Читать книгу Collins English Thesaurus Essential - Collins Dictionaries, Collins Dictionaries - Страница 131

choice NOUN

1 It's available in a choice of colours. = range, variety, selection, assortment 2 His choice of words made Rajiv angry. = selection, preference, election, pick 3 If I had any choice in the matter, I wouldn't have gone. = option, say, alternative ▸ ADJECTIVE The finest array of choicest foods is to be found within their Food Hall. = best, bad (slang), special, prime, nice, prize, select, excellent, elect, crucial (slang), exclusive, elite, superior, exquisite, def (slang), sick (slang), booshit (Austral. slang), exo (Austral. slang), sik (Austral. slang), hand-picked, dainty, rad (informal), phat (slang), schmick (Austral. informal)choke VERB 1 Dense smoke swirled and billowed, its fumes choking her. = suffocate, stifle, smother, overpower, asphyxiate 2 They tried to choke him with his tie. = strangle, throttle, asphyxiate 3 The village roads are choked with traffic. = block, dam, clog, obstruct, bung, constrict, occlude (formal), congest, close, stop, barchoose VERB 1 I chose him to accompany me on my trip. = pick, take, prefer, select, elect, adopt, opt for, designate, single out, espouse, settle on, fix on, cherry-pick, settle upon, predestine ◼ OPPOSITE: reject 2 You can just take out the interest every year, if you choose. = wish, want, desire, see fitchoosy ADJECTIVE = fussy, particular, exacting, discriminating, selective, fastidious, picky (informal), finicky, faddy, nit-picky (informal) ◼ OPPOSITE: indiscriminatingchop VERB We were set to work chopping wood. = cut, fell, axe, slash, hack, sever, shear, cleave, hew, lop, truncate ● chop something up Chop up three firm tomatoes. = cut up, divide, fragment, cube, dice, mince ● the chop I was amazed when I got the chop from the team. = the sack, sacking (informal), dismissal, the boot (slang), your cards (informal), the axe (informal), termination, the (old) heave-ho (informal), the order of the boot (slang, old-fashioned)choppy ADJECTIVE = rough, broken, ruffled, tempestuous, blustery, squally ◼ OPPOSITE: calmchore NOUN = task, job, duty, burden, hassle (informal), fag (informal), errand, no picnicchortle VERB He began chortling heartily. = chuckle, laugh, cackle, guffaw ▸ NOUN The man broke into a wheezy chortle of amusement. = chuckle, laugh, cackle, guffawchorus NOUN 1 Everyone joined in the chorus. = refrain, response, strain, burden 2 The chorus was singing 'The Ode to Joy'. = choir, singers, ensemble, vocalists, choristers ● in chorus 'Let us in,' they all wailed in chorus. = in unison, as one, all together, in concert, in harmony, in accord, with one voicechristen VERB 1 She was born in March and christened in June. = baptize, name 2 a boat which he christened 'the Stray Cat' = name, call, term, style, title, dub, designateChristmas NOUN = the festive season, Noël, Xmas (informal), Yule (archaic), Yuletide (archaic)chronic ADJECTIVE 1 He has to live with chronic back pain. = persistent, constant, continual, deep-seated, incurable, deep-rooted, ineradicable 2 The programme was chronic, all banal dialogue and canned laughter. = dreadful, awful, appalling, atrocious, abysmalchronicle VERB The rise of collectivism in Britain has been chronicled by several historians. = record, tell, report, enter, relate, register, recount, set down, narrate, put on record, log, blog ▸ NOUN this vast chronicle of Napoleonic times = record, story, history, account, register, journal, diary, narrative, annals, log, blogchronicler NOUN = recorder, reporter, historian, narrator, scribe, diarist, annalistchronological ADJECTIVE = sequential, ordered, historical, progressive, consecutive, in sequence ◼ OPPOSITE: randomchubby ADJECTIVE = plump, stout, fleshy, tubby, flabby, portly, buxom, roly-poly, rotund, round, podgy ◼ OPPOSITE: skinnychuck VERB 1 Someone chucked a bottle at the stage. = throw, cast, pitch, shy, toss, hurl, fling, sling (informal), heave 2 (often with away or out) I chucked a whole lot of old magazines and papers. = throw out, dump (informal), scrap, get rid of, bin (informal), ditch (slang), junk (informal), discard, dispose of, dispense with, jettison 3 Last summer, he chucked his job and went on the road. = give up or over, leave, stop, abandon, cease, resign from, pack in, jack in (informal) 4 It smelt so bad I thought I was going to chuck. = vomit, throw up (informal), spew, heave (slang), puke (slang), barf (U.S. slang), chunder (slang, chiefly Austral.), upchuck (U.S. slang), do a technicolour yawn (slang), toss your cookies (U.S. slang)chuckle VERB He chuckled appreciatively at her riposte. = laugh, giggle, snigger, chortle, titter ▸ NOUN She gave a soft chuckle and said, ‘No chance’. = laugh, giggle, snigger, chortle, titterchum NOUN = friend, mate (informal), pal (informal), companion, cock (Brit. informal), comrade, crony, blood or blud (Brit. slang), main man (slang, chiefly U.S.), cobber (Austral. & N.Z. old-fashioned, informal), E hoa (N.Z.)chummy ADJECTIVE = friendly, close, thick (informal), pally (informal), intimate, affectionate, buddy-buddy (slang, chiefly U.S. & Canad.), palsy-walsy (informal), matey or maty (Brit. informal)chunk NOUN = piece, block, mass, portion, lump, slab, hunk, nugget, wad, dollop (informal), wodge (Brit. informal)chunky ADJECTIVE The sergeant was a chunky man in his late twenties. = thickset, stocky, beefy (informal), stubby, dumpychurch NOUN = chapel, temple, cathedral, kirk (Scot.), minster, tabernacle, place of worship, house of God, megachurch (U.S.) ◼ RELATED WORD: adjective ecclesiasticalchurlish ADJECTIVE = rude, harsh, vulgar, sullen, surly, morose, brusque, ill-tempered, boorish, uncouth, impolite, loutish, oafish, uncivil, unmannerly ◼ OPPOSITE: politechurn VERB 1 The powerful thrust of the boat's engine churned the water. = stir up, beat, disturb, swirl, agitate 2 Churning seas smash against the steep cliffs. = swirl, boil, toss, foam, seethe, frothcigarette NOUN = fag (Brit. slang), smoke, gasper (slang), ciggy (informal), coffin nail (slang), cancer stick (slang)cinema NOUN 1 They decided to spend an evening at the cinema. = pictures, movies, picture-house, flicks (slang) 2 Contemporary African cinema has much to offer in its vitality and freshness. = films, pictures, movies, the big screen (informal), motion pictures, the silver screencipher NOUN 1 The codebreakers cracked the cipher. = code, coded message, cryptogram 2 They were little more than ciphers who faithfully carried out their master's commands. = nobody, nonentitycirca PREPOSITION = approximately, about, around, roughly, in the region of, round aboutcircle NOUN 1 The flag was red with a large white circle. = ring, round, band, disc, loop, hoop, cordon, perimeter, halo 2 a small circle of friends = group, company, set, school, club, order, class, society, crowd, assembly, fellowship, fraternity, clique, coterie 3 She moved only in the most exalted circles. = sphere, world, area, range, field, scene (informal), orbit, realm, milieu ▸ VERB 1 This is the ring road that circles the city. = go round, ring, surround, belt, curve, enclose, encompass, compass, envelop, encircle, circumscribe, hem in, gird, circumnavigate, enwreath 2 There were two helicopters circling around. = wheel, spiral, revolve, rotate, whirl, pivotcircuit NOUN 1 I get asked this question a lot when I'm on the lecture circuit. = course, round, tour, track, route, journey 2 the historic racing circuit at Monza = racetrack, course, track, racecourse 3 She made a slow circuit of the room. = lap, round, tour, revolution, orbit, perambulationcircuitous ADJECTIVE 1 They were taken on a circuitous route home. = indirect, winding, rambling, roundabout, meandering, tortuous, labyrinthine ◼ OPPOSITE: direct 2 He has a pedantic and circuitous writing style. = oblique, indirectcircular ADJECTIVE 1 The car turned into a spacious, circular courtyard. = round, ring-shaped, discoid 2 Both sides of the river can be explored on this circular walk. = circuitous, cyclical, orbital ▸ NOUN A circular has been sent to 1,800 newspapers. = advertisement, notice, ad (informal), announcement, advert (Brit.), press releasecirculate VERB 1 Public employees are circulating a petition calling for his reinstatement. = spread, issue, publish, broadcast, distribute, diffuse, publicize, propagate, disseminate, promulgate, make known 2 Cooking odours can circulate throughout the entire house. = flow, revolve, rotate, radiatecirculation NOUN 1 The paper once had the highest circulation of any daily in the country. = distribution, currency, readership 2 Anyone with circulation problems should seek medical advice before flying. = bloodstream, blood flow 3 Fit a ventilated lid to allow circulation of air. = flow, circling, motion, rotation 4 measures inhibiting the circulation of useful information = spread, distribution, transmission, disseminationcircumference NOUN = edge, limits, border, bounds, outline, boundary, fringe, verge (Brit.), rim, perimeter, periphery, extremitycircumscribe VERB = restrict, limit, define, confine, restrain, delineate, hem in, demarcate, delimit, straitencircumspect ADJECTIVE = cautious, politic, guarded, careful, wary, discriminating, discreet, sage, prudent, canny, attentive, vigilant, watchful, judicious, observant, sagacious (formal), heedful ◼ OPPOSITE: rashcircumstance NOUN 1 (usually plural) They say they will never, under any circumstances, be the first to use force. = condition, situation, scenario, contingency, state of affairs, lie of the land 2 (usually plural) I'm making inquiries about the circumstances of the disappearance. = detail, fact, event, particular, respect, factor 3 (usually plural) I'm not sure how impressed Dad was by this change in my circumstances. = situation, state, means, position, station, resources, status, lifestyle 4 These people are innocent victims of circumstance. = chance, the times, accident, fortune, luck, fate, destiny, misfortune, providencecircumstantial ADJECTIVE 1 He was convicted on purely circumstantial evidence. = indirect, contingent, incidental, inferential, presumptive, conjectural, founded on circumstances 2 The reasons for the project collapsing were circumstantial. = detailed, particular, specificcircumvent VERB 1 Military rulers tried to circumvent the treaty. = evade, bypass, elude, steer clear of, sidestep 2 = outwit, trick, mislead, thwart, deceive, dupe, beguile, outflank, hoodwinkcistern NOUN = tank, vat, basin, reservoir, sinkcitadel NOUN = fortress, keep, tower, stronghold, bastion, fortification, fastnesscitation NOUN 1 His citation says he showed outstanding and exemplary courage. = commendation, award, mention 2 The text is full of Biblical citations. = quotation, quote (informal), reference, passage, illustration, excerptcite VERB 1 She cites a favourite poem by Pablo Neruda. = quote, name, evidence, advance, mention, extract, specify, allude to, enumerate, adduce 2 The judge ruled a mistrial and cited the prosecutors for gross misconduct. = summon, call, subpoenacitizen NOUN = inhabitant, resident, dweller, ratepayer, denizen, subject, freeman or woman, burgher, townsman or woman or person ◼ RELATED WORD: adjective civilcity NOUN = town, metropolis, municipality, conurbation, megalopolis ◼ RELATED WORD: adjective civiccivic ADJECTIVE = public, community, borough, municipal, communal, urban, localcivil ADJECTIVE 1 This civil unrest threatens the economy. = civic, home, political, domestic, interior, municipal ◼ OPPOSITE: state 2 He couldn't even bring himself to be civil to Pauline. = polite, obliging, accommodating, civilized, courteous, considerate, affable, courtly, well-bred, complaisant, well-mannered ◼ OPPOSITE: rudecivility NOUN = politeness, consideration, courtesy, tact, good manners, graciousness, cordiality, affability, amiability, complaisance, courteousnesscivilization NOUN 1 He believed Western civilization was in grave economic and cultural danger. = society, people, community, nation, polity 2 a race with an advanced state of civilization = culture, development, education, progress, enlightenment, sophistication, advancement, cultivation, refinementcivilize VERB = cultivate, improve, polish, educate, refine, tame, enlighten, humanize, sophisticatecivilized ADJECTIVE 1 All truly civilized countries must deplore torture. = cultured, educated, sophisticated, enlightened, humane ◼ OPPOSITE: primitive 2 The negotiations were conducted in a very civilized manner. = polite, mannerly, tolerant, gracious, courteous, affable, well-behaved, well-manneredclad ADJECTIVE = dressed, clothed, arrayed, draped, fitted out, decked out, attired, rigged out (informal), coveredclaim VERB 1 He claimed that it was a conspiracy against him. = assert, insist, maintain, allege, uphold, profess, hold 2 Now they are returning to claim what is theirs. = take, receive, pick up, collect, lay claim to 3 They intend to claim for damages against the three doctors. = demand, call for, ask for, insist on ▸ NOUN 1 There is no evidence to support her claim that her son was injured. = assertion, statement, allegation, declaration, contention, pretension, affirmation, protestation (formal) 2 The office has been dealing with their claim for benefits. = demand, application, request, petition, call 3 The Tudors had a tenuous claim to the monarchy. = right, title, entitlementclaimant NOUN = applicant, pretender, petitioner, supplicant (formal), suppliantclairvoyant ADJECTIVE a fortune-teller who claims to have clairvoyant powers = psychic, visionary, prophetic, prescient, telepathic, fey, second-sighted, extrasensory, oracular, sibylline ▸ NOUN You don't need to be a clairvoyant to see how this is going to turn out. = psychic, diviner, prophet, visionary, oracle, seer, augur, fortune-teller, soothsayer, sibyl, prophetess, telepathclamber VERB = climb, scale, scramble, claw, shin, scrabbleclammy ADJECTIVE 1 My shirt was clammy with sweat. = moist, sweating, damp, sticky, sweaty, slimy 2 As you peer down into this pit, the clammy atmosphere rises to meet your skin. = damp, humid, dank, muggy, closeclamour NOUN = noise, shouting, racket, outcry, din, uproar, agitation, blare, commotion, babel, hubbub, brouhaha, hullabaloo, shoutclamp NOUN This clamp is ideal for holding frames and other items. = vice, press, grip, bracket, fastener ▸ VERB U-bolts are used to clamp the microphones to the pole. = fasten, fix, secure, clinch, brace, make fastclan NOUN 1 A clash had taken place between rival clans. = family, house, group, order, race, society, band, tribe, sept, fraternity (U.S. & Canad.), brotherhood, sodality, ainga (N.Z.), ngai or ngati (N.Z.) 2 a powerful clan of industrialists from Monterrey = group, set, crowd, circle, crew (informal), gang, faction, coterie, schism, cabalclandestine ADJECTIVE = secret, private, hidden, underground, concealed, closet, covert, sly, furtive, underhand, surreptitious, stealthy, cloak-and-dagger, under-the-counterclang VERB A little later the church bell clanged. = ring, toll, resound, chime, reverberate, jangle, clank, bong, clash ▸ NOUN He pulled the gates shut with a clang. = ringing, clash, jangle, knell, clank, reverberation, ding-dong, clangourclap VERB 1 The men danced and the women clapped. = applaud, cheer, acclaim, give (someone) a big hand ◼ OPPOSITE: boo 2 He clapped me on the back and boomed, 'Well done.' = strike, pat, punch, bang, thrust, slap, whack, wallop (informal), thwackclarification NOUN = explanation, interpretation, exposition, illumination, simplification, elucidationclarify VERB 1 A bank spokesman was unable to clarify the situation. = explain, resolve, interpret, illuminate, clear up, simplify, make plain, elucidate, explicate (formal), clear the air about, throw or shed light on 2 Clarify the butter by bringing it to a simmer in a small pan. = refine, cleanse, purifyclarity NOUN 1 the clarity with which the author explains this technical subject = clearness, precision, simplicity, transparency, lucidity, explicitness, intelligibility, obviousness, straightforwardness, comprehensibility ◼ OPPOSITE: obscurity 2 The first thing to strike me was the incredible clarity of the water. = transparency, clearness ◼ OPPOSITE: cloudinessclash VERB 1 A group of 400 demonstrators clashed with police. = conflict, grapple, wrangle, lock horns, cross swords, war, feud, quarrel 2 Don't make policy decisions which clash with company thinking. = disagree, conflict, vary, counter, differ, depart, contradict, diverge, deviate, run counter to, be dissimilar, be discordant 3 The red door clashed with the pink walls. = not go, jar, not match, be discordant 4 The golden bangles on her arms clashed and jangled. = crash, bang, rattle, jar, clatter, jangle, clang, clank ▸ NOUN 1 There are reports of clashes between militants and the security forces in the city. = conflict, fight, brush, confrontation, collision, showdown (informal), boilover (Austral.) 2 Inside government, there was a clash of views. = disagreement, difference, division, argument, dispute, dissent, difference of opinionclasp VERB Mary clasped the children to her desperately. = grasp, hold, press, grip, seize, squeeze, embrace, clutch, hug, enfold ▸ NOUN 1 He gripped my hand in a strong clasp. = grasp, hold, grip, embrace, hug 2 She undid the clasp of the hooded cloak she was wearing. = fastening, catch, grip, hook, snap, pin, clip, buckle, brooch, fastener, hasp, press studclass NOUN 1 the relationship between different social classes = group, grouping, set, order, league, division, rank, caste, status, sphere 2 a new class of personal computer = type, set, sort, kind, collection, species, grade, category, stamp, genre, classification, denomination, genus ▸ VERB I would class my garden as being medium in size. = classify, group, rate, rank, brand, label, grade, designate, categorize, codifyclassic ADJECTIVE 1 This is a classic example of media hype. = typical, standard, model, regular, usual, ideal, characteristic, definitive, archetypal, exemplary, quintessential, time-honoured, paradigmatic, dinki-di (Austral. informal) 2 Aldous Huxley's classic work, The Perennial Philosophy = masterly, best, finest, master, world-class, consummate, first-rate ◼ OPPOSITE: second-rate 3 These are classic designs which will fit in well anywhere. = lasting, enduring, abiding, immortal, undying, ageless, deathless ▸ NOUN The album is one of the classics of modern popular music. = standard, masterpiece, prototype, paradigm, exemplar, masterwork, modelclassification NOUN 1 the accepted classification of the animal and plant kingdoms = categorization, grading, cataloguing, taxonomy, codification, sorting, analysis, arrangement, profiling 2 several different classifications of vehicles = class, grouping, heading, head, order, sort, list, department, type, division, section, rank, gradeclassify VERB = categorize, sort, file, rank, arrange, grade, catalogue, codify, pigeonhole, tabulate, systematizeclassy ADJECTIVE = high-class, select, exclusive, superior, elegant, stylish, posh (informal, chiefly Brit.), swish (informal, chiefly Brit.), up-market, urbane, swanky (informal), top-drawer, ritzy (slang), high-toned, schmick (Austral. informal)clause NOUN = section, condition, article, item, chapter, rider, provision, passage, point, part, heading, paragraph, specification, proviso, stipulationclaw NOUN 1 The cat's claws got caught in my clothes. = nail, talon 2 The lobster has two large claws. = pincer, nipper ▸ VERB The wolf clawed at the tree and howled the whole night. = scratch, tear, dig, rip, scrape, graze, maul, scrabble, mangle, mangulate (Austral. slang), lacerateclean ADJECTIVE 1 Disease is not a problem because clean water is available. = hygienic, natural, fresh, sterile, pure, purified, antiseptic, sterilized, unadulterated, uncontaminated, unpolluted, decontaminated ◼ OPPOSITE: contaminated 2 He wore his cleanest slacks and a navy blazer. = spotless, fresh, washed, immaculate, laundered, impeccable, flawless, sanitary, faultless, squeaky-clean, hygienic, unblemished, unsullied, unstained, unsoiled, unspotted ◼ OPPOSITE: dirty 3 He became a model of clean living. = moral, good, pure, decent, innocent, respectable, upright, honourable, impeccable, exemplary, virtuous, chaste, undefiled ◼ OPPOSITE: immoral 4 It is time for a clean break with the past. = complete, final, whole, total, perfect, entire, decisive, thorough, conclusive, unimpaired 5 I admire the clean lines of Shaker furniture. = neat, simple, elegant, trim, delicate, tidy, graceful, uncluttered ◼ OPPOSITE: untidy ▸ VERB Her father cleaned his glasses with a paper napkin. = cleanse, wash, bath, sweep, dust, wipe, vacuum, scrub, sponge, rinse, mop, launder, scour, purify, do up, swab, disinfect, deodorize, sanitize, deep clean ◼ OPPOSITE: dirtyclean-cut ADJECTIVE = neat, trim, tidy, chiselledcleanliness NOUN = cleanness, purity, freshness, whiteness, sterility, spotlessnesscleanse VERB 1 Your body is beginning to cleanse itself of toxins. = purify, clear, purge 2 Confession cleanses the soul. = absolve, clear, purge, purify 3 She demonstrated the proper way to cleanse the face. = clean, wash, scrub, rinse, scourcleanser NOUN = detergent, soap, solvent, disinfectant, soap powder, purifier, scourer, washclear ADJECTIVE 1 The book is clear, readable and amply illustrated. = comprehensible, explicit, articulate, understandable, coherent, lucid, user-friendly, intelligible ◼ OPPOSITE: confused 2 He repeated his answer in a clear, firm voice. = distinct, audible, perceptible ◼ OPPOSITE: indistinct 3 It was a clear case of mistaken identity. = obvious, plain, apparent, bold, patent, evident, distinct, pronounced, definite, manifest, blatant, conspicuous, unmistakable, express, palpable, unequivocal, recognizable, unambiguous, unquestionable, cut-and-dried (informal), incontrovertible ◼ OPPOSITE: ambiguous 4 It is important to be clear on what the author is saying here. = certain, sure, convinced, positive, satisfied, resolved, explicit, definite, decided ◼ OPPOSITE: confused 5 The water is clear and plenty of fish are visible. = transparent, see-through, translucent, crystalline, glassy, limpid, pellucid ◼ OPPOSITE: opaque 6 All exits must be kept clear in case of fire. = unobstructed, open, free, empty, unhindered, unimpeded, unhampered ◼ OPPOSITE: blocked 7 Most places will be dry with clear skies. = bright, fine, fair, shining, sunny, luminous, halcyon, cloudless, undimmed, light, unclouded ◼ OPPOSITE: cloudy 8 I can look back on things with a clear conscience. = untroubled, clean, pure, innocent, stainless, immaculate, unblemished, untarnished, guiltless, sinless, undefiled ▸ VERB 1 We called in a plumber to clear our blocked sink. = unblock, unclog, free, loosen, extricate, disengage, open, disentangle 2 Firefighters were still clearing rubble from the scene. = remove, clean, wipe, cleanse, tidy (up), sweep away 3 As the weather cleared, helicopters began to ferry the injured to hospital. = brighten, break up, lighten 4 The horse cleared the fence by several inches. = pass over, jump, leap, vault, miss 5 In a final effort to clear her name, she is writing a book. = absolve, acquit, vindicate, exonerate ◼ OPPOSITE: blame ● clear out 'Clear out!' he bawled, 'This is private property.' = go away, leave, retire, withdraw, depart, beat it (slang), decamp, hook it (slang), slope off, pack your bags (informal), make tracks, take yourself off, make yourself scarce, rack off (Austral. & N.Z. slang) ● clear something out 1 I took the precaution of clearing out my desk before I left. = empty, sort, tidy up 2 It'll take you a month just to clear out all this rubbish. = get rid of, remove, dump, dispose of, throw away or out ● clear something up 1 I told you to clear up your room. = tidy (up), order, straighten, rearrange, put in order 2 During dinner the confusion was cleared up. = solve, explain, resolve, clarify, unravel, straighten out, elucidateclearance NOUN 1 By the late fifties, slum clearance was the watchword in town planning. = evacuation, emptying, withdrawal, removal, eviction, depopulation 2 He has a security clearance that allows him access to classified information. = permission, consent, endorsement, green light, authorization, blank cheque, go-ahead (informal), leave, sanction, O.K. or okay (informal) 3 The lowest fixed bridge has 12.8m clearance. = space, gap, margin, allowance, headroomclear-cut ADJECTIVE = straightforward, specific, plain, precise, black-and-white, explicit, definite, unequivocal, unambiguous, cut-and-dried (informal)clearing NOUN = glade, space, dellclearly ADVERB 1 He clearly believes that he is in the right. = obviously, undoubtedly, evidently, distinctly, markedly, overtly, undeniably, beyond doubt, incontrovertibly, incontestably, openly 2 Write your address clearly on the back of the envelope. = legibly, distinctly 3 Please speak clearly after the tone. = audibly, distinctly, intelligibly, comprehensiblycleave1 VERB a tool for cleaving watermelons = split, open, divide, crack, slice, rend (literary), sever, part, hew, tear asunder, sundercleave2 VERB ● cleave to = stick to, stand by, cling to, hold to, be devoted to, adhere to, be attached to, abide by, be true tocleft NOUN = opening, break, crack, gap, rent, breach, fracture, rift, chink, crevice, fissure, crannyclemency NOUN = mercy, pity, humanity, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, indulgence, leniency, forbearance, quarterclement ADJECTIVE = mild, fine, fair, calm, temperate, balmyclergy NOUN = priesthood, ministry, clerics, clergymen or women, churchmen or women, the cloth, holy orders, ecclesiastics ◼ RELATED WORD: adjective clerical, pastoralclergyman, clergywoman NOUN = minister, member of the clergy, priest, vicar, parson, reverend (informal), rabbi, pastor, chaplain, cleric, rector, curate, father, churchman or woman, padre, man or woman or person of God, man or woman or person of the cloth, divineclerical ADJECTIVE 1 The hospital blamed the mix-up on a clerical error. = administrative, office, bureaucratic, secretarial, book-keeping, stenographic 2 a clergyman who had failed to carry out his clerical duties = ecclesiastical, priestly, pastoral, sacerdotalclever ADJECTIVE 1 My sister has always been the clever one in our family. = intelligent, quick, bright, talented, gifted, keen, capable, smart, sensible, rational, witty, apt, discerning, knowledgeable, astute, brainy (informal), quick-witted, sagacious (formal), knowing, deep, expert 2 It's a very clever idea. = shrewd, bright (informal), cunning, ingenious, inventive, astute, resourceful, canny ◼ OPPOSITE: unimaginative 3 My father was very clever with his hands. = skilful, able, talented, gifted, capable, inventive, adroit, dexterous ◼ OPPOSITE: ineptcleverness NOUN 1 He congratulated himself on his cleverness. = intelligence, sense, brains, wit, brightness, nous (Brit. slang), suss (slang), quickness, gumption (Brit. informal), sagacity, smartness, astuteness, quick wits, smarts (slang, chiefly U.S.) 2 a policy almost Machiavellian in its cleverness = shrewdness, sharpness, resourcefulness, canniness 3 The artist demonstrates a cleverness with colours and textures. = dexterity, ability, talent, gift, flair, ingenuity, adroitnesscliché NOUN = platitude, stereotype, commonplace, banality, truism, bromide, old saw, hackneyed phrase, chestnut (informal)click NOUN The door closed behind her with a click of the latch. = snap, beat, tick, clack ▸ VERB 1 Camera shutters clicked all around me. = snap, beat, tick, clack 2 When I saw the TV report, it all suddenly clicked. = become clear, come home (to), make sense, fall into place 3 They clicked immediately; they liked all the same things. = get on, be compatible, hit it off (informal), be on the same wavelength, get on like a house on fire (informal), take to each other, feel a rapportclient NOUN = customer, consumer, buyer, patron, shopper, habitué, patientclientele NOUN = customers, market, business, following, trade, regulars, clients, patronagecliff NOUN = rock face, overhang, crag, precipice, escarpment, face, scar, bluffclimactic ADJECTIVE = crucial, central, critical, peak, decisive, paramount, pivotal

climate NOUN 1 the hot and humid climate of Cyprus = weather, country, region, temperature, clime 2 A major change of political climate is unlikely. = atmosphere, environment, spirit, surroundings, tone, mood, trend, flavour, feeling, tendency, temper, ambience, vibes (slang)climax NOUN Reaching the Olympics was the climax of her career. = culmination, head, top, summit, height, highlight, peak, pay-off (informal), crest, high point, zenith, apogee, high spot (informal), acme, ne plus ultra (Latin) ▸ VERB They did a series of charity events climaxing in a midsummer concert. = culminate, end, finish, conclude, peak, come to a headclimb VERB 1 Climbing the first hill took half an hour. = ascend, scale, mount, go up, clamber, shin up 2 He climbed down from the cab. = clamber, descend, scramble, dismount 3 My Tokyo-bound plane climbed above the city. = rise, go up, soar, ascend, fly up ● climb down He has climbed down on pledges to reduce capital gains tax. = back down, withdraw, yield, concede, retreat, surrender, give in, cave in (informal), retract, admit defeat, back-pedal, eat your words, eat crow (U.S. informal)clinch VERB 1 We are about to clinch a deal with an American manufacturer. = secure, close, confirm, conclude, seal, verify, sew up (informal), close out, set the seal on 2 Evidently this information clinched the matter. = settle, decide, determine, tip the balancecling VERB 1 She had to cling onto the door handle until the pain passed. = clutch, grip, embrace, grasp, hug, hold on to, clasp 2 His sodden trousers were clinging to his shins. = stick to, attach to, adhere to, fasten to, twine round ● cling to something They still cling to their beliefs. = adhere to, maintain, stand by, cherish, abide by, be true to, be loyal to, be faithful to, cleave toclinical ADJECTIVE = unemotional, cold, scientific, objective, detached, analytic, impersonal, antiseptic, disinterested, dispassionate, emotionlessclip1 VERB 1 I saw an old man out clipping his hedge. = trim, cut, crop, dock, prune, shorten, shear, cut short, snip, pare 2 She clipped his ear. = smack, strike, box, knock, punch, belt (informal), thump, clout (informal), cuff, whack, wallop (informal), skelp (dialect) ▸ NOUN 1 a clip round the ear = smack, strike, box, knock, punch, belt (informal), thump, clout (informal), cuff, whack, wallop (informal), skelp (dialect) 2 They trotted along at a brisk clip. = speed, rate, pace, gallop, lick (informal), velocityclip2 VERB He clipped his flashlight to his belt. = attach, fix, secure, connect, pin, staple, fasten, affix, holdclipping NOUN = cutting, passage, extract, excerpt, piece, articleclique NOUN = group, set, crowd, pack, circle, crew (informal), gang, faction, mob, clan, posse (informal), coterie, schism, cabalcloak NOUN 1 She set out, wrapping her cloak about her. = cape, coat, wrap, mantle (archaic) 2 Today most of England will be under a cloak of thick mist. = covering, layer, blanket, shroud 3 Individualism is sometimes used as a cloak for self-interest. = disguise, front (informal), cover, screen, blind, mask, shield, cover-up, façade, pretext, smoke screen ▸ VERB 1 The coastline was cloaked in fog. = cover, coat, wrap, blanket, shroud, envelop 2 He uses jargon to cloak his inefficiency. = hide, cover, screen, mask, disguise, conceal, obscure, veil, camouflageclobber1 VERB She clobbered him with a vase. = batter, beat, assault, smash, bash (informal), lash, thrash, pound, beat up (informal), wallop (informal), pummel, rough up (informal), lambast(e), belabour, duff up (informal), beat or knock seven bells out of (informal)clobber2 NOUN His house is filled with a load of old clobber. = belongings, things, effects, property, stuff, gear, possessions, paraphernalia, accoutrements, chattelsclog VERB = obstruct, block, jam, hamper, hinder, impede, bung, stop up, dam up, occlude (formal), congestcloistered ADJECTIVE = sheltered, protected, restricted, shielded, confined, insulated, secluded, reclusive, shut off, sequestered, withdrawn, cloistral ◼ OPPOSITE: publicclose1 ADJECTIVE 1 The hotel is close to Sydney airport. = near, neighbouring, nearby, handy, adjacent, adjoining, hard by, just round the corner, within striking distance (informal), cheek by jowl, proximate, within spitting distance (informal), within sniffing distance, a hop, skip and a jump away ◼ OPPOSITE: far 2 She and Linda became very close. = intimate, loving, friendly, familiar, thick (informal), attached, devoted, confidential, inseparable, dear ◼ OPPOSITE: distant 3 There is a close resemblance between them. = noticeable, marked, strong, distinct, pronounced 4 His recent actions have been the subject of close scrutiny. = careful, detailed, searching, concentrated, keen, intense, minute, alert, intent, thorough, rigorous, attentive, painstaking, assiduous 5 It is still a close contest between the two leading parties. = even, level, neck and neck, fifty-fifty (informal), evenly matched, equally balanced 6 A White House official said an agreement is close. = imminent, near, approaching, impending, at hand, upcoming, nigh, just round the corner ◼ OPPOSITE: far away 7 They sat in that hot, close room for two hours. = stifling, confined, oppressive, stale, suffocating, stuffy, humid, sweltering, airless, muggy, unventilated, heavy, thick ◼ OPPOSITE: airy 8 The poem is a close translation from the original Latin. = accurate, strict, exact, precise, faithful, literal, conscientiousclose2 VERB 1 If you are cold, close the window. = shut, lock, push to, fasten, secure ◼ OPPOSITE: open 2 Many enterprises will be forced to close because of the recession. = shut down, finish, cease, discontinue 3 There are rumours of plans to close the local college. = wind up, finish, axe (informal), shut down, terminate, discontinue, mothball 4 The government has closed the border crossing. = block up, bar, seal, shut up ◼ OPPOSITE: open 5 He closed the meeting with his customary address. = end, finish, complete, conclude, wind up, culminate, terminate ◼ OPPOSITE: begin 6 I need another $30,000 to close the deal. = clinch, confirm, secure, conclude, seal, verify, sew up (informal), close out, set the seal on 7 His fingers closed around the door handle. = come together, join, connect ◼ OPPOSITE: separate ▸ NOUN Her retirement brings to a close a successful chapter in the school's history. = end, ending, finish, conclusion, completion, finale, culmination, denouementclosed ADJECTIVE 1 Her bedroom door was closed. = shut, locked, sealed, fastened ◼ OPPOSITE: open 2 The airport shop was closed. = shut down, out of business, out of service 3 No-one was admitted to this closed circle of elite students. = exclusive, select, restricted 4 I now consider the matter closed. = finished, over, ended, decided, settled, concluded, resolved, terminatedcloset NOUN Perhaps there's room in the broom closet. = cupboard, cabinet, recess, cubicle, cubbyhole ▸ ADJECTIVE He is a closet folk enthusiast. = secret, private, hidden, unknown, concealed, covert, unrevealedclosure NOUN = closing, end, finish, conclusion, stoppage, termination, cessationclot VERB The patient's blood refused to clot. = congeal, thicken, curdle, coalesce, jell, coagulatecloth NOUN = fabric, material, textiles, dry goods, stuffclothe VERB = dress, outfit, rig, array, robe, drape, get ready, swathe, apparel, attire, fit out, garb, doll up (slang), accoutre, cover, deck ◼ OPPOSITE: undressclothes PLURAL NOUN = clothing, wear, dress, gear (informal), habits, get-up (informal), outfit, costume, threads (slang), wardrobe, ensemble, garments, duds (informal), apparel, clobber (Brit. slang), attire, garb, togs (informal), vestments, glad rags (informal), raiment (archaic, poetic), rigout (informal)clothing NOUN = clothes, wear, dress, gear (informal), habits, get-up (informal), outfit, costume, threads (slang), wardrobe, ensemble, garments, duds (informal), apparel, clobber (Brit. slang), attire, garb, togs (informal), vestments, glad rags (informal), raiment (archaic, poetic), rigout (informal)cloud NOUN 1 The sun was almost entirely obscured by cloud. = mist, fog, haze, obscurity, vapour, nebula, murk, darkness, gloom 2 The hens darted away on all sides, raising a cloud of dust. = billow, mass, shower, puff ▸ VERB 1 Perhaps anger has clouded his vision. = confuse, obscure, distort, impair, muddle, disorient 2 The sky clouded and a light rain began to fall. = darken, dim, be overshadowed, be overcastcloudy ADJECTIVE 1 It was a cloudy, windy day. = dull, dark, dim, gloomy, dismal, sombre, overcast, leaden, sunless, louring or lowering ◼ OPPOSITE: clear 2 She could just barely see the fish through the cloudy water. = opaque, muddy, murky 3 The legal position on this issue is very cloudy. = vague, confused, obscure, blurred, unclear, hazy, indistinct ◼ OPPOSITE: plainclout (informal) VERB The officer clouted him on the head. = hit, strike, punch, deck (slang), slap, sock (slang), chin (slang), smack, thump, cuff, clobber (slang), wallop (informal), box, wham, lay one on (slang), skelp (dialect) ▸ NOUN 1 I was half tempted to give them a clout myself. = thump, blow, crack (informal), punch, slap, sock (slang), cuff, wallop (informal), skelp (dialect) 2 The two firms wield enormous clout in financial markets. = influence, power, standing, authority, pull (informal), weight, bottom, prestige, mana (N.Z.)cloven ADJECTIVE = split, divided, cleft, bisectedclown NOUN 1 a classic circus clown with a big red nose and baggy suit = comedian, fool, harlequin, jester, buffoon, pierrot, dolt 2 He gained a reputation as the class clown. = joker, comic, prankster 3 I could do a better job than those clowns in Washington. = fool, dope (informal), jerk (slang, chiefly U.S. & Canad.), idiot, ass, berk (Brit. slang), prat (slang), moron, twit (informal, chiefly Brit.), imbecile (informal), ignoramus, jackass, dolt, blockhead, ninny, putz (U.S. slang), eejit (Scot. & Irish), doofus (slang, chiefly U.S.), dorba or dorb (Austral. slang), bogan (Austral. slang), lamebrain (informal), numbskull or numskull ▸ VERB (usually with around) He clowned a lot and antagonized his workmates. = play the fool, mess about, jest, act the fool, act the goat, play the goatcloying ADJECTIVE 1 Her cheap, cloying scent enveloped him. = sickly, nauseating, icky (informal), treacly, oversweet, excessive 2 The film is sentimental but rarely cloying. = over-sentimental, sickly, nauseating, mushy (informal), twee, slushy, mawkish, icky (informal), treacly, oversweetclub NOUN 1 He was a member of the local youth club. = association, company, group, union, society, circle, lodge, guild, fraternity (U.S. & Canad.), set, order, sodality 2 Men armed with knives and clubs attacked his home. = stick, bat, bludgeon, truncheon (Brit.), cosh (Brit.), cudgel ▸ VERB Two thugs clubbed him with baseball bats. = beat, strike, hammer (informal), batter, bash, clout (informal), bludgeon, clobber (slang), pummel, cosh (Brit.), beat or knock seven bells out of (informal)clue NOUN = indication, lead, sign, evidence, tip, suggestion, trace, hint, suspicion, pointer, tip-off, inkling, intimationclueless ADJECTIVE = stupid, thick, dull, naive, dim (informal), dense, dumb (informal), simple-minded, dozy (Brit. informal), simple, slow, witless, dopey (informal), unintelligent, half-witted, slow on the uptake (informal)clump NOUN There was a clump of trees bordering the side of the road. = cluster, group, bunch, bundle, shock ▸ VERB They went clumping up the stairs to bed. = stomp, stamp, stump, thump, lumber, tramp, plod, thud, clompclumsiness NOUN 1 I was embarrassed by my clumsiness on the dance-floor. = awkwardness, ineptitude, heaviness, ineptness, inelegance, ponderousness, gracelessness, gawkiness, maladroitness, ungainliness 2 He cursed himself for his clumsiness and insensitivity. = insensitivity, heavy-handedness, tactlessness, gaucheness, lack of tact, uncouthnessclumsy ADJECTIVE 1 I'd never seen a clumsier, less coordinated boxer. = awkward, blundering, bungling, lumbering, inept, bumbling, ponderous, ungainly, gauche, accident-prone, gawky, heavy, uncoordinated, cack-handed (informal), inexpert, maladroit, ham-handed (informal), like a bull in a china shop, klutzy (U.S. & Canad. slang), unskilful, butterfingered (informal), ham-fisted (informal), unco (Austral. slang) ◼ OPPOSITE: skilful 2 The keyboard is a large and clumsy instrument. = unwieldy, ill-shaped, unhandy, clunky (informal)cluster NOUN A cluster of men blocked the doorway. = gathering, group, collection, bunch (informal), knot, clump, assemblage, aggregate ▸ VERB The passengers clustered together in small groups. = gather, group, collect, bunch, assemble, flock, huddleclutch VERB 1 She was clutching a photograph in her hand. = hold, grip, embrace, grasp, cling to, clasp 2 I staggered and had to clutch at a chair for support. = seize, catch, grab, grasp, snatch ▸ PLURAL NOUN He escaped his captors' clutches by jumping from a moving vehicle. = power, hands, control, grip, possession, grasp, custody, sway, keeping, clawsclutter NOUN She preferred her work area to be free of clutter. = untidiness, mess, disorder, confusion, litter, muddle, disarray, jumble, hotchpotch ◼ OPPOSITE: order ▸ VERB I don't want to clutter the room up with too much junk. = litter, scatter, strew, mess up ◼ OPPOSITE: tidycluttered ADJECTIVE = untidy, confused, disordered, littered, messy, muddled, jumbled, disarrayed