English vocabulary (random)

plural broadcasts

Learner's definition of BROADCAST

1 [count] : a radio or television program

• a live/recorded broadcast

• Did you hear the broadcast of last night's game?

2  [noncount] : the act of sending out radio or television signals : the act of broadcasting something

• The judge decided to allow broadcast of the trial.

— sometimes used before another noun

• She wants to have a career in broadcast journalism. [=a career in broadcasting]

throngs; thronged; thronging

Learner's definition of THRONG

1 [+ object] : to go to (a place) in a large group or in large numbers

• Shoppers thronged the mall for the sales.

• The island was thronged with tourists. = Tourists thronged the island.

• People thronged [=filled] the streets.

2  [no object] : to gather in a crowd or in great numbers — + around or to

• Fans thronged around him.

• Shoppers thronged to the mall.

formal

: saying or showing that the answer is “yes” rather than “no”

• She gave an affirmative answer, not a negative answer.

— affirmatively

adverb

• She answered (the question) affirmatively.

suggests; suggested; suggesting

Learner's definition of SUGGEST

[+ object]

1 : to mention (something) as a possible thing to be done, used, thought about, etc.

• I suggest (that) you call the store.

• We suggested to the committee that they review the case again.

• It was suggested that we leave early.

[+] more examples

2 : to say that (someone or something) is good or deserves to be chosen : recommend

• Who would you suggest for the job?

• They suggested a restaurant we might want to try.

• I suggest caution in a situation like this.

3 : to show that (something) is likely or true : to indicate (something) usually without showing it in a direct or certain way

• The evidence suggests arson as the cause of the fire.

• There is nothing to suggest that the two events are connected.

• As the name suggests, a yarn winder is a device used to wind balls of yarn.

4 : to say (something) in an indirect way

• Are you suggesting [=implying] (that) he deliberately cheated?

• I think he's suggesting that we shouldn't have helped them.

suggest itself

somewhat formal, of an idea, plan, etc.

: to be thought of : to seem or become obvious

• No good solution suggested itself. [=I was unable to think of a good solution]

plural throngs

Learner's definition of THRONG

[count]

: a large group of people — often + of

• There were throngs of shoppers in the mall.

• A throng of fans was waiting for the players to arrive.

wets; wet or wetted; wetting

Learner's definition of WET

[+ object]

1 : to cause (something) to become wet

• I wet/wetted a sponge under the faucet.

• Avoid wetting the leaves when you water the plant.

• The morning dew had wet/wetted his shoes.

— often + down

• In the early evening, she wets down the grass with a hose.

2  : to make (a bed or your clothes) wet by urinating

• The little boy accidentally wet his pants.

• Our daughter was still wetting the bed. [=was still urinating while sleeping in bed]

• I laughed so hard I almost wet myself.

always used before a noun

1 of an animal US draft or British draught : used for pulling heavy loads

• draft animals/horses

2 of beer US draft or British draught : stored in and poured from a large container

• draft beer

3  : not yet in the final form

• a draft law/constitution/treaty

or British vapour /ˈveɪpɚ/

plural vapors

Learner's definition of VAPOR

[count, noncount]

: a substance that is in the form of a gas or that consists of very small drops or particles mixed with the air

• water vapor

or British parlour /ˈpɑɚlɚ/

plural parlors

Learner's definition of PARLOR

[count]

1 : a store or business that sells a specified kind of food or service

• an ice-cream parlor

• a pizza parlor

• a beauty/funeral/tattoo parlor

— see also massage parlor

2  old-fashioned : a room in a house or apartment that is used for conversation or for spending time with guests

• We sat in the front parlor [=a parlor in the front of a house/apartment] and had a nice visit.

Learner's definition of RECENTLY

[more recently; most recently]

: during the period of time that has just passed : not long ago

• She recently graduated from college.

• I was going to paint the room white, but more recently I've been considering a light blue.

• I saw him recently for the first time in many years.

[+] more examples

weaves; wove /ˈwoʊv/ or weaved; woven /ˈwoʊvən/ or weaved; weaving

Learner's definition of WEAVE

1 

◊ Wove is the usual past tense and woven the usual past participle for senses 1, 2, and 4. Weaved is the usual past tense and past participle for sense 3.

: to make something (such as cloth) by crossing threads or other long pieces of material over and under each other

[+ object]

• She weaves cloth on her loom.

• He wove a basket (from the branches). = He wove the branches into a basket.

[no object]

• She spins and weaves.

2 [+ object] : to create something (such as a story) by combining different things in usually a complicated way

• The author has woven an exciting tale of adventure and romance.

• She wove episodes from many sources into a single narrative.

— often + together

• The musicians wove together a beautiful and complex melody.

• The story weaves together [=combines] the past and present in surprising ways.

3 : to move from side to side while going forward especially in order to avoid the people or things that are in front of you

[no object]

• The car was weaving in and out of traffic.

• She weaved through the defenders and scored a goal.

[+ object]

• He weaved his way through the crowd.

4 [+ object] of a spider : to create (a web) : spin

• a spider weaving its web

— weaver

/ˈwiːvɚ/ noun, plural weavers [count]

• a basket weaver

• a weaver of blankets

• a weaver of tales

tends; tended; tending

Learner's definition of TEND

1 

[no object]

a  — used to describe what often happens or what someone often does or is likely to do — followed by to + verb

• He tends to slouch.

• I have to be careful about what I eat because I tend to gain weight easily.

• People in my family tend to be tall. [=a lot of people in my family are tall]

[+] more examples

b  — used to describe a quality that someone or something often has or is likely to have — + toward or towards

• He tends towards perfectionism. [=he tends to be a perfectionist]

• Her decorating style tends toward the informal. [=tends to be informal]

2  : to give your attention to and take care of (something or someone)

[+ object]

• Please tend [=mind] the store while I'm away.

• She tends her garden daily.

• well-tended gardens

• He tended his ailing mother.

[no object]

— + to

• I have to tend to (the) business.

• The nurse tended to their wounds.

² bark /ˈbɑɚk/ noun

plural barks

Learner's definition of BARK

[count]

: the short, loud sound made by a dog

• The dog gave a loud bark.

also : a similar sound

• The captain gave his orders with a sharp bark.

• The bark of the baby's cough woke the other children.

◊ If your bark is worse than your bite, you appear to be more angry or dangerous than you really are.

• Don't get upset if the boss yells at you. His bark is worse than his bite.

— compare ³bark, ⁴bark

³ bark /ˈbɑɚk/ noun

plural barks

Learner's definition of BARK

: the outer covering of a tree

[noncount]

• a piece of birch bark

[count]

• She compared the barks of various trees.

— compare ²bark, ⁴bark

⁴ bark noun

or barque /ˈbɑɚk/

plural barks or barques

Learner's definition of BARK

[count]

: a small sailing ship

— compare ²bark, ³bark

1 

[noncount] : a forceful quality in the way something is said or written

• You need to state your arguments with greater emphasis. [=state your arguments more forcefully]

2 [noncount] : added force that is given to a word or syllable when speaking

• The emphasis [=stress] in the word “happiness” is on the first syllable.

3  : special importance or attention given to something

[noncount]

— usually + on

• The emphasis in this drill is on using proper technique.

• She puts/places/lays (particular/special/great) emphasis on developing good study habits.

[count]

• Our candidate's plan has a different emphasis.

: an idea or quality that a word makes you think about in addition to its meaning

• a word with negative/positive connotations

• For many people, the word “fat” has negative connotations.

• The word “childlike” has connotations of innocence.

— compare denotation

Learner's definition of ALTHOUGH

1 : despite the fact that : though — used to introduce a fact that makes another fact unusual or surprising

• Although [=while, even though] he was hungry, he could not eat.

• Although we rarely see each other, we're still very good friends. = We're still very good friends although we rarely see each other.

• Although [=while] I'd love to have dinner with you tonight, I already have plans.

[+] more examples

2  : but, however, though — used when making a statement that differs from or contrasts with a statement you have just made

• I don't believe we've met before, although I must say you do look very familiar.

• I think his name is John, although I'm not completely sure about that.

• I'd love to have dinner with you, although I can't.

• The book had a good, although not great, plot.

achieves; achieved; achieving

Learner's definition of ACHIEVE

1 [+ object] : to get or reach (something) by working hard

• This year, our company was able to achieve [=accomplish, attain] all of its production goals.

• He worked hard and achieved success. [=became successful]

• a diet that achieves dramatic results

[+] more examples

2 [no object] : to become successful : to reach a goal

• We give students the skills they need in order to achieve in college.

— achievable

/əˈtʃiːvəbəl/ adjective [more achievable; most achievable]

• achievable goals

denies; denied; denying

Learner's definition of DENY

[+ object]

1 a  : to say that something is not true

• He denied the report that he would be quitting his job.

• She denies all the charges that have been made against her.

• I don't deny that I have made some mistakes. [=I admit that I have made some mistakes]

[+] more examples

b  : to refuse to accept or admit (something)

• You can't deny her beauty. = You can't deny that she is beautiful.

• She denied responsibility [=she said that she was not responsible] for the error.

2 : to refuse to give (something) to someone : to prevent someone from having or receiving (something)

• The banks denied [=refused] them credit.

• The judge denied their request.

• I don't want to deny them this pleasure. = I don't want to deny this pleasure to them.

• a government that denies its citizens basic freedoms

— see also denied bail at ¹bail

deny yourself

: to not allow yourself to enjoy things or to have the things that you want

• On this diet, I don't feel like I'm denying myself.

• I'm not denying myself the foods that I love, I'm just eating smaller amounts.

• He's always denied himself the simple pleasures in life.

plural mickeys

Learner's definition of MICKEY

[count] informal + old-fashioned

: a drink of alcohol to which a drug has been added to cause the person who drinks it to become unconscious

• Someone tried to slip him a mickey. [=tried to knock him out by giving him a drugged drink]

take the mickey (out of someone)

British, informal

: to make fun of someone

• Did you mean what you said about me or were you just taking the mickey? [=kidding]

• We took the mickey out of her [=we teased her] about her new hairstyle.

Learner's definition of SPITE

[noncount]

: a desire to harm, anger, or defeat another person especially because you feel that you have been treated wrongly in some way

• He is jealous and full of spite.

• an act of spite

• You only denied his request out of (pure) spite.

in spite of

: without being prevented by (something) : despite — used to say that something happens or is true even though there is something that might prevent it from happening or being true

• He failed the test in spite of all his studying.

• She went ahead in spite of the snow.

• They made it on time in spite of the fact that they got a flat tire.

in spite of yourself

: even though you do not want to or expect to

• I ended up having a good time in spite of myself.

[+ object]

1 a  : to use a capital letter to write, print, or type (a letter of the alphabet)

• Remember to capitalize the I in Internet.

b  : to begin (a word or name) with a capital letter

• Capitalize the first word of your sentence.

• She rarely capitalizes her name when she signs her e-mails.

2 a  : to provide the money that is needed to start or develop (a business)

• They're seeking investors (in order) to capitalize the business.

• The venture was capitalized with a loan of one million dollars.

b  : to sell (something valuable, such as property or stock) in order to get money : to convert (something) into capital

• You can capitalize your investment at any time.

capitalize on

[phrasal verb]

capitalize on (something)

: to use (something, such as an event or situation) in a way that helps you : to get an advantage from (something)

• They were able to capitalize on [=take advantage of] our mistakes.

• She capitalized on her new fame by writing a book.

— capitalization

also British capitalisation /ˌkæpətələˈzeɪʃən/ Brit /ˌkæpətəˌlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ noun [noncount]

• Please check your spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. [=use of capital letters]

A barrier which separates the mundane from the Transcendent Reality. A true Wonderwall will always have a crack, or a slit or an opening which allows anyone a glimpse of what lies beyond the Wonderwall.

I peeked through the opening of the Wonderwall and saw a dim glimmer of Krishna.

plural efforts

1 : work done by the mind or body : energy used to do something

[noncount]

• He put a lot of effort into finishing the project on time.

[count]

• Our success is due to the combined/concerted efforts of many people.

• Her efforts were rewarded with a new contract.

• He lost the campaign despite the best efforts of his supporters.

◊ If you get an A for effort or an E for effort or (Brit) full marks for effort, you are given credit for working hard to do something, even though the result of the work was not successful.

• His novel's surprise ending is not really convincing, but we'll give him an A for effort.

2 [count] : a serious attempt to do something

• Even though they didn't win, the team made a good/valiant effort.

— often followed by to + verb

• He made no effort to hide his feelings. [=he showed his feelings openly]

• In an effort to avoid further delays, the delivery process has been simplified.

3 [count] : something produced by work

• This painting was one of my best efforts.

• It wasn't bad for a first effort.

4 [singular] : something that is hard to do

• I was so tired this morning that it was an effort (for me) to get out of bed.

5  [noncount] : all that is being done to achieve a particular goal

• He wanted to contribute in some way to the war effort. [=to the effort to win the war]

: a device shaped like a cylinder that a string, cord, etc., is wrapped around

• a garden hose reel

• (Brit) a cotton reel [=(US) a spool of thread]

b  : a device that is attached to the handle of a fishing pole and used to wrap and release the line

• He bought a new rod and (fishing) reel.

— see picture at fishing

c  : an object that is used to hold and release film or tape

• a reel of film

2  : a part of a movie that is on a reel of film

• There's an exciting chase scene in the movie's second reel.

plural bends

Learner's definition of BEND

1 [count] : a curved part of something

• a bend in a road/stream

• They live just around/past the next bend (in the road).

• the graceful bends [=curves] of the stairway

2 [count] : the act or process of bending something

• a quick bend of the body

• knee bends

3 the bends medical : a painful and dangerous condition caused by rising to the surface too quickly after being deep underwater

— called also decompression sickness

around the bend

(chiefly US) informal or chiefly British round the bend1 : crazy

• The pressure of his job nearly drove him around the bend.

• He almost went around the bend.

• If you ask me, she's completely round the bend.

2 US : occurring soon

• The end of summer is just/right around the bend. [=around the corner]

— bendy

/ˈbɛndi/ adjective, bendier; bendiest chiefly British, informal [also more bendy; most bendy]

• a bendy [=flexible] toy

• a bendy road [=a road with many curves]

1 

: to demand that something happen or that someone do something

[no object]

• I didn't want to go, but she insisted.

• “Come on, let's go.” “Oh, all right, if/since you insist.”

[+ object]

— usually + that

• She insisted that I (should) go.

• The source for my story insisted that I not reveal his/her name.

2 [+ object] : to say (something) in a way that is very forceful and does not allow disagreement

• She insists the money is hers.

— usually + that

• She kept insisting that she was right.

• He insists that these problems are not his fault.

• Both men insist that they are innocent.

insist on

[phrasal verb] also insist upon

1 insist on/upon (something) or insist on/upon doing (something) : to say or show that you believe that something is necessary or very important

• My source insisted on anonymity.

• She insists on doing everything her own way.

• They adamantly insisted upon (their) being included in the meeting.

2  insist on/upon doing (something) informal : to continue doing (something that other people think is annoying or unimportant)

• The people sitting next to us insisted on talking during the entire movie.

plural stamps

Learner's definition of STAMP

1 

[count]

a  : a small piece of paper that you buy and then stick to an envelope or package to pay the cost of mailing it

• a 39-cent stamp

— called also postage stamp

— see picture at mail

b  : a small piece of paper that is attached to something and that shows that a tax or fee has been paid — see also food stamp

2 

[count]

a  : a device or tool that is used to mark something (such as a piece of paper) with a design, pattern, word, etc., by being pushed against a surface : a device or tool used for stamping something — see also rubber stamp

b  : the mark made by a stamp

• There was a stamp on the letter showing the date when it was received.

3 a  [singular] : a sign of a special or specific quality — usually + of

• Her poetry bears the stamp of genius.

• His quiet manner gives/lends his words the stamp of authority. [=makes his words seem authoritative]

b  [count] : an indication of something — usually singular

• She gave the plan her stamp of approval. [=she approved the plan]

c  [singular] : an important or lasting effect

• He put/left his stamp on the process. [=he affected/changed the process in some important way]

4 [singular] literary : a particular kind or type

• He was a man of a different stamp. [=he was a different sort of man]

5  [count] : the act of bringing your foot down heavily and noisily

• an angry stamp of his foot

Learner's definition of RELIABLE

[more reliable; most reliable]

1 : able to be trusted to do or provide what is needed : able to be relied on

• a reliable car

• a reliable source of safe drinking water [=a way to get safe drinking water every time you need it]

• He's not very reliable. You can't always count on him to do what he says he'll do.

2 : able to be believed : likely to be true or correct

• a reliable witness

• It's a rumor, but I heard it from a reliable source. [=someone who is likely to have accurate information]

• We can't write a report without reliable data.

• We need more reliable information before we can take action.

— reliability

/rɪˌlajəˈbɪləti/ noun [noncount]

• These cars are known for their reliability.

— reliably

/rɪˈlajəbli/ adverb

• How can I get my computer to work reliably?

• Few analysts can reliably estimate corporate profits.

plural purchases

Learner's definition of PURCHASE

1 : an act of buying something

[count]

• credit card purchases

• cash purchases

[noncount]

• The CD player is guaranteed for one year from the date of purchase.

• Getting a rebate requires proof of purchase. [=something, such as a receipt, that proves that you bought something]

2 [count] : something that is bought

• The car was an expensive purchase.

• He displayed his recent purchases with pride.

3  : a firm hold or grip that makes movement possible

[singular]

• The ice made it impossible for the car's wheels to gain/get a purchase on the road.

[noncount]

• The surface was so slick that the wheels couldn't gain purchase.

— sometimes used figuratively

• I couldn't get a purchase on the problem. [=I couldn't get a good understanding of the problem]

shears; sheared; sheared or shorn /ˈʃoɚn/ ; shearing

Learner's definition of SHEAR

[+ object]

1 a  : to cut the hair, wool, etc., off (an animal)

• The farmers sheared the sheep.

b  : to cut off (an animal's hair, wool, etc.)

• The farmers sheared the wool from the sheep.

— often + off

• The farmers sheared off the wool from the sheep.

2 : to cut off a person's hair — usually used as (be) shorn

• His long locks were shorn.

• the monk's shorn head

3 literary : to take something away from (someone) — usually used as (be) shorn

• a tyrant who has been shorn of power [=a tyrant whose power has been taken away]

shear off

[phrasal verb]1 : to become separated suddenly because of great force

• The excess weight caused the bolt to shear off.

2 shear (something) off or shear off (something) : to remove (something) with great force

• The impact of the crash sheared off the airplane's wing.

— shearer

noun, plural shearers [count]

[more mundane; most mundane]

1 : dull and ordinary

• mundane chores, like washing dishes

• They lead a pretty mundane life.

2  : relating to ordinary life on earth rather than to spiritual things

• prayer and meditation helped her put her mundane worries aside

hurls; hurled; hurling /ˈhɚlɪŋ/

Learner's definition of HURL

1 [+ object] : to throw (something) with force

• Someone hurled a rock through the window.

• He hurled a chair at me.

• It looked like she was going to hurl herself down the stairs.

2 [+ object] : to say or shout (something, such as an insult) in a loud and forceful way

• The protesters hurled insults at us.

3 

[no object] US slang : vomit

— hurler

/ˈhɚlɚ/ noun, plural hurlers [count]

• a baseball team with several talented hurlers [=pitchers]

[count] : a sudden loud noise

• I heard a loud bang.

• The door slammed shut with a bang.

b  — used as an interjection to imitate a loud noise (such as the sound of a gun being fired)

• “Bang, bang! You're dead.”

◊ In British English the informal phrase bang goes is used when you are saying that something you wanted or planned has become impossible.

• The airport closed and bang went our holiday plans! [=our holiday plans were ruined because the airport closed]

2 [count] : a hard hit or blow

• She got a nasty bang [=bump] on her head.

bang for the buck

US, informal also bang for your buck— used to describe how much value is received when money is spent

• This restaurant offers people the most bang for the buck. [=offers more than other restaurants for the same price]

• He claims that the new stadium offers taxpayers too little bang for the buck. [=that the new stadium is not worth the tax money that is being spent on it]

get a bang out of

US, informal: to enjoy (something) very much

• You'll get a bang out of [=you'll like] this story.

• She got a bang out of [=got a kick out of] watching her grandson at the beach.

with a bang

: in a sudden and exciting way

• The movie begins/starts with a bang and never slows down.

Learner's definition of URGENT

[more urgent; most urgent]

1 : very important and needing immediate attention

• an urgent [=pressing] need for food/reform

• We've come to deliver an urgent message.

• an urgent appeal/request for assistance

• an urgent care center/facility [=a place where people who are sick or injured can go for immediate treatment instead of a hospital emergency room]

2 : showing that something is very important and needs immediate attention

• He addressed us in an urgent manner.

• An urgent voice came over the intercom, telling us to leave the building immediately.

— urgency

/ˈɚʤənsi/ noun [noncount]

• I'm not convinced of the urgency of the problem. [=I'm not convinced that the problem is urgent]

— urgently

adverb

• Volunteers are urgently needed to help with the crisis.

• speaking/calling urgently

[+ object]

1 : to say that (someone or something) is good and deserves to be chosen

• A friend recommended this restaurant.

• I can't decide between the lasagna and the salmon. Which do you recommend?

• They recommended her for a promotion after only two years.

• The film is recommended to anyone who liked her earlier movies.

2 : to suggest that someone do (something)

• It is strongly recommended that you change the oil in your car every 5,000 miles.

• Take only the recommended dose of cough syrup.

• I recommend [=suggest] getting to the theater an hour early to be sure you get tickets. = I recommend that you get to the theater an hour early.

• You may decide to pursue the matter in court, but I wouldn't recommend it.

3  : to make (something or someone) seem attractive or good

• As a vacation destination, the area has much to recommend it. [=there are many things that make it a good vacation destination]

• He has little/nothing to recommend him as a political candidate. [=he has little/nothing that suggests he would be an attractive or successful candidate]

[count] : an extra part that can be used with a machine to make it do a particular job

• The vacuum cleaner attachments help clean in tight spaces.

• I need a longer attachment for the drill.

2 : strong feelings of affection or loyalty for someone or something

[count]

— usually singular

• the baby's attachment to his mother

• They all have a deep attachment to the old house.

[noncount]

• People need emotional attachment.

3 [count] : a document or file that is sent with e-mail

• I'll send the document as an attachment to my next e-mail.

4 a  [count] : a part that is used to connect or attach something

• The attachments that connect the rack to the car are rusted and should be replaced.

b  [noncount] : the act of connecting or attaching something

• There are two brackets for attachment of the shelf.

on attachment

British

: working for a limited time in a particular place — usually + to

• She's on attachment to Australia for a month.

: very quickly in usually an unexpected way : in a sudden way

• Suddenly the lights went out.

• I was suddenly very nervous.

• There were no instances of the disease here until it suddenly appeared last year.

Learner's definition of ENVIOUS

[more envious; most envious]

: feeling or showing a desire to have what someone else has : feeling or showing envy

• envious neighbors

• an envious look

— often + of

• His neighbors were envious [=jealous] of his success.

— enviously

adverb

• We looked enviously at his new car.

: in a position of less power or authority than someone else

• a subordinate officer/commander

— often + to

• The priests are subordinate to the bishops.

2  : less important than someone or something else

• a subordinate concern

— often + to

• In some cultures, the welfare of the individual is subordinate to the welfare of the group.