piece article of clothing consists of one piece only, rather than two or more separate parts. □ …a blue one-piece bathing suit.
2 N‑COUNT A one-piece is a type of woman's swimming costume that consists of one piece of material and which covers her chest. □ A one-piece is more flattering than a bikini.
on|er|ous /oʊ nərəs, [AM ] ɑː n-/ ADJ If you describe a task as onerous , you dislike having to do it because you find it difficult or unpleasant. [FORMAL ] □ …parents who have had the onerous task of bringing up a very difficult child.
one's ◆◇◇ /wʌ nz/
1 DET Speakers and writers use one's to indicate that something belongs or relates to people in general, or to themselves in particular. [FORMAL ] □ …a feeling of responsibility for the welfare of others in one's community.
2 One's can be used as a spoken form of 'one is' or 'one has', especially when 'has' is an auxiliary verb. □ No one's going to hurt you. □ One's got to consider all the possibilities.
3 → see one
one|self /wʌnse lf/ Oneself is a third person singular reflexive pronoun. 1 PRON A speaker or writer uses oneself as the object of a verb or preposition in a clause where 'oneself' meaning 'me' or 'any person in general' refers to the same person as the subject of the verb. [FORMAL ] □ To work one must have time to oneself.
2 PRON Oneself can be used as the object of a verb or preposition, when 'one' is not present but is understood to be the subject of the verb. [FORMAL ] □ The historic feeling of the town makes it a pleasant place to base oneself. □ It's so easy to feel sorry for oneself.
o ne-si ded
1 ADJ If you say that an activity or relationship is one-sided , you think that one of the people or groups involved does much more than the other or is much stronger than the other. □ The negotiating was completely one-sided.
2 ADJ If you describe someone as one-sided , you are critical of what they say or do because you think it shows that they have considered only one side of an issue or event. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ There has been a very one-sided account of her problems with Ted.
one|sie /wʌ nzi/ (onesies ) N‑COUNT A onesie is a single piece of clothing that combines a top with trousers. It is usually worn for sleeping or at home. □ She came down to breakfast wearing a onesie.
o ne-stop ADJ [ADJ n] A one-stop shop is a place where you can buy everything you need for a particular purpose. □ A marvellous discovery for every bride-to-be, The Wedding Centre is the ultimate one-stop shop.
o ne-time also onetime ADJ [ADJ n] One-time is used to describe something such as a job, position, or role which someone used to have, or something which happened in the past. [JOURNALISM ] □ The legislative body had voted to oust the country's onetime rulers.
o ne-to-o ne
1 ADJ [ADJ n] In a one-to-one relationship, one person deals directly with only one other person. □ …one-to-one training. □ …negotiating on a one-to-one basis. ● ADV [ADV after v] One-to-one is also an adverb. □ She would like to talk to people one to one.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If there is a one-to-one match between two sets of things, each member of one set matches a member of the other set. □ In English, there is not a consistent one-to-one match between each written symbol and each distinct spoken sound.
one-upmanship /wʌ n ʌ pmənʃ I p/ N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to someone's behaviour as one-upmanship , you disapprove of them trying to make other people feel inferior in order to make themselves appear more important. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …political one-upmanship.
o ne-wa y
1 ADJ [ADJ n] In one-way streets or traffic systems, vehicles can only travel along in one direction. □ He zoomed through junctions without stopping and sped the wrong way down a one-way street.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] One-way describes journeys which go to just one place, rather than to that place and then back again. □ The trailers will be rented for one-way trips.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A one-way ticket or fare is for a journey from one place to another, but not back again. [mainly AM ] □ …a one-way ticket from New York to Los Angeles. ● ADV [ADV after v] One-way is also an adverb. □ Unrestricted fares will be increased as much as $80 one-way. [in BRIT, usually use single ]
4 ADJ [ADJ n] If you say that a course of action is a one-way ticket to a place or situation, or is a one-way journey there, you are sure that it will lead to the place or situation mentioned. □ It seemed like a one-way ticket to riches, but then it all went wrong.
5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] One-way glass or a one-way mirror is a piece of glass which acts as a mirror when looked at from one side, but acts as a window when looked through from the other side. They are used for watching people without their knowledge.
6 PHRASE If you describe an agreement or a relationship as a one-way street , you mean that only one of the sides in the agreement or relationship is offering something or is benefitting from it. □ The experience of the last 10 years has shown that, for the Eurosceptics, loyalty is a one-way street; something you demand but do not give. □ So trade between the two nations has been something of a one-way street, with Cuba deriving the benefit.
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