A2 (Elementary)

single

single [adjective] (NOT MARRIED)

not married, or not having a romantic relationship with someone

/ˈsɪŋ.ɡəl/

Example:

He's been single for so long now, I don't think he'll ever marry.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

adjective

1 only one:
He gave her a single red rose.

2 a word that makes 'every' stronger:
You answered every single question correctly.

3 not married:
Are you married or single?

4 for one person:
I would like to book a single room, please.
a single bed
Look at double.

5 (British) for a journey to a place, but not back again:
How much is a single ticket to London, please?
Look at return.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

adjective

ONE
1. only before noun only one
• He sent her a single red rose.
• a single-sex school (= for boys only or for girls only)
• All these jobs can now be done by one single machine.
• I couldn't understand a single word she said!
• the European single currency, the euro

• (BrE) a single honours degree (= for which you study only one subject)

FOR EMPHASIS

2. only before noun used to emphasize that you are referring to one particular person or thing on its own
• Unemployment is the single most important factor in the growing crime rates.

• We eat rice every single day.

NOT MARRIED

3. (of a person) not married or having a romantic relationship with sb
• The apartments are ideal for single people living alone.
• Are you still single?

see also single parent

FOR ONE PERSON

4. only before noun intended to be used by only one person
• a single bed/room
• a single sheet (= large enough for a single bed)

compare double _adj.(³)

TICKET

5. only before noun (BrE) (also one-way NAmE, BrE) a single ticket, etc. can be used for travelling to a place but not back again
• a single ticket
• How much is the single fare to Glasgow?
compare return _n.(⁷)
see (in) Indian/single file at file _n., at a (single) glance at glance _n.
Word Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin singulus, related to simplus ‘simple’.
Thesaurus:
single adj.
1. only before noun
• What is the single most important factor here?
individual • • particular • • specific • • separate • • distinct •
a/an single/individual/particular/specific/separate/distinct category/region
a single/particular/specific/separate event/incident/occasion
a single/particular/specific/distinct objective/purpose
2.
• The apartments are ideal for single people living alone.
unmarried • • divorced • • widowed • • separated • |especially BrE, especially written lone •
Opp: married
a single/unmarried/divorced/widowed/separated/lone man/woman/parent/mother/father
Example Bank:
• Marriage breakdown is common and there are a large number of single-parent families.
• Unemployment is the single most important factor in the rising crime rates.
• We eat rice every single day.

Derived: single somebody out

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

single / ˈsɪŋ.ɡl̩ / adjective (NOT MARRIED)

A2 not married, or not having a romantic relationship with someone:

a single woman/man/person

He's been single for so long now, I don't think he'll ever marry.

The number of single-parent families dependent on the state has risen enormously in recent years.

single / ˈsɪŋ.ɡl̩ / adjective [ before noun ] (ONE)

B2 one only:

He knocked his opponent down with a single blow.

Not a single person offered to help her.

You haven't been listening to a single word I've been saying.

→ Compare double adjective

single / ˈsɪŋ.ɡl̩ / adjective [ before noun ] (SEPARATE)

B1 considered on its own and separate from other things:

Patience is the single most important quality needed for this job.

She lost every single thing when her house burned down.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

single

[sɪ̱ŋg(ə)l]

singles, singling, singled
1) ADJ: ADJ n (emphasis) You use single to emphasize that you are referring to one thing, and no more than one thing.
  A single shot rang out...
  Over six hundred people were wounded in a single day...
  She hadn't uttered a single word.
2) ADJ: det ADJ (emphasis) You use single to indicate that you are considering something on its own and separately from other things like it.
  Every single house in town had been damaged...
  The Middle East is the world's single most important source of oil.
3) ADJ Someone who is single is not married. You can also use single to describe someone who does not have a girlfriend or boyfriend.
  Is it difficult being a single mother?...
  I now have to face the rest of my life as a single person...
  Gay men are now eligible to become foster parents whether they are single or have partners.
4) ADJ: usu ADJ n A single room is a room intended for one person to stay or live in.
  A single room at the Astir Hotel costs ₤56 a night.
N-COUNT
Single is also a noun. It's ₤65 for a single, ₤98 for a double and ₤120 for an entire suite.
5) ADJ: ADJ n A single bed is wide enough for one person to sleep in.
6) ADJ: usu ADJ n A single ticket is a ticket for a journey from one place to another but not back again. [BRIT]
  The price of a single ticket is thirty-nine pounds.
  Ant:
  return
N-COUNT
Single is also a noun. ...a Club Class single to Los Angeles. (in AM, use one-way)
7) N-COUNT A single is a small record which has one short song on each side. You can also refer to the main song on a small record as a single.
  Kids today don't buy singles...
  The collection includes all the band's British and American hit singles.
8) N-UNCOUNT Singles is a game of tennis or badminton in which one player plays another. The plural singles can be used to refer to one or more of these matches.
  Boris Becker of West Germany won the men's singles...
  She is equally at home on the singles or doubles court.
  Ant:
  doubles
9) N-COUNT In cricket, a single is a hit from which one run is scored. In baseball, a single is a hit by which a batter reaches first base.
10) → See also single-
in single file → see file
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - single out

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹sin·gle /ˈsɪŋgəl/ adj
1 always used before a noun : not having or including another : only one
• They lost by a single point. [=they lost by one point]
• A single shoe was found.
• It costs $10 for a single glass of wine!
• a single serving of carrots
• He earns $2,000 in a single week.
• There is a single [=uniform] standard for men and women.
- sometimes used to emphasize the largeness or importance of something
• The fingerprint turned out to be the single most important piece of evidence.
• Tobacco is the single greatest/largest/biggest industry in the state.
• Drunk driving is the greatest/largest/biggest single killer of high school students.
- sometimes used in negative statements to emphasize that there is a complete lack of something
• Not a single cookie was left.
• Not a single sound was heard.
• I could not hear a single word of what he said.
• We didn't get a single reply.
2 : not married or not having a serious romantic relationship with someone
• a club for single [=unattached, unmarried] people
• Are you single?
• a single parent/mother/father [=a mother or father who takes care of a child alone]
3
- used for emphasis after words like any, each, every, etc.
• He has more home runs than any other single player. [=than any other player]
• These laws apply to each single citizen.
• I drink milk every single day.
• She can't watch him every single minute.
4 always used before a noun : made for one person to use
• I stayed in a single room.
• I slept in a single bed. [=(US) twin bed]
5 Brit : one-way
• a single ticket
• How much is the single fare?

worst

worst [adjective]

superlative of bad adjective : of the lowest quality, or the most unpleasant, difficult, or severe:

/wɝːst/

/wɜːst/

Example:

That was the worst meal I've ever eaten.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

adjective, adverb (bad, worse, worst)
the least pleasant or suitable; the least well:
He's the worst player in the team!
That was the worst day of my life.
Everyone played badly, but I played worst of all.
opposite best

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

worst

I. worst¹ /wɜːst $ wɜːrst/ BrE AmE adjective [the superlative of bad]
[Language: Old English; Origin: wierresta, wyrsta]
1. [only before noun] worse than anything or anyone else ⇨ best:
This is the worst recession for fifty years.
My worst fear was that we would run out of food.
What is the worst possible thing that can happen?
2. be your own worst enemy to cause a lot of problems for yourself because of your own behaviour
3. come off worst to lose a fight or argument

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

worst

worst [worst worsts worsted worsting] adjective, adverb, noun, verb [wɜːst] [wɜːrst]

adjective (superlative of bad)
of the poorest quality or lowest standard; worse than any other person or thing of a similar kind
• It was by far the worst speech he had ever made.
• What's the worst thing that could happen?
• What she said confirmed my worst fears (= proved they were right).
Word Origin:
Old English wierresta, wyrresta (adjective), wierst, wyrst (adverb), of Germanic origin; related to worse.

Idioms: at worst ▪ bring out the worst in somebody ▪ come off worst ▪ do your worst ▪ get the worst of it ▪ if the worst comes to the worst ▪ worst of all worlds ▪ your own worst enemy

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

worst / wɜːst / / wɝːst / adjective

A2 superlative of bad adjective : of the lowest quality, or the most unpleasant, difficult, or severe:

That was the worst meal I've ever eaten.

"It was the worst moment of my life," she admitted.

He is my worst enemy .

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

worst

[wɜ͟ː(r)st]
1) Worst is the superlative of bad.
2) Worst is the superlative of badly.
3) N-SING: the N, oft N of n The worst is the most unpleasant or unfavourable thing that could happen or does happen.
  Though mine safety has much improved, miners' families still fear the worst...
  The country had come through the worst of the recession.
  Ant:
  best
4) Worst is used to form the superlative of compound adjectives beginning with `bad' and `badly'. For example, the superlative of `badly-affected' is `worst-affected'.
5) PHRASE: PHR with cl You say worst of all to indicate that what you are about to mention is the most unpleasant or has the most disadvantages out of all the things you are mentioning.
  The people most closely affected are the passengers who were injured and, worst of all, those who lost relatives.
6) PHRASE: PHR with cl/group You use at worst or at the worst to indicate that you are mentioning the worst thing that might happen in a situation.
  At best Nella would be an invalid; at worst she would die...
  At the worst he would be there by the following night.
7) PHRASE: n PHR, PHR after v, v-link PHR When someone is at their worst, they are as unpleasant, bad, or unsuccessful as it is possible for them to be.
  This was their mother at her worst. Her voice was strident, she was ready to be angry at anyone.
8) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR with cl You use if the worst comes to the worst to say what you might do if a situation develops in the most unfavourable way possible. The form if worst comes to worst is also used, mainly in American English.
  If the worst comes to the worst I guess I can always ring Jean...
  He was asked whether he would walk out if the worst came to the worst.
9) PHRASE: V inflects If someone does their worst, they do everything unpleasant that they can possibly do. You can say `do your worst' to show someone that you are not frightened of what they may do.
  I think it was dangerous to say: look, we've got an army now - do your worst.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹worst /ˈwɚst/ adj superlative form of ¹bad
1 a : worse than all others
• This is the worst car I've ever bought.
• In my opinion, it's her worst book.
• It was the worst movie I've ever seen.
• His worst quality is his impatience.
• This has got to be the worst day of my life.
• The worst part of working there is the long commute.
• My worst fears came true.
• I am my own worst critic. [=I criticize my work more harshly than anyone else]
• He lives in the worst area of the city.
b : least skillful, talented, or successful
• He is the worst singer I've ever heard.
• They're the worst team ever.
2 : least appropriate, useful, or helpful
• That is the worst advice I've ever heard.
• I'm having the worst luck today.
• Leaving now is the worst thing you could do.
• He is the worst person to ask for advice.
• You've picked the worst time to come over.
• She called at the worst possible moment.
in the worst way US informal : very much
• I want a new bike in the worst way.
worst of all
- used to refer to the least pleasant or appealing part of something that has many bad parts
• I forgot my backpack, was late for class, and worst of all, I studied the wrong material for the test.
your own worst enemy
- see enemy

believe

believe [verb] (MEANING)

to think that something is true, correct, or real

/bɪˈliːv/

Example:

She's arriving tomorrow, I believe.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

believe

verb (believes, believing, believed )

1 to feel sure that something is true; to feel sure that what somebody says is true:
Long ago, people believed that the earth was flat.
She says she didn't take the money. Do you believe her?

2 to think that something is true or possible, although you are not certain:
'Does Mick still work here?' 'I believe so.'

believe in somebody or something to feel sure that somebody or something exists:
Do you believe in ghosts?

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

believe

be‧lieve S1 W1 /bəˈliːv, bɪˈliːv/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑belief, ↑disbelief, ↑believer; adjective: ↑believable ≠ ↑unbelievable, ↑disbelieving; verb: ↑believe ≠ ↑disbelieve; adverb: ↑unbelievably]
[Language: Old English; Origin: belefan, from lyfan, lefan 'to allow, believe']
1. [transitive not in progressive] to be sure that something is true or that someone is telling the truth:
You shouldn’t believe everything you read.
I believed him, even though his story sounded unlikely.
believe (that)
I don’t believe he’s only 25.
I don’t believe a word of it (=I think it is completely untrue).
2. [transitive not in progressive] to think that something is true or possible, although you are not completely sure
believe (that)
Detectives believe that the victim knew his killer.
it is believed (that)
It is believed that the house was built in 1735.
believe so (=think that something is true)
‘Have they arrived yet?’ ‘Yes, I believe so.’
be believed to be something
At 115, Mrs Jackson is believed to be the oldest person in the country.
The four men are widely believed (=believed by a lot of people) to have been killed by their captors.
Did you honestly believe that I’d be stupid enough to do that?
I firmly believe that the business will be a success.
3. it’s difficult/hard to believe (that) used when you are surprised that something is true:
Sometimes, it’s hard to believe we’ve been married for 50 years.
• • •
SPOKEN PHRASES
4. can’t/don’t believe something used when you are very surprised or shocked by something:
I can’t believe he’s expecting us to work on Sunday!
I couldn’t believe it when he told me what had happened.
can hardly/scarcely believe something
I could scarcely believe my luck.
5. believe it or not used when you are saying something that is true but surprising:
He enjoys school, believe it or not.
6. would you believe it! (also I don’t believe it!) used when you are surprised or angry about something:
And then he just walked out. Would you believe it!
7. believe (you) me used to emphasize that something is definitely true:
There’ll be trouble when they find out about this, believe you me!
8. you’d better believe it! used to emphasize that something is true
9. don’t you believe it! used to emphasize that something is definitely not true
10. can’t believe your eyes/ears used to say that someone is very surprised by something they see or hear
11. if you believe that, you’ll believe anything used to say that something is definitely not true, and that anyone who believes it must be stupid
12. seeing is believing (also I’ll believe it when I see it) used to say that you will only believe that something happens or exists when you actually see it
13. [intransitive] to have a religious faith:
She says those who believe will go to heaven.
⇨ make believe at ↑make¹(19)
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to believe something
▪ believe to be sure that something is true or that someone is telling the truth: I believed her when she said that she loved me. | Don’t believe anything he tells you.
▪ accept to believe that something is true, especially because someone has persuaded you to believe it: His wife accepted his explanation for why he was late. | Leah had slowly come to accept her brother’s version of events.
▪ take sb’s word for it especially spoken to believe what someone says is true, even though you have no proof or experience of it: I don’t know anything about him, so I’ll just have to take your word for it. | You don’t have to take my word for it – go and see for yourself. | ‘Cakes are very easy to make.’ ‘I’ll take your word for it.’
▪ give somebody the benefit of the doubt to believe what someone says, even though you think it might not be true: Unless you have proof, you should give him the benefit of the doubt.
■ to believe something that is untrue
▪ be taken in (also fall for something informal) to be tricked into believing something that is not true: A lot of people were taken in by these claims. | I can’t believe she fell for that old excuse!
▪ swallow informal to believe a story or explanation that is not true, especially when this makes you seem silly: His aunt had swallowed his story unquestioningly. | Police refused to swallow his story, and put him in a cell.
believe in somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to be sure that someone or something exists:
Do you believe in God?
2. to think that something is effective or right:
I don’t believe in these diets.
believe in doing something
The school believes in letting children learn at their own pace.
3. to trust someone and be confident that they will be successful:
The people want a president they can believe in.
Believe in yourself, or you’ll never succeed.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

believe

be·lieve [believe believes believed believing] [bɪˈliːv] [bɪˈliːv] verb

(not used in the progressive tenses)

FEEL CERTAIN
1. transitive to feel certain that sth is true or that sb is telling you the truth
• ~ sb I don't believe you!
• The man claimed to be a social worker and the old woman believed him.
• Believe me, she's not right for you.
• ~ sth I believed his lies for years.
• I find that hard to believe.
• Don't believe a word of it (= don't believe any part of what sb is saying).
• ~ (that)… People used to believe (that) the earth was flat.
• He refused to believe (that) his son was involved in drugs.

• I do believe you're right (= I think sth is true, even though it is surprising).

THINK POSSIBLE

2. intransitive, transitive to think that sth is true or possible, although you are not completely certain
• ‘Where does she come from?’ ‘Spain, I believe.’
• ‘Does he still work there?’ ‘I believe so/not.’
• ~ (that)… Police believe (that) the man may be armed.
• it is believed (that)… It is believed that the couple have left the country.
• ~ sb/sth to be, have, etc. sth The vases are believed to be worth over $20 000 each.

• ~ sb/sth + adj. Three sailors are missing, believed drowned.

HAVE OPINION

3. transitive ~ (that)… to have the opinion that sth is right or true
• The party believes (that) education is the most important issue facing the government.

• She believes that killing animals for food or fur is completely immoral.

BE SURPRISED/ANNOYED

4. transitive don't/can't ~ used to say that you are surprised or annoyed at sth
• ~ (that)… She couldn't believe (that) it was all happening again.
• I don't believe I'm doing this!

• ~ how, what, etc… I can't believe how much better I feel.

RELIGION

5. intransitive to have a religious faith
• The god appears only to those who believe.
more at give sb to believe/understand at give _v.
Idioms: I don't believe it! ▪ believe it or not ▪ believe me ▪ don't you believe it! ▪ if you believe that, you'll believe anything ▪ make believe ▪ not believe your ears ▪ seeing is believing ▪ would you believe? ▪ you better believe it!
Derived: believe in somebody ▪ believe in something ▪ believe something of somebody
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
late Old English belȳfan, belēfan, alteration of gelēfan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch geloven and German glauben.
Thesaurus:
believe verb
1. T, I
• I don't believe you!
• Do you believe in God?
trust • • have confidence in sb/sth • • have faith in sb/sth •
Opp: doubt, (formal) Opp: disbelieve
believe/trust/have confidence/have faith in sb/sth
2. T
• She believes that eating meat is wrong.
think • • feel • • consider • • be under the impression that… • |especially BrE, informal reckon • |formal hold •
believe/think/feel/consider/be under the impression/reckon/hold that…
Believe or think? When you are talking about an idea of what is true or possible, use believe to talk about other people and think to talk about yourself
• Police believe (that) the man may be armed.
• I think this is their house, but I'm not sure.
Use believe to talk about matters of principle; use think to talk about practical matters or matters of personal taste
• I believe we have a responsibility towards the less fortunate in society.
• I think we should reserve seats in advance.
• I don't think he's funny at all.

Language Bank:
according to
Reporting someone's opinion
▪ Photography is, according to ▪ Vidal, the art form of untalented people.
For ▪ Vidal, photography is the art form of untalented people.
▪ His view is that ▪ photography is not art but merely the mechanical reproduction of images.
▪ Smith takes the view that ▪ photography is both an art and a science.
In ▪ Brown's view ▪, photography should be treated as a legitimate art in its own right.
▪ James is of the opinion that ▪ a good painter can always be a good photographer if he or she so decides.
▪ Emerson believed that ▪ a photograph should only reflect what the human eye can see.
Language Banks at argue, opinion
Language Bank:
opinion
Giving your personal opinion
In my opinion ▪, everyone should have some understanding of science.
▪ Everyone should, in my opinion ▪, have some understanding of science.
It seems to me that ▪ many people in this country have a poor understanding of science.
▪ This is, in my view ▪, the result of a failure of the scientific community to get its message across.
▪ Another reason why so many people have such a poor understanding of science is, I believe ▪, the lack of adequate funding for science in schools.
▪ Smith argues that science is separate from culture. My own view is that ▪ science belongs with literature, art, philosophy and religion as an integral part of our culture.
In this writer's opinion ▪, the more the public know about science, the less they will fear and distrust it.
Synonyms at think
Language Banks at according to, argue, impersonal, nevertheless, perhaps
Synonyms:
think
believe • feel • reckon • be under the impression
These words all mean to have an idea that sth is true or possible or to have a particular opinion about sb/sth.
think • to have an idea that sth is true or possible, although you are not completely certain; to have a particular opinion about sb/sth: ▪ Do you think (that) they'll come? ◊ ▪ Well, I like it. What do you think?
believe • to have an idea that sth is true or possible, although you are not completely certain; to have a particular opinion about sb/sth: ▪ Police believe (that) the man may be armed.
think or believe?
When you are expressing an idea that you have or that sb has of what is true or possible, believe is more formal than think. It is used especially for talking about ideas that other people have; think is used more often for talking about your own ideas: ▪ Police believe… ◊ ▪ I think… When you are expressing an opinion, believe is stronger than think and is used especially for matters of principle; think is used more for practical matters or matters of personal taste.
feel • to have a particular opinion about sth that has happened or about what you/sb ought to do: ▪ We all felt (that) we were unlucky to lose.
reckon • (informal) to think that sth is true or possible: ▪ I reckon (that) I'm going to get that job.
be under the impression that… • to have an idea that sth is true: ▪ I was under the impression that the work had already been completed.
to think/believe/feel/reckon/be under the impression that…
It is thought/believed/reckoned that…
to be thought/believed/felt/reckoned to be sth
to think/believe/feel sth about sb/sth
to sincerely/honestly/seriously/mistakenly think/believe/feel
Synonyms:
trust
depend on sb/sth • rely on sb/sth • count on sb/sth • believe in sb
These words all mean to believe that sb/sth will do what you hope or expect of them or that what they tell you is correct or true.
trust • to believe that sb is good, honest, sincere, etc. and that they will do what you expect of them or do the right thing; to believe that sth is true or correct: ▪ You can trust me not to tell anyone. ◊ ▪ Don't trust what you read in the newspapers!
depend on/upon sb/sth • (often used with can/cannot/could/could not) to trust sb/sth to do what you expect or want, to do the right thing, or to be true or correct: ▪ He was the sort of person you could depend on. ◊ ▪ Can you depend on her version of what happened?
rely on/upon sb/sth • (used especially with can/cannot/could/could not and should/should not) to trust sb/sth to do what you expect or want, or to be honest, correct or good enough: ▪ Can I rely on you to keep this secret? ◊ ▪ You can't rely on any figures you get from them.
trust, depend or rely on/upon sb/sth?
You can trust a person but not a thing or system. You can trust sb's judgement or advice, but not their support. You can depend on sb's support, but not their judgement or advice. Rely on/upon sb/sth is used especially with you can/could or you should to give advice or a promise: I don't really rely on his judgement. ◊ ▪ You can't really rely on his judgement.
count on sb/sth • (often used with can/cannot/could/could not) to be sure that sb will do what you need them to do, or that sth will happen as you want it to happen: ▪ I'm counting on you to help me. ◊ ▪ We can't count on the good weather lasting.
believe in sb • to feel that you can trust sb and/or that they will be successful: ▪ They need a leader they can believe in.
to trust/depend on/rely on/count on sb/sth to do sth
to trust/believe in sb/sth
to trust/rely on sb's advice/judgement
to depend on/rely on/count on sb's support
to completely trust/depend on/rely on/believe in sb/sth
Example Bank:
• I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
• I didn't believe a word of what he said.
• I personally believe that it's important.
• I'm inclined to believe you.
• I've long believed that a good reputation is the most valuable asset you can have in business.
• It's hard to believe that this campaign has been going on for ten years.
• No one seriously believes that this war will happen.
• Paul thinks he's happy, but his mother believes otherwise.
• The ad led us to believe that all prices had been cut.
• The boss gave me to believe that we would all get a pay rise.
• We have reason to believe that the escaped prisoner may be hiding in this house.
• ‘Does he still work there?’ ‘I believe so/not.’
• ‘Where does she come from?’ ‘Spain, I believe.’
• Believe me, she's not right for you.
• Don't believe a word of it.
• He refuses to believe his son was involved with drugs.
• I believe that we have a responsibility towards the less fortunate in society.
• I don't believe you!
• I find that very hard to believe.
• It was generally believed that evil spirits lived in the forest.
• No one seriously believed that the war would happen.
• People used to believe that the earth was flat.
• Police believe…
• She believes that killing animals for food or fur is completely immoral.
• The paintings are believed to be worth over $20 000 each.

• We believe (that) education is the most important issue facing the government.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

believe / bɪˈliːv / verb [ T ]

A2 to think that something is true, correct, or real:

Strangely, no one believed us when we told them we'd been visited by a creature from Mars.

[ + that ] He believes that all children are born with equal intelligence.

She's arriving tomorrow, I believe.

"Is she coming alone?" "We believe not/so (= we think she is not/is) ."

[ + obj + to infinitive ] I believe her to be the finest violinist in the world.

[ + obj + adj ] All the crew are missing, believed dead.

not believe a word of it to not believe that something is true:

He told me she was just a friend, but I don't believe a word of it!

believe it or not B1 ( also would you believe it? ) said when telling someone about something that is true, although it seems unlikely:

He's upstairs doing his homework, believe it or not.

if you believe that, you'll believe anything! informal something that you say to emphasize that something is obviously not true:

He said the car in front backed into him, and if you believe that, you'll believe anything!

make believe to pretend or imagine:

Let's make believe (that) we're pirates.

→ See also make-believe

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

believe

[bɪli͟ːv]
♦
believes, believing, believed
1) VERB If you believe that something is true, you think that it is true, but you are not sure. [FORMAL]
  [V that] Experts believe that the coming drought will be extensive...
  [V that] I believe you have something of mine...
  [V that] The main problem, I believe, lies elsewhere...
  [V n to-inf] We believe them to be hidden here in this apartment...
  [V so/not] `You've never heard of him?' - `I don't believe so.' [Also V n adj]
  Syn:
  think
2) VERB If you believe someone or if you believe what they say or write, you accept that they are telling the truth.
  [V n] He did not sound as if he believed her...
  [V n] Never believe anything a married man says about his wife...
  [V n] Don't believe what you read in the papers.
  Ant:
  disbelieve
3) VERB If you believe in fairies, ghosts, or miracles, you are sure that they exist or happen. If you believe in a god, you are sure of the existence of that god.
  [V in n] I don't believe in ghosts...
  [V in n] Do you believe in magic? [Also V]
4) VERB If you believe in a way of life or an idea, you are in favour of it because you think it is good or right.
  [V in n] He believed in marital fidelity.
  [V in n] ...decent candidates who believed in democracy.
5) VERB If you believe in someone or what they are doing, you have confidence in them and think that they will be successful.
  [V in n] If you believe in yourself you can succeed.
6) VERB: with brd-neg (feelings) Believe is used in expressions such as I can't believe how or it's hard to believe that in order to express surprise, for example because something bad has happened or something very difficult has been achieved.
  [V wh] Many officers I spoke to found it hard to believe what was happening around them...
  [V wh] I was a physical and emotional wreck - I still can't believe how I ever got any work done. [Also V that]
7) PHRASE: V inflects, with brd-neg (emphasis) If you say that you cannot believe your eyes or cannot believe your ears, you are emphasizing that you are very surprised about something you have seen or heard.
  I could not believe my eyes. She was far more beautiful than I had imagined.
8) PHRASE: PHR with cl (emphasis) You can use believe it or not to emphasize that what you have just said is surprising.
  That's normal, believe it or not.
9) PHRASE: PHR with cl (emphasis) If you say would you believe it, you are emphasizing your surprise about something.
  And would you believe it, he's younger than me!
10) PHRASE: PHR with cl (emphasis) You can use believe you me to emphasize that what you are saying is true.
  It's absolutely amazing, believe you me.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

believe

be·lieve /bəˈliːv/ verb not used in progressive tenses -lieves; -lieved; -liev·ing
1 [+ obj]
a : to accept or regard (something) as true
• The scientists believed the reports.
• Many people seem to believe that theory, but I find it hard/difficult to believe.
• You shouldn't believe everything you read.
• I knew that he was a liar and so I didn't believe a word he said. [=I didn't believe anything he said]
• I did not want to believe (that) it could happen.
• He says he'll help us, but I don't believe what he says.
• They were tricked into believing that he was a doctor.
- opposite disbelieve
b : to accept the truth of what is said by (someone)
• He says he'll help us, but I don't believe him.
- opposite disbelieve
2 [+ obj] : to have (a specified opinion) : think
• I'm beginning to believe (that) this war will never end.
• I used to believe (that) I was the only one who felt that way but now I know (that) there are others like me.
• He clearly/firmly/honestly believes (that) it is possible. = He clearly/firmly/honestly believes it (to be) possible.
• He had reason to believe that they would accept his offer. = He had reason for believing that they would accept his offer.
• She was widely believed to be guilty. [=many people believed that she was guilty]
• We were led to believe it was true. [=we heard, saw, or read something that made us think it was true]
• “Has he accepted the job?” “I believe so.” = “So I believe.”
• “Has he accepted the job?” “I believe not.” = “I don't believe so.”
3 [no obj] : to regard the existence of God as a fact : to have religious beliefs
• She went to church because her family expected it, but she didn't really believe.
4 [no obj] : to have trust in the ability, worth, etc., of someone or something
• The team hasn't won a championship in many years, but their fans still believe. [=their fans still believe in them; their fans still believe that they will win]
5 informal
- used for emphasis in phrases that express certainty, surprise, annoyance, etc.
• “Do you think they can win?” “You/You'd better believe it!” [=yes, I definitely think so]
• Believe me, he can really play the game. = Believe you me, he can really play the game.
• I can't believe how ugly that dress is. [=what an ugly dress]
• You broke the window? I can't believe you guys! [=I'm annoyed and shocked by what you did] How could you do such a thing?
• I can't believe [=I am amazed/surprised] that that terrible restaurant is still in business.
• That terrible restaurant is still in business, if you can believe it/that.
• Can/Would you believe it?! That terrible restaurant is still in business.
• You won't believe what I just heard! [=you will be very surprised by what I just heard]
• You wouldn't believe how long it took us to get here. [=it took us a surprisingly long/short time to get here]
• I don't believe it! I swept the floor 10 minutes ago, and it's already dirty again!
• I could not believe my good fortune/luck.
• It's hard to believe that he's gone.
• His latest movie, believe it or not, is a romantic comedy about a group of lawyers. [=it is surprising but true that his latest movie is a romantic comedy about a group of lawyers]
• “I hear that their marriage is in trouble.” “Don't you believe it! [=that is completely untrue] They're the happiest couple I know!”
• “He says he's going to become a doctor.” “If you believe that, you'll believe anything!” [=it would be very foolish to believe that he is going to become a doctor]
• “He says he's going to become a doctor.” “I'll believe that when I see it!”
believe in [phrasal verb]
1 believe in (something)
a : to have faith or confidence in the existence of (something)
• Do you believe in ghosts?
b : to have trust in the goodness or value of (something)
• She believes in (the value of) regular exercise.
• They believed in liberty for all.
• I believe in working hard to achieve success.
• She doesn't believe in using pesticides. [=she doesn't believe that it's right to use pesticides; she believes that pesticides do more harm than good]
2 believe in (someone) : to have trust in the goodness or ability of (someone)
• Despite his problems, his parents still believe in him.
• She believes in herself and in her abilities.
can't believe your eyes/ears
✦If you can't believe your eyes/ears or can hardly/scarcely believe your eyes/ears, you are very surprised at or upset by what you are seeing or hearing.
• I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw what he was wearing.
make believe : to act as though something that is not true or real is true or real : pretend
• When we were children we used to make believe (that) we were soldiers fighting in a war.
• He isn't really angry, he's just making believe (that he is).
• They want to make believe that everything is all right.
- see also make-believe
seeing is believing
✦The expression seeing is believing means that when you actually see something, you have to believe that it exists or is true.
• I didn't think it could happen, but seeing is believing. [=I saw it happen, so now I believe it's possible]
- be·liev·able /bəˈliːvəbəl/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• The novel's ending is not very believable.
• His excuse was barely/scarcely believable.
- be·liev·ably /bəˈliːvəbli/ adv
• The characters are all believably portrayed.
- be·liev·er noun, pl -ers [count]
• a believer in religion
• devout believers
• She's a firm/great/strong believer in adult education. [=she firmly/strongly believes in the value of adult education; she thinks adult education is very useful and important]
• I was doubtful that he could run his own company, but he's made a believer out of me. = He's made me a believer. [=he's convinced me that he can run his own company]

difference

difference [noun] (NOT THE SAME)

the way in which two or more things which you are comparing are not the same

/ˈdɪf.ɚ.əns/

/ˈdɪf.ər.əns/

Example:

What's the difference between an ape and a monkey?

Oxford Essential Dictionary

difference

noun
the way that one thing is not the same as another thing:
What's the difference between this computer and that cheaper one?
What's the difference in price between these two bikes?
Sarah looks exactly like her sister – I can't tell the difference between them.

make a difference to change or have an effect on somebody or something:
Marriage made a big difference to her life.

make no difference, not make any difference to not change anything; to not be important:
It makes no difference to us if the baby is a girl or a boy.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

difference

dif‧fe‧rence S1 W1 /ˈdɪfərəns/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: verb: ↑differ, ↑differentiate; noun: ↑difference, ↑differentiation; adverb: ↑differently; adjective: ↑different]
1. [uncountable and countable] a way in which two or more people or things are not like each other OPP similarity
difference between
There’s a big difference between knowing that something is true, and being able to prove it.
There is very little difference between the parties on green issues.
Do children know the difference between right and wrong?
difference in
Researchers found a number of important differences in the way boys and girls learn.
There’s a world of difference (=there’s a very big difference) between being alone and being lonely.
2. [singular, uncountable] the amount by which one thing is greater or smaller than another
difference in age/size etc
There’s not much difference in price.
There’s a five-hour time difference between London and New York. ⇨ split the difference at ↑split¹(9)
3. make a/the difference to have an important effect or influence on something or someone:
Whatever she did, it made no difference.
make a/the difference to
One more person wouldn’t make any difference to the arrangements.
make a/the difference between
It could make the difference between missing your train and getting to work on time.
Having a good teacher has made all the difference for Alex (=had an important influence).
4. it makes no difference to somebody used to say that it does not matter to someone which thing happens, is chosen etc:
Morning or afternoon. It makes no difference to me.
5. our/your/their differences disagreements:
We’ve had our differences in the past.
settle/resolve your differences (=agree not to argue any more)
6. difference of opinion a slight disagreement:
There have been some differences of opinion as to exactly how the money should be spent.
7. with a difference informal used to describe something which is interesting or unusual, especially in a good way:
an adventure holiday with a difference

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

difference

dif·fer·ence [difference differences] [ˈdɪfrəns] [ˈdɪfrəns] noun
1. countable, uncountable ~ (between A and B) | ~ (in sth) the way in which two people or things are not like each other; the way in which sb/sth has changed
• There are no significant differences between the education systems of the two countries.
• He was studying the complex similarities and differences between humans and animals.
• There's no difference in the results.
• I can never tell the difference (= distinguish) between the twins
• She noticed a marked difference in the children on her second visit.
• There's a world of difference between liking someone and loving them.
• What a difference! You look great with your hair like that.

Opp: similarity

2. singular, uncountable ~ (in sth) (between A and B) the amount that sth is greater or smaller than sth else
• There's not much difference in price between the two computers.
• There's an age difference of six years between the boys (= one is six years older than the other).
• I'll lend you £500 and you'll have to find the difference (= the rest of the money that you need).

• We measured the difference in temperature.

3. countable a disagreement between people
• We have our differences, but she's still my sister.
• Why don't you settle your differences and be friends again?
• There was a difference of opinion over who had won.
more at bury your differences at bury, sink your differences at sink _v., split the difference at split _v., a/the world of difference at world
Idioms: make a/no/some difference ▪ make all the difference ▪ same difference ▪ with a difference
Word Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin differentia ‘difference’, from different- ‘carrying away’, from the verb differre, from dis- ‘from, away’ + ferre ‘bring, carry’.
Thesaurus:
difference noun C, U
• There are significant differences between the two systems.
contrast • • variation • • distinction • |formal disparity • • variance • • divergence • |technical imbalance •
Opp: similarity
a difference/contrast/variation/distinction/disparity/variance/divergence/imbalance between A and B
a difference/contrast/variation/disparity/variance/divergence/imbalance in sth
show a difference/contrast/variation/distinction/disparity/variance/divergence/imbalance
see/be aware of/look at a difference/contrast/variation/distinction
Language Bank:
contrast
Highlighting differences
▪ This survey highlights a number of differences in ▪ the way that teenage boys and girls in the UK spend their free time.
One of the main differences between ▪ the girls and ▪ the boys who took part in the research was the way in which they use the Internet.
Unlike ▪ the girls, who use the Internet mainly to keep in touch with friends, the boys questioned in this survey tend to use the Internet for playing computer games.
▪ The girls differ from ▪ the boys in that ▪ they tend to spend more time keeping in touch with friends on the telephone or on social networking websites.
Compared to ▪ the boys, the girls spend much more time chatting to friends on the telephone.
▪ On average the girls spend four hours a week chatting to friends on the phone. In contrast ▪, very few of the boys spend more than five minutes a day talking to their friends in this way.
▪ The boys prefer competitive sports and computer games, whereas ▪ / while ▪ the girls seem to enjoy more cooperative activities, such as shopping with friends.
▪ When the girls go shopping, they mainly buy clothes and cosmetics. The boys, on the other hand ▪, tend to purchase computer games or gadgets.
Language Banks at generally, illustrate, proportion, similarly, surprising
Example Bank:
• A small number of additional jobs can make a crucial difference to economic conditions.
• Although the talks were generally successful, differences remain between the groups.
• Can you spot the difference between these two photos?
• Differences may arise when the young people do not have the same expectations as their parents.
• He didn't have enough money, but his aunt agreed to make up the difference.
• He sold the car for more than he'd paid and pocketed the difference.
• He was very aware of his difference from the other children.
• I found very little difference in price.
• I noticed a real difference in his attitude.
• I wanted to leave early and Ian wanted to leave late, so we split the difference and left at noon.
• If you decide on the more expensive model, you can bring this one back and pay the difference.
• If you want a holiday with a difference, come to Iceland.
• It's difficult to tell the difference between butterflies and moths.
• Just five minutes' exercise a day could make all the difference.
• Like any married couple, we have our differences.
• One tiny mistake when you're climbing could mean the difference between life and death.
• Only an expert would know the difference between the male and the female.
• Our different attitudes to life reflect the differences in our backgrounds.
• She and Luke had a difference of opinion over how much money they should spend.
• The difference in price is not very significant.
• The difference lies in the way the fruit is prepared.
• The difference with this information service is that it's free.
• The differences in size arise from the amount of sunshine each plant gets.
• The extra money will make a lot of difference to us.
• The new central heating has made an enormous difference to the house.
• The questionnaire showed vast differences in what kind of product people want.
• The study explores the differences between the way girls and boys talk.
• There are few important policy differences among the main parties.
• There is a striking difference between eastern and western Europe.
• There is one key difference with the earlier version of the software.
• There were some differences as to how to deal with the crisis.
• There's a big difference between reading about skiing and doing it yourself.
• There's all the difference in the world between choosing to do something and being forced to do it.
• There's not much difference between baseball and softball.
• These talks aim to resolve the outstanding differences between the two sides.
• They have had some minor differences, but in general they get on well together.
• We found no significant difference between the two groups.
• We should be focusing on what we have in common rather than emphasizing our differences.
• We're going to get the two sides together to see if they can't settle their differences.
• What difference does it make if he doesn't have a car?
• What's the time difference between London and Tokyo?
• a crucial difference of emphasis
• I can never tell the difference between the twins.
• I'll lend you £500 and you'll have to find the difference.
• There's a world of difference between liking someone and loving them.
• There's an age difference of six years between the two boys.
• There's not much difference in price between the two computers.
• We have our differences, but she's still my sister.
• What a difference! You look great with your hair like that

• Why don't you settle your differences and be friends again?

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

difference / ˈdɪf. ə r. ə ns / / -ɚ- / noun (NOT THE SAME)

A2 [ C or U ] the way in which two or more things which you are comparing are not the same:

What's the difference between an ape and a monkey?

Is there any significant difference in quality between these two items?

make a (big) difference B2 ( also make all the difference ) to improve a situation (a lot):

Exercise can make a big difference to your state of health.

Putting up some new wallpaper has made all the difference to the place.

not make any difference B2 ( also not make the slightest difference ) to not change a situation in any way:

You can ask him again if you like, but it won't make any difference - he'll still say no.

It makes no difference wh ere you put the aerial, the TV picture's still lousy.

with a difference describes something unusual, and more interesting or better than other things of the same type:

Try new Cremetti - the ice cream with a difference.

Word partners for difference

know / tell the difference • a big / important / major / vast difference • a basic / fundamental difference • a marked / obvious difference • a slight / subtle difference • a difference in sth • a difference between [two things]

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

difference

[dɪ̱frəns]
♦♦
differences
1) N-COUNT: usu N prep The difference between two things is the way in which they are unlike each other.
  That is the fundamental difference between the two societies...
  There is no difference between the sexes.
  ...the vast difference in size...
  We do have social problems here. The difference is the people know each other and try to help each other.
2) N-SING A difference between two quantities is the amount by which one quantity is less than the other.
  The difference is 8532.
3) N-COUNT: usu pl, oft poss N If people have their differences about something, they disagree about it.
  The two communities are learning how to resolve their differences.
4) PHRASE: V inflects If something makes a difference or makes a lot of difference, it affects you and helps you in what you are doing. If something makes no difference, it does not have any effect on what you are doing.
  Where you live can make such a difference to the way you feel...
  Exercise makes all the difference...
  It is sad to see him go but it won't make any difference to the way we conduct our affairs.
5) PHRASE: V inflects If you split the difference with someone, you agree on an amount or price which is halfway between two suggested amounts or prices.
  Shall we split the difference and say $7,500?
6) PHRASE: n PHR If you describe a job or holiday, for example, as a job with a difference or a holiday with a difference, you mean that the job or holiday is very interesting and unusual. [INFORMAL]
  When she starts work on Monday it will be in a job with a difference - she'll be her own boss.
  ...a politician with a difference.
7) PHRASE: difference inflects If there is a difference of opinion between two or more people or groups, they disagree about something.
  Was there a difference of opinion over what to do with the Nobel Prize money?

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

difference

dif·fer·ence /ˈdɪfrəns/ noun, pl -enc·es
1 : the quality that makes one person or thing unlike another

[noncount]

• She knows the difference between right and wrong.
• There's no difference between the two houses. They look exactly the same.

[singular]

• There's a striking difference in the sisters' looks. [=they look very different from each other]
✦To tell the difference between two people or things is to see how they are unlike each other.
• It's hard to tell the difference [=distinguish] between one action movie and another.
• The new version is supposed to be much better than the old one, but I can't tell the difference (between them).
2 [count] : something that people do not agree about : a disagreement in opinion
• They've always had their differences. [=they have always disagreed about some things]
• The debate gave them a chance to air their differences. [=to discuss the things that they disagree about]
• We need to find a way to resolve/settle our differences. [=to stop disagreeing, arguing, etc.]
• There seems to be a difference of opinion [=people disagree] about what we should do next.
• They divorced because of irreconcilable differences. [=serious disagreements that they were not able to settle]
3 [count] : the degree or amount by which things differ
• There's a big difference in price.
• There's a 15-year age difference between her oldest and youngest children. [=her oldest child is fifteen years older than her youngest child]
make a difference
1 : to cause a change : to be important in some way
• Cost can make a difference in deciding on a college.
• “When would you like to leave?” “It makes no difference (to me).” [=it doesn't matter to me; I don't care]
• The weather didn't make any difference in our plans. [=didn't change our plans]
• It would make a lot of difference if you came.
• Your help made a big difference.
• It makes very little difference. [=it matters very little]
• The size of the engine can make all the difference. [=can be very important; can matter most]
• It may not matter to you, but it makes all the difference in the world to me. = It makes a world of difference to me. [=it matters very much to me]
2 : to do something that is important : to do something that helps people or makes the world a better place
• She says that she got into politics because she wanted to make a difference.
same difference chiefly US informal
- used to say that two things are not really different in any important way
• “They lost 100 games last year.” “Actually, they only lost 96 games.” “Same difference. The point is, they were awful.”
split the difference
- see ¹split
what's the difference?
1
- used to ask how one thing is different from another
• “I like this one a lot more than that one.” “Why? What's the difference (between them)?”
2 or what difference does it/that make?
- used to ask why something is important or to suggest that something is not important
• What's the difference whether I go or not?
• What difference does it make [=what does it matter] if I go with you?

American English

British English

different and difference

A2 (Elementary)

noun

pocket

pocket [noun] (BAG)

a small bag for carrying things in, made of cloth and sewn into the inside or onto the outside of a piece of clothing

/ˈpɑː.kɪt/

/ˈpɒk.ɪt/

Example:

He took some coins from/out of his pocket.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

pocket

noun
the part of a piece of clothing that you can put things in:
I put the key in my pocket.

pick somebody's pocket to steal money from somebody's pocket or bag

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

pocket

I. pock‧et¹ S2 W2 /ˈpɒkət, ˈpɒkɪt $ ˈpɑː-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old North French; Origin: pokete, from poke 'bag']
1. IN CLOTHES a type of small bag in or on a coat, trousers etc that you can put money, keys etc in:
Luke came in with his hands in his pockets.
jacket/trouser etc pocket
The keys are in my trouser pocket.
pocket of
the inside pocket of his jacket
The policeman told me to turn out my pockets (=take everything out of them).
2. MONEY the amount of money that you have to spend:
There are eight hotels, with a price range to suit every pocket.
from/out of/into your own pocket
Dan had to pay for the repairs out of his own pocket.
He was accused of diverting some of the firm’s money into his own pocket.
The deepening recession has hit people’s pockets.
For investors with deep pockets (=a lot of money), the Berlin property market is attractive.
3. SMALL CONTAINER a small bag or piece of material fastened to something so that you can put things into it:
Please read the air safety card in the pocket of the seat in front.
4. SMALL AREA/AMOUNT a small area or amount of something that is different from what surrounds it
pocket of
In some parts, there are still pockets of violence and unrest.
pockets of air inside the hull of the ship
5. be in sb’s pocket to be controlled or strongly influenced by someone in authority, and willing to do whatever they want:
The judge was in the defense lawyer’s pocket.
6. have something in your pocket to be certain to win something such as a competition or an election:
The Democrats had the election in their pocket.
7. out of pocket especially British English informal if you are out of pocket, you have less money than you should have, especially as a result of making a mistake or being unlucky:
If he loses the deal, he’ll be badly out of pocket.
8. be/live in each other’s pockets British English informal if two people are in each other’s pockets, they are together too much
9.
GAME a small net on a ↑pool, ↑snooker, or ↑billiard table, which you try to hit balls into ⇨ ↑air pocket, ⇨ burn a hole in your pocket at ↑burn¹(17), ⇨ line your own pockets at ↑line²(4), ⇨ pick sb’s pocket at ↑pick¹(14)

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

pocket / ˈpɒk.ɪt / / ˈpɑː.kɪt / noun [ C ] (BAG)

pocket

A2 a small bag for carrying things in, made of cloth and sewn into the inside or onto the outside of a piece of clothing:

a jacket/trouser/coat pocket

a hip/breast pocket

She thrust her hands deep in/into her pockets.

He took some coins from/out of his pocket.

B1 a container, usually made of cloth, that is sewn into or onto a bag or fixed to a seat or door in a vehicle:

Sarah put her maps in the outside pocket of her rucksack.

The safety instructions are in the pocket of the seat in front of you.

one of several holes around the edge of a billiard or snooker table, into which balls are hit C2 informal the amount of money that someone has for spending:

You need deep pockets (= a lot of money) if you're involved in a long law suit.

I paid for my ticket out of my own pocket (= with my own money) , but I can claim the cost of it back from my employer.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

pocket

[pɒ̱kɪt]
♦♦♦
pockets, pocketing, pocketed
1) N-COUNT: oft poss N, n N A pocket is a kind of small bag which forms part of a piece of clothing, and which is used for carrying small things such as money or a handkerchief.
  He took his flashlight from his jacket pocket and switched it on...
  The man stood with his hands in his pockets.
2) N-COUNT You can use pocket in a lot of different ways to refer to money that people have, get, or spend. For example, if someone gives or pays a lot of money, you can say that they dig deep into their pocket. If you approve of something because it is very cheap to buy, you can say that it suits people's pockets.
  When you come to choosing a dining table, it really is worth digging deep into your pocket for the best you can afford.
  ...ladies' fashions to suit all shapes, sizes and pockets...
  You would be buying a piece of history as well as a boat, if you put your hand in your pocket for this one...
  We don't believe that they have the economic reforms in place which would justify putting huge sums of Western money into their pockets.
3) ADJ: ADJ n You use pocket to describe something that is small enough to fit into a pocket, often something that is a smaller version of a larger item.
  ...a pocket calculator.
  ...my pocket edition of the Oxford English Dictionary.
4) N-COUNT: usu N of n A pocket of something is a small area where something is happening, or a small area which has a particular quality, and which is different from the other areas around it.
  Trapped in a pocket of air, they had only 40 minutes before the tide flooded the chamber...
  The newly established government controls the bulk of the city apart from a few pockets of resistance.
5) VERB If someone who is in possession of something valuable such as a sum of money pockets it, they steal it or take it for themselves, even though it does not belong to them.
  [V n] Dishonest importers would be able to pocket the VAT collected from customers.
6) VERB If you say that someone pockets something such as a prize or sum of money, you mean that they win or obtain it, often without needing to make much effort or in a way that seems unfair. [JOURNALISM]
  [V n] He pocketed more money from this tournament than in his entire three years as a professional.
7) VERB If someone pockets something, they put it in their pocket, for example because they want to steal it or hide it.
  [V n] Anthony snatched his letters and pocketed them...
  [V n] He pocketed a wallet containing ₤40 cash from the bedside of a dead man.
8) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that some money is burning a hole in someone's pocket, you mean that they want to spend it as soon as possible.
  It's Saturday, you're down the high street and you've got a few quid burning a hole in your pocket.
9) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR (disapproval) If you say that someone is in someone else's pocket, you disapprove of the fact that the first person is willing to do whatever the second person tells them, for example out of weakness or in return for money.
  The board of directors must surely have been in Johnstone's pocket.
10) PHRASE: V inflects (disapproval) If you say that someone is lining their own or someone else's pockets, you disapprove of them because they are making money dishonestly or unfairly.
  It is estimated that 5,000 bank staff could be lining their own pockets from customer accounts.
  ...a government that ignores the needs of the majority in order to line the pockets of the favoured few.
11) PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v If you are out of pocket, you have less money than you should have or than you intended, for example because you have spent too much or because of a mistake.
→ See also out-of-pocket
  They were well out of pocket - they had spent far more in Hollywood than he had earned...
  Statements with errors could still be going out, but customers who notify us will not be left out of pocket.
12) PHRASE: V and N inflect If someone picks your pocket, they steal something from your pocket, usually without you noticing.
  They were more in danger of having their pockets picked than being shot at.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹pock·et /ˈpɑːkət/ noun, pl -ets [count]
1 : a usually small cloth bag that is sewn into a piece of clothing, a larger bag, etc., and that is open at the top or side so that you can put things into it
• He keeps his gloves in his coat pocket.
• She was standing there with her hands in her pockets.
• a hip/breast/shirt pocket
• I have a hole in my pocket.
• Her pocket was full of change/coins.
• The security guard asked us to empty our pockets. [=to take out everything in our pockets]
- see color picture
2 : the amount of money that someone has available to spend
• We're looking for investors with pockets that are deep enough to pay for the project. [=investors with enough money to pay for the project]
• There are items in our store that suit every pocket. [=that everyone can afford to buy]
• The governor paid for the event out of his own pocket. [=with his own money rather than the state's money]
• The mayor diverted city funds into his own pockets. [=he took money that belonged to the city]
- see also deep pockets
3 : a small bag or container that is attached to something and used to hold things
• There are pockets on the back of each car seat.
• The tickets are in the zippered pocket on the front of the suitcase.
4 : a small area or group that is different from the larger area or group it is in or near - usually + of
• Military forces have encountered a few pockets of resistance.
5 pool and billiards : a bag or cup that you hit the ball into at the corner or side of a pool table or billiard table
• He knocked the ball into the corner/side pocket.
6 : air pocket
be/live in each other's pockets Brit informal : to be too close to someone or spend too much time with someone
in someone's pocket or in the pocket of someone disapproving : under someone's control or influence
• The judge in the case was in the senator's pocket. [=was controlled by the senator]
• researchers/scientists who are in the pocket of pharmaceutical companies
in your pocket informal
✦If you have something in your pocket, you are certain to win or get it.
• The interview went really well. I thought I had the job in my pocket.
• She knew that she had the game/match in her pocket. [=she knew she would win the game]
line your pockets
- see ³line
out of pocket chiefly Brit informal : having less money because of something that has happened
• The lawsuit has left company shareholders $30 million out of pocket.
- see also out-of-pocket
pick pockets
- see ¹pick

cousin

cousin [noun]

a child of a person's aunt or uncle, or, more generally, a distant (= not close) relation

/ˈkʌz.ən/

Example:

My brother's wife and I both had babies around the same time, so the cousins are very close in age.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

cousin

noun
the child of your aunt or uncle You use the same word for both male and female cousins.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

cousin

cous‧in S2 /ˈkʌzən/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: cosin, from Latin consobrinus, from com- ( ⇨ COM-) + sobrinus 'cousin on the mother's side' (from soror 'sister')]
1. the child of your ↑uncle or ↑aunt ⇨ ↑first cousin, ↑kissing cousin, SECOND COUSIN
2. something that has the same origins as something else
cousin of/to
a drug that is a chemical cousin to amphetamines
close/distant cousin
The Alaskan brown bear is a close cousin of the grizzly bear.
3. someone or something that is similar to someone or something else:
His avant-garde music, sometime cousin to jazz, had limited appeal.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

cousin

cousin [cousin cousins] [ˈkʌzn] [ˈkʌzn] noun
1. (also ˌfirst ˈcousin) a child of your aunt or uncle
• She's my cousin.
• We're cousins.

see also country cousin, second cousin

2. a person who is in your wider family but who is not closely related to you

• He's a distant cousin of mine.

3. usually plural a way of describing people from another country who are similar in some way to people in your own country

• our American cousins

4. usually plural a way of describing things that are similar or related in some way
• Asian elephants are smaller than their African cousins.
See also: first cousin
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French cosin, from Latin consobrinus ‘mother's sister's child’, from con- ‘with’ + sobrinus ‘second cousin’ (from soror ‘sister’).
Example Bank:
• Completely out of the blue, she got a letter from her long-lost cousin in New York.
• I have a new baby cousin.
• She's my first cousin once removed.
• These pigs are close cousins of the wild hog.

• the popular idea that creativity and madness are kissing cousins

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

cousin / ˈkʌz. ə n / noun [ C ]

A2 ( also first cousin ) a child of a person's aunt or uncle, or, more generally, a distant (= not close) relation:

My brother's wife and I both had babies around the same time, so the cousins are very close in age.

Many of our distant cousins, whom we hadn't seen for years, came to my sister's wedding.

a member of a group of people with similar origins:

We Americans owe a great deal to our European cousins.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

cousin

[kʌ̱z(ə)n]
♦♦
cousins
1) N-COUNT: oft with poss Your cousin is the child of your uncle or aunt.
→ See also second cousin
  My cousin Mark helped me...
  We are cousins.
  Syn:
  first cousin
2) N-COUNT If you refer to two things or groups of people as cousins, you mean that they are equivalents or that there is a connection between them.
→ See also country cousin
  Whereas West Germans drink wine, their Eastern cousins prefer Schnapps...
  The average European kitchen is smaller than its American cousin.
  ...misanthropy and its cousin racism.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

cousin

cous·in /ˈkʌzən/ noun, pl -ins [count]
1 a : a child of your uncle or aunt - called also first cousin,
- see also second cousin
b : a person who is related to you but not in a close or direct way
• Everyone came to the wedding, including a distant cousin no one had heard from in years.
- see also kissing cousin
2 : a person who is from another country but whose culture is similar to your own
• our English cousins
3 : something that is similar or related to something else
• The cricket is a cousin of the grasshopper.
• hurricanes and their cousins, typhoons

American English

British English

family relations in general

A2 (Elementary)

noun

aunt

aunt [noun]

the sister of someone's father or mother, or the wife of someone's uncle or aunt

/ænt/

/ɑːnt/

Example:

I have an aunt in Australia.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

aunt

noun (also informal) auntie, aunty )

pronunciation
The word aunt sounds like plant.

the sister of your mother or father, or the wife of your uncle:
Aunt Mary

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

aunt

aunt S3 W3 /ɑːnt $ ænt/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: ante, from Latin amita]
the sister of your father or mother, or the wife of your father’s or mother’s brother:
Aunt Mary

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

aunt

aunt [aunt aunts] [ɑːnt] [ænt] noun
1. the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
• Aunt Alice

• My aunt lives in Canada.

2. (informal) used by children, with a first name, to address a woman who is a friend of their parents
see also agony aunt
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French ante, from Latin amita.
Example Bank:

• Great Aunt Emily

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

aunt / ɑːnt / / ænt / noun [ C ] ( informal auntie , aunty )

A2 the sister of someone's father or mother, or the wife of someone's uncle or aunt:

I have an aunt in Australia.

This is my Aunt Camille.

[ as form of address ] Do you want some tea, Aunt Alice?

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

aunt

[ɑ͟ːnt, æ̱nt]
♦♦
aunts
N-FAMILY; N-TITLE
Someone's aunt is the sister of their mother or father, or the wife of their uncle.
→ See also agony aunt
She wrote to her aunt in America...
It was a present from Aunt Vera.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

aunt

aunt /ˈænt, ˈɑːnt/ noun, pl aunts [count] : the sister of your father or mother or the wife of your uncle
• He has three aunts and two uncles.
• This is my Aunt Mary.

American English

British English

family relations in general

A2 (Elementary)

noun

uncle

uncle [noun]

the brother of someone's mother or father, or the husband of someone's aunt or uncle

/ˈʌŋ.kəl/

Example:

I've got several uncles and aunts.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

uncle

noun
the brother of your mother or father, or the husband of your aunt:
Uncle Paul

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

uncle

un‧cle S2 W3 /ˈʌŋkəl/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin avunculus 'mother's brother']
1. the brother of your mother or father, or the husband of your aunt ⇨ aunt:
I went to stay with my uncle and aunt for a few days.
Uncle Philip
I was very excited about becoming an uncle (=your sister or your brother’s wife has a child).
2. used by children, in front of a first name, to address or refer to a man who is a close friend of their parents
3. say uncle American English spoken used by children to tell someone to admit they have been defeated

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

uncle

uncle [uncle uncles] [ˈʌŋkl] [ˈʌŋkl] noun
1. the brother of your mother or father; the husband of your aunt
• Uncle Ian
• I'm going to visit my uncle.

• I've just become an uncle (= because your brother/sister has had a baby).

2. used by children, with a first name, to address a man who is a close friend of their parents
see Bob's your uncle at Bob
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French oncle, from late Latin aunculus, alteration of Latin avunculus ‘maternal uncle’, diminutive of avus ‘grandfather’.
Example Bank:
• He looks so much like his late uncle.
• The boss smiled at us all like a benevolent uncle.

• the fortune left to her by her dead uncle

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

uncle / ˈʌŋ.kl̩ / noun [ C ]

A2 the brother of someone's mother or father, or the husband of someone's aunt or uncle:

I've got several uncles and aunts.

We invited my Uncle Steve round.

[ as form of address ] Did you bring me a present, Uncle Jack?

Indian English any male adult that you know who is older than you:

John Uncle

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

uncle

[ʌ̱ŋk(ə)l]
♦♦
uncles
N-FAMILY; N-TITLE
Someone's uncle is the brother of their mother or father, or the husband of their aunt.
  My uncle was the mayor of Memphis...
  A telegram from Uncle Fred arrived...
  Uncle, pa wants to see you.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

uncle

un·cle /ˈʌŋkəl/ noun, pl un·cles
1 [count] : the brother of your father or mother or the husband of your aunt
• I have three uncles and two aunts.
• My Uncle David is visiting next week.
2 US informal
- used as a word that you say when you are being hurt in a fight to show that you admit being defeated and do not want to continue fighting
• He was forced to cry/say uncle. [=forced to surrender]
and Bob's your uncle
- see bob

American English

British English

family relations in general

A2 (Elementary)

noun

play

play [noun] (ACTING)

a piece of writing that is intended to be acted in a theatre or on radio or television

/pleɪ/

Example:

the first act of the play was very boring

Oxford Essential Dictionary

play

noun

1 (plural plays) a story that you watch in the theatre or on television, or listen to on the radio:
We went to see a play at the National Theatre.

2 (no plural) games; what children do for fun:
work and play

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. play² S1 W2 BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑play, ↑interplay, ↑replay, ↑player, ↑playfulness; verb: ↑play, ↑outplay, ↑replay; adjective: ↑playful, ↑playable; adverb: ↑playfully]
[Language: Old English; Origin: plega]
1. THEATRE [countable] a story that is written to be performed by actors, especially in a theatre:
a play by Chekhov
This is a major theme of Miller’s plays.
play about
Edward Bond’s play about class war
2. AMUSEMENT [uncountable] things that people, especially children, do for amusement rather than as work:
Play is very important to a child’s development.
a play area
through play
The program aims to teach road safety through play.
at play
the happy shouts of children at play
3. EFFECT [uncountable] the effect or influence of something:
the free play of competition in the building industry
at play
There are a number of factors at play (=having an effect) in the current recession.
bring/put something into play (=use something or make it have an effect)
A complex system of muscles is brought into play for each body movement.
Political considerations do come into play (=have an effect) when making policy.
4. ACTION IN A GAME OR SPORT
a) [uncountable] the actions of the people who are playing a game or sport:
Rain stopped play after only an hour.
b) [countable] one particular action or set of actions during a game:
On the next play, Johnson ran 15 yards for a touchdown.
5. in play/out of play if a ball is in play or out of play, it is inside or outside the area in which the rules of the game allow you to hit, kick, catch etc the ball:
He kicked the ball out of play.
6. play on words a use of a word that is interesting or amusing because it can be understood as having two very different meanings SYN pun
7. play of light patterns made by light as it moves over a surface:
the play of light on the water
8. make a play for something to make an attempt to gain something:
He made a play for the leadership last year.
9. make a play for somebody to try to begin a romantic or sexual relationship with someone:
It’s obvious he was making a play for her.
10. LOOSENESS [uncountable] if there is some play in something, it is loose and can be moved:
There’s too much play in the rope.
⇨ ↑fair play, ↑foul play

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

noun

CHILDREN
1. uncountable things that people, especially children, do for pleasure rather than as work
• the happy sounds of children at play
• the importance of learning through play

• a play area

IN THEATRE

2. countable a piece of writing performed by actors in a theatre or on television or radio
• to put on (= perform) a play
• a play by Shakespeare
• a radio play

see also morality play, mystery play, Passion play

IN SPORT

3. uncountable the playing of a game
• Rain stopped play.
• There was some excellent play in yesterday's match.
• The spectators were asked to be quiet during play.

see also fair play, foul play

4. countable (NAmE) an action or move in a game

• a defensive play

IN ROPE

5. uncountable the possibility of free and easy movement

• We need more play in the rope.

ACTIVITY/INFLUENCE

6. uncountable the activity or operation of sth; the influence of sth on sth else
• the free play of market forces
• The financial crisis has brought new factors into play.

• Personal feelings should not come into play when you are making business decisions.

OF LIGHT/A SMILE

7. uncountable (literary) a light, quick movement that keeps changing
• the play of sunlight on water
more at call sth into play at call _v., child's play at child, the state of play at state _n., all work and no play (makes Jack a dull boy) at work _n.
Word Origin:
Old English pleg(i)an ‘to exercise’, plega ‘brisk movement’, related to Middle Dutch pleien ‘leap for joy, dance’.
Thesaurus:
play noun
1. U
• the happy sounds of children at play
fun • • amusement • • entertainment • • pleasure • • recreation • • relaxation •
do sth for fun/amusement/entertainment/pleasure/recreation/relaxation
2. C
• a play by Shakespeare
drama • • comedy • • tragedy • • farce • • sketch •
a play/drama/comedy/tragedy/farce/sketch about sth
perform a play/drama/sketch
see a play/drama/comedy/sketch
Example Bank:
• At close of play he had scored 38 not out.
• Children spend hours at play.
• He kicked the ball out of play.
• He made several nice defensive plays.
• He was sent off for foul play.
• I only said it in play.
• Rain stopped play 40 minutes into the match.
• The ball is still in play.
• The children always perform a nativity play every Christmas.
• The local council runs some good play schemes.
• The offensive coordinator has called 60 running plays and 44 passes.
• The play is reviewed in most of today's papers.
• There were ten double plays completed.
• They ran 10 plays inside the 30 in the fourth quarter.
• a play about teenage runaways
• the final play of the first half
• the team's ability to execute a play
• Kate's class decided to put on a play for the school.
• The theatre was refused permission to stage the play.
• They are performing a play by Pinter.
• a children's play area

• the happy sounds of children at play

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

play / pleɪ / noun [ C ] (ACTING)

A2 a piece of writing that is intended to be acted in a theatre or on radio or television:

a radio play

"Did you see the play (= the performance of the play) on Thursday?" "No, I went on Wednesday night."

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

play

[ple͟ɪ]
♦
plays, playing, played
1) VERB When children, animals, or perhaps adults play, they spend time doing enjoyable things, such as using toys and taking part in games.
  ...invite the children round to play...
  They played in the little garden...
  [V with n] Polly was playing with her teddy bear.
N-UNCOUNT
Play is also a noun. ...a few hours of play until the baby-sitter takes them off to bed.
2) V-RECIP When you play a sport, game, or match, you take part in it.
  [pl-n V n] While the twins played cards, Francis sat reading...
  [V n with n] Alain was playing cards with his friends...
  [V n (non-recip)] I used to play basketball...
  [V for n (non-recip)] I want to play for my country...
  [V (non-recip)] He captained the team but he didn't actually play.
N-UNCOUNT
Play is also a noun. Both sides adopted the Continental style of play.
3) VERB When one person or team plays another or plays against them, they compete against them in a sport or game.
  [V n] Northern Ireland will play Latvia...
  [V against n] I've played against him a few times.
N-UNCOUNT
Play is also a noun. Fischer won after 5 hours and 41 minutes of play.
4) VERB When you play the ball or play a shot in a game or sport, you kick or hit the ball.
  [V n] Think first before playing the ball...
  [V n] Sikander Bakht played a bad shot...
  [V n adv] I played the ball back slightly.
5) VERB If you play a joke or a trick on someone, you deceive them or give them a surprise in a way that you think is funny, but that often causes problems for them or annoys them.
  [V n on n] Someone had played a trick on her, stretched a piece of string at the top of those steps...
  [V n] I thought: `This cannot be happening, somebody must be playing a joke'.
6) VERB If you play with an object or with your hair, you keep moving it or touching it with your fingers, perhaps because you are bored or nervous.
  [V with n] She stared at the floor, idly playing with the strap of her handbag.
  Syn:
  toy
7) N-COUNT A play is a piece of writing which is performed in a theatre, on the radio, or on television.
  The company put on a play about the homeless...
  It's my favourite Shakespeare play.
8) VERB If an actor plays a role or character in a play or film, he or she performs the part of that character.
  [V n] ...Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, in which he played Hyde...
  [V n] His ambition is to play the part of Dracula.
9) V-LINK You can use play to describe how someone behaves, when they are deliberately behaving in a certain way or like a certain type of person. For example, to play the innocent, means to pretend to be innocent, and to play deaf means to pretend not to hear something.
  [V n] Hill tried to play the peacemaker...
  [V n] She was just playing the devoted mother...
  So you want to play nervous today? [Also V adj]
  Syn:
  act
10) VERB You can describe how someone deals with a situation by saying that they play it in a certain way. For example, if someone plays it cool, they keep calm and do not show much emotion, and if someone plays it straight, they behave in an honest and direct way.
  [V it adj/adv] Investors are playing it cautious, and they're playing it smart.
11) V-ERG If you play a musical instrument or play a tune on a musical instrument, or if a musical instrument plays, music is produced from it.
  [V n] Nina had been playing the piano...
  [V n] Two people played jazz on a piano...
  [V for n] He played for me...
  [V n n] Place your baby in her seat and play her a lullaby...
  The guitars played. [Also V n for n]
12) V-ERG If you play a record, a compact disc, or a tape, you put it into a machine and sound is produced. If a record or tape is playing, sound is being produced from it.
  [V n] She played her records too loudly...
  [V n] Every evening in those days the BBC played `God Save The King'...
  [V n] The records were played on the radio...
  There is classical music playing in the background. [Also V n n]
13) VERB If a musician or group of musicians plays or plays a concert, they perform music for people to listen or dance to.
  A band was playing...
  [V n] He will play concerts in Amsterdam and Paris.
  Syn:
  perform
14) VERB When light plays somewhere, it moves about on a surface in an unsteady way. [LITERARY]
  [V prep] The sun played on the frosty roofs.
15) PHRASE: V inflects (feelings) If you ask what someone is playing at, you are angry because you think they are doing something stupid or wrong. [INFORMAL]
  What the hell are you playing at?.
16) PHRASE: V inflects When something comes into play or is brought into play, it begins to be used or to have an effect.
  The real existence of a military option will come into play...
  Breathing brings many muscles into play.
17) PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR in n If something or someone plays a part or plays a role in a situation, they are involved in it and have an effect on it.
  They played a part in the life of their community...
  The UN would play a major role in monitoring a ceasefire.
  ...the role played by diet in disease.
18) to play ball → see ball
to play your cards right → see card
to play it by ear → see ear
to play fair → see fair
to play fast and loose → see fast
to play second fiddle → see fiddle
to play the field → see field
to play with fire → see fire
to play the fool → see fool
to play to the gallery → see gallery
to play into someone's hands → see hand
to play hard to get → see hard
to play havoc → see havoc
to play host → see host
to play safe → see safe
to play for time → see time
to play truant → see truant
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - play along
  - play at
  - play around
  - play back
  - play down
  - play off against
  - play on
  - play out
  - play up
  - play upon

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

play

²play noun, pl plays
1 [count] : a piece of writing that tells a story through the actions and words of characters and that is performed on a stage
• The play is based on a real-life event.
• He wrote, directed, and starred in the play.
• plays by Shakespeare
• His fifth grade class is putting on a play about the first Thanksgiving.
• I've gone to all of my daughter's school plays.
• She's currently adapting a stage play [=a play that is written to be performed on a stage] for the big screen.
- see also mystery play, passion play, screenplay
2 [noncount] : activities that are done especially by children for fun or enjoyment
• The book discusses the role of play in a child's development.
• imaginative play
• As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
• a safe play area
• the sounds of children at play [=the sounds of children playing]
- see also child's play
3 a [noncount] : the action that happens during a game
• Please, no talking during play.
• Rain held up play for an hour.
• The chess match finally ended after three hours of play.
• The two golfers were tied at the start of play yesterday.
• We were surprised with/by the other team's level/quality of play.
b : the time when a person playing a game is supposed to do something

[count]

• It's your play. [=(more commonly) turn]

[noncount]

• Roll the dice to determine the order of play. [=to decide who plays first, second, etc.]
4 [count] US : a particular action or set of actions that happens during a game: such as
a American football : a planned attempt to move the ball forward or to stop an opponent from moving the ball forward
• The quarterback called out the play to his teammates.
• He ran 50 yards on that last play.
• running/passing plays
• a defensive/offensive play
b baseball : an action that is done to try to get a player out
• He was called safe on a close play at first base.
- often used with make
• The shortstop made a great play to end the inning.
• She had a chance to catch the ball, but she failed to make the play.
- see also double play, triple play
c : the act of moving a piece in a game like chess or checkers
• the first/opening play [=move] of the game
5 [noncount] : the state of being active or having an effect
• the play of market forces
• She promotes the free play of ideas in her classroom.
• Several issues are at play [=are involved] in determining the price of gasoline.
• The students' creativity was brought/called/put into play on this last assignment. [=the students had to use their creativity]
• Two important factors come into play. [=are involved]
6 [noncount]
a : time when a musical recording is played by a radio station : airplay
• The song has been getting heavy radio play. [=radio stations have been playing the song frequently]
b US : attention in newspapers, on television, etc.
• The story has so far received little play in the press. [=has not gotten much attention in the press]
7 [count] : a humorous or clever way of using a word or phrase so that more than one meaning is suggested - + on
• The title of the article makes a play on the prime minister's last name.
• a play on the word's original meaning
• a clever play on words [=pun]
- see also wordplay
8 [noncount]
a : a function of a machine that causes recorded sounds or pictures to be heard or seen
• Press “Play” to start the movie.
b : time when a machine is being used to hear or see recorded sounds or pictures
• The CD player's batteries only provided three to four hours of play.
9 [singular] : the irregular or lively movement of something
• Look at the dazzling play of colors in this diamond.
• a play of shadow and light
10 [noncount] : loose and free movement of something (such as part of a machine)
• There's too much play in the car's steering wheel.
in/into play of a ball : in or into the area where players must stay in sports
• She tried to keep the ball in play, but it bounced out of bounds.
• He put the ball back into play.
make a play for : to try to get (someone or something)
• He made a play for her. [=he tried to start a romantic or sexual relationship with her]
• She made a play for the job, but she didn't get it.
out of play of a ball : outside the area where players must stay in sports
• The ball is out of play [=dead] if it crosses these lines.

- see also fair play, foul play, power play

real

real [adjective] (NOT FALSE)

being what it appears to be and not false

/ˈriː.əl/

/rɪəl/

Example:

what is her real name?

Oxford Essential Dictionary

real

adjective

1 existing, not just imagined:
The film is about events that happened in real life.

2 actually true, not only what people think is true:
The name he gave to the police wasn't his real name.

3 natural; not false or a copy:
This ring is real gold.

4 big or complete:
I've got a real problem.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

real

I. real¹ S1 W1 /rɪəl/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑realism, ↑realist, ↑reality, ↑unreality, ↑realization; adverb: ↑real, ↑really, ↑realistically ≠ ↑unrealistically; adjective: ↑real, ↑unreal, ↑realistic ≠ ↑unrealistic; verb: ↑realize]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old French; Origin: Medieval Latin realis 'of things (in law)', from Latin res 'thing']
1. IMPORTANT something that is real exists and is important:
There is a real danger that the disease might spread.
We need to tackle the real problems of unemployment and poverty.
There is no real reason to worry.
2. NOT ARTIFICIAL something that is real is actually what it seems to be and not false or artificial OPP fake:
a coat made of real fur
She had never seen a real live elephant before.
Artificial flowers can sometimes look better than the real thing.
3. NOT IMAGINARY something that is real actually exists and is not just imagined:
The children know that Santa Claus isn’t a real person.
Dreams can sometimes seem very real.
Things don’t happen quite that easily in real life.
4. the real world used to talk about the difficult experience of living and working with other people, rather than being protected at home, at school, or at college:
the shock of leaving university and going out into the real world
5. TRUE [only before noun] actual and true, not invented:
That’s not her real name.
What was the real reason you quit your job?
6. FEELINGS a real feeling or emotion is one that you actually experience and is strong SYN genuine:
There was a look of real hatred in her eyes.
I got a real sense of achievement when my work was first published.
7. RIGHT QUALITIES [only before noun] a real thing has all the qualities you expect something of that type to have:
I remember my first real job.
Simon was her first real boyfriend.
• • •
SPOKEN PHRASES
8. FOR EMPHASIS [only before noun] used to emphasize how stupid, beautiful, terrible etc someone or something is:
Thanks – you’ve been a real help.
The house was a real mess.
9. for real seriously, not just pretending:
After two trial runs we did it for real.
10. are you for real? American English used when you are very surprised or shocked by what someone has done or said
11. get real! used to tell someone that they are being very silly or unreasonable
12. keep it real to behave in an honest way and not pretend to be different from how you really are
13. MONEY [only before noun] a real increase or decrease in an amount of money is one you calculate by including the general decrease in the value of money over a period of time:
a real increase of 6% in average wages
The average value of salaries has fallen in real terms (=calculated in this way).
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ genuine used about a feeling, thing, or person that really is what they seem to be: genuine concern | Experts believe that the painting is genuine. | genuine refugees | a genuine reason for taking time off work | If a student has genuine religious objections to a school activity, they do not have to participate.
▪ real not false or artificial: real wood | His real name is Reginald. | It looks just like the real thing. | Are those flowers real or artificial?
▪ authentic authentic food, music, clothes etc are correct for the place or the period in history that they are supposed to be from: It’s a friendly restaurant offering authentic Greek food. | authentic medieval instruments | The dancers wore authentic Native American designs.
▪ true [only before noun] having all the qualities you would expect a particular type of person or thing to have: a true friend | She is a true professional. | Being a true Red Sox fan, he never missed a game. | True Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
▪ bona fide /ˌbəʊnə ˈfaɪdi $ ˈbəʊnə faɪd/ [usually before noun] bona fide people or things are really what they say they are, especially when this can be checked by looking at official documents: a bona fide medical qualification | a bona fide company | This club is only open to bona fide members.
▪ hard evidence/facts evidence or facts that are genuine and can be proved: There was no hard evidence to support the theory.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

real / rɪəl / / riː.əl / adjective (NOT FALSE)

[ before noun ] being what it appears to be and not false:

real leather/fur

Is that a toy gun or the real thing ?

→ Synonym genuine

[ before noun ] UK approving (especially of foods) produced using traditional methods and without artificial substances:

The pub sells several kinds of real ale (= traditional beer) .

for real informal real, not pretended:

I thought it was just a fire practice but apparently it was for real.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

real

[ri͟ːl]
♦
1) ADJ Something that is real actually exists and is not imagined, invented, or theoretical.
  No, it wasn't a dream. It was real...
  Legends grew up around a great many figures, both real and fictitious.
  Syn:
  genuine
  Ant:
  imaginary
2) ADJ-GRADED: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ to n If something is real to someone, they experience it as though it really exists or happens, even though it does not.
  Whitechild's life becomes increasingly real to the reader.
3) ADJ: usu ADJ n A material or object that is real is natural or functioning, and not artificial or an imitation.
  ...the smell of real leather...
  Who's to know if they're real guns or not?...
  Desmond did not believe the diamond was real.
  Syn:
  genuine
  Ant:
  fake, imitation
4) ADJ: ADJ n You can use real to describe someone or something that has all the characteristics or qualities that such a person or thing typically has.
  ...his first real girlfriend...
  He's not a real alcoholic...
  The only real job I'd ever had was as manager of the local cafe.
  Syn:
  proper
5) ADJ: ADJ n You can use real to describe something that is the true or original thing of its kind, in contrast to one that someone wants you to believe is true.
  This was the real reason for her call...
  Her real name had been Miriam Pinckus.
  Syn:
  true
6) ADJ: ADJ n You can use real to describe something that is the most important or typical part of a thing.
  When he talks, he only gives glimpses of his real self...
  The smart executive has people he can trust doing all the real work.
  ...a solo journey to discover the real America.
  Syn:
  true
7) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n (emphasis) You can use real when you are talking about a situation or feeling to emphasize that it exists and is important or serious.
  Global warming is a real problem...
  The prospect of civil war is very real...
  There was never any real danger of the children being affected...
  Political defeat seemed a real possibility at the end of 1981...
  At least they have a real chance to find work.
8) ADJ-GRADED: ADJ n (emphasis) You can use real to emphasize a quality that is genuine and sincere.
  You've been drifting from job to job without any real commitment...
  Germany has shown real determination to come to terms with the anti-Semitism of its past.
9) ADJ: ADJ n (emphasis) You can use real before nouns to emphasize your description of something or someone. [mainly SPOKEN]
  `It's a fabulous deal, a real bargain.'...
  `You must think I'm a real idiot.'
10) ADJ: ADJ n The real cost or value of something is its cost or value after other amounts have been added or subtracted and when factors such as the level of inflation have been considered.
  ...the real cost of borrowing.
  Syn:
  actual, net
PHRASE: PHR with cl
You can also talk about the cost or value of something in real terms. In real terms the cost of driving is cheaper than a decade ago... Pensions have increased in real terms over the last twenty years.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹re·al /ˈriːjəl/ adj
1 : actually existing or happening : not imaginary
• The movie is based on real events.
• The detective Sherlock Holmes is not a real person.
• He has no real power; he is just a figurehead.
• The battle scenes in the movie seemed very real to me.
• The team has a real chance at winning.
• There is a very real possibility that we will be moving to Maine.
• In real life, relationships are not perfect.
• The actor looks taller on TV than he does in real life.
• I finally got to talk to a real live person [=an actual person] instead of a machine.
• He's always daydreaming and seems to be out of touch with the real world.
• Their son finally went out into the real world [=the world where people have to work, deal with daily problems, etc.] and got a job.
2 : not fake, false, or artificial
• real [=genuine] leather
• a real diamond
• Your real friends [=the people who are truly your friends] would be here to help you.
• What is his real name?
• Tell me the real reason you need the money.
3 : important and deserving to be regarded or treated in a serious way
• This is a very real problem/danger/concern.
• They have avoided talking about the real issues.
• There is no real reason to worry.
4 always used before a noun
- used for emphasis
• There's a real surprise at the end of the movie.
• Receiving this award is a real thrill.
• He's being a real jerk.
5 : strong and sincere
• I have no real interest in sports. [=I'm not very interested in sports]
• He made a real effort to improve his grades.
• There was a look of real [=genuine] astonishment on her face.
• She showed real delight/happiness when I told her the good news.
6 always used before a noun finance : measured by what money can actually buy at a particular time
• a real increase in wages as compared to inflation
• Charitable donations declined in real dollars last year.
for real informal
1 : true and genuine
• The information is for real.
2 US
a : honest and serious
• He convinced us that he was for real and really wanted to help.
• Is that guy for real?
b : genuinely good, skillful, etc.
• The team has proven that it's for real this year. [=has proven that it's good and has a real chance of winning]
3 : seriously or truly
• He's in trouble for real. [=he's really in trouble]
• They were just pretending to argue before, but now they're doing it for real.
get real informal : to start to think in a serious or reasonable way : to stop having foolish ideas, hopes, etc.
• We have to get real about this problem.
• You think you can get into Harvard with those grades? Get real.
keep it real informal : to talk and behave in an honest and serious way that shows who you really are
• He says he's just trying to keep it real.
the real deal
- see ³deal
the real McCoy
- see mccoy
the real thing
- see thing

American English

British English

true - real - false - and unreal

A2 (Elementary)

adjective

Search form

A2 (Elementary)

Pages