su i|cide pact (suicide pacts ) N‑COUNT A suicide pact is an arrangement that two or more people make to kill themselves at the same time and usually in the same place. □ Police refused to say if the couple died in a suicide pact.

sui gen|eris /suː i dʒe nər I s/ ADJ If you describe a person or thing as sui generis , you mean that there is no-one else or nothing else of the same kind and so you cannot make judgments about them based on other things. [FORMAL ] □ Japanese politics are sui generis.

suit ◆◆◇ /suː t/ (suits , suiting , suited )


1 N‑COUNT A man's suit consists of a jacket, trousers, and sometimes a waistcoat, all made from the same fabric. □ …a dark pin-striped business suit. □ …a smart suit and tie.


2 N‑COUNT A woman's suit consists of a jacket and skirt, or sometimes trousers, made from the same fabric. □ I was wearing my tweed suit.


3 N‑COUNT [n N ] A particular type of suit is a piece of clothing that you wear for a particular activity. □ …a completely revolutionary atmospheric diving suit.


4 VERB [no cont] If something suits you, it is convenient for you or is the best thing for you in the circumstances. □ [V n] They will only release information if it suits them. □ [V n] They should be able to find you the best package to suit your needs.


5 VERB [no cont] If something suits you, you like it. □ [V n] I don't think a sedentary life would altogether suit me.


6 VERB [no cont] If a piece of clothing or a particular style or colour suits you, it makes you look attractive. □ [V n] Green suits you.


7 VERB If you suit yourself , you do something just because you want to do it, without bothering to consider other people. □ [V pron-refl] These large institutions make–and change–the rules to suit themselves. □ [V pron-refl] He made a dismissive gesture. 'Suit yourself.'


8 N‑COUNT In a court of law, a suit is a case in which someone tries to get a legal decision against a person or company, often so that the person or company will have to pay them money for having done something wrong to them. □ Up to 2,000 former employees have filed personal injury suits against the company. ● N‑UNCOUNT In American English, you can say that someone files or brings suit against another person. □ The insurance company filed suit against the two girls.


9 N‑COUNT A suit is one of the four types of card in a set of playing cards. These are hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades.


10 → see also bathing suit , birthday suit , boiler suit , trouser suit


11 PHRASE If people follow suit , they do the same thing that someone else has just done. □ Efforts to persuade the remainder to follow suit have continued.

suit|able ◆◇◇ /suː təb ə l/ ADJ Someone or something that is suitable for a particular purpose or occasion is right or acceptable for it. □ [+ for ] Employers usually decide within five minutes whether someone is suitable for the job. □ The authority must make suitable accommodation available to the family. ● suit|abil|ity /suː təb I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …information on the suitability of a product for use in the home.

suit|ably /suː təbli/


1 ADV [ADV adj/-ed] You use suitably to indicate that someone or something has the right qualities or things for a particular activity, purpose, or situation. □ There are problems in recruiting suitably qualified scientific officers for NHS laboratories. □ Unfortunately I'm not suitably dressed for gardening.


2 ADV [ADV adj] If you say that someone or something is, for example, suitably impressed or suitably dramatic, you mean that they have as much of that quality as you would expect in that situation. □ She flicked her eyes up to make certain I was suitably impressed. □ Her exit seemed suitably dramatic.

suit|case /suː tke I s/ (suitcases ) N‑COUNT A suitcase is a box or bag with a handle and a hard frame in which you carry your clothes when you are travelling. □ It did not take Andrew long to pack a suitcase.

suite /swiː t/ (suites )


1 N‑COUNT A suite is a set of rooms in a hotel or other building. □ They had a fabulous time during their week in a suite at the Paris Hilton. □ …a new suite of offices.


2 → see also en suite


3 N‑COUNT A suite is a set of matching armchairs and a sofa. □ …a three-piece suite.


4 N‑COUNT A bathroom suite is a matching bath, washbasin, and toilet.

suit|ed /suː t I d/ ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ to-inf] If something is well suited to a particular purpose, it is right or appropriate for that purpose. If someone is well suited to a particular job, they are right or appropriate for that job. □ [+ to ] The area is well suited to road cycling as well as off-road riding. □ [+ to ] Satellites are uniquely suited to provide this information.

suit|ing /suː t I ŋ/ (suitings ) N‑VAR Suiting is cloth from which trousers, jackets, skirts, and men's suits are made.

suit|or /suː tə r / (suitors )


1 N‑COUNT A woman's suitor is a man who wants to marry her. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ My mother had a suitor who adored her.


2 N‑COUNT A suitor is a company or organization that wants to buy another company. [BUSINESS ] □ The company was making little progress in trying to find a suitor.

sul|fate /sʌ lfe I t/ → see sulphate

sul|fide /sʌ lfa I d/ → see sulphide

sul|fur /sʌ lfə r / → see sulphur

sul|fu|ric acid /sʌlfjʊə r I k æ s I d/ → see sulphuric acid

sul|fur|ous /sʌ lfərəs/ → see sulphurous

sulk /sʌ lk/ (sulks , sulking , sulked ) VERB If you sulk , you are silent and bad-tempered for a while because you are annoyed about something. □ [V ] He turned his back and sulked. ● N‑COUNT [oft in/into a N ] Sulk is also a noun. □ He went off in a sulk. □ Now she must be tired of my sulks.

sulky /sʌ lki/ ADJ Someone who is sulky is sulking or is unwilling to enjoy themselves. □ I was quite sulky, so I didn't take part in much. □ …a sulky adolescent.

sul|len /sʌ l ə n/ ADJ Someone who is sullen is bad-tempered and does not speak much. □ The offenders lapsed into a sullen silence.

sul|ly /sʌ li/ (sullies , sullying , sullied )


1 VERB If something is sullied by something else, it is damaged so that it is no longer pure or of such high value. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] The City's reputation has been sullied by these scandals. □ [V n] She claimed they were sullying her good name.


2 VERB If someone sullies something, they make it dirty. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] I felt loath to sully the gleaming brass knocker by handling it.

sul|phate /sʌ lfe I t/ (sulphates ) in AM, use sulfate N‑VAR [oft n N ] A sulphate is a salt of sulphuric acid. □ …copper sulphate. □ [+ of ] …sulphate of potash.

sul|phide /sʌ lfa I d/ (sulphides ) in AM, use sulfide N‑VAR [oft n N ] A sulphide is a compound of sulphur with some other chemical elements. □ …hydrogen sulphide.

sul|phur /sʌ lfə r / in AM, use sulfur N‑UNCOUNT Sulphur is a yellow chemical which has a strong smell. □ The air reeks of sulphur.

sul|phu|ric acid /sʌlfjʊə r I k æ s I d/ in AM, use sulfuric acid N‑UNCOUNT Sulphuric acid is a colourless, oily, and very powerful acid.

sul|phur|ous /sʌ lfərəs/ in AM, use sulfurous ADJ [usu ADJ n] Sulphurous air or places contain sulphur or smell of sulphur. □ …sulphurous volcanic gases.

sul|tan /sʌ ltən/ (sultans ) N‑TITLE ; N‑COUNT A sultan is a ruler in some Muslim countries. □ He was forty-two when he became sultan.

sul|tana /sʌltɑː nə, -tæ n-/ (sultanas ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Sultanas are dried white grapes. [BRIT ]

sul|try /sʌ ltri/


1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Sultry weather is hot and damp. [WRITTEN ] □ The climax came one sultry August evening.


2 ADJ Someone who is sultry is attractive in a way that suggests hidden passion. [WRITTEN ] □ …a dark-haired sultry woman.

sum ◆◇◇ /sʌ m/ (sums , summing , summed )


1 N‑COUNT A sum of money is an amount of money. □ [+ of ] Large sums of money were lost. □ [+ of ] Even the relatively modest sum of £50,000 now seems beyond his reach.


2 N‑COUNT A sum is a simple calculation in arithmetic. □ I can't do my sums.


3 N‑SING In mathematics, the sum of two numbers is the number that is obtained when they are added together. □ [+ of ] The sum of all the angles of a triangle is 180 degrees.


4 N‑SING The sum of something is all of it. □ [+ of ] 'Public opinion' is only the sum of the views of thousands of people like yourself.


5 → see also lump sum


6 PHRASE If you say that something is more than the sum of its parts or greater than the sum of its parts , you mean that it is better than you would expect from the individual parts, because the way they combine adds a different quality. □ As individual members' solo careers have proved, each band was greater than the sum of its parts.


▸ sum up


1 PHRASAL VERB If you sum something up , you describe it as briefly as possible. □ [V P n] One voter summed up the mood–'Politicians have lost credibility,' he complained. □ [V n P ] Obree summed his weekend up in one word: 'Disastrous.'


2 PHRASAL VERB If something sums a person or situation up , it represents their most typical characteristics. □ [V n P ] 'I love my wife, my horse and my dog,' he said, and that summed him up. □ [V P n] Sadly, the feud sums up the relationship between the two men.


3 PHRASAL VERB If you sum up after a speech or at the end of a piece of writing, you briefly state the main points again. When a judge sums up after a trial, he reminds the jury of the evidence and the main arguments of the case they have heard. □ [V P ] When the judge summed up, it was clear he wanted a guilty verdict.


4 → see also summing-up COLLOCATIONS sum NOUN 1


adjective + sum : princely, substantial, tiny, vast; fixed, six-figure, undisclosed


verb + sum : invest, pay, spend; borrow, owe; raise, receive SYNONYMS sum NOUN


1


amount: He needs that amount of money to survive.


quantity: …a small quantity of water.


volume: Senior officials will be discussing how the volume of sales might be reduced.


3


total: The companies have a total of 1,776 employees.


aggregate: …society viewed as an aggregate of individuals.


tally: The final tally was 817 votes for her and 731 for Mr Lee.

sum|ma|rize /sʌ məra I z/ (summarizes , summarizing , summarized ) in BRIT, also use summarise VERB If you summarize something, you give a summary of it. □ [V n] Table 3.1 summarizes the information given above. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] Basically, the article can be summarized in three sentences. □ [V ] To summarise, this is a clever approach to a common problem. [Also V with quote]

sum|mary /sʌ məri/ (summaries )


1 N‑COUNT A summary of something is a short account of it, which gives the main points but not the details. □ [+ of ] What follows is a brief summary of the process. □ [+ of ] Here's a summary of the day's news. ● PHRASE You use in summary to indicate that what you are about to say is a summary of what has just been said. □ In summary, it is my opinion that this complete treatment process was very successful.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] Summary actions are done without delay, often when something else should have been done first or done instead. [FORMAL ] □ It says torture and summary execution are common.

sum|mat /sʌ mət/ Summat is a British dialect form of the word 'something'. □ Are we going to write a story or summat?

sum|ma|tion /sʌme I ʃ ə n/ (summations ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A summation is a summary of what someone has said or done. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Her introduction is a model of fairness, a lively summation of Irish history.

sum|mer ◆◆◇ /sʌ mə r / (summers )


1 N‑VAR Summer is the season between spring and autumn when the weather is usually warm or hot. □ In summer I like to go sailing in Long Island. □ I escaped the heatwave in London earlier this summer and flew to Cork. □ It was a perfect summer's day. □ …in the summer of 1987. □ …the summer holidays. □ He used to spend childhood summers with his grandparents.


2 → see also high summer , Indian summer

su m|mer camp (summer camps ) N‑COUNT In the United States, a summer camp is a place in the country where parents can pay to send their children during the school summer holidays. The children staying there can take part in many outdoor and social activities.

su m|mer house (summer houses ) also summerhouse


1 N‑COUNT A summer house is a small building in a garden. It contains seats, and people can sit there in the summer.


2 N‑COUNT Someone's summer house is a house in the country or by the sea where they spend the summer. □ He visited relatives at their summer house on the river.

su m|mer school (summer schools )


1 N‑VAR A summer school is an educational course on a particular subject that is run during the summer. The students usually stay at the place where the summer school is being held. [mainly BRIT ] □ …a summer school for young professional singers.


2 N‑VAR Summer school is a summer term at a school, college, or university, for example for students who need extra teaching or who want to take extra courses. [mainly AM ]

su m|mer time also summertime


1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] Summer time is the period of time during which the summer lasts. □ It's a very beautiful place in the summertime.


2 → see also British Summer Time

sum|mery /sʌ məri/ ADJ Something that is summery is suitable for summer or characteristic of summer. □ …light summery fruit salads.

su mming-u p (summings-up ) also summing up N‑COUNT In a trial, the judge's summing-up is the speech the judge makes at the end of the trial to remind the jury of the evidence and the main arguments of the case they have heard. □ There was pandemonium in court as the judge gave his summing-up.

sum|mit ◆◆◇ /sʌ m I t/ (summits )


1 N‑COUNT A summit is a meeting at which the leaders of two or more countries discuss important matters. □ …next week's Washington summit. □ …the NATO summit meeting in Rome.


2 N‑COUNT The summit of a mountain is the top of it. □ …the first man to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

sum|mon /sʌ mən/ (summons , summoning , summoned )


1 VERB If you summon someone, you order them to come to you. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Howe summoned a doctor and hurried over. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] Suddenly we were summoned to the interview room. □ [be V -ed to-inf] He has been summoned to appear in court on charges of incitement to law-breaking.


2 VERB If you summon a quality, you make a great effort to have it. For example, if you summon the courage or strength to do something, you make a great effort to be brave or strong, so that you will be able to do it. □ [V n] It took her a full month to summon the courage to tell her mother. ● PHRASAL VERB Summon up means the same as summon . □ [V P n] Painfully shy, he finally summoned up courage to ask her to a game.


▸ summon up PHRASAL VERB If something summons up a memory or thought, it causes it to come to your mind. [LITERARY ] □ [V P n] The oddest events will summon up memories.

sum|mons /sʌ mənz/ (summonses , summonsing , summonsed )


1 N‑COUNT A summons is an order to come and see someone. □ I received a summons to the Palace.


2 N‑COUNT A summons is an official order to appear in court. □ She had received a summons to appear in court.


3 VERB [usu passive] If someone is summonsed , they are officially ordered to appear in court. □ [be V -ed] The men were summonsed and last week 30 appeared before Hove magistrates.

sumo /suː moʊ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Sumo is the Japanese style of wrestling. □ …a sumo wrestler.

sump /sʌ mp/ (sumps )


1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] The sump is the place under an engine which holds the engine oil. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use oil pan 2 N‑COUNT A sump is a deep cave which is often filled with water.

sump|tu|ous /sʌ mptʃuəs/ ADJ Something that is sumptuous is grand and obviously very expensive. □ She produces elegant wedding gowns in a variety of sumptuous fabrics.

su m to |tal N‑SING The sum total of a number of things is all the things added or considered together. You often use this expression to indicate that you are disappointed because the total amount is rather small. □ [+ of ] That small room contained the sum total of the family's possessions.

sun ◆◆◇ /sʌ n/ (suns )


1 N‑SING The sun is the ball of fire in the sky that the Earth goes round, and that gives us heat and light. □ The sun was now high in the southern sky. □ The sun came out, briefly. □ …the sun's rays. □ The sun was shining.


2 N‑UNCOUNT You refer to the light and heat that reach us from the sun as the sun . □ Dena took them into the courtyard to sit in the sun.


3 N‑COUNT A sun is any star which has planets going around it.


4 PHRASE Everything under the sun means a very great number of things. Anything under the sun means anything at all. □ We sat there for hours talking about everything under the sun.


5 a place in the sun → see place

Sun. Sun. is a written abbreviation for Sunday . □ The Palace is open Mon-Sun.

su n-baked ADJ [ADJ n] Sun-baked land or earth has been made hard and dry by the sun shining on it. □ …a dry, sun-baked lawn.

sun|bathe /sʌ nbe I θ/ (sunbathes , sunbathing , sunbathed ) VERB When people sunbathe , they sit or lie in a place where the sun shines on them, so that their skin becomes browner. □ [V ] Franklin swam and sunbathed at the pool every morning. ● sun|bather (sunbathers ) N‑COUNT □ A week ago Bournemouth beach was thronged with sunbathers soaking up the 80 degrees heat. ● sun|bath|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Nearby there is a stretch of white sand beach perfect for sunbathing.

sun|beam /sʌ nbiːm/ (sunbeams ) N‑COUNT A sunbeam is a ray of sunlight. □ A sunbeam slants through the west window.

sun|bed /sʌ nbed/ (sunbeds ) N‑COUNT A sunbed is a piece of equipment with ultraviolet lights. You lie on it to make your skin browner.

sun|belt /sʌ nbelt/ N‑SING The warmer, sunnier parts of a country or continent, especially the southern United States, are sometimes referred to as the sunbelt . □ During the last recession, migration to the sunbelt accelerated.

sun|block /sʌ nblɒk/ (sunblocks ) N‑VAR Sunblock is a cream which you put on your skin to protect it completely from the sun.

sun|burn /sʌ nbɜː r n/ (sunburns ) N‑VAR If someone has sunburn , their skin is bright pink and sore because they have spent too much time in hot sunshine. □ The risk and severity of sunburn depend on the body's natural skin colour. □ I was concerned that I was not protected and would get a sunburn.

sun|burnt /sʌ nbɜː r nt/ also sunburned


1 ADJ Someone who is sunburnt has sore bright pink skin because they have spent too much time in hot sunshine. □ A badly sunburned face or back is extremely painful.


2 ADJ Someone who is sunburnt has very brown skin because they have spent a lot of time in the sunshine. □ He was wearing his usual holiday gear and looking sunburnt.

sun|burst /sʌ nbɜː r st/ (sunbursts ) N‑COUNT A sunburst is a pattern or design that resembles the sun with rays coming from it. □ …a bronze sunburst pendant.

sun|dae /sʌ nde I , -di/ (sundaes ) N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A sundae is a tall glass of ice cream with whipped cream and nuts or fruit on top. □ …a chocolate sundae.

Sun|day /sʌ nde I , -di/ (Sundays ) N‑VAR Sunday is the day after Saturday and before Monday. □ I thought we might go for a drive on Sunday. □ Naomi went to church in Granville last Sunday. □ The buses run every 10 minutes even on Sundays. □ It was Sunday afternoon when I got a call from Rob.

Su n|day be st N‑SING If you are in your Sunday best , you are wearing your best clothes, which you only wear for special occasions.

Su n|day school (Sunday schools ) N‑VAR Sunday school is a class organized by a church that some children go to on Sundays in order to learn about Christianity. □ …a Sunday School teacher.

sun|der /sʌ ndə r / (sunders , sundering , sundered ) VERB [usu passive] If people or things are sundered , they are separated or split by something. [LITERARY ] □ [be V -ed] The city is being sundered by racial tension. □ [V -ed] Police moved in to separate the two groups, already sundered by distrust.

sun|dial /sʌ nda I əl/ (sundials ) N‑COUNT A sundial is a device used for telling the time when the sun is shining. The shadow of an upright rod falls onto a flat surface that is marked with the hours, and points to the correct hour.

sun|down /sʌ ndaʊn/ N‑UNCOUNT Sundown is the time when the sun sets. [AM ] □ The fighting broke out about two hours after sundown. in BRIT, usually use sunset

su n-drenched also sundrenched ADJ [ADJ n] Sun-drenched places have a lot of hot sunshine. □ He sat on the terrace of his sun-drenched villa in the South of France.

sun|dries /sʌ ndriz/ N‑PLURAL When someone is making a list of things, items that are not important enough to be listed separately are sometimes referred to together as sundries . [FORMAL ] □ The inn gift shop stocks quality Indian crafts and sundries.

sun|dry /sʌ ndri/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone refers to sundry people or things, they are referring to several people or things that are all different from each other. [FORMAL ] □ Scientists, business people, and sundry others gathered on Monday for the official opening.


2 PHRASE All and sundry means everyone. □ He was well known to all and sundry.

sun|flower /sʌ nflaʊə r / (sunflowers ) N‑COUNT A sunflower is a very tall plant with large yellow flowers. Oil from sunflower seeds is used in cooking and to make margarine.

sung /sʌ ŋ/ Sung is the past participle of sing .

sun|glasses /sʌ nglɑːs I z, -glæs-/ N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Sunglasses are glasses with dark lenses which you wear to protect your eyes from bright sunlight. □ She slipped on a pair of sunglasses.

su n hat (sun hats ) also sunhat N‑COUNT A sun hat is a wide-brimmed hat that protects your head from the sun.

sunk /sʌ ŋk/


1 Sunk is the past participle of sink .


2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is sunk , you mean that they have no hope of avoiding trouble or failure. [INFORMAL ] □ Without him we'd be well and truly sunk.

sunk|en /sʌ ŋkən/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] Sunken ships have sunk to the bottom of a sea, ocean, or lake. □ The sunken sailing-boat was a glimmer of white on the bottom. □ Try diving for sunken treasure.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] Sunken gardens, roads, or other features are below the level of their surrounding area. □ The room was dominated by a sunken bath.


3 ADJ Sunken eyes, cheeks, or other parts of the body curve inwards and make you look thin and unwell. □ Her eyes were sunken and black-ringed.

su n lamp (sun lamps ) also sunlamp N‑COUNT A sun lamp is a lamp that produces ultraviolet light. People use sun lamps to make their skin browner.

sun|less /sʌ nləs/


1 ADJ On sunless days, the sun does not shine. □ The day dawned sunless and with a low cloud base.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] Sunless places are not lit by the sun. □ Carmen stayed behind in the dark, sunless room.

sun|light /sʌ nla I t/ N‑UNCOUNT Sunlight is the light that comes from the sun during the day. □ I saw her sitting at a window table, bathed in sunlight.

sun|lit /sʌ nl I t/ ADJ [ADJ n] Sunlit places are brightly lit by the sun. □ Her house has two big sunlit rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows.

sun|ny /sʌ ni/ (sunnier , sunniest )


1 ADJ When it is sunny , the sun is shining brightly. □ The weather was surprisingly warm and sunny. □ There is a chance of sunny spells in the West.


2 ADJ Sunny places are brightly lit by the sun. □ Most roses like a sunny position in a fairly fertile soil.


3 ADJ Someone who has a sunny disposition is usually cheerful and happy. □ He was a nice lad–bright and with a sunny disposition. □ The staff wear big sunny smiles.

sun|rise /sʌ nra I z/ (sunrises )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Sunrise is the time in the morning when the sun first appears in the sky. □ The rain began before sunrise.


2 N‑COUNT A sunrise is the colours and light that you see in the eastern part of the sky when the sun first appears. □ There was a spectacular sunrise yesterday.

sun|roof /sʌ nruːf/ (sunroofs ) N‑COUNT A sunroof is a panel in the roof of a car that opens to let sunshine and air enter the car.

sun|screen /sʌ nskriːn/ (sunscreens ) N‑VAR A sunscreen is a cream that protects your skin from the sun's rays, especially in hot weather.

sun|set /sʌ nset/ (sunsets )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Sunset is the time in the evening when the sun disappears out of sight from the sky. □ The dance ends at sunset.


2 N‑COUNT A sunset is the colours and light that you see in the western part of the sky when the sun disappears in the evening. □ There was a red sunset over Paris.

sun|shine /sʌ nʃa I n/ N‑UNCOUNT Sunshine is the light and heat that comes from the sun. □ She was sitting outside a cafe in bright sunshine. □ I awoke next morning to brilliant sunshine streaming into my room.

sun|spot /sʌ nspot/ (sunspots ) N‑COUNT Sunspots are dark cool patches that appear on the surface of the sun and last for about a week.

sun|stroke /sʌ nstroʊk/ N‑UNCOUNT Sunstroke is an illness caused by spending too much time in hot sunshine.

sun|tan /sʌ ntæn/ (suntans ) also sun-tan


1 N‑COUNT If you have a suntan , the sun has turned your skin an attractive brown colour.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] Suntan lotion, oil, or cream protects your skin from the sun. □ She playfully rubs suntan lotion on his neck.

sun|tanned /sʌ ntænd/ ADJ Someone who is suntanned has an attractive brown colour from being in the sun. □ He is always suntanned and incredibly fit.

su n-up also sunup N‑UNCOUNT Sun-up is the time of day when the sun rises. [AM ] □ We worked from sunup to sunset. in BRIT, use sunrise

sup /sʌ p/ (sups , supping , supped )


1 VERB If you sup something, you drink it, especially by taking small amounts. □ [V n] He supped water from a polystyrene cup.


2 VERB If you sup , you eat dinner in the evening. [LITERARY or OLD-FASHIONED ] □ [V ] He had been invited to sup with a colleague and his wife.

su|per ◆◇◇ /suː pə r /


1 ADJ Some people use super to mean very nice or very good. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ We had a super time. □ That's a super idea. □ 'I think I could find you something.'—'That would be super.'


2 ADV [ADV adj] Super is used before adjectives to indicate that something has a lot of a quality. □ He's super excited about being a grandad.


3 ADJ [ADJ n] Super is used before nouns to indicate that something is larger, better, or more advanced than similar things. □ …super nutrients believed to have cancer-fighting properties. □ …a chance to test-drive a stunning Lotus super-car.

PREFIX super-


forms nouns and adjectives that refer to people and things that are larger, better, or more advanced than others. For example, a super-fit athlete is extremely fit.

super|an|nu|at|ed /suː pəræ njue I t I d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as superannuated , you mean that it is old and no longer used for its original purpose. [FORMAL ] □ …the superannuated idealism of the Sixties.

super|an|nua|tion /suː pərænjue I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Superannuation is money which people pay regularly into a special fund so that when they retire from their job they will receive money regularly as a pension. [mainly BRIT , BUSINESS ] □ The union pressed for a superannuation scheme.

su|perb ◆◇◇ /suːpɜː r b/


1 ADJ If something is superb , its quality is very good indeed. □ There is a superb 18-hole golf course 6 miles away. □ The waters are crystal clear and offer a superb opportunity for swimming. ● su|perb|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The orchestra played superbly.


2 ADJ If you say that someone has superb confidence, control, or skill, you mean that they have very great confidence, control, or skill. □ With superb skill he managed to make a perfect landing. ● su|perb|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/adv] □ …his superbly disciplined opponent. SYNONYMS superb ADJ 1


excellent: The recording quality is excellent.


wonderful: I've always thought she was a wonderful singer.


marvellous: He certainly is a marvellous actor.

su|per|bug /suː pə r bʌg/ (superbugs ) N‑COUNT Journalists refer to a type of bacteria as a superbug when it cannot be killed by antibiotics.

super|charged /suː pə r tʃɑː r dʒd/ ADJ If a car engine is supercharged , it has more air than normal forced into it so that the petrol burns more quickly and the car has more power.

super|cili|ous /suː pə r s I liəs/ ADJ If you say that someone is supercilious , you disapprove of them because they behave in a way that shows they think they are better than other people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ His manner is supercilious and arrogant.

super|com|put|er /suː pə r kəmpjuː tə r / (supercomputers ) N‑COUNT A supercomputer is a powerful computer that can process large amounts of data very quickly.

super|con|duc|tiv|ity /suː pə r kɒndʌkt I v I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Superconductivity is the ability of certain metals to allow electricity to pass through them without any resistance at very low temperatures. [TECHNICAL ]

super|con|duc|tor /suː pə r kəndʌ ktə r / (superconductors ) N‑COUNT A superconductor is a metal that allows electricity to pass through it without resistance at very low temperatures. [TECHNICAL ]

su per-e go (super-egos ) also superego N‑COUNT Your super-ego is the part of your mind which makes you aware of what is right and wrong, and which causes you to feel guilty when you have done something wrong. [TECHNICAL ]

super|fi|cial /suː pə r f I ʃ ə l/


1 ADJ If you describe someone as superficial , you disapprove of them because they do not think deeply, and have little understanding of anything serious or important. [DISAPPROVAL ]


2 ADJ If you describe something such as an action, feeling, or relationship as superficial , you mean that it includes only the simplest and most obvious aspects of that thing, and not those aspects which require more effort to deal with or understand. □ Their arguments do not withstand the most superficial scrutiny. □ His roommate had been pleasant on a superficial level.


3 ADJ Superficial is used to describe the appearance of something or the impression that it gives, especially if its real nature is very different. □ Despite these superficial resemblances, this is a darker work than her earlier novels.


4 ADJ Superficial injuries are not very serious, and affect only the surface of the body. You can also describe damage to an object as superficial . □ The 69-year-old clergyman escaped with superficial wounds.

super|flu|ity /suː pə r fluː I ti/ (superfluities ) N‑COUNT If there is a superfluity of something, there is more of it than is needed. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The city has a superfluity of five-star hotels.

super|flu|ous /suːpɜː r fluəs/ ADJ Something that is superfluous is unnecessary or is no longer needed. □ My presence at the afternoon's proceedings was superfluous.

su|per|food /suː pə r fuːd/ (superfoods ) N‑COUNT A superfood is a food that contains many vitamins and other substances that are considered to be very good for your health. □ The article recommends eating more superfoods, such as pomegranates and broccoli.

super|grass /suː pə r grɑːs, -græ s/ (supergrasses ) N‑COUNT A supergrass is a person who gives the police information about a large group of criminals. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]

super|group /suː pə r gruːp/ (supergroups ) N‑COUNT A supergroup is a pop group that has become very popular and famous. □ The extraordinary supergroup continue their debut tour.

super|heat|ed /suː pə r hiː təd/ ADJ If a liquid is superheated , it has been heated to a temperature that is higher than its boiling point without being allowed to boil. [TECHNICAL ]

super|he|ro /suː pə r h I ə roʊ/ (superheroes ) N‑COUNT A superhero is a character in a cartoon or film who has special powers and fights against evil. □ …superheroes like Batman and Superman.

super|high|way /suː pə r ha I we I / (superhighways ) N‑COUNT A superhighway is a large, fast motorway or freeway with several lanes. [AM ] □ He took off for the city on the eight-lane superhighway.

super|hu|man /suː pə r hjuː mən/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a quality that someone has as superhuman , you mean that it seems to be much greater than that of ordinary people. □ Officers were terrified of his superhuman strength.

super|im|pose /suː pər I mpoʊ z/ (superimposes , superimposing , superimposed )


1 VERB [usu passive] If one image is superimposed on another, it is put on top of it so that you can see the second image through it. □ [be V -ed + on/over ] His picture was superimposed on a muscular body. □ [V n + onto ] You can superimpose the lettering directly onto one of your pictures.


2 VERB [usu passive] If features or characteristics from one situation are superimposed onto or on another, they are transferred onto or used in the second situation, though they may not fit. □ [be V -ed + on ] Patterns of public administration and government are superimposed on traditional societies.

super|in|tend /suː pər I nte nd/ (superintends , superintending , superintended ) VERB If you superintend something, you have responsibility for ensuring that it is carried out properly. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] During the interval, Linton superintended a prize draw.

super|in|ten|dent /suː pər I nte ndənt/ (superintendents )


1 N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE In Britain, a superintendent is a senior police officer of the rank above an inspector. In the United States, a superintendent is the head of a police department. □ He was stopped at the airport by an assistant superintendent of police. □ …Detective Superintendent Kirby.


2 N‑COUNT A superintendent is a person who is responsible for a particular thing or the work done in a particular department. □ [+ of ] He became superintendent of the bank's East African branches.


3 N‑COUNT A superintendent is a person whose job is to look after a large building such as a school or a block of flats and deal with small repairs to it. [AM ] in BRIT, use caretaker

su|peri|or ◆◇◇ /suːp I ə riə r / (superiors )


1 ADJ If one thing or person is superior to another, the first is better than the second. □ [+ to ] We have a relationship infinitely superior to those of many of our friends. □ Long-term stock market investments have produced superior returns compared with cash deposits. ● su|peri|or|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ over/to ] He asserts the superiority of free enterprise over other economic systems.


2 ADJ If you describe something as superior , you mean that it is good, and better than other things of the same kind. □ A few years ago it was virtually impossible to find superior quality coffee in local shops. □ Lulu was said to be of very superior intelligence.


3 ADJ A superior person or thing is more important than another person or thing in the same organization or system. □ …negotiations between the mutineers and their superior officers. [Also + to ]


4 N‑COUNT Your superior in an organization that you work for is a person who has a higher rank than you. □ Other army units are completely surrounded and cut-off from communication with their superiors.


5 ADJ If you describe someone as superior , you disapprove of them because they behave as if they are better, more important, or more intelligent than other people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Finch gave a superior smile. ● su|peri|or|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ over ] …a false sense of his superiority over mere journalists.


6 ADJ If one group of people has superior numbers to another group, the first has more people than the second, and therefore has an advantage over it. [FORMAL ] □ The demonstrators fled when they saw the authorities' superior numbers. SYNONYMS superior ADJ 2


first-rate: People who used his service knew they were dealing with a first-rate professional.


exclusive: He is already a member of Britain's most exclusive club.


exceptional: Her translation is exceptional in its poetic quality.


world-class: He was determined to become a world-class player.


outstanding: He was outstanding at tennis and golf.

su|peri|or|ity /suːp I ə riɒ r I ti, [AM ] -ɔː r I ti/


1 N‑UNCOUNT If one side in a war or conflict has superiority , it has an advantage over its enemy, for example because it has more soldiers or better equipment. [FORMAL ] □ The U.S. will need a three-to-one superiority in forces to be sure of a successful attack. □ We have air superiority. [Also + over/in ]


2 → see also superior

super|la|tive /suːpɜː r lət I v/ (superlatives )


1 ADJ If you describe something as superlative , you mean that it is extremely good. □ Some superlative cheeses are made in this region. □ The Regent hotel has a superlative view of Hong Kong island.


2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] If someone uses superlatives to describe something, they use adjectives and expressions which indicate that it is extremely good. □ …a spectacle which has critics world-wide reaching for superlatives.


3 ADJ [ADJ n] In grammar, the superlative form of an adjective or adverb is the form that indicates that something has more of a quality than anything else in a group. For example, 'biggest' is the superlative form of 'big'. Compare comparative . ● N‑COUNT Superlative is also a noun. □ …his tendency towards superlatives and exaggeration.

super|man /suː pə r mæn/ (supermen ) N‑COUNT A superman is a man who has very great physical or mental abilities. □ Collor nurtured the idea that he was a superman, who single-handedly could resolve Brazil's crisis.

super|mar|ket ◆◇◇ /suː pə r mɑː r k I t/ (supermarkets ) N‑COUNT A supermarket is a large shop which sells all kinds of food and some household goods. □ Most of us do our food shopping in the supermarket.

super|mini /suː pə r m I ni/ (superminis ) also super-mini N‑COUNT A supermini is a small car which has been designed to be comfortable and easy to drive.

super|model /suː pə r mɒd ə l/ (supermodels ) N‑COUNT A supermodel is a very famous fashion model.

super|natu|ral /suː pə r næ tʃrəl/ ADJ Supernatural creatures, forces, and events are believed by some people to exist or happen, although they are impossible according to scientific laws. □ The Nakani were evil spirits who looked like humans and possessed supernatural powers. □ …supernatural beings. ● N‑SING The supernatural is things that are supernatural. □ He writes short stories with a touch of the supernatural.

super|no|va /suː pə r noʊ və/ (supernovas or supernovae /suː pə r noʊ viː/) N‑COUNT A supernova is an exploding star. □ At least one supernova occurs per decade in our galaxy.

super|pow|er /suː pə r paʊə r / (superpowers ) N‑COUNT A superpower is a very powerful and influential country, usually one that is rich and has nuclear weapons. □ The country could claim to be both a military and an economic superpower.

super|sede /suː pə r siː d/ (supersedes , superseding , superseded ) VERB [usu passive] If something is superseded by something newer, it is replaced because it has become old-fashioned or unacceptable. □ [be V -ed] Hand tools are relics of the past that have now been superseded by the machine. [Also V n]

super|size /suː pə r sa I z/ ADJ Supersize things are very large. □ …a supersize portion of fries.

super|son|ic /suː pə r sɒ n I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Supersonic aircraft travel faster than the speed of sound. □ There was a huge bang; it sounded like a supersonic jet.

super|star /suː pə r stɑː r / (superstars ) N‑COUNT A superstar is a very famous entertainer or sports player. [INFORMAL ] □ …a Hollywood superstar.

su|per|state /suː pə r ste I t/ (superstates ) N‑COUNT A superstate is a group of several countries that are very closely linked politically. □ At the height of his power Charlemagne ruled over a veritable superstate.

super|sti|tion /suː pə r st I ʃ ə n/ (superstitions ) N‑VAR Superstition is belief in things that are not real or possible, for example magic. □ Fortune-telling is a very much debased art surrounded by superstition.

super|sti|tious /suː pə r st I ʃəs/


1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] People who are superstitious believe in things that are not real or possible, for example magic. □ Jean was extremely superstitious and believed the colour green brought bad luck.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] Superstitious fears or beliefs are irrational and not based on fact. □ A wave of superstitious fear spread among the townspeople.

super|store /suː pə r stɔː r / (superstores ) N‑COUNT Superstores are very large supermarkets or shops selling household goods and equipment. Superstores are usually built outside city centres away from other shops. □ …a Do-It-Yourself superstore.

super|struc|ture /suː pə r strʌktʃə r / (superstructures ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The superstructure of a ship is the part of it that is above its main deck. □ We might try to clear up some of the cabins in the superstructure.

super|tank|er /suː pə r tæŋkə r / (supertankers ) N‑COUNT A supertanker is an extremely large ship that is used for transporting oil.

super|vise /suː pə r va I z/ (supervises , supervising , supervised )


1 VERB If you supervise an activity or a person, you make sure that the activity is done correctly or that the person is doing a task or behaving correctly. □ [V n] University teachers have refused to supervise students' examinations.


2 VERB If you supervise a place where work is done, you ensure that the work there is done properly. □ [V n] He will be supervising the site.

super|vi|sion /suː pə r v I ʒ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft under N ] Supervision is the supervising of people, activities, or places. □ A toddler requires close supervision and firm control at all times. □ [+ of ] The plan calls for a cease-fire and U.N. supervision of the country.

super|vi|sor /suː pə r va I zə r / (supervisors ) N‑COUNT A supervisor is a person who supervises activities or people, especially workers or students. □ …a full-time job as a supervisor at a factory. □ Each student has a supervisor to advise on the writing of the dissertation.

super|vi|sory /suː pə r va I zəri/ ADJ [ADJ n] Supervisory means involved in supervising people, activities, or places. □ Most supervisory boards meet only twice a year. □ …staff with a minor supervisory role.

super|woman /suː pə r wʊmən/ (superwomen ) N‑VAR Superwoman is used to refer to a type of ideal woman who is able to do many things in her life successfully at the same time, such as have a job, bring up children, care for her home, and be attractive. □ Superwoman exists only in the minds of journalists and Hollywood producers.

su|pine /suː pa I n/ ADJ If you are supine , you are lying flat on your back. [FORMAL ] □ …bedridden persons confined to the supine position. ● ADV [ADV after v] Supine is also an adverb. □ I lay supine on the poolside grass.

sup|per /sʌ pə r / (suppers )


1 N‑VAR Some people refer to the main meal eaten in the early part of the evening as supper . □ Some guests like to dress for supper.


2 N‑VAR Supper is a simple meal eaten just before you go to bed at night. □ She gives the children their supper, then puts them to bed.

su p|per club (supper clubs ) N‑COUNT In the United States, a supper club is a small expensive nightclub.

sup|per|time /sʌ pə r ta I m/ N‑UNCOUNT Suppertime is the period of the day when people have their supper. It can be in the early part of the evening or just before they go to bed at night. □ They'll be back by suppertime.

sup|plant /səplɑː nt, -plæ nt/ (supplants , supplanting , supplanted ) VERB If a person or thing is supplanted , another person or thing takes their place. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] He may be supplanted by a younger man. □ [V n] By the 1930s the wristwatch had almost completely supplanted the pocket watch.

sup|ple /sʌ p ə l/ (suppler , supplest )


1 ADJ A supple object or material bends or changes shape easily without cracking or breaking. □ The leather is supple and sturdy enough to last for years.


2 ADJ A supple person can move and bend their body very easily. □ Try these simple exercises to keep your feet supple.

sup|plement /sʌ pl I mənt/ (supplements , supplementing , supplemented )


1 VERB If you supplement something, you add something to it in order to improve it. □ [V n] …people doing extra jobs outside their regular jobs to supplement their incomes. □ [V n + with ] I suggest supplementing your diet with vitamins E and A. ● N‑COUNT Supplement is also a noun. □ [+ to ] Business sponsorship must be a supplement to, not a substitute for, public funding.


2 N‑COUNT A supplement is a pill that you take or a special kind of food that you eat in order to improve your health. □ …a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement.


3 N‑COUNT A supplement is a separate part of a magazine or newspaper, often dealing with a particular topic. □ …a special supplement to a monthly financial magazine.


4 → see also colour supplement


5 N‑COUNT A supplement to a book is an additional section, written some time after the main text and published either at the end of the book or separately. □ [+ to ] …the supplement to the Encyclopedia Britannica.


6 N‑COUNT A supplement is an extra amount of money that you pay in order to obtain special facilities or services, for example when you are travelling or staying at a hotel. □ If you are travelling alone, the single room supplement is £11 a night.


7 N‑COUNT [usu N n] A supplement is an extra amount of money that is paid to someone, in addition to their normal pension or income. □ Some people may be entitled to a housing benefit supplement. □ [+ to ] …people who need a supplement to their basic pension.

sup|plemen|tal /sʌ pl I me nt ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Supplemental means the same as supplementary . [mainly AM , FORMAL ] □ You'll probably be able to buy supplemental insurance at an extra cost.

sup|plemen|ta|ry /sʌ pl I me ntri, [AM ] -teri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Supplementary things are added to something in order to improve it. □ …the question of whether or not we need to take supplementary vitamins. □ Provide them with additional background or with supplementary information.

sup|plemen|ta|tion /sʌ pl I mənte I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Supplementation is the use of pills or special types of food in order to improve your health. [MEDICAL ] □ The product provided inadequate vitamin and mineral supplementation.

sup|pli|cant /sʌ pl I kənt/ (supplicants ) N‑COUNT A supplicant is a person who prays to God or respectfully asks an important person to help them or to give them something that they want very much. [FORMAL ] □ He flung himself down in the flat submissive posture of a mere supplicant.

sup|pli|ca|tion /sʌ pl I ke I ʃ ə n/ (supplications ) N‑VAR A supplication is a prayer to God or a respectful request to someone in authority for help. [FORMAL ] □ He raised his arms in a gesture of supplication.

sup|plied /səpla I d/


1 ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] If you say that a person or place is well supplied with particular things, you mean that they have a large number of them. □ France is abundantly supplied with excellent family-run hotels.


2 → see also supply

sup|pli|er /səpla I ə r / (suppliers ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A supplier is a person, company, or organization that sells or supplies something such as goods or equipment to customers. [BUSINESS ] □ …one of the U.K.'s biggest food suppliers. [Also + of ]

sup|ply ◆◆◇ /səpla I / (supplies , supplying , supplied )


1 VERB If you supply someone with something that they want or need, you give them a quantity of it. □ [V n] …an agreement not to produce or supply chemical weapons. □ [V n + with ] Tourist offices will supply you with a free basic street map. □ [V n + to ] …the blood vessels supplying oxygen to the brain.


2 N‑PLURAL [oft n N ] You can use supplies to refer to food, equipment, and other essential things that people need, especially when these are provided in large quantities. □ What happens when food and gasoline supplies run low? □ The country's only supplies are those it can import by lorry from Vietnam.


3 N‑VAR [n N ] A supply of something is an amount of it which someone has or which is available for them to use. □ [+ of ] The brain requires a constant supply of oxygen. □ Most urban water supplies in the country now contain fluoride.


4 N‑UNCOUNT Supply is the quantity of goods and services that can be made available for people to buy. [BUSINESS ] □ Prices change according to supply and demand.


5 PHRASE If something is in short supply , there is very little of it available and it is difficult to find or obtain. □ Food is in short supply all over the country. SYNONYMS supply VERB 1


provide: The government was not in a position to provide them with food.


equip: They did not possess the modern guns to equip the army properly.


furnish: They'll be able to furnish you with the rest of the details.

sup|ply line (supply lines ) N‑COUNT A supply line is a route along which goods and equipment are transported to an army during a war. □ The bombing campaign appears aimed at cutting the supply lines between Germany and its army in occupied France.

sup|ply teach|er (supply teachers ) N‑COUNT A supply teacher is a teacher whose job is to take the place of other teachers at different schools when they are unable to be there. [BRIT ] in AM, use substitute teacher

sup|port ◆◆◆ /səpɔː r t/ (supports , supporting , supported )


1 VERB If you support someone or their ideas or aims, you agree with them, and perhaps help them because you want them to succeed. □ [V n] The vice president insisted that he supported the hard-working people of New York. □ [V n] They pressed the party to support a total ban on pesticides. ● N‑UNCOUNT Support is also a noun. □ The Prime Minister gave his full support to the government's reforms.


2 N‑UNCOUNT If you give support to someone during a difficult or unhappy time, you are kind to them and help them. □ We campaign for the rights of sufferers and provide support for the patient and family.


3 N‑UNCOUNT Financial support is money provided to enable an organization to continue. This money is usually provided by the government. □ …the government's proposal to cut agricultural support by only about 15%.


4 VERB If you support someone, you provide them with money or the things that they need. □ [V n] I have children to support, money to be earned, and a home to be maintained. □ [V pron-refl] She sold everything she'd ever bought in order to support herself through art school.


5 VERB If a fact supports a statement or a theory, it helps to show that it is true or correct. □ [V n] The Freudian theory about daughters falling in love with their father has little evidence to support it. ● N‑UNCOUNT Support is also a noun. □ [+ for ] He offers no factual support for these assertions.


6 VERB If something supports an object, it is underneath the object and holding it up. □ [V n] …the thick wooden posts that supported the ceiling.


7 N‑COUNT A support is a bar or other object that supports something.


8 VERB If you support yourself , you prevent yourself from falling by holding onto something or by leaning on something. □ [V pron-refl] He supported himself by means of a nearby post. ● N‑UNCOUNT Support is also a noun. □ Alice, very pale, was leaning against him as if for support.


9 VERB If you support a sports team, you always want them to win and perhaps go regularly to their games. □ [V n] Tim, 17, supports Manchester United.


10 → see also supporting USAGE support


Don’t use ‘support’ to say that someone accepts pain or an unpleasant situation. Say that they bear it or put up with it. If you do not like something at all, don’t say that you ‘ can’t support ’ it. Say that you can’t bear it or can’t stand it. □ He can't bear the pain. COLLOCATIONS support NOUN


1


adjective + support : full, overwhelming, strong, widespread; public


verb + support : express, give, lend, show; enjoy, gain, rally, win


2


noun + support : community


adjective + support : emotional, moral; invaluable


verb + support : offer, provide; receive


3


noun + support : government, income


adjective + support : financial, generous


verb + support : provide, receive; need, seek SYNONYMS support VERB 1


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


champion: He passionately championed the poor.


encourage: When things aren't going well, he encourages me, telling me not to give up.


defend: Matt defended all of Clarence's decisions, right or wrong.


stand up for: Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. NOUN


2


help: Thanks very much for your help.


backing: Mr Bach set up his own consulting business with the backing of his old boss.


assistance: She can still come downstairs with assistance but she's very weak.


encouragement: I also had friends who gave me a great deal of encouragement.


3


aid: …regular flights carrying humanitarian aid to Cambodia.


help: Thanks very much for your help.


benefit: The very poorest parents are not in work, they are living on benefit.


relief: …famine relief. VERB 4


provide for: Elaine wouldn't let him provide for her.


fund: The airport is being privately funded by a construction group.


keep: She could just about afford to keep her five kids.


finance: The fund has been used largely to finance the construction of federal prisons.

sup|port|er ◆◆◇ /səpɔː r tə r / (supporters ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Supporters are people who support someone or something, for example a political leader or a sports team. □ The fourth night of violence in the German city of Rostock was triggered by football supporters. □ Bradley was a major supporter of the 1986 tax reform plan. SYNONYMS supporter NOUN


follower: …the Democratic Party's most loyal followers.


fan: As a boy he was a Manchester United fan.


advocate: He was a strong advocate of free market policies and a multi-party system.


champion: He received acclaim as a champion of the oppressed.


defender: …the most ardent defenders of conventional family values.

sup|po rt group (support groups ) N‑COUNT A support group is an organization run by and for people who have a particular problem or medical condition. □ She attended a cancer support group at her local hospital.

sup|port|ing /səpɔː r t I ŋ/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] In a film or play, a supporting actor or actress is one who has an important part, but not the most important part. □ …the winner of the best supporting actress award.


2 → see also support

sup|port|ive /səpɔː r t I v/ ADJ If you are supportive , you are kind and helpful to someone at a difficult or unhappy time in their life. □ [+ of ] They were always supportive of each other.

sup|pose ◆◆◇ /səpoʊ z/ (supposes , supposing , supposed )


1 VERB You can use suppose or supposing before mentioning a possible situation or action. You usually then go on to consider the effects that this situation or action might have. □ [V that] Suppose someone gave you an egg and asked you to describe exactly what was inside. □ [V that] Supposing he's right and I do die tomorrow? Maybe I should take out an extra insurance policy.


2 VERB If you suppose that something is true, you believe that it is probably true, because of other things that you know. □ [V that] The policy is perfectly clear and I see no reason to suppose that it isn't working. □ [be V -ed that] It had been supposed that by then Peter would be married. [Also V n]


3 PHRASE You can say ' I suppose ' when you want to express slight uncertainty. [SPOKEN , VAGUENESS ] □ [PHR that] I get a bit uptight these days. Hormones, I suppose. □ I suppose I'd better do some homework. □ Is that the right way up?—Yeah. I suppose so. □ There's nothing to keep us here, is there?—I suppose not.


4 PHRASE You can say ' I suppose ' or ' I don't suppose ' before describing someone's probable thoughts or attitude, when you are impatient or slightly angry with them. [SPOKEN , FEELINGS ] □ I suppose you think you're funny.


5 PHRASE You can say ' I don't suppose ' as a way of introducing a polite request. [SPOKEN , POLITENESS ] □ I don't suppose you could tell me where James Street is could you?


6 PHRASE You can use ' do you suppose ' to introduce a question when you want someone to give their opinion about something, although you know that they are unlikely to have any more knowledge or information about it than you. [SPOKEN ] □ Do you suppose he was telling the truth?


7 PHRASE You can use ' do you suppose ' as a polite way of suggesting or requesting that someone does something. [POLITENESS ] □ Do you suppose we could get together for a little chat sometime soon? SYNONYMS suppose VERB 2


imagine: I imagine you're referring to Jean-Paul Sartre.


assume: If the package is wrapped well, we assume the contents are also wonderful.


presume: Dido's told you the whole sad story, I presume?

sup|posed ◆◆◇ Pronounced /səpoʊ zd/ or /səpoʊ st/ for meanings 1 to 4 , and /səpoʊ z I d/ for meaning 5 . 1 PHRASE If you say that something is supposed to happen, you mean that it is planned or expected. Sometimes this use suggests that the thing does not really happen in this way. □ He produced a hand-written list of nine men he was supposed to kill. □ Public spending is supposed to fall, not rise, in the next few years.


2 PHRASE If something was supposed to happen, it was planned or intended to happen, but did not in fact happen. □ He was supposed to go back to Bergen on the last bus, but of course the accident prevented him.


3 PHRASE If you say that something is supposed to be true, you mean that people say it is true but you do not know for certain that it is true. □ 'The Whipping Block' has never been published, but it's supposed to be a really good poem. □ 'The President cannot be disturbed,' his son is supposed to have told an early morning caller.


4 PHRASE You can use ' be supposed to ' to express annoyance at someone's ideas, or because something is not happening in the proper way. [FEELINGS ] □ You're supposed to be my friend! □ What am I supposed to have done wrong now?


5 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use supposed to suggest that something that people talk about or believe in may not in fact exist, happen, or be as it is described. □ I am no longer fooled by the supposed benefits of a phoneless existence. ● sup|pos|ed|ly /səpoʊ z I dli/ ADV [ADV with v] □ He was more of a victim than any of the women he supposedly offended.

sup|po|si|tion /sʌpəz I ʃ ə n/ (suppositions )


1 N‑COUNT [oft N that] A supposition is an idea or statement which someone believes or assumes to be true, although they may have no evidence for it. [FORMAL ] □ There's a popular supposition that we're publicly funded.


2 N‑UNCOUNT You can describe someone's ideas or statements as supposition if you disapprove of the fact that they have no evidence to support them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The authorities said much of the report was based on supposition or inaccuracy.

sup|posi|tory /səpɒ z I tri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ (suppositories ) N‑COUNT A suppository is a solid block of medicine that is put into the rectum, where it gradually dissolves.

sup|press /səpre s/ (suppresses , suppressing , suppressed )


1 VERB If someone in authority suppresses an activity, they prevent it from continuing, by using force or making it illegal. □ [V n] Maritime security patrols protect busy trade routes and suppress illegal activity. □ [V -ed] …nationwide demonstrations for democracy, suppressed after 7 weeks by the army. ● sup|pres|sion /səpre ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Many were imprisoned after the violent suppression of pro-democracy protests.


2 VERB If a natural function or reaction of your body is suppressed , it is stopped, for example by drugs or illness. □ [be V -ed] The reproduction and growth of cancerous cells can be suppressed by radiation. ● sup|pres|sion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The infection leads to suppression of the immune response.


3 VERB If you suppress your feelings or reactions, you do not express them, even though you might want to. □ [V n] Liz thought of Barry and suppressed a smile. □ [V -ed] The Professor said that deep sleep allowed suppressed anxieties to surface. ● sup|pres|sion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] A mother's suppression of her own feelings can cause problems.


4 VERB If someone suppresses a piece of information, they prevent other people from learning it. □ [V n] At no time did they try to persuade me to suppress the information. ● sup|pres|sion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The inspectors found no evidence of suppression of official documents.


5 VERB If someone or something suppresses a process or activity, they stop it continuing or developing. □ [V n] Technology helps to suppress inflation by boosting efficiency and lowering costs.

sup|pres|sant /səpre sənt/ (suppressants ) N‑COUNT [n N ] A suppressant is a drug which is used to stop one of the natural functions of the body. [MEDICAL ] □ Nicotine is a powerful appetite suppressant.

sup|pres|sor /səpre sə r / ADJ [ADJ n] Suppressor cells or genes are ones that prevent a cancer from developing or spreading. [MEDICAL ]

supra|na|tion|al /suː prənæ ʃənəl/ also supra-national ADJ [ADJ n] A supranational organization or authority involves or relates to more than one country. □ The liberal position holds that supranational bodies are as important as nation states.

su|prema|cist /suːpre məs I st/ (supremacists ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A supremacist is someone who believes that one group of people, usually white people, should be more powerful and have more influence than another group. □ …a white supremacist group.

su|prema|cy /suːpre məsi/


1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] If one group of people has supremacy over another group, they have more political or military power than the other group. □ The conservative old guard had re-established its political supremacy. [Also + over ]


2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] If someone or something has supremacy over another person or thing, they are better. □ In the United States Open final, she retained overall supremacy. [Also + over ]

su|preme ◆◆◇ /suːpriː m/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] Supreme is used in the title of a person or an official group to indicate that they are at the highest level in a particular organization or system. □ MacArthur was Supreme Commander for the allied powers in the Pacific. □ …the Supreme Court.


2 ADJ You use supreme to emphasize that a quality or thing is very great. [EMPHASIS ] □ Her approval was of supreme importance. ● su|preme|ly ADV [ADV adj/adv] □ She gets on with her job and does it supremely well.

su|pre|mo /suːpriː moʊ/ (supremos ) N‑COUNT A supremo is someone who is considered to have the most authority or skill in a particular organization, situation, or area of activity. [BRIT , JOURNALISM ] □ Her new role as fashion supremo is something she can really get her teeth into.

Supt in AM, use Supt. Supt is a written abbreviation for superintendent when it is part of the title of someone in the police force. □ Det Supt Bassett was in charge of the murder enquiry.

sur|charge /sɜː r tʃɑː r dʒ/ (surcharges ) N‑COUNT A surcharge is an extra payment of money in addition to the usual payment for something. It is added for a specific reason, for example by a company because costs have risen or by a government as a tax. □ The prices of overseas holidays are subject to surcharges.

sure ◆◆◆ /ʃʊə r / (surer , surest )


1 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ that, ADJ wh] If you are sure that something is true, you are certain that it is true. If you are not sure about something, you do not know for certain what the true situation is. □ He'd never been in a class before and he was not even sure that he should have been teaching. □ The president has never been sure which direction he wanted to go in on this issue. □ [+ about ] It is impossible to be sure about the value of land. [Also + of ]


2 ADJ If someone is sure of getting something, they will definitely get it or they think they will definitely get it. □ [+ of ] It's better to pay so that you can be sure of getting quality.


3 PHRASE If you say that something is sure to happen, you are emphasizing your belief that it will happen. [EMPHASIS ] □ With over 80 beaches to choose from, you are sure to find a place to lay your towel.


4 ADJ [ADJ n] Sure is used to emphasize that something such as a sign or ability is reliable or accurate. [EMPHASIS ] □ Sharpe's leg and shoulder began to ache, a sure sign of rain. □ She has a sure grasp of social issues such as literacy, poverty and child care.


5 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ to-inf, ADJ that] If you tell someone to be sure to do something, you mean that they must not forget to do it. [EMPHASIS ] □ Be sure to read about how mozzarella is made, on page 65. □ Be sure you get your daily quota of calcium.


6 CONVENTION Sure is an informal way of saying 'yes' or 'all right'. [FORMULAE ] □ 'He rang you?'—'Sure. Last night.' □ 'I'd like to be alone, O.K?'—'Sure. O.K.'


7 ADV [ADV before v] You can use sure in order to emphasize what you are saying. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ 'Has the whole world just gone crazy?'—'Sure looks that way, doesn't it.'


8 PHRASE You say sure enough , especially when telling a story, to confirm that something was really true or was actually happening. □ We found the English treacle pudding too good to resist. Sure enough, it was delicious.


9 PHRASE If you say that something is for sure or that you know it for sure , you mean that it is definitely true. □ One thing's for sure, his vocal style hasn't changed much over the years.


10 PHRASE If you make sure that something is done, you take action so that it is done. □ Make sure that you follow the instructions carefully.


11 PHRASE If you make sure that something is the way that you want or expect it to be, you check that it is that way. □ He looked in the bathroom to make sure that he was alone.


12 PHRASE If you say that something is a sure thing , you mean that you are certain that it will happen or be successful. [INFORMAL ] □ This proposal is by no means a sure thing.


13 PHRASE If you are sure of yourself , you are very confident about your own abilities or opinions. □ I'd never seen him like this, so sure of himself, so in command. SYNONYMS sure ADJ 1


certain: It wasn't a balloon–I'm certain of that.


positive: 'She's never late. You sure she said eight?'—'Positive.'


definite: Mary is very definite about this.


convinced: He was convinced that I was part of the problem.

su re-fire also surefire ADJ [ADJ n] A sure-fire thing is something that is certain to succeed or win. [INFORMAL ] □ …a surefire best seller.

su re-foo ted also surefooted


1 ADJ A person or animal that is sure-footed can move easily over steep or uneven ground without falling. □ My horse is small but wiry and sure-footed.


2 ADJ If someone is sure-footed , they are confident in what they are doing. □ The party was growing increasingly sure-footed.

sure|ly ◆◇◇ /ʃʊə r li/


1 ADV You use surely to emphasize that you think something should be true, and you would be surprised if it was not true. [EMPHASIS ] □ You're an intelligent woman, surely you realize by now that I'm helping you. □ If I can accept this situation, surely you can.


2 ADV [ADV before v] If something will surely happen or is surely the case, it will definitely happen or is definitely the case. [FORMAL ] □ He knew that under the surgeon's knife he would surely die. □ He is an artist, just as surely as Rembrandt or any other first-rate portrait painter is one.


3 PHRASE If you say that something is happening slowly but surely , you mean that it is happening gradually but it is definitely happening. □ Slowly but surely she started to fall in love with him.

sure|ty /ʃʊə r I ti/ (sureties ) N‑VAR A surety is money or something valuable which you give to someone to show that you will do what you have promised. □ The insurance company will take warehouse stocks or treasury bonds as surety.

surf /sɜː r f/ (surfs , surfing , surfed )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Surf is the mass of white bubbles that is formed by waves as they fall upon the shore. □ …surf rolling onto white sand beaches.


2 VERB If you surf , you ride on big waves in the sea on a special board. □ [V ] I'm going to buy a surfboard and learn to surf. □ [V n] I'm going to be surfing bigger waves when I get to Australia! ● surf|er (surfers ) N‑COUNT □ …this small fishing village, which continues to attract painters and surfers.


3 VERB If you surf the internet, you spend time finding and looking at things on the internet. [COMPUTING ] □ [V n] No one knows how many people currently surf the Net. ● surf|er (surfers ) N‑COUNT □ Net surfers can use their credit cards to pay for anything from toys to train tickets.

sur|face ◆◆◇ /sɜː r f I s/ (surfaces , surfacing , surfaced )


1 N‑COUNT The surface of something is the flat top part of it or the outside of it. □ 97% of all the water on the Earth's surface is salt. □ …tiny little waves on the surface of the water. □ Its total surface area was seven thousand square feet.


2 N‑COUNT A work surface is a flat area, for example the top of a table, desk, or kitchen cupboard, on which you can work. □ It can simply be left on the work surface.


3 N‑SING When you refer to the surface of a situation, you are talking about what can be seen easily rather than what is hidden or not immediately obvious. □ Back in Britain, things appear, on the surface, simpler. □ Social unrest is never far below the surface in the capital.


4 ADJ [ADJ n] Surface is used to describe the parts of the armed forces which travel by ship or by land rather than underwater or in the air. □ In contrast with its surface fleet, Britain's submarine force was relatively small.


5 VERB If someone or something under water surfaces , they come up to the surface of the water. □ [V ] He surfaced, gasping for air.


6 VERB When something such as a piece of news, a feeling, or a problem surfaces , it becomes known or becomes obvious. □ [V ] The paper says the evidence, when it surfaces, is certain to cause uproar.


7 VERB When someone surfaces , they appear after not being seen for some time, for example because they have been asleep. [INFORMAL ] □ [V ] What time do you surface? SYNONYMS surface NOUN 1


exterior: In one ad the viewer scarcely sees the car's exterior.


outside: …the outside of the building.


face: …the north face of the Eiger.


covering: Sawdust was used as a hygienic floor covering.

su r|face mail N‑UNCOUNT Surface mail is the system of sending letters and parcels by road, rail, or sea, not by air.

su rface-to-ai r ADJ [ADJ n] Surface-to-air missiles are fired from the ground or a boat and aimed at aircraft or at other missiles.

su rface-to-su rface ADJ [ADJ n] Surface-to-surface missiles are fired from the ground or a boat and aimed at targets on the ground or at other boats. □ The surface-to-surface missiles were fired from the west of the capital.

surf|board /sɜː r fbɔː r d/ (surfboards ) N‑COUNT A surfboard is a long narrow board that is used for surfing.

sur|feit /sɜː r f I t/ N‑SING A surfeit of something is an amount which is too large. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Rationing had put an end to a surfeit of biscuits long ago.

surf|ing /sɜː r f I ŋ/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Surfing is the sport of riding on the top of a wave while standing or lying on a special board.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Surfing is the activity of looking at different sites on the internet, especially when you are not looking for anything in particular. [COMPUTING ] □ The trend reflects that more surfing is happening on smartphones and tablet computers.

surge /sɜː r dʒ/ (surges , surging , surged )


1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A surge is a sudden large increase in something that has previously been steady, or has only increased or developed slowly. □ [+ in ] Specialists see various reasons for the recent surge in inflation. □ [+ of ] The anniversary is bound to bring a new surge of interest in the poet's work.


2 VERB If something surges , it increases suddenly and greatly, after being steady or developing only slowly. □ [V + from/to/by ] The party's electoral support surged from just under 10 per cent to nearly 17 per cent. □ [V -ing] Surging imports will add to the demand for hard currency. [Also V , V amount]


3 VERB If a crowd of people surge forward, they suddenly move forward together. □ [V adv/prep] The photographers and cameramen surged forward. □ [V adv/prep] …the crowd surging out from the church.


4 N‑COUNT A surge is a sudden powerful movement of a physical force such as wind or water. □ [+ of ] The whole car shuddered with an almost frightening surge of power.


5 VERB If a physical force such as water or electricity surges through something, it moves through it suddenly and powerfully. □ [V adv/prep] A paraglider crashed into power lines and survived 11,000 volts surging through his body. [Also V ]

sur|geon /sɜː r dʒ ə n/ (surgeons )


1 N‑COUNT A surgeon is a doctor who is specially trained to perform surgery. □ …a heart surgeon.


2 → see also plastic surgeon

sur|gery ◆◇◇ /sɜː r dʒəri/ (surgeries )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Surgery is medical treatment in which someone's body is cut open so that a doctor can repair, remove, or replace a diseased or damaged part. □ His father has just recovered from heart surgery. □ Mr Clark underwent five hours of emergency surgery.


2 → see also cosmetic surgery , keyhole surgery , plastic surgery


3 N‑COUNT A surgery is the room or house where a doctor or dentist works. [BRIT ] □ Bill was in the doctor's surgery demanding to know what was wrong with him. in AM, use doctor's office , dentist's office 4 N‑COUNT [oft with poss] A doctor's surgery is the period of time each day when a doctor sees patients at his or her surgery. [BRIT ] □ His surgery always ends at eleven. in AM, use office hours 5 N‑COUNT [usu sing] In Britain, when someone such as an MP or a local councillor holds a surgery , they go to an office where members of the public can come and talk to them about problems or issues that concern them.


6 N‑COUNT A surgery is the room in a hospital where surgeons operate on their patients. [AM ] in BRIT, use theatre , operating theatre

sur|gi|cal /sɜː r dʒ I k ə l/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] Surgical equipment and clothing is used in surgery. □ …an array of surgical instruments. □ …a pair of surgical gloves.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] Surgical treatment involves surgery. □ A biopsy is usually a minor surgical procedure. □ …surgical removal of a tumor. ● sur|gi|cal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ In very severe cases, bunions may be surgically removed.


3 ADJ [ADJ n] Surgical military actions are designed to destroy a particular target without harming other people or damaging other buildings near it. □ The government claim to have achieved a surgical strike against military targets.

su r|gi|cal spi r|it N‑UNCOUNT Surgical spirit is a liquid which is used to clean wounds or surgical instruments. It consists mainly of alcohol. [BRIT ] in AM, use rubbing alcohol

sur|ly /sɜː r li/ (surlier , surliest ) ADJ Someone who is surly behaves in a rude bad-tempered way. [WRITTEN ] □ He became surly and rude towards me.

sur|mise /sə r ma I z/ (surmises , surmising , surmised )


1 VERB If you surmise that something is true, you guess it from the available evidence, although you do not know for certain. [FORMAL ] □ [V wh] There's so little to go on, we can only surmise what happened. □ [V that] He surmised that he had discovered one of the illegal streets. [Also V , V n]


2 N‑VAR If you say that a particular conclusion is surmise , you mean that it is a guess based on the available evidence and you do not know for certain that it is true. [FORMAL ] □ It is mere surmise that Bosch had Brant's poem in mind when doing this painting. □ His surmise proved correct.

sur|mount /sə r maʊ nt/ (surmounts , surmounting , surmounted ) VERB If you surmount a problem or difficulty, you deal successfully with it. □ [V n] I realized I had to surmount the language barrier.

sur|name /sɜː r ne I m/ (surnames ) N‑COUNT Your surname is the name that you share with other members of your family. In English speaking countries and many other countries it is your last name. □ She'd never known his surname.

sur|pass /sə r pɑː s, -pæ s/ (surpasses , surpassing , surpassed )


1 VERB If one person or thing surpasses another, the first is better than, or has more of a particular quality than, the second. □ [V n] He was determined to surpass the achievements of his older brothers. □ [V -ed] Warwick Arts Centre is the second largest Arts Centre in Britain, surpassed in size only by London's Barbican.


2 VERB If something surpasses expectations, it is much better than it was expected to be. □ [V n] Conrad Black gave an excellent party that surpassed expectations.

sur|plice /sɜː r pl I s/ (surplices ) N‑COUNT A surplice is a loose white knee-length garment which is worn over a longer garment by priests and members of the choir in some churches. □ …the priest and choir in their lace surplices.

sur|plus ◆◇◇ /sɜː r pləs/ (surpluses )


1 N‑VAR If there is a surplus of something, there is more than is needed. □ [+ of ] Germany suffers from a surplus of teachers.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n, Also v-link ADJ to n] Surplus is used to describe something that is extra or that is more than is needed. □ Few people have large sums of surplus cash. □ The houses are being sold because they are surplus to requirements.


3 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] If a country has a trade surplus , it exports more than it imports. □ Japan's annual trade surplus is in the region of 100 billion dollars.


4 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] If a government has a budget surplus , it has spent less than it received in taxes. □ The Government also runs a modest budget surplus.

sur|prise ◆◆◇ /sə r pra I z/ (surprises , surprising , surprised )


1 N‑COUNT A surprise is an unexpected event, fact, or piece of news. □ I have a surprise for you: We are moving to Switzerland! □ [+ to ] It may come as a surprise to some that a child is born with many skills. □ It is perhaps no surprise to see another 80s singing star attempting a comeback. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Surprise is also an adjective. □ Baxter arrived here this afternoon, on a surprise visit.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Surprise is the feeling that you have when something unexpected happens. □ The Foreign Office in London has expressed surprise at these allegations. □ 'You mean he's going to vote against her?' Scobie asked in surprise. □ I started working hard for the first time in my life. To my surprise, I liked it.


3 VERB If something surprises you, it gives you a feeling of surprise. □ [V n] We'll solve the case ourselves and surprise everyone. □ [V n that] It surprised me that someone of her experience should make those mistakes. □ [V n if] It wouldn't surprise me if there was such chaos after this election that another had to be held. □ [V pron-refl] They were served lamb and she surprised herself by eating greedily.


4 VERB If you surprise someone, you give them, tell them, or do something pleasant that they are not expecting. □ [V n + with ] Surprise a new neighbour with one of your favourite home-made dishes. [Also V n]


5 N‑COUNT If you describe someone or something as a surprise , you mean that they are very good or pleasant although you were not expecting this. □ She was one of the surprises of the World Championships three months ago.


6 VERB If you surprise someone, you attack, capture, or find them when they are not expecting it. □ [V n] Marlborough surprised the French and Bavarian armies near the village of Blenheim.


7 → see also surprised , surprising


8 PHRASE If something takes you by surprise , it happens when you are not expecting it or when you are not prepared for it. □ His question took his two companions by surprise. COLLOCATIONS surprise NOUN


1


adjective + surprise : nasty, unpleasant, unwelcome; pleasant, wonderful; complete


verb + surprise : deliver, pull, spring


2


verb + surprise : express, feign, register

sur|prised ◆◇◇ /sə r pra I zd/


1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ , ADJ to-inf, ADJ that/how] If you are surprised at something, you have a feeling of surprise, because it is unexpected or unusual. □ [+ at/by ] This lady was genuinely surprised at what happened to her pet. □ Chang seemed surprised to find the big living-room empty.


2 → see also surprise SYNONYMS surprised ADJ


amazed: I was amazed to learn she was still writing her stories.


astonished: They were astonished to find the driver was a six-year-old boy.


startled: Martha gave her a startled look.

sur|pris|ing ◆◇◇ /sə r pra I z I ŋ/


1 ADJ Something that is surprising is unexpected or unusual and makes you feel surprised. □ It is not surprising that children learn to read at different rates. □ A surprising number of customers order the same sandwich every day. ● sur|pris|ing|ly ADV [ADV adj/adv] □ They did surprisingly well in the general election last year.


2 → see also surprise SYNONYMS surprising ADJ


amazing: It's amazing what we can remember with a little prompting.


astonishing: …an astonishing display of physical strength.


incredible: It seemed incredible that people would play football during a war.

sur|re|al /səriː əl/ ADJ If you describe something as surreal , you mean that the elements in it are combined in a strange way that you would not normally expect, like in a dream. □ 'Performance' is undoubtedly one of the most surreal movies ever made.

sur|re|al|ism /səriː əl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Surrealism is a style in art and literature in which ideas, images, and objects are combined in a strange way, like in a dream.

sur|re|al|ist /səriː əl I st/ (surrealists )


1 ADJ Surrealist means related to or in the style of surrealism. □ Dali's shoe hat was undoubtedly the most surrealist idea he ever worked on with Schiaparelli.


2 N‑COUNT A surrealist is an artist or writer whose work is based on the ideas of surrealism.

sur|re|al|is|tic /səriː əl I st I k/


1 ADJ Surrealistic means the same as surreal . □ …the surrealistic way the movie plays with time.


2 ADJ [ADJ n] Surrealistic means related to or in the style of surrealism. □ …Man Ray's surrealistic study of a woman's face with glass teardrops.

sur|ren|der ◆◇◇ /səre ndə r / (surrenders , surrendering , surrendered )


1 VERB If you surrender , you stop fighting or resisting someone and agree that you have been beaten. □ [V ] He called on the rebels to surrender. □ [V + to ] She surrendered to the police in London last December. ● N‑VAR Surrender is also a noun. □ [+ to ] …the government's apparent surrender to demands made by the religious militants.


2 VERB If you surrender something you would rather keep, you give it up or let someone else have it, for example after a struggle. □ [V n] Nadja had to fill out forms surrendering all rights to her property. ● N‑UNCOUNT Surrender is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …the sixteen-day deadline for the surrender of weapons and ammunition.


3 VERB If you surrender something such as a ticket or your passport, you give it to someone in authority when they ask you to. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] They have been ordered to surrender their passports.

sur|re n|der value (surrender values ) N‑COUNT The surrender value of a life insurance policy is the amount of money you receive if you decide that you no longer wish to continue with the policy. [BUSINESS ]

sur|rep|ti|tious /sʌ rəpt I ʃəs, [AM ] sɜː r-/ ADJ A surreptitious action is done secretly. □ He made a surreptitious entrance to the club through the little door in the brick wall. ● sur|rep|ti|tious|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Surreptitiously Mark looked at his watch.

sur|ro|ga|cy /sʌ rəgəsi, [AM ] sɜː r-/ N‑UNCOUNT Surrogacy is an arrangement by which a woman gives birth to a baby on behalf of a woman who is physically unable to have babies herself, and then gives the baby to her. □ In this country it is illegal to pay for surrogacy.

sur|ro|gate /sʌ rəge I t, [AM ] sɜː r-/ (surrogates ) ADJ [ADJ n] You use surrogate to describe a person or thing that is given a particular role because the person or thing that should have the role is not available. □ Martin had become Howard Cosell's surrogate son. ● N‑COUNT Surrogate is also a noun. □ Arms control should not be made into a surrogate for peace.

su r|ro|gate mo th|er (surrogate mothers ) N‑COUNT A surrogate mother is a woman who has agreed to give birth to a baby on behalf of another woman.

sur|round ◆◆◇ /səraʊ nd/ (surrounds , surrounding , surrounded )


1 VERB If a person or thing is surrounded by something, that thing is situated all around them. □ [be V -ed] The small churchyard was surrounded by a rusted wrought-iron fence. □ [V n] The shell surrounding the egg has many important functions. □ [V -ing] …the snipers and artillerymen in the surrounding hills.


2 VERB If you are surrounded by soldiers or police, they spread out so that they are in positions all the way around you. □ [be V -ed] When the car stopped in the town square it was surrounded by soldiers and militiamen. □ [V -ed] He tried to run away but gave up when he found himself surrounded.


3 VERB The circumstances, feelings, or ideas which surround something are those that are closely associated with it. □ [V n] The decision had been agreed in principle, but some controversy surrounded it.


4 VERB If you surround yourself with certain people or things, you make sure that you have a lot of them near you all the time. □ [V n + with/by ] He surrounded himself with a hand-picked group of bright young officers. □ [be V -ed + with/by ] They love being surrounded by familiar possessions.

sur|round|ings /səraʊ nd I ŋz/ N‑PLURAL [oft poss N ] When you are describing the place where you are at the moment, or the place where you live, you can refer to it as your surroundings . □ Schumacher adapted effortlessly to his new surroundings.

sur|tax /sɜː r tæks/ N‑UNCOUNT Surtax is an additional tax on incomes higher than the level at which ordinary tax is paid. [BUSINESS ] □ …a surtax on holiday home sales.

sur|ti|tle /sɜː r ta I t ə l/ (surtitles ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] At an opera or play that is being performed in a foreign language, surtitles are a translation or summary of the words, which appear on a screen above the stage.

sur|veil|lance /sə r ve I ləns/ N‑UNCOUNT Surveillance is the careful watching of someone, especially by an organization such as the police or the army. □ He was arrested after being kept under constant surveillance. □ Police keep track of the kidnapper using electronic surveillance equipment.

sur|vey ◆◆◇ (surveys , surveying , surveyed ) The noun is pronounced /sɜː r ve I /. The verb is pronounced /sə r ve I /, and can also be pronounced /sɜː r ve I / in meanings 2 and 6 . 1 N‑COUNT If you carry out a survey , you try to find out detailed information about a lot of different people or things, usually by asking people a series of questions. □ According to the survey, overall world trade has also slackened.


2 VERB If you survey a number of people, companies, or organizations, you try to find out information about their opinions or behaviour, usually by asking them a series of questions. □ [V n] Business Development Advisers surveyed 211 companies for the report. □ [V -ed] Only 18 percent of those surveyed opposed the idea.


3 VERB If you survey something, you look at or consider the whole of it carefully. □ [V n] He pushed himself to his feet and surveyed the room.


4 N‑COUNT If someone carries out a survey of an area of land, they examine it and measure it, usually in order to make a map of it. □ …the organizer of the geological survey of India.


5 VERB If someone surveys an area of land, they examine it and measure it, usually in order to make a map of it. □ [V n] The council commissioned geological experts to survey the cliffs.


6 N‑COUNT A survey is a careful examination of the condition and structure of a house, usually carried out in order to give information to a person who wants to buy it. [mainly BRIT ] □ …a structural survey undertaken by a qualified surveyor. in AM, use inspection 7 VERB If someone surveys a house, they examine it carefully and report on its structure, usually in order to give advice to a person who is thinking of buying it. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] …the people who surveyed the house for the mortgage. in AM, use inspect COLLOCATIONS survey NOUN


1


noun + survey : consumer, employee, household; opinion; crime


adjective + survey : comprehensive, detailed; national, nationwide, online; annual, recent


verb + survey : carry out, conduct, undertake; commission; publish, release


4


adjective + survey : brief

sur|vey|or /sə r ve I ə r / (surveyors )


1 N‑COUNT A surveyor is a person whose job is to survey land. □ …the surveyor's maps of the Queen Alexandra Range.


2 N‑COUNT A surveyor is a person whose job is to survey buildings. [BRIT ] □ Our surveyor warned us that the house needed totally rebuilding. in AM, use structural engineer , inspector 3 → see also quantity surveyor

sur|viv|al ◆◇◇ /sə r va I v ə l/


1 N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to the survival of something or someone, you mean that they manage to continue or exist in spite of difficult circumstances. □ …companies which have been struggling for survival in the advancing recession. □ Ask for the free booklet 'Debt: a Survival Guide'.


2 N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to the survival of a person or living thing, you mean that they live through a dangerous situation in which it was possible that they might die. □ If cancers are spotted early there's a high chance of survival. □ An animal's sense of smell is still crucial to its survival.


3 PHRASE You can use the survival of the fittest to refer to a situation in which only the strongest people or things continue to live or be successful, while the others die or fail.

sur|vive ◆◆◇ /sə r va I v/ (survives , surviving , survived )


1 VERB If a person or living thing survives in a dangerous situation such as an accident or an illness, they do not die. □ [V ] They battled to survive in icy seas for over four hours. □ [V ] Those organisms that are that are most suited to the environment will survive. □ [V n] Drugs that dissolve blood clots can help people survive heart attacks.


2 VERB If you survive in difficult circumstances, you manage to live or continue in spite of them and do not let them affect you very much. □ [V ] …people who are struggling to survive without jobs. □ [V n] …a man who had survived his share of boardroom coups.


3 VERB If something survives , it continues to exist even after being in a dangerous situation or existing for a long time. □ [V ] When the market economy is introduced, many factories will not survive. □ [V n] The chances of a planet surviving a supernova always looked terribly slim.


4 VERB If you survive someone, you continue to live after they have died. □ [V n] Most women will survive their spouses. SYNONYMS survive VERB 1


pull through: Everyone was very concerned whether he would pull through or not.


live: He's got a terrible disease and will not live long.


last: The marriage had lasted for less than two years.

sur|vi|vor /sə r va I və r / (survivors )


1 N‑COUNT A survivor of a disaster, accident, or illness is someone who continues to live afterwards in spite of coming close to death. □ [+ of ] Officials said there were no survivors of the plane crash.


2 N‑COUNT A survivor of a very unpleasant experience is a person who has had such an experience, and who is still affected by it. □ [+ of ] This book is written with survivors of child sexual abuse in mind.


3 N‑COUNT [usu pl, usu poss N ] A person's survivors are the members of their family who continue to live after they have died. [AM ] □ The compensation bill offers the miners or their survivors as much as $100,000 apiece. [Also + of ]


4 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a survivor , you approve of the fact that they are able to carry on with their life even though they experience many difficulties. [APPROVAL ] □ Above all Susie is a great survivor, with a bright, indomitable spirit.

sus|cep|tibil|ity /səse pt I b I l I ti/ (susceptibilities )


1 N‑VAR If you have a susceptibility to something unpleasant, you are likely to be affected by it. □ [+ to ] …his increased susceptibility to infections.


2 N‑PLURAL A person's susceptibilities are feelings which can be easily hurt. [FORMAL ] □ I am well aware that in saying this I shall outrage a few susceptibilities.

sus|cep|tible /səse pt I b ə l/


1 ADJ If you are susceptible to something or someone, you are very likely to be influenced by them. □ [+ to ] Young people are the most susceptible to advertisements. □ [+ to ] James was extremely susceptible to flattery.


2 ADJ If you are susceptible to a disease or injury, you are very likely to be affected by it. □ [+ to ] Walking with weights makes the shoulders very susceptible to injury.

su|shi /suː ʃi/ N‑UNCOUNT Sushi is a Japanese dish of rice with sweet vinegar, often served with raw fish.

sus|pect ◆◆◇ (suspects , suspecting , suspected ) The verb is pronounced /səspe kt/. The noun and adjective are pronounced /sʌ spekt/. 1 VERB You use suspect when you are stating something that you believe is probably true, in order to make it sound less strong or direct. [VAGUENESS ] □ [V that] I suspect they were right. □ [V that] The above complaints are, I suspect, just the tip of the iceberg. □ [V not/so ] Do women really share such stupid jokes? We suspect not.


2 VERB If you suspect that something dishonest or unpleasant has been done, you believe that it has probably been done. If you suspect someone of doing an action of this kind, you believe that they probably did it. □ [V that] He suspected that the woman staying in the flat above was using heroin. □ [V n + of ] It was perfectly all right, he said, because the police had not suspected him of anything. □ [V n] You don't really think Webb suspects you? □ [V -ed] Frears was rushed to hospital with a suspected heart attack. [Also V wh]


3 N‑COUNT A suspect is a person who the police or authorities think may be guilty of a crime. □ Police have arrested a suspect in a series of killings and sexual assaults in the city.


4 ADJ Suspect things or people are ones that you think may be dangerous or may be less good or genuine than they appear. □ Delegates evacuated the building when a suspect package was found. COLLOCATIONS suspect NOUN 3


noun + suspect : murder, terror, terrorist


adjective + suspect : key, likely, prime, usual


verb + suspect : arrest, charge, detain, hold; describe, identify

sus|pend ◆◇◇ /səspe nd/ (suspends , suspending , suspended )


1 VERB If you suspend something, you delay it or stop it from happening for a while or until a decision is made about it. □ [V n] Aid programs will be suspended until there's adequate protection for relief convoys.


2 VERB If someone is suspended , they are prevented from holding a particular job or position for a fixed length of time or until a decision is made about them. □ [be V -ed] Julie was suspended from her job shortly after the incident. □ [V n] The Lawn Tennis Association suspended him from the British team.


3 VERB [usu passive] If something is suspended from a high place, it is hanging from that place. □ [be V -ed] …a mobile of birds or nursery rhyme characters which could be suspended over the cot. SYNONYMS suspend VERB 1


postpone: He decided to postpone the expedition until the following day.


delay: For sentimental reasons I wanted to delay my departure until June.


put off: They put off having a baby until they were in their late 30s.


defer: Customers often defer payment for as long as possible.

sus|pe nd|ed ani|ma |tion


1 N‑UNCOUNT Suspended animation is a state in which an animal is unconscious, with its body functioning very slowly, for example so that the animal can survive the winter.


2 N‑UNCOUNT If you describe someone as being in a state of suspended animation , you mean that they have become inactive and are doing nothing. □ She lay in a state of suspended animation, waiting for dawnlight, when she would rise.

sus|pe nd|ed se n|tence (suspended sentences ) N‑COUNT If a criminal is given a suspended sentence , they are given a prison sentence which they have to serve if they commit another crime within a specified period of time. □ John was given a four-month suspended sentence.

sus|pend|er /səspe ndə r / (suspenders )


1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Suspenders are the fastenings which hold up a woman's stockings. [BRIT ] in AM, use garters 2 N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Suspenders are a pair of straps that go over someone's shoulders and are fastened to their trousers at the front and back to prevent the trousers from falling down. [AM ] in BRIT, use braces

sus|pe nd|er belt (suspender belts ) N‑COUNT A suspender belt is a piece of underwear for women that is used for holding up stockings. [BRIT ] in AM, use garter belt

sus|pense /səspe ns/


1 N‑UNCOUNT Suspense is a state of excitement or anxiety about something that is going to happen very soon, for example about some news that you are waiting to hear. □ The England manager will end the suspense at a team meeting tomorrow.


2 PHRASE If you keep or leave someone in suspense , you deliberately delay telling them something that they are very eager to know about. □ Keppler kept all his men in suspense until that morning.

sus|pense|ful /səspe nsfʊl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A suspenseful story makes you feel excited or anxious about what is going to happen in the story next. □ …a suspenseful and sinister tale.

sus|pen|sion /səspe nʃ ə n/ (suspensions )


1 N‑UNCOUNT The suspension of something is the act of delaying or stopping it for a while or until a decision is made about it. □ [+ of ] A strike by British Airways ground staff has led to the suspension of flights between London and Manchester.


2 N‑VAR Someone's suspension is their removal from a job or position for a period of time or until a decision is made about them. □ The minister warned that any civil servant not at his desk faced immediate suspension.


3 N‑VAR A vehicle's suspension consists of the springs and other devices attached to the wheels, which give a smooth ride over uneven ground.

sus|pe n|sion bridge (suspension bridges ) N‑COUNT A suspension bridge is a type of bridge that is supported from above by cables.

sus|pi|cion ◆◇◇ /səsp I ʃ ə n/ (suspicions )


1 N‑VAR [oft N that, under N ] Suspicion or a suspicion is a belief or feeling that someone has committed a crime or done something wrong. □ There was a suspicion that this runner attempted to avoid the procedures for dope testing. □ The police said their suspicions were aroused because Mr Owens had other marks on his body. □ Scotland Yard had assured him he was not under suspicion. [Also + of ]


2 N‑VAR If there is suspicion of someone or something, people do not trust them or consider them to be reliable. □ [+ of ] …the traditional British suspicion of psychotherapy. □ [+ of ] He may have had some suspicions of Michael Foster, the editor of the journal.


3 N‑COUNT [oft N that] A suspicion is a feeling that something is probably true or is likely to happen. □ I have a sneaking suspicion that they are going to succeed.


4 N‑SING A suspicion of something is a very small amount of it. [WRITTEN ] □ [+ of ] …large blooms of white with a suspicion of pale pink.

sus|pi|cious /səsp I ʃəs/


1 ADJ If you are suspicious of someone or something, you do not trust them, and are careful when dealing with them. □ [+ of ] He was rightly suspicious of meeting me until I reassured him I was not writing about him. □ He has his father's suspicious nature. ● sus|pi|cious|ly ADJ [ADV after v] □ 'What is it you want me to do?' Adams asked suspiciously.


2 ADJ If you are suspicious of someone or something, you believe that they are probably involved in a crime or some dishonest activity. □ [+ of ] Two officers on patrol became suspicious of two men in a car. □ A woman kept prisoner in a basement was rescued after suspicious neighbours tipped off police.


3 ADJ If you describe someone or something as suspicious , you mean that there is some aspect of them which makes you think that they are involved in a crime or a dishonest activity. □ He reported that two suspicious-looking characters had approached Callendar. ● sus|pi|cious|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/adv] □ They'll ask whether anyone was seen acting suspiciously in the area. □ Police were told to arrest voters found with suspiciously large sums of money in their pockets.


4 → see also suspiciously

sus|pi|cious|ly /səsp I ʃəsli/


1 ADV If you say that one thing looks or sounds suspiciously like another thing, you mean that it probably is that thing, or something very similar to it, although it may be intended to seem different. □ The tan-coloured dog looks suspiciously like an American pit bull terrier.


2 ADV [ADV adj/adv] You can use suspiciously when you are describing something that you think is slightly strange or not as it should be. □ He lives alone in a suspiciously tidy flat in Notting Hill Gate.


3 → see also suspicious

suss /sʌ s/ (susses , sussing , sussed ) VERB If you suss a person or situation, you realize or work out what their real character or nature is. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n] I think I've sussed the reason for it. □ [V that] The women began to suss that there was no reason why they should be impressed by him. □ [get n V -ed] We're getting the problem sussed. [Also V wh] ● PHRASAL VERB Suss out means the same as suss . □ [V P n] They're sussing out the area to see how strong the police presence is. □ [V n P ] He susses his colleagues out and he knows who he can trust. □ [V P wh] I'd had the training to suss out what he was up to. [Also V that]

sussed /sʌ st/ ADJ If someone is sussed , they are clever and know a lot about something such as clothes, pop music, or politics. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]

sus|tain ◆◇◇ /səste I n/ (sustains , sustaining , sustained )


1 VERB If you sustain something, you continue it or maintain it for a period of time. □ [V n] But he has sustained his fierce social conscience from young adulthood through old age. □ [V -ed] …a period of sustained economic growth throughout 1995.


2 VERB If you sustain something such as a defeat, loss, or injury, it happens to you. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Every aircraft in there has sustained some damage. □ [V -ed] A tourist died of injuries sustained in the bomb blast.


3 VERB If something sustains you, it supports you by giving you help, strength, or encouragement. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The cash dividends they get from the cash crop would sustain them during the lean season. SYNONYMS sustain VERB


1


maintain: Push yourself to make friends and to maintain the friendships.


continue: Outside the building people continue their vigil, huddling around bonfires.


keep up: I was so hungry all the time that I could not keep the diet up for longer than a month.


prolong: The actual action of the drug can be prolonged significantly.


2


suffer: The peace process has suffered a serious blow now.


undergo: He underwent an agonising 48-hour wait for the results of tests.


experience: British business is now experiencing a severe recession.

sus|tain|able /səste I nəb ə l/


1 ADJ You use sustainable to describe the use of natural resources when this use is kept at a steady level that is not likely to damage the environment. □ Try to buy wood that you know has come from a sustainable source. ● sus|tain|abil|ity /səste I nəb I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …the growing concern about environmental sustainability.


2 ADJ A sustainable plan, method, or system is designed to continue at the same rate or level of activity without any problems. □ The creation of an efficient and sustainable transport system is critical to the long-term future of London. ● sus|tain|abil|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …doubts about the sustainability of the current economic expansion.

sus|te|nance /sʌ st I nəns/ N‑UNCOUNT Sustenance is food or drink which a person, animal, or plant needs to remain alive and healthy. [FORMAL ] □ The state provided a basic quantity of food for daily sustenance, but little else.

su|ture /suː tʃə r / (sutures ) N‑COUNT A suture is a stitch made to join together the open parts of a wound, especially one made after a patient has been operated on. [MEDICAL ]

SUV /e s juː viː / (SUVs ) N‑COUNT An SUV is a powerful vehicle with four-wheel drive that can be driven over rough ground. SUV is an abbreviation for 'sport utility vehicle'.

svelte /sve lt, sfe lt/ ADJ Someone who is svelte is slim and looks attractive and elegant. [APPROVAL ]

SW in AM, also use S.W. SW is a written abbreviation for south-west . □ …King's Road, London SW 3.

swab /swɒ b/ (swabs , swabbing , swabbed )


1 N‑COUNT A swab is a small piece of cotton wool used by a doctor or nurse for cleaning a wound or putting a substance on it.


2 VERB If you swab something, you clean it using a wet cloth or a tool called a mop. □ [V n] I noticed a lone man in the cafeteria swabbing the floor as I passed.

swad|dle /swɒ d ə l/ (swaddles , swaddling , swaddled ) VERB If you swaddle a baby, you wrap cloth around it in order to keep it warm or to prevent it from moving. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ [V n] Swaddle your newborn baby so that she feels secure. □ [V -ed] …a baby swaddled in silk brocade.

swag /swæ g/ (swags )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Swag is stolen goods, or money obtained illegally. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ]


2 N‑COUNT A swag is a piece of material that is put above a window and hangs down in a decorative way.

swag|ger /swæ gə r / (swaggers , swaggering , swaggered ) VERB If you swagger , you walk in a very proud, confident way, holding your body upright and swinging your hips. □ [V prep/adv] A broad-shouldered man wearing a dinner jacket swaggered confidently up to the bar. □ [V -ing] He was an arrogant, swaggering young man. [Also V ] ● N‑SING Swagger is also a noun. □ He walked with something of a swagger.

swain /swe I n/ (swains ) N‑COUNT A swain is a young man who is in love. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

swal|low /swɒ loʊ/ (swallows , swallowing , swallowed )


1 VERB If you swallow something, you cause it to go from your mouth down into your stomach. □ [V n] You are asked to swallow a capsule containing vitamin B. □ [V ] Polly took a bite of the apple, chewed and swallowed. ● N‑COUNT Swallow is also a noun. □ Jan lifted her glass and took a quick swallow.


2 VERB If you swallow , you make a movement in your throat as if you are swallowing something, often because you are nervous or frightened. □ [V ] Nancy swallowed hard and shook her head.


3 VERB If someone swallows a story or a statement, they believe it completely. □ [V n] It was vital that he swallowed the story about Juanita being in that motel room that night.


4 N‑COUNT A swallow is a kind of small bird with pointed wings and a forked tail.


5 a bitter pill to swallow → see pill


▸ swallow up


1 PHRASAL VERB If one thing is swallowed up by another, it becomes part of the first thing and no longer has a separate identity of its own. □ [V P n] During the 1980s monster publishing houses started to swallow up smaller companies. [Also V n P ]


2 PHRASAL VERB If something swallows up money or resources, it uses them entirely while giving very little in return. □ [V P n] The 20 per cent deposit will swallow up most of the 20,000 he has set aside. □ [V -ed P ] Farmers could see a quarter of their income swallowed up by the interest rate rise. [Also V n P ]


3 PHRASAL VERB If a person or thing is swallowed up by something, they disappear into it so that you cannot see them any more. □ [be V -ed P ] He headed back towards the flea market and was quickly swallowed up in the crowd. □ [V P n] Weeds had swallowed up the garden. [Also V n P ]

swam /swæ m/ Swam is the past tense of swim .

swamp /swɒ mp/ (swamps , swamping , swamped )


1 N‑VAR A swamp is an area of very wet land with wild plants growing in it.


2 VERB If something swamps a place or object, it fills it with water. □ [V n] A rogue wave swamped the boat.


3 VERB [usu passive] If you are swamped by things or people, you have more of them than you can deal with. □ [be V -ed] He is swamped with work.

swamp|land /swɒ mplænd/ (swamplands ) N‑VAR Swampland is an area of land that is always very wet.

swampy /swɒ mpi/ (swampier , swampiest ) ADJ A swampy area of land is always very wet.

swan /swɒ n/ (swans , swanning , swanned )


1 N‑COUNT A swan is a large bird with a very long neck. Swans live on rivers and lakes and are usually white.


2 VERB If you describe someone as swanning around or swanning off , you mean that they go and have fun, rather than working or taking care of their responsibilities. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V prep/adv] She spends her time swanning around the world.

swank /swæ ŋk/ (swanks , swanking , swanked ) VERB If someone is swanking , they are speaking about things they own or things they have achieved, in order to impress other people. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + about ] I have always been against swanking about all the things I have been lucky enough to win. [Also V ]

swanky /swæ ŋki/ (swankier , swankiest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as swanky , you mean that it is fashionable and expensive. [INFORMAL ] □ …one of the swanky hotels that line the Pacific shore at Acapulco.

swa n song also swan-song N‑SING Someone's swan song is the last time that they do something for which they are famous, for example the last time that an actor gives a performance in the theatre. □ I competed in the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, which was my swan song.

swap /swɒ p/ (swaps , swapping , swapped ) also swop


1 VERB If you swap something with someone, you give it to them and receive a different thing in exchange. □ [V n] Next week they will swap places and will repeat the switch weekly. □ [V n + with ] I'd gladly swap places with mummy any day. □ [V n + for/with ] I know a sculptor who swaps her pieces for drawings by a well-known artist. □ [be V -ed + for/with ] Some hostages were swapped for convicted prisoners. ● N‑COUNT [oft n N ] Swap is also a noun. □ If she ever fancies a job swap, I could be interested.


2 VERB If you swap one thing for another, you remove the first thing and replace it with the second, or you stop doing the first thing and start doing the second. □ [V n + for ] Despite the heat, he'd swapped his overalls for a suit and tie. □ [V n] Both sides swapped their goalies in the 30th minute.

swarm /swɔː r m/ (swarms , swarming , swarmed )


1 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A swarm of bees or other insects is a large group of them flying together.


2 VERB When bees or other insects swarm , they move or fly in a large group. □ [V prep/adv] A dark cloud of bees comes swarming out of the hive. [Also V ]


3 VERB When people swarm somewhere, they move there quickly in a large group. □ [V prep/adv] People swarmed to the shops, buying up everything in sight. [Also V n]


4 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] A swarm of people is a large group of them moving about quickly. □ Today at the crossing there were swarms of tourists taking photographs.


5 VERB [usu cont] If a place is swarming with people, it is full of people moving about in a busy way. □ [V + with ] Within minutes the area was swarming with officers who began searching a nearby wood.

swarthy /swɔː r ði/ ADJ A swarthy person has a dark face. □ He had a broad swarthy face.

swash|buck|ling /swɒ ʃbʌkl I ŋ/ ADJ If you describe someone or something as swashbuckling , you mean that they are connected with adventure and excitement. □ …a swashbuckling adventure story.

swas|ti|ka /swɒ st I kə/ (swastikas ) N‑COUNT A swastika is a symbol in the shape of a cross with each arm bent over at right angles. It is used in India as a good luck sign, but it was also used by the Nazis in Germany as their official symbol.

swat /swɒ t/ (swats , swatting , swatted ) VERB If you swat something such as an insect, you hit it with a quick, swinging movement, using your hand or a flat object. □ [V n] Hundreds of flies buzz around us, and the workman keeps swatting them.

swathe /swe I ð, [AM ] swɑː ð/ (swathes , swathing , swathed ) The noun is also spelled swath . 1 N‑COUNT A swathe of land is a long strip of land. □ Year by year great swathes of this small nation's countryside disappear.


2 N‑COUNT A swathe of cloth is a long strip of cloth, especially one that is wrapped around someone or something. □ [+ of ] …swathes of white silk.


3 VERB To swathe someone or something in cloth means to wrap them in it completely. □ [V n + in ] She swathed her enormous body in thin black fabrics. □ [be V -ed] His head was swathed in bandages made from a torn sheet.

SWAT team /swɒ t tiːm/ (SWAT teams ) N‑COUNT A SWAT team is a group of police officers who have been specially trained to deal with very dangerous or violent situations. SWAT is an abbreviation for 'Special Weapons and Tactics'. [mainly AM ]

sway /swe I / (sways , swaying , swayed )


1 VERB When people or things sway , they lean or swing slowly from one side to the other. □ [V adv/prep] The people swayed back and forth with arms linked. □ [V ] The whole boat swayed and tipped. □ [V -ing] …a coastal highway lined with tall, swaying palm trees.


2 VERB If you are swayed by someone or something, you are influenced by them. □ [be V -ed] Don't ever be swayed by fashion. □ [V n] …last minute efforts to sway the voters in tomorrow's local elections.


3 PHRASE If someone or something holds sway , they have great power or influence over a particular place or activity. □ South of the Usk, a completely different approach seems to hold sway. [Also + over ]


4 PHRASE If you are under the sway of someone or something, they have great influence over you. □ How mothers keep daughters under their sway is the subject of the next five sections.

swear /sweə r / (swears , swearing , swore , sworn )


1 VERB If someone swears , they use language that is considered to be rude or offensive, usually because they are angry. □ [V ] It's wrong to swear and shout. □ [V + at ] They swore at them and ran off.


2 VERB If you swear to do something, you promise in a serious way that you will do it. □ [V that] Alan swore that he would do everything in his power to help us. □ [V to-inf] We have sworn to fight cruelty wherever we find it. □ [V n] The police are the only civil servants who have to swear allegiance to the Crown. □ [V n] I have sworn an oath to defend her.


3 VERB If you say that you swear that something is true or that you can swear to it, you are saying very firmly that it is true. [EMPHASIS ] □ [V that] I swear I've told you all I know. □ [V + on/by ] I swear on all I hold dear that I had nothing to do with this. □ [V + to ] Behind them was a confusion of noise, perhaps even a shot, but he couldn't swear to it.


4 VERB [usu passive] If someone is sworn to secrecy or is sworn to silence, they promise another person that they will not reveal a secret. □ [be V -ed + to ] She was bursting to announce the news but was sworn to secrecy.


5 → see also sworn


▸ swear by PHRASAL VERB If you swear by something, you believe that it can be relied on to have a particular effect. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] Many people swear by vitamin C's ability to ward off colds.


▸ swear in PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] When someone is sworn in , they formally promise to fulfil the duties of a new job or appointment. □ [be V -ed P ] Soon after the New Year, the new Congress will come to Washington to be sworn in.

swea ring-i n N‑SING The swearing-in at the beginning of a trial or official appointment is the act of making formal promises to fulfil the duties it involves.

swea r word (swear words ) also swearword N‑COUNT A swear word is a word which is considered to be rude or offensive. Swear words are usually used when people are angry.

sweat /swe t/ (sweats , sweating , sweated )


1 N‑UNCOUNT Sweat is the salty colourless liquid which comes through your skin when you are hot, ill, or afraid. □ Both horse and rider were dripping with sweat within five minutes.


2 VERB When you sweat , sweat comes through your skin. □ [V ] Already they were sweating as the sun beat down upon them. ● sweat|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …symptoms such as sweating, irritability, anxiety and depression.


3 N‑COUNT If someone is in a sweat , they are sweating a lot. □ Every morning I would break out in a sweat. □ I really don't feel a bit sick, no night sweats, no fevers.


4 PHRASE [v-link ADJ ] If someone is in a cold sweat or in a sweat , they feel frightened or embarrassed. □ The very thought brought me out in a cold sweat.


5 to sweat blood → see blood

sweat|er /swe tə r / (sweaters ) N‑COUNT A sweater is a warm knitted piece of clothing which covers the upper part of your body and your arms.

sweat|pants /swe tpænts/ also sweat pants N‑PLURAL Sweatpants are the part of a sweatsuit that covers your legs.

sweat|shirt /swe tʃɜː r t/ (sweatshirts ) also sweat shirt N‑COUNT A sweatshirt is a loose warm piece of casual clothing, usually made of thick stretchy cotton, which covers the upper part of your body and your arms.

sweat|shop /swe tʃɒp/ (sweatshops ) also sweat shop N‑COUNT If you describe a small factory as a sweatshop , you mean that many people work there in poor conditions for low pay. [DISAPPROVAL ]

sweat|suit /swe tsuːt/ (sweatsuits ) also sweat suit N‑COUNT A sweatsuit is a loose, warm, stretchy suit consisting of long trousers and a top which people wear to relax and do exercise.

sweaty /swe ti/ (sweatier , sweatiest )


1 ADJ If parts of your body or your clothes are sweaty , they are soaked or covered with sweat. □ …sweaty hands. □ She was hot and sweaty.


2 ADJ A sweaty place or activity makes you sweat because it is hot or tiring. □ …a sweaty nightclub.

swede /swiː d/ (swedes ) N‑VAR A swede is a round yellow root vegetable with a brown or purple skin. [BRIT ] in AM, use rutabaga

Swede /swiː d/ (Swedes ) N‑COUNT A Swede is a person who comes from Sweden.

Swe|dish /swiː d I ʃ/


1 ADJ Swedish means belonging or relating to Sweden, or to its people, language, or culture.


2 N‑UNCOUNT Swedish is the language spoken in Sweden.

sweep ◆◇◇ /swiː p/ (sweeps , sweeping , swept )


1 VERB If you sweep an area of floor or ground, you push dirt or rubbish off it using a brush with a long handle. □ [V n] The owner of the store was sweeping his floor when I walked in. □ [V n prep/adv] She was in the kitchen sweeping crumbs into a dust pan. □ [V ] Norma picked up the broom and began sweeping.


2 VERB If you sweep things off something, you push them off with a quick smooth movement of your arm. □ [V n prep/adv] With a gesture of frustration, she swept the cards from the table. □ [V n prep/adv] 'Thanks friend,' he said, while sweeping the money into his pocket.


3 VERB If someone with long hair sweeps their hair into a particular style, they put it into that style. □ [V n prep/adv] …stylish ways of sweeping your hair off your face. □ [be V -ed] Her long, fine hair was swept back in a ponytail.


4 VERB If your arm or hand sweeps in a particular direction, or if you sweep it there, it moves quickly and smoothly in that direction. □ [V prep/adv] His arm swept around the room. □ [V n prep/adv] Daniels swept his arm over his friend's shoulder. □ [V -ing] …the long sweeping arm movements of a violinist. ● N‑COUNT Sweep is also a noun. □ With one sweep of her hand she threw back the sheets.


5 VERB If wind, a stormy sea, or another strong force sweeps someone or something along, it moves them quickly along. □ [V n prep/adv] …landslides that buried homes and swept cars into the sea. □ [V n prep/adv] Suddenly, she was swept along by the crowd.


6 VERB If you are swept somewhere, you are taken there very quickly. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] The visitors were swept past various monuments. □ [V n prep/adv] A limousine swept her along the busy freeway to the airport.


7 VERB If something sweeps from one place to another, it moves there extremely quickly. [WRITTEN ] □ [V prep/adv] An icy wind swept through the streets. □ [V prep/adv] The car swept past the gate house.


8 VERB If events, ideas, or beliefs sweep through a place, they spread quickly through it. □ [V + through/across ] A flu epidemic is sweeping through Moscow. □ [V n] …the wave of patriotism sweeping the country.


9 VERB If someone sweeps into a place, they walk into it in a proud, confident way, often when they are angry. [WRITTEN ] □ [V prep/adv] She swept into the conference room. □ [V prep/adv] Scarlet with rage, she swept past her employer and stormed up the stairs. □ [V prep/adv] The Chief turned and swept out.


10 VERB If a person or group sweeps an election or sweeps to victory, they win the election easily. □ [V n] …a man who's promised to make radical changes to benefit the poor has swept the election. □ [V + to ] In both republics, centre-right parties swept to power.


11 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If someone makes a sweep of a place, they search it, usually because they are looking for people who are hiding or for an illegal activity. □ Two of the soldiers swiftly began making a sweep of the premises.


12 → see also sweeping , chimney sweep


13 PHRASE If someone sweeps something bad or wrong under the carpet , or if they sweep it under the rug , they try to prevent people from hearing about it. □ For a long time this problem has been swept under the carpet.


14 PHRASE If you make a clean sweep of something such as a series of games or tournaments, you win them all. □ …the first club to make a clean sweep of all three trophies.


15 to sweep the board → see board


▸ sweep up PHRASAL VERB If you sweep up rubbish or dirt, you push it together with a brush and then remove it. □ [V P n] Get a broom and sweep up that glass will you? □ [V P ] He started working for a gallery sweeping up and making the tea. [Also V n P ] SYNONYMS sweep VERB 1


brush: Using a small brush, he brushed away the fine sawdust.


wipe: I'll just wipe the table.


vacuum: I vacuumed the carpets today. COLLOCATIONS sweep NOUN 4


adjective + sweep : broad, grand, majestic, panoramic; downward

sweep|er /swiː pə r / (sweepers ) N‑COUNT In football, a sweeper is a player whose position is behind the main defenders but in front of the goalkeeper.

sweep|ing /swiː p I ŋ/


1 ADJ [ADJ n] A sweeping curve is a long wide curve. □ …the long sweeping curve of Rio's Guanabara Bay.


2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone makes a sweeping statement or generalization, they make a statement which applies to all things of a particular kind, although they have not considered all the relevant facts carefully. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It is far too early to make sweeping statements about gene therapy.


3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Sweeping changes are large and very important or significant. □ The new government has started to make sweeping changes in the economy.


4 → see also sweep

sweep|stake /swiː pste I k/ (sweepstakes ) N‑COUNT A sweepstake is a method of gambling in which each person pays a small amount of money and is given the name of a competitor before a race or contest. The person who has the name of the winner receives all the money.

sweet ◆◇◇ /swiː t/ (sweeter , sweetest , sweets )


1 ADJ Sweet food and drink contains a lot of sugar. □ …a mug of sweet tea. □ If the sauce seems too sweet, add a dash of vinegar. ● sweet|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Florida oranges have a natural sweetness.


2 N‑COUNT Sweets are small sweet things such as toffees, chocolates, and mints. [BRIT ] in AM, use candy 3 N‑VAR A sweet is something sweet, such as fruit or a pudding, that you eat at the end of a meal, especially in a restaurant. [BRIT ] □ The sweet was a mousse flavoured with coffee. in AM, use dessert 4 ADJ A sweet smell is a pleasant one, for example the smell of a flower. □ She'd baked some bread which made the air smell sweet.


5 ADJ If you describe something such as air or water as sweet , you mean that it smells or tastes pleasantly fresh and clean. □ I gulped a breath of sweet air.


6 ADJ A sweet sound is pleasant, smooth, and gentle. □ Her voice was as soft and sweet as a young girl's. □ …the sweet sounds of Mozart. ● sweet|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ He sang much more sweetly than he has before.


7 ADJ If you describe something as sweet , you mean that it gives you great pleasure and satisfaction. [WRITTEN ] □ There are few things quite as sweet as revenge.


8 ADJ If you describe someone as sweet , you mean that they are pleasant, kind, and gentle towards other people. □ How sweet of you to think of me! ● sweet|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ I just smiled sweetly and said no.


9 ADJ If you describe a small person or thing as sweet , you mean that they are attractive in a simple or unsophisticated way. [INFORMAL ] □ …a sweet little baby girl. □ The house was really sweet.


10 → see also sweetly , sweetness


11 a sweet tooth → see tooth

swee t and sou r also sweet-and-sour ADJ [ADJ n] Sweet and sour is used to describe Chinese food that contains both a sweet flavour and something sharp or sour such as lemon or vinegar.

sweet|bread /swiː tbred/ (sweetbreads ) N‑COUNT Sweetbreads are meat obtained from the pancreas of a calf or a lamb.

sweet|corn /swiː tkɔ r n/ also sweet corn N‑UNCOUNT Sweetcorn is a long rounded vegetable covered in small yellow seeds. It is part of the maize plant. The seeds themselves can also be referred to as sweetcorn .

sweet|en /swiː t ə n/ (sweetens , sweetening , sweetened )


1 VERB If you sweeten food or drink, you add sugar, honey, or another sweet substance to it. □ [V n] He liberally sweetened his coffee. □ [V n + with ] The Australians fry their bananas and sweeten them with honey.


2 VERB If you sweeten something such as an offer or a business deal, you try to make someone want it more by improving it or by increasing the amount you are willing to pay. □ [V n] They may have to sweeten the deal to keep investors on board.

sweet|en|er /swiː tənə r / (sweeteners )


1 N‑VAR Sweetener is an artificial substance that can be used in drinks instead of sugar.


2 N‑COUNT A sweetener is something that you give or offer someone in order to persuade them to accept an offer or business deal.

sweet|heart /swiː thɑː r t/ (sweethearts )


1 N‑COUNT You call someone sweetheart if you are very fond of them. □ Happy birthday, sweetheart.


2 N‑COUNT Your sweetheart is your boyfriend or your girlfriend. [JOURNALISM , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ I married Shurla, my childhood sweetheart, in Liverpool.

sweetie /swiː ti/ (sweeties )


1 N‑COUNT You can call someone sweetie if you are fond of them, especially if they are younger than you. [INFORMAL ]


2 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a sweetie , you mean that they are kind and nice. [INFORMAL ]


3 N‑COUNT Sweets are sometimes referred to as sweeties by children or by adults speaking to children. [BRIT ]

sweet|ish /swiː t I ʃ/ ADJ A sweetish smell or taste is fairly sweet.

sweet|ly /swiː tli/


1 ADV [ADV with v] If an engine or machine is running sweetly , it is working smoothly and efficiently. □ He heard the car engine running sweetly beyond the open door.


2 ADV [ADV with v] If you kick or hit a ball sweetly , you kick or hit it in the very middle of it so that it goes firmly and accurately to the place you are aiming for. □ He could strike the ball as sweetly as when he was 28 years younger.


3 → see also sweet

sweet|meat /swiː tmiːt/ (sweetmeats ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Sweetmeats are sweet items of food, especially ones that are considered special. [OLD-FASHIONED ]

sweet|ness /swiː tnəs/


1 PHRASE If you say that a relationship or situation is not all sweetness and light , you mean that it is not as pleasant as it appears to be. □ It has not all been sweetness and light between him and the Prime Minister.


2 → see also sweet

swee t no th|ings N‑PLURAL If someone whispers sweet nothings to you, they quietly say nice, loving, and flattering things to you.

swee t pea (sweet peas ) also sweetpea N‑COUNT A sweet pea is a climbing plant which has delicate, sweet-smelling flowers.

swee t pe p|per (sweet peppers ) N‑COUNT A sweet pepper is a hollow green, red, or yellow vegetable.

swee t po|ta |to (sweet potatoes ) N‑VAR Sweet potatoes are vegetables that look like large ordinary potatoes but taste sweet. They have pinkish-brown skins and yellow flesh.

swee t shop (sweet shops ) also sweetshop N‑COUNT A sweet shop is a small shop that sells sweets and cigarettes, and sometimes newspapers and magazines. [BRIT ] in AM, use candy store

swee t talk (sweet talks , sweet talking , sweet talked ) also sweet-talk VERB If you sweet talk someone, you talk to them very nicely so that they will do what you want. □ [V n + into ] She could always sweet-talk Pamela into letting her stay up late. □ [V n] He even tried to sweet-talk the policewoman who arrested him.

swell /swe l/ (swells , swelling , swelled , swollen ) The forms swelled and swollen are both used as the past participle. 1 VERB If the amount or size of something swells or if something swells it, it becomes larger than it was before. □ [V ] The human population swelled, at least temporarily, as migrants moved south. □ [V + to/by ] His bank balance has swelled by £222,000 in the last three weeks. □ [V n + to ] Offers from other countries should swell the force to 35,000. [Also V n]


2 VERB If something such as a part of your body swells , it becomes larger and rounder than normal. □ [V ] Do your ankles swell at night? □ [V + to ] The limbs swell to an enormous size. ● PHRASAL VERB Swell up means the same as swell . □ [V P ] When you develop a throat infection or catch a cold the glands in the neck swell up.


3 VERB If you swell with a feeling, you are suddenly full of that feeling. [LITERARY ] □ [V + with ] She could see her two sons swell with pride.


4 ADJ You can describe something as swell if you think it is really nice. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ I've had a swell time.


5 → see also swelling , swollen , groundswell


▸ swell up → see swell 2

swell|ing /swe l I ŋ/ (swellings ) N‑VAR A swelling is a raised, curved shape on the surface of your body which appears as a result of an injury or an illness. □ His eye was partly closed, and there was a swelling over his lid.

swel|ter /swe ltə r / (swelters , sweltering , sweltered ) VERB If you swelter , you are very uncomfortable because the weather is extremely hot. □ [V ] They sweltered in temperatures rising to a hundred degrees.

swel|ter|ing /swe ltər I ŋ/ ADJ If you describe the weather as sweltering , you mean that it is extremely hot and makes you feel uncomfortable.

swept /swe pt/ Swept is the past tense and past participle of sweep .

swerve /swɜː r v/ (swerves , swerving , swerved ) VERB If a vehicle or other moving thing swerves or if you swerve it, it suddenly changes direction, often in order to avoid hitting something. □ [V ] Drivers coming in the opposite direction swerved to avoid the bodies. □ [V prep/adv] Her car swerved off the road into a 6ft high brick wall. □ [V n] Suddenly Ned swerved the truck, narrowly missing a blond teenager on a skateboard. ● N‑COUNT Swerve is also a noun. □ He swung the car to the left and that swerve saved Malone's life.

swift /sw I ft/ (swifter , swiftest , swifts )


1 ADJ A swift event or process happens very quickly or without delay. □ Our task is to challenge the U.N. to make a swift decision. □ The police were swift to act. ● swift|ly ADV □ They have acted swiftly and decisively to protect their industries.


2 ADJ Something that is swift moves very quickly. □ With a swift movement, Matthew Jerrold sat upright. ● swift|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Lenny moved swiftly and silently across the front lawn.


3 N‑COUNT A swift is a small bird with long curved wings.

swig /sw I g/ (swigs , swigging , swigged ) VERB If you swig a drink, you drink it from a bottle or cup quickly and in large amounts. □ [V n with down/back ] He swigs down four cans of fizzy orange drink a day. □ [V n] He was still hanging around, swigging the Coke out of the can. ● N‑COUNT Swig is also a noun. □ Brian took a swig of his drink.

swill /sw I l/ (swills , swilling , swilled )


1 VERB If you swill an alcoholic drink, you drink a lot of it. □ [V n] A crowd of men were standing around swilling beer.


2 VERB If a liquid swills around , or if you swill it around , it moves around the area that it is contained in. □ [V around/about ] Gallons of sea water had rushed into the cabin and were now swilling about in the bilges. □ [V n around/about ] She swilled the drink around in her glass.


3 N‑UNCOUNT Swill is a liquid mixture containing waste food that is given to pigs to eat.

swim ◆◇◇ /sw I m/ (swims , swimming , swam , swum )


1 VERB When you swim , you move through water by making movements with your arms and legs. □ [V ] She learned to swim when she was really tiny. □ [V ] I went round to Jonathan's to see if he wanted to go swimming. □ [V adv/prep] He was rescued only when an exhausted friend swam ashore. □ [V amount/n] I swim a mile a day. ● N‑SING Swim is also a noun. □ When can we go for a swim, Mam?


2 VERB If you swim a race, you take part in a swimming race. □ [V n] She swam the 200 metres semi-finals and came second. [Also V ]


3 VERB If you swim a stretch of water, you keep swimming until you have crossed it. □ [V n] In 1875, Captain Matthew Webb became the first man to swim the English Channel.


4 VERB When a fish swims , it moves through water by moving its body. □ [V adv/prep] The barriers are lethal to fish trying to swim upstream. [Also V ]


5 VERB If objects swim , they seem to be moving backwards and forwards, usually because you are ill. □ [V ] Alexis suddenly could take no more: he felt too hot, he couldn't breathe, the room swam.


6 VERB If your head is swimming , you feel unsteady and slightly ill. □ [V ] The musty aroma of incense made her head swim.


7 sink or swim → see sink

swim|mer /sw I mə r / (swimmers ) N‑COUNT A swimmer is a person who swims, especially for sport or pleasure, or a person who is swimming. □ You don't have to worry about me. I'm a good swimmer.

swim|ming /sw I m I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Swimming is the activity of swimming, especially as a sport or for pleasure. □ …swimming lessons.

swi m|ming bath (swimming baths )


1 N‑COUNT A swimming baths or swimming bath is a building that contains an indoor public swimming pool. The plural swimming baths can be used to refer to one or more than one of these places. [BRIT ] □ It had been two years since I had been to the swimming baths. in AM, use pool , swimming pool 2 N‑COUNT A swimming bath is a public swimming pool, especially an indoor one. [BRIT ] in AM, use pool , swimming pool

swi m|ming cap (swimming caps ) N‑COUNT A swimming cap is a rubber cap which you wear to keep your hair dry when you are swimming. [BRIT ] in AM, use bathing cap

swi m|ming cos|tume (swimming costumes ) N‑COUNT A swimming costume is the same as a swimsuit . [BRIT ]

swim|ming|ly /sw I m I ŋli/ PHRASE If you say that something is going swimmingly , you mean that everything is happening in a satisfactory way, without any problems. [INFORMAL ] □ The work has been going swimmingly.

swi m|ming pool (swimming pools ) N‑COUNT A swimming pool is a large hole in the ground that has been made and filled with water so that people can swim in it.

swi m|ming trunks N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Swimming trunks are the shorts that a man wears when he goes swimming. [BRIT ] in AM, use trunks

swim|suit /sw I msuːt/ (swimsuits ) N‑COUNT A swimsuit is a piece of clothing that is worn for swimming, especially by women and girls.

swim|wear /sw I mweə r / N‑UNCOUNT Swimwear is the things people wear for swimming.

swin|dle /sw I nd ə l/ (swindles , swindling , swindled ) VERB If someone swindles a person or an organization, they deceive them in order to get something valuable from them, especially money. □ [V n + out of ] A City businessman swindled investors out of millions of pounds. ● N‑COUNT Swindle is also a noun. □ He was jailed for running a £4.5 million international investment swindle.

swine /swa I n/ (swines ) The form swines is used as the plural for meaning 1 ; swine is used as both the singular and plural for meaning 2 . 1 N‑COUNT If you call someone a swine , you dislike them or think that they are a bad person, usually because they have behaved unpleasantly towards you. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]


2 N‑COUNT A swine is a pig. [TECHNICAL , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ …imports of live swine from Canada.

swing ◆◇◇ /sw I ŋ/ (swings , swinging , swung )


1 VERB If something swings or if you swing it, it moves repeatedly backwards and forwards or from side to side from a fixed point. □ [V adv/prep] The sail of the little boat swung crazily from one side to the other. □ [V n] She was swinging a bag containing a new dress. □ [V -ing] Ian sat on the end of the table, one leg swinging. ● N‑COUNT Swing is also a noun. □ …a woman walking with a slight swing to her hips.


2 VERB If something swings in a particular direction or if you swing it in that direction, it moves in that direction with a smooth, curving movement. □ [V prep/adv] The torchlight swung across the little beach and out over the water, searching. □ [V prep/adv] The canoe found the current and swung around. □ [V n prep/adv] Roy swung his legs carefully off the couch and sat up. ● N‑COUNT Swing is also a noun. □ When he's not on the tennis court, you'll find him practising his golf swing.


3 VERB If a vehicle swings in a particular direction, or if the driver swings it in a particular direction, they turn suddenly in that direction. □ [V adv/prep] Joanna swung back on to the main approach and headed for the airport. □ [V n prep/adv] The tyres dug into the grit as he swung the car off the road.


4 VERB If someone swings around , they turn around quickly, usually because they are surprised. □ [V adv] She swung around to him, spilling her tea without noticing it.


5 VERB If you swing at a person or thing, you try to hit them with your arm or with something that you are holding. □ [V + at ] Blanche swung at her but she moved her head back and Blanche missed. □ [V + at ] I picked up his baseball bat and swung at the man's head. [Also V n at n] ● N‑COUNT Swing is also a noun. □ I often want to take a swing at someone to relieve my feelings.


6 N‑COUNT A swing is a seat hanging by two ropes or chains from a metal frame or from the branch of a tree. You can sit on the seat and move forwards and backwards through the air.


7 N‑UNCOUNT Swing is a style of jazz dance music that was popular in the 1930's. It was played by big bands.


8 N‑COUNT A swing in people's opinions, attitudes, or feelings is a change in them, especially a sudden or big change. □ There was a massive swing away from the governing party in the election. □ Dieters suffer from violent mood swings.


9 VERB If people's opinions, attitudes, or feelings swing , they change, especially in a sudden or extreme way. □ [V ] In two years' time there is a presidential election, and the voters could swing again. □ [V adv/prep] The mood amongst Tory MPs seems to be swinging away from their leader.


10 PHRASE If something is in full swing , it is operating fully and is no longer in its early stages. □ When we returned, the party was in full swing and the dance floor was crowded.


11 PHRASE If you get into the swing of something, you become very involved in it and enjoy what you are doing. □ It was hard to get back into the swing of things after such a long absence.


12 PHRASE If you say that a situation is swings and roundabouts , you mean that there are as many gains as there are losses. [BRIT ]


13 no room to swing a cat → see cat COLLOCATIONS swing NOUN 8


noun + swing : mood


adjective + swing : dramatic, sharp, sudden, violent; political


verb + swing : experience, suffer; achieve, gain, record VERB 8


noun + swing : momentum, mood, opinion


swing + adverb : decisively, dramatically, sharply, violently; back

swi ng bri dge (swing bridges ) N‑COUNT A swing bridge is a low bridge that can be opened either in the middle or on one side in order to let ships pass through.

swi ng doo r (swing doors ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Swing doors are doors that can open both towards you and away from you. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use swinging door

swinge|ing /sw I ndʒ I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] A swingeing action, such as an attack or cut, is very great or severe. [BRIT , mainly JOURNALISM ] □ The book mounted a swingeing attack on the economics of the day.

swing|er /sw I ŋə r / (swingers )


1 N‑COUNT A swinger is a person who is lively and fashionable. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ]


2 N‑COUNT Swingers are people who are married or in a long-term relationship and who like to have sex with other couples.

swing|ing /sw I ŋ I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something or someone as swinging , you mean that they are lively and fashionable. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ The stuffy '50s gave way to the swinging '60s.

swi ng|ing doo r (swinging doors ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Swinging doors are doors that can open both towards you and away from you. [AM ] in BRIT, use swing door

swi ng vo te (swing votes ) N‑COUNT In a situation when people are about to vote, the swing vote is used to talk about the vote of a person or group which is difficult to predict and which will be important in deciding the result. [mainly AM , JOURNALISM ] □ …a Democrat who holds the swing vote on the committee.

swi ng vo t|er (swing voters ) N‑COUNT A swing voter is a person who is not a firm supporter of any political party, and whose vote in an election is difficult to predict. [AM ] in BRIT, use floating voter

swipe /swa I p/ (swipes , swiping , swiped )


1 VERB If you swipe at a person or thing, you try to hit them with a stick or other object, making a swinging movement with your arm. □ [V + at ] She swiped at Rusty as though he was a fly. □ [V n] He swiped me across the shoulder with the poker. ● N‑COUNT Swipe is also a noun. □ He took a swipe at Andrew that deposited him on the floor.


2 VERB If you swipe something, you steal it quickly. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] Five soldiers were each fined £140 for swiping a wheelchair from a disabled tourist.


3 N‑COUNT If you take a swipe at a person or an organization, you criticize them, usually in an indirect way. □ In a swipe at the President, he called for an end to 'begging for aid around the world'.


4 VERB If you swipe a credit card or swipe card through a machine, you pass it through a narrow space in the machine so that the machine can read information on the card's magnetic strip. □ [V n + through ] Swipe your card through the phone, then dial. [Also V n]


5 VERB If you swipe , you move your finger across the screen of a phone or computer in order to give it an instruction. □ [V adv] Swipe right to answer the call, or swipe left to dismiss the call. □ [V n] Swipe the screen to unlock.

swi pe card (swipe cards ) also swipecard N‑COUNT A swipe card is a plastic card with a magnetic strip on it which contains information that can be read or transferred by passing the card through a special machine. □ They use a swipe card to go in and out of their offices.

swirl /swɜː r l/ (swirls , swirling , swirled ) VERB If you swirl something liquid or flowing, or if it swirls , it moves round and round quickly. □ [V n] She smiled, swirling the drink in her glass. □ [V prep/adv] The black water swirled around his legs, reaching almost to his knees. □ [V n prep] She swirled the ice-cold liquid around her mouth. □ [V -ing] …Carmen with her swirling gypsy skirts. [Also V n with adv, V ] ● N‑COUNT Swirl is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …small swirls of chocolate cream. □ [+ of ] The helicopter landed in a swirl of dust.

swish /sw I ʃ/ (swishes , swishing , swished , swisher , swishest )


1 VERB If something swishes or if you swish it, it moves quickly through the air, making a soft sound. □ [V adv/prep] A car swished by heading for the coast. □ [V n prep/adv] He swished his cape around his shoulders. □ [V -ing] He heard a swishing sound. ● N‑COUNT Swish is also a noun. □ [+ of ] She turned with a swish of her skirt.


2 ADJ If you describe something as swish , you mean that it is smart and fashionable. [BRIT , INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ …a swish cocktail bar.

Swiss /sw I s/ (Swiss )


1 ADJ Swiss means belonging or relating to Switzerland, or to its people or culture.


2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The Swiss are the people of Switzerland.

Swi ss chee se (Swiss cheeses ) N‑VAR Swiss cheese is hard cheese with holes in it.

swi ss ro ll (swiss rolls ) also swiss-roll N‑VAR A swiss roll is a cylindrical cake made from a thin flat sponge which is covered with jam or cream on one side, then rolled up. [BRIT ] in AM, use jelly roll

switch ◆◇◇ /sw I tʃ/ (switches , switching , switched )


1 N‑COUNT A switch is a small control for an electrical device which you use to turn the device on or off. □ Leona put some detergent into the dishwasher, shut the door and pressed the switch. □ …a light switch.


2 VERB If you switch to something different, for example to a different system, task, or subject of conversation, you change to it from what you were doing or saying before. □ [V + to ] Estonia is switching to a market economy. □ [V from n to n] The law would encourage companies to switch from coal to cleaner fuels. □ [V n] The encouragement of a friend spurred Chris into switching jobs. [Also V ] ● N‑COUNT Switch is also a noun. □ New technology made a switch to oil possible. □ The spokesman implicitly condemned the government's policy switch. ● PHRASAL VERB Switch over means the same as switch . □ [V P + to ] …a professional man who started out in law but switched over to medicine. [Also V P ]


3 VERB If you switch your attention from one thing to another or if your attention switches , you stop paying attention to the first thing and start paying attention to the second. □ [V + to ] My mother's interest had switched to my health. □ [V n + to ] As the era wore on, she switched her attention to films.


4 VERB If you switch two things, you replace one with the other. □ [V n] In half an hour, they'd switched the tags on every cable. □ [be V -ed] The ballot boxes have been switched.


▸ switch off


1 PHRASAL VERB If you switch off a light or other electrical device, you stop it working by operating a switch. □ [V P n] She switched off the coffee-machine. □ [V n P ] Glass parked the car and switched the engine off. [Also V P ]


2 PHRASAL VERB If you switch off , you stop paying attention or stop thinking or worrying about something. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] You may find you've got so many things to think about that it's difficult to switch off.


▸ switch on PHRASAL VERB If you switch on a light or other electrical device, you make it start working by operating a switch. □ [V P n] She emptied both their mugs and switched on the electric kettle. □ [V n P ] He pointed the light at his feet and tried to switch it on. [Also V P ]


▸ switch over


1 PHRASAL VERB If you switch over when you are watching television, you change to another channel. □ [V P ] I just happened to switch over although I haven't been watching the tennis. □ [V P + to ] Let's switch over to Channel 4.


2 → see switch 2 SYNONYMS switch VERB 4


exchange: We exchanged addresses and Christmas cards.


trade: Kids used to trade baseball cards.


swap: Next week they will swap places and will repeat the switch weekly.

switch|back /sw I tʃbæk/ (switchbacks )


1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A switchback is a road which rises and falls sharply many times, or a sharp rise and fall in a road. [BRIT ] □ …a dizzy bus ride over a switchback road.


2 N‑COUNT A switchback is a road which goes up a steep hill in a series of sharp bends, or a sharp bend in a road. [AM ]

switch|blade /sw I tʃble I d/ (switchblades ) N‑COUNT A switchblade is a knife with a blade that is hidden in the handle and that springs out when a button is pressed. [AM ] in BRIT, use flick-knife

switch|board /sw I tʃbɔː r d/ (switchboards ) N‑COUNT A switchboard is a place in a large office or business where all the phone calls are connected. □ He asked to be connected to the central switchboard at London University.

swi tched-o n ADJ If you describe someone as switched-on , you mean that they are aware of the latest developments in a particular area or activity. [INFORMAL ] □ I am very impressed with Brian Hanlon, who seems a switched-on sort of guy.

swiv|el /sw I v ə l/ (swivels , swivelling , swivelled ) in AM, use swiveling , swiveled 1 VERB If something swivels or if you swivel it, it turns around a central point so that it is facing in a different direction. □ [V n adv/prep] She swivelled her chair round and stared out across the back lawn. □ [V ] His chairs can swivel, but they can't move up or down. [Also V n]


2 VERB If you swivel in a particular direction, you turn suddenly in that direction. □ [V adv/prep] He swivelled round to face Sarah.

swi v|el chair (swivel chairs ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A swivel chair is a chair whose seat can be turned around a central point to face in a different direction without moving the legs.

swol|len /swoʊ l ə n/


1 ADJ If a part of your body is swollen , it is larger and rounder than normal, usually as a result of injury or illness. □ My eyes were so swollen I could hardly see.


2 ADJ A swollen river has more water in it and flows faster than normal, usually because of heavy rain.


3 Swollen is the past participle of swell .

swoon /swuː n/ (swoons , swooning , swooned ) VERB If you swoon , you are strongly affected by your feelings for someone you love or admire very much. □ [V + over ] Virtually every woman in the '20s swooned over Valentino. □ [V ] The ladies shriek and swoon at his every word. [Also V adv]

swoop /swuː p/ (swoops , swooping , swooped )


1 VERB If police or soldiers swoop on a place, they go there suddenly and quickly, usually in order to arrest someone or to attack the place. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V + on ] The terror ended when armed police swooped on the car. □ [V ] When police swooped, 37 people were arrested. ● N‑COUNT Swoop is also a noun. □ The pair were arrested in a swoop on a house in Aberdeen.


2 VERB When a bird or aeroplane swoops , it suddenly moves downwards through the air in a smooth curving movement. □ [V adv/prep] More than 20 helicopters began swooping in low over the ocean. □ [V ] The hawk swooped and soared away carrying something.


3 PHRASE If something is done in one fell swoop or at one fell swoop , it is done on a single occasion or by a single action. □ In one fell swoop the bank wiped away the tentative benefits of this policy.

swop /swɒ p/ → see swap

sword /sɔː r d/ (swords )


1 N‑COUNT A sword is a weapon with a handle and a long sharp blade.


2 PHRASE If you cross swords with someone, you disagree with them and argue with them about something. □ [+ with ] She was a prominent member of the council and frequently crossed swords with the local MP.


3 PHRASE If you say that something is a double-edged sword or a two-edged sword , you mean that it has negative effects as well as positive effects.


4 sword of damocles → see Damocles

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