toi |let pa|per N‑UNCOUNT Toilet paper is thin soft paper that people use to clean themselves after they have got rid of urine or faeces from their body.
toi|let|ries /tɔ I lətriz/ N‑PLURAL Toiletries are things that you use when washing or taking care of your body, for example soap and toothpaste.
toi |let roll (toilet rolls ) N‑VAR A toilet roll is a long narrow strip of toilet paper that is wound around a small cardboard tube.
toi |let trained ADJ If a child is toilet trained , he or she has learned to use the toilet.
toi |let train|ing N‑UNCOUNT Toilet training is the process of teaching a child to use the toilet.
toi |let wa|ter (toilet waters ) N‑VAR Toilet water is fairly weak and inexpensive perfume.
to -ing and fro -ing N‑UNCOUNT If you say that there is a lot of to-ing and fro-ing , you mean that the same actions or movements or the same arguments are being repeated many times. [mainly BRIT ] □ After some to-ing and fro-ing, Elsie and the children moved back to London.
to|ken /toʊ kən/ (tokens )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] You use token to describe things or actions which are small or unimportant, but are meant to show particular intentions or feelings which may not be sincere. □ The announcement was widely seen as a token gesture.
2 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A token is a piece of paper or card that can be exchanged for goods, either in a particular shop or as part of a special offer. [BRIT ] □ Here is the fifth token towards our offer. You need six of these tokens. in AM, use coupon 3 N‑COUNT A token is a round flat piece of metal or plastic that is sometimes used instead of money. □ Some of the older telephones still only accept tokens.
4 N‑COUNT If you give something to a person or do something for them as a token of your feelings, you give it or do it as a way of expressing those feelings. □ [+ of ] As a token of goodwill, I'm going to write another letter.
5 PHRASE You use by the same token to introduce a statement that you think is true for the same reasons that were given for a previous statement. □ If you give up exercise, your fat increases. By the same token, if you expend more energy you will lose fat.
to|ken|ism /toʊ kən I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to an action as tokenism , you disapprove of it because you think it is just done for effect, in order to show a particular intention or to impress a particular type of person. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Is his promotion evidence of the minorities' advance, or mere tokenism?
told /toʊ ld/
1 Told is the past tense and past participle of tell .
2 PHRASE You can use all told to introduce or follow a summary, general statement, or total. □ All told there were 104 people on the payroll.
tol|er|able /tɒ lərəb ə l/
1 ADJ If you describe something as tolerable , you mean that you can bear it, even though it is unpleasant or painful. □ He described their living conditions as tolerable. ● tol|er|ably /tɒ lərəbli/ ADV [usu ADV adj/adv, oft ADV after v] □ Their captors treated them tolerably well. □ …tolerably hot water.
2 ADJ If you describe something as tolerable , you mean that it is fairly good and reasonably satisfactory, but not of the highest quality or standard. [FORMAL ] □ He fell asleep just past midnight with tolerable ease. ● tol|er|ably ADV □ He can see tolerably well and he can read.
tol|er|ance /tɒ lərəns/ (tolerances )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Tolerance is the quality of allowing other people to say and do as they like, even if you do not agree or approve of it. [APPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] …his tolerance and understanding of diverse human nature.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [n N ] Tolerance is the ability to bear something painful or unpleasant. □ There is lowered pain tolerance, lowered resistance to infection. □ [+ of ] …a low tolerance of errors.
3 N‑VAR If someone or something has a tolerance to a substance, they are exposed to it so often that it does not have very much effect on them. □ [+ to ] People can develop tolerances to allergens.
tol|er|ant /tɒ lərənt/
1 ADJ If you describe someone as tolerant , you approve of the fact that they allow other people to say and do as they like, even if they do not agree with or like it. [APPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] They need to be tolerant of different points of view. ● tol|er|ant|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ She had listened tolerantly to his jumbled account.
2 ADJ If a plant, animal, or machine is tolerant of particular conditions or types of treatment, it is able to bear them without being damaged or hurt. □ [+ of ] …plants which are more tolerant of dry conditions.
tol|er|ate /tɒ ləre I t/ (tolerates , tolerating , tolerated )
1 VERB If you tolerate a situation or person, you accept them although you do not particularly like them. □ [V n] She can no longer tolerate the position that she's in.
2 VERB If you can tolerate something unpleasant or painful, you are able to bear it. □ [V n] The ability to tolerate pain varies from person to person.
toll /toʊ l/ (tolls , tolling , tolled )
1 VERB When a bell tolls or when someone tolls it, it rings slowly and repeatedly, often as a sign that someone has died. □ [V ] Church bells tolled and black flags fluttered. □ [V n] The pilgrims tolled the bell.
2 N‑COUNT A toll is a small sum of money that you have to pay in order to use a particular bridge or road.
3 N‑COUNT [N n] A toll road or toll bridge is a road or bridge where you have to pay in order to use it.
4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A toll is a total number of deaths, accidents, or disasters that occur in a particular period of time. [JOURNALISM ] □ There are fears that the casualty toll may be higher.
5 → see also death toll
6 PHRASE If you say that something takes its toll or takes a heavy toll , you mean that it has a bad effect or causes a lot of suffering. □ [+ on ] Winter takes its toll on your health.
to ll-free ADJ [usu ADJ n] A toll-free phone number is one which you can dial without having to pay for the call. [AM ] ● ADV [ADV after v] Toll-free is also an adverb. □ Call our customer-service staff toll-free. [in BRIT, use freefone ]
tom /tɒ m/ (toms ) N‑COUNT A tom is a male cat.
toma|hawk /tɒ məhɔːk/ (tomahawks ) N‑COUNT A tomahawk is a small light axe that is used by Native American peoples.
to|ma|to /təmɑː toʊ, [AM ] -me I -/ (tomatoes ) N‑VAR Tomatoes are small, soft, red fruit that you can eat raw in salads or cooked as a vegetable.
tomb /tuː m/ (tombs ) N‑COUNT A tomb is a large grave that is above ground and that usually has a sculpture or other decoration on it.
tom|boy /tɒ mbɔ I / (tomboys ) N‑COUNT If you say that a girl is a tomboy , you mean that she likes playing rough or noisy games, or doing things that were traditionally considered to be things that boys enjoy.
tomb|stone /tuː mstoʊn/ (tombstones ) N‑COUNT A tombstone is a large stone with words carved into it, which is placed on a grave.
to m cat (tomcats ) also tomcat N‑COUNT A tom cat is a male cat.
tome /toʊ m/ (tomes ) N‑COUNT A tome is a very large, heavy book. [FORMAL ]
tom|fool|ery /tɒmfuː ləri/ N‑UNCOUNT Tomfoolery is playful behaviour, usually of a rather silly, noisy, or rough kind. □ Were you serious, or was that a bit of tomfoolery?
to|mor|row ◆◆◇ /təmɒ roʊ, [AM ] -mɔː r-/
1 ADV You use tomorrow to refer to the day after today. □ Bye, see you tomorrow. □ The first official results will be announced tomorrow. ● N‑UNCOUNT Tomorrow is also a noun. □ He will play for the team in tomorrow's match against England.
2 ADV You can refer to the future, especially the near future, as tomorrow . □ What is education going to look like tomorrow? ● N‑UNCOUNT Tomorrow is also a noun. □ …tomorrow's computer industry.
to m-tom (tom-toms ) N‑COUNT A tom-tom is a tall narrow drum that is usually played with the hands.
ton ◆◇◇ /tʌ n/ (tons )
1 N‑COUNT [num N ] A ton is a unit of weight that is equal to 2240 pounds in Britain and to 2000 pounds in the United States. □ [+ of ] Hundreds of tons of oil spilled into the sea. □ Getting rid of rubbish can cost $100 a ton.
2 N‑COUNT A ton is the same as a tonne .
3 PHRASE If someone comes down on you like a ton of bricks , they are extremely angry with you and tell you off because of something wrong that you have done. [INFORMAL ] □ If you do something awful they all come down on you like a ton of bricks.
4 PHRASE If you say that something weighs a ton , you mean that it is extremely heavy. [INFORMAL ]
to|nal /toʊ n ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Tonal means relating to the qualities or pitch of a sound or to the tonality of a piece of music. □ There is little tonal variety in his voice. □ …tonal music.
to|nal|ity /toʊnæ l I ti/ (tonalities ) N‑VAR Tonality is the presence of a musical key in a piece of music. [TECHNICAL ]
tone ◆◇◇ /toʊ n/ (tones , toning , toned )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The tone of a sound is its particular quality. □ Cross could hear him speaking in low tones to Sarah. □ [+ of ] …the clear tone of the bell.
2 N‑COUNT Someone's tone is a quality in their voice which shows what they are feeling or thinking. □ [+ of ] I still didn't like his tone of voice. □ Her tone implied that her patience was limited.
3 N‑SING [oft in N ] The tone of a speech or piece of writing is its style and the opinions or ideas expressed in it. □ [+ of ] The spokesman said the tone of the letter was very friendly. □ His comments to reporters were conciliatory in tone.
4 N‑SING The tone of a place or an event is its general atmosphere. □ The front desk, with its friendly, helpful staff, sets the tone for the rest of the store.
5 N‑UNCOUNT The tone of someone's body, especially their muscles, is its degree of firmness and strength. □ …stretch exercises that aim to improve muscle tone.
6 VERB Something that tones your body makes it firm and strong. □ [V n] This movement lengthens your spine and tones the spinal nerves. □ [V -ing] Try these toning exercises before you start the day. □ [V -ed] …finely toned muscular bodies. ● PHRASAL VERB Tone up means the same as tone . □ [V P n] Exercise tones up your body. □ [V -ed P ] Although it's not strenuous exercise, you feel toned-up, supple and relaxed. [Also V n P ]
7 N‑VAR A tone is one of the lighter, darker, or brighter shades of the same colour. □ Each brick also varies slightly in tone, texture and size.
8 N‑SING A tone is one of the sounds that you hear when you are using a phone, for example the sound that tells you that a number is engaged or busy, or no longer exists.
9 → see also dialling tone , ring tone
10 PHRASE If you say that something lowers the tone of a place or event, you mean that it is not appropriate and makes the place or event seem less respectable. □ Councillors say plastic-framed windows lower the tone of the neighbourhood.
▸ tone down
1 PHRASAL VERB If you tone down something that you have written or said, you make it less forceful, severe, or offensive. □ [V P n] The fiery right-wing leader toned down his militant statements after the meeting. □ [V n P ] We have had to ask the agency and their client to tone their ads down.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you tone down a colour or a flavour, you make it less bright or strong. □ [V P n] When Ken Hom wrote his first book for the BBC he was asked to tone down the spices and garlic in his recipes. [Also V n P ]
▸ tone up → see tone 6
-toned /-toʊ nd/ COMB -toned combines with adjectives to indicate that something has a particular kind of tone. □ …soft, pastel-toned drawings.
to ne-dea f ADJ If you say that someone is tone-deaf , you mean that they cannot sing in tune or recognize different tunes.
tone|less /toʊ nləs/ ADJ A toneless voice is dull and does not express any feeling. [WRITTEN ] ● tone|less|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ 'That's most kind of him,' Eleanor said tonelessly.
ton|er /toʊ nə r / (toners ) N‑VAR A toner is a substance which you can put on your skin, for example to clean it or make it less oily.
tongs /tɒ ŋz, [AM ] tɔː ŋz/
1 N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Tongs are a tool that you use to grip and pick up objects that you do not want to touch. They consist of two long narrow pieces of metal joined together at one end.
2 hammer and tongs → see hammer
tongue /tʌ ŋ/ (tongues )
1 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] Your tongue is the soft movable part inside your mouth which you use for tasting, eating, and speaking. □ I walked over to the mirror and stuck my tongue out. □ She ran her tongue around her lips.
2 N‑COUNT You can use tongue to refer to the kind of things that a person says. □ She had a nasty tongue, but I liked her.
3 N‑COUNT A tongue is a language. [LITERARY ] □ The French feel passionately about their native tongue.
4 → see also mother tongue
5 N‑VAR Tongue is the cooked tongue of an ox or sheep. It is usually eaten cold.
6 N‑COUNT The tongue of a shoe or boot is the piece of leather which is underneath the laces.
7 N‑COUNT A tongue of something such as fire or land is a long thin piece of it. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] A yellow tongue of flame shot upwards.
8 PHRASE A tongue-in-cheek remark or attitude is not serious, although it may seem to be. □ …a lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek approach.
9 PHRASE If you hold your tongue , you do not say anything even though you might want to or be expected to, because it is the wrong time to say it. □ Douglas held his tongue, preferring not to speak out on a politically sensitive issue.
10 PHRASE If you describe something you said as a slip of the tongue , you mean that you said it by mistake. □ At one stage he referred to Anna as John's fiancée, but later said that was a slip of the tongue.
11 to bite your tongue → see bite
to ngue-in-chee k → see tongue
to ngue-lashing (tongue-lashings ) also tongue lashing N‑COUNT If someone gives you a tongue-lashing , they shout at you or criticize you in a very forceful way. [INFORMAL ] □ After a cruel tongue lashing, he threw the girl out of the group.
to ngue-tied ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone is tongue-tied , they are unable to say anything because they feel shy or nervous. □ In their presence I became self-conscious and tongue-tied.
to ngue-twister (tongue-twisters ) also tongue twister N‑COUNT A tongue-twister is a sentence or expression which is very difficult to say properly, especially when you try to say it quickly. An example of a tongue-twister is 'Red leather, yellow leather'.
ton|ic /tɒ n I k/ (tonics )
1 N‑VAR Tonic or tonic water is a colourless fizzy drink that has a slightly bitter flavour and is often mixed with alcoholic drinks, especially gin. □ Keeler sipped at his gin and tonic. □ …low-calorie tonics.
2 N‑VAR A tonic is a medicine that makes you feel stronger, healthier, and less tired. □ Britons are spending twice as much on health tonics as they were five years ago.
3 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] A tonic is anything that makes you feel stronger, more cheerful, or more enthusiastic. □ Seeing Marcus at that moment was a great tonic. [Also + for ]
to|night ◆◆◇ /təna I t/ ADV [n ADV ] Tonight is used to refer to the evening of today or the night that follows today. □ I'm at home tonight. □ Tonight, I think he proved to everybody what a great player he was. □ There they will stay until 11 o'clock tonight. ● N‑UNCOUNT Tonight is also a noun. □ …tonight's flight to London.
ton|nage /tʌ n I dʒ/ (tonnages )
1 N‑VAR The tonnage of a ship is its size or the amount of space that it has inside it for cargo. [TECHNICAL ]
2 N‑VAR Tonnage is the total number of tons that something weighs, or the total amount that there is of it.
tonne /tʌ n/ (tonnes ) N‑COUNT [num N ] A tonne is a metric unit of weight that is equal to 1000 kilograms. □ [+ of ] …65.5 million tonnes of coal.
ton|sil|li|tis /tɒ ns I la I t I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Tonsillitis is a painful swelling of your tonsils caused by an infection.
ton|sils /tɒ ns I lz/ The form tonsil is used as a modifier. N‑PLURAL Your tonsils are the two small soft lumps in your throat at the back of your mouth.
tony /toʊ ni/ (tonier , toniest ) ADJ If you describe something as tony , you mean it is stylish and sophisticated. [AM ] □ …a tony dance club in Manhattan.
too
➊ ADDING SOMETHING OR RESPONDING
➋ INDICATING EXCESS
➊ too ◆◆◆ /tuː /
1 ADV You use too after mentioning another person, thing, or aspect that a previous statement applies to or includes. □ 'Nice to talk to you.'—'Nice to talk to you too.' □ 'I've got a great feeling about it.'—'Me too.' □ He doesn't want to meet me. I, too, have been afraid to talk to him. □ We talked to her agent. He's your agent, too, right?
2 ADV You use too after adding a piece of information or a comment to a statement, in order to emphasize that it is surprising or important. [EMPHASIS ] □ We did learn to read, and quickly too. □ People usually think of it as a 'boys' book', which of course it is, and a very good one too.
3 ADV You use too at the end of a sentence to emphasize an opinion that you have added after a statement made by you or by another person. [EMPHASIS ] □ 'That money's mine.'—'Of course it is, and quite right too.' □ 'Oh excuse me.'—'I should think so too.'
➋ too ◆◆◆ /tuː /
→ Please look at categories 6 to 8 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 ADV [ADV adj/adv] You use too in order to indicate that there is a greater amount or degree of something than is desirable, necessary, or acceptable. □ Leather jeans that are too big will make you look larger. □ Eggs shouldn't be kept in the fridge, it's too cold. □ She was eating too much and having too many late nights.
2 ADV [ADV adj] You use too with a negative to make what you are saying sound less forceful or more polite or cautious. [VAGUENESS ] □ I wasn't too happy with what I'd written so far. □ He won't be too pleased to see you.
3 PHRASE You use all too or only too to emphasize that something happens to a greater extent or degree than is pleasant or desirable. [EMPHASIS ] □ She remembered it all too well. □ The letter spoke only too clearly of his anxiety for her.
4 too bad → see bad
5 none too → see none
took /tʊ k/ Took is the past tense of take .
tool ◆◇◇ /tuː l/ (tools )
1 N‑COUNT A tool is any instrument or simple piece of equipment that you hold in your hands and use to do a particular kind of work. For example, spades, hammers, and knives are all tools. □ I find the best tool for the purpose is a pair of shears.
2 → see also machine tool
3 N‑COUNT You can refer to anything that you use for a particular purpose as a particular type of tool . □ The computer has become an invaluable teaching tool.
4 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a tool of a particular person, group, or system, you mean that they are controlled and used by that person, group, or system, especially to do unpleasant or dishonest things. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] He became the tool of the security services.
5 PHRASE If you say that workers down tools , you mean that they stop working suddenly in order to strike or to make a protest of some kind. [BRIT ]
6 PHRASE The tools of your trade or the tools of the trade are the skills, instruments, and other equipment that you need in order to do your job properly. □ These organisations use bugging and tapping as everyday tools of their trade. COLLOCATIONS tool NOUN 3
noun + tool : bargaining, management, marketing, propaganda; software
adjective + tool : diagnostic, educational, motivational, online; effective, powerful, useful
tool|bar /tuː lbɑː r / (toolbars ) N‑COUNT A toolbar is a narrow grey strip across a computer screen containing pictures, called icons, which represent different computer functions. When you want to use a particular function, you move the cursor onto its icon using a mouse. [COMPUTING ]
too l box (tool boxes ) N‑COUNT A tool box is a metal or plastic box which contains general tools that you need at home, for example to do repairs in your house or car.
too l kit (tool kits ) or toolkit
1 N‑COUNT A tool kit is a special set of tools that are kept together and that are often used for a particular purpose.
2 N‑COUNT A tool kit is the set of skills, abilities, knowledge, or other things needed in order to do a particular task or job. □ Nerves are an important part of the comedian's tool kit. □ The course provides a comprehensive toolkit for negotiating situations.
toot /tuː t/ (toots , tooting , tooted ) VERB If someone toots their car horn or if a car horn toots , it produces a short sound or series of sounds. □ [V n] People set off fireworks and tooted their car horns. □ [V ] Car horns toot as cyclists dart precariously through the traffic. ● N‑SING Toot is also a noun. □ The driver gave me a wave and a toot.
tooth ◆◇◇ /tuː θ/ (teeth )
1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your teeth are the hard white objects in your mouth, which you use for biting and chewing. □ If a tooth feels very loose, your dentist may recommend that it's taken out.
2 N‑PLURAL The teeth of something such as a comb, saw, cog, or zip are the parts that stick out in a row on its edge.
3 N‑PLURAL If you say that something such as an official group or a law has teeth , you mean that it has power and is able to be effective. □ The opposition argues that the new council will be unconstitutional and without teeth. □ The law must have teeth, and it must be enforced.
4 → see also wisdom tooth
5 PHRASE If you say that someone cut their teeth doing a particular thing, at a particular time, or in a particular place, you mean that that is how, when, or where they began their career and learned some of their skills. □ …director John Glen, who cut his teeth on Bond movies.
6 PHRASE If you say that something sets your teeth on edge , you mean that you find it extremely unpleasant or irritating. □ Their voices set your teeth on edge.
7 PHRASE If you fight tooth and nail to do something, you do everything you can in order to achieve it. If you fight something tooth and nail , you do everything you can in order to prevent it. □ He fought tooth and nail to keep his job.
8 PHRASE If you describe a task or activity as something you can get your teeth into , you mean that you like it because it is interesting, complex, and makes you think hard. [INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ This role gave her something to get her teeth into.
9 PHRASE If you do something in the teeth of a difficulty or danger, you do it in spite of the difficulty or danger. □ I was battling my way along the promenade in the teeth of a force ten gale. □ In the teeth of the longest recession since the 1930s, the company continues to perform well.
10 PHRASE If you say that someone is lying through their teeth , you are emphasizing that they are telling lies. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ]
11 PHRASE If you describe someone as long in the tooth , you are saying unkindly or humorously that they are old or getting old. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Aren't I a bit long in the tooth to start being an undergraduate?
12 PHRASE If you have a sweet tooth , you like sweet food very much.
13 to get the bit between your teeth → see bit
14 to give one's eye teeth for something → see eye
15 to gnash one's teeth → see gnash
16 to grit your teeth → see grit
17 a kick in the teeth → see kick
18 by the skin of your teeth → see skin
tooth|ache /tuː θe I k/ N‑UNCOUNT Toothache is pain in one of your teeth.
tooth|brush /tuː θbrʌʃ/ (toothbrushes ) N‑COUNT A toothbrush is a small brush that you use for cleaning your teeth.
too th de|cay N‑UNCOUNT If you have tooth decay , one or more of your teeth has become decayed.
too th fairy (tooth fairies ) N‑COUNT The tooth fairy is an imaginary creature. Children are told that if they put a tooth that comes out under their pillow, the tooth fairy will take it away while they are sleeping and leave a coin in its place.
tooth|less /tuː θləs/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use toothless to describe a person or their smile when they have no teeth.
2 ADJ If you describe something such as an official group or a law as toothless , you mean it has no real power and is not effective. □ In his view, the Commission remains a toothless and ineffectual body.
tooth|paste /tuː θpe I st/ (toothpastes ) N‑VAR Toothpaste is a thick substance which you put on your toothbrush and use to clean your teeth.
tooth|pick /tuː θp I k/ (toothpicks ) N‑COUNT A toothpick is a small stick which you use to remove food from between your teeth.
tooth|some /tuː θsəm/ ADJ If you describe food as toothsome , you mean that it tastes very good. □ …the toothsome honey-sweetened gingerbread.
toothy /tuː θi/ ADJ [ADJ n] A toothy smile is one in which a person shows a lot of teeth.
too|tle /tuː t ə l/ (tootles , tootling , tootled )
1 VERB If you tootle somewhere, you travel or go there without rushing or without any particular aim. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V prep/adv] I'm sure Ted is tootling down the motorway at this very moment.
2 VERB If you tootle a tune on an instrument, you play it quietly, without concentrating or taking it seriously. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] McCann tootled a tune on the piano. [Also V ]
top ◆◆◆ /tɒ p/ (tops , topping , topped )
1 N‑COUNT The top of something is its highest point or part. □ [+ of ] I waited at the top of the stairs. □ [+ of ] …the picture at the top of the page. □ Bake the biscuits for 20-25 minutes, until the tops are lightly browned. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Top is also an adjective. □ …the top corner of his newspaper.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] The top thing or layer in a series of things or layers is the highest one. □ I can't reach the top shelf. □ Our new flat was on the top floor.
3 N‑COUNT The top of something such as a bottle, jar, or tube is a cap, lid, or other device that fits or screws onto one end of it. □ …the plastic tops from aerosol containers. □ …a bottle top.
4 N‑SING The top of a street, garden, bed, or table is the end of it that is farthest away from where you usually enter it or from where you are. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ of ] …a little shop at the top of the street. □ [+ of ] He moved to the empty chair at the top of the table. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Top is also an adjective. □ …the hill near the top end of the garden. □ …the top corridor of the main building.
5 N‑COUNT A top is a piece of clothing that you wear on the upper half of your body, for example a blouse or shirt. [INFORMAL ] □ Look at my new top.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use top to indicate that something or someone is at the highest level of a scale or measurement. □ The vehicles have a top speed of 80 kilometres per hour. □ …a top-ranking Saudi officer.
7 N‑SING The top of an organization or career structure is the highest level in it. □ We started from the bottom and we had to work our way up to the top. □ [+ of ] …his dramatic rise to the top of the military hierarchy. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Top is also an adjective. □ I need to have the top people in this company pull together.
8 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use top to describe the most important or famous people or things in a particular area of work or activity. □ The President met this afternoon with his top military advisers.
9 N‑SING If someone is at the top of a table or league or is the top of the table or league, their performance is better than that of all the other people involved. □ [+ of ] The United States will be at the top of the medal table. □ [+ of ] Labour was top of the poll with forty-six percent. ● ADJ Top is also an adjective. □ I usually came top in English.
10 ADJ You can use top to indicate that something is the first thing you are going to do, because you consider it to be the most important. □ Cleaning up the water supply is their top priority. □ [+ of ] On arrival, a six-course meal was top of the agenda.
11 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use top to indicate that someone does a particular thing more times than anyone else or that something is chosen more times than anything else. □ He was Italy's top scorer during the World Cup matches.
12 VERB To top a list means to be mentioned or chosen more times than anyone or anything else. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V n] Tourists from Southern Europe topped the list of visitors, representing 47 per cent of arrivals.
13 VERB If something tops a particular amount, it is larger than that amount. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V n] Imports topped £10 billion last month.
14 VERB If something is topped with something, it has that thing as its highest part. □ [be V -ed + with/by ] The holiest of their chapels are topped with gilded roofs. □ [V n + with ] To serve, top the fish with the cooked leeks. [Also V n] ● -topped COMB □ …the glass-topped table.
15 VERB If you top a story, remark, or action, you follow it with a better or more impressive one. □ [V n] How are you going to top that?
16 ADV You can use tops after mentioning a quantity, to say that it is the maximum possible. [INFORMAL ] □ The publisher expected the book to sell 1,500 copies, tops.
17 → see also topping
18 PHRASE If someone blows their top , they become very angry about something. [INFORMAL ] □ He blew his top after airport officials refused to let him on a plane.
19 PHRASE If a person, organization, or country comes out on top , they are more successful than the others that they have been competing with. □ The only way to come out on top is to adopt a different approach.
20 PHRASE If someone pays top dollar for something, they pay the highest possible price for it. [INFORMAL ] □ People will always pay top dollar for something exclusive.
21 PHRASE If you say that you clean, tidy, or examine something from top to bottom , you are emphasizing that you do it completely and thoroughly. [EMPHASIS ] □ She would clean the house from top to bottom.
22 PHRASE You can use from top to toe to emphasize that the whole of someone's body is covered or dressed in a particular thing or type of clothing. [EMPHASIS ] □ They were sensibly dressed from top to toe in rain gear.
23 PHRASE When something gets on top of you, it makes you feel unhappy or depressed because it is very difficult or worrying, or because it involves more work than you can manage. □ Things have been getting on top of me lately.
24 PHRASE If you say something off the top of your head , you say it without thinking about it much before you speak, especially because you do not have enough time. □ It was the best I could think of off the top of my head.
25 PHRASE If one thing is on top of another, it is placed over it or on its highest part. □ [+ of ] …the vacuum flask that was resting on top of the stove.
26 PHRASE You can use on top or on top of to indicate that a particular problem exists in addition to a number of other problems. □ An extra 700 jobs are being cut on top of the 2,000 that were lost last year.
27 PHRASE You say that someone is on top when they have reached the most important position in an organization or business. □ How does he stay on top, 17 years after becoming foreign minister?
28 PHRASE If you are on top of or get on top of something that you are doing, you are dealing with it successfully. □ …the government's inability to get on top of the situation.
29 PHRASE If you say that you feel on top of the world , you are emphasizing that you feel extremely happy and healthy. [EMPHASIS ] □ Two months before she gave birth to Jason she left work feeling on top of the world.
30 PHRASE If one thing is over the top of another, it is placed over it so that it is completely covering it. □ [+ of ] I have overcome this problem by placing a sheet of polythene over the top of the container.
31 PHRASE You describe something as over the top when you think that it is exaggerated, and therefore unacceptable. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ The special effects are a bit over the top but I enjoyed it.
32 PHRASE If you say something at the top of your voice , you say it very loudly. □ 'Stephen!' shouted Marcia at the top of her voice.
33 at the top of the heap → see heap
▸ top off PHRASAL VERB If you top off an event or period with a particular thing, you end it in an especially satisfactory, dramatic, or annoying way by doing that thing. □ [V P n] He topped off his career with a gold medal. □ [V n P ] To top it all off one of the catering staff managed to slice their finger cutting cheese.
▸ top up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you top something up , you make it full again when part of it has been used. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P n] We topped up the water tanks. □ [V n P ] He topped her glass up after complaining she was a slow drinker.
2 → see also top-up
to|paz /toʊ pæz/ (topazes ) N‑VAR A topaz is a precious stone which is usually yellowish-brown in colour.
to p bra ss N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] In the army or in other organizations, the top brass are the people in the highest positions. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ …a reshuffle of the army's top brass.
to p-cla ss also top class ADJ Top-class means among the finest of its kind. □ We think he'll turn into a top-class player.
top|coat /tɒ pkoʊt/ (topcoats ) also top coat
1 N‑COUNT A topcoat is a coat that you wear over your other clothes.
2 N‑VAR A topcoat is the final layer of paint or varnish that is put on something. Topcoat is the type of paint or varnish that you use for the final layer. Compare undercoat .
to p do g (top dogs ) N‑COUNT If a person or organization is top dog , they are the most successful or powerful one in a particular group. [INFORMAL ] □ Reynolds has never concealed his ambition to be the top dog.
to p-do llar → see top
to p-dra wer ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone or something as top-drawer , you are saying, often in a humorous way, that they have a high social standing or are of very good quality.
to p-e nd ADJ Top-end products are expensive and of extremely high quality. [BUSINESS ] □ …top-end luxury products such as smoked salmon and champagne.
to p ha t (top hats ) N‑COUNT A top hat is a man's tall hat with a narrow brim. Top hats are now worn only on special occasions, for example at some weddings.
to p-hea vy
1 ADJ Something that is top-heavy is larger or heavier at the top than at the bottom, and might therefore fall over. □ …top-heavy flowers such as sunflowers.
2 ADJ If you describe a business or other organization as top-heavy , you mean that it has too many senior managers in relation to the number of junior managers or workers. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …top-heavy bureaucratic structures.
to|pi|ary /toʊ piəri, [AM ] -eri/ N‑UNCOUNT Topiary is the art of cutting trees and bushes into different shapes, for example into the shapes of birds or animals.
top|ic /tɒ p I k/ (topics ) N‑COUNT A topic is a particular subject that you discuss or write about. □ The main topic for discussion is political union.
topi|cal /tɒ p I k ə l/ ADJ Topical is used to describe something that concerns or relates to events that are happening at the present time. □ The magazine's aim is to discuss topical issues within a Christian framework. ● topi|cal|ity /tɒ p I kæ l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The book has all the lively topicality of first-rate journalism.
top|knot /tɒ pnɒt/ (topknots ) also top-knot N‑COUNT If someone, especially a woman, has her hair in a topknot , her hair is arranged in a small neat pile on top of her head.
top|less /tɒ pləs/
1 ADJ [ADJ after v, ADJ n, v-link ADJ ] If a woman goes topless , she does not wear anything to cover her breasts. □ I wouldn't sunbathe topless if I thought I might offend anyone.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A topless show or bar is one in which the female entertainers or staff do not wear anything to cover their breasts.
to p-le vel ADJ [ADJ n] A top-level discussion or activity is one that involves the people with the greatest amount of power and authority in an organization or country. □ …a top-level meeting of American generals at the Pentagon.
top|most /tɒ pmoʊst/ ADJ [ADJ n] The topmost thing in a number of things is the one that is highest or nearest the top. □ …the topmost branches of a gigantic oak tree.
to p-no tch also top notch ADJ If you describe someone or something as top-notch , you mean that they are of a very high standard or quality. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ]
topo|graphi|cal /tɒ pəgræ f I k ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A topographical survey or map relates to or shows the physical features of an area of land, for example its hills, valleys, and rivers.
to|pog|ra|phy /təpɒ grəfi/ (topographies )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Topography is the study and description of the physical features of an area, for example its hills, valleys, or rivers, or the representation of these features on maps.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing, with poss] The topography of a particular area is its physical shape, including its hills, valleys, and rivers. □ [+ of ] The topography of the river's basin has changed significantly since the floods.
top|ping /tɒ p I ŋ/ (toppings )
1 N‑VAR A topping is food, such as cream or cheese, that is poured or put on top of other food in order to decorate it or add to its flavour.
2 → see also top
top|ple /tɒ p ə l/ (topples , toppling , toppled )
1 VERB If someone or something topples somewhere or if you topple them, they become unsteady or unstable and fall over. □ [V adv/prep] He just released his hold and toppled slowly backwards. □ [V n] Winds and rain toppled trees and electricity lines. [Also V ] ● PHRASAL VERB Topple over means the same as topple . □ [V P ] The tree is so badly damaged they are worried it might topple over.
2 VERB To topple a government or leader, especially one that is not elected by the people, means to cause them to lose power. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V n] …the revolution which toppled the regime.
to p-ra nked ADJ [ADJ n] A top-ranked sports player or team is the most successful player or team in a particular sport. [JOURNALISM ]
to p-ra nking ADJ [ADJ n] A top-ranking person is someone who has a very high rank or status in a particular organization or field of activity. □ …400 of Germany's top-ranking military officials.
to p-ra ted ADJ [ADJ n] A top-rated show or service is the most successful or highly regarded of its kind. [JOURNALISM ] □ …the top-rated American television series.
to p rou nd N‑UNCOUNT Top round is a joint of beef that is cut from the upper part of the cow's leg. It is usually cooked by roasting or stewing. [AM ] in BRIT, use topside
to p se |cret ADJ [usu ADJ n] Top secret information or activity is intended to be kept completely secret, for example in order to prevent a country's enemies from finding out about it. □ The top secret documents had to do with the most advanced military equipment.
top|side /tɒ psa I d/ (topsides )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Topside is a joint of beef that is cut from the upper part of the cow's leg. It is usually cooked by roasting or stewing. [BRIT ] in AM, use top round 2 ADV [ADV after v] On a ship, if you go topside , you go up onto the top deck. [TECHNICAL ] □ He left the control station and went topside.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The topside or topsides of a ship or boat are the top deck or the parts which you can see above the water. [TECHNICAL ]
top|soil /tɒ psɔ I l/ N‑UNCOUNT Topsoil is the layer of soil nearest the surface of the ground.
topsy-turvy /tɒ psi tɜː r vi/ ADJ Something that is topsy-turvy is in a confused or disorganized state. [INFORMAL ] □ The world has turned topsy-turvy in my lifetime.
to p-up (top-ups )
1 N‑COUNT A top-up is another serving of a drink in the same glass that you have just used. [BRIT ]
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A top-up loan or payment is added to an amount of money in order to bring it up to a required level. [BRIT ] □ Student grants will be frozen at existing levels and top-up loans made available.
torch /tɔː r tʃ/ (torches , torching , torched )
1 N‑COUNT A torch is a small electric light which is powered by batteries and which you can carry in your hand. [BRIT ] in AM, use flashlight 2 N‑COUNT A torch is a long stick with burning material at one end, used to provide light or to set things on fire. □ They lit a torch and set fire to the chapel's thatch.
3 N‑COUNT A torch is a device that produces a hot flame and is used for tasks such as cutting or joining pieces of metal. □ The gang worked for up to ten hours with acetylene torches to open the vault.
4 → see also blowtorch
5 VERB If someone torches a building or vehicle, they set fire to it deliberately. □ [V n] The rioters torched the local library.
6 PHRASE If you say that someone is carrying a torch for someone else, you mean that they secretly admire them or love them. □ He has always carried a torch for Barbara.
7 PHRASE If you say that someone is carrying the torch of a particular belief or movement, you mean that they are working hard to ensure that it is not forgotten and continues to grow stronger. □ [+ for/of ] This group aims to carry the torch for the thousands who died.
torch|light /tɔː r tʃla I t/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft by N , N n] If you do something by torchlight , you do it using the light that is produced by a torch or torches. □ Surgeons are performing operations in tents by torchlight.
to rch song (torch songs ) N‑COUNT A torch song is a sentimental popular song about love, usually sung by a woman.
tore /tɔː r / Tore is the past tense of tear .
tor|ment (torments , tormenting , tormented ) The noun is pronounced /tɔː r ment/. The verb is pronounced /tɔː r me nt/. 1 N‑UNCOUNT Torment is extreme suffering, usually mental suffering. □ [+ of ] The torment of having her baby kidnapped is written all over her face.
2 N‑COUNT A torment is something that causes extreme suffering, usually mental suffering. □ [+ of ] Sooner or later most writers end up making books about the torments of being a writer.
3 VERB If something torments you, it causes you extreme mental suffering. □ [V n] At times the memories returned to torment her.
4 VERB If you torment a person or animal, you annoy them in a playful, rather cruel way for your own amusement. □ [V n] My older brother and sister used to torment me by singing it to me.
tor|men|tor /tɔː r me ntə r / (tormentors ) N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] Someone's tormentor is a person who deliberately causes them physical or mental pain. □ …cases where women subjected to years of brutality lose control and kill their tormentors.
torn /tɔː r n/
1 Torn is the past participle of tear .
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are torn between two or more things, you cannot decide which to choose, and so you feel anxious or troubled. □ [+ between ] Robb is torn between becoming a doctor and a career in athletics.
tor|na|do /tɔː r ne I doʊ/ (tornadoes or tornados ) N‑COUNT A tornado is a violent wind storm consisting of a tall column of air which spins round very fast and causes a lot of damage.
tor|pe|do /tɔː r piː doʊ/ (torpedoes , torpedoing , torpedoed )
1 N‑COUNT A torpedo is bomb that is shaped like a tube and that travels under water.
2 VERB [usu passive] If a ship is torpedoed , it is hit, and usually sunk, by a torpedo or torpedoes. □ [be V -ed] More than a thousand people died when the Lusitania was torpedoed.
3 VERB If someone torpedoes negotiations or plans, they deliberately prevent them from being completed or from being successful. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] These attacks are seen as an effort to torpedo the talks.
tor|pid /tɔː r p I d/ ADJ If you are torpid , you are mentally or physically inactive, especially because you are feeling lazy or sleepy. [FORMAL ]
tor|por /tɔː r pə r / N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] Torpor is the state of being completely inactive mentally or physically, for example because of illness or laziness. [FORMAL ] □ He had slumped into a state of torpor from which nothing could rouse him. □ The sick person gradually falls into a torpor.
torque /tɔː r k/ N‑UNCOUNT Torque is a force that causes something to spin around a central point such as an axle. [TECHNICAL ]
tor|rent /tɒ rənt, [AM ] tɔː r-/ (torrents )
1 N‑COUNT A torrent is a lot of water falling or flowing rapidly or violently. □ [+ of ] Torrents of water gushed into the reservoir.
2 N‑COUNT A torrent of abuse or questions is a lot of abuse or questions directed continuously at someone. □ [+ of ] He turned round and directed a torrent of abuse at me.
tor|ren|tial /təre nʃ ə l, [AM ] tɔːr-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Torrential rain pours down very rapidly and in great quantities.
tor|rid /tɒ r I d, [AM ] tɔː r I d/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Torrid weather is extremely hot and dry. [LITERARY ] □ …the torrid heat of a Spanish summer.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A torrid relationship or incident involves very strong emotions connected with love and sex. □ She began a torrid love affair with a theatrical designer.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone or something has a torrid time, they experience a lot of difficulties. [BRIT , JOURNALISM ] □ Seles, the victim of a death threat earlier this week, has had a torrid time during the Championships.
tor|sion /tɔː r ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Torsion is a twisting effect on something such as a piece of metal or an organ of the body. [TECHNICAL ]
tor|so /tɔː r soʊ/ (torsos ) N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your torso is the main part of your body, and does not include your head, arms, and legs. [FORMAL ]
tort /tɔː r t/ (torts ) N‑VAR A tort is something that you do or fail to do which harms someone else and for which you can be sued for damages. [LEGAL ]
tor|til|la /tɔː r tiː jə/ (tortillas ) N‑VAR A tortilla is a piece of thin flat bread that first came from Mexico, and is made from corn and eggs.
tor|ti l|la chi p (tortilla chips ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Tortilla chips are thick crisps made from corn which are often served with dips such as salsa.
tor|toise /tɔː r təs/ (tortoises ) N‑COUNT A tortoise is a slow-moving animal with a shell into which it can pull its head and legs for protection.
tortoise|shell /tɔː r təsʃel/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Tortoiseshell is the hard shell of a kind of sea turtle. It is brown and yellow in colour and is often polished and used to make jewellery and ornaments.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Tortoiseshell means made of tortoiseshell or made of a material which resembles tortoiseshell. □ He wears huge spectacles with thick tortoiseshell frames.
tor|tu|ous /tɔː r tʃuəs/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A tortuous road is full of bends and twists. □ The only road access is a tortuous mountain route.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A tortuous process or piece of writing is very long and complicated. □ …these long and tortuous negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.
tor|ture ◆◇◇ /tɔː r tʃə r / (tortures , torturing , tortured )
1 VERB If someone is tortured , another person deliberately causes them great pain over a period of time, in order to punish them or to make them reveal information. □ [be V -ed] French police are convinced that she was tortured and killed. □ [V n] They never again tortured a prisoner in his presence. ● N‑VAR Torture is also a noun. □ …alleged cases of torture and murder by the security forces.
2 VERB To torture someone means to cause them to suffer mental pain or anxiety. □ [V n] He would not torture her further by trying to argue with her. □ [V pron-refl + with ] She tortured herself with fantasies of Bob and his new girlfriend.
3 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] If you say that something is torture or a torture , you mean that it causes you great mental or physical suffering. [INFORMAL ] □ Waiting for the result was torture.
tor|tur|er /tɔː r tʃərə r / (torturers ) N‑COUNT A torturer is someone who tortures people.
tor|tur|ous /tɔː r tʃərəs/ ADJ Something that is torturous is extremely painful and causes great suffering. □ This is a torturous, agonizing way to kill someone.
Tory ◆◆◇ /tɔː ri/ (Tories ) ADJ In Britain, a Tory politician or voter is a member of or votes for the Conservative Party. □ …the former Tory Party chairman. ● N‑COUNT Tory is also a noun. □ The Tories have launched their election campaign.
toss /tɒ s, [AM ] tɔː s/ (tosses , tossing , tossed )
1 VERB If you toss something somewhere, you throw it there lightly, often in a rather careless way. □ [V n prep/adv] He screwed the paper into a ball and tossed it into the fire. □ [V n n] He tossed Malone a bottle of water, and took one himself.
2 VERB If you toss your head or toss your hair, you move your head backwards, quickly and suddenly, often as a way of expressing an emotion such as anger or contempt. □ [V n] 'I'm sure I don't know.' Cook tossed her head. □ [V n prep/adv] Gasping, she tossed her hair out of her face. ● N‑COUNT Toss is also a noun. □ [+ of ] With a toss of his head and a few hard gulps, Bob finished the last of his coffee.
3 VERB In sports and informal situations, if you decide something by tossing a coin, you spin a coin into the air and guess which side of the coin will face upwards when it lands. □ [V n] We tossed a coin to decide who would go out and buy the buns. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Toss is also a noun. □ [+ of ] It would be better to decide it on the toss of a coin.
4 N‑SING The toss is a way of deciding something, such as who is going to go first in a game, that consists of spinning a coin into the air and guessing which side of the coin will face upwards when it lands. □ Bangladesh won the toss and decided to bat first.
5 VERB If something such as the wind or sea tosses an object, it causes it to move from side to side or up and down. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] The seas grew turbulent, tossing the small boat like a cork. □ [be V -ed adv/prep] As the plane was tossed up and down, the pilot tried to stabilise it.
6 VERB If you toss food while preparing it, you put pieces of it into a liquid and lightly shake them so that they become covered with the liquid. □ [V n] Do not toss the salad until you're ready to serve. □ [V n + in ] Add the grated orange rind and toss the apple slices in the mixture. □ [V -ed] Serve straight from the dish with a tossed green salad.
7 → see also toss-up
8 PHRASE If you say that someone argues the toss , you are criticizing them for continuing to argue for longer than is necessary about something that is not very important. [BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ about ] They were still arguing the toss about the first goal.
9 PHRASE If you say that you do not give a toss about someone or something, you are emphasizing that you do not care about them at all. [BRIT , INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ [+ about ] Well, who gives a toss about sophistication anyway?
10 PHRASE If you toss and turn , you keep moving around in bed and cannot sleep properly, for example because you are ill or worried.
to ss-up (toss-ups ) N‑COUNT If you say that it is a toss-up whether one thing will happen or another thing will happen, you mean that either result seems equally likely. □ It's a toss-up whether oil prices will go up or down over the days ahead. [Also + between ]
tot /tɒ t/ (tots , totting , totted )
1 N‑COUNT A tot is a very young child. [INFORMAL ]
2 N‑COUNT A tot of a strong alcoholic drink such as whisky or brandy is a small amount of it in a glass. [mainly BRIT ]
▸ tot up PHRASAL VERB To tot up a total or a list of numbers means to add up several numbers in order to reach a total. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P n + of , V P n] I finally sat down to tot up the full extent of my debt. [Also V n P ]
to|tal ◆◆◆ /toʊ t ə l/ (totals , totalling , totalled )
1 N‑COUNT A total is the number that you get when you add several numbers together or when you count how many things there are in a group. □ [+ of ] The companies have a total of 1,776 employees.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] The total number or cost of something is the number or cost that you get when you add together or count all the parts in it. □ The total cost of the project would be more than $240 million.
3 PHRASE If there are a number of things in total , there are that number when you count or add them all together. □ I was with my partner for eight years in total.
4 VERB If several numbers or things total a certain figure, that figure is the total of all the numbers or all the things. □ [V amount] The unit's exports will total $85 million this year.
5 VERB When you total a set of numbers or objects, you add them all together. □ [V n] They haven't totalled the exact figures.
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use total to emphasize that something is as great in extent, degree, or amount as it possibly can be. [EMPHASIS ] □ Why should we trust a total stranger? ● to|tal|ly ADV [ADV adj/adv, ADV with v] □ Young people want something totally different from the old ways.
to|tali|tar|ian /toʊ tæl I teə riən/ ADJ A totalitarian political system is one in which there is only one political party which controls everything and does not allow any opposition parties. [DISAPPROVAL ]
to|tali|tari|an|ism /toʊ tæl I teə riən I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Totalitarianism is the ideas, principles, and practices of totalitarian political systems.
to|tal|ity /toʊtæ l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT The totality of something is the whole of it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …a process of change which involves the totality of human experience.
to |tal qua l|ity ma n|age|ment N‑UNCOUNT Total quality management is a set of management principles aimed at improving performance throughout a company, especially by involving employees in decision-making. The abbreviation TQM is also used. [BUSINESS ] □ He is a firm believer in total quality management.
tote /toʊ t/ (totes , toting , toted )
1 N‑SING The Tote is a system of betting money on horses in races. [BRIT ] in AM, use parimutuel 2 VERB To tote something, especially a gun, means to carry it with you in such a way that people can see it. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V n] The demonstrators fled when soldiers toting machine guns advanced on the crowd. ● -toting COMB □ They are too frightened to speak out against the gun-toting thugs.
to|tem /toʊ təm/ (totems )
1 N‑COUNT In some societies, a family's totem is the particular animal, plant, or natural object which they regard as a special symbol and which they believe has spiritual significance.
2 N‑COUNT Something that is a totem of another thing is a symbol of it. [WRITTEN ] □ [+ of ] This opera is one of the cultural totems of Western civilisation.
to |tem pole (totem poles ) N‑COUNT A totem pole is a long wooden pole with symbols and pictures carved and painted on it. Totem poles are made by some Native American peoples and placed outside their homes.
totes /toʊ ts/ ADV Totes is a written and spoken abbreviation for 'totally'. [INFORMAL ] □ You are, like, totes amazing!
tot|ter /tɒ tə r / (totters , tottering , tottered )
1 VERB If someone totters somewhere, they walk there in an unsteady way, for example because they are ill or drunk. □ [V prep/adv] He tottered to the fridge, got a drink and slumped at the table.
2 VERB If something such as a market or government is tottering , it is weak and likely to collapse or fail completely. □ [V ] The property market is tottering. □ [V -ing] …further criticism of the tottering government.
tou|can /tuː kən, [AM ] -kæn/ (toucans ) N‑COUNT A toucan is a South American bird with a large brightly-coloured beak.
touch ◆◆◇ /tʌ tʃ/ (touches , touching , touched )
1 VERB If you touch something, you put your hand onto it in order to feel it or to make contact with it. □ [V n] Her tiny hands gently touched my face. □ [V -ing] The virus is not passed on through touching or shaking hands. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Touch is also a noun. □ Sometimes even a light touch on the face is enough to trigger off this pain.
2 VERB If two things are touching , or if one thing touches another, or if you touch two things, their surfaces come into contact with each other. □ [V ] Their knees were touching. □ [V n + with ] A cyclist crashed when he touched wheels with another rider. □ [V n] If my arm touches the wall, it has to be washed again. □ [V n] In some countries people stand close enough to touch elbows. □ [V n + with ] He touched the cow's side with his stick.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Your sense of touch is your ability to tell what something is like when you feel it with your hands. □ The evidence suggests that our sense of touch is programmed to diminish with age.
4 VERB To touch something means to strike it, usually quite gently. □ [V n] As the aeroplane went down the runway, the wing touched a pile of rubble.
5 VERB [usu passive] If something has not been touched , nobody has dealt with it or taken care of it. □ [be V -ed] When John began to restore the house, nothing had been touched for 40 years.
6 VERB If you say that you did not touch someone or something, you are emphasizing that you did not attack, harm, or destroy them, especially when you have been accused of doing so. [EMPHASIS ] □ [V n] Pearce remained adamant, saying 'I didn't touch him'. □ [V n] I was in the garden. I never touched the sandwiches.
7 VERB [no passive] You say that you never touch something or that you have not touched something for a long time to emphasize that you never use it, or you have not used it for a long time. [EMPHASIS ] □ [V n] I never touch chocolate, it gives me spots.
8 VERB If you touch on a particular subject or problem, you mention it or write briefly about it. □ [V + on/upon ] The film touches on these issues, but only superficially.
9 VERB If something touches you, it affects you in some way for a short time. □ [V n] …a guilt that in some sense touches everyone.
10 VERB If something that someone says or does touches you, it affects you emotionally, often because you see that they are suffering a lot or that they are being very kind. □ [V n to-inf] It has touched me deeply to see how these people live. □ [V n] Her enthusiasm touched me. ● touched ADJ [v-link ADJ ] □ I was touched to find that he regards me as engaging.
11 VERB [usu passive] If something is touched with a particular quality, it has a certain amount of that quality. [WRITTEN ] □ [be V -ed + with ] His crinkly hair was touched with grey. □ [be V -ed + with ] The boy was touched with genius.
12 VERB [no cont, no passive] If you say about someone that nobody can touch him or her for a particular thing, you mean that he or she is much better at it than anyone else. □ [V n + for ] No one can touch these girls for professionalism. [Also V n]
13 VERB [no passive] To touch a particular level, amount, or score, especially a high one, means to reach it. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] By the third lap he had touched 289 m.p.h.
14 N‑COUNT A touch is a detail which is added to something to improve it. □ They called the event 'a tribute to heroes', which was a nice touch.
15 N‑SING If someone has a particular kind of touch , they have a particular way of doing something. □ The dishes he produces all have a personal touch.
16 QUANT A touch of something is a very small amount of it. □ [+ of ] She thought she just had a touch of flu.
17 PHRASE You can use a touch to mean slightly or to a small extent, especially in order to make something you say seem less extreme. For example, if you say that something is a touch expensive, you might really think that it is very expensive. [mainly BRIT , VAGUENESS ] □ We were all a touch uneasy, I think. □ I found it a touch distasteful.
18 → see also touching
19 PHRASE You use at the touch of in expressions such as at the touch of a button and at the touch of a key to indicate that something is possible by simply touching a switch or one of the keys of a keyboard. □ Staff will be able to trace calls at the touch of a button.
20 PHRASE If you say that someone has the common touch , you mean that they have the natural ability to have a good relationship with ordinary people and be popular with them. [APPROVAL ]
21 PHRASE If you get in touch with someone, you contact them by writing to them or phoning them. If you are, keep, or stay in touch with them, you write, phone, or visit each other regularly. □ The organisation would be in touch with him tomorrow.
22 PHRASE If you are in touch with a subject or situation, or if someone keeps you in touch with it, you know the latest news or information about it. If you are out of touch with it, you do not know the latest news or information about it. □ …keeping the unemployed in touch with the labour market. □ Mr Cavazos' problem was that he was out of touch.
23 PHRASE If you lose touch with someone, you gradually stop writing, phoning, or visiting them. □ [+ with ] In my job one tends to lose touch with friends.
24 PHRASE If you lose touch with something, you no longer have the latest news or information about it. □ Their leaders have lost touch with what is happening in the country.
25 PHRASE If you say that something is touch and go , you mean that you are uncertain whether it will happen or succeed. □ It was touch and go whether we'd go bankrupt.
26 PHRASE If you say that someone is a soft touch or an easy touch , you mean that they can easily be persuaded to lend you money or to do things for you. [INFORMAL ] □ Pamela was an easy touch when she needed some cash.
27 would not touch someone or something with a barge pole → see barge pole
28 the finishing touch → see finish
29 touch wood → see wood
▸ touch down PHRASAL VERB When an aircraft touches down , it lands. □ [V P ] When we touched down at Heathrow we were all relieved just to get home.
▸ touch off PHRASAL VERB If something touches off a situation or series of events, it causes it to start happening. □ [V P n] Is the massacre likely to touch off a new round of violence? [Also V n P ]
touch|down /tʌ tʃdaʊn/ (touchdowns )
1 N‑VAR Touchdown is the landing of an aircraft or spacecraft. □ The astronauts are preparing for touchdown tomorrow morning.
2 N‑COUNT In rugby and American football, a touchdown is when a team scores points by taking the ball over the opposition's goal line.
tou|ché /tuːʃe I / CONVENTION You say ' touché ' when you want to admit that the other person in an argument has won a point, usually with a short and witty remark.
touch|ing /tʌ tʃ I ŋ/
1 ADJ If something is touching , it causes feelings of sadness or sympathy. □ This is a touching tale of adolescent friendship.
2 → see also touch
touch|less /tʌ tʃləs/ ADJ A touchless device is controlled by movements or sounds and does not require the user to touch a keypad or screen. □ The phone has a touchless display and is controlled by voice.
touch|line /tʌ tʃla I n/ N‑SING In sports such as rugby and football, the touchline is one of the two lines which mark the side of the playing area. [mainly BRIT ]
tou ch pa|per also touchpaper PHRASE If someone lights the touch paper or lights the blue touch paper , they do something which causes anger or excitement. [BRIT , JOURNALISM ] □ This kind of remark is guaranteed to light the blue touch paper with some Labour politicians.
tou ch-scree n (touch-screens ) also touchscreen N‑COUNT [oft N n] A touch-screen is a computer screen that allows the user to give commands to the computer by touching parts of the screen rather than by using the keyboard or mouse. [COMPUTING ]
tou ch-se n|si|tive ADJ Touch-sensitive equipment is operated by the user touching it. [COMPUTING ] □ The touch-sensitive controls are easy to operate.
touch|stone /tʌ tʃstoʊn/ (touchstones ) N‑COUNT If you use one thing as a touchstone of another, you use it as a test or standard by which you judge the second thing. □ [+ of/for ] Job security has become the touchstone of a good job for many employees.
tou ch-to ne ADJ [ADJ n] A touch-tone phone has numbered buttons that make different sounds when you press them. Some automatic phone services can only be used with this kind of telephone.
touchy /tʌ tʃi/ (touchier , touchiest )
1 ADJ If you describe someone as touchy , you mean that they are easily upset, offended, or irritated. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ about ] She is very touchy about her past.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that something is a touchy subject, you mean that it is a subject that needs to be dealt with carefully and in a sensitive way, because it might upset or offend people. □ …the touchy question of political reform.
touchy-feely /tʌ tʃi fiː li/ ADJ If you describe something as touchy-feely , you mean that it involves people expressing emotions such as love and affection openly in a way which you find embarrassing and silly. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a touchy-feely song about making your life worth living.
tough ◆◆◇ /tʌ f/ (tougher , toughest , toughs )
1 ADJ A tough person is strong and determined, and can tolerate difficulty or suffering. □ He built up a reputation as a tough businessman. □ She is tough and ambitious. ● tough|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Mrs Potter has a reputation for toughness and determination.
2 ADJ If you describe someone as tough , you mean that they are rough and violent. □ He had shot three people dead, earning himself a reputation as a tough guy. ● N‑COUNT A tough is a tough person. □ Three burly toughs elbowed their way to the front.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A tough place or area is considered to have a lot of crime and violence. □ She doesn't seem cut out for this tough neighbourhood.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A tough way of life or period of time is difficult or full of suffering. □ He was having a really tough time at work.
5 ADJ [ADJ to-inf] A tough task or problem is difficult to do or solve. □ It was a very tough decision but we feel we made the right one.
6 ADJ Tough policies or actions are strict and firm. □ He is known for taking a tough line on security.
7 ADJ A tough substance is strong, and difficult to break, cut, or tear. □ In industry, diamond can form a tough, non-corrosive coating for tools.
8 ADJ Tough meat is difficult to cut and chew. □ The steak was tough and the peas were like bullets.
9 PHRASE If someone who is trying to achieve something hangs tough , they remain determined and do not give up, even when there are difficulties or problems. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ The White House is hanging tough for a good agreement to be reached.
tou gh coo kie (tough cookies ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a tough cookie , you mean that they are unemotional and are not easily hurt by what people say or do.
tough|en /tʌ f ə n/ (toughens , toughening , toughened )
1 VERB If you toughen something or if it toughens , you make it stronger so that it will not break easily. □ [V n] Do not add salt to beans when cooking as this tends to toughen the skins. [Also V ]
2 VERB If a person, institution, or law toughens its policies, regulations, or punishments, it makes them firmer or stricter. □ [V n] Talks are under way to toughen trade restrictions. ● PHRASAL VERB Toughen up means the same as toughen . □ [V P n] The new law toughens up penalties for those that misuse guns. [Also V n P ]
3 VERB If an experience toughens you, it makes you stronger and more independent in character. □ [V n] They believe that participating in fights toughens boys and shows them how to be men. ● PHRASAL VERB Toughen up means the same as toughen . □ [V n P ] He thinks boxing is good for kids, that it toughens them up. □ [V P ] My father tried to teach me to toughen up. [Also V P n (not pron)]
tou gh lo ve N‑UNCOUNT Tough love is the practice of being very strict with someone in order to help them overcome a problem with their behaviour. □ The warden runs the prison with his personal brand of tough love.
tou|pee /tuː pe I , [AM ] tuːpe I / (toupees ) N‑COUNT A toupee is a piece of artificial hair worn by a man to cover a patch on his head where he has lost his hair.
tour ◆◆◇ /tʊə r / (tours , touring , toured )
1 N‑COUNT A tour is an organized trip that people such as musicians, politicians, or theatre companies go on to several different places, stopping to meet people or perform. □ The band are currently on a two-month tour of Europe. □ …a presidential campaign tour in Illinois. ● PHRASE When people are travelling on a tour, you can say that they are on tour . □ The band will be going on tour.
2 VERB When people such as musicians, politicians, or theatre companies tour , they go on a tour, for example in order to perform or to meet people. □ [V n] A few years ago they toured the country in a roadshow. □ [V ] He toured for nearly two years and played 500 sell-out shows.
3 N‑COUNT A tour is a journey during which you visit several places that interest you. □ [+ of ] It was week five of my tour of the major cities of Europe.
4 N‑COUNT A tour is a short trip that you make round a place, for example round a historical building, so that you can look at it. □ [+ of ] …a guided tour of a ruined Scottish castle.
5 VERB If you tour a place, you go on a journey or trip round it. □ [V n] You can also tour the site on modern coaches equipped with air conditioning.
tour de force /tʊə r də fɔː r s/ (tours de force ) also tour-de-force N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you call something such as a performance, speech, or production a tour de force , you are emphasizing that it is extremely good or extremely well done or made. [EMPHASIS ] □ Stevenson's deeply felt performance is a tour-de-force.
Tourette's syn|drome /tʊə r e ts s I ndroʊm/ or Tourette syndrome , Tourette's N‑UNCOUNT Tourette's syndrome is a brain disorder that causes the sufferer to make sudden uncontrolled movements and sometimes swear and spit. □ …a Tourette's sufferer
tour|ism ◆◇◇ /tʊə r I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Tourism is the business of providing services for people on holiday, for example hotels, restaurants, and trips.
tour|ist ◆◇◇ /tʊə r I st/ (tourists ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A tourist is a person who is visiting a place for pleasure and interest, especially when they are on holiday. □ …foreign tourists. □ It is a top tourist attraction that is visited by thousands of people each day. SYNONYMS tourist NOUN
traveller: Many air travellers suffer puffy ankles and feet during long flights.
sightseer: …coachloads of sightseers.
globetrotter: He's a bit of a globetrotter.
tour|isty /tʊə r I sti/ ADJ If you describe a place as touristy , you do not like it because it is full of tourists or full of things for tourists to buy and do. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Visit some of the less touristy islands.
tour|na|ment ◆◇◇ /tʊə r nəmənt/ (tournaments ) N‑COUNT A tournament is a sports competition in which players who win a match continue to play further matches in the competition until just one person or team is left. SYNONYMS tournament NOUN
contest: Few contests in the history of British boxing have been as thrilling.
competition: …a surfing competition.
game: He regularly watched our games from the stands.
match: He was watching a football match.
tour|ni|quet /tʊə r n I ke I / (tourniquets ) N‑COUNT A tourniquet is a strip of cloth that is tied tightly round an injured arm or leg in order to stop it bleeding.
tou r op|era|tor (tour operators ) N‑COUNT A tour operator is a company that provides holidays in which your travel and accommodation are booked for you.
tou r rep (tour reps ) N‑COUNT A tour rep is the same as a holiday rep . [BRIT ]
tou|sled /taʊ z ə ld/ ADJ If you have tousled hair, it is untidy and looks as if it has not been brushed or combed.
tout /taʊ t/ (touts , touting , touted )
1 VERB If someone touts something, they try to sell it or convince people that it is good. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] It has the trappings of an election campaign in the United States, with slick television ads touting the candidates.
2 VERB If someone touts for business or custom, they try to obtain it. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V + for ] He visited Thailand and Singapore to tout for investment.
3 VERB If someone touts tickets, they sell them outside a sports ground or theatre, usually for more than their original value. [BRIT ] □ [V n] …a man who made his money touting tickets. in AM, use scalp 4 N‑COUNT A tout is someone who sells things such as tickets unofficially, usually at prices which are higher than the official ones. [BRIT ] in AM, use scalper
tow /toʊ / (tows , towing , towed )
1 VERB If one vehicle tows another, it pulls it along behind it. □ [V n] He had been using the vehicle to tow his work trailer. □ [V n with adv] They threatened to tow away my car. □ [V n prep] A lifeboat towed the 28ft boat to a nearby quay.
2 PHRASE If you have someone in tow , they are following you closely because you are looking after them or you are leading them somewhere. [INFORMAL ] □ There she was on my doorstep with child in tow.
to|wards ◆◆◆ /təwɔː r dz, [AM ] tɔː rdz/ or toward In addition to the uses shown below, towards is used in phrasal verbs such as 'count towards' and 'lean towards'. 1 PREP If you move, look, or point towards something or someone, you move, look, or point in their direction. □ Caroline leant across the table towards him. □ Anne left Artie and walked down the corridor towards the foyer. □ When he looked towards me, I smiled and waved.
2 PREP If things develop towards a particular situation, that situation becomes nearer in time or more likely to happen. □ The talks made little evident progress towards agreement.
3 PREP If you have a particular attitude towards something or someone, you have that attitude when you think about them or deal with them. □ It's the business of the individual to determine his own attitude towards religion. □ Not everyone in the world will be kind and caring towards you.
4 PREP If something happens towards a particular time, it happens just before that time. □ The factory was due to open towards the end of the year.
5 PREP If something is towards part of a place or thing, it is near that part. □ The home of the Morgan family was up Gloucester Road, towards the top of the hill.
6 PREP If you give money towards something, you give it to help pay for that thing. □ He gave them £50,000 towards a house.
tow|el /taʊ əl/ (towels , towelling , towelled ) in AM, use toweling , toweled 1 N‑COUNT A towel is a piece of thick soft cloth that you use to dry yourself. □ …a bath towel.
2 VERB If you towel something or towel it dry, you dry it with a towel. □ [V n] James came out of his bedroom, toweling his wet hair. □ [V n adj] I towelled myself dry. □ [V n + down/off ] He stepped out of the shower and began towelling himself down.
3 PHRASE If you throw in the towel , you stop trying to do something because you realize that you cannot succeed. [INFORMAL ] □ It seemed as if the police had thrown in the towel and were abandoning the investigation.
4 → see also sanitary towel , tea towel
tow|el|ling /taʊ əl I ŋ/ in AM, use toweling N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Towelling is a kind of fairly thick soft cloth that is used especially for making towels. □ …a towelling bathrobe.
tow|er ◆◇◇ /taʊ ə r / (towers , towering , towered )
1 N‑COUNT A tower is a tall, narrow building, that either stands alone or forms part of another building such as a church or castle. □ …an eleventh century castle with 120-foot high towers. □ …the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
2 VERB Someone or something that towers over surrounding people or things is a lot taller than they are. □ [V + over/above ] He stood up and towered over her.
3 N‑COUNT A tower is a tall structure that is used for sending radio or television signals. □ Troops are still in control of the television and radio tower.
4 N‑COUNT A tower is the same as a tower block . □ …his design for a new office tower in Frankfurt.
5 N‑COUNT A tower is a tall box that contains the main parts of a computer, such as the hard disk and the drives. [COMPUTING ]
6 → see also clock tower , control tower , ivory tower
7 PHRASE If you refer to someone as a tower of strength , you appreciate them because they give you a lot of help, support, and encouragement when you have problems or are in a difficult situation. [APPROVAL ] □ Pat was a tower of strength to our whole family.
to w|er block (tower blocks ) N‑COUNT A tower block is a tall building divided into flats or offices. [BRIT ] □ …a 23-storey tower block. in AM, use high-rise , high-rise building
tow|er|ing /taʊ ər I ŋ/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe something such as a mountain or cliff as towering , you mean that it is very tall and therefore impressive. [LITERARY ] □ …towering cliffs of black granite which rise straight out of the sea.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe someone or something as towering , you are emphasizing that they are impressive because of their importance, skill, or intensity. [LITERARY , EMPHASIS ] □ He remains a towering figure in modern British politics.
town ◆◆◆ /taʊ n/ (towns )
1 N‑COUNT A town is a place with many streets and buildings, where people live and work. Towns are larger than villages and smaller than cities. Many places that are called towns in Britain would be called cities in the United States. □ [+ of ] …Saturday night in the small town of Braintree, Essex. □ Parking can be tricky in the town centre. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can use the town to refer to the people of a town. □ The town takes immense pride in recent achievements.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You use town in order to refer to the town where you live. □ He admits he doesn't even know when his brother is in town. □ She left town.
3 N‑UNCOUNT You use town in order to refer to the central area of a town where most of the shops and offices are. □ I walked around town. □ I caught a bus into town.
4 → see also ghost town , hometown , new town
5 PHRASE If you say that someone goes to town on something, you mean that they deal with it with a lot of enthusiasm or intensity. □ [+ on ] We really went to town on it, turning it into a full, three-day show.
6 PHRASE If you go out on the town or go for a night on the town , you enjoy yourself by going to a town centre in the evening and spending a long time there visiting several places of entertainment. □ I used to love going out on the town and coming back in the early hours of the morning.
to wn cou n|cil (town councils ) N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb, oft in names] A town council is a group of people who have been elected to govern a British town.
to wn cri |er (town criers ) N‑COUNT In former times, a town crier was a man whose job was to walk through the streets of a town shouting out news and official announcements.
to wn ha ll (town halls ) also Town Hall
1 N‑COUNT In Britain, a town hall in a town is a large building owned and used by the town council, often as its main office. You can also use town hall to refer to the town council that uses this building.
2 N‑COUNT In the United States, especially in New England, a town hall is a building or hall used for local government business.
to wn house (town houses )
1 N‑COUNT A town house is a tall narrow house in a town, usually in a row of similar houses.
2 N‑COUNT [with poss] The town house of a wealthy person is the house that they own in a town or city, rather than another house that they own in the country.
townie /taʊ ni/ (townies ) N‑COUNT If someone who lives in the countryside refers to someone from a town or city as a townie , they disapprove of that person because they think they have no knowledge of the countryside or country life. [DISAPPROVAL ]
to wn pla n|ning N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Town planning is the planning and design of all the new buildings, roads, and parks in a place in order to make them attractive and convenient for the people who live there.
towns|folk /taʊ nzfoʊk/ N‑PLURAL The townsfolk of a town or city are the people who live there. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
town|ship /taʊ nʃ I p/ (townships )
1 N‑COUNT In South Africa, a township was a town where only black people lived. □ [+ of ] …the South African township of Soweto.
2 N‑COUNT In the United States and Canada, a township is an area of land, especially a part of a county which is organized as a unit of local government.
towns|people /taʊ nzpiːp ə l/ N‑PLURAL The townspeople of a town or city are the people who live there. □ Food shortages forced many townspeople into the country to grow their own food.
tow|path /toʊ pɑːθ, -pæθ/ (towpaths ) N‑COUNT A towpath is a path along the side of a canal or river, which horses used to walk on when they pulled boats.
tow|rope /toʊ roʊp/ (towropes ) also tow rope N‑COUNT A towrope is a strong rope that is used for pulling vehicles.
to w truck (tow trucks ) N‑COUNT A tow truck is a motor vehicle which is used to pull broken or damaged vehicles.
tox|ic /tɒ ks I k/ ADJ A toxic substance is poisonous. □ …the cost of cleaning up toxic waste. □ [+ to ] These products are not toxic to humans. ● tox|ic|ity /tɒks I s I ti/ (toxicities ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …data on the toxicity of chemicals.
toxi|col|ogy /tɒ ks I kɒ lədʒi/ N‑UNCOUNT Toxicology is the study of poisons. [TECHNICAL ] ● toxi|co|logi|cal /tɒ ks I kəlɒ dʒ I k ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] □ There were no adverse toxicological effects. ● toxi|colo|gist (toxicologists ) N‑COUNT □ Toxicologists attempt to identify and understand toxic hazards.
tox|in /tɒ ks I n/ (toxins ) N‑VAR A toxin is any poisonous substance produced by bacteria, animals, or plants. □ Tests showed increased levels of toxin in shellfish.
toy ◆◇◇ /tɔ I / (toys , toying , toyed )
1 N‑COUNT A toy is an object that children play with, for example a doll or a model car. □ He was really too old for children's toys. □ …a toy telephone.
2 → see also soft toy
3 N‑COUNT You can refer to objects that adults use for fun rather than for a serious purpose as toys . □ Computers have become household toys.
▸ toy with
1 PHRASAL VERB If you toy with an idea, you consider it casually without making any decisions about it. □ [V P n] He toyed with the idea of going to China.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you toy with food or drink, you do not eat or drink it with any enthusiasm, but only take a bite or a little drink from time to time. □ [V P n] She had no appetite, and merely toyed with the bread and cheese.
toy|boy /tɔ I bɔ I / (toyboys ) N‑COUNT People sometimes refer to a woman's lover as her toyboy when he is much younger than she is. [BRIT , HUMOROUS , INFORMAL ]
toy|town /tɔ I taʊn/ ADJ [ADJ n] You use toytown to show that you think something is silly, childish, or worthless. [BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He denounced what he called toytown revolutionaries advocating non-payment of taxes.
TQM /tiː kjuː e m/ N‑UNCOUNT TQM is a set of management principles aimed at improving performance throughout a company, especially by involving employees in decision-making. TQM is an abbreviation for 'total quality management'. [BUSINESS ] □ One of the main themes of TQM is employee involvement. □ Under TQM principles the search for quality is continuous.
trace ◆◇◇ /tre I s/ (traces , tracing , traced )
1 VERB If you trace the origin or development of something, you find out or describe how it started or developed. □ [V n] The exhibition traces the history of graphic design in America from the 19th century to the present. □ [V n + to ] The psychiatrist successfully traced some of her problems to severe childhood traumas. ● PHRASAL VERB Trace back means the same as trace . □ [V n P + to ] Britain's Parliament can trace its history back to the English Parliament of the 13th century. □ [V P n] She has never traced back her lineage, but believes her grandparents were from Aberdeenshire.
2 VERB If you trace someone or something, you find them after looking for them. □ [V n] Police are anxious to trace two men seen leaving the house just before 8am.
3 VERB If you trace something such as a pattern or a shape, for example with your finger or toe, you mark its outline on a surface. □ [V n] I traced the course of the river on the map.
4 VERB If you trace a picture, you copy it by covering it with a piece of transparent paper and drawing over the lines underneath. □ [V n] She learned to draw by tracing pictures out of old storybooks.
5 N‑COUNT A trace of something is a very small amount of it. □ [+ of ] Wash them in cold water to remove all traces of sand.
6 N‑COUNT [oft without N ] A trace is a sign which shows you that someone or something has been in a place. □ [+ of ] There's been no trace of my aunt and uncle. □ Finally, and mysteriously, she disappeared without trace.
7 PHRASE If you say that someone or something sinks without trace or sinks without a trace , you mean that they stop existing or stop being successful very suddenly and completely. □ His party has sunk without trace at these elections.
▸ trace back → see trace 1 SYNONYMS trace VERB 2
find: The police also found a pistol.
track down: She had spent years trying to track down her parents.
discover: A few days later his badly beaten body was discovered on a roadside outside the city.
unearth: …the unearthing of a plot to assassinate the President.
trace|able /tre I səb ə l/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If one thing is traceable to another, there is evidence to suggest that the first thing was caused by or is connected to the second thing. □ [+ to ] The probable cause of his death is traceable to an incident in 1724.
tra ce el|ement (trace elements )
1 N‑COUNT A trace element is a chemical element such as iron or zinc that occurs in very small amounts in living things and is necessary for normal growth and development.
2 N‑COUNT A trace element is a very small amount of a chemical element that is found in a metal or other substance.
tra|chea /trəkiː ə, [AM ] tre I kiə/ (tracheas or tracheae /trəkiː i, [AM ] tre I kiiː/) N‑COUNT Your trachea is your windpipe . [MEDICAL ]
tra c|ing pa|per N‑UNCOUNT Tracing paper is transparent paper which you put over a picture so that you can draw over its lines in order to produce a copy of it.
track ◆◆◇ /træ k/ (tracks , tracking , tracked )
1 N‑COUNT A track is a narrow road or path. □ We set off once more, over a rough mountain track.
2 N‑COUNT A track is a piece of ground, often oval-shaped, that is used for races involving athletes, cars, bicycles, horses, or dogs called greyhounds. □ The two men turned to watch the horses going round the track. □ …the athletics track.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Railway tracks are the rails that a train travels along. □ A woman fell on to the tracks.
4 N‑COUNT A track is one of the songs or pieces of music on a recording.
5 N‑PLURAL Tracks are marks left in the ground by the feet of animals or people. □ The only evidence of pandas was their tracks in the snow.
6 VERB If you track animals or people, you try to follow them by looking for the signs that they have left behind, for example the marks left by their feet. □ [V n] He thought he had better track this wolf and kill it.
7 VERB To track someone or something means to follow their movements by means of a special device, such as a satellite or radar. □ [V n] Our radar began tracking the jets.
8 VERB If you track someone or something, you investigate them, because you are interested in finding out more about them. □ [V n] If it's possible, track the rumour back to its origin.
9 N‑COUNT In a school, a track is a group of children of the same age and ability who are taught together. [AM ] in BRIT, use stream 10 VERB To track students means to divide them into groups according to their ability. [AM ] □ [be V -ed] Students are already being tracked. [Also V n] in BRIT, use stream ● track|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Tracking assigns some students to college prep and others to vocational programs.
11 → see also backtrack , fast track , racetrack , sidetrack , soundtrack , title track
12 PHRASE If someone covers their tracks , they hide or destroy evidence of their identity or their actions, because they want to keep them secret. □ He covered his tracks, burnt letters and diaries.
13 PHRASE If you say that someone has the inside track , you mean that they have an advantage, for example special knowledge about something. [mainly AM , JOURNALISM ] □ Denver has the inside track among 10 sites being considered.
14 PHRASE If you keep track of a situation or a person, you make sure that you have the newest and most accurate information about them all the time. □ With eleven thousand employees, it's very difficult to keep track of them all.
15 PHRASE If you lose track of someone or something, you no longer know where they are or what is happening. □ You become so deeply absorbed in an activity that you lose track of time.
16 PHRASE If you make tracks , you leave the place where you are, especially when you are in a hurry. [INFORMAL ] □ We'd better make tracks soon, hadn't we?
17 PHRASE If someone or something is on track , they are acting or progressing in a way that is likely to result in success. □ It may take some time to get the economy back on track.
18 PHRASE If you are on the track of someone or something, you are trying to find them, or find information about them. □ He was on the track of an escaped criminal.
19 PHRASE If you are on the right track , you are acting or progressing in a way that is likely to result in success. If you are on the wrong track , you are acting or progressing in a way that is likely to result in failure. □ Guests are returning in increasing numbers–a sure sign that we are on the right track. □ The country was headed on the wrong track, economically.
20 PHRASE If someone or something stops you in your tracks , or if you stop dead in your tracks , you suddenly stop moving because you are very surprised, impressed, or frightened. □ The thought almost stopped me dead in my tracks.
21 PHRASE If someone or something stops a process or activity in its tracks , or if it stops dead in its tracks , they prevent the process or activity from continuing. □ U.S. manufacturers may find the export boom stopping dead in its tracks.
22 off the beaten track → see beaten
▸ track down PHRASAL VERB If you track down someone or something, you find them, or find information about them, after a difficult or long search. □ [V P n] She had spent years trying to track down her parents. □ [V n P ] I don't know where that old story came from, I've never been able to track it down. SYNONYMS track NOUN 1
path: We followed the path along the clifftops.
way: …the well-trodden 250-mile Pennine Way.
trail: He was following a broad trail through the trees.
pathway: …a pathway leading towards the nearby river.
tra ck and fie ld N‑UNCOUNT Track and field refers to athletics as opposed to other sports.
track|ball /træ kbɔːl/ (trackballs ) also track ball , tracker ball N‑COUNT A trackball is a ball on some computers that you turn in order to move the cursor. [COMPUTING ]
track|er /træ kə r / (trackers ) N‑COUNT A tracker is a person or animal that finds other people or animals by following the marks left by their feet and other signs that show where they have been.
track|er fund /træ kə r fʌ nd/ (tracker funds ) N‑COUNT A tracker fund is an investment in which shares in different companies are bought and sold so that the value of the shares held always matches the average value of shares in all or part of a stock market. [mainly BRIT , BUSINESS ]
tra ck event (track events ) N‑COUNT A track event is an event in athletics which involves running or walking around a racetrack, in contrast to events that involve only jumping or throwing.
track|pad /træ kpæd/ (trackpads ) N‑COUNT A trackpad is a flat pad on some computers that you slide your finger over in order to move the cursor. [COMPUTING ] □ …with features like a trackpad instead of a trackball.
tra ck re c|ord (track records ) N‑COUNT If you talk about the track record of a person, company, or product, you are referring to their past performance, achievements, or failures in it. □ [+ in ] The job needs someone with a good track record in investment. [Also + of ]
track|suit /træ ksuːt/ (tracksuits ) also track suit N‑COUNT A tracksuit is a loose, warm suit consisting of trousers and a top which people wear to relax and to do exercise. [BRIT ] in AM, use sweatsuit
tract /træ kt/ (tracts )
1 N‑COUNT A tract of land is a very large area of land. □ [+ of ] A vast tract of land is ready for development.
2 N‑COUNT A tract is a short article expressing a strong opinion on a religious, moral, or political subject in order to try to influence people's attitudes. □ She produced a feminist tract, 'Comments on Birth-Control', in 1930.
3 N‑COUNT A tract is a system of organs and tubes in an animal's or person's body that has a particular function, especially the function of processing a substance in the body. [MEDICAL ] □ Foods are broken down in the digestive tract. □ …urinary tract infections.
trac|table /træ ktəb ə l/ ADJ If you say that a person, problem, or device is tractable , you mean that they can be easily controlled or dealt with. [FORMAL ] □ …the country's least tractable social problems.
trac|tion /træ kʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft in N ] Traction is a form of medical treatment, in which weights and pulleys are used to gently pull or stretch an injured part of the body for a period of time. You say that a person who is having this treatment is in traction . □ Isabelle's legs were in traction for about two and a half weeks.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Traction is a particular form of power that makes a vehicle move.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Traction is the grip that something has on the ground, especially the wheels of a vehicle.
trac|tor /træ ktə r / (tractors ) N‑COUNT A tractor is a farm vehicle that is used to pull farm machinery and to provide the energy needed for the machinery to work.
trad /træ d/ N‑UNCOUNT Trad or trad jazz is a kind of jazz based on the jazz that was played in the 1920s. [BRIT ]
trade ◆◆◆ /tre I d/ (trades , trading , traded )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Trade is the activity of buying, selling, or exchanging goods or services between people, firms, or countries. □ The ministry had direct control over every aspect of foreign trade. □ …negotiations on a new international trade agreement. □ [+ with ] Texas has a long history of trade with Mexico.
2 VERB When people, firms, or countries trade , they buy, sell, or exchange goods or services between themselves. □ [V ] They may refuse to trade, even when offered attractive prices. □ [V + with ] Australia and New Zealand trade extensively with each other. □ [V + in ] He has been trading in antique furniture for 25 years. ● trad|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Trading on the stock exchange may be suspended.
3 N‑COUNT A trade is a particular area of business or industry. □ They've completely ruined the tourist trade for the next few years. □ …the arms trade.
4 N‑COUNT [oft poss N , oft by N ] Someone's trade is the kind of work that they do, especially when they have been trained to do it over a period of time. □ He learnt his trade as a diver in the North Sea. □ Allyn was a jeweller by trade.
5 VERB If someone trades one thing for another or if two people trade things, they agree to exchange one thing for the other thing. [mainly AM ] □ [V n + for ] They traded land for goods and money. □ [V n] Kids used to trade baseball cards. □ [V n + with ] They suspected that Neville had traded secret information with Mr Foster. ● N‑COUNT Trade is also a noun. □ [+ with ] I am willing to make a trade with you. [in BRIT, use exchange ]
6 VERB If you trade places with someone or if the two of you trade places, you move into the other person's position or situation, and they move into yours. [mainly AM ] □ [V n + with ] Mike asked George to trade places with him so he could ride with Tod. □ [V n] The receiver and the quarterback are going to trade positions.
7 VERB In professional sports, for example football or baseball, if a player is traded from one team to another, they leave one team and begin playing for another. [AM ] □ [be V -ed] He was traded from the Giants to the Yankees. □ [V n] The A's have not won a game since they traded him. in BRIT, use transfer 8 VERB If two people or groups trade something such as blows, insults, or jokes, they hit each other, insult each other, or tell each other jokes. [mainly AM ] □ [V n] Children would settle disputes by trading punches or insults in the schoolyard. □ [V n + with ] They traded artillery fire with government forces inside the city.
▸ trade down PHRASAL VERB If someone trades down , they sell something such as their car or house and buy a less expensive one. □ [V P + to ] They are selling their five-bedroom house and trading down to a two-bedroom cottage.
▸ trade in
1 PHRASAL VERB If you trade in an old car or appliance, you give it to the person you are buying a new one from so that you pay less. □ [V n P ] For his birthday he was given a trumpet, but he traded it in for a guitar. □ [V P n] She's decided to trade in her Volvo for a Volkswagen.
2 → see also trade-in
▸ trade off
1 PHRASAL VERB If you trade off one thing against another, you exchange all or part of one thing for another, as part of a negotiation or compromise. □ [V P n + against ] Economic policy is about trading off costs against benefits. □ [V P n + for ] I get up early and trade off sleep for exercise.
2 → see also trade-off
▸ trade up PHRASAL VERB If someone trades up , they sell something such as their car or their house and buy a more expensive one. □ [V P + to ] Mini-car owners are trading up to 'real' cars. □ [V P ] Homeowners will feel more comfortable and they may feel ready to trade up.
tra de as|so |cia |tion (trade associations ) N‑COUNT A trade association is a body representing organizations within the same trade. It aims to protect their collective interests, especially in negotiations with governments and trade unions. □ …one of the two main trade associations for antiques dealers.
Tra de De|scri p|tions A ct also Trades Descriptions Act N‑SING In Britain, the Trade Descriptions Act or the Trades Descriptions Act is a law designed to prevent companies from presenting their goods or services in a dishonest or misleading way. □ Last year it was convicted and fined under the Trades Descriptions Act for placing For Sale boards on empty homes in the area.
tra de fair (trade fairs ) N‑COUNT A trade fair is an exhibition where manufacturers show their products to other people in industry and try to get business.
tra de gap (trade gaps ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If a country imports goods worth more than the value of the goods that it exports, this is referred to as a trade gap . [BUSINESS ]
tra de-in (trade-ins ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A trade-in is an arrangement in which someone buys something such as a new car or washing machine at a reduced price by giving their old one, as well as money, in payment. □ …the trade-in value of the car.
trade|mark /tre I dmɑː r k/ (trademarks ) also trade mark
1 N‑COUNT A trademark is a name or symbol that a company uses on its products and that cannot legally be used by another company.
2 N‑COUNT [with poss] If you say that something is the trademark of a particular person or place, you mean that it is characteristic of them or typically associated with them. □ …the spiky punk hairdo that became his trademark.
tra de name (trade names ) N‑COUNT A trade name is the name which manufacturers give to a product or to a range of products. □ It's marketed under the trade name 'Tattle'.
tra de-off (trade-offs ) also tradeoff N‑COUNT A trade-off is a situation where you make a compromise between two things, or where you exchange all or part of one thing for another. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ between ] …the trade-off between inflation and unemployment.
trad|er ◆◇◇ /tre I də r / (traders ) N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A trader is a person whose job is to trade in goods or stocks. □ Market traders display an exotic selection of the island's produce.
tra de route (trade routes ) N‑COUNT A trade route is a route, often covering long distances, that is used by traders.
tra de se |cret (trade secrets )
1 N‑COUNT A trade secret is information that is known, used, and kept secret by a particular firm, for example about a method of production or a chemical process. □ The nature of the polymer is currently a trade secret.
2 N‑COUNT A trade secret is a piece of knowledge that you have, especially about how to do something, that you are not willing to tell other people. □ I'd rather not talk about it too much because I don't like giving trade secrets away.
trades|man /tre I dzmən/ (tradesmen ) N‑COUNT A tradesman is a person, usually a man, who sells goods or services, especially one who owns and runs a shop.
tra des u n|ion (trades unions ) → see trade union
Tra des Un|ion Co n|gress N‑PROPER The Trades Union Congress in Britain is the same as the TUC .
tra de sur|plus (trade surpluses ) N‑COUNT If a country has a trade surplus , it exports more than it imports. [BUSINESS ] □ The country's trade surplus widened to 16.5 billion dollars.
tra de u n|ion (trade unions ) also trades union N‑COUNT [oft N n] A trade union is an organization that has been formed by workers in order to represent their rights and interests to their employers, for example in order to improve working conditions or wages. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use labor union
tra de u n|ion|ism N‑UNCOUNT Trade unionism is the system, practices, and beliefs of trade unions.
tra de u n|ion|ist (trade unionists ) also trades unionist N‑COUNT A trade unionist is an active member of a trade union. [BRIT ]
tra d|ing es|tate (trading estates ) N‑COUNT [oft in names] A trading estate is the same as an industrial estate . [BRIT ]
tra|di|tion ◆◇◇ /trəd I ʃ ə n/ (traditions )
1 N‑VAR A tradition is a custom or belief that has existed for a long time. □ [+ of ] …the rich traditions of Afro-Cuban music, and dance. □ [+ of ] Mary has carried on the family tradition of giving away plants.
2 PHRASE If you say that something or someone is in the tradition of a person or thing from the past, you mean that they have many features that remind you of that person or thing. □ [+ of ] They're marvellous pictures in the tradition of Gainsborough.
tra|di|tion|al ◆◆◇ /trəd I ʃən ə l/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Traditional customs, beliefs, or methods are ones that have existed for a long time without changing. □ …traditional teaching methods. □ …traditional Indian music. ● tra|di|tion|al|ly ADV □ Although meat is traditionally regarded as a good protein food, it does have drawbacks.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A traditional organization or person prefers older methods and ideas to modern ones. □ We're still a traditional school in a lot of ways. ● tra|di|tion|al|ly ADV [ADV -ed, ADV adj] □ He is loathed by some of the more traditionally minded officers. SYNONYMS traditional ADJ 2
old-fashioned: There are some traditional farmers left who still make cheese the old-fashioned way.
conventional: …a respectable married woman with conventional opinions.
orthodox: Payne gained a reputation for sound, if orthodox, views.
tra|di|tion|al|ism /trəd I ʃənəl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Traditionalism is behaviour and ideas that support established customs and beliefs, rather than modern ones.
tra|di|tion|al|ist /trəd I ʃənəl I st/ (traditionalists )
1 N‑COUNT A traditionalist is a person who supports the established customs and beliefs of his or her society or group, and does not want to change them.
2 ADJ A traditionalist idea, argument, or organization supports the established customs and beliefs of a society or group, rather than modern ones.
tra|duce /trədjuː s, [AM ] -duː s/ (traduces , traducing , traduced ) VERB [usu passive] If someone has been traduced , unpleasant and untrue things have deliberately been said about them. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] We have been traduced in the press as xenophobic bigots.
traf|fic ◆◇◇ /træ f I k/ (traffics , trafficking , trafficked )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] Traffic refers to all the vehicles that are moving along the roads in a particular area. □ There was heavy traffic on the roads. □ …the problems of city life, such as traffic congestion.
2 → see also traffic jam
3 N‑UNCOUNT [usu n N ] Traffic refers to the movement of ships, trains, or aircraft between one place and another. Traffic also refers to the people and goods that are being transported. □ Air traffic had returned to normal. □ The railways will carry a far higher proportion of freight traffic.
4 → see also air traffic control
5 N‑UNCOUNT Traffic in something such as drugs or stolen goods is an illegal trade in them. □ [+ in ] He condemned the ruthless illegal traffic in endangered animals.
6 VERB Someone who traffics in something such as drugs or stolen goods buys and sells them even though it is illegal to do so. □ [V + in ] The president said anyone who traffics in illegal drugs should be brought to justice. ● traf|fick|ing N‑UNCOUNT [usu n N ] □ …a documentary film to raise awareness of child trafficking in Europe.
7 N‑UNCOUNT The amount of traffic that a website gets is the number of visitors to that website. [COMPUTING ] □ Traffic to the site had increased threefold. SYNONYMS traffic NOUN 1
transport: Which type of transport do you prefer?
vehicles: There were too many vehicles on the road.
transportation: The company will provide transportation.
tra f|fic calm|ing also traffic-calming N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Traffic calming consists of measures designed to make roads safer, for example making them narrower or placing obstacles in them, so that drivers are forced to slow down. □ …traffic calming schemes.
tra f|fic cir|cle (traffic circles ) N‑COUNT A traffic circle is a circular structure in the road at a place where several roads meet. You drive round it until you come to the road that you want. [AM ] in BRIT, use roundabout
tra f|fic cone (traffic cones ) N‑COUNT A traffic cone is a plastic object with a pointed top that is placed on a road to prevent people from driving or parking there.
tra f|fic jam (traffic jams ) N‑COUNT A traffic jam is a long line of vehicles that cannot move forward because there is too much traffic, or because the road is blocked by something.
traf|fick|er /træ f I kə r / (traffickers ) N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A trafficker in particular goods, especially drugs, is a person who illegally buys or sells these goods. □ …a mission that would target the boats used by people traffickers.
tra f|fic light (traffic lights ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Traffic lights are sets of red, amber, and green lights at the places where roads meet. They control the traffic by signalling when vehicles have to stop and when they can go. Traffic lights can also be referred to as a traffic light .
tra f|fic war|den (traffic wardens ) N‑COUNT A traffic warden is a person whose job is to make sure that cars are not parked illegally. [mainly BRIT ]
trag|edy ◆◇◇ /træ dʒ I di/ (tragedies )
1 N‑VAR A tragedy is an extremely sad event or situation. □ They have suffered an enormous personal tragedy. □ Maskell's life had not been without tragedy.
2 N‑VAR Tragedy is a type of literature, especially drama, that is serious and sad, and often ends with the death of the main character. □ The story has elements of tragedy and farce. SYNONYMS tragedy NOUN 1
catastrophe: From all points of view, war would be a catastrophe.
misfortune: He had his full share of misfortune.
disaster: Many had lost all in the disaster and were destitute.
trag|ic /træ dʒ I k/
1 ADJ A tragic event or situation is extremely sad, usually because it involves death or suffering. □ It was just a tragic accident. □ The circumstances are tragic but we have to act within the law. ● tragi|cal|ly /træ dʒ I kli/ ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/adv] □ Tragically, she never saw the completed building because she died before it was finished.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Tragic is used to refer to tragedy as a type of literature. □ …Michael Henchard, the tragic hero of 'The Mayor of Casterbridge'.
tragi-comedy /træ dʒi kɒ mədi/ (tragi-comedies ) also tragicomedy N‑COUNT A tragi-comedy is a play or other written work that is both sad and amusing.
tragi-comic /træ dʒi kɒ m I k/ also tragicomic ADJ Something that is tragi-comic is both sad and amusing at the same time.
trail ◆◇◇ /tre I l/ (trails , trailing , trailed )
1 N‑COUNT A trail is a rough path across open country or through forests. □ He was following a broad trail through the trees.
2 N‑COUNT A trail is a route along a series of paths or roads, often one that has been planned and marked out for a particular purpose. □ …a large area of woodland with hiking and walking trails.
3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A trail is a series of marks or other signs of movement or other activities left by someone or something. □ [+ of ] Everywhere in the house was a sticky trail of orange juice.
4 VERB If you trail someone or something, you follow them secretly, often by finding the marks or signs that they have left. □ [V n] Two detectives were trailing him. □ [V n prep/adv] I trailed her to a shop in Kensington.
5 N‑COUNT [n N ] You can refer to all the places that a politician visits in the period before an election as their campaign trail . □ During a recent speech on the campaign trail, he was interrupted by hecklers.
6 VERB If you trail something or it trails , it hangs down loosely behind you as you move along. □ [V n] She came down the stairs slowly, trailing the coat behind her. □ [V prep] He let his fingers trail in the water.
7 VERB If someone trails somewhere, they move there slowly, without any energy or enthusiasm, often following someone else. □ [V adv/prep] He trailed through the wet Manhattan streets.
8 VERB [usu cont] If a person or team in a sports match or other contest is trailing , they have a lower score than their opponents. □ [V amount] He scored again, leaving Dartford trailing 3-0 at the break. □ [V + behind ] She took over as chief executive of the company when it was trailing behind its competitors.
9 PHRASE If you are on the trail of a person or thing, you are trying hard to find them or find out about them. □ The police were hot on his trail.
10 → see also nature trail , paper trail
11 to blaze a trail → see blaze
▸ trail off or trail away PHRASAL VERB If a speaker's voice or a speaker trails off or trails away , their voice becomes quieter and they hesitate until they stop speaking completely. □ [V P ] 'But he had no reason. He of all men…' Kate's voice trailed off. COLLOCATIONS trail NOUN 2
noun + trail : hiking, nature, walking; forest, mountain
adjective + trail : scenic, waymarked
trail|blazer /tre I lble I zə r / (trailblazers ) N‑COUNT A trailblazer is a person who is the leader in a particular field, especially who does a particular thing before anyone else does. □ He has been the trailblazer and given British sprinters the belief that we are able to take on and beat the world's best.
trai l-blazing also trailblazing ADJ [ADJ n] A trail-blazing idea, event, or organization is new, exciting, and original. □ …a trail-blazing agreement that could lead to a global ban on nuclear weapons.
trail|er /tre I lə r / (trailers )
1 N‑COUNT A trailer is a container on wheels which is pulled by a car or other vehicle and which is used for transporting large or heavy items.
2 N‑COUNT A trailer is the long rear section of a lorry or truck, in which the goods are carried.
3 N‑COUNT A trailer is a long vehicle without an engine which people use as a home or as an office and which can be pulled behind a car. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, use caravan 4 N‑COUNT A trailer for a film or television programme is a set of short extracts which are shown to advertise it.
trai l|er park (trailer parks ) also trailer court N‑COUNT A trailer park is an area where people can pay to park their trailers and live in them. [AM ] in BRIT, use caravan site
trai l|er trash N‑UNCOUNT [with sing or pl verb] Some people use trailer trash to refer to poor people who live in trailer parks and who they think are vulgar or worthless. This use could cause offence. [AM , INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ]
trai l|er truck (trailer trucks ) N‑COUNT A trailer truck is a truck or lorry that is made in two or more sections which are joined together by metal bars, so that the vehicle can turn more easily. [AM ] in BRIT, usually use articulated lorry
train
➊ NOUN USES
➋ VERB USES
➊ train ◆◆◇ /tre I n/ (trains )
1 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A train is a number of carriages, cars, or trucks which are all connected together and which are pulled by an engine along a railway. Trains carry people and goods from one place to another. □ The train pulled into a station. □ We can catch the early morning train. □ He arrived in Shenyang by train yesterday.
2 N‑COUNT A train of vehicles, people, or animals is a long line of them travelling slowly in the same direction. □ [+ of ] …a long train of oil tankers.
3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A train of thought or a train of events is a connected sequence, in which each thought or event seems to occur naturally or logically as a result of the previous one. □ [+ of ] He lost his train of thought for a moment, then recovered it. □ [+ of ] Giles set in motion a train of events which would culminate in tragedy.
4 N‑COUNT The train of a woman's formal dress or wedding dress is the long part at the back of it which flows along the floor behind her.
5 PHRASE If a process or event is in train or has been set in train , it is happening or starting to happen. [mainly BRIT ] □ He praised the economic reforms set in train by the government. in AM, usually use in motion
➋ train ◆◆◇ /tre I n/ (trains , training , trained )
1 VERB If someone trains you to do something, they teach you the skills that you need in order to do it. If you train to do something, you learn the skills that you need in order to do it. □ [V n to-inf] The U.S. was ready to train its troops to participate. □ [V to-inf] Stavros was training to be a teacher. □ [V + as ] Psychiatrists initially train as doctors. □ [V n + in ] We don't train them only in bricklaying, but also in other building techniques. □ [V ] Companies tend to favour the lawyer who has trained with a good quality City firm. □ [V -ed] I'm a trained nurse. [Also V n] ● -trained COMB □ Mr. Koutab is an American-trained lawyer. ● train|er (trainers ) N‑COUNT □ …a book for both teachers and teacher trainers.
2 VERB To train a natural quality or talent that someone has, for example their voice or musical ability, means to help them to develop it. □ [V n] I see my degree as something which will train my mind and improve my chances of getting a job.
3 VERB If you train for a physical activity such as a race or if someone trains you for it, you prepare for it by doing particular physical exercises. □ [V + for ] Strachan is training for the new season. □ [V n + for ] He has spent a year training crews for next month's round the world race. [Also V , V n] ● train|er N‑COUNT □ She went to the gym with her trainer.
4 VERB If an animal or bird is trained to do particular things, it is taught to do them, for example in order to be able to work for someone or to be a good pet. □ [be V -ed to-inf] Sniffer dogs could be trained to track them down. □ [V n] …a man who trained hundreds of dogs. [Also V n to-inf] ● train|er N‑COUNT □ The horse made a winning start for his new trainer.
5 VERB If you train something such as a gun, a camera, or a light on a person or thing, you aim it at them and keep it towards them. □ [V n + on ] She trained her binoculars on the horizon.
6 VERB If you train a tree, bush, or plant in a particular direction, you tie it and cut it so that it grows in that direction. □ [V n prep] Instead of training the shoots up the fence, lay them flat in both directions alongside it. □ [V n to-inf] You could even put a trellis on your walls and train plants to grow up it.
7 → see also training
▸ train up PHRASAL VERB If someone trains you up , they teach you new skills or give you the necessary preparation so that you will reach the standard required for a particular job or activity. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] The company has a policy of employing recent graduates and training them up. □ [V P n] He usually preferred to train up a crew of enthusiastic young sailors from scratch. SYNONYMS train VERB ➋1
teach: She taught Julie to read.
instruct: He instructed family members in nursing techniques.
coach: I had coached the Alliance team for some time.
drill: He drills the choir to a high standard.
trainee /tre I niː / (trainees ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A trainee is someone who is employed at a low level in a particular job in order to learn the skills needed for that job. □ He is a 24-year-old trainee reporter.
train|er /tre I nə r / (trainers )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Trainers are shoes that people wear, especially for running and other sports. [BRIT ]
2 → see also train ➋
train|ing ◆◇◇ /tre I n I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Training is the process of learning the skills that you need for a particular job or activity. □ He called for much higher spending on education and training. □ …a one-day training course.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Training is physical exercise that you do regularly in order to keep fit or to prepare for an activity such as a race. □ The emphasis is on developing fitness through exercises and training. □ …her busy training schedule. ● PHRASE If you are in training , you are preparing yourself for a physical activity such as a race, by taking a lot of exercise and eating special food. □ He will soon be back in training for next year's National.
3 → see also circuit training , potty training COLLOCATIONS training NOUN
1
noun + training : management, skills, staff; driver, officer, teacher
adjective + training : basic, full, intensive, rigorous; formal, special, vocational; military
verb + training : complete, receive, start, undergo; offer, provide; require
2
noun + training : fitness, weight
adjective + training : physical, pre-season; hard, tough
verb + training : begin, resume, start; miss SYNONYMS training NOUN 1
instruction: Each candidate is given instruction in safety.
practice: She was taking all three of her daughters to basketball practice every day.
schooling: He had little formal schooling.
grounding: The degree provides a thorough grounding in both mathematics and statistics.
trai n|ing camp (training camps ) N‑COUNT A training camp for soldiers or sports players is an organized period of training at a particular place.
trai n|ing shoe (training shoes ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Training shoes are the same as trainers .
train|spotter /tre I nspɒtə r / (trainspotters ) also train spotter , train-spotter N‑COUNT A trainspotter is someone who is very interested in trains and spends time going to stations and recording the numbers of the trains that they see. [BRIT ]
train|spot|ting /tre I nspɒt I ŋ/ also train spotting , train-spotting N‑UNCOUNT Trainspotting is the hobby of going to railway stations and recording the numbers of the trains that you see. [BRIT ]
traipse /tre I ps/ (traipses , traipsing , traipsed )
1 VERB If you traipse somewhere, you go there unwillingly, often because you are tired or unhappy. □ [V prep/adv] If traipsing around shops does not appeal to you, perhaps using a catalogue will.
2 VERB If you talk about people traipsing somewhere, you mean that they are going there or moving about there in a way that annoys someone or gets in their way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V prep/adv] You will have to get used to a lot of people traipsing in and out of your home.
trait /tre I t, tre I / (traits ) N‑COUNT A trait is a particular characteristic, quality, or tendency that someone or something has. □ Many of our personality traits are developed during those early months.
trai|tor /tre I tə r / (traitors )
1 N‑COUNT If you call someone a traitor , you mean that they have betrayed beliefs that they used to hold, or that their friends hold, by their words or actions. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ to ] Some say he's a traitor to the working class.
2 N‑COUNT If someone is a traitor , they betray their country or a group of which they are a member by helping its enemies, especially during time of war. □ …rumours that there were traitors among us who were sending messages to the enemy.
trai|tor|ous /tre I tərəs/ ADJ A traitorous action will betray or bring danger to a country or to the group of people that someone belongs to. □ …the monstrous betrayal of men by their most traitorous companions. □ …the movement could be labeled as divisive, even traitorous.
tra|jec|tory /trədʒe ktəri/ (trajectories )
1 N‑COUNT The trajectory of a moving object is the path that it follows as it moves. □ [+ of ] …the trajectory of an artillery shell.
2 N‑COUNT The trajectory of something such as a person's career is the course that it follows over time. □ …a relentlessly upward career trajectory.
tram /træ m/ (trams ) N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A tram is a public transport vehicle, usually powered by electricity from wires above it, which travels along rails laid in the surface of a street. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use streetcar
tram|line /træ mla I n/ (tramlines ) N‑COUNT A tramline is one of the rails laid in the surface of a road that trams travel along. [BRIT ] in AM, use streetcar line
tramp /træ mp/ (tramps , tramping , tramped )
1 N‑COUNT A tramp is a person who has no home or job, and very little money. Tramps go from place to place, and get food or money by asking people or by doing casual work.
2 VERB If you tramp somewhere, you walk there slowly and with regular, heavy steps, for a long time. □ [V prep/adv] They put on their coats and tramped through the falling snow. □ [V n] She spent all day yesterday tramping the streets, gathering evidence.
3 N‑UNCOUNT The tramp of people is the sound of their heavy, regular walking. □ [+ of ] He heard the slow, heavy tramp of feet on the stairs.
4 N‑COUNT If someone refers to a woman as a tramp , they are insulting her, because they think that she is immoral in her sexual behaviour. [mainly AM , OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ]
tram|ple /træ mp ə l/ (tramples , trampling , trampled )
1 VERB To trample on someone's rights or values or to trample them means to deliberately ignore or destroy them. □ [V + on ] They say loggers are destroying rain forests and trampling on the rights of natives. □ [V n] Diplomats denounced the leaders for trampling their citizens' civil rights.
2 VERB [usu passive] If someone is trampled , they are injured or killed by being stepped on by animals or by other people. □ [be V -ed] Many people were trampled in the panic that followed.
3 VERB If someone tramples something or tramples on it, they step heavily and carelessly on it and damage it. □ [V n] They don't want people trampling the grass, pitching tents or building fires. □ [V + on ] Please don't trample on the azaleas.
tram|po|line /træ mpəliːn/ (trampolines ) N‑COUNT A trampoline is a piece of equipment on which you jump up and down as a sport. It consists of a large piece of strong cloth held by springs in a frame.
tram|way /træ mwe I / (tramways ) N‑COUNT A tramway is a set of rails laid in the surface of a road for trams to travel along. [mainly BRIT ]
trance /trɑː ns, træ ns/ (trances ) N‑COUNT [oft prep N ] A trance is a state of mind in which someone seems to be asleep and to have no conscious control over their thoughts or actions, but in which they can see and hear things and respond to commands given by other people. □ Like a man in a trance, Blake found his way back to his rooms.
tranche /trɑː nʃ/ (tranches )
1 N‑COUNT In economics, a tranche of shares in a company, or a tranche of a company, is a number of shares in that company. [mainly BRIT , BUSINESS ] □ [+ of ] On February 12th he put up for sale a second tranche of 32 state-owned companies.
2 N‑COUNT A tranche of something is a piece, section, or part of it. A tranche of things is a group of them. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] They risk losing the next tranche of funding.
tran|quil /træ ŋkw I l/ ADJ Something that is tranquil is calm and peaceful. □ The tranquil atmosphere of The Connaught allows guests to feel totally at home. ● tran|quil|lity /træŋkw I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ The hotel is a haven of peace and tranquillity.
tran|quil|lize /træ ŋkw I la I z/ (tranquillizes , tranquillizing , tranquillized ) The spellings tranquilize in American English, and tranquillise in British English, are also used. VERB To tranquillize a person or an animal means to make them become calm, sleepy, or unconscious by means of a drug. □ [V n] This powerful drug is used to tranquilize patients undergoing surgery.
tran|quil|liz|er /træ ŋkw I la I zə r / (tranquillizers ) The spellings tranquilizer in American English, and tranquilliser in British English, are also used. N‑COUNT A tranquillizer is a drug that makes people feel calmer or less anxious. Tranquillizers are sometimes used to make people or animals become sleepy or unconscious.
trans /træ nz/ ADJ Someone who is trans has a gender identity which does not fully correspond to the sex assigned to them at birth. □ Christine Burns is a trans woman who led the campaign for the legal right to change gender.
trans. trans. is a written abbreviation for 'translated by'.
PREFIX trans-
is used to form adjectives which indicate that something involves or enables travel from one side of an area to the other. For example, a trans-continental journey is a journey across a continent.
trans|act /trænzæ kt/ (transacts , transacting , transacted ) VERB If you transact business, you enter into a deal with someone, for example by buying or selling something. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] This would free them to transact business across state lines.
trans|ac|tion ◆◇◇ /trænzæ kʃ ə n/ (transactions ) N‑COUNT A transaction is a piece of business, for example an act of buying or selling something. [FORMAL ]
trans|at|lan|tic /træ nzətlæ nt I k/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Transatlantic flights or signals go across the Atlantic Ocean, usually between the United States and Britain. □ Many transatlantic flights land there.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Transatlantic is used to refer to something that happens, exists, or begins in the United States. [BRIT ] □ …transatlantic fashions.
trans|cend /trænse nd/ (transcends , transcending , transcended ) VERB Something that transcends normal limits or boundaries goes beyond them, because it is more significant than them. □ [V n] …issues like humanitarian aid that transcend party loyalty.
tran|scend|ence /trænse ndəns/ N‑UNCOUNT Transcendence is the quality of being able to go beyond normal limits or boundaries. □ [+ of ] …the transcendence of class differences.
trans|cend|ent /trænse ndənt/ ADJ Something that is transcendent goes beyond normal limits or boundaries, because it is more significant than them. □ …the idea of a transcendent God who stood apart from mankind.
tran|scen|den|tal /træ nsende nt ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Transcendental refers to things that lie beyond the practical experience of ordinary people, and cannot be discovered or understood by ordinary reasoning. □ …the transcendental nature of God.
tra n|scen|den|tal medi|ta |tion N‑UNCOUNT Transcendental meditation is a kind of meditation in which people mentally relax by silently repeating special words over and over again. The abbreviation TM is also used.
trans|con|ti|nen|tal /træ nskɒnt I ne nt ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A transcontinental journey or route goes from one side of a continent to the other. In American English, transcontinental usually means from one side of the United States to the other. □ …in mid-nineteenth-century America, before the transcontinental railroad was built.
tran|scribe /trænskra I b/ (transcribes , transcribing , transcribed )
1 VERB If you transcribe a speech or text, you write it out in a different form from the one in which it exists, for example by writing it out in full from notes or from a tape recording. □ [V n] She is transcribing, from his dictation, the diaries of Simon Forman.
2 VERB If you transcribe a piece of music for an instrument which is not the one for which it was originally written, you rewrite it so that it can be played on that instrument. □ [V n + for ] He gave up trying to write for the guitar and decided to transcribe the work for piano. [Also V n]
tran|script /træ nskr I pt/ (transcripts ) N‑COUNT A transcript of a conversation or speech is a written text of it, based on a recording or notes.
tran|scrip|tion /trænskr I pʃ ə n/ (transcriptions )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Transcription of speech or text is the process of transcribing it.
2 N‑COUNT A transcription of a conversation or speech is a written text of it, based on a recording or notes.
trans|der|mal /træ nzdɜː r m ə l/ ADJ Transdermal medicine is absorbed through the skin, for example by means of a skin patch. □ …a transdermal cream.
tran|sept /træ nsept/ (transepts ) N‑COUNT In a cathedral or church, the transept is the part which projects to the north or south of the main part of the building.
trans|fer ◆◆◇ (transfers , transferring , transferred ) The verb is pronounced /trænsfɜː r /. The noun is pronounced /træ nsfɜː r /. 1 VERB If you transfer something or someone from one place to another, or they transfer from one place to another, they go from the first place to the second. □ [V n + from/to ] Remove the wafers with a spoon and transfer them to a plate. □ [V + from/to ] The person can transfer from wheelchair to seat with relative ease. ● N‑VAR Transfer is also a noun. □ [+ of ] Arrange for the transfer of medical records to your new doctor.
2 VERB If something is transferred , or transfers , from one person or group of people to another, the second person or group gets it instead of the first. □ [V n + from/to ] I realized she'd transferred all her love from me to you. □ [V + from/to ] On 1 December the presidency of the Security Council automatically transfers from the U.S. to Yemen. ● N‑VAR Transfer is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …the transfer of power from the old to the new regimes.
3 N‑VAR Technology transfer is the process or act by which a country or organization which has developed new technology enables another country or organization to use the technology. □ These countries need capital and technology transfer. [Also + of ]
4 VERB In professional sports, if a player transfers or is transferred from one club to another, they leave one club and begin playing for another. [BRIT ] □ [V + from/to ] He transferred from Spurs to Middlesbrough. □ [be V -ed + from/to ] He was transferred from Crystal Palace to Arsenal. [Also V n + from/to ] ● N‑COUNT Transfer is also a noun. □ [+ to ] Nobody was expecting his transfer to the Italian club. [in AM, use trade ]
5 VERB If you are transferred , or if you transfer , to a different job or place, you move to a different job or start working in a different place. □ [be V -ed + from/to ] I was transferred to the book department. □ [be V -ed] I suspect that she is going to be transferred. □ [V + from/to ] Anton was able to transfer from Lavine's to an American company. [Also V n, V n + from/to ] ● N‑VAR Transfer is also a noun. □ [+ to ] They will be offered transfers to other locations.
6 VERB When information is transferred onto a different medium, it is copied from one medium to another. □ [be V -ed + onto/to ] Such information is easily transferred onto microfilm. □ [V n + onto/to ] …systems to create film-quality computer effects and then transfer them to film. ● N‑UNCOUNT [n N ] Transfer is also a noun. □ [+ of ] He has been charged with unauthorised transfer of information from military computers. □ …data transfer.
7 VERB When property or land is transferred , it stops being owned by one person or institution and becomes owned by another. [LEGAL ] □ [V n + from/to ] He has already transferred ownership of most of the works to a British foundation. □ [be V -ed] Certain kinds of property are transferred automatically at death. [Also V n] ● N‑VAR Transfer is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …an outright transfer of property.
8 VERB If you transfer or are transferred when you are on a journey, you change from one vehicle to another. □ [V + from/to ] He likes to transfer from the bus to the Blue Line at 103rd Street in Watts. □ [be V -ed + from/to ] 1,654 passengers were transferred at sea to a Norwegian cruise ship.
9 N‑COUNT Transfers are pieces of paper with a design on one side. The design can be transferred by heat or pressure onto material, paper, or china for decoration. □ …gold letter transfers. COLLOCATIONS transfer NOUN 1
noun + transfer : balance, money; airport, coach, luggage, prisoner; heat
verb + transfer : arrange, authorize, complete, facilitate VERB 1
transfer + noun : asset, fund, money; heat
transfer + adverb : electronically SYNONYMS transfer VERB 1
move: She moved the sheaf of papers into position.
carry: She carried her son to the car.
transport: The troops were transported to Moscow.
shift: He stopped, shifting his cane to his left hand.
trans|fer|able /trænsfɜː rəb ə l/ ADJ If something is transferable , it can be passed or moved from one person or organization to another and used by them. □ [+ to ] Your Railcard is not transferable to anyone else.
trans|fer|ence /træ nsfərəns/ N‑UNCOUNT The transference of something such as power, information, or affection from one person or place to another is the action of transferring it. □ [+ of ] It is a struggle for a transference of power.
tra ns|fer list (transfer lists ) N‑COUNT In football, a transfer list is a list of players at a club who may be sold to other clubs. [BRIT ]
trans|fig|ure /trænsf I gə r , [AM ] -f I gjər/ (transfigures , transfiguring , transfigured ) VERB To be transfigured means to be changed into something great or beautiful. [LITERARY ] □ [be V -ed] They are transfigured by the healing powers of art. □ [V n] He smiled back, which for an instant transfigured his unrevealing features.
trans|fix /trænsf I ks/ (transfixes , transfixing , transfixed ) VERB If you are transfixed by something, it captures all of your interest or attention, so that you are unable to think of anything else or unable to act. □ [be V -ed] We were all transfixed by the images of the war. ● trans|fixed ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ after v] □ Her eyes were transfixed with terror. □ For hours he stood transfixed.
trans|form ◆◇◇ /trænsfɔː r m/ (transforms , transforming , transformed )
1 VERB To transform something into something else means to change or convert it into that thing. □ [V n + into ] Your metabolic rate is the speed at which your body transforms food into energy. □ [V n + from/into ] Delegates also discussed transforming them from a guerrilla force into a regular army. [Also V n] ● trans|for|ma|tion /træ nsfə r me I ʃ ə n/ (transformations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] Norah made plans for the transformation of an attic room into a study. □ Chemical transformations occur.
2 VERB To transform something or someone means to change them completely and suddenly so that they are much better or more attractive. □ [V n] The high-speed rail link is transforming the area. □ [V n + from/into ] A love of rugby transformed him from a podgy child into a trophy winner. [Also V n + into ] ● trans|for|ma|tion N‑VAR □ In the last five years he's undergone a personal transformation. SYNONYMS transform VERB
1
change: She has now changed into a happy, self-confident woman.
convert: The signal will be converted into digital code.
alter: Little had altered in the village.
2
overhaul: The study says there must be a complete overhaul of air traffic control systems.
revamp: Ricardo Bofill, the Catalan architect, has designed the revamped airport.
renovate: The couple spent thousands renovating the house.
trans|form|er /trænsfɔː r mə r / (transformers ) N‑COUNT A transformer is a piece of electrical equipment which changes a voltage to a higher or lower voltage.
trans|fu|sion /trænsfjuː ʒ ə n/ (transfusions ) N‑VAR A transfusion is the same as a blood transfusion .
trans|gen|der /træ nzdʒe ndə r / ADJ Someone who is transgender has a gender identity which does not fully correspond to the sex assigned to them at birth. □ …a project designed to overcome prejudice towards gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
trans|gen|ic /trænzdʒe n I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Transgenic plants or animals contain genetic material that has been added to them from another species. [TECHNICAL ] □ …transgenic sheep that secrete a human protein into their milk.
trans|gress /trænzgre s/ (transgresses , transgressing , transgressed ) VERB If someone transgresses , they break a moral law or a rule of behaviour. □ [V ] If a politician transgresses, that is not the fault of the media. □ [V + against ] …a monk who had transgressed against the law of celibacy. □ [V n] It seemed to me that he had transgressed the boundaries of good taste. ● trans|gres|sion /trænzgre ʃ ə n/ (transgressions ) N‑VAR □ Tales of the candidate's alleged past transgressions have begun springing up.
trans|gres|sive /trænzgre s I v/ ADJ Transgressive is used to describe actions that break a moral law or a rule of behaviour. [FORMAL ] □ To write and publish this poem was a daring, transgressive act.
trans|gres|sor /træ nzgre sə r / (transgressors ) N‑COUNT A transgressor is someone who has broken a particular rule or law or has done something that is generally considered unacceptable. [FORMAL ]
tran|si|ence /træ nziəns, [AM ] -nʃəns/ N‑UNCOUNT If you talk about the transience of a situation, you mean that it lasts only a short time or is constantly changing. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the superficiality and transience of the club scene.
tran|si|ent /træ nziənt, [AM ] -nʃənt/ ADJ Transient is used to describe a situation that lasts only a short time or is constantly changing. [FORMAL ] □ …the transient nature of high fashion.
tran|sis|tor /trænz I stə r / (transistors )
1 N‑COUNT A transistor is a small electronic part in something such as a television or radio, which controls the flow of electricity.
2 N‑COUNT A transistor or a transistor radio is a small portable radio. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
trans|it /træ nz I t/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Transit is the carrying of goods or people by vehicle from one place to another. □ [+ of ] The two presidents discussed the transit of goods between their countries. ● PHRASE If people or things are in transit , they are travelling or being taken from one place to another. □ They were in transit to Bombay.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A transit area is an area where people wait or where goods are kept between different stages of a journey. □ …refugees arriving at the two transit camps.
3 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] A transit system is a system for moving people or goods from one place to another, for example using buses or trains. [AM ] in BRIT, use transport system
tran|si|tion ◆◇◇ /trænz I ʃ ə n/ (transitions , transitioning , transitioned )
1 N‑VAR Transition is the process in which something changes from one state to another. □ [+ to ] The transition to a multi-party democracy is proving to be difficult. □ …a period of transition.
2 VERB To transition from one state or activity to another means to move gradually from one to the other. □ [V + from/to ] The country has begun transitioning from a military dictatorship to a budding democracy. □ [V + to ] The company transitioned to an intellectual property company. [Also V n]
3 VERB To transition means to start living your life as a person of a different gender. □ [V + to ] He confirmed in an interview with ABC that he is transitioning to life as a woman.
4 N‑VAR Transition is the process of starting to live your life as a person of a different gender. □ She has made a TV series about her gender transition and how she is adjusting to her new life. □ He started gender transition treatment last year. SYNONYMS transition NOUN 1
change: In my country political change is on its way.
shift: …a shift in government policy.
conversion: …the conversion of disused rail lines into cycle routes.
tran|si|tion|al /trænz I ʃən ə l/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A transitional period is one in which things are changing from one state to another. □ …a transitional period following more than a decade of civil war.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Transitional is used to describe something that happens or exists during a transitional period. □ The main rebel groups have agreed to join in a meeting to set up a transitional government.
tran|si|tive /træ nz I t I v/ ADJ A transitive verb has a direct object.
tran|si|tiv|ity /træ nz I t I v I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT The transitivity of a verb is whether or not it is used with a direct object.
tran|si|tory /træ nz I təri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ ADJ If you say that something is transitory , you mean that it lasts only for a short time. □ Most teenage romances are transitory.
Tra ns|it van (Transit vans ) N‑COUNT A Transit van is a type of van that is used for carrying goods. [BRIT , TRADEMARK ]
trans|late /trænzle I t/ (translates , translating , translated )
1 VERB If something that someone has said or written is translated from one language into another, it is said or written again in the second language. □ [be V -ed + into/from ] Only a small number of her books have been translated into English. □ [V n + into/from ] Martin Luther translated the Bible into German. □ [be V -ed + as ] The Celtic word 'geis' is usually translated as 'taboo'. □ [V ] The girls waited for Mr Esch to translate. □ [V -ed] …Mr Mani by Yehoshua, translated from Hebrew by Hillel Halkin. [Also V n, V n + as ] ● trans|la|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ The papers have been sent to Saudi Arabia for translation.
2 VERB If a name, a word, or an expression translates as something in a different language, that is what it means in that language. □ [V + as ] His family's Cantonese nickname for him translates as Never Sits Still.
3 VERB If one thing translates or is translated into another, the second happens or is done as a result of the first. □ [V + into ] Reforming Warsaw's stagnant economy requires harsh measures that would translate into job losses. □ [be V -ed + into ] Your decision must be translated into specific, concrete actions.
4 VERB If you say that a remark, a gesture, or an action translates as something, or that you translate it as something, you decide that this is what its significance is. □ [V + as ] 'I love him' often translates as 'He's better than nothing'. □ [V n + as ] Your body translates this physical sensation as the onset of panic.
5 → see also translation
trans|la|tion /trænzle I ʃ ə n/ (translations ) N‑COUNT [oft in N ] A translation is a piece of writing or speech that has been translated from a different language. □ [+ of ] …MacNiece's excellent English translation of 'Faust'. □ I've only read Solzhenitsyn in translation.
trans|la|tor /trænzle I tə r / (translators ) N‑COUNT A translator is a person whose job is translating writing or speech from one language to another.
trans|lu|cent /trænzluː s ə nt/
1 ADJ If a material is translucent , some light can pass through it. □ The building is roofed entirely with translucent corrugated plastic.
2 ADJ You use translucent to describe something that has a glowing appearance, as if light is passing through it. □ She had fair hair, blue eyes and translucent skin.
trans|mis|sion /trænzm I ʃ ə n/ (transmissions )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [n N ] The transmission of something is the passing or sending of it to a different person or place. □ …the possible risk for blood-borne disease transmission. □ [+ of ] …the transmission of knowledge and skills.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The transmission of television or radio programmes is the broadcasting of them.
3 N‑COUNT A transmission is a broadcast.
4 N‑VAR The transmission on a car or other vehicle is the system of gears and shafts by which the power from the engine reaches and turns the wheels. □ The car was fitted with automatic transmission. □ …a four-speed manual transmission.
trans|mit /trænzm I t/ (transmits , transmitting , transmitted )
1 VERB When radio and television programmes, computer data, or other electronic messages are transmitted , they are sent from one place to another, using wires, radio waves, or satellites. □ [be V -ed] The game was transmitted live in Spain and Italy. □ [V n] This is currently the most efficient way to transmit certain types of data. □ [V + to ] The device is not designed to transmit to satellites.
2 VERB If one person or animal transmits a disease to another, they have the disease and cause the other person or animal to have it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + to ] …mosquitoes that transmit disease to humans. □ [V n] There was no danger of transmitting the infection through operations.
3 VERB If you transmit an idea or feeling to someone else, you make them understand and share the idea or feeling. [LITERARY ] □ [V n + to ] He transmitted his keen enjoyment of singing to the audience.
4 VERB If an object or substance transmits something such as sound or electrical signals, the sound or signals are able to pass through it. □ [V n] These thin crystals transmit much of the power.
trans|mit|ter /trænzm I tə r / (transmitters ) N‑COUNT A transmitter is a piece of equipment that is used for broadcasting television or radio programmes.
trans|mute /trænzmjuː t/ (transmutes , transmuting , transmuted ) VERB If something transmutes or is transmuted into a different form, it is changed into that form. [FORMAL ] □ [V + into ] She ceased to think, as anger transmuted into passion. □ [V n + into ] Scientists transmuted matter into pure energy and exploded the first atomic bomb. [Also V n] ● trans|mu|ta|tion (transmutations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …the transmutation of food into energy.
trans|par|en|cy /trænspæ rənsi, [AM ] -pe r-/ (transparencies )
1 N‑COUNT A transparency is a small piece of photographic film with a frame around it which can be projected onto a screen so that you can see the picture.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Transparency is the quality that an object or substance has when you can see through it. □ [+ of ] Cataracts is a condition that affects the transparency of the lenses.
3 N‑UNCOUNT The transparency of a process, situation, or statement is its quality of being easily understood or recognized, for example because there are no secrets connected with it, or because it is expressed in a clear way. □ [+ in ] The Chancellor emphasised his determination to promote openness and transparency in the Government's economic decision-making.
trans|par|ent /trænspæ rənt, [AM ] -pe r-/
1 ADJ If an object or substance is transparent , you can see through it. □ …a sheet of transparent coloured plastic.
2 ADJ If a situation, system, or activity is transparent , it is easily understood or recognized. □ The company has to make its accounts and operations as transparent as possible. ● trans|par|ent|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ The system was clearly not functioning smoothly or transparently.
3 ADJ You use transparent to describe a statement or action that is obviously dishonest or wrong, and that you think will not deceive people. □ He thought he could fool people with transparent deceptions. ● trans|par|ent|ly ADV [ADV adj] □ To force this agreement on the nation is transparently wrong.
tran|spi|ra|tion /trɑ nsp I re I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Transpiration is the evaporation of water from a plant's leaves, stem, or flowers. □ Plants release water through their leaves by transpiration.
tran|spire /trænspa I ə r / (transpires , transpiring , transpired )
1 VERB When it transpires that something is the case, people discover that it is the case. [FORMAL ] □ [V that] It transpired that Paolo had left his driving licence at home. □ [V ] As it transpired, the Labour government did not dare go against the pressures exerted by the City.
2 VERB When something transpires , it happens. Some speakers of English consider this use to be incorrect. □ [V ] Nothing is known as yet about what transpired at the meeting.
trans|plant (transplants , transplanting , transplanted ) The noun is pronounced /træ nsplɑːnt, -plænt/. The verb is pronounced /trænsplɑː nt, -plæ nt/. 1 N‑VAR A transplant is a medical operation in which a part of a person's body is replaced because it is diseased. □ He was recovering from a heart transplant operation. □ …the controversy over the sale of human organs for transplant.
2 VERB If doctors transplant an organ such as a heart or a kidney, they use it to replace a patient's diseased organ. □ [V n] The operation to transplant a kidney is now fairly routine. □ [V -ed] …transplanted organs such as hearts and kidneys. ● trans|plan|ta|tion /træ nzplænte I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …a shortage of kidneys for transplantation.
3 VERB To transplant someone or something means to move them to a different place. □ [V n + from/to/into ] 15 years later I also transplanted myself to Scotland from England. □ [V n] Farmers will be able to seed it directly, rather than having to transplant seedlings.
trans|port ◆◆◇ (transports , transporting , transported ) The noun is pronounced /træ nspɔː r t/. The verb is pronounced /trænspɔː r t/. 1 N‑UNCOUNT Transport refers to any vehicle that you can travel in or carry goods in. [mainly BRIT ] □ Have you got your own transport? in AM, usually use transportation 2 N‑UNCOUNT Transport is a system for taking people or goods from one place to another, for example using buses or trains. [mainly BRIT ] □ The extra money could be spent on improving public transport. in AM, usually use transportation 3 N‑UNCOUNT Transport is the activity of taking goods or people from one place to another in a vehicle. [mainly BRIT ] □ Local production virtually eliminates transport costs. in AM, usually use transportation 4 VERB To transport people or goods somewhere is to take them from one place to another in a vehicle. □ [V n] There's no petrol, so it's very difficult to transport goods. □ [V n prep/adv] They use tankers to transport the oil to Los Angeles.
5 VERB If you say that you are transported to another place or time, you mean that something causes you to feel that you are living in the other place or at the other time. [mainly LITERARY ] □ [be V -ed prep/adv] Dr Drummond felt that he had been transported into a world that rivalled the Arabian Nights. □ [V n prep/adv] This delightful musical comedy transports the audience to the innocent days of 1950s America.
trans|por|ta|tion /træ nspɔː r te I ʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Transportation refers to any type of vehicle that you can travel in or carry goods in. [mainly AM ] □ The company will provide transportation. in BRIT, usually use transport 2 N‑UNCOUNT Transportation is a system for taking people or goods from one place to another, for example using buses or trains. [mainly AM ] □ Campuses are usually accessible by public transportation. in BRIT, usually use transport 3 N‑UNCOUNT Transportation is the activity of taking goods or people from one place to another in a vehicle. [mainly AM ] □ [+ of ] Oxfam may also help with the transportation of refugees. in BRIT, usually use transport
trans|port|er /trænspɔː r tə r / (transporters ) N‑COUNT A transporter is a large vehicle or an aeroplane that is used for carrying very large or heavy objects, for example cars. [mainly BRIT ]
trans|pose /trænspoʊ z/ (transposes , transposing , transposed )
1 VERB If you transpose something from one place or situation to another, you move it there. □ [V n to n] He has taken the idea of skiing, and transposed it to a Cornish beach, with surfing. [Also V n] ● trans|po|si|tion /træ nspəz I ʃ ə n/ (transpositions ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …a transposition of 'Macbeth' to third century BC China.
2 VERB If you transpose two things, you reverse them or put them in each other's place. □ [V n] Many people inadvertently transpose digits of the ZIP code. ● trans|po|si|tion N‑VAR □ [+ of ] His pen name represented the transposition of his initials and his middle name.
trans|put|er /trænspju ːtə r / (transputers ) N‑COUNT A transputer is a type of fast powerful microchip. [COMPUTING ]
trans|sex|ual /træ nse kʃuəl/ (transsexuals ) N‑COUNT A transsexual is a person who has decided that they want to live as a person of the opposite sex, and so has changed their name and appearance in order to do this. Transsexuals sometimes have an operation to change their sex.
trans|verse /trænzvɜː r s/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Transverse is used to describe something that is at right angles to something else.
trans|ves|tism /trænzve st I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Transvestism is the practice of wearing clothes normally worn by a person of the opposite sex, usually for pleasure.
trans|ves|tite /trænzve sta I t/ (transvestites ) N‑COUNT A transvestite is a person, usually a man, who enjoys wearing clothes normally worn by people of the opposite sex.
trap ◆◇◇ /træ p/ (traps , trapping , trapped )
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