B1 (Intermediate)

creative

creative [adjective]

Producing or using original and unusual ideas

/kriˈeɪ.t̬ɪv/

/kriˈeɪ.tɪv/

خلاق

Example:

My father had a creative mind.

پدرم ذهن خلاقی داشت.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

creative

adjective
A person who is creative has a lot of new ideas or is good at making new things:
She's a very good painter – she's so creative.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

creative

I. cre‧a‧tive¹ W3 /kriˈeɪtɪv/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑creation, ↑creativity, ↑creator, ↑creativeness; verb: ↑create, ↑recreate; adverb: ↑creatively; adjective: ↑creative ≠ UNCREATIVE]
1. involving the use of imagination to produce new ideas or things:
This job is so boring. I wish I could do something more creative.
I teach creative writing at Trinity College.
the creative process of writing a poem
Diaghilev did his great creative work in France.
a creative solution to the problem
2. someone who is creative is very good at using their imagination to make things ⇨ inventive:
You’re so creative! I could never make my own clothes.
—creatively adverb
—creativeness noun [uncountable]

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

creative

cre·ative AW adjective, noun [kriˈeɪtɪv] [kriˈeɪtɪv]

adjective
1. only before noun involving the use of skill and the imagination to produce sth new or a work of art
• a course on creative writing (= writing stories, plays and poems)
• the creative and performing arts
• creative thinking (= thinking about problems in a new way or thinking of new ideas)
• the company's creative team

• the creative process

2. having the skill and ability to produce sth new, especially a work of art; showing this ability
• She's very creative— she writes poetry and paints.
• Do you have any ideas? You're the creative one.
Thesaurus:
creative [creative creatively creativity] adj.
• She's very creative— she writes poetry and paints.
artistic • • imaginative • • inventive • • original • • innovative • • ingenious •
a/an creative/artistic/maginative/inventive/original/innovative/ingenious mind
a/an creative/maginative/inventive/original/innovative/ingenious idea/design/solution
creative/imaginative/original/innovative thinking
creative/artistic ability/achievement/skill/talent
Example Bank:
• a highly creative artist
• genuinely creative thinking
• She's very creative— she writes poetry and paints.
• classes on creative writing
• the company's creative team

Derived Words: creatively ▪ creativity

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

creative / kriˈeɪ.tɪv / / -t̬ɪv / adjective

B1 producing or using original and unusual ideas:

a creative person/artist/designer/programmer

creative talents/powers/abilities

creative thinking

creatively / -li / adverb

creativity / ˌkriː.eɪˈtɪv.ɪ.ti / / -ˈt̬ɪv.ə.t̬i / noun [ U ] ( also creativeness , / -nəs / )

Too many rules might deaden creativity.

Creativity, ingenuity, and flair are the songwriter's real talents.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

creative

/krieɪtɪv/

Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.

1.
A creative person has the ability to invent and develop original ideas, especially in the arts.
Like so many creative people he was never satisfied.
...her obvious creative talents.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
• crea‧tiv‧ity
American art reached a peak of creativity in the ’50s and 60s.
N-UNCOUNT

2.
Creative activities involve the inventing and making of new kinds of things.
...creative writing...
Cooking is creative.
ADJ: usu ADJ n

3.
If you use something in a creative way, you use it in a new way that produces interesting and unusual results.
...his creative use of words.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
• crea‧tive‧ly
Genet teaches you to think creatively.
ADV

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

creative

cre·a·tive /kriˈeɪtɪv/ adj
1 [more ~; most ~] : having or showing an ability to make new things or think of new ideas
• He was more creative [=imaginative] than the other students.
• She's a very creative person.
• She has one of the most creative minds in the business.
• a burst of creative energy [=energy that you use to make or think of new things]
• They've come up with some creative new ways to make money.
• a creative solution to a difficult problem
• creative thinking
2 always used before a noun : using the ability to make or think of new things : involving the process by which new ideas, stories, etc., are created
• He teaches creative writing at the university.
• the first step in the creative process
• the show's creative director/team
3 always used before a noun usually disapproving : done in an unusual and often dishonest way
• It turns out that the company's report of record profits last year was due to some creative accounting.
- cre·a·tive·ly adv [more ~; most ~]
• Try to think more creatively.
• solving problems creatively
- cre·a·tive·ness noun [noncount]
• I admire her creativeness. [=(more commonly) creativity]

American English

British English

inspiration and inspiring

B1 (Intermediate)

adjective

generous

generous [adjective] (CHARACTER)

Willing to give money, help, kindness, etc., especially more than is usual or expected

/ˈdʒen.ər.əs/

سخاوتمندانه، بخشنده

Example:

Reza behaved in a generous way.

رضا به طور سخاوت مندانه ای رفتار کرد.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

generous

adjective
always ready to give people things or to spend money:
a generous gift
It was generous of your parents to pay for the meal.
opposite mean

>> generously adverb:
Please give generously.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

generous

gen‧e‧rous W3 /ˈdʒenərəs/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑generosity; adverb: ↑generously; adjective: ↑generous]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: généreux, from Latin generosus 'born into a high rank', from genus; ⇨ ↑genus]
1. someone who is generous is willing to give money, spend time etc, in order to help people or give them pleasure OPP mean
generous to
She’s always very generous to the kids.
generous with
Jim is very generous with his time.
it/that is generous (of somebody)
It was generous of them to ask Anna along.
generous offer/support/donation etc
my employer’s generous offer to pay the bill
2. larger or more than the usual size or amount OPP measly:
a generous glass of wine
generous amount/helping/measure etc
a generous helping of pasta
He had a well-shaped generous mouth.
3. sympathetic in the way you deal with people, and tending to see the good qualities in someone or something OPP mean:
She was generous enough to overlook my little mistake.
—generously adverb:
Please give generously to the refugee fund.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ kind someone who is kind tries to help people and make them happy or comfortable, and shows that they care about them: They were very kind to us and let us stay in their house as long as we liked. | a kind old lady | a kind thing to say
▪ nice especially spoken friendly and kind. Nice is very common in everyday spoken English and is often used instead of kind: Everyone has been so nice to me. | It’s nice of you to invite me here. | He seems such a nice man.
▪ generous kind because you give people money, presents etc: ‘I’ll pay for the meal.’ ‘That’s very generous of you.’ | a generous gift
▪ considerate thinking about other people’s feelings, and careful not to do anything that will upset them: Our neighbours are very considerate and always keep their TV turned down. | a considerate driver | He’s always very polite and considerate to his guests.
▪ thoughtful thinking of things you can do to make other people happy or feel good – used especially when someone does something such as giving someone a present or helping someone: It was thoughtful of you to send him a card. | Some thoughtful person had taken her bag to the lost property office.
▪ caring kind and wanting to help and look after people: She’s lucky to have such a loving and caring husband. | The British are well-known for their caring attitude toward animals.
▪ sympathetic saying kind things to someone who has problems and behaving in a way that shows you care about them: My boss was very sympathetic and said I should take some time off work. | She gave him a sympathetic smile.
▪ good kind and showing that you want to help – used especially in the following phrases: It was good of you to come and see me. | She’s always been very good to us.
▪ sweet informal very kind – used especially when you like someone very much, or you are very pleased because of something they have done: I was given the flowers by a sweet little old lady who lived next door. | It’s sweet of you to ask. | a sweet thing to say
▪ kind-hearted/warm-hearted especially written having a kind and friendly character, which makes other people like you: He was a wonderful father, kind-hearted and always laughing. | The town is full of warm-hearted, helpful people.
▪ benevolent formal kind and wanting to help people – often used about someone who is important or who people respect: a benevolent ruler | They believe in the existence of a benevolent God who will save mankind. | He listened politely, like some benevolent uncle.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

generous

gen·er·ous [ˈdʒenərəs] [ˈdʒenərəs] adjective (approving)
1. giving or willing to give freely; given freely
• a generous benefactor
• ~ (with sth) to be generous with your time
• to be generous in giving help
• a generous gift/offer
• It was generous of him to offer to pay for us both.

Opp: mean

2. more than is necessary; large
Syn: lavish
• a generous helping of meat

• The car has a generous amount of space.

3. kind in the way you treat people; willing to see what is good about sb/sth
• a generous mind
• He wrote a very generous assessment of my work.
Derived Word: generously
Word Origin:
late 16th cent.: via Old French from Latin generosus ‘noble, magnanimous’, from genus, gener- ‘stock, race’. The original sense was ‘of noble birth’, hence ‘characteristic of noble birth, courageous, magnanimous, not mean’ (a sense already present in Latin).
Thesaurus:
generous [generous generously] adj.
1.
• a kind and generous man
• a very generous gift
written, sometimes disapproving liberal • • free with sth •
Opp: mean
be generous/liberal/free with sth
a generous/liberal amount of sth
Generous or liberal? People can be generous with their money, time or help. If they are generous with their money, you can just say that they are generous (without stating ‘with their money’). People can be liberal with their money, cash, criticism or advice.
2.
• He wrote a very generous assessment of my work.
kind • • considerate • • thoughtful • |especially spoken nice • • good • • sweet • |formal benevolent • • benign •
Opp: mean
generous/kind/considerate/nice/good/benevolent to sb
be generous/kind/considerate/thoughtful/nice/good/sweet of sb (to do sth)
a generous/kind/considerate/thoughtful/nice/good/sweet/benevolent man/woman/person
Example Bank:
• John's getting very generous with the wine!
• She's quite generous with her praise.
• Thank you for your donation. It was very generous of you.
• The review panel criticized the payments as overly generous.
• They have been extremely generous to the church.
• You have been most generous.
• He took a generous helping of pasta.
• He's a kind and generous man.
• Her generous spirit shone through in everything she did.
• It was very generous of her to offer to pay.
• That's a very generous offer.
• The director thanked the chairman for his generous gift.
• The gallery was named after its most generous benefactor.

• They were very generous with their time.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

generous / ˈdʒen. ə r.əs / / -ɚ- / adjective (CHARACTER)

B1 willing to give money, help, kindness, etc., especially more than is usual or expected:

a very generous man

[ + to infinitive ] It was most generous of you to lend me the money.

She's been very generous with her time.

There's a generous (= kinder than deserved) review of the book in today's newspaper.

generously / -li / adverb

Please give generously to Children in Need.

The jacket is very generously cut.

generous / ˈdʒen. ə r.əs / / -ɚ- / adjective (SIZE)

C1 larger than usual or expected:

a generous slice of cake

a generous pay increase

generously / -li / adverb

Please give generously to Children in Need.

The jacket is very generously cut.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

generous

/dʒenərəs/

Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.

1.
A generous person gives more of something, especially money, than is usual or expected.
German banks are more generous in their lending...
The gift is generous by any standards.
≠ mean
ADJ
• gen‧er‧ous‧ly
We would like to thank all the judges who gave so generously of their time.
ADV: ADV with v

2.
A generous person is friendly, helpful, and willing to see the good qualities in someone or something.
He was always generous in sharing his enormous knowledge...
He was generous enough to congratulate his successor on his decision.
ADJ
• gen‧er‧ous‧ly
The students generously gave them instruction in social responsibility.
ADV: ADV with v

3.
A generous amount of something is much larger than is usual or necessary.
...a generous six weeks of annual holiday...
He should be able to keep his room tidy with the generous amount of storage space.
ADJ
• gen‧er‧ous‧ly
...a generously sized sitting room...
Season the steaks generously with salt and pepper.
ADV: ADV -ed, ADV after v

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

generous

gen·er·ous /ˈʤɛnərəs/ adj [more ~; most ~]
1 : freely giving or sharing money and other valuable things
• a generous benefactor
• The school raised the money through donations from generous alumni.
• He was generous with both his time and his money.
• She has always been very generous toward/to the poor.
2 : providing more than the amount that is needed or normal : abundant or ample
• a generous supply
• This restaurant is known for its generous portions.
• a generous helping of mashed potatoes
• a generous donation
3 : showing kindness and concern for others
• She has a generous heart/spirit.
• He has generous sympathy for unemployed workers.
- gen·er·ous·ly adv
• He generously insisted on paying for dinner.
• She tipped the waiter generously.
• a generously [=lavishly] illustrated book

American English

British English

generous and charitable

B1 (Intermediate)

adjective

serious

serious [adjective] (NOT JOKING)

Not joking or intended to be funny

/ˈsɪr.i.əs/

/ˈsɪə.ri.əs/

جدی

Example:

He takes serious intrest in the theater.

او علاقه ی جدی ای به تئاتر دارد.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

serious

adjective

1 very bad:
That was a serious mistake.
They had a serious accident.

2 important:
a serious decision

3 not funny:
a serious film

4 If you are serious, you are not joking or playing:
Are you serious about going to live in Spain?
You look very serious. Is something wrong?

>> seriousness noun (no plural):
The boy didn't understand the seriousness of his crime.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

serious

se‧ri‧ous S1 W1 /ˈsɪəriəs $ ˈsɪr-/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑seriousness; adverb: ↑seriously; adjective: ↑serious]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: sérieux, from Late Latin seriosus, from Latin serius]
1. SITUATION/PROBLEM a serious situation, problem, accident etc is extremely bad or dangerous:
the serious problem of unemployment
Luckily, the damage was not serious.
Serious crimes have increased dramatically.
serious injury/illness/accident etc
a serious accident on the freeway
Oil spills pose a serious threat to marine life.
The president was in serious trouble. ⇨ see Thesaurus box on P. 1590
2. IMPORTANT important and needing a lot of thought or attention:
This is a very serious matter.
the serious business of earning a living
Be quiet, Jim. This is serious.
3. NOT JOKING OR PRETENDING if someone is serious about something they say or plan to do, they really mean it and are not joking or pretending:
His voice suddenly became more serious.
a serious article
serious about
Is she serious about giving up her job?
deadly/dead serious (=definitely not joking)
She sounded dead serious.
Marry Frank? You can’t be serious!
4. CAREFUL serious attention/consideration/thought careful and thorough attention etc:
I’ll give your suggestion serious consideration.
5. QUIET/SENSIBLE someone who is serious is very quiet and sensible, and does not laugh and joke much:
a serious student
6. WORRIED/UNHAPPY slightly worried or unhappy:
You look serious. What’s wrong?
7. ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP a serious romantic relationship is likely to continue for a long time:
It’s serious – they’ve been seeing each other for six months.
serious about
Are you really serious about her?
serious boyfriend/girlfriend
8. SPORT/ACTIVITY [only before noun] very interested in an activity or subject, and spending a lot of time doing it:
He’s become a serious golfer since he retired.
Chris is a serious photographer.
9. VERY GOOD [only before noun] informal very good and often expensive:
He’s got a serious car!
10. LARGE AMOUNT [only before noun] informal used to emphasize that you are talking about a large amount of something:
In industry, you can earn serious money.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ a serious problem Vandalism is a serious problem in the area.
▪ a serious injury/illness The driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
▪ a serious accident He is recovering from a serious accident.
▪ serious damage The explosion sparked a fire which caused serious damage to their flat.
▪ a serious threat In the developed world, over-consumption is now a serious threat to health.
▪ a serious crime/offence Kidnapping is a serious crime.
▪ serious trouble The economy was in serious trouble.
▪ serious consequences Neglecting to make a proper will can have serious consequences.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ very bad
▪ serious very bad – used about problems, accidents, illnesses, or crimes: Violent crime is a serious problem in and around the capital. | The boy was taken to hospital with serious head injuries. | Fortunately, the damage to the car was not serious.
▪ severe very serious – used about problems, injuries, and illnesses: He suffered severe injuries in a car crash. | The problem became so severe that they had to bring water in from other countries. | severe epilepsy
▪ grave used about a situation that is very serious and worrying, especially because it is dangerous or seems likely to get worse: A thick fog descended and I knew that we were in grave danger. | The situation is grave – war now seems inevitable.
▪ acute used about an illness, problem, or situation that has become very serious or dangerous, and needs to be dealt with quickly: She was taken to the hospital suffering from acute appendicitis. | In San Diego, the shortage of skilled workers is acute.
▪ desperate used about a situation or problem that is very serious or dangerous, especially because a lot of people need urgent help: The situation is desperate – people here need aid before the harsh winter sets in. | The hospital is full of people in desperate need of medical attention.
▪ critical used about a situation that is very serious and dangerous and might get worse suddenly: In 1991, the food supply situation became critical. | Eight people were killed and four are still in a critical condition.
▪ life-threatening used about a situation, illness, or condition in which someone could die: Her child had a potentially life-threatening illness. | The situation was not life-threatening, but it was very worrying.
▪ be a matter of life and death spoken to be extremely serious – used when a situation is very urgent or important: For people living with HIV, getting the right treatment is literally a matter of life and death.
■ not joking
▪ serious not joking or laughing, or not pretending: His voice sounded serious. | They seem to be serious about their relationship.
▪ solemn very serious because of an important or sad occasion or ceremony: My father looked solemn, the way grown-ups look at funerals. | The judge read the verdict in a solemn voice.
▪ grave written quiet and very serious – used especially about the way people look when something important or worrying happens: She consulted Doctor Staples and returned looking grave. | He listened with a grave expression on his face.
▪ sombre British English (also somber American English) /ˈsɒmbə $ ˈsɑːmbər/ written sad, quiet, or serious because something unpleasant or worrying has happened or is going to happen: They sat in sombre silence. | The meeting began in a sombre mood.
▪ earnest very serious and sincere – often used about someone who is young and not very experienced: He was a rather earnest-looking young man. | ‘That’s wrong,’ she said, her voice sounding very earnest.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

serious

ser·ious [ˈsɪəriəs] [ˈsɪriəs] adjective

BAD
1. bad or dangerous
• a serious illness/problem/offence
• to cause serious injury/damage
• They pose a serious threat to security.

• The consequences could be serious.

NEEDING THOUGHT

2. needing to be thought about carefully; not only for pleasure
• a serious article
• a serious newspaper

• It's time to give serious consideration to this matter.

IMPORTANT

3. that must be treated as important
• We need to get down to the serious business of working out costs.

• The team is a serious contender for the title this year.

NOT SILLY

4. thinking about things in a careful and sensible way; not silly
• Be serious for a moment; this is important.

• I'm afraid I'm not a very serious person.

NOT JOKING

5. sincere about sth; not joking or meant as a joke
• Believe me, I'm deadly (= extremely) serious.
• Don't laugh, it's a serious suggestion.
• ~ (about doing sth) Is she serious about wanting to sell the house?
• ~ (about sb/sth) He's really serious about Penny and wants to get engaged.
• She doesn't have a serious boyfriend.
• (informal) You can't be serious! (= you must be joking)

• You think I did it? Be serious! (= what you suggest is ridiculous)

LARGE AMOUNT

6. (informal) used to emphasize that there is a large amount of sth
• You can earn serious money doing that.
• I'm ready to do some serious eating (= I am very hungry).
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French serieux or late Latin seriosus, from Latin serius ‘earnest, serious’.
Thesaurus:
serious [serious] adj.
1.
• These explosives pose a serious threat to security.
severe • • critical • • acute • • extreme • • drastic • • desperate • • life-threatening • |formal grave • |especially BrE, formal dire • |especially spoken bad •
Opp: minor
a/an serious/severe/critical/acute/desperate/life-threatening/grave/bad problem
a/an severe/serious/acute/extreme/desperate/dire shortage
a/an severe/serious/critical/acute/life-threatening/grave illness
serious/severe/acute/extreme/grave danger
Serious or severe? Serious is not used to describe weather conditions:
• a severe winter
¤ a serious winter Serious is used to describe medical conditions in everyday English; in medical English severe is used.
2.
• Please give this matter some serious thought.
deep • • profound •
Opp: trivial, Opp: superficial
a serious/deep/profound question/issue/analysis
a serious/deep conversation/discussion
3.
• She looked at him with a serious expression.
solemn • • earnest • |written sober • • grave • |BrE, written sombre • |AmE, written somber • |BrE, disapproving humourless • |AmE, disapproving humorless •
Opp: light-hearted
a/an serious/solemn/earnest/sober/grave/sombre expression
a serious/solemn/sober/sombre mood/atmosphere
on a serious/sober/sombre note
Synonyms:
serious
grave • earnest • solemn
These words all describe sb who thinks and behaves carefully and sensibly, but often without much joy or laughter.
serious • thinking about things in a careful and sensible way; not laughing about sth: ▪ He's not really a very serious person. ◊ ▪ Be serious ▪ for a moment; this is important.
grave • (rather formal) (of a person) serious in manner, as if sth sad, important, or worrying has just happened: ▪ He looked very grave as he entered the room.
earnest • serious and sincere: ▪ The earnest young doctor answered all our questions.
solemn • looking or sounding very serious, without smiling; done or said in a very serious and sincere way: ▪ Her expression grew solemn. ◊ ▪ I made a ▪ solemn promise ▪ that I would return.
a(n) serious/grave/earnest/solemn expression/face
a serious/solemn mood/atmosphere
Example Bank:
• Are you serious about resigning?
• By this time the riots were getting serious.
• Come on, be serious!
• He became serious all of a sudden.
• Joe is deadly serious in his beliefs.
• Please try to stay serious!
• The crime is considered serious enough to warrant a jail term.
• These are terribly serious allegations.
• This situation could be very serious for her.
• Be serious for a moment; this is important.
• He admitted to having made a serious error of judgement.
• He died after suffering from a serious illness.
• He used to write somewhat serious articles for the university newspaper.
• He's not really a very serious person.
• It's time for a serious debate about the issue.
• Please give this matter some serious thought.
• She was looking at him with a serious expression on her face.
• Suddenly the conversation turned serious.
• The speech was interesting, if a little serious for such a young audience.
• The storm caused serious damage to farm buildings.
• This book is the first serious study of the subject.

• Why do you waste your time reading that? It's hardly a serious newspaper, is it?

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

serious / ˈsɪə.ri.əs / / ˈsɪr.i- / adjective (NOT JOKING)

B1 not joking or intended to be funny:

Please don't laugh - I'm being serious.

He was wearing a very serious expression and I knew something was wrong.

On the surface it's a very funny novel but it does have a more serious underlying theme.

B1 A serious person is quiet, thinks carefully about things, and does not laugh a lot:

I remember her as a very serious child.

serious / ˈsɪə.ri.əs / / ˈsɪr.i- / adjective (BAD)

B1 severe in effect; bad:

a serious illness

There were no reports of serious injuries.

The new tax regulations have landed some of the smaller companies in serious trouble.

Drugs have become a serious problem in a lot of schools.

This is a very serious offence.

He's been taken to hospital where his condition is described as serious but stable.

[ after noun ] mainly Indian English very ill

serious / ˈsɪə.ri.əs / / ˈsɪr.i- / adjective (DETERMINED)

[ after verb ] determined to follow a particular plan of action:

Is she serious about going to live abroad?

[ after verb ] If two people who have a loving relationship are serious about each other, they intend to stay with each other for a long time and possibly marry:

She's had a lot of boyfriends but Simon's the only one she's been serious about .

serious / ˈsɪə.ri.əs / / ˈsɪr.i- / adjective [ before noun ] (NEEDING ATTENTION)

B2 needing or deserving your complete attention:

That's an interesting job offer - I'd give it some serious consideration if I were you.

We've got some serious talking to do, you and me.

serious / ˈsɪə.ri.əs / / ˈsɪr.i- / adjective (EXTREME)

informal extreme in degree or amount:

We did some fairly serious walking over the weekend.

I mean we're talking serious (= a large amount of) money, right?

informal very good of its type:

This is a serious wine, Belle, you've just got to try some.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

serious

/sɪəriəs/

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.

1.
Serious problems or situations are very bad and cause people to be worried or afraid.
Crime is an increasingly serious problem in Russian society...
The government still face very serious difficulties...
Doctors said his condition was serious but stable.
ADJ
• se‧ri‧ous‧ly
If this ban was to come in it would seriously damage my business...
They are not thought to be seriously hurt.
ADV: ADV adj/adv, ADV with v
• se‧ri‧ous‧ness
...the seriousness of the crisis.
N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n

2.
Serious matters are important and deserve careful and thoughtful consideration.
I regard this as a serious matter...
Don’t laugh boy. This is serious.
ADJ

3.
When important matters are dealt with in a serious way, they are given careful and thoughtful consideration.
My parents never really faced up to my drug use in any serious way...
It was a question which deserved serious consideration.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
• se‧ri‧ous‧ly
The management will have to think seriously about their positions.
ADV: ADV with v

4.
Serious music or literature requires concentration to understand or appreciate it.
There is no point reviewing a blockbuster as you might review a serious novel.
ADJ: ADJ n

5.
If someone is serious about something, they are sincere about what they are saying, doing, or intending to do.
You really are serious about this, aren’t you?...
I hope you’re not serious.
ADJ: oft ADJ about n
• se‧ri‧ous‧ly
Are you seriously jealous of Erica?
ADV: ADV adj/adv, ADV with v
• se‧ri‧ous‧ness
In all seriousness, there is nothing else I can do...
N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n

6.
Serious people are thoughtful and quiet, and do not laugh very often.
He’s quite a serious person...
ADJ
• se‧ri‧ous‧ly
They spoke to me very seriously but politely.
ADV: ADV with v

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

serious

se·ri·ous /ˈsirijəs/ adj [more ~; most ~]
1 : having an important or dangerous possible result
• a serious injury/illness/condition
• “You sound terrible.” “It's just a bad cold. Nothing serious.”
• serious risks
• For my brother, not going to college was a serious mistake.
• Crime is a serious problem in this neighborhood.
2 : involving or deserving a lot of thought, attention, or work
• a serious study
• The team is a serious contender for the championship.
• If you want to quit smoking, you have to make a serious effort.
• They had a serious conversation about their relationship.
• a serious novel about modern life
• The story raises serious questions about our system of justice.
• Dog shows are a serious business.
3 : giving a lot of attention or energy to something
• serious musicians
• She is a serious cyclist who rides 200 miles each week.
• Serious journalists do not pry into the personal lives of famous people.
• When it comes to fishing, he's very serious. = He's very serious about fishing.
• My sister is serious about her grades.
4 : not joking or funny
• a serious story/opera
• Don't laugh. I'm serious!
• Can you be serious just this once? This is important.
• He is serious about moving down South. [=he truly wants/intends to move down South]
• “He says he won't do it.” “Are you serious?”
• “I'm joining the army.” “You can't be serious.” [=you have to be joking; I can't believe that you're really joining the army]
5 always used before a noun informal : large or impressive in quality or amount
• After business school, he started making some serious money. [=he started making a large amount of money]
• These are serious shoes!
• They did some serious drinking at the bar. [=they drank a lot]
6 : having or involving strong romantic feelings
• Their romance is quite serious. They're even talking about marriage.
• We've dated a few times, but it's nothing serious.
• They are a serious couple.
• He's never really had a serious relationship with a woman.
- often + about
• She and her boyfriend are serious about each other.
7 : thoughtful or quiet in appearance or manner
• He looks like a serious person.
• You look serious. What's the matter?

shy

shy [adjective] (NERVOUS)

Nervous and uncomfortable with other people

/ʃaɪ/

کمرو،خجالتی

Example:

She was very shy with strangers.

او با غریبه ها بسیار خجالتی بود.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

shy

adjective (shyer, shyest)
not able to talk easily to people you do not know:
He was too shy to speak to her.
a shy smile

>> shyness noun (no plural):
As a child she suffered from terrible shyness.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

shy

I. shy¹ /ʃaɪ/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative shyer, superlative shyest)
[Word Family: verb: ↑shy; noun: ↑shyness; adverb: ↑shyly; adjective: ↑shy]
[Language: Old English; Origin: sceoh]
1. nervous and embarrassed about meeting and speaking to other people, especially people you do not know:
He was a quiet shy man.
shy with
She was very shy with strangers.
a shy smile
As a teenager, I was painfully shy (=extremely shy).
shy to do something
He was too shy to come and sit by me in class.
go all shy British English (=to suddenly become very shy)
Oh, have you gone all shy, Jenny?
2. somebody is not shy about (doing) something used to emphasize that someone is very willing to do something or get involved with something:
John has strong opinions and he’s not shy about sharing them.
3. unwilling to do something or get involved in something
be shy about/of (doing) something
Employees are urged not to be shy about reporting incidents of sexual harassment.
4. be shy (of something) especially American English to have less than a particular amount of something:
The Democrats are three votes shy of a majority.
Jessica died Monday. She was one week shy of her 13th birthday.
5. used to say that someone does not like something and therefore tries to avoid it:
Although publicity-shy, he recently agreed to be interviewed. ⇨ ↑camera-shy, ↑work-shy
6. shy animals get frightened easily and are unwilling to come near people SYN timid:
Deer are shy creatures.
—shyly adverb:
He grinned shyly.
—shyness noun [uncountable]:
I overcame my shyness.
⇨ fight shy of (doing) something at ↑fight¹(22), ⇨ once bitten, twice shy at ↑bite¹(14)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ bashful shy and not willing to say very much
▪ self-conscious worried and embarrassed about what you look like or what other people think of you
▪ timid not brave or confident
▪ reserved not liking to express your emotions or talk about your problems
▪ introverted thinking a lot about your own interests, problems etc, and not liking to be with other people
▪ withdrawn quiet and not wanting to talk to other people, especially because you are unhappy
▪ antisocial not liking to meet people and talk to them
▪ retiring formal not wanting to be with other people

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

shy

shy [shy shies shied shying shyer shyest] adjective, verb [ʃaɪ] [ʃaɪ]

adjective (shyer, shy·est)
1. (of people) nervous or embarrassed about meeting and speaking to other people
Syn: timid
• a quiet, shy man
• Don't be shy— come and say hello.
• She was too shy to ask anyone for help.
• As a teenager I was painfully shy.

• She's very shy with adults.

2. showing that sb is nervous or embarrassed about meeting and speaking to other people

• a shy smile

3. (of animals) easily frightened and not willing to come near people

• The panda is a shy creature.

4. not before noun ~ of/about (doing) sth afraid of doing sth or being involved in sth
• The band has never been shy of publicity.

• He disliked her and had never been shy of saying so.

5. not before noun ~ (of sth) (informal, especially NAmE) lacking the amount that is needed
• He died before Christmas, only a month shy of his 90th birthday.

• We are still two players shy (of a full team).

6. -shy (in compounds) avoiding or not liking the thing mentioned
• camera-shy (= not liking to be photographed)
• He's always been work-shy.
see fight shy of sth at fight _v., once bitten, twice shy at once _adv.
Word Origin:
Old English scēoh ‘(of a horse) easily frightened’, of Germanic origin; related to German scheuen ‘shun’, scheuchen ‘scare’; compare with eschew. The verb dates from the mid 17th cent.
Thesaurus:
shy adj.
• Don't be shy— come and say hello.
coy • • embarrassed • • awkward • • self-conscious • • introverted • • reserved • • inhibited • • insecure • |especially written timid • • diffident •
Opp: confident
shy/coy/embarrassed/awkward/self-conscious/inhibited/insecure/timid/diffident about sth
a/an shy/reserved/insecure/timid (young) man/woman/child
a/an shy/coy/embarrassed/self-conscious/diffident smile
Example Bank:
• He is a naturally shy, retiring man.
• I was a bit shy of them at first.
• Please don't be shy— I won't eat you!
• She was terribly shy around strangers.
• She went all shy and hid behind her mother.
• You don't have to be shy with me, you know.
• Don't be shy— come and say hello.
• He gave a shy little smile.
• She felt suddenly shy as the large crowd fell silent.
• She was a shy, retiring girl.
Derived Words: shyly ▪ shyness

Derived: shy away

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

shy / ʃaɪ / adjective ( shyer , shyest ) (NERVOUS)

B1 nervous and uncomfortable with other people:

He was too shy to ask her to dance with him.

She gave a shy smile.

Children are often shy of/with people they don't know.

The deer were shy (= unwilling to be near people) and hid behind some trees.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

shy

/ʃaɪ/
(shyer, shyest, shies, shying, shied)

1.
A shy person is nervous and uncomfortable in the company of other people.
She was a shy and retiring person off-stage...
He is painfully shy of women.
ADJ
• shy‧ly
The children smiled shyly.
ADV: usu ADV with v
• shy‧ness
Eventually he overcame his shyness.
N-UNCOUNT

2.
If you are shy of doing something, you are unwilling to do it because you are afraid of what might happen.
You should not be shy of having your say in the running of the school.
ADJ: oft ADJ of -ing

3.
When a horse shies, it moves away suddenly, because something has frightened it.
Llewelyn’s stallion shied as the wind sent sparks flying.
VERB: V

4.
A number or amount that is just shy of another number or amount is just under it.
...a high-school dropout rate just shy of 53%...
= short of
PREP-PHRASE

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹shy /ˈʃaɪ/ adj shi·er or shy·er /ˈʃajɚ/; shi·est or shy·est /ˈʃajəst/ [also more ~; most ~]
1 a : feeling nervous and uncomfortable about meeting and talking to people
• a shy, quiet girl
• I was painfully shy as a teenager.
• She was too shy to ask for help.
b : showing that you are nervous and uncomfortable about meeting and talking to people
• her shy manner
• He gave her a shy smile.
2 : tending to avoid something because of nervousness, fear, dislike, etc.
• publicity shy
• camera shy
- often + of
• He was never shy of controversy.
3 : hesitant about taking what you want or need
• Help yourself if you want more. Don't be shy.
4 of an animal : easily frightened : timid
• animals that are nocturnal and shy
5 chiefly US : having less than a full or expected amount or number : short
• We were shy about 10 dollars.
- usually + of
• He was two weeks shy of his 19th birthday when he joined the army.
• The ball stopped just a few inches shy of the hole.
• He's three credits shy of his bachelor's degree.
fight shy of Brit : to try to avoid something
• She has always fought shy of publicity.
once bitten, twice shy
- see ¹bite
- shy·ly adv
• He answered/smiled shyly.
- shy·ness noun [noncount]

English translation unavailable for lonely.

career

The job or series of jobs that you do during your working life, especially if you continue to get better jobs and earn more money

/kəˈrɪr/

/kəˈrɪər/

پیشه، حرفه

Example:

My career as a teacher started forty years ago.

كار من‌ به‌ عنوان‌ معلم‌ چهل‌ سال‌ پيش‌ آغاز شد.‏

Oxford Essential Dictionary

career

noun
a job that you learn to do and then do for many years:
He is considering a career in teaching.
His career was always more important to him than his family.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

career

I. ca‧reer¹ S2 W2 /kəˈrɪə $ -ˈrɪr/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: carrière, from Old Provençal carriera 'street', from Latin carrus; ⇨ ↑car]
1. a job or profession that you have been trained for, and which you do for a long period of your life
career in
a career in journalism
a teaching career
He realized that his acting career was over.
career development/advancement/progression etc
Career prospects within the company are excellent.
a physiotherapist who wanted to make a dramatic career change by becoming an author
Nurses want an improved career structure (=better opportunities to move upwards in their jobs).
2. career soldier/teacher etc someone who intends to be a soldier, teacher etc for most of their life, not just for a particular period of time:
a career diplomat
3. the period of time in your life that you spend doing a particular activity:
She had not had a very impressive school career up till then.
My career as an English teacher didn’t last long.
Beating the defending champion has to be the highlight of my career.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ a successful career David had had a successful career in banking.
▪ a distinguished/brilliant career (=very successful) She retired last year after a distinguished career as a barrister.
▪ a glittering career (=very successful, especially in sport or acting) Winning the gold medal was the highlight of her glittering career.
▪ a promising career (=likely to be successful) She gave up a promising career in advertising in order to look after her children.
▪ a political/medical/military etc career The scandal ruined his political career.
▪ a teaching/acting/sporting career Her acting career lasted for more than 50 years.
▪ a professional career You have to be outstanding to have a professional career in music.
▪ sb’s chosen career His parents encouraged him in his chosen career as a scientist.
■ verbs
▪ have a career All my sons had careers in education.
▪ make a career It isn’t easy to make a career in journalism.
▪ pursue a career (=try to make a successful career) She left teaching to pursue a career as a psychologist.
▪ begin/start out on/start a career Jacobson started his banking career in 1990.
▪ launch/embark on a career (=start one) Rita went to New York where she launched her dancing career.
▪ build a career (=make it develop) She built her literary career by writing about crime.
▪ change career People may change careers as many as seven times in their lives.
▪ revive/resurrect your career (=make it successful again) The singer is seeking to revive his pop career.
▪ sb’s career takes off (=starts to be successful) His career took off and he started making a lot of money.
■ career + NOUN
▪ career development/advancement/progression A good job offers a programme of training and career development.
▪ career opportunities Students often know little about the career opportunities available to them.
▪ career prospects (=opportunities to get a good job or a better position) Good computer skills will improve your career prospects.
▪ a career path (=a way of making a career) There’s no fixed career path for becoming an actor.
▪ a career structure (=a system for making progress in a career) Teaching offers a clear career structure.
▪ the career ladder (=the way to higher positions in a career) Having children can disturb your progress up the career ladder.
▪ a career change/move After ten years in the job, I realized that I needed to make a career change.
▪ a career woman (=one whose job is very important to her) Career women tend to marry later.
▪ careers advice/guidance Most universities offer professional careers advice.
▪ a careers officer (=someone who gives careers advice) If you’re not sure what to do, why don’t you talk to a careers officer?
■ phrases
▪ a career in journalism/politics/teaching etc At the age of 15, he knew he wanted a career in politics.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ job noun [countable] the regular paid work that you do for an employer: a full-time job | John got a job in a car factory.
▪ work noun [uncountable] activities that you are paid for doing – used either when you work for an employer or when you work in your own business: I started work when I was 18. | He graduated from college last year and is still looking for work.
▪ profession noun [countable] a job for which you need special education and training: There are now a lot more women in the legal profession. | Many teachers are leaving the profession.
▪ occupation noun [countable] formal a job, or a type of job – often used on official documents: Please give your name, age, and occupation. | a traditionally male occupation
▪ career noun [countable] the work you do or plan to do for most of your life: I’m interested in a career in journalism.
▪ position noun [countable] formal a particular job within an organization: I am writing to apply for the position of technical assistant. | We regret that the position has already been filled. | Please state the position which you are applying for.
▪ post noun [countable] formal a job, especially an important one in a large organization: She has held the post of managing director for two years. | He applied for the post of Senior Manager.
▪ vacancy/opening noun [countable] a job that is available for someone to do: The hospital has been unable to fill the vacancy. | There are very few openings in scientific research.
▪ appointment noun [countable] an important job which someone is asked to do: He took an appointment as US trade ambassador in Geneva.
▪ posting noun [countable] a situation in which someone is sent somewhere to do a job for a period of time by the organization they work for: This was his first posting outside the UK. | an overseas posting | His next posting took him to the Ministry of Defence.
▪ trade noun [countable] a job that involves using your hands, and for which you need special training: Most of the men had worked in skilled trades such as carpentry and printing.
▪ employment noun [uncountable] the fact of having a job: The factory will provide employment for local people. | She was offered employment in the sales office.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

career

car·eer [career careers careered careering] noun, verb [kəˈrɪə(r)] [kəˈrɪr]

noun
1. the series of jobs that a person has in a particular area of work, usually involving more responsibility as time passes
• a career in politics
• a teaching career
• What made you decide on a career as a vet?
• She has been concentrating on her career.
• a change of career
• That will be a good career move (= something that will help your career).
• a career soldier/diplomat (= a professional one)

• (BrE) a careers adviser/officer (= a person whose job is to give people advice and information about jobs)

2. the period of time that you spend in your life working or doing a particular thing
• She started her career as an English teacher.
• He is playing the best tennis of his career.
• My school career was not very impressive.
Word Origin:
mid 16th cent. (denoting a road or racecourse): from French carrière, from Italian carriera, based on Latin carrus ‘wheeled vehicle’.
Thesaurus:
career noun
1. C
• a career in journalism
profession • • occupation • • vocation • • work • • employment • • job •
have/pursue (a/an) career/profession/occupation/vocation/work/employment
find (a/an) career/occupation/vocation/work/employment/job
go back/return to (a/an) career/profession/work/employment/job
2. C
• the best tennis of his career
life • • lifetime •
in/of/during sb's career/life/lifetime
sb's school career/life
a career/life/lifetime of doing sth
Collocations:
Jobs
Getting a job
look for work
look for/apply for/go for a job
get/pick up/complete/fill out/ (BrE) fill in an application (form)
send/email your (BrE) CV/(NAmE) résumé/application/application form/covering letter
be called for/have/attend an interview
offer sb a job/work/employment/promotion
find/get/land a job
employ/ (especially NAmE) hire/recruit/ (especially BrE) take on staff/workers/trainees
recruit/appoint a manager
Doing a job
arrive at/get to/leave work/the office/the factory
start/finish work/your shift
do/put in/work overtime
have/gain/get/lack/need experience/qualifications
do/get/have/receive training
learn/pick up/improve/develop (your) skills
cope with/manage/share/spread the workload
improve your/achieve a better work-life balance
have (no) job satisfaction/job security
Building a career
have a job/work/a career/a vocation
find/follow/pursue/ (especially NAmE) live (out) your vocation
enter/go into/join a profession
choose/embark on/start/begin/pursue a career
change jobs/profession/career
be/ (both especially BrE) work/go freelance
do/take on temp work/freelance work
do/be engaged in/be involved in voluntary work
Leaving your job
leave/ (especially NAmE) quit/resign from your job
give up work/your job/your career
hand in your notice/resignation
plan to/be due to retire in June/next year, etc.
take early retirement
Synonyms:
work
employment • career • profession • occupation • trade
These are all words for the work that sb does in return for payment, especially over a long period of time.
work • the job that sb does, especially in order to earn money: ▪ It's very difficult to find work at the moment.
employment • (rather formal) work, especially when it is done to earn money; the state of being employed or the situation in which people have work: ▪ Only half the people here are in paid employment.
career • the job or series of jobs that sb has in a particular area of work, usually involving more responsibility as time passes: ▪ He had a very distinguished career in the Foreign Office.
profession • a type of job that needs special training or skill, especially one that needs a high level of education: ▪ He hopes to enter the medical profession.
The profession is all the people who work in a particular profession: ▪ the legal profession. The professions are the traditional jobs that need a high level of education and training, such as being a doctor or lawyer.
occupation • (rather formal) a job or profession: ▪ Please state your name, age, and occupation.
trade • a job, especially one that involves working with your hands and requires special training and skills: ▪ Carpentry is a highly skilled trade.
in/out of work/employment
(a) full-time/part-time work/employment/career/occupation
permanent/temporary work/employment
(a) well-paid work/employment/profession/occupation
(a) low-paid work/employment/occupation
to look for/seek/find work/employment/a career/an occupation
to get/obtain/give sb/offer sb/create/generate/provide work/employment
Example Bank:
• He did a film for Hollywood to boost his flagging career.
• He had a distinguished career as a diplomat.
• He has had a somewhat chequered career.
• He made a good career for himself in football.
• Her stage career spans sixty years.
• His performance as Al in the movie was a career high.
• She achieved a lot in her chosen career.
• She had a long and prolific career as a director.
• She has spent her entire career in education.
• She pursued a successful career in medicine.
• She started her working career as a waitress.
• She was at the peak of her career when she injured herself.
• She won many awards during her acting career.
• The movie revived his flagging career.
• The profession has no clear career structure.
• a brilliant career with the Royal Ballet
• a car crash which wrecked his career
• a career break to have children
• a career in computers
• a move higher up the career ladder
• a smart career move
• the album that launched his recording career
• the first golfer to surpass $2 million in career earnings
• young actors just starting out on their careers
• After a brief career in journalism, she trained to be a teacher.
• Career women often find they do more than their fair share of domestic work.
• He had a very distinguished career in the Foreign Office.
• His career spanned four decades.
• I didn't think it was a very good career move.
• I never wanted a military career.
• It's time for a career change.
• John began his career as a psychiatric nurse.
• Kelly's career took off when she was spotted at a talent contest.
• She was on the first step of the career ladder.
• Students can get free careers advice between 6.30 and 8.30 each evening.
• The course focuses on your career development.
• a career soldier/diplomat

• career advice

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

career / kəˈrɪə r / / -ˈrɪr / noun [ C ]

B1 the job or series of jobs that you do during your working life, especially if you continue to get better jobs and earn more money:

He's hoping for a career in the police force/ as a police officer.

When he retires he will be able to look back over a brilliant career (= a working life which has been very successful) .

It helps if you can move a few rungs up the career ladder before taking time off to have a baby.

I took this new job because I felt that the career prospects were much better.

Elaine has become a real career woman/girl (= is interested in and spends most of her time on her job) .

Judith is very career -minded/-oriented (= gives a lot of attention to her job) .

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

career

/kərɪə(r)/
(careers, careering, careered)

Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.

1.
A career is the job or profession that someone does for a long period of their life.
She is now concentrating on a career as a fashion designer...
...a career in journalism.
...a political career.
N-COUNT

2.
Your career is the part of your life that you spend working.
During his career, he wrote more than fifty plays...
She began her career as a teacher.
N-COUNT

3.
Careers advice or guidance in British English, or career advice or guidance in American English, consists of information about different jobs and help with deciding what kind of job you want to do.
Get hold of the company list from your careers advisory service.
ADJ: ADJ n

4.
If a person or vehicle careers somewhere, they move fast and in an uncontrolled way.
His car careered into a river...
He went careering off down the track.
= hurtle
VERB: oft cont, V prep/adv, V prep/adv

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹ca·reer /kəˈriɚ/ noun, pl -reers [count]
1 : a job or profession that someone does for a long time
• I want to make teaching my career. = I want to have a career as a teacher. [=I want to be a teacher]
• She hopes to pursue a career in medicine.
- often used before another noun
• He was a career diplomat/soldier. [=he was a diplomat/soldier for all or most of his working life]
2 : a period of time spent in a job or profession
• My career as a waitress lasted one day.
• During his long career in advertising he won numerous awards and honors.

American English

British English

jobs - careers and professions

B1 (Intermediate)

noun

retire

To leave your job or stop working because of old age or ill health

/rɪˈtaɪr/

/rɪˈtaɪər/

بازنشسته شدن

Example:

I retired at the age of 64.

من‌ در سن‌ 4‏6‏ سالگى‌ بازنشسته‌ شدم‌.‏

Oxford Essential Dictionary

retire

verb (retires, retiring, retired )
to stop working because you are a certain age:
My grandfather retired when he was 65.

>> retired adjective:
a retired teacher

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

retire

re‧tire S2 W3 /rɪˈtaɪə $ -ˈtaɪr/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑retiree, ↑retirement; adjective: ↑retired, ↑retiring; verb: ↑retire]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Old French; Origin: tirer 'to pull']
1. WORK
a) [intransitive] to stop working, usually because you have reached a certain age:
Most people retire at 65.
He was forced to retire early because of poor health.
retire from
I retired from teaching three years ago.
her decision to retire from her position as librarian of the law society
Her drink problem has forced her to retire from public life.
retire as
He retired as a GP last year.
b) [transitive usually passive] to ask someone to stop doing their job, usually because of ill health:
He became ill and was retired early.
2. QUIET PLACE [intransitive] formal to go away to a quiet place
retire to
I retired to my room to think.
3. JURY [intransitive] when a ↑jury in a law court retires, they go away to consider whether someone is guilty or not
4. GAME/RACE [intransitive] to stop competing in a game or race because you are losing or injured:
He had to retire with a neck injury in the second half.
5. BED [intransitive] literary to go to bed
6. ARMY [intransitive] to move back from a battle after being defeated
• • •
THESAURUS
■ leave your job
▪ leave: I left my last job because the salary was so low. | Why don’t you just leave?
▪ quit to leave your job permanently because you are not happy with it: After enduring months of harassment, Mrs Collins decided to quit her job. | I’ve told them I’m quitting.
▪ resign to officially announce that you have decided to leave your job: The company director was forced to resign over the scandal.
▪ hand in your notice/resignation to write an official letter to your employer saying that you are going to leave your job on a particular date: You have to hand in your notice at least four weeks before you leave.
▪ retire to leave your job in order to stop working permanently, usually because you have reached the age when most people stop working: After forty years of working for the bank, Karl retired in May. | He had to retire because of ill health.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

retire

re·tire [retire retires retired retiring] [rɪˈtaɪə(r)] [rɪˈtaɪər] verb

FROM JOB
1. intransitive, transitive to stop doing your job, especially because you have reached a particular age or because you are ill/sick; to tell sb they must stop doing their job
• ~ (from sth) She was forced to retire early from teaching because of ill health.
• He is retiring next year after 30 years with the company.
• The company's official retiring age is 65.
• ~ to sth My dream is to retire to a villa in France.
• ~ as sth He has no plans to retire as editor of the magazine.

• ~ sb She was retired on medical grounds.

IN SPORT

2. intransitive to stop competing during a game, race, etc, usually because you are injured
• ~ (from sth) She fell badly, spraining her ankle, and had to retire.

• + adj. He retired hurt in the first five minutes of the game.

FROM/TO A PLACE

3. intransitive (formal) to leave a place, especially to go somewhere quieter or more private
• The jury retired to consider the evidence.

• ~ to sth After dinner he likes to retire to his study.

OF ARMY

4. intransitive (formal) to move back from a battle in order to organize your soldiers in a different way

GO TO BED
5. intransitive (literary) to go to bed

• I retired late that evening.

IN BASEBALL

6. transitive ~ sb to make a player or team have to stop their turn at batting
• He retired twelve batters in a row.

Word Origin:
mid 16th cent. (in the sense ‘withdraw to a place of safety or seclusion’): from French retirer, from re- ‘back’ + tirer ‘draw’.
Thesaurus:
retire verb I
• He retired after 23 years with the company.
leave • • resign • • step down • • stand down • • give/hand in your notice • |informal quit • |AmE business depart •
Opp: stay on
retire/resign/step down/stand down from a post/position
retire/resign/step down/stand down/quit/depart as director/chief executive, etc.
retire from/leave/resign from/step down from/stand down from/quit/depart a post/position
Example Bank:
• As for me, I am quite ready to retire.
• He is hoping to retire early on medical grounds.
• He recently retired as CEO of the company.
• He recently retired as head teacher of their school.
• He was medically retired at the age of 55.
• I'm hoping to retire in about five years.
• In a few years, I'll be eligible to retire.
• Most employees retire at 60.
• Mr McNeil is due to retire later this month.
• She recently retired from teaching.
• She retired from the bank last year.
• She simply couldn't afford to retire at sixty.
• She's on course to retire quite comfortably by the time she's 55.
• a newly retired couple
• he officially retired from the day-to-day operations of his company.
• She has decided to retire from international tennis.

• The company's official retiring age is 65.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

retire / rɪˈtaɪə r / / -ˈtaɪr / verb (STOP WORKING)

B1 [ I ] to leave your job or stop working because of old age or ill health:

Since retiring from the company, she has done voluntary work for a charity.

He is due to retire as chief executive next year.

[ I ] to stop taking part in a race or competition because of illness or injury:

She retired from the competition after pulling a leg muscle.

[ T often passive ] If an employer retires an employee, they make that person leave their job, usually at a time when they are near to the age at which they would normally stop working, or because they are ill:

Following the merger, he was retired with a generous pension.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

/rɪtaɪə(r)/
(retires, retiring, retired)

Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.

1.
When older people retire, they leave their job and usually stop working completely.
At the age when most people retire, he is ready to face a new career...
In 1974 he retired from the museum.
VERB: V, V from n

2.
When a sports player retires from their sport, they stop playing in competitions. When they retire from a race or a match, they stop competing in it.
I have decided to retire from Formula One racing at the end of the season...
VERB: V from n

3.
If you retire to another room or place, you go there. (FORMAL)
Eisenhower left the White House and retired to his farm in Gettysburg.
VERB: V to n

4.
When a jury in a court of law retires, the members of it leave the court in order to decide whether someone is guilty or innocent.
The jury will retire to consider its verdict today.
VERB: V

5.
When you retire, you go to bed. (FORMAL)
She retires early most nights, exhausted...
Some time after midnight, he retired to bed.
VERB: V, V to n

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

retire

re·tire /rɪˈtajɚ/ verb -tires; -tired; -tir·ing
1 a [no obj] : to stop a job or career because you have reached the age when you are not allowed to work anymore or do not need or want to work anymore
• I want to be healthy when I retire.
• She plans to retire (from her job) in two years.
• We plan to retire in/to Florida. = We plan to retire and move to Florida.
• The boxer retired undefeated.
b [+ obj] : to cause (someone, such as a military officer) to end a job or career - usually used as (be) retired
• The general was retired with honors.
2 [no obj] : to stop playing in a game, competition, etc., especially because of injury
• She had to retire during the first set because of a muscle strain.
3 [+ obj] : to take (something) out of use, service, or production
• The Navy is retiring the old battleship.
• The manufacturer plans to retire that car model in a few years.
• The team is retiring his jersey number in honor of his great career.
4 [no obj] formal : to move to a different place
• He retired to the library to study.
• Shall we retire to the parlor?
5 [no obj] literary : to go to bed
• She retired for the night.
6 [no obj] formal : to move away from action or danger : retreat
• The army was forced to retire from the battlefield.
7 [+ obj] baseball : to cause (a batter) to be out
• The pitcher retired seven batters in a row.
• She was retired on a fly ball to center field.
• He struck out Jones to retire the side. [=to end the inning by getting the final out]

American English

British English

retiring and resigning from work

B1 (Intermediate)

verb

calm

peaceful, quiet, and without worry

/kɑːm/

آرام، متین

Example:

The sea is calm tonight.

امشب‌ دريا آرام‌ است‌.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

adjective (calmer, calmest)

pronunciation
The word calm sounds like arm, because we don't say the letter l in this word.

1 quiet, and not excited or afraid:
Try to keep calm – there's no danger.

2 without big waves:
a calm sea

3 without much wind:
calm weather

>> calmly adverb:
He spoke calmly about the accident.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

calm

I. calm¹ S3 W3 /kɑːm $ kɑːm, kɑːlm/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative calmer, superlative calmest)
[Word Family: noun: ↑calm, ↑calmness; verb: ↑calm; adverb: ↑calmly; adjective: ↑calm]
1. relaxed and quiet, not angry, nervous, or upset:
Glen was calm and composed at the funeral.
remain/stay/keep calm
I tried to stay calm and just ignore him.
2. if a place, period of time, or situation is calm, there is less activity, trouble etc than there sometimes is, or than there has been recently:
The financial markets are calm at the moment.
The streets are calm again after last night’s disturbances.
3. a sea, lake etc that is calm is smooth or has only gentle waves:
The seas were dead calm.
—calmly adverb
—calmness noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ calm not getting angry, nervous, or upset, even in a difficult situation: We’ll talk about this later when you’re feeling calmer. | Everyone praised Douglas for the calm way in which he handled the situation.
▪ relaxed not worried about anything, especially so that people feel comfortable: Looking relaxed and confident, the president answered questions from the press. | There was a relaxed atmosphere.
▪ chilled-out (also chilled) informal very relaxed and not worried – used especially by young people: I’m much more chilled-out about the whole thing this year.
▪ laid-back informal someone who is laid-back is always relaxed and never seems to get worried or annoyed about anything: I like his laid-back attitude to life. | My parents are pretty laid-back and don’t mind me staying out late.
▪ mellow informal relaxed, friendly, and happy, especially after drinking alcohol: After a few drinks, everyone was pretty mellow.
▪ cool informal staying calm and not showing your emotions, especially when other people are getting excited or angry: He is the kind of player who always manages to stay cool, even under pressure. | She was as cool as a cucumber (=very cool).
▪ keep your head to manage to stay calm and behave in a sensible way in a difficult or frightening situation: In this job you need to be good at keeping your head in a crisis.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

calm

calm [calm calms calmed calming calmer calmest] adjective, verb, noun [kɑːm] [kɑːm]

adjective (calm·er, calm·est)
1. not excited, nervous or upset
• It is important to keep calm in an emergency.
• Try to remain calm.
• Her voice was surprisingly calm.

• The city is calm again (= free from trouble and fighting) after yesterday's riots.

2. (of the sea) without large waves

3. (of the weather) without wind
• a calm, cloudless day
Word Origin:
late Middle English: via one of the Romance languages from Greek kauma ‘heat (of the day)’.
Thesaurus:
calm adj.
• Keep calm in an emergency.
cool • • relaxed • • placid • • composed • • controlled • • unperturbed • • unfazed • • easy-going • • patient • |informal laid-back • |sometimes disapproving casual •
Opp: agitated, Opp: excitable
calm/cool/easy-going/patient/laid-back/casual about sth
a/an calm/cool/relaxed/controlled/easy-going/laid-back/casual manner
a calm/cool/relaxed/placid/controlled voice
Calm, cool or relaxed? Relaxed describes how you feel about sth. Cool is used more to describe how sb behaves: they don't let their feelings affect their behaviour. Calm can describe feelings or behaviour.
Thesaurus:
calm noun
1. U, sing.
• in the calm of the evening
peace • • quiet • • hush • • silence • |especially BrE tranquillity • |AmE usually tranquility •
absolute/total/relative calm/peace/quiet/silence/tranquillity
a sudden calm/quiet/hush/silence
break the calm/peace/quiet/silence
2. U, sing.
• The police appealed for calm.
peace • • order •
an uneasy calm/peace
relative/comparative calm/peace
calm/peace/order prevails
Example Bank:
• Her voice was firm and perfectly calm.
• I may have appeared calm but I certainly didn't feel it.
• Keep the patient calm.
• She seemed pretty calm about it.
• Sit down and keep calm!
• The pain had receded and he felt curiously calm.
• The pilot urged the passengers to remain calm.
• The sea was dead calm.
• The voice sounded outwardly calm.
• You seem remarkably calm.
• flat calm conditions
• He spoke in a reassuringly calm voice.
• She handled the situation with calm assurance.
• Strangely, she felt quite calm about it.
• The city is calm again after yesterday's riots.
• The golden rule of first aid is to stay calm.
• The oars dipped in the calm water.
• The talks took place in a calm and serious atmosphere.
Idiom: calm before the storm
Derived Words: calmly ▪ calmness

Derived: calm down ▪ calm somebody down

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

calm / kɑːm / adjective

B1 peaceful, quiet, and without worry:

He has a very calm manner.

Now keep calm everyone, the police are on their way.

without hurried movement or noise:

After a night of fighting, the streets are now calm.

B1 describes weather when there is no wind, or the sea or a lake when it is still and has no waves

calmly / ˈkɑːm.li / adverb

B2 in a quiet or relaxed way:

She reacted surprisingly calmly to the news of his death.

calmness / ˈkɑːm.nəs / noun [ U ]

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

calm

[kɑ͟ːm]
♦♦♦
calmer, calmest, calms, calming, calmed
1) ADJ-GRADED A calm person does not show or feel any worry, anger, or excitement.
  She is usually a calm and diplomatic woman...
  Try to keep calm and just tell me what happened...
  She sighed, then continued in a soft, calm voice...
  Diane felt very calm and unafraid as she saw him off the next morning.
  Derived words:
  calmly ADV-GRADED usu ADV with v, also ADV adj Alan looked at him and said calmly, `I don't believe you.'... Hungary, by contrast, has so far reacted calmly to events in Yugoslavia.
  calmness N-UNCOUNT All those things gave him a feeling of security and calmness.
N-UNCOUNT: also a N
Calm is also a noun. He felt a sudden sense of calm, of contentment.
2) VERB If you calm someone, you do something to make them feel less angry, worried, or excited.
  [V n] The ruling party's veterans know how to calm their critics...
  [V n] Tranquilliser drugs were used to calm the deportees...
  [V n] She was breathing quickly and tried to calm herself...
  [V n] A business lunch helps calm her nerves.
  Derived words:
  calming ADJ-GRADED ...a fresh, cool fragrance which produces a very calming effect on the mind.
3) N-UNCOUNT Calm is used to refer to a quiet, still, or peaceful atmosphere in a place.
  The house projects an atmosphere of neoclassical calm and order.
  ...the rural calm of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  Syn:
  peace
4) ADJ-GRADED: usu v-link ADJ If someone says that a place is calm, they mean that it is free from fighting or public disorder, when trouble has recently occurred there or had been expected. [JOURNALISM]
  The city of Sarajevo appears relatively calm today.
  Syn:
  peaceful
N-UNCOUNT: also a N
Calm is also a noun. Community and church leaders have appealed for calm and no retaliation... An uneasy calm is reported to be prevailing in the area.
5) VERB To calm a situation means to reduce the amount of trouble, violence, or panic there is.
  [V n] Officials hoped admitting fewer foreigners would calm the situation...
  [V n] Mr Beazer tried to calm the protests by promising to keep the company's base in Pittsburgh.
6) ADJ-GRADED If the sea or a lake is calm, the water is not moving very much and there are no big waves.
  ...as we slid into the calm waters of Cowes Harbour.
  Syn:
  still
  Ant:
  rough
7) ADJ-GRADED Calm weather is pleasant weather with little or no wind.
  Tuesday was a fine, clear and calm day.
8) N-COUNT: usu supp N In sailing, a flat calm or a dead calm is a condition of the sea or the weather in which there is very little wind or movement of the water. [TECHNICAL]
  ...during flat calms when the water is crystal clear...
  We had the whole gamut of wind from a dead calm to a force 10 gale.
9) VERB When the sea calms, it becomes still because the wind stops blowing strongly. When the wind calms, it stops blowing strongly.
  Dawn came, the sea calmed but the cold was as bitter as ever.
10) VERB To calm a pain or an itch means to reduce it or get rid of it.
  [V n] ...more traditional methods of soothing the skin and calming the itch.
  Syn:
  soothe
11) PHRASE You can use the calm before the storm to refer to a quiet period in which there is little or no activity, before a period in which there is a lot of trouble or intense activity.
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - calm down

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹calm /ˈkɑːm/ adj calm·er; -est
1 : not angry, upset, excited, etc.
• The teacher asked us to remain/stay calm after the fire alarm went off.
• The capital city was calm despite rumors of a possible terrorist attack. [=people in the city behaved in the usual way; there was not a lot of excited or fearful activity in the city]
• Let's try to have a calm discussion about your grades.
• My brother is always calm, cool, and collected. [=he never gets very upset]
2
- used to describe weather that is not windy, stormy, etc.
• a calm day
• They're predicting calm winds today.
• a calm sea [=a sea that has no waves or only very small waves]
- calm·ly adv [more ~; most ~]
• The coach calmly told her players what to do next.
- calm·ness noun [noncount]
• I suddenly had a great feeling of calmness.

fold

a line or mark where paper, cloth, etc. was or is folded

/foʊld/

/fəʊld/

تا، چين‌

Example:

the folds of her skirt

چين‌هاى دامن‌ او

Oxford Essential Dictionary

fold

noun
a line that is made when you bend cloth or paper

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. fold² BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Word Family: verb: ↑fold, ↑unfold; noun: ↑fold, ↑folder; adjective: folded, ↑folding]
[Sense 1,2,5: Date: 1200-1300; Origin: ⇨ ↑fold¹]
[Sense 3,4: Language: Old English; Origin: falod]
1. LINE a line made in paper or material when you fold one part of it over another:
Bend back the card and cut along the fold.
2. SKIN/MATERIAL [usually plural] the folds in material, skin etc are the loose parts that hang over other parts of it:
Her dress hung in soft folds.
3. the fold the group of people that you belong to and share the same beliefs and ideas as
return to/come back into the fold
The Church will welcome him back into the fold.
stray from/leave the fold
a former advocate of free market economics who had strayed from the fold
4. SHEEP a small area of a field surrounded by a wall or fence where sheep are kept for safety SYN pen ⇨ corral
5. ROCK technical a bend in layers of rock, caused by underground movements in the earth

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

noun
1. countable a part of sth, especially cloth, that is folded or hangs as if it had been folded
• the folds of her dress

• loose folds of skin

2. countable a mark or line made by folding sth, or showing where sth should be folded

• Why is the place I want to find always on the fold of the map?

3. countable an area in a field surrounded by a fence or wall where sheep are kept for safety

4. the fold singular a group of people with whom you feel you belong or who share the same ideas or beliefs
• He called on former Republican voters to return to the fold.

• She was determined to draw Matthew back into the family fold.

5. countable (geology) a curve or bend in the line of the layers of rock in the earth's crust

6. countable (BrE) a hollow place among hills or mountains
Word Origin:
v. and n. senses 1 to 2 n. senses 5 to 6 Old English falden fealden Germanic Dutch vouwen German falten
n. senses 3 to 4 Old English fald Germanic Dutch vaalt

Thesaurus:
fold noun C
• The fabric fell in soft folds.
• Why is the place I want to find always on the fold of the map?
wrinkle • • crease • • line •
a fold/crease in sth
a wrinkle/line on sth
a neat fold/crease
Fold or wrinkle? Fold is used more about fabric; wrinkle is used more about skin. Folds in fabric are tidy but wrinkles are unwanted. Wrinkles in skin are thin lines; folds are fatter and usually occur because sb is overweight.
Example Bank:
• His father finally accepted him back into the family fold.
• It was a solitary spot in a fold between two hills.
• She hid the note in a fold in her robe.
• The country is now firmly back in the international fold.
• The fabric fell in soft folds.
• The indigenous people were brought into the Catholic fold.
• The troops were hidden by the deep folds of the ground.
• a fold in the land
• billowing folds of clouds
• opposing viewpoints within the Anglican fold
• the heavy folds of his cloak
• the loose folds of flesh under her chin

• The child hid his face in the folds of his mother's skirt.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

fold / fəʊld / / foʊld / noun [ C ] (BEND)

a line or mark where paper, cloth, etc. was or is folded:

Make a fold across the centre of the card.

specialized a bend in a layer of rock under the Earth's surface caused by movement there

fold / fəʊld / / foʊld / noun [ C ] (SHELTER)

a small area of a field surrounded by a fence where sheep can be put for shelter for the night the fold your home or an organization where you feel you belong:

Her children are all away at college now, but they always return to the fold in the holidays.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

fold

[fo͟ʊld]
♦♦♦
folds, folding, folded
1) VERB If you fold something such as a piece of paper or cloth, you bend it so that one part covers another part, often pressing the edge so that it stays in place.
  [V n] He folded the paper carefully...
  [V n prep/adv] Fold the omelette in half...
  [V n prep/adv] Fold the blanket back.
  [V-ed] ...a folded towel.
2) N-COUNT A fold in a piece of paper or cloth is a bend that you make in it when you put one part of it over another part and press the edge.
  Make another fold and turn the ends together.
  Syn:
  crease
3) N-COUNT: usu pl The folds in a piece of cloth are the curved shapes which are formed when it is not hanging or lying flat.
  The priest fumbled in the folds of his gown.
4) V-ERG If a piece of furniture or equipment folds or if you can fold it, you can make it smaller by bending or closing parts of it.
  [V adv/prep] The back of the bench folds forward to make a table...
  [V adj] This portable seat folds flat for easy storage...
  [V n] Check if you can fold the buggy without having to remove the raincover.
  [V-ing] ...a folding beach chair. [Also V n adj]
PHR-V-ERG
Fold up means the same as fold. V P When not in use it folds up out of the way... V n P Fold the ironing board up so that it is flat.
5) VERB If you fold your arms or hands, you bring them together and cross or link them, for example over your chest.
  [V n] Meer folded his arms over his chest and turned his head away...
  [V n] Mrs Ringrose sat down and folded her hands in her lap.
6) VERB If a business or organization folds, it is unsuccessful and has to close. [mainly BRIT]
  But as other shops fold, the march of the superstores continues...
  2,500 small businesses were folding each week.
7) N-SING: the/poss N, usu the supp N When someone joins an organization or group, you can say that they have come into the fold. When they leave the organization or group, you can say that they leave the fold.
  The EC brought Spain, Greece and Portugal into the fold...
  He might find it difficult to return to the family fold even when he realizes his mistake.
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - fold in
  - fold into
  - fold up

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

²fold noun, pl folds [count]
1 : a line or mark made by bending one part of something over another part and pressing at the bent edge : a line or mark made by folding something : crease
• the fold in a newspaper
2 : a part of something (such as cloth or skin) that lies or hangs over another part
• hidden in the folds of the curtain
• the folds of her dress
• He had folds of flab around his middle.
3 : the act of folding something
• She made a paper airplane by using a simple series of folds.
4 technical : a bend produced in a rock layer by pressure

- compare ³fold

fold

³fold noun, pl folds
1 [count] : an enclosed area for sheep
2 the fold : a group of people who have a shared faith or interest
• His former colleagues would be glad to welcome him back into the fold.

- compare ²fold

American English

British English

the style - appearance - and make-up of clothes

B1 (Intermediate)

fold

noun

fold

to bend something, especially paper or cloth, so that one part of it lies on the other part, or to be able to be bent in this way

/foʊld/

/fəʊld/

تاكردن‌ يا شدن‌، تازدن‌

Example:

to fold a sheet of paper.

صفحه‌ى كاغذ را تاكردن‌

Oxford Essential Dictionary

verb (folds, folding, folded) (also fold up)

1 to bend something so that one part is on top of another part:
I folded the letter and put it in the envelope.
Fold up your clothes.
opposite unfold

2 to be able to be made smaller in order to be carried or stored more easily:
a folding chair
This table folds up flat.

fold your arms If you fold your arms, you cross them in front of your chest:
She folded her arms and waited.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

fold

I. fold¹ W3 /fəʊld $ foʊld/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: verb: ↑fold, ↑unfold; noun: ↑fold, ↑folder; adjective: folded, ↑folding]
[Language: Old English; Origin: fealdan]
1. BEND [transitive] to bend a piece of paper, cloth etc by laying or pressing one part over another:
Fold the paper along the dotted line.
It’ll fit in if you fold it in half.
fold something over/under/down etc
Spoon the filling onto the dough, fold it over, and press down the edges.
2. SMALLER/NEATER [transitive] (also fold up) to fold something several times so that it makes a small neat shape ⇨ unfold:
I wish you kids would fold up your clothes!
He folded the map neatly.
3. FURNITURE ETC [intransitive and transitive] if something such as a piece of furniture folds, or you fold it, you make it smaller or move it to a different position by bending it:
The chairs fold flat for storage.
fold (something) away/up/down etc
a useful little bed that folds away when you don’t need it
Can you fold the shutters back? ⇨ ↑folding
4. fold your arms to bend your arms so that they rest together against your body:
George stood silently with his arms folded.
5. BUSINESS [intransitive] (also fold up) if an organization folds, it closes because it does not have enough money to continue
6. COVER [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to cover something, especially by wrapping it in material or putting your hand over it
fold something in something
a silver dagger folded in a piece of white cloth
7. fold somebody in your arms literary to hold someone closely by putting your arms around them
fold something ↔ in (also fold something into something) phrasal verb
to gently mix another substance into a mixture when you are preparing food:
Next, fold in the sugar.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fold

fold [fold folds folded folding] verb, noun [fəʊld] [foʊld]

verb
1. transitive to bend sth, especially paper or cloth, so that one part lies on top of another part
• ~ sth (up) He folded the map up and put it in his pocket.
• First, fold the paper in half/in two.
• ~ sth (back, down, over, etc.) The blankets had been folded down.
• a pile of neatly folded clothes
• The bird folded its wings.
Opp: unfold

see also fold-up

2. transitive, intransitive to bend sth so that it becomes smaller or flatter and can be stored or carried more easily; to bend or be able to bend in this way
• ~ sth (away/down/up) The bed can be folded away during the day.
• ~ (away/up) The table folds up when not in use.
• (figurative) When she heard the news, her legs just folded under her (= she fell).

• + adj. The ironing board folds flat for easy storage.

3. transitive to wrap sth around sb/sth
• ~ A in B She gently folded the baby in a blanket.

• ~ B round/over A She folded a blanket around the baby.

4. intransitive (of a company, a play, etc.) to close because it is not successful
• The new musical folded after only twenty performances.
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
v. and n. senses 1 to 2 n. senses 5 to 6 Old English falden fealden Germanic Dutch vouwen German falten
n. senses 3 to 4 Old English fald Germanic Dutch vaalt

Example Bank:
• He carefully folded the typed sheets and replaced them in the envelope.
• Her hands lay gently folded in her lap.
• I folded up the clothes and put them away.
• She folded the clothes into a neat bundle.
• She folded the piece of paper in half.
• First, fold the paper in half.
• He walked in carrying a pile of neatly folded clothes.
• Her fan club has folded.
• His business folded and his wife left him.
• The musical folded after 16 performances.
• When she heard the news, her legs just folded under her.
Idioms: above the fold ▪ fold somebody in your arms ▪ fold your arms ▪ fold your hands

Derived: fold something in ▪ fold something into something

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

fold / fəʊld / / foʊld / verb (BEND)

B1 [ I or T ] to bend something, especially paper or cloth, so that one part of it lies on the other part, or to be able to be bent in this way:

I folded the letter (in half) and put it in an envelope.

He had a neatly folded handkerchief in his jacket pocket.

Will you help me to fold ( up ) the sheets?

The table folds up when not in use.

[ T ] to wrap:

She folded her baby in a blanket.

He folded his arms around her.

fold your arms to bring your arms close to your chest and hold them together

See picture body positions 2

[ T ] to move a part of your body into a position where it is close to your body:

She sat with her legs folded under her.

fold / fəʊld / / foʊld / verb [ I ] (FAIL)

(of a business) to close because of failure:

Many small businesses fold within the first year.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

fold

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹fold /ˈfoʊld/ verb folds; fold·ed; fold·ing
1 : to bend one part of (something) over or against another part

[+ obj]

• He folded the paper in half and then unfolded it again.
• Fold the flaps open/shut.
• He folded the blanket and laid it at the foot of the bed.
• She folded over the edge of the fabric to make a hem.
• a piece of paper folded into the shape of a bird

[no obj]

• The paper folded easily.
• The map folds neatly/flat so you can fit it in a pocket.
2 : to reduce the length or size of something (such as a piece of furniture) by moving parts of it so that they lie close together

[+ obj]

• We folded (up) the lawn chair and put it in the trunk.

[no obj]

• The lawn chair folded (up) easily.
• The bed folds (away) into a space in the wall.
3 [+ obj]
a : to put your arm or hand over your other arm or hand in a way that keeps them together
• She folded [=crossed] her arms across her chest.
• She folded her hands on her lap.
• He folded his arms around her.
• hands folded in prayer
b : to bend (a leg, a knee, an elbow, etc.)
• He sat with his legs folded under him.
4 [+ obj] literary : to put your arms around (someone) : embrace
• She folded him in her arms.
5 [+ obj] : to add (a food ingredient) to a mixture by gently and repeatedly lifting one part over another
• Fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture.
6 [no obj] : to fail completely : collapse
• The business folded.
7 [no obj] : to accept defeat in a card game (such as poker) by removing your cards from the game
• Realizing that she probably wasn't bluffing, he decided to fold.

American English

British English

making things more or less smooth or straight

B1 (Intermediate)

fold

verb

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