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Оглавлениеa an
ADJECTIVE A and an are used when you talk about one of something. A is used when the next sound is a consonant: a car, a dog. An is used when the next sound is a vowel (a, e, i, o or u): an apple, an elephant.
abacus abacuses
NOUN a frame with beads that slide along rods, used for counting
[from Greek abax meaning board covered with sand for doing sums on]
abandon abandons, abandoning, abandoned
VERB If you abandon someone or something, you leave them or give them up for good. • He abandoned all hope of catching the train on time.
abbey abbeys
NOUN a church with buildings attached to it in which monks or nuns live
abbreviation abbreviations
NOUN a short form of a word or phrase • N is an abbreviation for North.
abdomen abdomens
NOUN the front part of your body below your chest, containing your stomach and intestines
abdominal ADJECTIVE
ability abilities
NOUN If you have ability, you have the intelligence and skill to do things.
able
ADJECTIVE If you are able to do something, you can do it.
ANTONYM: unable
abnormal
ADJECTIVE not normal or usual
abnormally ADVERB
aboard
PREPOSITION OR ADVERB If you are aboard a plane or a ship you are on it.
Aborigine Aborigines
NOUN someone descended from the people who were living in Australia before the European settlers arrived
about
PREPOSITION OR ADVERB 1 If you talk or write about a particular thing, you say things that are to do with that subject. • a book about London
2 You say about in front of a number to show it is not exact. • about two o’clock
PHRASE 3 If you are about to do something, you are just going to do it. • He was about to leave.
above
PREPOSITION OR ADVERB If one thing is above another, it is higher up. • The plane was flying above the clouds.
ANTONYM: below
abroad
ADVERB If you go abroad, you go to another country.
abscess abscesses
NOUN a painful swelling on the body, which contains pus
abseil abseils, abseiling, abseiled
VERB If you abseil down a rock face, you use ropes to go down it.
absent
ADJECTIVE If you are absent from a place, you are not there.
ANTONYM: present
absolute
ADJECTIVE 1 total and complete • absolute darkness
2 having total power • an absolute ruler
absolutely
ADVERB If you are absolutely sure about something, you are completely sure of it.
absorb absorbs, absorbing, absorbed
VERB If something absorbs liquid or gas, it soaks it up. • Plants absorb moisture from the soil.
absorbent
ADJECTIVE If something is absorbent, it soaks up liquids easily.
abstract
ADJECTIVE 1 An abstract idea is based on thoughts and ideas rather than on real objects or happenings, for example bravery and happiness.
2 Abstract art uses shapes rather than images of people or objects.
3 In grammar, abstract nouns refer to qualities or ideas, rather than physical objects, for example happiness.
See noun
absurd
ADJECTIVE Something that is absurd is stupid or ridiculous.
abuse abuses, abusing, abused
Said “ab-yooss” NOUN 1 cruel treatment of someone
2 rude and unkind remarks
Said “ab-yooz” VERB 3 To abuse someone is to treat them cruelly.
4 If you abuse someone, you speak to them in a rude and insulting way.
abysmal
ADJECTIVE very bad
abysmally ADVERB
academic academics
ADJECTIVE 1 Academic work is done in school, college and university.
NOUN 2 someone who teaches or does research in a college or university
academy academies
NOUN 1 a school or college, usually one that specializes in a particular subject • the Royal Academy of Arts
2 an organization of scientists, writers, artists or musicians
accelerate accelerates, accelerating, accelerated
VERB To accelerate is to speed up.
ANTONYM: decelerate
acceleration
NOUN the rate at which the speed of something increases
accent accents
NOUN a way of pronouncing a language • She had an Australian accent.
accept accepts, accepting, accepted
VERB 1 If you accept something, you say yes to it or you take it from someone. • She accepted our invitation to the party.
2 If you accept a situation, you realize that it cannot be changed. • I accepted that I would have to work hard before my exams.
acceptable
ADJECTIVE satisfactory
access
NOUN If you have access to a place, you may enter it. If you have access to a thing, you may use it.
accessible
ADJECTIVE 1 easy to reach or to see • The beach was accessible by a narrow path.
2 Books that are accessible are easy to understand.
accident accidents
NOUN 1 something that happens suddenly or unexpectedly, causing people to be hurt or killed
PHRASE 2 Something that happens by accident has not been planned. • We met by accident in the supermarket.
accidental
ADJECTIVE Something that is accidental has not been planned.
accidentally ADVERB
accommodation
NOUN a place where you can live, work or sleep
accompany accompanies, accompanying, accompanied
VERB 1 If you accompany someone, you go with them.
2 If you accompany a singer, you play an instrument while they sing.
accomplice accomplices
NOUN a person who helps someone else to commit a crime
accomplish accomplishes, accomplishing, accomplished
VERB If you accomplish something, you succeed in doing it.
according to
PREPOSITION If something is true according to a particular person, that person says that it is true. • According to my grandad, that castle is haunted.
account accounts, accounting, accounted
NOUN 1 a written or spoken report of something
2 money that you keep at a bank
PHRASE 3 On account of means because of. • He couldn’t play football, on account of a sore throat.
VERB 4 To account for something is to explain it. • The bad weather accounts for the cancellation of the barbecue.
accountant accountants
NOUN someone whose job is to look after the financial affairs of people and companies
accumulate accumulates, accumulating, accumulated
VERB If things accumulate, or if you accumulate things, they collect over a period of time. • While they were away, a large pile of letters accumulated on the doormat.
accumulation NOUN
accurate
ADJECTIVE absolutely correct
accuracy NOUN
accuse accuses, accusing, accused
VERB If you accuse someone of doing something wrong, you say they have done it.
accusation NOUN
ace aces
NOUN 1 In a pack of cards, the ace is a card with a single symbol on it.
2 In tennis, an ace is a serve that the other player is unable to return.
ADJECTIVE 3 INFORMAL good or skilful • an ace squash player
ache aches, aching, ached
NOUN 1 a continuous, dull pain
VERB 2 If a part of your body aches, you feel a continuous, dull pain there.
achieve achieves, achieving, achieved
VERB If you achieve something, you are successful at doing it or at making it happen.
The i comes before the e in achieve.
acid acids
NOUN 1 a chemical substance. Strong acids can damage skin, cloth and metal, for example sulphuric acid. Other acids, such as those found in citrus fruit and vinegar, are harmless.
ANTONYM: alkali
ADJECTIVE 2 If something has an acid taste, it tastes sharp or bitter.
ANTONYM: alkaline
[from Latin acidus meaning sour]
acid rain
NOUN rain that has been polluted by the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil
acknowledge acknowledges, acknowledging, acknowledged
VERB 1 If you acknowledge a fact or a situation, you admit that it is true.
2 If you acknowledge someone, you show that you have seen and recognized them, by waving or saying hello.
3 If you acknowledge a message or a letter, you tell the person who sent it that you have received it.
acne
NOUN a skin disease that causes spots on the face and neck. Acne is common among teenagers.
acorn acorns
NOUN a nut that grows on oak trees
acquaintance acquaintances
NOUN someone you know slightly but not well
acre acres
NOUN a unit for measuring land. One acre is equal to 4840 square yards or about 4047 square metres.
acrobat acrobats
NOUN an entertainer who performs difficult gymnastic acts
[from Greek akrobates meaning someone who walks on tiptoe]
acrobatic ADJECTIVE
acrobatics PLURAL NOUN
acronym acronyms
NOUN a word made up of the initial letters of a phrase • NATO is an acronym, and stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
across
PREPOSITION OR ADVERB 1 If you go across a place, you go from one side of it to the other. • We walked across Hyde Park.
2 Something that is situated across a road or river is on the other side of it.
act acts, acting, acted
VERB 1 If you act, you do something. • We have to act quickly in an emergency.
2 If you act in a particular way, you behave in that way. • You’re acting like a baby.
3 If you act in a play or film, you play a role in it.
NOUN 4 a single thing someone does • The rescue was a brave act.
5 An Act of Parliament is a law passed by the government.
6 Stage plays are divided into parts called acts.
action actions
NOUN 1 something you do for a particular purpose
2 a physical movement, such as jumping
active
ADJECTIVE 1 Someone who is active moves around a lot or does a lot of things.
2 In grammar the active, or the active voice, is the form of the verb in which the subject of the sentence is the person or thing doing the action, rather than having it done to them. For example, the sentence The dog bit Ben is in the active voice. In the passive voice the subject is acted upon: Ben was bitten by the dog.
ANTONYM: passive
activity activities
NOUN 1 a situation in which a lot of things are happening at the same time • There was a great deal of activity in the hall as we got ready for the school play.
2 something you do for pleasure, such as gymnastics or music
actor actors
NOUN a man or woman whose job is performing in plays or films
actress actresses
NOUN a woman whose profession is acting
actual
ADJECTIVE real, rather than imaginary or guessed at • You guessed I was eleven – my actual age is twelve.
actually ADVERB
acute
ADJECTIVE 1 severe or intense • She had an acute pain in her arm.
2 In mathematics, an acute angle measures less than 90 degrees.
3 Someone who is acute is intelligent.
AD
ADJECTIVE You use AD in dates to show the number of years after the birth of Jesus Christ.
[an abbreviation of the Latin Anno Domini meaning the year of Our Lord]
adapt adapts, adapting, adapted
VERB 1 If you adapt to something, you get used to it.
2 If you adapt something, you change it so that it can be used in a new way.
adaptable
ADJECTIVE If you are adaptable, you change easily in a new situation or to suit new circumstances.
add adds, adding, added
VERB 1 If you add something to a number of things, you put it with those things. • Each girl added more wood to the pile.
2 If you add numbers together, or add them up, you work out the total. • Two and three added together are five (2 + 3 = 5).
adder adders
NOUN a small, poisonous snake
addiction addictions
NOUN If you have an addiction to something, you cannot stop doing it or wanting it.
addition additions
NOUN 1 the process of adding two or more numbers together
2 something that is added to something else • The addition of sugar would improve the taste of these plums.
additional
ADJECTIVE extra or more
additive additives
NOUN something that is added to something else, such as food
address addresses, addressing, addressed
NOUN 1 Your address is the number of the house where you live, together with the name of the street and the town or village.
VERB 2 If someone addresses a letter to you, they write your name and address on it.
3 If you address a group of people, you speak to them formally.
There are two ds and two ss in address.
adenoids
PLURAL NOUN small lumps of flesh at the back of the throat
adequate
ADJECTIVE just enough for what is needed
SYNONYMS: enough, satisfactory, sufficient
adhesive adhesives
NOUN 1 a substance used to stick things together, such as glue
ADJECTIVE 2 If something is adhesive, it sticks to other things.
adjective adjectives
NOUN a word that adds to the description of a noun. For example, large and old are both adjectives.
adjust adjusts, adjusting, adjusted
VERB 1 If you adjust something, you change its position or alter it in some other way. • She adjusted her pillow to make herself more comfortable.
2 If you adjust to a new situation, you get used to it.
adjustment NOUN
administration administrations
NOUN the work of managing and supervising an organization
admiral admirals
NOUN a senior officer in the navy
admire admires, admiring, admired
VERB If you admire someone or something, you respect and approve of them.
admirer NOUN
admission admissions
NOUN 1 If you are allowed admission to a place, you may go into it.
2 If you make an admission, you confess to something or agree that it is true.
admit admits, admitting, admitted
VERB 1 If you admit something, you agree that it is true.
2 If you admit to something, you agree that you did something you shouldn’t have done.
3 To admit someone or something to a place is to allow them to enter it.
admittance
NOUN the right to enter somewhere • There will be no admittance to the party after eight o’clock.
adolescent adolescents
NOUN a young person who is no longer a child, but is not yet an adult
[from Latin adolescere meaning to grow up]
adolescence NOUN
adopt adopts, adopting, adopted
VERB If someone adopts a child, they take them into their family as their son or daughter by a legal process.
[from Latin adoptare meaning to choose for oneself]
adorable
ADJECTIVE loveable and attractive
adore adores, adoring, adored
VERB If you adore someone, you feel deep love and admiration for them.
adoration NOUN
adult adults
NOUN a mature and fully developed person or animal
advance advances, advancing, advanced
VERB 1 To advance is to move forward.
NOUN 2 An advance is progress in something. • There have been many scientific advances in the past century.
PHRASE 3 If you do something in advance of something, you do it beforehand. • We booked our holiday well in advance.
advanced
ADJECTIVE If something is advanced, it is at a high level, or ahead in development or progress. • The children in the top group do advanced maths exercises.
advantage advantages
NOUN 1 a benefit, or something that puts you in a better position • The advantage of e-mail is that it is quicker than the post.
PHRASE 2 If you take advantage of someone, you treat them unfairly for your own benefit.
3 If you take advantage of something, you make use of it.
adventure adventures
NOUN something that is exciting, and perhaps even dangerous
adverb adverbs
NOUN a word that tells you how, when, where or why something happens or something is done. For example, she walked slowly, he came yesterday, they live here.
[from Latin adverbium meaning added word]
advert
NOUN an abbreviation for advertisement
advertise advertises, advertising, advertised
VERB If you advertise something, you tell people about it in a newspaper, on a poster or on TV.
advertisement advertisements
NOUN a notice in a newspaper, on a poster or on TV about a job or things for sale
advice
NOUN a suggestion from someone about what you should do
The noun advice ends in ce.
advisable
ADJECTIVE If it is advisable to do something, it is a sensible thing to do and will probably give the results that you want. • It is advisable to wear a helmet when cycling.
advise advises, advising, advised
VERB If you advise someone to do something, you tell them you think they should do it.
The verb advise ends in se.
aerial aerials
NOUN 1 a piece of wire for receiving television or radio signals
ADJECTIVE 2 happening in the air • We watched the aerial displays at the RAF airshow.
aero-
PREFIX to do with the air, for example aeroplane
[from Greek aer meaning air]
aerobics
NOUN a type of fast physical exercise that increases the oxygen in your blood and strengthens your heart and lungs
aerobic ADJECTIVE
aeroplane aeroplanes
NOUN a vehicle with wings and engines that enable it to fly
aerosol aerosols
NOUN a small, metal container in which liquid is kept under pressure so that it can be forced out as a spray
affair affairs
NOUN 1 an event or series of events • The wedding was a happy affair.
2 If something is your own affair, then it is your concern only.
affect affects, affecting, affected
VERB When something affects someone or something, it causes them to change. • Computers affect our lives in many ways.
affection
NOUN a feeling of love and fondness for someone
affectionate ADJECTIVE
affluent
ADJECTIVE People who are affluent have a lot of money and possessions.
afford affords, affording, afforded
VERB 1 If you can afford something, you have enough money to pay for it.
2 If you can afford to relax, you feel you have done enough work for the moment, and have time to take things easy.
afloat
ADVERB If something or someone is afloat, they are floating.
afraid
ADJECTIVE 1 If you are afraid, you are frightened.
SYNONYM: scared
2 If you are afraid something might happen, you worry that it might happen.
after
PREPOSITION OR ADVERB 1 later than a particular time, date or event • She left just after breakfast. • Soon after, he went to work.
PREPOSITION 2 If you come after someone or something, you are behind them and following them. • They ran after her.
afternoon afternoons
NOUN the part of the day between twelve noon and about six o’clock
afterwards
ADVERB after an event or time • We went swimming, and afterwards we had an ice cream.
again
ADVERB happening one more time • The film was so good that we went to see it again.
SYNONYM: once more
against
PREPOSITION 1 touching and resting on • He leaned the ladder against the wall.
2 in opposition to • France played against England.
age ages, ageing or aging, aged
NOUN 1 The age of something or someone is the number of years they have lived or existed.
2 a particular period in history • the Iron Age
PLURAL NOUN 3 INFORMAL Ages means a very long time. • He’s been talking for ages.
VERB 4 To age is to grow old or to appear older.
Ageing and aging are both correct spellings.
agency agencies
NOUN an organization or business that provides special services • detective agency • advertising agency
agenda agendas
NOUN a list of items to be discussed at a meeting
agent agents
NOUN 1 someone who does business or arranges things for other people • a travel agent
2 someone who works for their country’s secret service
aggravate aggravates, aggravating, aggravated
VERB 1 If you aggravate something, you make it worse.
2 INFORMAL If you aggravate someone, you annoy them.
aggravating ADJECTIVE aggravation NOUN
aggressive
ADJECTIVE full of hostility and violence • Some breeds of dog are more aggressive than others.
SYNONYMS: belligerent, hostile
agile
ADJECTIVE able to move quickly and easily • He is as agile as a cat.
agilely ADVERB agility NOUN
agitated
ADJECTIVE worried and anxious
agitation NOUN
ago
ADVERB in the past • She bought her flat three years ago.
agony
NOUN very great physical or mental pain
SYNONYMS: suffering, torment
agree agrees, agreeing, agreed
VERB 1 If you agree with someone, you have the same opinion as they do.
2 If you agree to do something, you say you will do it.
agreeable
ADJECTIVE 1 pleasant or enjoyable
2 If you are agreeable to something, you are willing to allow it or to do it.
agreeably ADVERB
agreement agreements
NOUN If you reach an agreement with one or more people, you make a decision with them or come to an arrangement with them.
agriculture
NOUN farming
ahead
ADVERB 1 in front • He looked ahead as he cycled down the road.
2 more advanced than someone or something else • Some countries are ahead of others in space travel.
3 in the future • I can’t think that far ahead.
aid aids
NOUN 1 money, equipment or services provided for people in need
2 something that makes a job easier • The whiteboard is a useful teaching aid.
ailment ailments
NOUN a minor illness
aim aims, aiming, aimed
VERB 1 If you aim at something, you point a weapon at it.
2 If you aim to do something, you are planning to do it.
SYNONYMS: intend, mean
NOUN 3 Your aim is what you intend to achieve. • The aim of the jumble sale is to raise money for charity.
SYNONYMS: goal, objective
aimless
ADJECTIVE If you are aimless, you have no clear purpose or sense of direction.
aimlessly ADVERB
air
NOUN 1 the mixture of oxygen and other gases that we breathe and that forms the earth’s atmosphere
2 the space around things or above the ground • The balloons floated up into the air.
3 used to refer to travel in aircraft • My uncle often travels by air.
air conditioning
NOUN a way of keeping cool, fresh air in a building
aircraft
NOUN any vehicle that can fly
air force air forces
NOUN the part of a country’s armed services that fights using aircraft
airline airlines
NOUN a company that provides air travel
airmail
NOUN the system of sending letters and parcels by air • He sent letters from Hong Kong to Britain by airmail.
airport airports
NOUN a place where people go to catch aeroplanes
airtight
ADJECTIVE If something is airtight, no air can get in or out.
aisle aisles
NOUN a long, narrow gap that people can walk along between rows of seats or shelves • The ticket collector was coming down the aisle.
ajar
ADJECTIVE A door or window that is ajar is slightly open.
alarm alarms, alarming, alarmed
NOUN 1 a feeling of fear and worry • The cat sprang back in alarm.
2 an automatic device used to warn people of something • The burglar alarm went off accidentally.
VERB 3 If something alarms you, it makes you worried and anxious.
album albums
NOUN 1 a CD, cassette or record with a number of songs on it
2 a book in which you keep a collection of things, such as photographs or stamps
alcohol
NOUN the name for drinks such as beer, wine and spirits
alert alerts, alerting, alerted
ADJECTIVE 1 If you are alert, you are paying full attention to what is happening.
SYNONYMS: vigilant, watchful
VERB 2 If you alert someone to a problem or danger, you warn them of it.
algebra
NOUN a branch of mathematics in which symbols and letters are used to represent unknown numbers
alias aliases
NOUN a false name
alibi alibis
NOUN If you have an alibi, you have evidence proving you were somewhere else when a crime was committed.
alien aliens
NOUN 1 In science fiction, an alien is a creature from outer space.
ADJECTIVE 2 Something that is alien to you seems strange because it is not part of your normal experience. • The desert is an alien environment to many people.
[from Latin alienus meaning foreign]
alight alights, alighting, alighted
ADJECTIVE 1 Something that is alight is burning.
VERB 2 If something alights somewhere, it lands there.
3 If someone alights from a vehicle, they get out of it.
alike
ADJECTIVE 1 Things that are alike are very similar in some way.
ADVERB 2 If people or things are treated alike, they are treated the same.
alive
ADJECTIVE If someone or something is alive, they are living.
alkali alkalis
NOUN a chemical substance sometimes used in cleaning materials. Alkalis can neutralize acids.
ANTONYM: acid
alkaline ADJECTIVE
all
ADJECTIVE, NOUN OR ADVERB 1 the whole of something • She told us all about it. • He ate all the chocolate.
ADVERB 2 also used to show that both sides in a game or contest have the same score • The final score was three points all.
Allah
PROPER NOUN the Muslim name for God
allege alleges, alleging, alleged
VERB If you allege that something is true, you say it’s true, but you cannot prove it.
allergy allergies
NOUN If you have an allergy to something, it makes you ill to eat or touch it.
allergic ADJECTIVE
alley alleys
NOUN a narrow street or passageway between buildings
alliance alliances
NOUN a group of countries, organizations or people who have similar aims and who work together to achieve them
alligator alligators
NOUN a large, scaly reptile, similar to a crocodile
[from Spanish el lagarto meaning lizard]
alliteration
NOUN the use of several words together that begin with the same letter or sound. For example, the slithery snake slid silently across the sand.
allotment allotments
NOUN a piece of land that people rent to grow fruit and vegetables on
allow allows, allowing, allowed
VERB If someone allows you to do something, they let you do it.
all right
ADJECTIVE 1 If something is all right, it is satisfactory, but not especially good. • Do you like mushrooms? They’re all right.
2 If someone is all right, they are safe and not harmed.
3 You say all right if you agree to something. • Will you help? All right.
ally allies
NOUN a person or a country that helps and supports another
SYNONYMS: friend, partner
almond almonds
NOUN an oval edible nut, cream in colour
almost
ADVERB very nearly • I have almost as many points as you.
SYNONYMS: just about, practically
alone
ADJECTIVE not with other people or things
along
PREPOSITION 1 moving forward • We strolled along the road.
2 from one end of something to the other • The cupboards stretched along the wall.
alongside
PREPOSITION OR ADVERB next to something • We tied our boat alongside the jetty.
aloud
ADVERB When you read aloud, you read so that people can hear you.
alphabet alphabets
NOUN all the letters used to write words in a language. The letters of an alphabet are written in a special order.
alphabetical
ADJECTIVE If something is in alphabetical order, it is arranged according to the letters of the alphabet.
alphabetically ADVERB
already
ADVERB If you have done something already, you did it earlier. • Josh has already gone to bed.
also
ADVERB in addition to something that has just been mentioned • I bought an ice cream, and I also bought a drink.
altar altars
NOUN a holy table in a church or temple
alter alters, altering, altered
VERB If something alters, or if you alter it, it changes.
alternate alternates, alternating, alternated
Said “ol-ter-nut” ADJECTIVE 1 If something happens on alternate days, it happens on one in every two days.
Said “ol-ter-nayt” VERB 2 If two things alternate, they regularly happen one after the other.
alternative alternatives
NOUN something you can do or have instead of something else • Is there an alternative to meat on the menu?
although
CONJUNCTION in spite of the fact that • He wasn’t well-known in America, although he had made a film there.
altitude altitudes
NOUN height above sea level • The mountain range reaches an altitude of 1330 metres.
altogether
ADVERB 1 completely or entirely • The car got slower, then stopped altogether.
2 in total – used of amounts • I have two cats and two dogs. That’s four pets altogether.
aluminium
NOUN a silvery-white, lightweight metal
always
ADVERB 1 all the time • He’s always late.
2 forever • I’ll always remember this day.
a.m.
a.m. is used to show times in the morning
[an abbreviation of the Latin ante meridiem meaning before noon]
am
VERB a present tense of be
amateur amateurs
NOUN someone who does something without being paid for it • He began playing football as an amateur, but now he is a professional.
amaze amazes, amazing, amazed
VERB If something amazes you, it surprises you very much.
SYNONYMS: astonish, astound
amazement NOUN
amazing
ADJECTIVE If something is amazing, it is very surprising.
amazingly ADVERB
ambassador ambassadors
NOUN a person sent to a foreign country as the representative of their own government
amber
NOUN 1 a hard, yellowish-brown substance from trees, used in making jewellery
NOUN OR ADJECTIVE 2 an orange-brown colour
ambiguous
ADJECTIVE If something is ambiguous, it can have more than one meaning.
ambiguously ADVERB ambiguity NOUN
ambition ambitions
NOUN If you have an ambition to do something, you want very much to do it.
amble ambles, ambling, ambled
VERB If you amble, you walk along in a slow, relaxed way.
ambulance ambulances
NOUN a vehicle for taking sick and injured people to hospital
ambush ambushes, ambushing, ambushed
NOUN 1 a surprise attack
VERB 2 If one group of people ambushes another, they hide and lie in wait, and then make a surprise attack.
ammonia
NOUN a strong-smelling, colourless liquid or gas, often used in cleaning substances
ammunition
NOUN anything that can be fired from a gun or other weapon, for example bullets and shells
amoeba amoebas or amoebae
NOUN a tiny living organism that has only one cell. An amoeba reproduces by dividing into two.
among or amongst
PREPOSITION 1 surrounded by
2 in the company of • He was among friends.
3 between more than two • The money will be divided among seven charities.
amount amounts
NOUN how much there is of something • You need a large amount of flour for this recipe.
amphibian amphibians
NOUN a creature that lives partly on land and partly in water, for example a frog or a newt
amphibious ADJECTIVE
amplify amplifies, amplifying, amplified
VERB If you amplify a sound, you make it louder.
amplifier NOUN
amputate amputates, amputating, amputated
VERB If a surgeon amputates part of the body, such as an arm or a leg, they cut it off.
amputation NOUN
amuse amuses, amusing, amused
VERB 1 If something amuses you, you think it is funny.
2 If you amuse yourself, you find things to do that stop you from being bored.
amused ADJECTIVE amusing ADJECTIVE
amusement amusements
NOUN 1 the feeling you have when you think that something is funny or you have pleasure
2 a mechanical device used for entertainment, at a fair for example
3 Amusements are ways of passing the time pleasantly.
an
ADJECTIVE An is used instead of a in front of words that begin with the vowels a, e, i, o, or u. • an apple • an egg
anaemia
NOUN a medical condition in which there are too few red cells in the blood. It makes you feel tired and look pale.
anaemic ADJECTIVE
anaesthetic anaesthetics; also spelt anesthetic
NOUN a substance that stops you feeling pain. A general anaesthetic stops you from feeling pain in the whole of your body by putting you to sleep. A local anaesthetic makes just one part of your body go numb.
anagram anagrams
NOUN a word or phrase formed by changing the order of the letters of another word or phrase. For example, draw is an anagram of ward and dear is an anagram of read.
analogue
ADJECTIVE An analogue watch or clock shows the time with pointers that move round a dial.
ANTONYM: digital
analogy analogies
NOUN a comparison between two things that are similar in some ways
analyse analyses, analysing, analysed
VERB If you analyse something, you investigate it carefully to understand it or to find out what it consists of.
anatomy anatomies
NOUN the study of the structure of bodies, both animal and human, to find out how they work
anatomical ADJECTIVE
ancestor ancestors
NOUN a member of your family who lived many years ago • He could trace his ancestors back 700 years.
[from Latin antecessor meaning one who goes before]
anchor anchors, anchoring, anchored
NOUN 1 a heavy, hooked object at the end of a chain. It is dropped from a boat into the water to keep the boat from floating away.
VERB 2 If you anchor something, you hold it down firmly.
ancient
ADJECTIVE Things that are ancient existed or happened a very long time ago.
ANTONYM: modern
and
CONJUNCTION You use and to link two or more parts of a sentence together. • Let’s go to the cinema and then have pizza.
anecdote anecdotes
NOUN a short, sometimes entertaining story about a person or an event
angel angels
NOUN a being who, some people believe, lives in heaven and acts as a messenger for God
[from Greek angelos meaning messenger]
anger
NOUN the strong feeling you get about something unfair or cruel
SYNONYMS: fury, rage, wrath
angle angles
NOUN 1 the distance between two lines at the point where they join together. Angles are measured in degrees. • an angle of 90 degrees
2 the direction from which you look at something • He painted pictures of the garden from all angles.
angry angrier, angriest
ADJECTIVE very annoyed
SYNONYMS: furious, cross
anguish
NOUN great suffering
animal animals
NOUN any living being that is not a plant
animation animations
NOUN a way of making films using drawings that appear to move when you watch them
animated ADJECTIVE
ankle ankles
NOUN the joint that connects your foot to your leg
annihilate annihilates, annihilating, annihilated
VERB If someone or something annihilates someone or something else, they destroy them completely.
annihilation NOUN
anniversary anniversaries
NOUN a date that is remembered because something special happened on that date in a previous year • We celebrated Mum and Dad’s twelfth wedding anniversary.
announce announces, announcing, announced
VERB If you announce something, you tell people about it publicly or officially. • They announced the team on Friday morning.
SYNONYM: make known
announcement NOUN
annoy annoys, annoying, annoyed
VERB If someone or something annoys you, they make you angry or impatient.
SYNONYMS: bother, irritate
annoyance NOUN
annual annuals
ADJECTIVE 1 happening once a year • our annual sports day
NOUN 2 a book that is published once a year for children
anonymous
ADJECTIVE If something is anonymous, nobody knows who is responsible for it. • The charity received an anonymous donation.
anorak anoraks
NOUN a warm, waterproof jacket, usually with a hood
[an Eskimo word]
anorexia
NOUN a psychological illness in which the person refuses to eat
[from Greek an + orexis meaning no appetite]
another
ADJECTIVE OR PRONOUN one more person or thing
answer answers, answering, answered
VERB 1 If you answer someone, you reply to them in speech or writing.
NOUN 2 the reply you give when you answer someone • I received an answer to my letter.
3 a solution to a problem
ant ants
NOUN Ants are small insects that live in large groups.
antagonize antagonizes, antagonizing, antagonized
VERB If you antagonize someone, you upset them and make them feel angry.
Antarctic
NOUN the area around the South Pole
antelope antelopes
NOUN a hoofed animal, similar to a deer
antenna antennae or antennas
NOUN 1 one of the two long, thin parts attached to the head of an insect or other animal, which it uses to feel with. The plural is antennae.
2 In Australian, New Zealand and American English, an antenna is a radio or television aerial. The plural is antennas.
anthem anthems
NOUN usually a song of celebration, and sometimes a religious song
anther anthers
NOUN the part of the stamen in a flower where the pollen matures
anthology anthologies
NOUN a collection of writings by various authors, published in one book
[from Greek anthologia meaning flower gathering]
anti-
PREFIX against or opposite • an antimalaria tablet
ANTONYM: pro-
antibiotic antibiotics
NOUN a drug or chemical used in medicine to kill bacteria and cure infections
anticipate anticipates, anticipating, anticipated
VERB If you anticipate an event, you are expecting it and are getting prepared for it.
anticipation NOUN
anticlimax anticlimaxes
NOUN If something is an anticlimax, it disappoints you because it is not as exciting as you expected, or because it occurs after something that was more exciting.
anticlockwise
ADJECTIVE OR ADVERB moving in the opposite direction to the hands of a clock
ANTONYM: clockwise
antidote antidotes
NOUN a chemical substance that works against the effects of a poison
antique antiques
NOUN an object from the past that is collected because of its value or beauty
antiseptic
ADJECTIVE Something that is antiseptic can kill some germs.
antler antlers
NOUN Antlers are the branched horns on the top of a male deer’s head.
antonym antonyms
NOUN a word that means the opposite of another word • Happy is the antonym of sad.
anxiety anxieties
NOUN nervousness or worry
anxious
ADJECTIVE 1 If you are anxious, you are nervous or worried.
2 If you are anxious to do something, you very much want to do it. • She was anxious to pass her ballet exam.
any
ADJECTIVE OR PRONOUN 1 one, some or several • Have you any sausages?
2 even the smallest amount or even one • She can’t eat nuts of any kind.
3 no matter which or what • I’m so thirsty, any drink will do.
anybody
PRONOUN any person
anyhow
ADVERB 1 in any case • It’s still early, but I’m going to bed anyhow.
2 in a careless way • They were all shoved in anyhow.
anyone
PRONOUN any person • I won’t tell anyone.
anything
PRONOUN any object, event, situation or action • Can you see anything?
anyway
ADVERB in any case • It’s raining, but I’m going out anyway.
anywhere
ADVERB in, at or to any place • Can you see him anywhere? • We haven’t got anywhere to play.
apart
ADVERB OR ADJECTIVE 1 When something is apart from something else, there is a space or a distance between them. • The gliders landed about seventy metres apart.
ADVERB 2 If you take something apart, you separate it into pieces.
apartment apartments
NOUN a set of rooms for living in, usually on one floor of a building
ape apes, aping, aped
NOUN 1 a large animal similar to a monkey, but without a tail. Apes include chimpanzees and gorillas.
VERB 2 If you ape someone’s speech or behaviour, you imitate it.
apex apexes or apices
NOUN The apex of something is its pointed top. • the apex of a cone
SYNONYM: vertex
apologize apologizes, apologizing, apologized; also spelt apologise
VERB When you apologize to someone, you say you are sorry for something you have said or done.
apology NOUN
apostrophe apostrophes
NOUN 1 a punctuation mark (‘) used to show that one or more letters have been missed out of a word, for example he’s for he is
2 Apostrophes are also used with -s at the end of a noun to show that what follows belongs to or relates to the noun. If the noun already has an -s at the end, for example because it is plural, the apostrophe comes after the s. For example, my brother’s books (one brother), my brothers’ books (more than one brother).
apparatus
NOUN the equipment used for a particular task • The firefighters wore breathing apparatus.
apparent
ADJECTIVE 1 An apparent situation seems to exist, although you cannot be certain of it.
2 clear and obvious • It was apparent they would get on well together.
apparently ADVERB
appeal appeals, appealing, appealed
VERB 1 If you appeal for something, you make an urgent request for it. • The police appealed for witnesses to come forward.
2 If something or someone appeals to you, you find them attractive or interesting.
NOUN 3 a formal or serious request • an appeal for funds to help people in need
appear appears, appearing, appeared
VERB 1 When something appears, it moves from somewhere you could not see to somewhere you can see it. • The sun appeared from behind the clouds.
2 If something appears to be a certain way, it seems or looks that way.
appearance appearances
NOUN 1 Someone’s or something’s appearance is the way they look to other people.
2 If a person makes an appearance in a film or a show, they take part in it.
3 The appearance of something is the time it begins to exist.
appendicitis
NOUN a painful illness in which a person’s appendix becomes infected
appendix appendices or appendixes
NOUN 1 Your appendix is a small, closed tube forming part of your digestive system.
2 extra information that comes at the end of a book
When appendix means the body part, the plural is appendixes. When it means the part of a book, the plural is appendices.
appetite appetites
NOUN a desire to eat
[from Latin appetere meaning to desire]
appetizing
ADJECTIVE When food is appetizing, it looks or smells good and you want to eat it.
applause
NOUN the sound of people clapping to show their enjoyment or approval of something
apple apples
NOUN a round fruit with smooth skin and firm white flesh
appliance appliances
NOUN any machine in your home that you use to do a job like cleaning or cooking. For example, a toaster is a kitchen appliance.
application applications
NOUN If you make an application for something, you make a formal request, usually in writing.
apply applies, applying, applied
VERB 1 If you apply for something, you ask for it formally, usually by writing a letter. • My brother is applying for jobs.
2 If you apply something to a surface, you put it on or rub it into the surface. • She applied sun cream to her face.
3 If you apply yourself to a task, you give it all of your attention.
appoint appoints, appointing, appointed
VERB If a person appoints someone to a job or position, they formally choose them for it. • The teacher appointed Sunita as team captain.
appointment appointments
NOUN an arrangement you have with someone to meet them
appreciate appreciates, appreciating, appreciated
VERB If you appreciate something that someone has done for you, you are grateful to them for it.
apprehensive
ADJECTIVE If you are apprehensive about something, you feel worried and unsure about it.
apprentice apprentices
NOUN someone who works with another person for a length of time to learn that person’s job or skill
approach approaches, approaching, approached
VERB If you approach something, you come near or nearer to it.
appropriate
ADJECTIVE suitable or acceptable for a particular situation
approval
NOUN If you ask for approval for something that you want to do, you ask for agreement with your plans.
approve approves, approving, approved
VERB 1 If you approve of something or someone, you think they are acceptable or good.
SYNONYMS: favour, like
2 If someone approves a plan or idea, they agree to it. • The council approved plans for the new swimming pool.
SYNONYMS: agree to, permit
approximate
ADJECTIVE near but not exactly right • What was the approximate time you arrived?
apricot apricots
NOUN a small, soft, yellowish-orange fruit
April
NOUN the fourth month of the year. April has 30 days.
apron aprons
NOUN a piece of clothing worn over the front of normal clothing to protect it
aquarium aquaria or aquariums
NOUN a glass tank filled with water in which fish and other aquatic animals or plants are kept
aquatic
ADJECTIVE An aquatic animal or plant lives in water.
aqueduct aqueducts
NOUN a bridge with many arches, which carries a water supply over a valley
arable
ADJECTIVE Arable land is used for growing crops.
arc arcs
NOUN 1 a smoothly curving line
2 In geometry, an arc is a section of the circumference of a circle.
arcade arcades
NOUN a covered passageway where there are shops or market stalls
arch arches, arching, arched
NOUN 1 a structure that has a curved top, supported on either side by a pillar or wall
VERB 2 If something arches, or if you arch it, it forms a curved line or shape. • The cat arched its back.
archaeology; also spelt archeology
NOUN the study of the past by digging up and examining the remains of things such as buildings, tools, and pots
[from Greek arkhaios meaning ancient]
archbishop archbishops
NOUN a bishop of the highest rank in a Christian Church • the Archbishop of Canterbury
archery
NOUN a sport in which people shoot at a target with a bow and arrow
architect architects
NOUN a person who designs buildings
architecture
NOUN the art or practice of designing buildings
arctic
NOUN 1 The Arctic is the region north of the Arctic Circle.
ADJECTIVE 2 very cold indeed • You need specially warm clothes for arctic conditions.
are
VERB a present tense of be
area areas
NOUN 1 a particular part of a place, country, or the world • a built-up area of the city
SYNONYMS: district, region, zone
2 the measurement of a flat surface • The area of the playground is 1500 square metres (1500 m2).
arena arenas
NOUN a place where sports and other public events take place
[from Latin harena meaning sand, because of the sandy centre of an amphitheatre where gladiators fought]
aren’t
VERB a contraction of are not
argue argues, arguing, argued
VERB 1 If you argue with someone about something, you disagree with them about it, sometimes in an angry way.
2 If you argue that something is true, you give reasons why you think that it is.
argument arguments
NOUN a talk between people who do not agree
arid
ADJECTIVE Arid land is very dry because there has been very little rain.
ANTONYM: fertile
arise arises, arising, arose, arisen
VERB When something such as an opportunity or a problem arises, it begins to exist.
aristocrat aristocrats
NOUN someone whose family has a high social rank, and who has a title such as Lord or Lady
aristocratic ADJECTIVE aristocracy NOUN
arithmetic
NOUN the part of mathematics that is to do with the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of numbers
[from Greek arithmos meaning number]
arithmetical ADJECTIVE
arithmetically ADVERB
arm arms, arming, armed
NOUN 1 the part of your body between your shoulder and your wrist
PLURAL NOUN 2 Arms are weapons used in a war.
VERB 3 If a country arms itself, it prepares for war.
armada armadas
NOUN a large fleet of warships • The Spanish Armada was the fleet sent to destroy the English in 1588.
armchair armchairs
NOUN a large chair with a support on each side for your arms
armistice armistices
NOUN In war, an armistice is an agreement to stop fighting.
armour
NOUN 1 In the past, armour was metal clothing worn for protection in battle.
2 In modern warfare, tanks are often referred to as armour.
army armies
NOUN a large group of soldiers who are trained to fight on land
aroma aromas
NOUN a strong, pleasant smell
[a Greek word meaning spice]
aromatic ADJECTIVE
around
PREPOSITION 1 situated at various points in a place or area • There are several post boxes around the town.
2 from place to place inside an area • We walked around the stalls at the summer fair.
3 surrounding or encircling a place or object • We were sitting around the table.
4 at approximately the time or place mentioned • The jumble sale began around noon.
arrange arranges, arranging, arranged
VERB 1 If you arrange to do something, or arrange something for someone, you make plans for it or make it possible. • I arranged to meet him later. • Dad arranged a trip to the circus for us.
2 If you arrange objects, you set them out in a particular way. • We arranged the books in alphabetical order.
array arrays
NOUN 1 a large number of different things displayed together
2 a mathematical way of grouping. For example, 3 × 2 is shown as ::: and 2 × 3 is shown as ⋮⋮.
arrest arrests, arresting, arrested
VERB 1 If the police arrest someone, they take them to a police station because they believe they may have committed a crime.
NOUN 2 An arrest is the act of arresting someone.
arrive arrives, arriving, arrived
VERB 1 When you arrive at a place, you reach it at the end of your journey.
2 When you arrive at a decision you make up your mind.
arrival NOUN
arrogant
ADJECTIVE Arrogant people behave as if they are better than other people.
arrow arrows
NOUN a long, thin weapon with a sharp point at one end, shot from a bow
arsenal arsenals
NOUN a place where weapons and ammunition are stored or produced
arsenic
NOUN a strong, dangerous poison that can kill
arson
NOUN the crime of deliberately setting fire to something, especially a building
art arts
NOUN 1 the creation of objects, such as paintings and sculptures, that are thought to be beautiful or that express a particular idea • He wanted to take art classes to learn how to draw and paint well.
2 Art is also used to refer to the objects themselves. • We saw lots of interesting paintings and sculptures at the art exhibition.
3 something that needs special skills or ability • I would like to master the art of sewing.
artery arteries
NOUN the tubes that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body
See vein
arterial ADJECTIVE
arthritis
NOUN a condition in which the joints in someone’s body become painful, and sometimes swollen
arthritic ADJECTIVE
article articles
NOUN 1 a piece of writing in a newspaper or magazine
2 a particular item • an article of clothing
artificial
ADJECTIVE Something artificial is created by people rather than occurring naturally.
ANTONYM: natural
artillery
NOUN 1 Artillery consists of large, powerful guns and rockets.
2 The artillery is the branch of an army that uses these weapons.
artist artists
NOUN a person who draws or paints or produces other works of art
as
CONJUNCTION 1 at the same time that • We watched television as we ate our sandwiches.
2 because • As I like school I get there early.
PHRASE 3 You use as if or as though when you are giving an explanation for something. • Shane walked past as if he didn’t know me.
ascend ascends, ascending, ascended
VERB FORMAL If someone or something ascends, they move or lead upwards. • We ascended the stairs to the second floor.
ANTONYM: descend
ash ashes
NOUN the grey or black powdery remains of anything that has been burnt • We put the ashes from the bonfire on the compost heap.
ashamed
ADJECTIVE 1 If you are ashamed, you feel embarrassed or guilty.
2 If you are ashamed of someone, you feel embarrassed to be connected with them.
ashore
ADVERB If someone or something comes ashore, they come on to the land from the sea or a river.
aside
ADVERB If you move something aside, you move it to one side. • She closed the book and laid it aside.
ask asks, asking, asked
VERB 1 If you ask someone something, you put a question to them.
2 If you ask someone to do something, you tell them you want them to do it. • We asked him to do his card trick.
3 If you ask for something, you say you would like to have it. • She asked for a drink of water.
4 If you ask someone to come or go somewhere, you invite them there.
asleep
ADJECTIVE If you are asleep, your eyes are closed and your whole body is resting.
aspect aspects
NOUN one of many ways of seeing or thinking about something
aspirin aspirins
NOUN 1 a white drug used to relieve pain, fever and colds
2 a small white tablet of this drug
ass asses
NOUN another word for donkey
assassinate assassinates, assassinating, assassinated
VERB If someone assassinates an important person, they murder them.
assassination NOUN
assault assaults
NOUN a violent attack on someone
[from Latin assalire meaning to leap upon]
assemble assembles, assembling, assembled
VERB 1 If people assemble, they gather together. • We assembled in the playground to watch the display.
2 If you assemble something, you fit the parts of it together. • It took us ages to assemble the model car.
assembly assemblies
NOUN a group of people who have gathered together for a meeting
assess assesses, assessing, assessed
VERB If you assess something, you consider it carefully and make a judgement about it. • She tried to assess how much further they had to walk.
SYNONYMS: judge, size up
asset assets
NOUN 1 If someone or something is an asset, they are useful or helpful. • He’s an asset to the school.
2 The assets of a person or a company are all the things they own that could be sold to raise money.
assignment assignments
NOUN a job you are given to do
assist assists, assisting, assisted
VERB If you assist someone, you help them to do something.
assistant assistants
NOUN someone who helps another person to do their job
associate associates, associating, associated
VERB 1 If you associate with someone, you spend time with them.
2 If you associate one thing with another, you make a connection between them.
association associations
NOUN 1 an organization for people who have similar interests, jobs or aims
2 An association between two things is a link you make in your mind between them.
assorted
ADJECTIVE Assorted things are a mixture of various sorts of something. They may be different colours, sizes and shapes.
assortment assortments
NOUN a group of similar things that are different sizes, shapes and colours • There was an amazing assortment of toys in the shop.
assume assumes, assuming, assumed
VERB 1 If you assume that something is true, you believe it, even if you have not thought carefully about it.
2 If you assume responsibility for something, you decide to do it. • I assumed responsibility for feeding the hamster.
assure assures, assuring, assured
VERB If you assure someone of something, you say something to make them less worried about it. • I assured him that I wouldn’t be late.
asterisk asterisks
NOUN a symbol (*) used in writing and printing to draw attention to something that is explained somewhere else, usually at the bottom of the page
asteroid asteroids
NOUN one of the large number of very small planets that move around the sun between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars
asthma
NOUN a disease of the chest that causes wheezing and difficulty in breathing
[from Greek azein meaning to breathe hard]
asthmatic ADJECTIVE
astonish astonishes, astonishing, astonished
VERB If something astonishes you, it surprises you very much.
astonished ADJECTIVE astonishing ADJECTIVE
astonishingly ADVERB astonishment NOUN
astrology
NOUN the study of the sun, moon and stars in the belief that their movements can influence people’s lives
astronaut astronauts
NOUN a person who operates a spacecraft
[from Greek astron meaning star and nautes meaning sailor]
astronomy
NOUN the scientific study of stars and planets
astronomer NOUN
at
PREPOSITION 1 where someone or something is • John waited for me at the bus stop.
2 the direction something is going in • I threw the snowball at my brother.
3 when something happens • The party starts at six o’clock.
ate
VERB the past tense of eat
atheist atheists
NOUN someone who does not believe in any form of God
athlete athletes
NOUN a person who is very good at sport and who takes part in sporting competitions
athletics
NOUN sporting events such as running, long jump and discus
Atlantic
NOUN the ocean that separates North and South America from Europe and Africa
atlas atlases
NOUN a book of maps
[from the giant Atlas in Greek mythology, who supported the sky on his shoulders]
atmosphere atmospheres
NOUN 1 gases that surround a planet
2 the general mood of a place • There was a friendly atmosphere at the party.
atom atoms
NOUN the smallest part of an element that can take part in a chemical reaction
atrocity atrocities
NOUN an extremely shocking and cruel act
attach attaches, attaching, attached
VERB If you attach something to something else, you join or fasten the two things together.
attachment attachments
NOUN 1 a feeling of love and affection for someone
2 a file attached to an e-mail
attack attacks, attacking, attacked
VERB 1 If someone attacks another person or animal, they use violence in order to hurt or kill them. • The lion attacked the zebra in order to kill it for food.
2 In a game such as football or hockey, players attack to get the ball into a position from which a goal can be scored.
NOUN 3 violent, physical action against someone
attempt attempts, attempting, attempted
VERB 1 If you attempt to do something, you try to do it.
NOUN 2 the act of trying to do something • He made a brave attempt to help.
attend attends, attending, attended
VERB 1 If you attend school, church or hospital, you go there regularly.
2 If you attend an event, you are present at it.
attend to
VERB If you attend to something, you deal with it. • We should attend to our homework before going to the park.
attendant attendants
NOUN someone whose job is to help people in a place such as a museum or shop
attention
NOUN the thought or care that you give to someone or something • I paid a lot of attention to my homework.
attentive
ADJECTIVE When you are attentive, you pay close attention.
attentively ADVERB
attic attics
NOUN a room at the top of a house immediately below the roof
attitude attitudes
NOUN the way you think about someone or something and behave towards them • I’m not going in that shop again. I don’t like their attitude.
attract attracts, attracting, attracted
VERB 1 If something attracts people, it interests them and makes them want to go to it.
2 If someone attracts you, you like them and are interested in them.
3 When magnetic materials are attracted to a magnet, they are pulled towards it.
attraction attractions
NOUN 1 If you feel an attraction for someone, you like them very much.
2 somewhere people like to visit for interest or pleasure, such as a fun fair or a stately home
3 A force of attraction pulls magnetic materials towards a magnet.
attractive
ADJECTIVE 1 Someone who is attractive is good-looking or has an exciting personality.
2 If something is attractive, it is interesting.
aubergine aubergines
NOUN a dark purple, pear-shaped vegetable. It is also called an eggplant.
auburn
ADJECTIVE a red-brown hair colour
auction auctions, auctioning, auctioned
NOUN 1 a public sale in which goods are sold to the person who offers the highest price
VERB 2 to sell something in an auction
audible
ADJECTIVE If something is audible, you can hear it.
audience audiences
NOUN 1 the group of people who are watching or listening to a performance
2 a private or formal meeting with an important person • The winners of the bravery awards had an audience with the Queen.
audition auditions
NOUN a short performance by an actor or musician, so that a director can decide whether they are suitable for a part in a play or a film, or for a place in an orchestra
auditorium auditoriums or auditoria
NOUN the part of a theatre or concert hall where the audience sits
August
NOUN the eighth month of the year. August has 31 days.
aunt aunts
NOUN Your aunt is the sister of your mother or father, or the wife of your uncle.
author authors
NOUN The author of a book is the person who wrote it.
authority authorities
NOUN 1 the power to tell other people what to do • The teacher had the authority to give me detention.
2 an organization that controls public interests • the local health authority
3 Someone who is an authority on something, knows a lot about it.
authorize authorizes, authorizing, authorized
VERB If someone authorizes something, they give official permission for it.
authorization NOUN
auto-
PREFIX 1 self or same • autobiography
2 self-propelling • automatic car
autobiography autobiographies
NOUN an account of someone’s life that they have written themselves
autobiographical ADJECTIVE
autograph autographs
NOUN the signature of a famous person
[from Greek auto meaning self and graphos meaning written]
automatic automatics
ADJECTIVE 1 An automatic machine is programmed to perform tasks without needing a person to operate it.
NOUN 2 a car in which the gears change automatically as the car’s speed changes
autumn autumns
NOUN the season between summer and winter, when the leaves fall off the trees • I love the golden colours of the trees in autumn.
available
ADJECTIVE 1 If something is available, it is easy to get or to buy.
2 A person who is available is ready for work or free to talk to.
avalanche avalanches
NOUN a huge mass of snow and ice that falls down a mountainside
avenue avenues
NOUN a street, especially one with trees along it
average averages
NOUN 1 a result obtained by adding several amounts together and then dividing the total by the number of different amounts • If I shared 36 sweets between four children, the average would be nine sweets per child.
ADJECTIVE 2 standard or usual • The average teenager is interested in pop music.
SYNONYMS: normal, ordinary, typical
PHRASE 3 You say on average when mentioning what usually happens in a situation. • Men are, on average, taller than women.
aviary aviaries
NOUN a large cage or group of cages in which birds are kept
aviation
NOUN the science of flying aircraft
avocado avocados
NOUN a pear-shaped fruit with dark green skin, soft greenish-yellow flesh, and a large stone
avoid avoids, avoiding, avoided
VERB 1 If you avoid someone or something, you keep away from them. • To avoid him, she went home the other way.
2 If you avoid doing something, you make an effort not to do it.
SYNONYMS: dodge, shirk
awake
ADJECTIVE Someone who is awake is not sleeping.
award awards, awarding, awarded
NOUN 1 a prize or certificate for doing something well
VERB 2 If someone awards you something, they give it to you formally or officially. • He was awarded the prize for fastest runner.
aware
ADJECTIVE 1 If you are aware of something, you know about it.
2 If you are aware of something, you can see, hear, smell or feel it.
away
ADVERB 1 moving from a place • I saw them walk away from the house.
2 at a distance from a place • The nearest supermarket is 12 kilometres away.
3 in its proper place • He put his CDs away.
4 not at home, school or work • My friend’s been away from school for a week.
awe
NOUN FORMAL a feeling of great respect mixed with amazement, and sometimes slight fear • Looking up at the mountains, we felt a sense of awe.
awful
ADJECTIVE very unpleasant or very bad • Isn’t the weather awful?
SYNONYMS: dreadful, terrible
awkward
ADJECTIVE 1 difficult to deal with • an awkward situation
2 clumsy and uncomfortable • The large bag was awkward to carry.
[from Old Norse ofugr meaning turned the wrong way]
axe axes
NOUN a tool with a handle and a sharp blade, used for chopping wood
axis axes
NOUN 1 an imaginary line through the middle of something, around which it moves • The earth turns on its axis.
2 one of the two sides of a graph
axle axles
NOUN the long bar that connects a pair of wheels on a vehicle
