stream|lined /striː mla I nd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A streamlined vehicle, animal, or object has a shape that allows it to move quickly or efficiently through air or water. □ …these beautifully streamlined and efficient cars.
strea m of co n|scious|ness (streams of consciousness ) also stream-of-consciousness N‑VAR If you describe what someone writes or says as a stream of consciousness , you mean that it expresses their thoughts as they occur, rather than in a structured way. [FORMAL ] □ The novel is an intensely lyrical stream-of-consciousness.
street ◆◆◆ /striː t/ (streets )
1 N‑COUNT A street is a road in a city, town, or village, usually with houses along it. □ He lived at 66 Bingfield Street. □ Boppard is a small, quaint town with narrow streets.
2 N‑COUNT [usu on/off N ] You can use street or streets when talking about activities that happen out of doors in a town rather than inside a building. □ Changing money on the street is illegal-always use a bank. □ Their aim is to raise a million pounds to get the homeless off the streets. □ …a New York street gang.
3 → see also back street , civvy street , Downing Street , Fleet Street , high street , Wall Street
4 PHRASE If someone is streets ahead of you, they are much better at something than you are. □ [+ of ] He was streets ahead of the other contestants.
5 PHRASE If you talk about the man in the street or the man or woman in the street , you mean ordinary people in general. □ The average man or woman in the street doesn't know very much about immune disorders.
6 PHRASE If a job or activity is up your street , it is the kind of job or activity that you are very interested in. [BRIT ] □ She loved it, this was just up her street. in AM, use up your alley
street|car /striː tkɑː r / (streetcars ) N‑COUNT A streetcar is an electric vehicle for carrying people which travels on rails in the streets of a town. [AM ] in BRIT, use tram
stree t child (street children ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Street children are homeless children who live outdoors in a city and live by begging or stealing.
stree t cred also street-cred N‑UNCOUNT If someone says that you have street cred , they mean that ordinary young people would approve of you and consider you to be part of their culture, usually because you share their sense of fashion or their views. [BRIT , INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ Having children was the quickest way to lose your street cred.
stree t cred|ibi l|ity N‑UNCOUNT Street credibility is the same as street cred . [mainly BRIT ]
stree t crime N‑UNCOUNT Street crime refers to crime such as vandalism, car theft and mugging that are usually committed outdoors.
street|lamp /striː tlæmp/ (streetlamps ) also street-lamp N‑COUNT A streetlamp is the same as a streetlight . □ He paused under a streetlamp and looked across at the cafe.
street|light /striː tla I t/ (streetlights ) also street light N‑COUNT A streetlight is a tall post with a light at the top, which stands by the side of a road to light it up, usually in a town. □ As the day darkened the streetlights came on.
stree t map (street maps ) N‑COUNT A street map is a map of a town or city, showing the positions and names of all the streets.
stree t peo|ple N‑PLURAL Street people are homeless people who live outdoors in a town or city.
stree t sma rt also street-smart ADJ Someone who is street smart knows how to deal with difficult or dangerous situations, especially in big cities. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ He is street smart and is not afraid of this neighborhood.
stree t sma rts N‑PLURAL You can use street smarts to refer to the skills and intelligence people need to be successful in difficult situations, especially in a city. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ The boys learned their street smarts early.
stree t value N‑SING The street value of a drug is the price that is paid for it when it is sold illegally to drug users. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ of ] …cocaine with a street value of two million pounds.
street|walker /striː twɔːkə r / (streetwalkers ) N‑COUNT A streetwalker is a prostitute who stands or walks in the streets in order to get customers. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
street|wise /striː twa I z/ ADJ Someone who is streetwise knows how to deal with difficult or dangerous situations in big cities. [INFORMAL ] □ The experience did make us tough and streetwise.
strength ◆◆◇ /stre ŋθ/ (strengths )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Your strength is the physical energy that you have, which gives you the ability to perform various actions, such as lifting or moving things. □ [+ of ] She has always been encouraged to swim to build up the strength of her muscles. □ He threw it forward with all his strength. □ He leant against the wall, fighting for strength to continue.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Someone's strength in a difficult situation is their confidence or courage. □ Something gave me the strength to overcome the difficulty. □ His strength is an inspiration to me in my life. □ [+ of ] You need strength of mind to stand up for yourself.
3 N‑UNCOUNT The strength of an object or material is its ability to be treated roughly, or to carry heavy weights, without being damaged or destroyed. □ [+ of ] He checked the strength of the cables. □ …the properties of a material, such as strength or electrical conductivity.
4 N‑UNCOUNT The strength of a person, organization, or country is the power or influence that they have. □ America values its economic leadership, and the political and military strength that goes with it. □ He urged followers to mass for a decisive show of strength the next day. □ They have their own independence movement which is gathering strength.
5 N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to the strength of a feeling, opinion, or belief, you are talking about how deeply it is felt or believed by people, or how much they are influenced by it. □ [+ of ] He was surprised at the strength of his own feeling. □ [+ of ] What makes a mayor successful in Los Angeles is the strength of his public support.
6 N‑VAR Someone's strengths are the qualities and abilities that they have which are an advantage to them, or which make them successful. □ Take into account your own strengths and weaknesses. □ Tact was never Mr Moore's strength. □ [+ of ] Organisation is the strength of any good army.
7 N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to the strength of a currency, economy, or industry, you mean that its value or success is steady or increasing. □ [+ of ] …the long-term competitive strength of the economy. □ The drop was caused partly by the pound's strength against the dollar.
8 N‑UNCOUNT The strength of a group of people is the total number of people in it. □ [+ of ] …elite forces, comprising about one-tenth of the strength of the army.
9 N‑UNCOUNT The strength of a wind, current, or other force is its power or speed. □ A tropical storm is gaining strength in the eastern Atlantic.
10 N‑UNCOUNT The strength of a drink, chemical, or drug is the amount of the particular substance in it that gives it its particular effect. □ [+ of ] Each capsule contains 30 -100 mg according to the strength of dose required.
11 N‑UNCOUNT You can talk about the strength of a flavour, smell, colour, sound, or light to describe how intense or easily noticed it is. □ [+ of ] The cheese is matured for 5-12 months depending on the strength of flavour required.
12 PHRASE If a person or organization goes from strength to strength , they become more and more successful or confident. □ A decade later, the company has gone from strength to strength.
13 PHRASE If a team or army is at full strength , all the members that it needs or usually has are present. □ He needed more time to bring U.S. forces there up to full strength. □ …a full-strength team.
14 PHRASE If a group turns out in strength , they arrive in large numbers. □ She called on voters and party workers to turn out in strength. □ Security forces have been out in strength.
15 PHRASE If one thing is done on the strength of another, it is done because of the influence of that other thing. □ He was elected to power on the strength of his charisma.
16 PHRASE If an army or team is under strength or below strength , it does not have all the members that it needs or usually has. □ His regiments were considerably under strength. □ They had been beaten by a below-strength side.
strength|en ◆◇◇ /stre ŋθ ə n/ (strengthens , strengthening , strengthened )
1 VERB If something strengthens a person or group or if they strengthen their position, they become more powerful and secure, or more likely to succeed. □ [V n] The new constitution strengthens the government. □ [V n] He hoped to strengthen the position of the sciences in the leading universities.
2 VERB If something strengthens a case or argument, it supports it by providing more reasons or evidence for it. □ [V n] He does not seem to be familiar with research which might have strengthened his own arguments.
3 VERB If a currency, economy, or industry strengthens , or if something strengthens it, it increases in value or becomes more successful. □ [V ] The dollar strengthened against most other currencies. □ [V n] The Government should start by strengthening the economy.
4 VERB If a government strengthens laws or measures or if they strengthen , they are made more severe. □ [V n] I am also looking urgently at how we can strengthen the law. □ [V n] Community leaders want to strengthen controls at external frontiers. □ [V ] Because of the war, security procedures have strengthened.
5 VERB If something strengthens you or strengthens your resolve or character, it makes you more confident and determined. □ [V n] Any experience can teach and strengthen you, but particularly the more difficult ones. □ [V n] This merely strengthens our resolve to win the league.
6 VERB If something strengthens a relationship or link, or if a relationship or link strengthens , it makes it closer and more likely to last for a long time. □ [V n] His visit is intended to strengthen ties between the two countries. □ [V ] In a strange way, his affair caused our relationship to strengthen.
7 VERB If something strengthens an impression, feeling, or belief, or if it strengthens , it becomes greater or affects more people. □ [V n] His speech strengthens the impression he is the main power in the organization. □ [V n] Every day of sunshine strengthens the feelings of optimism. □ [V ] Amy's own Republican sympathies strengthened as the days passed.
8 VERB If something strengthens your body or a part of your body, it makes it healthier, often in such a way that you can move or carry heavier things. □ [V n] Cycling is good exercise. It strengthens all the muscles of the body.
9 VERB If something strengthens an object or structure, it makes it able to be treated roughly or able to support heavy weights, without being damaged or destroyed. □ [V n] The builders will have to strengthen the existing joists with additional timber.
strenu|ous /stre njuəs/ ADJ A strenuous activity or action involves a lot of energy or effort. □ Avoid strenuous exercise in the evening. □ Strenuous efforts had been made to improve conditions in the jail.
stress ◆◆◇ /stre s/ (stresses , stressing , stressed )
1 VERB If you stress a point in a discussion, you put extra emphasis on it because you think it is important. □ [V that] The spokesman stressed that the measures did not amount to an overall ban. □ [V n] They stress the need for improved employment opportunities. □ [V with quote] 'We're not saying we're outside and above all this,' he stresses. ● N‑VAR Stress is also a noun. □ [+ on ] They laid heavy stress on the need for education.
2 N‑VAR [oft under N ] If you feel under stress , you feel worried and tense because of difficulties in your life. □ Katy could think clearly when not under stress. □ …a wide range of stress-related problems.
3 N‑VAR Stresses are strong physical pressures applied to an object. □ Earthquakes happen when stresses in rock are suddenly released as the rocks fracture.
4 VERB If you stress a word or part of a word when you say it, you put emphasis on it so that it sounds slightly louder. □ [V n] 'Sit down,' she replied, stressing each word. ● N‑VAR Stress is also a noun. □ …the misplaced stress on the first syllable of this last word.
stressed /stre st/
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are stressed , you feel tense and anxious because of difficulties in your life. □ Work out what situations or people make you feel stressed and avoid them.
2 ADJ If a word or part of a word is stressed , it is pronounced with emphasis.
stre ssed ou t ADJ If someone is stressed out , they are very tense and anxious because of difficulties in their lives. [INFORMAL ]
stress|ful /stre sfʊl/ ADJ If a situation or experience is stressful , it causes the person involved to feel stress. □ I think I've got one of the most stressful jobs there is.
stretch ◆◇◇ /stre tʃ/ (stretches , stretching , stretched )
1 VERB [no cont] Something that stretches over an area or distance covers or exists in the whole of that area or distance. □ [V prep/adv] The procession stretched for several miles. □ [V n] …an artificial reef stretching the length of the coast.
2 N‑COUNT A stretch of road, water, or land is a length or area of it. □ [+ of ] It's a very dangerous stretch of road.
3 VERB When you stretch , you put your arms or legs out straight and tighten your muscles. □ [V ] He yawned and stretched. □ [V n] Try stretching your legs and pulling your toes upwards. □ [V n] She arched her back and stretched herself. ● N‑COUNT Stretch is also a noun. □ At the end of a workout spend time cooling down with some slow stretches. ● stretch|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Make sure no awkward stretching is required.
4 N‑COUNT A stretch of time is a period of time. □ …after an 18-month stretch in the army. □ He would study for eight to ten hours at a stretch.
5 VERB If something stretches from one time to another, it begins at the first time and ends at the second, which is longer than expected. □ [V from n to n] …a working day that stretches from seven in the morning to eight at night.
6 VERB If a group of things stretch from one type of thing to another, the group includes a wide range of things. □ [V from n to n] …a trading empire, with interests that stretched from chemicals to sugar.
7 VERB When something soft or elastic stretches or is stretched , it becomes longer or bigger as well as thinner, usually because it is pulled. □ [V ] The cables are designed not to stretch. □ [V n] Ease the pastry into the corners of the tin, making sure you don't stretch it.
8 ADJ [ADJ n] Stretch fabric is soft and elastic and stretches easily. □ …stretch fabrics such as Lycra. □ …stretch cotton swimsuits.
9 VERB If you stretch an amount of something or if it stretches , you make it last longer than it usually would by being careful and not wasting any of it. □ [V n] They're used to stretching their budgets. □ [V ] During his senior year his earnings stretched far enough to buy an old car.
10 VERB [no cont] If your resources can stretch to something, you can just afford to do it. □ [V + to ] She suggested to me that I might like to start regular savings and I said 'Well, I don't know whether I can stretch to that.'
11 VERB If something stretches your money or resources, it uses them up so you have hardly enough for your needs. □ [V n] The drought there is stretching American resources. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] Public expenditure was being stretched to the limit.
12 VERB If you say that a job or task stretches you, you mean that you like it because it makes you work hard and use all your energy and skills so that you do not become bored or achieve less than you should. [APPROVAL ] □ [V pron-refl] I'm trying to move on and stretch myself with something different. □ [be V -ed] They criticised the quality of teaching, claiming pupils were not stretched enough.
13 PHRASE If you are at full stretch , you are using the maximum amount of effort or energy. □ Everyone would be working at full stretch.
14 PHRASE If you say that something is not true or possible by any stretch of the imagination , you are emphasizing that it is completely untrue or absolutely impossible. [EMPHASIS ] □ We're not a great football side by any stretch of the imagination.
15 PHRASE If you stretch your legs , you go for a short walk, usually after you have been sitting down for a long time. □ I stopped at the square and got out to stretch my legs.
▸ stretch out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you stretch out or stretch yourself out , you lie with your legs and body in a straight line. □ [V P adv/prep] The jacuzzi was too small to stretch out in. □ Moira stretched herself out on the lower bench. [Also V P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you stretch out a part of your body, you hold it out straight. □ [V P n] He was about to stretch out his hand to grab me. [Also V n P ]
stretch|er /stre tʃə r / (stretchers , stretchered )
1 N‑COUNT A stretcher is a long piece of canvas with a pole along each side, which is used to carry an injured or sick person. □ The two ambulance attendants quickly put Plover on a stretcher and got him into the ambulance.
2 V-PASSIVE If someone is stretchered somewhere, they are carried there on a stretcher. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] I was close by as Lester was stretchered into the ambulance.
stre tch li mo (stretch limos ) N‑COUNT A stretch limo is a very long and luxurious car in which a rich, famous, or important person is driven somewhere.
stre tch marks N‑PLURAL Stretch marks are lines or marks on someone's skin caused by the skin stretching after the person's weight has changed rapidly. Women who have had children often have stretch marks.
stretchy /stre tʃi/ (stretchier , stretchiest ) ADJ Stretchy material is slightly elastic and stretches easily.
strew /struː / (strews , strewing , strewed , strewn ) VERB To strew things somewhere, or to strew a place with things, means to scatter them there. □ [V n prep/adv] The racoons knock over rubbish bins and strew the contents all over the ground. □ [V n + with ] A woman was strewing the floor with chalk so that the dancing shoes would not slip. □ [be V -ed] By the end, bodies were strewn all round the building.
strewn /struː n/
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] If a place is strewn with things, they are lying scattered there. □ The front room was strewn with books and clothes. □ The riverbed was strewn with big boulders. ● COMB Strewn is also a combining form. □ …a litter-strewn street. □ …a rock-strewn hillside.
2 Strewn is the past participle of strew .
strick|en /str I kən/
1 Stricken is the past participle of some meanings of strike .
2 ADJ If a person or place is stricken by something such as an unpleasant feeling, an illness, or a natural disaster, they are severely affected by it. □ [+ by ] …a family stricken by genetically inherited cancer. □ Foreign aid workers will not be allowed into the stricken areas. [Also + with ] ● COMB Stricken is also a combining form. □ He was panic-stricken at the thought he might never play again. □ …drought-stricken areas.
strict ◆◇◇ /str I kt/ (stricter , strictest )
1 ADJ A strict rule or order is very clear and precise or severe and must always be obeyed completely. □ The officials had issued strict instructions that we were not to get out of the jeep. □ French privacy laws are very strict. □ All your replies will be treated in the strictest confidence. ● strict|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The acceptance of new members is strictly controlled.
2 ADJ If a parent or other person in authority is strict , they regard many actions as unacceptable and do not allow them. □ My parents were very strict. □ …a few schools selected for their high standards and their strict discipline. ● strict|ly ADV □ My own mother was brought up very strictly and correctly.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] If you talk about the strict meaning of something, you mean the precise meaning of it. □ It's not quite peace in the strictest sense of the word, rather the absence of war. ● strict|ly ADV [ADV adj] □ Actually, that is not strictly true. □ Strictly speaking, it is not one house at all, but three houses joined together.
4 → see also strict
5 ADJ [ADJ n] You use strict to describe someone who never does things that are against their beliefs. □ Many people in the country are now strict vegetarians.
strict|ly /str I ktli/ ADV You use strictly to emphasize that something is of one particular type, or intended for one particular thing or person, rather than any other. [EMPHASIS ] □ This session was strictly for the boys.
stric|ture /str I ktʃə r / (strictures )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] You can use strictures to refer to severe criticism or disapproval of something. [FORMAL ] □ [+ on/against ] …the Church's strictures on lending money at exorbitant interest.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] You can refer to things that limit what you can do as strictures of a particular kind. [mainly FORMAL ] □ Your goals are hindered by financial strictures.
stride /stra I d/ (strides , striding , strode )
1 VERB If you stride somewhere, you walk there with quick, long steps. □ [V prep/adv] They were joined by a newcomer who came striding across a field. □ [V prep/adv] He turned abruptly and strode off down the corridor.
2 N‑COUNT A stride is a long step which you take when you are walking or running. □ With every stride, runners hit the ground with up to five times their body-weight. □ He walked with long strides.
3 N‑SING [usu poss N ] Someone's stride is their way of walking with long steps. □ He lengthened his stride to keep up with her.
4 N‑COUNT [usu pl, usu adj N ] If you make strides in something that you are doing, you make rapid progress in it. □ The country has made enormous strides politically but not economically.
5 PHRASE If you get into your stride or hit your stride , you start to do something easily and confidently, after being slow and uncertain. □ The campaign is just getting into its stride.
6 PHRASE In British English, if you take a problem or difficulty in your stride , you deal with it calmly and easily. The American expression is take something in stride . □ Beth was struck by how Naomi took the mistake in her stride.
stri|den|cy /stra I d ə nsi/ N‑UNCOUNT Stridency is the quality of being strident. □ Many employees were alarmed by the director's new stridency.
stri|dent /stra I d ə nt/
1 ADJ If you use strident to describe someone or the way they express themselves, you mean that they make their feelings or opinions known in a very strong way that perhaps makes people uncomfortable. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the unnecessarily strident tone of the Prime Minister's remarks.
2 ADJ If a voice or sound is strident , it is loud, harsh, and unpleasant to listen to. □ She tried to laugh, and the sound was harsh and strident.
strife /stra I f/ N‑UNCOUNT Strife is strong disagreement or fighting. [FORMAL ] □ Money is a major cause of strife in many marriages.
strike ◆◆◇ /stra I k/ (strikes , striking , struck , stricken ) The form struck is the past tense and past participle. The form stricken can also be used as the past participle for meanings 6 and 17 . 1 N‑COUNT [oft on N ] When there is a strike , workers stop doing their work for a period of time, usually in order to try to get better pay or conditions for themselves. [BUSINESS ] □ French air traffic controllers have begun a three-day strike in a dispute over pay. □ Staff at the hospital went on strike in protest at the incidents. □ …a call for strike action.
2 VERB When workers strike , they go on strike. [BUSINESS ] □ [V ] …their recognition of the workers' right to strike. □ [V + for ] They shouldn't be striking for more money. □ [V -ing] The government agreed not to sack any of the striking workers. ● strik|er (strikers ) N‑COUNT □ The strikers want higher wages, which state governments say they can't afford.
3 VERB If you strike someone or something, you deliberately hit them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n prep/adv] She took two quick steps forward and struck him across the mouth. □ [V n] It is impossible to say who struck the fatal blow.
4 VERB If something that is falling or moving strikes something, it hits it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] His head struck the bottom when he dived into the 6ft end of the pool. □ [V n] One 16-inch shell struck the control tower.
5 VERB If you strike one thing against another, or if one thing strikes against another, the first thing hits the second thing. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + on/against ] Wilde fell and struck his head on the stone floor. □ [V + against ] My right toe struck against a submerged rock.
6 VERB If something such as an illness or disaster strikes , it suddenly happens. □ [V ] Bank of England officials continued to insist that the pound would soon return to stability but disaster struck. □ [V n] A powerful earthquake struck the island early this morning.
7 VERB To strike means to attack someone or something quickly and violently. □ [V ] The attacker struck as she was walking near the town centre.
8 N‑COUNT A military strike is a military attack, especially an air attack. □ …a punitive air strike. □ …a nuclear strike. [Also + against ]
9 VERB If something strikes at the heart or root of something, it attacks or conflicts with the basic elements or principles of that thing. [LITERARY ] □ [V + at ] …a rejection of her core beliefs and values, which strikes at the very heart of her being.
10 VERB [no cont] If an idea or thought strikes you, it suddenly comes into your mind. □ [V n] A thought struck her. Was she jealous of her mother, then? □ [V n that] At this point, it suddenly struck me that I was wasting my time.
11 VERB If something strikes you as being a particular thing, it gives you the impression of being that thing. □ [V n + as ] He struck me as a very serious but friendly person. □ [V n + as ] You've always struck me as being an angry man.
12 VERB If you are struck by something, you think it is very impressive, noticeable, or interesting. □ [be V -ed + by/with ] She was struck by his simple, spellbinding eloquence. □ [V n] What struck me about the firm is how genuinely friendly and informal it is.
13 VERB If you strike a deal or a bargain with someone, you come to an agreement with them. □ [V n + with ] They struck a deal with their paper supplier, getting two years of newsprint on credit. □ [V n] The two struck a deal in which Rendell took half of what a manager would. □ [V n] He insists he has struck no bargains for their release.
14 VERB If you strike a balance, you do something that is halfway between two extremes. □ [V n] At times like that you have to strike a balance between sleep and homework.
15 VERB If you strike a pose or attitude, you put yourself in a particular position, for example when someone is taking your photograph. □ [V n] She struck a pose, one hand on her hip.
16 VERB If something strikes fear into people, it makes them very frightened or anxious. [LITERARY ] □ [V n + in/into ] His name strikes fear into the hearts of his opponents .
17 VERB [usu passive] If you are struck dumb or blind, you suddenly become unable to speak or to see. [WRITTEN ] □ [be V -ed] I was struck dumb by this and had to think it over for a moment.
18 VERB When a clock strikes , its bells make a sound to indicate what the time is. □ [V n] The clock struck nine. □ [V ] Finally, the clock strikes.
19 VERB If you strike words from a document or an official record, you remove them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + from ] Strike that from the minutes. [Also V n] ● PHRASAL VERB Strike out means the same as strike . □ [V P n] The censor struck out the next two lines. [Also V n P ]
20 VERB When you strike a match, you make it produce a flame by moving it quickly against something rough. □ [V n] Robina struck a match and held it to the crumpled newspaper in the grate.
21 VERB If someone strikes oil or gold, they discover it in the ground as a result of mining or drilling. □ [V n] Hamilton Oil announced that it had struck oil in the Liverpool Bay area of the Irish Sea.
22 VERB [usu passive] When a coin or medal is struck , it is made. □ [be V -ed] Another medal was specially struck for him.
23 → see also stricken , striking , hunger strike
24 PHRASE If you strike gold , you find, do, or produce something that brings you a lot of money or success. [JOURNALISM ] □ The company has struck gold with its new holiday development.
25 PHRASE If you strike it rich , you make a lot of money, especially in a short time. [INFORMAL ] □ He hoped to strike it rich by investing in ginseng.
26 to strike a chord → see chord
27 to strike home → see home ➊
28 to strike it lucky → see lucky
29 to strike a happy medium → see medium
▸ strike back PHRASAL VERB If you strike back , you harm or criticize someone who has harmed or criticized you. □ [V P ] Our instinctive reaction when someone causes us pain is to strike back. □ [V P + at ] Sometimes, Kappy got angry and struck back at him in whatever way she could.
▸ strike down PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If someone is struck down , especially by an illness, they are killed or severely harmed by it. [WRITTEN ] □ [be V -ed P ] Frank had been struck down by a massive heart attack.
▸ strike off PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If someone such as a doctor or lawyer is struck off , their name is removed from the official register and they are not allowed to do medical or legal work any more. [BRIT ] □ [be V -ed P ] …a company lawyer who had been struck off for dishonest practices. □ [be V -ed P ] He could be struck off the medical register.
▸ strike out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you strike out , you begin to do something different, often because you want to become more independent. □ [V P ] She wanted me to strike out on my own, buy a business. □ [V P ] …a desire to make changes and to strike out in new directions.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you strike out at someone, you hit, attack, or speak angrily to them. □ [V P + at ] He seemed always ready to strike out at anyone and for any cause. □ [V P ] Frampton struck out blindly, hitting not Waddington, but an elderly man.
3 PHRASAL VERB If someone strikes out , they fail. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] He was the firm's second lawyer. The first one had struck out completely.
4 → see also strike 19
▸ strike up
1 PHRASAL VERB When you strike up a conversation or friendship with someone, you begin one. [WRITTEN ] □ [V P n] I trailed her into Penney's and struck up a conversation.
2 PHRASAL VERB When musicians strike up a piece of music, or when music strikes up , the music begins. □ [V P n] And then the orchestra struck up the National Anthem. □ [V P ] The band struck up, and riders paraded round the ring. SYNONYMS strike NOUN 1
walkout: They organized a walkout.
industrial action: Prison officers have decided to take industrial action.
mutiny: They were shot yesterday after being convicted of mutiny and high treason. VERB 3
hit: She hit him hard across his left arm.
smack: She smacked me on the side of the head.
thump: He thumped my shoulder affectionately, nearly knocking me over.
slap: I slapped him hard across the face.
stri ke-breaker (strike-breakers ) also strikebreaker N‑COUNT A strike-breaker is a person who continues to work during a strike, or someone who takes over the work of a person who is on strike.
strik|er /stra I kə r / (strikers )
1 N‑COUNT In football and some other team sports, a striker is a player who mainly attacks and scores goals, rather than defends. □ …and the England striker scored his sixth goal of the season.
2 → see also strike
strik|ing ◆◇◇ /stra I k I ŋ/
1 ADJ Something that is striking is very noticeable or unusual. □ The most striking feature of those statistics is the high proportion of suicides. □ He bears a striking resemblance to Lenin. ● strik|ing|ly ADV [usu ADV adj] □ In one respect, however, the men really were strikingly similar. □ …a strikingly handsome man.
2 ADJ Someone who is striking is very attractive, in a noticeable way. □ She was a striking woman with long blonde hair.
3 → see also strike
Strim|mer /str I mə r / (Strimmers ) N‑COUNT A Strimmer is an electric tool used for cutting long grass or grass at the edge of a lawn. It cuts the grass with a piece of plastic cord which goes round very fast. [TRADEMARK ]
string ◆◇◇ /str I ŋ/ (strings , stringing , strung )
1 N‑VAR String is thin rope made of twisted threads, used for tying things together or tying up parcels. □ He held out a small bag tied with string. □ …a shiny metallic coin on a string.
2 N‑COUNT A string of things is a number of them on a piece of string, thread, or wire. □ [+ of ] She wore a string of pearls around her neck. □ [+ of ] …a string of fairy lights.
3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A string of places or objects is a number of them that form a line. □ [+ of ] The landscape is broken only by a string of villages. □ [+ of ] A string of five rowing boats set out from the opposite bank.
4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A string of similar events is a series of them that happen one after the other. □ [+ of ] The incident was the latest in a string of attacks.
5 N‑COUNT The strings on a musical instrument such as a violin or guitar are the thin pieces of wire or nylon stretched across it that make sounds when the instrument is played. □ He went off to change a guitar string. □ …a twenty-one-string harp.
6 N‑PLURAL [oft N n] The strings are the section of an orchestra which consists of stringed instruments played with a bow. □ The strings provided a melodic background to the passages played by the soloist. □ There was a 20-member string section.
7 N‑COUNT In computing, a string is a particular series of letters, numbers, symbols, or spaces, for example a word or phrase that you want to search for in a document.
8 VERB If you string something somewhere, you hang it up between two or more objects. □ [V n prep/adv] He had strung a banner across the wall. ● PHRASAL VERB String up means the same as string . □ [V P n] People were stringing up decorations on the fronts of their homes. [Also V n P ]
9 → see also highly strung , purse strings , second string , strung out
10 PHRASE If something is offered to you with no strings attached or with no strings , it is offered without any special conditions. □ Aid should be given to developing countries with no strings attached. □ …no-strings grants that last for five years.
11 PHRASE If you pull strings , you use your influence with other people in order to get something done, often unfairly.
▸ string along PHRASAL VERB If you string someone along , you deceive them by letting them believe you have the same desires, beliefs, or hopes as them. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] The longer you string him along, the more hurt he will be when you dump him.
▸ string together PHRASAL VERB If you string things together , you form something from them by adding them to each other, one at a time. □ [V n P ] As speech develops, the child starts to string more words together. □ [V P n] The speaker strung together a series of jokes.
▸ string up PHRASAL VERB To string someone up means to kill them by hanging them. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] Guards rushed into his cell and strung him up. [Also V P n]
stri ng bea n (string beans )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] String beans are long, very narrow green vegetables consisting of the cases that contain the seeds of a climbing plant. [AM ] in BRIT, use French beans 2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] String beans are vegetables similar to French beans, but thicker. [BRIT ]
stri nged i n|stru|ment (stringed instruments ) N‑COUNT A stringed instrument is a musical instrument that has strings, such as a violin or a guitar.
strin|gent /str I ndʒ ə nt/ ADJ Stringent laws, rules, or conditions are very severe or are strictly controlled. [FORMAL ] □ He announced that there would be more stringent controls on the possession of weapons. □ Its drug-testing procedures are the most stringent in the world. ● strin|gent|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He is determined to see the Act enforced more stringently. Stringent financial conditions are difficult and strictly controlled because there is not much money. [FORMAL ] □ More stringent financial regulations were approved and introduced in September. ● strin|gen|cy N‑UNCOUNT □ …times of financial stringency
string|er /str I ŋə r / (stringers ) N‑COUNT A stringer is a journalist who is employed part-time by a newspaper or news service in order to report on a particular area. [JOURNALISM ] □ He picked up extra money as a local stringer for the New York Herald.
stri ng quar|te t (string quartets )
1 N‑COUNT A string quartet is a group of four musicians who play stringed instruments together. The instruments are two violins, a viola, and a cello. □ …a recital by the Borodin String Quartet.
2 N‑COUNT A string quartet is a piece of music played on two violins, a viola, and a cello. □ …Dvorak's String Quartet Opus 34.
stringy /str I ŋi/ (stringier , stringiest ) ADJ Stringy food contains long, thin pieces that are difficult or unpleasant to eat. □ The meat was stringy.
strip ◆◇◇ /str I p/ (strips , stripping , stripped )
1 N‑COUNT A strip of something such as paper, cloth, or food is a long, narrow piece of it. □ [+ of ] …a new kind of manufactured wood made by pressing strips of wood together and baking them. □ [+ of ] Serve dish with strips of fresh raw vegetables.
2 N‑COUNT A strip of land or water is a long narrow area of it. □ [+ of ] The coastal cities of Liguria sit on narrow strips of land lying under steep mountains. □ [+ of ] …a short boat ride across a narrow strip of water.
3 N‑COUNT A strip is a long street in a city or town, where there are a lot of stores, restaurants, and hotels. [AM ] □ She owns a hotel-restaurant in the commercial strip on the mainland.
4 VERB If you strip , you take off your clothes. □ [V ] They stripped completely, and lay in the damp grass. □ [V adj] Women residents stripped naked in protest. ● PHRASAL VERB Strip off means the same as strip . □ [V P ] The children were brazenly stripping off and leaping into the sea.
5 VERB [usu passive] If someone is stripped , their clothes are taken off by another person, for example in order to search for hidden or illegal things. □ [be V -ed] One prisoner claimed he'd been dragged to a cell, stripped and beaten.
6 → see also strip-search
7 VERB To strip something means to remove everything that covers it. □ [V n] After Mike left for work I stripped the beds and vacuumed the carpets. □ [be V -ed] The floorboards in both this room and the dining room have been stripped, sanded and sealed.
8 VERB If you strip an engine or a piece of equipment, you take it to pieces so that it can be cleaned or repaired. □ [V n] Volvo's three-man team stripped the car and restored it. ● PHRASAL VERB Strip down means the same as strip . □ [V n P ] In five years I had to strip the water pump down four times. □ [V P n] I stripped down the carburettors, cleaned and polished the pieces and rebuilt the units.
9 VERB To strip someone of their property, rights, or titles means to take those things away from them. □ [be V -ed + of ] A senior official was stripped of all his privileges for publicly criticising his employer. [Also V n + of ]
10 N‑COUNT In a newspaper or magazine, a strip is a series of drawings which tell a story. The words spoken by the characters are often written on the drawings. [AM ] □ …the Doonesbury strip.
11 → see also landing strip
▸ strip away
1 PHRASAL VERB To strip away something, especially something that hides the true nature of a thing, means to remove it completely. □ [V P n] Altman strips away the pretence to expose the film industry as a business like any other.
2 PHRASAL VERB To strip away a layer of something means to remove it completely. □ [V P n] Sensitive Cream will not strip away the skin's protective layer. □ [V n P + from ] She'd managed to strip the bloodied rags away from Nellie's body.
▸ strip down → see strip 8
▸ strip off
1 PHRASAL VERB If you strip off your clothes, you take them off. □ [V P n] He stripped off his wet clothes and stepped into the shower. [Also V n P ]
2 → see also strip 4
stri p car|too n (strip cartoons ) N‑COUNT A strip cartoon is the same as a comic strip . [BRIT ]
stri p club (strip clubs ) N‑COUNT A strip club is a club which people go to in order to see striptease.
stripe /stra I p/ (stripes )
1 N‑COUNT A stripe is a long line which is a different colour from the areas next to it. □ She wore a bright green jogging suit with a white stripe down the sides. □ The walls in the front bedroom are painted with broad, pale blue and white stripes.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] In the armed forces or the police, stripes are V-shaped bands of material sewn onto a uniform to indicate the rank of corporal or sergeant. In the United States, stripes can also show the length of time that a person has served in an organization. □ …a soldier with a corporal's stripes on his arms.
striped /stra I pt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is striped has stripes on it. □ …a bottle green and maroon striped tie. □ …striped wallpaper.
strip|ey /stra I pi/ → see stripy
stri p joint (strip joints ) N‑COUNT A strip joint is the same as a strip club . [INFORMAL ]
stri p light (strip lights ) also strip-light N‑COUNT A strip light is an electric light in the form of a long tube. [BRIT ]
stri p light|ing also strip-lighting N‑UNCOUNT Strip lighting is a method of lighting which uses long tubes rather than light bulbs. [BRIT ] □ Other causes of migraine are VDU screens and strip-lighting.
strip|ling /str I pl I ŋ/ (striplings ) N‑COUNT People sometimes refer to a young man as a stripling when they want to indicate in a slightly humorous way that although he is no longer a boy, he is not yet really a man. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ …a stripling of 20.
stri p mine (strip mines ) N‑COUNT A strip mine is a mine in which the coal, metal, or mineral is near the surface, and so underground passages are not needed. [AM ] in BRIT, use opencast mine
stri p min|ing also strip-mining N‑UNCOUNT Strip mining is a method of mining that is used when a mineral is near the surface and underground passages are not needed. [AM ] in BRIT, use opencast mining
strip|per /str I pə r / (strippers ) N‑COUNT A stripper is a person who earns money by taking their clothes off in public, especially as part of a show. □ She worked as a stripper and did some acting. □ …a male stripper.
stri p-search (strip-searches , strip-searching , strip-searched ) also strip search VERB [usu passive] If a person is strip-searched , someone such as a police officer makes them take off all their clothes and searches them, usually to see if they are carrying drugs or weapons. Compare body search . □ [be V -ed ] I was strip-searched at the airport. [Also be V -ed + for ]
strip|tease /str I ptiː z, [AM ] -tiːz/ (stripteases ) also strip-tease N‑VAR Striptease is a form of entertainment in which someone slowly takes off their clothes in a sexually exciting way, usually while music is played.
stripy /stra I pi/ also stripey ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is stripy has stripes on it. [INFORMAL ] □ He was wearing a stripy shirt and baggy blue trousers.
strive /stra I v/ (strives , striving ) The past tense is either strove or strived , and the past participle is either striven or strived . VERB If you strive to do something or strive for something, you make a great effort to do it or get it. □ [V to-inf] He strives hard to keep himself very fit. □ [V + for ] The region must now strive for economic development as well as peace. [Also V ]
strobe /stroʊ b/ (strobes ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A strobe or a strobe light is a very bright light which flashes on and off very quickly.
strode /stroʊ d/ Strode is the past tense and past participle of stride .
stroke ◆◇◇ /stroʊ k/ (strokes , stroking , stroked )
1 VERB If you stroke someone or something, you move your hand slowly and gently over them. □ [V n] Carla, curled up on the sofa, was stroking her cat. □ [V n] She walked forward and embraced him and stroked his tousled white hair.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If someone has a stroke , a blood vessel in their brain bursts or becomes blocked, which may kill them or make them unable to move one side of their body. □ He had a minor stroke in 1987, which left him partly paralysed.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The strokes of a pen or brush are the movements or marks that you make with it when you are writing or painting. □ Fill in gaps by using short, upward strokes of the pencil.
4 N‑COUNT [usu pl] When you are swimming or rowing, your strokes are the repeated movements that you make with your arms or the oars. □ I turned and swam a few strokes further out to sea.
5 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A swimming stroke is a particular style or method of swimming. □ She spent hours practising the breast stroke.
6 N‑COUNT The strokes of a clock are the sounds that indicate each hour. □ On the stroke of 12, fireworks suddenly exploded into the night.
7 N‑COUNT In sports such as tennis, baseball, cricket, and golf, a stroke is the action of hitting the ball. □ Compton was sending the ball here, there, and everywhere with each stroke.
8 N‑SING A stroke of luck or good fortune is something lucky that happens. □ [+ of ] It didn't rain, which turned out to be a stroke of luck.
9 N‑SING A stroke of genius or inspiration is a very good idea that someone suddenly has. □ [+ of ] At the time, his appointment seemed a stroke of genius.
10 PHRASE If something happens at a stroke or in one stroke , it happens suddenly and completely because of one single action. □ The disease wiped out 40 million rabbits at a stroke. □ How can Britain reduce its prison population in one stroke?
11 PHRASE If someone does not do a stroke of work, they are very lazy and do no work at all. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ I never did a stroke of work at college. SYNONYMS stroke VERB 1
rub: He rubbed his arms and stiff legs.
pet: I petted and smoothed her hair.
pat: Don't you worry,' she said patting me on the knee.
stroll /stroʊ l/ (strolls , strolling , strolled ) VERB If you stroll somewhere, you walk there in a slow, relaxed way. □ [V prep/adv] A young couple stroll past me hand in hand. ● N‑COUNT Stroll is also a noun. □ After dinner, I took a stroll round the city.
stroll|er /stroʊ lə r / (strollers ) N‑COUNT A stroller is a small chair on wheels, in which a baby or small child can sit and be wheeled around. [AM ] in BRIT, use pushchair
strong ◆◆◆ /strɒ ŋ, [AM ] strɔː ŋ/ (stronger /strɒ ŋgə r , [AM ] strɔː ŋgər/, strongest /strɒ ŋg I st, [AM ] strɔː ŋg I st/)
1 ADJ Someone who is strong is healthy with good muscles and can move or carry heavy things, or do hard physical work. □ I'm not strong enough to carry him. □ I feared I wouldn't be able to control such a strong horse.
2 ADJ Someone who is strong is confident and determined, and is not easily influenced or worried by other people. □ He is sharp and manipulative with a strong personality. □ It's up to managers to be strong and do what they believe is right.
3 ADJ Strong objects or materials are not easily broken and can support a lot of weight or resist a lot of strain. □ The vacuum flask has a strong casing, which won't crack or chip. □ Glue the mirror in with a strong adhesive. ● strong|ly ADV [ADV -ed] □ The fence was very strongly built, with very large posts.
4 ADJ A strong wind, current, or other force has a lot of power or speed, and can cause heavy things to move. □ Strong winds and torrential rain combined to make conditions terrible for golfers in the Scottish Open. □ A fairly strong current seemed to be moving the whole boat. ● strong|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The metal is strongly attracted to the surface.
5 ADJ A strong impression or influence has a great effect on someone. □ We're glad if our music makes a strong impression, even if it's a negative one. □ Teenage idols have a strong influence on our children. ● strong|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He is strongly influenced by Spanish painters such as Goya and El Greco.
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you have strong opinions on something or express them using strong words, you have extreme or very definite opinions which you are willing to express or defend. □ It was hard to find a jury who did not already hold strong views on the tragedy. □ There has been strong criticism of the military regime. □ The newspaper condemned the campaign in extremely strong language. ● strong|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Obviously you feel very strongly about this. □ We are strongly opposed to the presence of troops in this region.
7 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone in authority takes strong action, they act firmly and severely. □ The government has said it will take strong action against any further strikes.
8 ADJ If there is a strong case or argument for something, it is supported by a lot of evidence. □ The testimony presented offered a strong case for acquitting her on grounds of self-defense. □ The evidence that such investment promotes growth is strong. ● strong|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/adv] □ He argues strongly for retention of NATO as a guarantee of peace. □ These are conditions said by doctors to be strongly indicative of heart failure.
9 ADJ If there is a strong possibility or chance that something is true or will happen, it is very likely to be true or to happen. □ There is a strong possibility that the cat ate contaminated pet food.
10 ADJ [ADJ n] Your strong points are your best qualities or talents, or the things you are good at. □ Discretion is not Jeremy's strong point. □ [+ on ] Cynics argue that the E.U. is stronger on rhetoric than on concrete action.
11 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A strong competitor, candidate, or team is good or likely to succeed. □ She was a strong contender for Britain's rowing team.
12 ADJ If a relationship or link is strong , it is close and likely to last for a long time. □ He felt he had a relationship strong enough to talk frankly to Sarah. □ It is fairly easy for executive directors to develop strong ties with investors.
13 ADJ A strong currency, economy, or industry has a high value or is very successful. □ Investment performance was strong across the board last year. □ The local economy is strong and the population is growing.
14 ADJ If something is a strong element or part of something else, it is an important or large part of it. □ We are especially encouraged by the strong representation of women in technology.
15 ADJ You can use strong when you are saying how many people there are in a group. For example, if a group is twenty strong, there are twenty people in it. □ Ukraine indicated that it would establish its own army, 400,000 strong. □ …a 1,000-strong crowd.
16 ADJ A strong drink, chemical, or drug contains a lot of the particular substance which makes it effective. □ Strong coffee or tea late at night may cause sleeplessness.
17 ADJ A strong colour, flavour, smell, sound, or light is intense and easily noticed. □ As she went past there was a gust of strong perfume. □ Munster is among the strongest cheeses in France. ● strong|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He leaned over her, smelling strongly of sweat.
18 ADJ If someone has a strong accent, they speak in a distinctive way that shows very clearly what country or region they come from. □ 'Good, Mr Ryle,' he said in English with a strong French accent.
19 ADJ You can say that someone has strong features or a strong face if their face has large, distinctive features. □ He had a strong nose and olive-black eyes.
20 PHRASE If someone or something is still going strong , they are still alive, in good condition, or popular after a long time. [INFORMAL ] □ The old machinery was still going strong.
stro ng-arm ADJ [ADJ n] If you refer to someone's behaviour as strong-arm tactics or methods, you disapprove of it because it consists of using threats or force in order to achieve something. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The money has been recovered without resorting to verbal abuse or strong-arm tactics.
strong|hold /strɒ ŋhoʊld, [AM ] strɔː ŋ-/ (strongholds ) N‑COUNT If you say that a place or region is a stronghold of a particular attitude or belief, you mean that most people there share this attitude or belief. □ The seat was a stronghold of the Labour party.
strong|man /strɒ ŋgmæn, [AM ] strɔː ŋ-/ (strongmen ) N‑COUNT If you refer to a male political leader as a strongman , you mean that he has great power and control over his country, although his methods may sometimes be violent or morally wrong. [JOURNALISM ] □ He was a military strongman who ruled the country after a coup.
stro ng-mi nded ADJ If you describe someone, especially a woman, as strong-minded , you approve of them because they have their own firm attitudes and opinions, and are not easily influenced by other people. [APPROVAL ] □ She is a strong-minded, independent woman.
stro ng-wi lled ADJ Someone who is strong-willed has a lot of determination and always tries to do what they want, even though other people may advise them not to. □ He is a very determined and strong-willed person.
strop|py /strɒ pi/ (stroppier , stroppiest ) ADJ Someone who is stroppy is bad-tempered and gets angry or upset with people. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ The gas people haven't called to repair the cooker so I shall have to get stroppy with them.
strove /stroʊ v/ Strove is a past tense of strive .
struck /strʌ k/ Struck is the past tense and past participle of strike .
struc|tur|al /strʌ ktʃərəl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Structural means relating to or affecting the structure of something. □ The explosion caused little structural damage to the office towers themselves. ● struc|tur|al|ly ADV [ADV adj/-ed] □ When we bought the house, it was structurally sound, but I decided to redecorate throughout.
stru c|tur|al en|gi|nee r (structural engineers ) N‑COUNT A structural engineer is an engineer who works on large structures such as roads, bridges, and large buildings.
struc|tur|al|ism /strʌ ktʃərəl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Structuralism is a method of interpreting and analysing such things as language, literature, and society, which focuses on contrasting ideas or elements of structure and attempts to show how they relate to the whole structure. [TECHNICAL ]
struc|tur|al|ist /strʌ ktʃərəl I st/ (structuralists )
1 N‑COUNT A structuralist is someone whose work is based on structuralism.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Structuralist is used to refer to people and things that are connected with structuralism. □ There are two main structuralist techniques incorporated into critical social research.
struc|ture ◆◆◇ /strʌ ktʃə r / (structures , structuring , structured )
1 N‑VAR The structure of something is the way in which it is made, built, or organized. □ [+ of ] The typical family structure of Freud's patients involved two parents and two children. □ [+ of ] The chemical structure of this particular molecule is very unusual.
2 N‑COUNT A structure is something that consists of parts connected together in an ordered way. □ The feet are highly specialised structures made up of 26 small delicate bones.
3 N‑COUNT A structure is something that has been built. □ About half of those funds has gone to repair public roads, structures and bridges.
4 VERB If you structure something, you arrange it in a careful, organized pattern or system. □ [V n] By structuring the course this way, we produce something companies think is valuable.
5 → see also report structure
strug|gle ◆◆◇ /strʌ g ə l/ (struggles , struggling , struggled )
1 VERB If you struggle to do something, you try hard to do it, even though other people or things may be making it difficult for you to succeed. □ [V prep] They had to struggle against all kinds of adversity. □ [V to-inf] Those who have lost their jobs struggle to pay their supermarket bills. [Also V ]
2 N‑VAR [N to-inf] A struggle is a long and difficult attempt to achieve something such as freedom or political rights. □ [+ for ] Life became a struggle for survival. □ …a young lad's struggle to support his poverty-stricken family. □ [+ with ] He is currently locked in a power struggle with his Prime Minister.
3 VERB If you struggle when you are being held, you twist, kick, and move violently in order to get free. □ [V ] I struggled, but he was a tall man, well-built.
4 VERB If two people struggle with each other, they fight. □ [V ] She screamed at him to 'stop it' as they struggled on the ground. □ [V + with ] There were signs that she struggled with her attacker. ● N‑COUNT Struggle is also a noun. □ He died in a struggle with prison officers.
5 VERB If you struggle to move yourself or to move a heavy object, you try to do it, but it is difficult. □ [V to-inf] I could see the young boy struggling to free himself. □ [V prep] I struggled with my bags, desperately looking for a porter.
6 VERB [only cont] If a person or organization is struggling , they are likely to fail in what they are doing, even though they might be trying very hard. □ [V to-inf] The company is struggling to find buyers for its new product. □ [V prep] One in five young adults was struggling with everyday mathematics. □ [V ] By the 1960s, many shipyards were struggling.
7 N‑SING An action or activity that is a struggle is very difficult to do. □ Losing weight was a terrible struggle.
▸ struggle on PHRASAL VERB If you struggle on , you continue doing something rather than stopping, even though it is difficult. □ [V P ] Why should I struggle on to please my parents? □ [V P + with ] The rest of the world struggles on with its perpetual problems, poverty and debt. SYNONYMS struggle VERB 1
strive: He strives hard to keep himself very fit.
strain: I had to strain to hear.
battle: He was battling against the wind and rain.
endeavour: They are endeavouring to protect trade union rights. NOUN 2
effort: With an effort she contained her irritation.
battle: …the eternal battle between good and evil in the world.
strain: I sometimes find it a strain to be responsible for the mortgage.
strum /strʌ m/ (strums , strumming , strummed ) VERB If you strum a stringed instrument such as a guitar, you play it by moving your fingers backwards and forwards across the strings. □ [V n] In the corner, one youth sat alone, softly strumming a guitar. □ [V prep/adv] Vaska strummed away on his guitar. ● N‑SING Strum is also a noun. □ [+ of ] A little while later, I heard the strum of my father's guitar as he began to sing.
strung /strʌ ŋ/ Strung is the past tense and past participle of string .
stru ng ou t
1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If things are strung out somewhere, they are spread out in a line. □ Buildings were strung out on the north side of the river.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone is strung out on drugs, they are heavily affected by drugs. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ on ] He was permanently strung out on heroin.
strut /strʌ t/ (struts , strutting , strutted )
1 VERB Someone who struts walks in a proud way, with their head held high and their chest out, as if they are very important. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V prep/adv] He struts around town like he owns the place.
2 N‑COUNT A strut is a piece of wood or metal which holds the weight of other pieces in a building or other structure. □ …the struts of a suspension bridge.
strych|nine /str I kniːn, [AM ] -na I n/ N‑UNCOUNT Strychnine is a very poisonous drug which is sometimes used in very small amounts as a medicine.
stub /stʌ b/ (stubs , stubbing , stubbed )
1 N‑COUNT The stub of a cigarette or a pencil is the last short piece of it which remains when the rest has been used. □ [+ of ] He pulled the stub of a pencil from behind his ear. □ …an ashtray of cigarette stubs.
2 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A ticket stub is the part that you keep when you go in to watch a performance. □ She keeps all her gig ticket stubs at home in a frame.
3 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A cheque stub is the small part that you keep as a record of what you have paid.
4 VERB If you stub your toe , you hurt it by accidentally kicking something. □ [V n] I stubbed my toes against a table leg.
▸ stub out PHRASAL VERB When someone stubs out a cigarette, they put it out by pressing it against something hard. □ [V P n] Signs across the entrances warn all visitors to stub out their cigarettes. [Also V n P ]
stub|ble /stʌ b ə l/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Stubble is the short stalks which are left standing in fields after corn or wheat has been cut. □ The stubble was burning in the fields.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The very short hairs on a man's face when he has not shaved recently are referred to as stubble . □ His face was covered with the stubble of several nights.
stub|bly /stʌ bəli/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If a man has not shaved recently, he has a stubbly chin. □ He had long unkempt hair and a stubbly chin.
stub|born /stʌ bə r n/
1 ADJ Someone who is stubborn or who behaves in a stubborn way is determined to do what they want and is very unwilling to change their mind. □ He is a stubborn character used to getting his own way. ● stub|born|ly ADV □ He stubbornly refused to tell her how he had come to be in such a state. ● stub|born|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ I couldn't tell if his refusal to talk was simple stubbornness.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A stubborn stain or problem is difficult to remove or to deal with. □ This treatment removes the most stubborn stains. ● stub|born|ly ADV □ Some interest rates have remained stubbornly high.
stub|by /stʌ bi/ ADJ An object that is stubby is shorter and thicker than usual. □ He pointed a stubby finger at a wooden chair opposite him.
stuc|co /stʌ koʊ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Stucco is a type of plaster used for covering walls and decorating ceilings.
stuck /stʌ k/
1 Stuck is the past tense and past participle of stick .
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something is stuck in a particular position, it is fixed tightly in this position and is unable to move. □ He said his car had got stuck in the snow. □ She had got something stuck between her teeth.
3 ADJ If you are stuck in a place, you want to get away from it, but are unable to. □ I was stuck at home with flu.
4 ADJ If you are stuck in a boring or unpleasant situation, you are unable to change it or get away from it. □ I don't want to get stuck in another job like that.
5 ADJ If something is stuck at a particular level or stage, it is not progressing or changing. □ The negotiations have got stuck on a number of key issues. □ U.S. unemployment figures for March showed the jobless rate stuck at 7 per cent.
6 ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] If you are stuck with something that you do not want, you cannot get rid of it. □ Many people are now stuck with expensive fixed-rate mortgages.
7 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you get stuck when you are trying to do something, you are unable to continue doing it because it is too difficult. □ They will be there to help if you get stuck.
8 PHRASE If you get stuck in , you do something with enthusiasm and determination. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ We're bottom of the league and we have to get stuck in.
stu ck-u p ADJ If you say that someone is stuck-up , you mean that are very proud and unfriendly because they think they are very important. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ She was a famous actress, but she wasn't a bit stuck-up.
stud /stʌ d/ (studs )
1 N‑COUNT A studs are small pieces of metal which are attached to a surface for decoration. □ You see studs on lots of London front doors.
2 N‑COUNT A stud is an earring consisting of a small shape attached to a bar which goes through a hole in your ear. □ …plain gold studs.
3 N‑COUNT Studs are small round objects attached to the bottom of boots, especially sports boots, so that the person wearing them does not slip. [BRIT ] in AM, use cleats 4 N‑UNCOUNT Horses or other animals that are kept for stud are kept to be used for breeding. □ He was voted horse of the year and then was retired to stud.
5 → see also press stud
stu d book (stud books ) also studbook N‑COUNT A stud book is a written record of the breeding of a particular horse, especially a racehorse.
stud|ded /stʌ d I d/
1 ADJ Something that is studded is decorated with studs or things that look like studs. □ …studded leather jackets. [Also + with ]
2 → see also star-studded
stu|dent ◆◆◆ /stjuː d ə nt, stuː -/ (students )
1 N‑COUNT A student is a person who is studying at a university or college. □ Warren's eldest son is an art student, at St Martin's. □ …a 23-year-old medical student.
2 → see also mature student
3 N‑COUNT A student is a child who is studying at a secondary school.
4 N‑COUNT Someone who is a student of a particular subject is interested in the subject and spends time learning about it. □ [+ of ] …a passionate student of nineteenth century history.
stu |dents' u n|ion (students' unions ) or student union
1 N‑COUNT [oft in names] The students' union is the students' organization in a university or college which organizes leisure activities, provides welfare services, and represents students' political interests. [BRIT ]
2 N‑SING The students' union is the building where the students' union organization has its offices and which usually has a shop, a coffee bar, and a meeting place.
stu d farm (stud farms ) N‑COUNT A stud farm is a place where horses are bred.
stud|ied /stʌ did/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A studied action is deliberate or planned. □ The newsletter he sent to investors was full of studied understatement.
2 → see also study
stu|dio ◆◆◇ /stjuː dioʊ, stuː -/ (studios )
1 N‑COUNT A studio is a room where a painter, photographer, or designer works. □ She was in her studio again, painting onto a large canvas.
2 N‑COUNT A studio is a room where radio or television programmes are recorded, CDs are produced, or films are made. □ She's much happier performing live than in a recording studio.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] You can also refer to film-making or recording companies as studios . □ She wrote to Paramount Studios and asked if they would audition her.
4 N‑COUNT A studio is a small flat with one room for living and sleeping in, a kitchen, and a bathroom. You can also talk about a studio flat in British English or a studio apartment in American English. □ I live on my own in a studio flat.
stu |dio au di|ence (studio audiences ) N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A studio audience is a group of people who are in a television or radio studio watching while a programme is being made, so that their clapping, laughter, or questions are recorded on the programme.
stu|di|ous /stjuː diəs, stuː -/ ADJ Someone who is studious spends a lot of time reading and studying books. □ I was a very quiet, studious little girl.
stu|di|ous|ly /stjuː diəsli, stuː -/ ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] If you do something studiously , you do it carefully and deliberately. □ When I looked at Clive, he studiously avoided my eyes.
study ◆◆◆ /stʌ di/ (studies , studying , studied )
1 VERB If you study , you spend time learning about a particular subject or subjects. □ [V ] …a relaxed and happy atmosphere that will allow you to study to your full potential. □ [V n] He went to Hull University, where he studied History and Economics. □ [V + for ] The rehearsals make it difficult for her to study for law school exams.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Study is the activity of studying. □ …the use of maps and visual evidence in the study of local history. □ She gave up her studies to take a job with the company.
3 N‑COUNT A study of a subject is a piece of research on it. □ Recent studies suggest that as many as 5 in 1000 new mothers are likely to have this problem.
4 N‑PLURAL You can refer to educational subjects or courses that contain several elements as studies of a particular kind. □ …a new centre for Islamic studies. □ She is currently doing a business studies course at Leeds.
5 VERB If you study something, you look at it or watch it very carefully, in order to find something out. □ [V n] Debbie studied her friend's face for a moment.
6 VERB If you study something, you consider it or observe it carefully in order to be able to understand it fully. □ [V n] I know that you've been studying chimpanzees for thirty years now. □ [V n] I invite every citizen to carefully study the document.
7 N‑COUNT A study by an artist is a drawing which is done in preparation for a larger picture.
8 N‑COUNT A study is a room in a house which is used for reading, writing, and studying.
9 → see also studied , case study SYNONYMS study VERB 1
learn: Their children were going to learn English.
cram: She was cramming for her Economics exam.
revise: I have to revise for maths. NOUN
2
examination: The proposal requires careful examination and consideration.
3
investigation: He ordered an investigation into the affair.
analysis: We did an analysis of the way that government money has been spent in the past.
stuff ◆◆◇ /stʌ f/ (stuffs , stuffing , stuffed )
1 N‑UNCOUNT You can use stuff to refer to things such as a substance, a collection of things, events, or ideas, or the contents of something in a general way without mentioning the thing itself by name. [INFORMAL ] □ I'd like some coffee, and I don't object to the powdered stuff if it's all you've got. □ 'What do you want to know?'—'About life and stuff.' □ He pointed to a duffle bag.'That's my stuff.'
2 VERB If you stuff something somewhere, you push it there quickly and roughly. □ [V n prep/adv] I stuffed my hands in my pockets. □ [V n prep/adv] He stuffed the newspapers into a litter bin and headed down the street.
3 VERB If you stuff a container or space with something, you fill it with something or with a quantity of things until it is full. □ [V n adj] He grabbed my purse, opened it and stuffed it full, then gave it back to me. □ [V n + with ] He still stood behind his cash register stuffing his mouth with popcorn.
4 VERB If you stuff yourself , you eat a lot of food. [INFORMAL ] □ [V pron-refl prep] I could stuff myself with ten chocolate bars and half an hour later eat a big meal. ● stuffed ADJ [v-link ADJ ] □ But you're just so stuffed you won't be able to drink anything.
5 VERB If you stuff a bird such as a chicken or a vegetable such as a pepper, you put a mixture of food inside it before cooking it. □ [V n] Will you stuff the turkey and shove it in the oven for me? □ [V -ed] …stuffed tomatoes.
6 VERB [usu passive] If a dead animal is stuffed , it is filled with a substance so that it can be preserved and displayed.
7 VERB Stuff is used in front of nouns to emphasize that you do not care about something, or do not want it. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ [V n] Ultimately my attitude was: stuff them. □ [V n] Stuff your money. We don't want a handout.
8 PHRASE If you say that someone knows their stuff , you mean that they are good at doing something because they know a lot about it. [INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ These chaps know their stuff after seven years of war.
stu ffed a ni|mal (stuffed animals ) N‑COUNT Stuffed animals are toys that are made of cloth filled with a soft material and which look like animals. [AM ] in BRIT, use soft toy
stu ffed shi rt (stuffed shirts ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone, especially someone with an important position, as a stuffed shirt , you mean that they are extremely formal and old-fashioned. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ In a pinstriped suit he instantly looked like a stuffed shirt.
stu ffed to y (stuffed toys ) N‑COUNT A stuffed toy is the same as a stuffed animal . [AM ] in BRIT, use soft toy
stuff|ing /stʌ f I ŋ/ (stuffings )
1 N‑VAR Stuffing is a mixture of food that is put inside a bird such as a chicken, or a vegetable such as a pepper, before it is cooked. □ Chestnuts can be used at Christmas time, as a stuffing for turkey, guinea fowl or chicken.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Stuffing is material that is used to fill things such as cushions or toys in order to make them firm or solid.
stuffy /stʌ fi/ (stuffier , stuffiest )
1 ADJ Stuffy people or institutions are formal and old-fashioned. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Why were grown-ups always so stuffy and slow to recognize good ideas? □ …a firm of lawyers in Lincoln's Inn, immensely stuffy and respectable.
2 ADJ If it is stuffy in a place, it is unpleasantly warm and there is not enough fresh air. □ It was hot and stuffy in the classroom.
stul|ti|fy /stʌ lt I fa I / (stultifies , stultifying , stultified ) VERB If something stultifies you, it makes you feel empty or dull in your mind, because it is so boring. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] This attitude stultifies scientific progress. ● stul|ti|fy|ing ADJ □ A rigid routine can be stultifying and boring.
stum|ble /stʌ mb ə l/ (stumbles , stumbling , stumbled )
1 VERB If you stumble , you put your foot down awkwardly while you are walking or running and nearly fall over. □ [V ] He stumbled and almost fell. □ [V prep/adv] I stumbled into the phone box and dialled 999. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Stumble is also a noun. □ I make it into the darkness with only one stumble.
2 VERB If you stumble while you are reading aloud or speaking, you make a mistake, and have to pause before saying the words properly. □ [V + over ] …his voice wavered and he stumbled over the words at one point. [Also V ]
▸ stumble across or stumble on PHRASAL VERB If you stumble across something or stumble on it, you find it or discover it unexpectedly. □ [V P n] I stumbled across a simple method for understanding where my money went. □ [V P n] History relates that they stumbled on a magnificent waterfall.
stu m|bling block (stumbling blocks ) N‑COUNT A stumbling block is a problem which stops you from achieving something. □ [+ to/in ] His lack of speed is a major stumbling block to a Premiership return.
stump /stʌ mp/ (stumps , stumping , stumped )
1 N‑COUNT A stump is a small part of something that remains when the rest of it has been removed or broken off. □ If you have a tree stump, check it for fungus. □ [+ of ] The tramp produced a stump of candle from his deep pockets.
2 N‑COUNT In cricket, the stumps are the three wooden sticks that are placed upright in the ground to form the wicket.
3 VERB If you are stumped by a question or problem, you cannot think of any solution or answer to it. □ [be V -ed] John is stumped by an unexpected question. □ [V n] Well, maybe I stumped you on that one.
4 VERB If politicians stump the country or stump for a candidate, they travel around making campaign speeches before an election. [mainly AM ] □ [V n] He stumped the country for reform of Parliament. □ [V + for ] This week she's been stumping for candidates in the American midterm elections. [Also V ]
5 PHRASE If politicians are on the stump , they are campaigning for an election. [mainly AM ] □ The presidential candidates are on the stump today.
▸ stump up PHRASAL VERB If you stump up a sum of money, you pay it, often unwillingly. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] Customers do not have to stump up any cash for at least four weeks. [Also V P ]
stumpy /stʌ mpi/ ADJ Stumpy things are short and thick. □ Does this dress make my legs look too stumpy?
stun /stʌ n/ (stuns , stunning , stunned )
1 VERB [usu passive] If you are stunned by something, you are extremely shocked or surprised by it and are therefore unable to speak or do anything. □ [be V -ed] Many cinema-goers were stunned by the film's violent and tragic end. ● stunned ADJ □ When they told me she had gone missing I was totally stunned.
2 VERB If something such as a blow on the head stuns you, it makes you unconscious or confused and unsteady. □ [V n] Sam stood his ground and got a blow that stunned him.
3 → see also stunning
stung /stʌ ŋ/ Stung is the past tense and past participle of sting .
stu n gun (stun guns ) N‑COUNT A stun gun is a device that can immobilize a person or animal for a short time without causing them serious injury.
stunk /stʌ ŋk/ Stunk is the past participle of stink .
stun|ner /stʌ nə r / (stunners ) N‑COUNT A stunner is an extremely attractive woman. [INFORMAL ] □ One of the girls was an absolute stunner.
stun|ning /stʌ n I ŋ/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A stunning person or thing is extremely beautiful or impressive. □ She was 55 and still a stunning woman.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A stunning event is extremely unusual or unexpected. □ The minister resigned last night after a stunning defeat in Sunday's vote.
stunt /stʌ nt/ (stunts , stunting , stunted )
1 N‑COUNT A stunt is something interesting that is done in order to attract attention and get publicity for the person or company responsible for it. □ In a bold promotional stunt for the movie, he smashed his car into a passing truck.
2 N‑COUNT A stunt is a dangerous and exciting piece of action in a film. □ In his new film he performs his own stunts.
3 VERB If something stunts the growth or development of a person or thing, it prevents it from growing or developing as much as it should. □ [V n] The heart condition had stunted his growth a bit. □ [V n] High interest rates have stunted economic growth. ● stunt|ed ADJ □ Damage may result in stunted growth and sometimes death of the plant.
stu nt man (stunt men ) also stuntman N‑COUNT A stunt man is a man whose job is to do dangerous things, either for publicity, or in a film instead of an actor so that the actor does not risk being injured.
stu nt wom|an (stunt women ) also stuntwoman N‑COUNT A stunt woman is a woman whose job is to do dangerous things, either for publicity, or in a film instead of an actor so that the actor does not risk being injured.
stu|pefy /stjuː p I fa I , stuː -/ (stupefies , stupefying , stupefied ) VERB If something stupefies you, it shocks or surprises you so much that you cannot think properly for a while. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] …a violent slap on the side of the head, which stunned and stupefied him.
stu|pen|dous /stjuːpe ndəs, [AM ] stuː-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is stupendous is surprisingly impressive or large. □ He was a man of stupendous stamina and energy. □ This stupendous novel keeps you gripped to the end.
stu|pid ◆◇◇ /stjuː p I d, [AM ] stuː -/ (stupider , stupidest )
1 ADJ If you say that someone or something is stupid , you mean that they show a lack of good judgment or intelligence and they are not at all sensible. □ I'll never do anything so stupid again. □ I made a stupid mistake. □ Your father wouldn't have asked such a stupid question. ● stu|pid|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ We had stupidly been looking at the wrong column of figures. ● stu|pid|ity /stjuːp I d I ti, [AM ] stuː-/ (stupidities ) N‑VAR [usu with poss] □ I stared at him, astonished by his stupidity.
2 ADJ You say that something is stupid to indicate that you do not like it or care about it, or that it annoys you. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I wouldn't call it art. It's just stupid and tasteless. □ Friendship is much more important to me than a stupid old ring!
stu|por /stjuː pə r , [AM ] stuː -/ (stupors ) N‑COUNT [usu sing, oft in/into a N ] Someone who is in a stupor is almost unconscious and is unable to act or think normally, especially as a result of drink or drugs. □ He fell back onto the sofa in a drunken stupor.
stur|dy /stɜː r di/ (sturdier , sturdiest ) ADJ Someone or something that is sturdy looks strong and is unlikely to be easily injured or damaged. □ The camera was mounted on a sturdy tripod. ● stur|di|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ It was a good table too, sturdily constructed of elm.
stur|geon /stɜː r dʒ ə n/ (sturgeon ) N‑VAR A sturgeon is a large fish which lives in northern parts of the world. Sturgeon are usually caught for their eggs, which are known as caviar.
stut|ter /stʌ tə r / (stutters , stuttering , stuttered )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If someone has a stutter , they find it difficult to say the first sound of a word, and so they often hesitate or repeat it two or three times. □ He spoke with a pronounced stutter.
2 VERB If someone stutters , they have difficulty speaking because they find it hard to say the first sound of a word. □ [V ] I was trembling so hard, I thought I would stutter when I spoke. ● stut|ter|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ He had to stop talking because if he'd kept on, the stuttering would have started.
3 VERB If something stutters along, it progresses slowly and unevenly. □ [V prep/adv] The old truck stuttered along the winding road. □ [V prep/adv] The political debate stutters on.
sty /sta I / (sties ) N‑COUNT A sty is the same as a pigsty .
stye /sta I / (styes ) also sty N‑COUNT If you have a stye , your eyelid is red and swollen because part of it is infected.
style ◆◆◇ /sta I l/ (styles , styling , styled )
1 N‑COUNT [oft in adj N ] The style of something is the general way in which it is done or presented, which often shows the attitudes of the people involved. □ Our children's different needs and learning styles created many problems. □ Belmont Park is a broad sweeping track which will suit the European style of running.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft in N ] If people or places have style , they are smart and elegant. □ Bournemouth, you have to admit, has style. □ Both love doing things in style. □ She had not lost her grace and style.
3 N‑VAR The style of a product is its design. □ His 50 years of experience have given him strong convictions about style. □ Several styles of hat were available.
4 N‑COUNT In the arts, a particular style is characteristic of a particular period or group of people. □ …six scenes in the style of a classical Greek tragedy. □ …a mixture of musical styles.
5 VERB [usu passive] If something such as a piece of clothing, a vehicle, or someone's hair is styled in a particular way, it is designed or shaped in that way. □ [be V -ed] His thick blond hair had just been styled before his trip.
6 → see also old-style , self-styled , styling
7 to cramp someone's style → see cramp
-style /-sta I l/
1 COMB [usu ADJ n] -style combines with nouns and adjectives to form adjectives which describe the style or characteristics of something. □ …the development of a Western-style political system. □ …a hearty country-style dinner.
2 COMB [ADV after v] -style combines with adjectives and nouns to form adverbs which describe how something is done. □ Guests have been asked to dress 1920s-style.
styl|ing /sta I l I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The styling of an object is the design and appearance of it. □ The car neatly blends classic styling into a smooth modern package.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] The styling of someone's hair is the way in which it is cut and arranged. □ …shampoos and styling products.
3 → see also style
styl|ised /sta I la I zd/ → see stylized
styl|ish /sta I l I ʃ/ ADJ Someone or something that is stylish is smart, elegant, and fashionable. □ …a very attractive and very stylish woman of 27. □ …a varied choice of stylish designs. ● styl|ish|ly ADV □ …stylishly dressed middle-aged women.
styl|ist /sta I l I st/ (stylists )
1 N‑COUNT A stylist is a person whose job is to cut and arrange people's hair. □ Choose a stylist recommended by someone whose hair you like.
2 N‑COUNT A stylist is someone whose job is to create the style of something such as an advertisement or the image of people such as pop singers. □ She is now a writer and fashion stylist.
sty|lis|tic /sta I l I st I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Stylistic describes things relating to the methods and techniques used in creating a piece of writing, music, or art. □ There are some stylistic elements in the statue that just don't make sense.
styl|ized /sta I la I zd/ in BRIT, also use stylised ADJ Something that is stylized is shown or done in a way that is not natural in order to create an artistic effect. □ Some of it has to do with recent stage musicals, which have been very, very stylised.
sty|lus /sta I ləs/ (styluses )
1 N‑COUNT The stylus on a record player is the small needle that picks up the sound signals on the records.
2 N‑COUNT A stylus is a device like a pen with which you can input written text or drawing directly into a computer. [COMPUTING ] □ It has a stylus-operated on-screen keyboard that takes great skill to master.
sty|mie /sta I mi/ (stymies , stymieing , stymied ) VERB [usu passive] If you are stymied by something, you find it very difficult to take action or to continue what you are doing. [INFORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] Companies have been stymied by the length of time it takes to reach an agreement.
styro|foam /sta I ə rəfoʊm/ N‑UNCOUNT Styrofoam is a very light, plastic substance, used especially to make containers. [AM ] in BRIT, use polystyrene
suave /swɑː v/ (suaver , suavest ) ADJ Someone who is suave is charming, polite, and elegant, but may be insincere. □ He is a suave, cool and cultured man. ● suave|ly ADV □ …the skills needed to deal suavely with a company's senior managers.
sub /sʌ b/ (subs )
1 N‑COUNT In team games such as football, a sub is a player who is brought into a match to replace another player. [INFORMAL ] □ We had a few injuries and had to use youth team kids as subs.
2 N‑COUNT A sub is the same as a submarine . [INFORMAL ]
3 N‑PLURAL A fixed amount of money that you pay regularly in order to be a member of a club or society is called your subs . [BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ Subs will be raised as from next year.
PREFIX sub-
forms nouns that refer to things that are part of a larger thing. For example, a subculture is the culture of a group of people within a society.
sub|al|tern /sʌ b ə ltə r n/ (subalterns ) N‑COUNT A subaltern is an officer of middle rank in the British army. [BRIT ]
sub|atom|ic /sʌ bətɒ m I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] A subatomic particle is a particle which is part of an atom, for example an electron, a proton, or a neutron. [TECHNICAL ]
sub|com|mit|tee /sʌ bkəm I ti/ (subcommittees ) also sub-committee N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A subcommittee is a small committee made up of members of a larger committee.
sub|con|scious /sʌ bkɒ nʃəs/
1 N‑SING Your subconscious is the part of your mind that can influence you or affect your behaviour even though you are not aware of it. □ …the hidden power of the subconscious. □ The memory of it all was locked deep in my subconscious.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A subconscious feeling or action exists in or is influenced by your subconscious. □ He caught her arm in a subconscious attempt to detain her. □ …a subconscious cry for affection. ● sub|con|scious|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ Subconsciously I had known that I would not be in personal danger.
sub|con|ti|nent /sʌ bkɒ nt I nənt/ (subcontinents ) also sub-continent N‑COUNT [usu sing] A subcontinent is part of a larger continent, made up of a number of countries that form a large mass of land. The subcontinent is often used to refer to the area that contains India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
sub|con|tract (subcontracts , subcontracting , subcontracted ) The verb is pronounced /sʌ bkəntræ kt/. The noun is pronounced /sʌbkɒ ntrækt/. 1 VERB If one firm subcontracts part of its work to another firm, it pays the other firm to do part of the work that it has been employed to do. [BUSINESS ] □ [V n] The company is subcontracting production of most of the parts. □ [V n + to ] They are cutting costs by subcontracting work out to other local firms.
2 N‑COUNT A subcontract is a contract between a firm which is being employed to do a job and another firm which agrees to do part of that job.
sub|con|trac|tor /sʌ bkəntræ ktə r , [AM ] -kɑː ntræk-/ (subcontractors ) also sub-contractor N‑COUNT A subcontractor is a person or firm that has a contract to do part of a job which another firm is responsible for. [BUSINESS ] □ The company was considered as a possible subcontractor to build the aeroplane.
sub|cul|ture /sʌ bkʌltʃə r / (subcultures ) also sub-culture N‑COUNT A subculture is the ideas, art, and way of life of a group of people within a society, which are different from the ideas, art, and way of life of the rest of the society. □ …the latest American subculture.
sub|cu|ta|neous /sʌ bkjute I niəs/ ADJ [ADJ n] Subcutaneous is used to indicate that something is situated, used, or put under your skin. □ …subcutaneous fat.
sub|di|vide /sʌ bd I va I d/ (subdivides , subdividing , subdivided ) also sub-divide VERB [usu passive] If something is subdivided , it is divided into several smaller areas, parts, or groups. □ [be V -ed + into ] The verbs were subdivided into transitive and intransitive categories.
sub|di|vi|sion /sʌ bd I v I ʒ ə n/ (subdivisions ) also sub-division
1 N‑COUNT A subdivision is an area, part, or section of something which is itself a part of something larger. □ Months are a conventional subdivision of the year.
2 N‑COUNT A subdivision is an area of land for building houses on. [AM ] □ Rammick lives high on a ridge in a 400-home subdivision.
sub|due /səbdjuː , [AM ] -duː / (subdues , subduing , subdued )
1 VERB If soldiers or the police subdue a group of people, they defeat them or bring them under control by using force. □ [V n] Senior government officials admit they have not been able to subdue the rebels.
2 VERB To subdue feelings means to make them less strong. □ [V n] He forced himself to subdue and overcome his fears.
sub|dued /səbdjuː d, [AM ] -duː d/
1 ADJ Someone who is subdued is very quiet, often because they are sad or worried about something. □ The audience are strangely subdued, clapping politely after each song.
2 ADJ Subdued sounds are not very loud. □ The conversation around them was resumed, but in subdued tones.
3 ADJ Subdued lights or colours are not very bright. □ The lighting was subdued.
su b-e ditor (sub-editors ) also subeditor N‑COUNT A sub-editor is a person whose job it is to check and correct articles in newspapers or magazines before they are printed. [BRIT ] in AM, use copy editor
sub|group /sʌ bgruːp/ (subgroups ) also sub-group N‑COUNT A subgroup is a group that is part of a larger group. □ The Action Group worked by dividing its tasks among a large number of subgroups.
sub|head|ing /sʌ bhed I ŋ/ (subheadings ) also sub-heading N‑COUNT Subheadings are titles that divide part of a piece of writing into shorter sections.
sub|hu|man /sʌ bhjuː mən/ also sub-human ADJ If you describe someone or their situation as subhuman , you mean that they behave or live in a much worse way than human beings normally do. □ Defining people as subhuman made it easier to justify their ill treatment.
sub|ject ◆◆◇ (subjects , subjecting , subjected ) The noun and adjective are pronounced /sʌ bdʒ I kt/. The verb is pronounced /səbdʒe kt/. 1 N‑COUNT The subject of something such as a conversation, letter, or book is the thing that is being discussed or written about. □ It was I who first raised the subject of plastic surgery. □ …the president's own views on the subject.
2 N‑COUNT Someone or something that is the subject of criticism, study, or an investigation is being criticized, studied, or investigated. □ [+ of ] Over the past few years, some of the positions Mr. Meredith has adopted have made him the subject of criticism. □ [+ of ] He's now the subject of an official inquiry.
3 N‑COUNT A subject is an area of knowledge or study, especially one that you study at school, college, or university. □ …a tutor in maths and science subjects.
4 N‑COUNT In an experiment or piece of research, the subject is the person or animal that is being tested or studied. [FORMAL ] □ 'White noise' was played into the subject's ears through headphones.
5 N‑COUNT An artist's subjects are the people, animals, or objects that he or she paints, models, or photographs. □ Her favourite subjects are shells spotted on beach walks.
6 N‑COUNT In grammar, the subject of a clause is the noun group that refers to the person or thing that is doing the action expressed by the verb. For example, in 'My cat keeps catching birds', 'my cat' is the subject.
7 ADJ To be subject to something means to be affected by it or to be likely to be affected by it. □ [+ to ] Prices may be subject to alteration. □ [+ to ] Foreign wine was subject to an import tax.
8 ADJ If someone is subject to a particular set of rules or laws, they have to obey those rules or laws. □ [+ to ] The tribunal is unique because Mr Jones is not subject to the normal police discipline code.
9 VERB If you subject someone to something unpleasant, you make them experience it. □ [V n + to ] …the man who had subjected her to four years of beatings and abuse.
10 N‑COUNT The people who live in or belong to a particular country, usually one ruled by a monarch, are the subjects of that monarch or country. □ Roughly half of them are British subjects.
11 PHRASE When someone involved in a conversation changes the subject , they start talking about something else, often because the previous subject was embarrassing. □ He tried to change the subject, but she wasn't to be put off.
12 PHRASE If an event will take place subject to a condition, it will take place only if that thing happens. □ They had agreed to a summit, subject to certain conditions. COLLOCATIONS subject NOUN
1
adjective + subject : controversial, difficult, sensitive, taboo
verb + subject : address, broach, discuss, raise
3
noun + subject : degree; arts, science
adjective + subject : academic, compulsory, core, vocational; favourite, specialist
verb + subject : research, study, teach SYNONYMS subject NOUN 1
topic: The main topic for discussion is political union.
question: But the whole question of aid is a tricky political one.
issue: Is it right for the Church to express a view on political issues?
matter: It was clear that she wanted to discuss some private matter.
sub|jec|tion /səbdʒe kʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N to/of n] Subjection to someone involves being completely controlled by them. □ [+ to ] …their complete subjection to their captors. □ …the worst forms of economic subjection and drudgery.
sub|jec|tive /səbdʒe kt I v/ ADJ Something that is subjective is based on personal opinions and feelings rather than on facts. □ We know that taste in art is a subjective matter. □ The way they interpreted their past was highly subjective. ● sub|jec|tive|ly ADV □ Our preliminary results suggest that people do subjectively find the speech clearer. ● sub|jec|tiv|ity /sʌ bdʒəkt I v I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ They accused her of flippancy and subjectivity in her reporting of events in their country.
su b|ject mat|ter also subject-matter N‑UNCOUNT The subject matter of something such as a book, lecture, film, or painting is the thing that is being written about, discussed, or shown. □ Artists were given greater freedom in their choice of subject matter. □ Her subject matter is herself.
sub ju|di|ce /sʌ b dʒuː d I si/ also sub-judice ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] When something is sub judice , it is the subject of a trial in a court of law. In Britain, this means that people are not allowed to discuss it in the media. [LEGAL ] □ He declined further comment on the grounds that the case was sub judice.
sub|ju|gate /sʌ bdʒʊge I t/ (subjugates , subjugating , subjugated )
1 VERB If someone subjugates a group of people, they take complete control of them, especially by defeating them in a war. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] People in the region are fiercely independent and resist all attempts to subjugate them. ● sub|ju|ga|tion /sʌ bdʒʊge I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the brutal subjugation of native tribes.
2 VERB [usu passive] If your wishes or desires are subjugated to something, they are treated as less important than that thing. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed + to ] Health, common sense, and self-respect are subjugated to the cause of looking 'hot'. [Also be V -ed]
sub|junc|tive /səbdʒʌ ŋkt I v/ N‑SING In English, a clause expressing a wish or suggestion can be put in the subjunctive , or in the subjunctive mood, by using the base form of a verb or 'were'. Examples are 'He asked that they be removed' and 'I wish I were somewhere else'. These structures are formal. [TECHNICAL ]
sub|let /sʌ ble t/ (sublets , subletting ) The form sublet is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle of the verb. VERB If you sublet a building or part of a building, you allow someone to use it and you take rent from them, although you are not the owner and pay rent for it yourself. □ [V n] The company rented the building, occupied part and sublet the rest.
sub|li|mate /sʌ bl I me I t/ (sublimates , sublimating , sublimated ) VERB If you sublimate a strong desire or feeling, you express it in a way that is socially acceptable. [TECHNICAL , FORMAL ] □ [V n] He could try to sublimate the problem by writing, in detail, about it.
sub|lime /səbla I m/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as sublime , you mean that it has a wonderful quality that affects you deeply. [LITERARY , APPROVAL ] □ Sublime music floats on a scented summer breeze to the spot where you lie. ● N‑SING You can refer to sublime things as the sublime . □ She elevated every rare small success to the sublime. ● sub|lime|ly ADV [usu ADV adj] □ …the most sublimely beautiful of all living things. ● PHRASE If you describe something as going from the sublime to the ridiculous , you mean that it involves a change from something very good or serious to something silly or unimportant. □ At times the show veered from the sublime to the ridiculous.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use sublime to emphasize a quality that someone or something has, usually a quality that is undesirable or negative. [FORMAL or LITERARY , EMPHASIS ] □ The administration's sublime incompetence is probably temporary. □ He displayed a sublime indifference to the distinction between right and wrong. ● sub|lime|ly ADV [usu ADV adj] □ Mrs Trollope was sublimely uninterested in what she herself wore.
sub|limi|nal /sʌbl I m I n ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Subliminal influences or messages affect your mind without you being aware of it. □ Colour has a profound, though often subliminal influence on our senses and moods. □ …subliminal advertising.
su b-machi ne gun (sub-machine guns ) also sub-machine-gun , submachine gun N‑COUNT A sub-machine gun is a light portable type of machine gun.
sub|ma|rine /sʌ bməriː n, [AM ] -riːn/ (submarines )
1 N‑COUNT A submarine is a type of ship that can travel both above and below the surface of the sea. The abbreviation sub is also used. □ …a nuclear submarine.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Submarine means existing below the surface of the sea. [FORMAL ] □ …submarine caves. □ …submarine plants.
3 N‑COUNT [usu N n] A submarine sandwich is a long soft bread roll filled with a combination of things such as meat, cheese, eggs, and salad. The abbreviation sub is also used. [AM ]
sub|ma|rin|er /sʌbmæ r I nə r , [AM ALSO ] sʌ bməriː nə r / (submariners ) N‑COUNT A submariner is a sailor or other person who goes in a submarine.
sub|merge /səbmɜː r dʒ/ (submerges , submerging , submerged )
1 VERB If something submerges or if you submerge it, it goes below the surface of some water or another liquid. □ [V ] Hippos are unable to submerge in the few remaining water holes. □ [V n] The river burst its banks, submerging an entire village.
2 VERB If you submerge yourself in an activity, you give all your attention to it and do not think about anything else. □ [V pron-refl + in ] He submerges himself in the world of his imagination.
sub|merged /səbmɜː r dʒd/ ADJ If something is submerged , it is below the surface of some water. □ My right toe struck against a submerged rock.
sub|mers|ible /səbmɜː r s I b ə l/ ADJ If something is submersible , it can go or operate under water. □ …a submersible pump.
sub|mis|sion /səbm I ʃ ə n/ (submissions )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft into N ] Submission is a state in which people can no longer do what they want to do because they have been brought under the control of someone else. □ The army intends to take the city or simply starve it into submission.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The submission of a proposal, report, or other document is the act of formally sending it to someone, so that they can consider it or decide about it. [FORMAL ] □ Diploma and certificate courses do not normally require the submission of a dissertation.
3 N‑COUNT A submission is a proposal, report, or other document that is formally sent or presented to someone, so that they can consider or decide about it. □ A written submission has to be prepared.
sub|mis|sive /səbm I s I v/ ADJ If you are submissive , you obey someone without arguing. □ Most doctors want their patients to be submissive. ● sub|mis|sive|ly ADV □ The troops submissively laid down their weapons.
sub|mit /səbm I t/ (submits , submitting , submitted )
1 VERB If you submit to something, you unwillingly allow something to be done to you, or you do what someone wants, for example because you are not powerful enough to resist. □ [V + to ] In desperation, Mrs. Jones submitted to an operation on her right knee to relieve the pain. □ [V + to ] If I submitted to their demands, they would not press the allegations. [Also V ]
2 VERB If you submit a proposal, report, or request to someone, you formally send it to them so that they can consider it or decide about it. □ [V n + to ] They submitted their reports to the Chancellor yesterday. □ [V n] Head teachers yesterday submitted a claim for a 9 per cent pay rise.
sub|nor|mal /sʌ bnɔː r m ə l/ also sub-normal ADJ If someone is subnormal , they have less ability or intelligence than a normal person of their age. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ …educationally subnormal children. ● N‑PLURAL The subnormal are people who are subnormal. □ She attended a school for the educationally subnormal.
sub|or|di|nate (subordinates , subordinating , subordinated ) The noun and adjective are pronounced /səbɔː r d I nət/. The verb is pronounced /səbɔː r d I ne I t/. 1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] If someone is your subordinate , they have a less important position than you in the organization that you both work for. □ Haig tended not to seek guidance from subordinates.
2 ADJ Someone who is subordinate to you has a less important position than you and has to obey you. □ Sixty of his subordinate officers followed his example. □ [+ to ] Women were regarded as subordinate to free men.
3 ADJ Something that is subordinate to something else is less important than the other thing. □ [+ to ] It was an art in which words were subordinate to images.
4 VERB If you subordinate something to another thing, you regard it or treat it as less important than the other thing. □ [V n + to ] He was both willing and able to subordinate all else to this aim. ● sub|or|di|na|tion /səbɔː r d I ne I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the social subordination of women. [Also + to ]
sub|o r|di|nate clau se (subordinate clauses ) N‑COUNT A subordinate clause is a clause in a sentence which adds to or completes the information given in the main clause. It cannot usually stand alone as a sentence. Compare main clause . [TECHNICAL ]
sub|o r|di|nat|ing con|ju nc|tion (subordinating conjunctions ) N‑COUNT A subordinating conjunction is a word such as 'although', 'because', or 'when' which begins a subordinate clause. Compare co-ordinating conjunction . [TECHNICAL ]
su b-plot (sub-plots ) also subplot N‑COUNT The sub-plot in a play, film, or novel is a story that is separate from and less important than the main story. □ …a fascinating sub-plot to the main drama.
sub|poe|na /səpiː nə/ (subpoenas , subpoenaing , subpoenaed )
1 N‑COUNT A subpoena is a legal document telling someone that they must attend a court of law and give evidence as a witness. □ He has been served with a subpoena to answer the charges in court.
2 VERB If someone subpoenas a person, they give them a legal document telling them to attend a court of law and give evidence. If someone subpoenas a piece of evidence, the evidence must be produced in a court of law. □ [V n] Select committees have the power to subpoena witnesses. □ [V n] The investigation will rely on existing powers to subpoena documents.
sub|prime /sʌ bpra I m/ ADJ A subprime loan is a loan that is made to a borrower who has been unable to pay back loans in the past, usually with a high interest rate. □ Billions of dollars worth of subprime loans were issued in the US.
sub|scribe /səbskra I b/ (subscribes , subscribing , subscribed )
1 VERB If you subscribe to an opinion or belief, you are one of a number of people who have this opinion or belief. □ [V + to ] I've personally never subscribed to the view that either sex is superior to the other.
2 VERB If you subscribe to a service, especially online, you agree to regularly receive it or receive information from it. [COMPUTING ] □ [V + to ] Viewers must subscribe to a broadband service for £17.99 a month.
3 VERB If you subscribe to a magazine or a newspaper, you pay to receive copies of it regularly. □ [V + to ] I subscribe to New Scientist to keep abreast of advances in science.
4 VERB If you subscribe for shares in a company, you apply to buy shares in that company. [BUSINESS ] □ [V + for ] Employees subscribed for far more shares than were available. [Also V n]
sub|scrib|er /səbskra I bə r / (subscribers )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] A magazine's or a newspaper's subscribers are the people who pay to receive copies of it regularly. □ [+ to ] I have been a subscriber to Railway Magazine for many years.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Subscribers to a service are the people who pay to receive the service. □ [+ to ] China has almost 15 million subscribers to satellite and cable television.
sub|scrip|tion /səbskr I pʃ ə n/ (subscriptions )
1 N‑COUNT A subscription is an amount of money that you pay regularly in order to belong to an organization, to help a charity or campaign, or to receive copies of a magazine or newspaper. □ You can become a member by paying the yearly subscription.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Subscription television is television that you can watch only if you pay a subscription. A subscription channel is a channel that you can watch only if you pay a subscription.
sub|sec|tion /sʌ bsekʃ ə n/ (subsections ) also sub-section N‑COUNT A subsection of a text or a document such as a law is one of the smaller parts into which its main parts are divided.
sub|se|quent ◆◇◇ /sʌ bs I kwənt/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] You use subsequent to describe something that happened or existed after the time or event that has just been referred to. [FORMAL ] □ …the increase of population in subsequent years. ● sub|se|quent|ly ADV □ She subsequently became the Faculty's President.
2 PHRASE If something happened subsequent to something else, it happened after that thing. [FORMAL ] □ They won only one more game subsequent to their Cup semi-final win last year. SYNONYMS subsequent ADJ 1
following: We went to dinner the following Monday evening.
next: I got up early the next morning.
ensuing: The ensuing argument had been bitter.
later: At a later news conference, he said differences should not be dramatized.
sub|ser|vi|ent /səbsɜː r viənt/
1 ADJ If you are subservient , you do whatever someone wants you to do. □ [+ to ] She is expected to be subservient to her uncle. ● sub|ser|vi|ence /səbsɜː r viəns/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ to ] …an austere regime stressing obedience and subservience to authority.
2 ADJ If you treat one thing as subservient to another, you treat it as less important than the other thing. □ [+ to ] The woman's needs are seen as subservient to the group interest.
sub|set /sʌ bset/ (subsets ) N‑COUNT A subset of a group of things is a smaller number of things that belong together within that group. □ [+ of ] …subsets of the population such as men, women, ethnic groups, etc.
sub|side /səbsa I d/ (subsides , subsiding , subsided )
1 VERB If a feeling or noise subsides , it becomes less strong or loud. □ [V ] The pain had subsided during the night.
2 VERB If fighting subsides , it becomes less intense or general. □ [V ] Violence has subsided following two days of riots.
3 VERB If the ground or a building is subsiding , it is very slowly sinking to a lower level. □ [V ] Does that mean the whole house is subsiding?
4 VERB If a level of water, especially flood water, subsides , it goes down. □ [V ] Local officials say the flood waters have subsided.
sub|sid|ence /səbsa I d ə ns, sʌ bs I d ə ns/ N‑UNCOUNT When there is subsidence in a place, the ground there sinks to a lower level.
sub|sid|iari|ty /səbs I diæ r I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Subsidiarity is the principle of allowing the individual members of a large organization to make decisions on issues that affect them, rather than leaving those decisions to be made by the whole group. [TECHNICAL ] □ The chancellor knows that the principle of subsidiarity must be guaranteed and shown to work.
sub|sidi|ary /səbs I diəri, [AM ] -dieri/ (subsidiaries )
1 N‑COUNT [N n] A subsidiary or a subsidiary company is a company which is part of a larger and more important company. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ of ] Offshore banks are often formed as a subsidiary of an international bank.
2 ADJ If something is subsidiary , it is less important than something else with which it is connected. □ The economics ministry has increasingly played a subsidiary role to the finance ministry.
sub|si|dize /sʌ bs I da I z/ (subsidizes , subsidizing , subsidized ) in BRIT, also use subsidise VERB If a government or other authority subsidizes something, they pay part of the cost of it. □ [be V -ed] At the moment they are existing on pensions that are subsidised by the government. ● sub|si|dized ADJ □ …heavily subsidized prices for housing, bread, and meat. ● sub|si|diz|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …the subsidising of alternative energy sources. ● sub|si|di|za|tion /sʌ bs I da I ze I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the federal government's subsidisation of poorer parts of the country.
sub|si|dy ◆◇◇ /sʌ bs I di/ (subsidies ) N‑COUNT A subsidy is money that is paid by a government or other authority in order to help an industry or business, or to pay for a public service. □ European farmers are planning a massive demonstration against farm subsidy cuts. SYNONYMS subsidy NOUN
aid: They have already pledged billions of dollars in aid.
support: …the government's proposal to cut agricultural support by only about 15%.
grant: They'd got a special grant to encourage research.
contribution: This list ranked companies that make charitable contributions of a half million dollars or more.
sub|sist /səbs I st/ (subsists , subsisting , subsisted ) VERB If people subsist , they are just able to obtain the food or money that they need in order to stay alive. [FORMAL ] □ [V + on ] The prisoners subsisted on one mug of the worst quality porridge three times a day.
sub|sist|ence /səbs I stəns/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Subsistence is the condition of just having enough food or money to stay alive. □ …below the subsistence level. □ The standard of living today is on the edge of subsistence.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] In subsistence farming or subsistence agriculture, farmers produce food to eat themselves rather than to sell. □ Many black Namibians are subsistence farmers who live in the arid borderlands.
sub|soil /sʌ bsɔ I l/ N‑UNCOUNT The subsoil is a layer of earth that is just below the surface soil but above hard rock. □ …the chalk subsoil on the site.
sub|son|ic /sʌ bsɒ n I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Subsonic speeds or aeroplanes are very fast but slower than the speed of sound. □ This is 20,000 feet higher than most subsonic airliners.
su b-species (sub-species ) also subspecies N‑COUNT A sub-species of a plant or animal is one of the types that a particular species is divided into. □ [+ of ] Several other sub-species of gull are found in the region.
sub|stance ◆◇◇ /sʌ bstəns/ (substances )
1 N‑COUNT A substance is a solid, powder, liquid, or gas with particular properties. □ Ethylene glycol is a poisonous substance found in antifreeze. □ The substance that's causing the problem comes from the barley.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Substance is the quality of being important or significant. [FORMAL ] □ It's questionable whether anything of substance has been achieved. □ Syria will attend only if the negotiations deal with issues of substance.
3 N‑SING The substance of what someone says or writes is the main thing that they are trying to say. □ [+ of ] The substance of his discussions doesn't really matter.
4 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that something has no substance , you mean that it is not true. [FORMAL ] □ There is no substance in any of these allegations.
su b-sta ndard also substandard ADJ A sub-standard service or product is unacceptable because it is below a required standard. □ Residents in general are poor and undereducated, and live in sub-standard housing.
sub|stan|tial ◆◇◇ /səbstæ nʃ ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Substantial means large in amount or degree. [FORMAL ] □ The party has just lost office and with it a substantial number of seats. SYNONYMS substantial ADJ
large: The gang finally fled with a large amount of cash and jewellery.
significant: …foods that offer a significant amount of protein.
considerable: To be without Pearce would be a considerable blow.
ample: The design of the ground floor created ample space for a good-sized kitchen.
sub|stan|tial|ly /səbstæ nʃəli/
1 ADV [ADV with v] If something changes substantially or is substantially different, it changes a lot or is very different. [FORMAL ] □ The percentage of girls in engineering has increased substantially. □ The price was substantially higher than had been expected.
2 ADV [ADV adj] If you say that something is substantially correct or unchanged, you mean that it is mostly correct or mostly unchanged. [FORMAL ] □ He checked the details given and found them substantially correct.
sub|stan|ti|ate /səbstæ nʃie I t/ (substantiates , substantiating , substantiated ) VERB To substantiate a statement or a story means to supply evidence which proves that it is true. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] There is little scientific evidence to substantiate the claims. ● sub|stan|tia|tion /səbstæ nʃie I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ There may be alternative methods of substantiation other than written records.
sub|stan|tive /səbstæ nt I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Substantive negotiations or issues deal with the most important and central aspects of a subject. [FORMAL ] □ They plan to meet again in Rome very soon to begin substantive negotiations.
sub|sta|tion /sʌ bste I ʃ ə n/ (substations ) also sub-station N‑COUNT A substation is a place where high-voltage electricity from power plants is converted to lower-voltage electricity for homes or factories.
sub|sti|tute ◆◇◇ /sʌ bst I tjuːt, [AM ] -tuːt/ (substitutes , substituting , substituted )
1 VERB If you substitute one thing for another, or if one thing substitutes for another, it takes the place or performs the function of the other thing. □ [V n + for ] They were substituting violence for dialogue. □ [V n] You could always substitute a low-fat soft cheese. □ [V + for ] Would phone conversations substitute for cosy chats over lunch or in the pub after work? □ [V + for ] He was substituting for the injured William Wales. [Also V ] ● sub|sti|tu|tion /sʌ bst I tjuː ʃ ə n, [AM ] -tuː -/ (substitutions ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] In my experience a straight substitution of carob for chocolate doesn't work.
2 N‑COUNT A substitute is something that you have or use instead of something else. □ …tests on humans to find a blood substitute made from animal blood.
3 N‑COUNT [with neg, usu sing] If you say that one thing is no substitute for another, you mean that it does not have certain desirable features that the other thing has, and is therefore unsatisfactory. If you say that there is no substitute for something, you mean that it is the only thing which is really satisfactory. □ [+ for ] The printed word is no substitute for personal discussion with a great thinker. □ [+ for ] There is no substitute for practical experience.
4 N‑COUNT In team games such as football, a substitute is a player who is brought into a match to replace another player. □ Coming on as a substitute, he scored four crucial goals.
su b|sti|tute tea ch|er (substitute teachers ) N‑COUNT A substitute teacher is a teacher whose job is to take the place of other teachers at different schools when they are unable to be there. [AM ] in BRIT, use supply teacher
sub|stra|tum /sʌ bstrɑːtəm, [AM ] -stre I t-/ (substrata ) N‑COUNT A substratum of something is a layer that lies under the surface of another layer, or a feature that is less obvious than other features. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …its deep substratum of chalk.
sub|sume /səbsjuː m, [AM ] -suː m/ (subsumes , subsuming , subsumed ) VERB If something is subsumed within a larger group or class, it is included within it, rather than being considered as something separate. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed prep] Small family firms were subsumed into the huge investment banks. □ [be V -ed] …years of repression in which civil society was subsumed by the State. [Also V n, V n prep]
sub|ter|fuge /sʌ btə r fjuːdʒ/ (subterfuges ) N‑VAR Subterfuge is a trick or a dishonest way of getting what you want. □ Most people can see right through that type of subterfuge.
sub|ter|ra|nean /sʌ btəre I niən/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A subterranean river or tunnel is under the ground. [FORMAL ] □ London has 9 miles of such subterranean passages.
sub|text /sʌ btekst/ (subtexts ) N‑VAR The subtext is the implied message or subject of something that is said or written. □ It isn't difficult to work out the subtext of this story.
sub|ti|tle /sʌ bta I t ə l/ (subtitles )
1 N‑COUNT The subtitle of a piece of writing is a second title which is often longer and explains more than the main title. □ 'Kathleen' was, as its 1892 subtitle asserted, 'An Irish Drama'.
2 N‑PLURAL Subtitles are a printed translation of the words of a foreign film that are shown at the bottom of the picture. □ The dialogue is in Spanish, with English subtitles.
sub|ti|tled /sʌ bta I t ə ld/
1 V-PASSIVE If you say how a book or play is subtitled , you say what its subtitle is. □ [be V -ed with quote] 'Lorna Doone' is subtitled 'a Romance of Exmoor'.
2 ADJ If a foreign film is subtitled , a printed translation of the words is shown at the bottom of the picture. □ Much of the film is subtitled. □ …subtitled films.
sub|tle /sʌ t ə l/ (subtler , subtlest )
1 ADJ Something that is subtle is not immediately obvious or noticeable. □ …the slow and subtle changes that take place in all living things. □ Intolerance can take subtler forms too. ● sub|tly ADV □ The truth is subtly different.
2 ADJ A subtle person cleverly uses indirect methods to achieve something. □ I even began to exploit him in subtle ways. ● sub|tly ADV [ADV with v] □ What I've tried very subtly to do is to reclaim language.
3 ADJ Subtle smells, tastes, sounds, or colours are pleasantly complex and delicate. □ …subtle shades of brown. □ …delightfully subtle scents. ● sub|tly ADV □ …a white sofa teamed with subtly coloured rugs.
sub|tle|ty /sʌ t ə lti/ (subtleties )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Subtleties are very small details or differences which are not obvious. □ [+ of ] His fascination with the subtleties of human behaviour makes him a good storyteller. □ When a book goes into translation, all those linguistic subtleties get lost.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Subtlety is the quality of being not immediately obvious or noticeable, and therefore difficult to describe. □ [+ of ] English lamb does not have the subtlety of flavour of Pyrennean lamb.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Subtlety is the ability to notice and recognize things which are not obvious, especially small differences between things. □ She analyses herself with great subtlety.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Subtlety is the ability to use indirect methods to achieve something, rather than doing something that is obvious. □ They had obviously been hoping to approach the topic with more subtlety.
sub|to|tal /sʌ btoʊt ə l/ (subtotals ) also sub-total N‑COUNT A subtotal is a figure that is the result of adding some numbers together but is not the final total.
sub|tract /səbtræ kt/ (subtracts , subtracting , subtracted ) VERB If you subtract one number from another, you do a calculation in which you take it away from the other number. For example, if you subtract 3 from 5, you get 2. □ [V n + from ] Mandy subtracted the date of birth from the date of death. □ [V n] We have subtracted $25 per adult to arrive at a basic room rate. ● sub|trac|tion /səbtræ kʃ ə n/ (subtractions ) N‑VAR □ She's ready to learn simple addition and subtraction. □ I looked at what he'd given me and did a quick subtraction.
su b-tro pical also subtropical ADJ Sub-tropical places have a climate that is warm and wet, and are often near tropical regions. □ …the sub-tropical region of the Chapare.
sub|urb /sʌ bɜː r b/ (suburbs )
1 N‑COUNT A suburb of a city or large town is a smaller area which is part of the city or large town but is outside its centre. □ [+ of ] Anna was born in 1923 in Ardwick, a suburb of Manchester.
2 N‑PLURAL [oft in the N ] If you live in the suburbs , you live in an area of houses outside the centre of a large town or city. □ His family lived in the suburbs. □ …Bombay's suburbs.
sub|ur|ban /səbɜː r bən/ ADJ [ADJ n] Suburban means relating to a suburb. □ …a suburban shopping centre in Sydney.
sub|ur|bia /səbɜː r biə/ N‑UNCOUNT Journalists often use suburbia to refer to the suburbs of cities and large towns considered as a whole. □ …images of bright summer mornings in leafy suburbia.
sub|ver|sion /səbvɜː r ʃ ə n, [AM ] -ʒ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Subversion is the attempt to weaken or destroy a political system or a government. □ He was arrested in parliament on charges of subversion for organizing the demonstration.
sub|ver|sive /səbvɜː r s I v/ (subversives )
1 ADJ Something that is subversive is intended to weaken or destroy a political system or government. □ This courageous and subversive movie has attracted widespread critical support.
2 N‑COUNT Subversives are people who attempt to weaken or destroy a political system or government. □ Agents regularly rounded up suspected subversives.
sub|vert /səbvɜː r t/ (subverts , subverting , subverted ) VERB To subvert something means to destroy its power and influence. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] …an alleged plot to subvert the state.
sub|way /sʌ bwe I / (subways )
1 N‑COUNT [oft N n, oft by N ] A subway is an underground railway. [mainly AM ] □ …the Bay Area Rapid Transit subway system. □ I don't ride the subway late at night. in BRIT, use underground , tube 2 N‑COUNT A subway is a passage underneath a busy road or a railway track for people to walk through. [BRIT ] in AM, use underpass
su b-ze ro also subzero ADJ Sub-zero temperatures are below 0° centigrade or, in the United States, below 0° Fahrenheit. □ …passengers stranded in sub-zero temperatures.
suc|ceed ◆◆◇ /səksiː d/ (succeeds , succeeding , succeeded )
1 VERB If you succeed in doing something, you manage to do it. □ [V + in ] We have already succeeded in working out ground rules with the Department of Defense. □ [V + in ] Some people will succeed in their efforts to stop smoking.
2 VERB If something succeeds , it works in a satisfactory way or has the result that is intended. □ [V ] …a move which would make any future talks even more unlikely to succeed.
3 VERB Someone who succeeds gains a high position in what they do, for example in business or politics. □ [V ] …the skills and qualities needed to succeed in small and medium-sized businesses.
4 VERB If you succeed another person, you are the next person to have their job or position. □ [V n] David is almost certain to succeed him as chairman on January 1. □ [V + to ] George III succeeded to the throne in 1760.
5 VERB [usu passive] If one thing is succeeded by another thing, the other thing happens or comes after it. □ [be V -ed] All political systems will collapse eventually and be succeeded by others.
suc|cess ◆◆◇ /səkse s/ (successes )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Success is the achievement of something that you have been trying to do. □ It's important for the long-term success of any diet that you vary your meals. □ [+ of ] …the success of European business in building a stronger partnership between management and workers.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Success is the achievement of a high position in a particular field, for example in business or politics. □ Nearly all of the young people interviewed believed that work was the key to success.
3 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] The success of something is the fact that it works in a satisfactory way or has the result that is intended. □ Most of the cast was amazed by the play's success.
4 N‑COUNT Someone or something that is a success achieves a high position, makes a lot of money, or is admired a great deal. □ We hope it will be a commercial success. COLLOCATIONS success NOUN
1
verb + success : achieve, enjoy, ensure; judge, measure
4
adjective + success : commercial, instant, runaway; huge, notable, phenomenal
suc|cess|ful ◆◆◇ /səkse sfʊl/
1 ADJ Something that is successful achieves what it was intended to achieve. Someone who is successful achieves what they intended to achieve. □ How successful will this new treatment be? □ I am looking forward to a long and successful partnership with him. □ [+ in ] She has been comparatively successful in maintaining her privacy. ● suc|cess|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The doctors have successfully concluded preliminary tests.
2 ADJ Something that is successful is popular or makes a lot of money. □ …the hugely successful movie that brought Robert Redford an Oscar for his directing. □ One of the keys to successful business is careful planning.
3 ADJ Someone who is successful achieves a high position in what they do, for example in business or politics. □ [+ in ] Women do not necessarily have to imitate men to be successful in business. □ She is a successful lawyer.
suc|ces|sion /səkse ʃ ə n/ (successions )
1 N‑SING [oft in N ] A succession of things of the same kind is a number of them that exist or happen one after the other. □ [+ of ] Adams took a succession of jobs which have stood him in good stead. □ Scoring three goals in quick succession, he made it 10-8.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Succession is the fact or right of being the next person to have an important job or position. □ She is now seventh in line of succession to the throne.
suc|ces|sive /səkse s I v/ ADJ Successive means happening or existing one after another without a break. □ Jackson was the winner for a second successive year.
suc|ces|sor /səkse sə r / (successors ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Someone's successor is the person who takes their job after they have left. □ He set out several principles that he hopes will guide his successors. [Also + to ]
suc|ce ss sto|ry (success stories ) N‑COUNT Someone or something that is a success story is very successful, often unexpectedly or in spite of unfavourable conditions. □ The book is one of the publishing success stories of recent years
suc|cinct /səks I ŋkt/ ADJ Something that is succinct expresses facts or ideas clearly and in few words. [APPROVAL ] □ The book gives an admirably succinct account of the technology and its history. ● suc|cinct|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He succinctly summed up his manifesto as 'Work hard, train hard and play hard'.
suc|cor /sʌ kə r / → see succour
suc|cour /sʌ kə r / (succours , succouring , succoured ) in AM, use succor 1 N‑UNCOUNT Succour is help given to people who are suffering or in difficulties. [FORMAL ] □ …a commitment to give succour to populations involved in the conflict.
2 VERB If you succour someone who is suffering or in difficulties, you help them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Helicopters fly in appalling weather to succour shipwrecked mariners.
suc|cu|lent /sʌ kjʊlənt/ (succulents )
1 ADJ Succulent food, especially meat or vegetables, is juicy and good to eat. [APPROVAL ] □ Cook pieces of succulent chicken with ample garlic and a little sherry.
2 N‑COUNT Succulents or succulent plants are types of plants which have thick, fleshy leaves.
suc|cumb /səkʌ m/ (succumbs , succumbing , succumbed ) VERB If you succumb to temptation or pressure, you do something that you want to do, or that other people want you to do, although you feel it might be wrong. [FORMAL ] □ [V + to ] Don't succumb to the temptation to have just one biscuit. □ [V + to ] The Minister said his country would never succumb to pressure.
such ◆◆◆ /sʌ tʃ/ When such is used as a predeterminer, it is followed by 'a' and a count noun in the singular. When it is used as a determiner, it is followed by a count noun in the plural or by an uncount noun. 1 DET You use such to refer back to the thing or person that you have just mentioned, or a thing or person like the one that you have just mentioned. You use such as and such…as to introduce a reference to the person or thing that has just been mentioned. □ There have been previous attempts at coups. We regard such methods as entirely unacceptable. □ There'd be no telling how John would react to such news as this. ● PREDET Such is also a predeterminer. □ If your request is for information about a child, please contact the Registrar to find out how to make such a request. □ How can we make sense of such a story as this? ● Such is also used before be . □ We are scared because we are being watched–such is the atmosphere in Pristina and other cities in Kosovo. ● As such is also used. □ There should be a law ensuring products tested on animals have to be labelled as such. ● Such as is also used. □ Issues such as these were not really his concern.
2 DET You use such…as to link something or someone with a clause in which you give a description of the kind of thing or person that you mean. □ Each member of the alliance agrees to take such action as it deems necessary. □ Britain is not enjoying such prosperity as it was in the mid-1980s. ● Such as is also used. □ Children do not use inflections such as are used in mature adult speech.
3 DET You use such…as to introduce one or more examples of the kind of thing or person that you have just mentioned. □ …such careers as teaching, nursing, hairdressing and catering. □ …delays caused by such things as bad weather or industrial disputes. ● Such as is also used. □ …serious offences, such as assault on a police officer.
4 DET You use such before noun groups to emphasize the extent of something or to emphasize that something is remarkable. [EMPHASIS ] □ I think most of us don't want to read what's in the newspaper anyway in such detail. □ The economy was not in such bad shape, he says. ● PREDET Such is also a predeterminer. □ You know the health service is in such a state and it's getting desperate now. □ It was such a pleasant surprise.
5 PREDET You use such…that in order to emphasize the degree of something by mentioning the result or consequence of it. [EMPHASIS ] □ His tongue swelled up to such a size that he could no longer speak clearly. □ These changes take place over such a long time that we don't see them happening. □ He was in such a hurry that he almost pushed me over on the stairs. ● DET Such is also a determiner. □ She looked at him in such distress that he had to look away. ● Such is also used after be . □ Though Vivaldi had earned a great deal in his lifetime, his extravagance was such that he died in poverty.
6 DET You use such…that or such…as in order to say what the result or consequence of something that you have just mentioned is. □ The operation uncovered such dealing in stolen property that police pressed for changes in the law. ● PREDET Such is also a predeterminer. □ He could put an idea in such a way that Alan would believe it was his own. ● Such is also used after be . □ OFSTED's brief is such that it can conduct any inquiry or provide any advice which the Secretary of State requires.
7 PHRASE You use such and such to refer to a thing or person when you do not want to be exact or precise. [SPOKEN , VAGUENESS ] □ I said, 'Well what time'll I get to Leeds?' and he said such and such a time but I missed my connection.
8 PHRASE You use such as it is or such as they are to suggest that the thing you have just mentioned is not very good, important, or useful. □ The plot, such as it is, revolves around Poole's attempts to save humanity from extinction.
9 PHRASE You use as such with a negative to indicate that a word or expression is not a very accurate description of the actual situation. □ I am not a learner as such–I used to ride a bike years ago.
10 PHRASE You use as such after a noun to indicate that you are considering that thing on its own, separately from other things or factors. □ Mr Simon said he was not against taxes as such, 'but I do object when taxation is justified on spurious or dishonest grounds,' he says.
11 no such thing → see thing
such|like /sʌ tʃla I k/ PRON You use suchlike to refer to other things that are like the ones you have already mentioned. □ …objets d'art, gold, silver, and ivory assortments, ceramics, and suchlike. ● DET [DET pl-n/n-uncount] Suchlike is also a determiner. □ The prices of polymers and suchlike materials will decrease.
suck /sʌ k/ (sucks , sucking , sucked )
1 VERB If you suck something, you hold it in your mouth and pull at it with the muscles in your cheeks and tongue, for example in order to get liquid out of it. □ [V n] They waited in silence and sucked their sweets. □ [V + on/at ] He sucked on his straw. □ [V ] Doran was clutching the bottle with both hands and sucking intently.
2 VERB If something sucks a liquid, gas, or object in a particular direction, it draws it there with a powerful force. □ [V n with adv] The pollution-control team is at the scene and is due to start sucking up oil any time now. □ [be V -ed prep] The pilot was almost sucked from the cockpit when a window shattered. [Also V n prep]
3 V-PASSIVE If you are sucked into a bad situation, you are unable to prevent yourself from becoming involved in it. □ [be V -ed + into ] …the extent to which they have been sucked into the cycle of violence.
4 VERB [no cont] If someone says that something sucks , they are indicating that they think it is very bad. [INFORMAL , RUDE , FEELINGS ] □ [V ] The system sucks.
5 to suck someone dry → see dry
▸ suck up PHRASAL VERB You say that someone is sucking up to a person in authority when you do not like the fact that they are trying to please the person because of the person's position. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P + to ] She kept sucking up to the teachers, especially Mrs Clements. [Also V P ]
suck|er /sʌ kə r / (suckers )
1 N‑COUNT If you call someone a sucker , you mean that it is very easy to cheat them. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ But that is what the suckers want so you give it them.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a sucker for something, you mean that they find it very difficult to resist it. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ for ] I'm such a sucker for romance.
3 N‑COUNT The suckers on some animals and insects are the parts on the outside of their body which they use in order to stick to a surface.
4 N‑COUNT A sucker is a small device used for attaching things to surfaces. It consists of a cup-shaped piece of rubber that sticks to a surface when it is pressed flat. □ …sucker pads.
suck|le /sʌ k ə l/ (suckles , suckling , suckled )
1 VERB When a mother suckles her baby, she feeds it by letting it suck milk from her breast. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ [V n] A young woman suckling a baby is one of life's most natural and delightful scenes.
2 VERB When a baby suckles , it sucks milk from its mother's breast. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] As the baby suckles, a further supply of milk is generated.
su|crose /suː kroʊs/ N‑UNCOUNT Sucrose is a common type of sugar. [TECHNICAL ]
suc|tion /sʌ kʃ ə n/ (suctions , suctioning , suctioned )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Suction is the process by which liquids, gases, or other substances are drawn out of somewhere. □ Dustbags act as a filter and suction will be reduced if they are too full.
2 VERB If a doctor or nurse suctions a liquid, they remove it by using a machine which sucks it away. □ [V n] Michael was showing the nurse how to suction his saliva.
3 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Suction is the process by which two surfaces stick together when the air between them is removed. □ …their pneumatic robot which uses air to move and sticks to surfaces by suction.
Su|da|nese /suː dəniː z/ (Sudanese )
1 ADJ Sudanese means belonging or relating to Sudan, or to its people or culture.
2 N‑PLURAL The Sudanese are the people of Sudan.
sud|den ◆◇◇ /sʌ d ə n/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Sudden means happening quickly and unexpectedly. □ He had been deeply affected by the sudden death of his father-in-law. □ She started to thank him, but a sudden movement behind him caught her attention. □ It was all very sudden. ● sud|den|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ The enemy seemed stunned by the suddenness of the attack.
2 PHRASE If something happens all of a sudden , it happens quickly and unexpectedly. □ All of a sudden she didn't look sleepy any more. SYNONYMS sudden ADJ 1
hasty: They have airplane tickets in case they need to make a hasty escape.
rapid: …the rapid decline in the birth rate in Western Europe.
abrupt: His abrupt departure is bound to raise questions.
su d|den dea th N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Sudden death is a way of quickly deciding the winner of something such as a football or basketball game or a golf tournament when there are equal scores at the time when it would normally end. In a sudden-death situation, the first team to score a goal or the first golfer to win a hole is the winner.
sud|den|ly ◆◆◇ /sʌ d ə nli/ ADV [ADV with v, oft ADV adj] If something happens suddenly , it happens quickly and unexpectedly. □ Suddenly, she looked ten years older. □ Her expression suddenly altered. □ He sat down suddenly.
su|do|ku /sudəʊ kuː/ (sudokus ) N‑VAR Sudoku is a type of puzzle in which certain numbers must be arranged within a grid. The aim is to avoid repeating any number in the same row or column.
suds /sʌ dz/ N‑PLURAL Suds are the bubbles that are produced when a substance such as soap is mixed with water. □ He had soap suds in his ears.
sue /suː / (sues , suing , sued ) VERB If you sue someone, you start a legal case against them, usually in order to claim money from them because they have harmed you in some way. □ [V n + for ] She sued him for libel over the remarks. □ [V ] One former patient has already indicated his intention to sue. [Also V n]
suede /swe I d/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Suede is leather with a soft, slightly rough surface. □ Albert wore a brown suede jacket and jeans.
suet /suː I t/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Suet is hard animal fat that is used in cooking.
suf|fer ◆◆◇ /sʌ fə r / (suffers , suffering , suffered )
1 VERB If you suffer pain, you feel it in your body or in your mind. □ [V n] Within a few days she had become seriously ill, suffering great pain and discomfort. □ [V ] Can you assure me that my father is not suffering?
2 VERB If you suffer from an illness or from some other bad condition, you are badly affected by it. □ [V + from ] He was eventually diagnosed as suffering from terminal cancer. □ [V + from ] I realized he was suffering from shock.
3 VERB If you suffer something bad, you are in a situation in which something painful, harmful, or very unpleasant happens to you. □ [V n] The peace process has suffered a serious blow now. □ [V n] Romania suffered another setback in its efforts to obtain financial support for its reforms.
4 VERB If you suffer , you are badly affected by an event or situation. □ [V ] There are few who have not suffered. □ [V + from ] It is obvious that poor people will suffer most from this change of heart.
5 VERB If something suffers , it does not succeed because it has not been given enough attention or is in a bad situation. □ [V ] I'm not surprised that your studies are suffering. □ [V ] Without a major boost in tourism, the economy will suffer even further.
6 → see also suffering SYNONYMS suffer VERB 3
undergo: He underwent an agonising 48-hour wait for the results of tests.
go through: He was going through a very difficult time.
endure: The company endured heavy financial losses.
suf|fer|ance /sʌ frəns/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu on N ] If you are allowed to do something on sufferance , you can do it, although you know that the person who gave you permission would prefer that you did not do it. □ His party held office on sufferance.
suf|fer|er /sʌ fərə r / (sufferers ) N‑COUNT [n N ] A sufferer from an illness or some other bad condition is a person who is affected by the illness or condition. □ [+ of ] Frequently sufferers of this kind of allergy are also sufferers of asthma. □ …hay-fever sufferers.
suf|fer|ing /sʌ fər I ŋ/ (sufferings )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Suffering is serious pain which someone feels in their body or their mind. □ It has caused terrible suffering to animals. □ His many novels have portrayed the sufferings of his race.
2 → see also long-suffering
suf|fice /səfa I s/ (suffices , sufficing , sufficed )
1 VERB [no cont] If you say that something will suffice , you mean it will be enough to achieve a purpose or to fulfil a need. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] A cover letter should never exceed one page; often a far shorter letter will suffice. [Also V to-inf]
2 PHRASE Suffice it to say or suffice to say is used at the beginning of a statement to indicate that what you are saying is obvious, or that you will only give a short explanation. □ Suffice it to say that afterwards we never met again.
suf|fi|cien|cy /səf I ʃ ə nsi/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] Sufficiency of something is enough of that thing to achieve a purpose or to fulfil a need. [FORMAL ] □ There's a sufficiency of drama in these lives to sustain your interest.
2 → see also self-sufficiency
suf|fi|cient ◆◇◇ /səf I ʃ ə nt/ ADJ [oft ADJ to-inf, ADJ n to-inf] If something is sufficient for a particular purpose, there is enough of it for the purpose. □ One metre of fabric is sufficient to cover the exterior of an 18-in-diameter hatbox. □ There was not sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. [Also + for ] ● suf|fi|cient|ly ADV □ She recovered sufficiently to accompany him on his tour of Africa. SYNONYMS sufficient ADJ
adequate: The old methods weren't adequate to meet current needs.
enough: They had enough cash for a one-way ticket.
ample: There'll be ample opportunity to relax, swim and soak up some sun.
suf|fix /sʌ f I ks/ (suffixes )
1 N‑COUNT A suffix is a letter or group of letters, for example '-ly' or '-ness', which is added to the end of a word in order to form a different word, often of a different word class. For example, the suffix '-ly' is added to 'quick' to form 'quickly'. Compare affix and prefix .
2 N‑COUNT A suffix is one or more numbers or letters added to the end of a code number to indicate, for example, what area something belongs to. □ These ships were all numbered with the suffix LBK.
suf|fo|cate /sʌ fəke I t/ (suffocates , suffocating , suffocated )
1 VERB If someone suffocates or is suffocated , they die because there is no air for them to breathe. □ [V ] He either suffocated, or froze to death. □ [be V -ed] They were suffocated as they slept. ● suf|fo|ca|tion /sʌ fəke I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Many of the victims died of suffocation.
2 VERB If you say that you are suffocating or that something is suffocating you, you mean that you feel very uncomfortable because there is not enough fresh air and it is difficult to breathe. □ [V ] That's better. I was suffocating in that cell of a room. □ [V n] The airlessness of the room suffocated her.
3 VERB You say that a person or thing is suffocating , or that something is suffocating them, when the situation that they are in does not allow them to act freely or to develop. □ [V ] After a few weeks with her parents, she felt she was suffocating. □ [V n] The governor's proposals would actually cost millions of jobs and suffocate the economy.
suf|frage /sʌ fr I dʒ/ N‑UNCOUNT Suffrage is the right of people to vote for a government or national leader. [FORMAL ] □ …the women's suffrage movement.
suf|fra|gette /sʌ frədʒe t/ (suffragettes ) N‑COUNT In the early twentieth century in Britain, a suffragette was a woman who was involved in the campaign for women to have the right to vote. □ She was a suffragette and a birth control pioneer.
suf|fra|gist /sʌ frədʒ I st/ (suffragists ) N‑COUNT A suffragist is a person who is in favour of women having the right to vote, especially in societies where women are not allowed to vote. [mainly AM ]
suf|fuse /səfjuː z/ (suffuses , suffusing , suffused )
1 VERB If something, especially a colour or feeling, suffuses a person or thing, it gradually spreads over or through them. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] A dull red flush suffused Selby's face.
2 VERB If something such as a book, film, or piece of music is suffused with a quality, it is full of that quality. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed + with ] This book is suffused with Shaw's characteristic wry Irish humour.
Sufi /suː fi/ (Sufis ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A Sufi is a member of a very spiritual group of Muslims. □ …the teachings of the Sufi mystics.
sug|ar ◆◇◇ /ʃʊ gə r / (sugars , sugaring , sugared )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Sugar is a sweet substance that is used to make food and drinks sweet. It is usually in the form of small white or brown crystals. □ …bags of sugar. □ Ice cream is high in fat and sugar.
2 → see also caster sugar , confectioners' sugar , demerara sugar , granulated sugar , icing sugar
3 N‑COUNT If someone has one sugar in their tea or coffee, they have one small spoon of sugar or one sugar lump in it. □ How many sugars do you take? □ …a mug of tea with two sugars.
4 VERB If you sugar food or drink, you add sugar to it. □ [V n] He sat down and sugared and stirred his coffee.
5 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Sugars are substances that occur naturally in food. When you eat them, the body converts them into energy. □ Plants produce sugars and starch to provide themselves with energy.
6 to sugar the pill → see pill
su g|ar beet (sugar beets ) N‑VAR Sugar beet is a crop with a large round root. It is grown for the sugar which can be obtained from this root.
su g|ar bowl (sugar bowls ) N‑COUNT A sugar bowl is a small bowl in which sugar is kept.
su g|ar cane also sugarcane N‑UNCOUNT Sugar cane is a tall tropical plant. It is grown for the sugar that can be obtained from its thick stems.
su gar-coa ted
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Sugar-coated food is covered with a sweet substance made of sugar. □ Some sugar-coated cereals are 50% sugar.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something such as a story as sugar-coated , you disapprove of it because it appears to be pleasant or attractive but in fact describes something very unpleasant. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a sugar-coated view of a boy's introduction to sex.
su g|ar dad|dy (sugar daddies ) also sugar-daddy N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] A woman's sugar daddy is a rich older man who gives her money and presents in return for her company, affection, and usually sexual intercourse. [INFORMAL ] □ Actor John Goodman played Melanie Griffith's sugar daddy in the film.
su g|ared a l|mond (sugared almonds ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Sugared almonds are nuts which have been covered with a hard sweet coating.
su g|ar lump (sugar lumps ) also sugar-lump N‑COUNT Sugar lumps are small cubes of sugar. You put them in cups of tea and coffee.
sug|ary /ʃʊ gəri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Sugary food or drink contains a lot of sugar. □ Sugary canned drinks rot your teeth. □ …sugary tea.
sug|gest ◆◆◆ /sədʒe st, [AM ] səgdʒ-/ (suggests , suggesting , suggested )
1 VERB If you suggest something, you put forward a plan or idea for someone to think about. □ [V n] He suggested a link between class size and test results of seven-year-olds. □ [V that] I suggest you ask him some specific questions about his past. □ [V + to ] I suggested to Mike that we go out for a meal with his colleagues. □ [V wh] No one has suggested how this might occur. □ [V with quote] 'Could he be suffering from amnesia?' I suggested. □ [V v-ing] So instead I suggested taking her out to dinner for a change.
2 VERB If you suggest the name of a person or place, you recommend them to someone. □ [V n] Could you suggest someone to advise me how to do this? □ [V wh to-inf] They can suggest where to buy one.
3 VERB If you suggest that something is the case, you say something which you believe is the case. □ [V that] I'm not suggesting that is what is happening. □ [V that] It is wrong to suggest that there are easy alternatives. □ [V that] Their success is conditional, I suggest, on this restriction.
4 VERB If one thing suggests another, it implies it or makes you think that it might be the case. □ [V that] Earlier reports suggested that a meeting would take place on Sunday. □ [V n] Its hairy body suggests a mammal.
5 VERB If one thing suggests another, it brings it to your mind through an association of ideas. □ [V n] This onomatopoeic word suggests to me the sound a mousetrap makes when it snaps shut. USAGE suggest
Don’t use the name of a person directly after suggest
. If you want to say who the suggestion is for, use to
. Don’t say, for example '
John suggested me the idea
.’ Say ‘John suggested the idea to me
’.
sug|gest|ible /sədʒe st I b ə l, [AM ] səgdʒ-/ ADJ Someone who is suggestible can be easily influenced by other people. □ …highly suggestible and compliant individuals.
sug|ges|tion ◆◇◇ /sədʒe stʃ ə n, [AM ] səgdʒ-/ (suggestions )
1 N‑COUNT If you make a suggestion , you put forward an idea or plan for someone to think about. □ The dietitian was helpful, making suggestions as to how I could improve my diet. □ [+ of ] Perhaps he'd followed her suggestion of a stroll to the river. [Also + for ]
2 N‑COUNT [oft N that] A suggestion is something that a person says which implies that something is the case. □ We reject any suggestion that the law needs amending. □ There are suggestions that he might be supported by the Socialists.
3 N‑SING [N that] If there is no suggestion that something is the case, there is no reason to think that it is the case. □ There is no suggestion whatsoever that the two sides are any closer to agreeing. [Also + of ]
4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If there is a suggestion of something, there is a slight amount or sign of it. □ [+ of ] …that fashionably faint suggestion of a tan. □ [+ of ] …a firm, well-sprung mattress with not one suggestion of a sag.
5 N‑UNCOUNT Suggestion means giving people a particular idea by associating it with other ideas. □ The power of suggestion is very strong.
sug|ges|tive /sədʒe st I v, [AM ] səgdʒ-/
1 ADJ Something that is suggestive of something else is quite like it or may be a sign of it. □ [+ of ] The fingers were gnarled, lumpy, with long, curving nails suggestive of animal claws.
2 ADJ Suggestive remarks or looks cause people to think about sex, often in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. □ …another former employee who claims Thomas made suggestive remarks to her.
sui|cid|al /suː I sa I d ə l/
1 ADJ People who are suicidal want to kill themselves. □ I was suicidal and just couldn't stop crying.
2 ADJ If you describe an action or behaviour as suicidal , you mean that it is very dangerous. □ They realized it would be suicidal to resist in the face of overwhelming military superiority.
sui|cide ◆◇◇ /suː I sa I d/ (suicides )
1 N‑VAR People who commit suicide deliberately kill themselves because they do not want to continue living. □ She tried to commit suicide on several occasions. □ …a growing number of suicides in the community.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You say that people commit suicide when they deliberately do something which ruins their career or position in society. □ They say it would be political suicide for the party to abstain.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] The people involved in a suicide attack, mission, or bombing do not expect to survive. □ According to the army, the teenager said he was on a 'suicide mission' for the movement. COLLOCATIONS suicide NOUN 1
noun + suicide : copycat; mass
adjective + suicide : apparent, suspected; assisted
verb + suicide : attempt, commit, contemplate, consider; prevent
su i|cide bo mber (suicide bombers ) N‑COUNT A suicide bomber is a terrorist who carries out a bomb attack, knowing that he or she will be killed in the explosion. □ The blast was caused by a suicide bomber.
su i|cide note (suicide notes ) N‑COUNT A suicide note is a note written by someone who intends to kill themselves saying that this is what they are going to do and sometimes explaining why.
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