TIME, DISTANCE & CLARITY
pale 1 / pel / adjective
1 having a skin colour that is very white, or whiter than it usually is :
He looked very pale and drawn.
turn/go pale
He suddenly went pale.
Sharon went deathly pale and looked as if she might faint.
an elderly pale-faced woman
2 a pale colour has more white in it than usual OPP deep SYN light :
pale blue curtains
3 pale light is not bright :
the pale gray dawn
4 pale imitation (of something) something that is similar to, but not as good as, something
else :
The cheese is a pale imitation of real Parmesan.
dusky / dski / adjective
dark or not very bright in colour :
The room was filled with dusky shadows.
dusky pink/orange/blue etc
a dusky pink room
somehow / smha / adverb
1 in some way, or by some means, although you do not know how :
Dont worry, well get the money back somehow.
Somehow, I managed to lose my keys.
Maybe we could glue it together somehow or other .
2 for some reason that is not clear to you or that you do not understand :
Somehow, I just dont think itll work.
take note (of something): to pay attention to something SYN notice :
People were beginning to take note of her talents as a writer.
His first album made the music world stand up and take note .
canopy / knpi / noun ( plural canopies ) [ countable ]
1 a cover made of cloth that is fixed above a bed, seat etc as a decoration or as a shelter
2 the leaves and branches of trees, that make a kind of roof in a forest :
the forest canopy
3 literary something that spreads above you like a roof :
a canopy of twinkling stars
canopied adjective
tedium / tidim / noun [ uncountable ]
the feeling of being bored because the things you are doing are not interesting and
continue for a long time without changing SYN boredom :
We sang while we worked, to relieve the tedium .
tedium of
the tedium of everyday life
lush 1 / l / adjective
1 plants that are lush grow many leaves and look healthy and strong :
a lush green mountainous island
The fields were lush with grass and flowers.
2 very beautiful, comfortable, and expensive SYN luxurious :
lush carpets
3 lush music has a lot of pleasant-sounding instruments or voices together :
lush vocal harmonies
4 informal very attractive or nice used especially by young people :
He looks so lush in this pic!
shady / edi / adjective ( comparative shadier , superlative shadiest )
1 protected from the sun or producing shade :
a shady street
It was nice and shady under the trees.
2 probably dishonest or illegal SYN suspicious :
a shady character
Shes been involved in some shady deals .
patch 1 / pt / noun [ countable ]
1 part of an area a small area of something that is different from the area around it
patch of
We finally found a patch of grass to sit down on.
Belinda watched a patch of sunlight move slowly across the wall.
Look out for icy patches on the road.
a cat with a white patch on its chest
He combs his hair over his bald patch .
2 over a hole a small piece of material that is sewn on something to cover a hole in it :
a jacket with leather patches at the elbows
3 for growing something a small area of ground for growing fruit or vegetables :
a strawberry patch
4 computer a small computer program that is added to software to solve problems
5 eye a piece of material that you wear over your eye to protect it when it has been hurt :
He had a black patch over one eye.
6 decoration American English a small piece of cloth with words or pictures on it that you
can sew onto clothes SYN badge British English
7 a bad/difficult/sticky/rough patch informal a period of time when you are having a lot of
difficulty :
Gemmas going through a bad patch right now.
8 sbs patch British English informal an area that someone knows very well because
they work or live there SYN turf :
Policemen know whats going on in their home patch.
9 not be a patch on somebody/something British English informal to be much less
attractive, good etc than something or someone else :
The second film isnt a patch on the first.
stumble / stmb l / verb [ intransitive ]
1 to hit your foot against something or put your foot down awkwardly while you are walking
or running, so that you almost fall SYN trip :
In her hurry, she stumbled and spilled the milk all over the floor.
stumble over/on
Vic stumbled over the step as he came in.
2 to walk in an unsteady way and often almost fall SYN stagger
stumble in/out/across etc
He stumbled upstairs and into bed.
3 to stop or make a mistake when you are reading to people or speaking
stumble over/at/through
I hope I dont stumble over any of the long words.
stumble on/across/upon something phrasal verb
to find or discover something by chance and unexpectedly SYN come across :
Researchers have stumbled across a drug that may help patients with Parkinsons disease.
trip 1 / trp / noun
1 [ countable ] a visit to a place that involves a journey, for pleasure or a particular
purpose
trip to
Did you enjoy your trip to Disneyland?
trip from
The Palace is only a short trip from here.
business/school/shopping etc trip
a business trip to Japan
Two lucky employees won a round-the-world trip.
coach/boat/bus trip
a boat trip up the Thames
day trip (= a pleasure trip done in one day )
Its an 80-mile round trip (= a journey to a place and back again ) to Exeter.
return trip (= when you are travelling back to where you started )
Im afraid youve had a wasted trip (= a trip in which you do not achieve your purpose )
Mr Burgess has already left.
go on/take a trip
Were thinking of taking a trip to the mountains.
He was unable to make the trip to accept the award.
the return trip (= the journey back to a place ) A day or two later she began her return
trip to Chicago.
a wasted trip (= a trip in which you do not achieve what you wanted to ) Im afraid youve
had a wasted trip. We dont have those shoes in stock.
vivid / vvd, vvd / adjective
1 vivid memories, dreams, descriptions etc are so clear that they seem real OPP vague :
Ive got vivid memories of that summer.
He had a vivid picture of her in his mind.
2 vivid imagination an ability to imagine unlikely situations very clearly
3 vivid colours or patterns are very bright :
his vivid blue eyes
vividly adverb :
I can vividly remember the day we met.
vividness noun [ uncountable ]
unsettle / nsetl / verb [ transitive ]
to make someone feel slightly nervous, worried, or upset :
The sudden changes unsettled Judy.
peal 2 verb [ intransitive ]
1 ( also peal out ) if bells peal, they ring loudly :
The bells pealed out on Christmas Day.
2 literary to make a loud sound :
Lightning flashed and thunder pealed.
soundtrack / sandtrk / noun [ countable ]
the recorded music from a film
soundtrack to
the soundtrack to Top Gun
vaguely / veli / adverb
1 slightly OPP clearly :
I vaguely remember a woman in a red dress standing outside the door.
There was something vaguely familiar about him.
I was vaguely aware of another figure by the door.
2 not clearly or exactly :
His statement was very vaguely worded.
3 in a way that shows you are not thinking about what you are doing :
He smiled vaguely at the ceiling.
stretch 1 / stret / verb
1 make something bigger/looser
a) [ intransitive and transitive ] to make something bigger or looser by pulling it, or to
become bigger or looser as a result of being pulled :
A spiders web can stretch considerably without weakening.
Where can I buy those things that stretch your shoes?
b) [ intransitive not in progressive ] if a material stretches, it can become bigger or
longer when you pull it and then return to its original shape when you stop
2 body [ intransitive and transitive ] to straighten your arms, legs, or body to full length :
Carl sat up in bed, yawned, and stretched.
Always stretch before exercising.
3 reach [ intransitive always +adverb/preposition ] to reach a long way for something
stretch across/over
Ann stretched across the couch and grabbed the phone.
4 make something tight [ transitive ] to pull something so that it is tight :
The canvas is stretched over a wooden frame.
5 time/series [ intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition ] to continue over a
period of time or in a series, or to make something do this
stretch into/on/over etc
Bergs career as a government official stretched over 20 years.
With a goal in the second half, Spurs stretched their lead to 30.
6 in space [ intransitive always + adverb/preposition ] to spread out or cover a large area
of land
stretch to/into/away etc
Row after row of orange trees stretched to the horizon.
a line stretching around the block
7 stretch your legs informal to go for a walk, especially after sitting for a long time
8 stretch (sbs) patience/credulity to be almost beyond the limits of what someone can
accept or believe :
The kids stretch my patience to the limit.
9 rule/limit [ transitive ] British English to allow something that would not normally be
allowed by a rule or limit :
This once, Ill stretch the rules and let you leave work early.
Well stretch a point (= allow a rule to be broken ) and let the baby travel free this time.
stretch the rules at rule 1 ( 1 )
10 stretch the truth/facts to say or write something that is not completely true :
Reporters sometimes stretch the facts to make a point.
leave somebody/something behind phrasal verb
1 to not take someone or something with you when you leave a place :
I think I might have left my wallet behind.
He departed for Washington, leaving the children behind with their mother.
2 if a person, country, or organization is left behind, they do not develop as quickly or make
as much progress as other people, countries etc :
In class, a child with poor eyesight can soon get left behind.
a fear of being left behind by better-organized rivals
3 ( also leave somebody/something behind you ) to permanently stop being involved with
a person, place or situation :
Its time to leave the past behind .
Although Armstrong overcame the circumstances of his birth, he never really left New
Orleans behind.
4 ( also leave somebody/something behind you ) to move away from someone or
something :
They had left the city behind and were heading into open country.
Sarah, with her long legs, soon left the rest of us far behind .
5 ( also leave something behind you ) to produce a thing or situation that remains after
you have gone :
He drove off, leaving behind him a trail of blue smoke.
the mess the previous government left behind
eave it out! British English spoken used to tell someone to stop lying, pretending, or
being annoying
brawl 1 / brl $ brl / noun [ countable ]
a noisy quarrel or fight among a group of people, especially in a public place :
a drunken brawl in the street
messy / mesi / adjective ( comparative messier , superlative messiest )
1 dirty or untidy :
a messy room
Sorry the place is so messy, I havent had time to clear up.
2 informal a messy situation is complicated and unpleasant to deal with :
Hes just been through a particularly messy divorce.
3 making someone or something dirty or untidy :
messy jobs like plumbing, plastering, and tiling
messily adverb
messiness noun [ uncountable ]
Stir 1 / st $ str / verb ( past tense and past participle stirred , present participle
stirring )
1 mix [ transitive ] to move a liquid or substance around with a spoon or stick in order to
mix it together :
Stir the paint to make sure it is smooth.
stir something with something
She stirred her coffee with a plastic spoon.
stir something in/into something
Stir a cup of cooked brown rice into the mixture.
2 move slightly [ intransitive and transitive ] to move slightly, or to make something move
slightly :
The crowd began to stir as they waited for the band to start.
A gentle breeze stirred the curtains.
3 leave a place [ intransitive ] to leave or move from a place :
He hadnt stirred from his chair all morning.
4 feelings
a) [ transitive ] to make someone have a strong feeling or reaction
stir memories/emotions etc
Looking at the photographs stirred childhood memories of the long hot summers.
The poem succeeds in stirring the imagination .
b) [ intransitive ] if a feeling stirs in you, you begin to feel it :
Excitement stirred inside her.
5 do something [ transitive ] to make someone start doing something
stir somebody to do something
The incident stirred students to protest.
6 cause trouble be stirring (it) British English informal to cause trouble between people
by spreading false or secret information :
Bens always stirring!
stir somebody/something up phrasal verb
1 to deliberately try to cause arguments or bad feelings between people :
John was always stirring up trouble in class.
Daves just trying to stir things up because hes jealous.
2 to make small pieces of something move around in the air or in water :
The wind had stirred up a powdery red dust.
resentment / rzentmnt / noun [ uncountable ]
a feeling of anger because something has happened that you think is unfair SYN
bitterness
resentment at/against/of etc
She was filled with deep resentment at being passed over for promotion.
feel/harbour/bear resentment
He felt considerable resentment towards Sheila for making him work late.
Confront / knfrnt / verb [ transitive ]
1 if a problem, difficulty etc confronts you, it appears and needs to be dealt with :
The problems confronting the new government were enormous.
be confronted with something
Customers are confronted with a bewildering amount of choice.
2 to deal with something very difficult or unpleasant in a brave and determined way :
We try to help people confront their problems .
3 to face someone in a threatening way, as though you are going to attack them :
Troops were confronted by an angry mob.
4 to accuse someone of doing something, especially by showing them the proof
confront somebody with/about something
I confronted him with my suspicions, and he admitted everything.
I havent confronted her about it yet.
weigh / we / verb
1 be a particular weight [ linking verb ] to have a particular weight :
The young birds weigh only a few grams.
Do you know how much it weighs ?
What (= how much ) do you weigh ?
The box was full of books and weighed a ton (= was very heavy ) .
2 measure weight [ transitive ] to use a machine to discover how much something or
someone weighs :
He weighed some potatoes on the scales.
weigh yourself
Have you weighed yourself lately?
3 consider/compare ( also weigh up ) [ transitive ] to consider something carefully so
that you can make a decision about it :
It is my job to weigh the evidence.
weigh something against something
We have to weigh the benefits of the scheme against the costs.
4 influence [ intransitive always + adverb/preposition ] formal to influence someones
opinion and the decision that they make
weigh against
This unfortunate experience will weigh heavily against further investment in the area.
weigh in somebody's/sths favour
These facts will weigh in your favour.
weigh with
Her evidence weighed strongly with the judge.
5 weigh your words to think very carefully about what you say because you do not want to
say the wrong thing :
He was weighing his words carefully.
6 weigh anchor to raise an anchor and sail away
weigh on somebody/something phrasal verb
to make someone feel worried and upset :
The desire for peace will weigh heavily on the negotiators.
Im sure theres something weighing on his mind .
The burden of responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders .
couple 2 verb
1 [ transitive ] to join or fasten two things together
couple something to something
Each element is mathematically coupled to its neighbours.
2 [ intransitive ] formal to have sex
couple something with something phrasal verb [ usually passive ]
if one thing is coupled with another, the two things happen or exist together and produce
a particular result SYN combine :
Lack of rain coupled with high temperatures caused the crops to fail.
sorrow 1 / sr $ sro, s- / noun
1 [ uncountable ] a feeling of great sadness, usually because someone has died or
because something terrible has happened to you grief
great/deep sorrow
a time of great sorrow
sorrow at
He expressed his sorrow at my fathers death.
sorrow for
Claudia felt a deep pang of sorrow for the woman.
2 [ countable ] an event or situation that makes you feel great sadness :
the familys joys and sorrows
3 more in sorrow than in anger in a way that shows you are sad or disappointed rather
than angry about a particular situation :
He said that his decision to resign was made more in sorrow than in anger.
drown your sorrows at drown ( 5 )
conform / knfm $ -rm / verb [ intransitive ]
1 to behave in the way that most other people in your group or society behave
conformist :
the pressure on schoolchildren to conform
conform to/with
people who do not conform to traditional standards of behaviour
2 to obey a law, rule etc
conform to/with
Students can be expelled for refusing to conform to school rules.
All new buildings must conform with the regional development plan.
products which conform to international safety standards
3 conform to a pattern/model/ideal etc to be similar to what people expect or think is
usual :
Joseph does not conform to the stereotype of a policeman.
juncture / dkt $ -r / noun [ countable usually singular ] formal
a particular point in an activity or period of time :
At this juncture , I suggest we take a short break.
The talks are at a critical juncture (= very important point ) .
talks are at a critical juncture (= very important point ) .
come along phrasal verb
1 be coming along informal to be developing or making progress SYN progress :
He opened the oven door to see how the food was coming along.
Your English is coming along really well.
2 to appear or arrive :
A bus should come along any minute now.
Take any job opportunity that comes along.
3
a) to go to a place with someone :
Were going into town do you want to come along?
b) to go somewhere after someone :
You go on ahead Ill come along later.
4 come along!
a) used to tell someone to hurry up SYN come on :
Come along! Were all waiting for you!
b) used to encourage someone to try harder SYN come on :
Come along! Dont give up yet!
encounter 1 / nkant $ -r / verb [ transitive ]
1 to experience something, especially problems or opposition
encounter problems/difficulties
They encountered serious problems when two members of the expedition were injured.
encounter opposition/resistance
The government has encountered strong opposition to its plans to raise income tax.
The doctor had encountered several similar cases in the past.
2 formal to meet someone without planning to :
I first encountered him when studying at Cambridge.
rotunda / rtnd $ ro- / noun [ countable ]
a round building or hall, especially one with a dome
quadrangle / kwdrn l $ kw- / noun [ countable ]
1 formal a square open area with buildings all around it, especially at a school or college
SYN quad
2 technical a flat shape that has four straight sides
grace 1 / res / noun
1 way of moving [ uncountable ] a smooth way of moving that looks natural, relaxed, and
attractive SYN gracefulness :
Lena moved with the grace of a dancer.
majesty / mdsti, mdsti / noun ( plural majesties )
1 Your/Her/His Majesty used when talking to or about a king or queen Your/Her/His
Highness :
The Prime Minister is here to see you, Your Majesty.
His Majesty the King
2 [ uncountable ] the quality that something big has of being impressive, powerful, or
beautiful SYN grandeur
majesty of
the pure majesty of the Alps
envy 2 noun [ uncountable ]
1 the feeling of wanting something that someone else has jealousy
with envy
He watched the others with envy.
envy of
his envy of the young mans success
twinge/pang of envy
I felt a twinge of envy when I saw them together.
She could see that all the other girls were green with envy (= feeling a lot of envy ) .
2 be the envy of somebody to be something that other people admire and want to have
very much :
an education system that is the envy of all European countries
few / fju / determiner , pronoun , adjective ( comparative fewer , superlative fewest )
1 [ no comparative ] a small number of things or people
a few
I have to buy a few things at the supermarket.
Ive read a few of her books.
I could suggest many different methods, but anyway, here are just a few .
2 quite a few/a good few/not a few a fairly large number of things or people :
She must have cooked a good few dinners over the years.
quite a few/a good few/not a few of
There were hundreds of protesters, not a few of whom were women.
3 not many or hardly any people or things OPP many :
low-paid jobs that few people want
Many people expressed concern, but few were willing to help.
The cathedral was one of the few buildings not destroyed in the war.
I gathered together my few possessions.
4 no fewer than used to emphasize that a number is large :
I tried to contact him no fewer than ten times.
Stride 1 / strad / noun
1 step [ countable ] a long step you make while you are walking pace :
Paco reached the door in only three strides.
2 improvement [ countable ] an improvement in a situation or in the development of
something
make great/major/giant etc strides
The government has made great strides in reducing poverty.
refrain 1 / rfren / verb [ intransitive ] formal
to not do something that you want to do abstain
refrain from (doing) something
Please refrain from smoking in this area.
deceptive / dseptv / adjective
1 something that is deceptive seems to be one thing but is in fact very different :
Some snakes move with deceptive speed (= move faster than you think or expect ) .
Gwens students may look angelic, but appearances can be deceptive .
2 intended to make someone believe something that is not true :
misleading and deceptive adverts
deceptive practices
deceptively adverb
chirpy / tpi $ trpi / adjective
happy and active :
Youre very chirpy this morning have you had some good news?
chirpily adverb
chirpiness noun [ uncountable ]
arboretum / britm $ r- / noun ( plural arboretums or arboreta / -t / )
[ countable ]
a place where trees are grown for scientific study
skirt 2 ( also skirt around/round ) verb [ transitive ]
1 to go around the outside edge of a place or area :
The old footpath skirts around the village.
2 to avoid talking about an important subject, especially because it is difficult or
embarrassing used to show disapproval :
a disappointing speech that skirted around all the main issues
oblivious / blvis / adjective [ not before noun ]
not knowing about or not noticing something that is happening around you SYN unaware
oblivious of/to
He seemed oblivious to the fact that he had hurt her.
seemingly/apparently oblivious
Congress was seemingly oblivious to these events.
obliviousness noun [ uncountable ]
subtle / stl / adjective ( comparative subtler or more subtle , superlative subtlest )
1 not easy to notice or understand unless you pay careful attention OPP obvious :
The pictures are similar, but there are subtle differences between them.
The warning signs of the disease are so subtle that they are often ignored.
a subtle form of racism
subtle taste/flavour/smell etc
The flavour of the dried berries is more subtle.
The dish had a subtle hint of ginger.
2 behaving in a skilful and clever way, especially using indirect methods or language to
hide what you are trying to do :
I think we need a more subtle approach.
a subtle plan
subtle about
She wasnt very subtle about it. She just said she didnt love him any more.
3 very clever in noticing and understanding things sensitive :
a subtle mind
subtly adverb :
a subtly different colour
covet / kvt, kvt / verb [ transitive ] formal
to have a very strong desire to have something that someone else has :
The Michelin Awards are coveted by restaurants all over the world.
seldom / seldm / adverb
very rarely or almost never :
Karen had seldom seen him so angry.
halt 2 verb
1 [ transitive ] to prevent someone or something from continuing used especially in news
reports SYN stop :
The government has failed to halt economic decline.
Safety concerns have led them to halt work on the dam.
2 [ intransitive ] to stop moving :
The parade halted by a busy corner.
3 halt! used as a military order to tell someone to stop moving or soldiers to stop
marching :
Company halt!
Halt! Who goes there?
tug 1 / t / verb ( past tense and past participle tugged , present participle tugging )
1 [ intransitive and transitive ] to pull with one or more short, quick pulls :
The woman gently tugged his arm.
tug at/on something
Joe was tugging at her sleeve.
2 [ transitive always + adverb/preposition ] British English to pull a piece of clothing
quickly onto your body
tug something on
Alice was tugging on a sweater.
3 tug at sbs heart/heartstrings written to make someone feel sympathy for someone or
something
trace 1 / tres / verb [ transitive ]
1 find somebody/something to find someone or something that has disappeared by
searching for them carefully :
She had given up all hope of tracing her missing daughter.
Police are trying to trace a young woman who was seen near the accident.
2 origins to find the origins of when something began or where it came from
trace something (back) to something
Theyve traced their ancestry to Scotland.
The style of these paintings can be traced back to early medieval influences.
3 history/development to study or describe the history, development, or progress of
something :
Sondheims book traces the changing nature of the relationship between men and women.
4 copy to copy a drawing, map etc by putting a piece of transparent paper over it and
then drawing the lines you can see through the paper
5 with your finger to draw real or imaginary lines on the surface of something, usually with
your finger or toe
trace something on/in/across
Rosies fingers traced a delicate pattern in the sand.
6 trace a call to find out where a telephone call is coming from by using special electronic
equipment :
His call was traced and half an hour later police arrested him.
traceable adjective
Rococo / rkk $ rkoko / adjective
rococo buildings and furniture have a lot of curly decoration and were fashionable in
Europe in the 18th century
chest of drawers noun ( plural chests of drawers ) [ countable ] especially British
English
a piece of furniture with drawers, used for storing clothes SYN dresser American English
zoom 1 / zum / verb [ intransitive ] informal
1 [ always + adverb/preposition ] to go somewhere or do something very quickly SYN
whizz , zip
zoom off/around/down etc
Brenda jumped in the car and zoomed off.
The work was really easy and I was able to zoom through it in a couple of hours.
2 ( also zoom up ) to increase suddenly and quickly SYN escalate
zoom to
Inflation zoomed to 123%.
linger / l $ -r / verb [ intransitive ]
1 ( also linger on ) to continue to exist, be noticeable etc for longer than is usual or
desirable :
a taste that lingers in your mouth
Unfortunately the tax will linger on until April.
2 ( also linger on ) to stay somewhere a little longer, especially because you do not want
to leave
linger over
They lingered over coffee and missed the last bus.
I spent a week at Kandersteg and could happily have lingered on.
3 [ always + adverb/preposition ] to continue looking at or dealing with something for
longer than is usual or desirable
linger on/over
Mike let his eyes linger on her face.
Theres no need to linger over this stage of the interview.
4 ( also linger on ) to continue to live although you are slowly dying :
He surprised all the doctors by lingering on for several weeks.
head 2 verb
1 go towards ( also be headed ) [ intransitive always + adverb/preposition ] to go or
travel towards a particular place, especially in a deliberate way
head for/towards/back etc
The ship was heading for Cuba.
Its about time we were heading home .
head north/south etc
We headed south towards the capital.
Where are you guys headed?
2 future be heading ( also be headed ) [ intransitive always + adverb/preposition ] if
you are heading for a particular situation, especially a bad one, it seems likely to happen
be heading for
Forecasters predict the regions economy is heading for disaster.
Where is your life heading?
3 be in charge ( also head up ) [ transitive ] to be in charge of a team, government,
organization etc :
David was asked to head up the technical team.
an interim government headed by the former Prime Minister
