B1 (Intermediate)

impossible

impossible [adjective]

If an action or event is impossible, it cannot happen or be achieved

/ɪmˈpɑː.sə.bəl/

/ɪmˈpɒs.ə.bəl/

Example:

It was impossible to sleep because of the noise.

adjective
If something is impossible, you cannot do it, or it cannot happen:
It's impossible for me to finish this work by five o'clock.
The house was impossible to find.
opposite possible

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

impossible

I. im‧pos‧si‧ble¹ S2 W2 /ɪmˈpɒsəbəl, ɪmˈpɒsɪbəl $ ɪmˈpɑː-/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑possibility ≠ ↑impossibility, the impossible, ↑possible; adverb: ↑possibly ≠ ↑impossibly; adjective: ↑possible ≠ ↑impossible]
1. something that is impossible cannot happen or be done OPP possible:
‘I want to speak to Mr Franks.’ ‘I’m afraid that’s impossible.’
It’s impossible to be accurate about these things.
The noise made sleep impossible.
Members with young children often found it impossible to attend evening meetings.
It is difficult to find work these days, but for blind people it is virtually impossible.
He was faced with a seemingly impossible task.
It was physically impossible to get the fridge through the door.
Six months ago, peace seemed an impossible dream.
Such mental attitudes are difficult, if not impossible, to change.
2. a situation that is impossible is one that you cannot deal with:
We were in an impossible situation. Whatever we decided to do would upset someone.
Helen’s refusal to cooperate put me in an impossible position.
His attitude is making life impossible for the rest of the team.
He was facing impossible odds.
3. behaving in a very unreasonable and annoying way:
Oh, you’re just impossible!

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

impossible / ɪmˈpɒs.ɪ.bl̩ / / -ˈpɑː.sə- / adjective

B1 If an action or event is impossible, it cannot happen or be achieved:

It was impossible to sleep because of the noise.

It seems impossible that I could have walked by without noticing her.

He made it impossible for me to say no.

She ate three plates of spaghetti and a dessert? That's impossible. I don't believe it!

C2 describes a situation that is extremely difficult to deal with or solve:

It's an impossible situation - she's got to leave him but she can't bear losing her children.

C2 describes a person who behaves very badly or is extremely difficult to deal with:

I had to leave the job because my boss was impossible.

My niece is impossible when she's tired - you can't do anything to please her.

impossibility / ɪmˌpɒs.ɪˈbɪl.ɪ.ti / / -ˌpɑː.səˈbɪl.ə.t̬i / noun [ C or U ]

What you're asking just can't be done - it's an impossibility.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

impossible

[ɪmpɒ̱sɪb(ə)l]

1) ADJ-GRADED: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf/that, ADJ to-inf Something that is impossible cannot be done or cannot happen.
  It was impossible for anyone to get in because no one knew the password...
  He thinks the tax is impossible to administer...
  You shouldn't promise what's impossible...
  Keller is good at describing music - an almost impossible task to do well.
  Syn:
  impracticable
  Ant:
  possible
  Derived words:
  impossibly ADV ADV adj Mathematical physics is an almost impossibly difficult subject.
  impossibility [ɪmpɒ̱sɪbɪ̱lɪti] plural N-VAR oft the N of n ...the impossibility of knowing absolute truth.
N-SING: the N
The impossible is something which is impossible. They were expected to do the impossible... No one can achieve the impossible.
2) ADJ: ADJ n An impossible situation or an impossible position is one that is very difficult to deal with.
  The Government was now in an almost impossible position.
  Syn:
  hopeless
3) ADJ-GRADED (disapproval) If you describe someone as impossible, you are annoyed that their bad behaviour or strong views make them difficult to deal with.
  The woman is impossible, thought Frannie.
  Syn:
  intolerable

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

impossible

im·pos·si·ble /ɪmˈpɑːsəbəl/ adj
1 a : unable to be done or to happen : not possible
• It's impossible to predict the future.
• The heavy rain made it impossible to see the road.
• It's logically/mathematically impossible.
• It's physically impossible for a child to lift that much at once.
• It's virtually/nearly/almost impossible to book a flight just before the holiday.
• I find it impossible to believe [=I cannot believe] that he's telling the truth.
• an impossible dream
b : very difficult
• an impossible [=hopeless] situation
• These math problems are impossible!
2 [more ~; most ~] of a person : very difficult to deal with : very irritating or annoying
• You refuse to help and then criticize me for not doing it right? You're impossible!
• My boss is just an impossible woman.
the impossible : something that cannot be done or that is very difficult
• Expecting people to do a good job in such a short time is asking the impossible.
- im·pos·si·bly /ɪmˈpɑːsəbli/ adv
• The restaurants in this city are impossibly [=extremely, ridiculously] expensive.
• impossibly high standards

advantage

advantage [noun]

a condition giving a greater chance of success

/ədˈvæn.t̬ɪdʒ/

/ədˈvɑːn.tɪdʒ/

Example:

The advantage of book ing tickets in advance is that you get better seats.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

advantage

noun
something that helps you or that is useful:
One advantage of camping is that it's cheap.
opposite disadvantage

take advantage of something to make good use of something to help yourself:
Buy now and take advantage of these special prices!

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

advantage

ad‧van‧tage S2 W1 /ədˈvɑːntɪdʒ $ ədˈvæn-/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑advantage ≠ ↑disadvantage, the disadvantaged; adjective: ↑advantageous ≠ ↑disadvantageous, ↑advantaged ≠ ↑disadvantaged; verb: ↑disadvantage; adverb: ↑advantageously ≠ ↑disadvantageously]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: avantage, from avant 'before', from Latin abante; ⇨ ↑advance²]
1. [uncountable and countable] something that helps you to be more successful than others, or the state of having this OPP disadvantage
advantage over
Her experience meant that she had a big advantage over her opponent.
Younger workers tend to be at an advantage (=have an advantage) when applying for jobs.
It might be to your advantage (=it might help you) to take a computer course of some kind.
2. [uncountable and countable] a good or useful feature that something has
advantage of
One of the many advantages of living in New York is that you can eat out at almost any time of day.
advantage over
This printer has several advantages over conventional printers.
3. take advantage of somebody to treat someone unfairly in order to get what you want, especially someone who is generous or easily persuaded:
Don’t lend them the car – they’re taking advantage of you!
4. take advantage of something (to do something) to use a particular situation to do or get what you want:
I took advantage of the good weather to paint the shed.
You’ll want to take full advantage of the beach-front clubs.
5. use/turn something to your/good advantage to use something that you have or that happens in order to achieve something:
How could he turn the situation to his advantage?
Burns used his family connections to good advantage.
6. show something to (good/great) advantage to make the best features of someone or something very noticeable:
Her dress showed her tanned skin to great advantage.
7. advantage somebody used in tennis to show that the person named has won the next point after the score was 40–40

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

advantage

▪ I. ad·van·tage [advantage advantages advantaged advantaging] noun, verb [ədˈvɑːntɪdʒ] [ədˈvæntɪdʒ]

noun countable, uncountable
1. a thing that helps you to be better or more successful than other people
• a big/great/definite advantage
• an unfair advantage (= sth that benefits you, but not your opponents)
• She had the advantage of a good education.
• You will be at an advantage (= have an advantage) in the interview if you have thought about the questions in advance.
• ~ over sb Being tall gave him an advantage over the other players.
• companies seeking competitive advantage over their trading rivals

Opp: disadvantage

2. a quality of sth that makes it better or more useful
• A small car has the added advantage of being cheaper to run.
• One advantage of/One of the advantages of living in the country is the fresh air.
• Each of these systems has its advantages and disadvantages.

Opp: disadvantage

3. (in tennis) the first point scored after a score of 40–40
• Advantage Federer.
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French avantage, from avant ‘in front’, from late Latin abante ‘in front’, from ab ‘from’ + ante ‘before’. The initial a- was mistakenly assimilated to ad- in the 16th cent.
Thesaurus:
advantage noun
1. sing.
• Being tall gave him an advantage over the other players.
edge • • lead • • the upper hand • • head start •
Opp: disadvantage
an advantage/an edge/a lead/the upper hand/a head start over sb/sth
an advantage/an edge/a lead/the upper hand/a head start in sth
have/give sb an advantage/an edge/a lead/the upper hand/a head start
2. C, U
• the advantages of having a degree
benefit • • strength • • good • • asset • • good point • |informal plus •
Opp: disadvantage
some/any/no advantage/benefit in sth
be to sb's advantage/benefit
considerable/great/real/relative advantages/benefits/strengths/good/assets
Advantage or benefit? A benefit is sth that you get or that comes from sth that you do. An advantage is sth that a person, thing, plan or action has as a quality.
Example Bank:
• Breastfeeding offers a clear advantage to your baby.
• East coast resorts have the advantage over west coast ones.
• He would gain considerable advantage from staying in that job.
• I took complete advantage of the situation.
• It is to your advantage to delay things for as long as possible.
• The bright lighting showed the jewels to their best advantage.
• The commanders were anxious to press home their advantage with a further offensive in the north.
• The company has an unfair advantage over its competitors.
• The company was able to gain a competitive advantage over its rivals by reducing costs.
• The new design gives us a clear advantage over our competitors.
• The plan would be to our mutual advantage.
• There may be some advantage in laying down a clearer procedure.
• These computers have the added advantage of being cheap.
• They argue that the possible risks attached to such vaccines vastly outweigh any advantages.
• the advantage to both countries of closer economic ties
• the natural advantages of a fertile soil
• the natural advantages of countries with low labour costs
• Being tall gave him a definite advantage over the other players.
• Having a degree is a huge advantage when it comes to getting a job.
• Is there any advantage in getting there early?
• The bill will give US tuna processors a competitive advantage in the US tuna market.
• Their better training gave the French troops a decisive advantage.
• They took an early lead and held onto their advantage right to the end.
• With good cooperation we should be able to exploit this opportunity to our mutual advantage.
• You will be at an advantage if you have thought about the interview questions in advance.

Idioms: take advantage of somebody ▪ to your advantage ▪ turn something to your advantage

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

advantage / ədˈvɑːn.tɪdʒ / / -ˈvæn.t̬ɪdʒ / noun

B1 [ C or U ] a condition giving a greater chance of success:

The advantage of book ing tickets in advance is that you get better seats.

Despite the twin advantages of wealth and beauty, she did not have a happy life.

[ + to infinitive ] It would be to your advantage (= it would improve the situation for you) to agree to his demands.

For a goalkeeper, it 's a great advantage to have big hands.

His height and reach give him a big advantage over (= make him better than) other boxers.

UK formal "Do you know how old I am?" "I'm afraid you have the advantage of me there (= you know the answer but I do not) ."

take advantage of sth B1 to use the good things in a situation:

I thought I'd take advantage of the sports facilities while I'm here.

take advantage of sb / sth B2 disapproving to treat someone badly in order to get something good from them:

I think she takes advantage of his good nature.

I know she's offered to babysit, but I don't want her to think we're taking advantage of her.

[ U ] the word used in tennis when a player has won the point after deuce:

Advantage Miss Williams!

Word partners for advantage

a big / great / major / obvious advantage • the main advantage • an unfair advantage • have an advantage • give sb an advantage • the advantage of sth • put sb/ be at an advantage • be / work to sb's advantage

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

advantage

[ædvɑ͟ːntɪʤ, -væ̱n-]
advantages
1) N-COUNT An advantage is something that puts you in a better position than other people.
  They are deliberately flouting the law in order to obtain an advantage over their competitors...
  A good crowd will be a definite advantage to me and the rest of the team.
  Ant:
  disadvantage
2) N-UNCOUNT Advantage is the state of being in a better position than others who are competing against you.
  Men have created a social and economic position of advantage for themselves over women.
3) N-COUNT: oft N of n An advantage is a way in which one thing is better than another.
  The great advantage of home-grown oranges is their magnificent flavour...
  This custom-built kitchen has many advantages over a standard one.
  Ant:
  disadvantage
4) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If you take advantage of something, you make good use of it while you can.
  I intend to take full advantage of this trip to buy the things we need.
5) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If someone takes advantage of you, they treat you unfairly for their own benefit, especially when you are trying to be kind or to help them.
  She took advantage of him even after they were divorced.
6) PHRASE: PHR after v If you use or turn something to your advantage, you use it in order to benefit from it, especially when it might be expected to harm or damage you.
  The government have not been able to turn today's demonstration to their advantage.
7) PHRASE: PHR after v If something is shown to good advantage or to best advantage, it is shown in a way that reveals its best features.
  The walls were painted in muted tones to show the pictures to good advantage.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

advantage

ad·van·tage /ədˈvæntɪʤ, Brit ədˈvɑːntɪʤ/ noun, pl -tag·es
1 [count]
a : something (such as a good position or condition) that helps to make someone or something better or more likely to succeed than others
• Higher ground gave the enemy the/an advantage.
• He has/enjoys an unfair advantage over us because of his wealth.
• His plan has the advantage of being less expensive than other options.
• He lacked the advantages of an advanced education.
• Speed is an advantage in most sports.
• The company's only advantage over the competition is its location.
• Applicants for this job will find that previous experience is an advantage.
• The union should be at an advantage [=should have an advantage] in the negotiations.
b : a good or desirable quality or feature
• Being able to set your own schedule is one of the advantages of owning a business.
• Among the advantages of a small college is its campus life.
- opposite disadvantage
2 [noncount] : benefit or gain
• There isn't any advantage in/to leaving early.
• She used her position for personal advantage. [=for personal gain; to help herself]
• The error was to our advantage. [=we were helped by the error]
- opposite disadvantage
✦If you turn/use something to your advantage or to good advantage, you use something in a way that is helpful to you.
• Is there a way to turn this situation to our advantage? [=is there a way to exploit this situation?; is there a way to take advantage of this situation?]
3 [noncount] tennis : the first point won after the score is tied at 40–40 - used to announce the person who has won the point
• Advantage Mr. Jones.
take advantage of
1 : to use (something, such as an opportunity) in a way that helps you : to make good use of (something)
• We took advantage of the warm weather and did some yard work.
• They are taking advantage of an opportunity to travel.
• You should take (full) advantage of this opportunity while you can.
2 a : to ask for or expect more than is fair or reasonable from (someone) : to treat (someone who is generous or helpful) unfairly
• After a while, I began to think she was taking advantage of me.
b : to use (something) unfairly for personal gain
• He took advantage of [=exploited] my lack of knowledge.
• She took advantage of our generosity.
to advantage : in an attractive and appealing way
• The display shows off the collection to (good/best) advantage.

American English

British English

advantage and disadvantage

B1 (Intermediate)

noun

conrtol

control [verb]

to order, limit, or rule something, or someone's actions or behaviour

Example:

You're going to have to learn to control your temper.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

control

verb (controls, controlling, controlled )
to make people or things do what you want:
He can't control his dog.
This switch controls the heating.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

verb: ↑control; adverb: uncontrollably]
1. MAKE SOMEBODY/SOMETHING DO WHAT YOU WANT [uncountable] the ability or power to make someone or something do what you want or make something happen in the way you want:
The disease robs you of muscle control.
control of/over
Babies are born with very little control over their movements.
Artists like to have some control over where their works are hung in a gallery.
She’s a good teacher who has control of her class.
Students are encouraged to take control of their own learning, rather than just depending on the teacher.
Excessive drinking can make you lose control of your own life.
‘Do you need any help?’ ‘No. It’s under control, thanks.’
Dogs are allowed on the trails if they are kept under control.
The car spun out of control and hit a tree.
Flight delays do occur, for reasons that are outside our control.
2. POWER [uncountable] the power to make the decisions about how a country, place, company etc is organized or what it does:
The press was freed from political control.
control of
Jordan asked for editorial control of the project.
in control (of something)
Anti-government forces are still in control of the area.
By the end of the year, the rebels had control over the northern territories.
The Johnson family has effective control of the company, owning almost 60% of the shares.
China gained control of the island in 1683.
His son is being trained to take control of the family business.
The Democrats lost control of Congress in the last election.
under the control of somebody
The college was under the control of a group of trustees.
The whole of this area came under Soviet control after World War II.
The Conservatives are hoping to regain control of the city council.
3. WAY OF LIMITING SOMETHING [uncountable and countable] an action, method, or law that limits the amount or growth of something, especially something that is dangerous:
pest control
control of
the control of inflation
control on
The authorities imposed strict controls on the movement of cattle.
an agreement on arms control (=control of the amount of weapons a country has)
under control
Firefighters had the blaze under control by 9:44 p.m.
Shea used diet and exercise to bring her weight under control.
The Federal Reserve Bank raised interest rates to keep inflation under control.
rent/price/wage etc controls
Rent controls ensured that no one paid too much for housing.
tight/rigid controls (=strict controls)
the introduction of tighter controls on immigration
Police used fire hoses and dogs for crowd control.
4. ABILITY TO STAY CALM [uncountable] the ability to remain calm even when you feel very angry, upset, or excited:
There were sudden tears in his eyes and he paused, fighting for control.
Davidson lost control of himself and started yelling.
Small children can’t be expected to have the same self-control (=ability to control their emotions and behaviour) as an adult.
under control
Her voice is under control, but she is almost shaking with anger.
in control
I felt calm and in control.
5. MACHINE/VEHICLE [countable] the thing that you press or turn to make a machine, vehicle, television etc work:
the TV remote control
the volume control on the radio
a car with manual controls
at the controls (=controlling a vehicle or aircraft)
Belton, at the controls, made a perfect landing.
6. PEOPLE WHO ORGANIZE AN ACTIVITY [singular, uncountable] the people who direct an activity or who check that something is done correctly, the place where this is done, or the process of doing it:
air-traffic control
Please stop at passport control.
computers used for stock control
7. SCIENTIFIC TEST [countable]
a) a person, group etc against which you compare another person or group that is very similar, in order to see if a particular quality is caused by something or happens by chance
control group/population/sample etc
A control group of non-smoking women was compared to four groups of women smokers.
b) a thing that you already know the result for that is used in a scientific test, in order to show that your method is working correctly ⇨ ↑controlled experiment
8. COMPUTER [singular] (also control key) a particular button on a computer that allows you to do certain operations:
Press control and F2 to exit.
⇨ ↑birth control, ↑quality control, ↑remote control
II. control² S2 W1 BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle controlled, present participle controlling) [transitive]
[Word Family: adjective: controlling, ↑controllable ≠ ↑uncontrollable, ↑controlled ≠ ↑uncontrolled; noun: ↑control, ↑controller; verb: ↑control; adverb: uncontrollably]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Anglo-French; Origin: contreroller 'to keep a copy of an official document in rolled-up form', from Medieval Latin contrarotulare, from contrarotulus 'copy of a roll', from Latin contra- ( ⇨ ↑contra-) + rotulus 'roll']
1. POWER to have the power to make the decisions about how a country, place, company etc is organized or what it does:
The Democrats continued to control the Senate until last year.
a huge company controlling half the world’s coffee trade
Labour-/Republican-/Democrat- etc controlled
2. LIMIT to limit the amount or growth of something, especially something that is dangerous:
a chemical used to control weeds
an economic plan to control inflation
Development in areas of outstanding natural beauty is strictly controlled.
Strict measures were taken to control the spread of foot and mouth disease.
3. MAKE SOMEBODY/SOMETHING DO WHAT YOU WANT to make someone or something do what you want, or make something happen in the way that you want:
Police had to be called in to control the crowds.
a skilled rider controlling a spirited horse
4. EMOTION if you control your emotions, your voice, your expression etc, you succeed in behaving calmly and sensibly, even though you feel angry, upset, or excited:
Sarah took a deep breath, trying to control her anger.
He controlled the urge to laugh.
control yourself
Newman controlled himself with an effort.
5. MACHINE/PROCESS/SYSTEM to make a machine, process, or system work in a particular way:
a radio-controlled toy car
A thermostat controls the temperature in the building.
control how/what/which etc
The valves in the heart control how quickly the blood is pumped around the body.
6. CHECK SOMETHING to make sure that something is done correctly SYN check, monitor:
The company strictly controls the quality of its products.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ control to have power over a country, place, company etc, and decide what happens there: The Democrats controlled the US Congress. | Government forces now control the city.
▪ run to make the important everyday decisions concerning a company, organization, country etc, so that it can continue to operate: He runs a software company in New York. | The parents want to run the school themselves. | The government is unfit to run the country. | The charity runs a medical clinic in one of the poorest parts of the city.
▪ be in charge of somebody/something to have control over something, or responsibility for a group of people: She is in charge of training new employees. | I left him in charge of the children while I was out.
▪ manage to be in charge of a company, especially one that someone else owns: In 1963, she opened a furniture store, and her son has managed it since 1985.
▪ be in power if a group or leader is in power, they have political control of a country: Abe resigned after less than a year in power. | It was the first time a democratically elected government had been in power.
▪ rule if a leader or political group rules a country, they have political control of that country: President Assad ruled the country for almost 30 years. | The same party has ruled Japan for many years.
▪ supervise to be in charge of a group of workers or students and make sure that they do their work properly: Professor Braude supervised the research team. | He’s supervising the building work.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

verb (-ll-)

HAVE POWER
1. ~ sb/sth to have power over a person, company, country, etc. so that you are able to decide what they must do or how it is run
• By the age of 21 he controlled the company.
• The whole territory is now controlled by the army.
• Can't you control your children?

• a multi-national company based in Britain but controlled from South Africa

LIMIT/MANAGE

2. to limit sth or make it happen in a particular way
• ~ sth government attempts to control immigration
• Many biological processes are controlled by hormones.
• Try to control your breathing.

• ~ what/how, etc… Parents should control what their kids watch on television.

3. ~ sth to stop sth from spreading or getting worse
• Firefighters are still trying to control the blaze.

• She was given drugs to control the pain.

MACHINE

4. ~ sth to make sth, such as a machine or system, work in the way that you want it to
• This knob controls the volume.

• The traffic lights are controlled by a central computer.

STAY CALM

5. to manage to make yourself remain calm, even though you are upset or angry
• ~ yourself I was so furious I couldn't control myself and I hit him.
• ~ sth He was finding it difficult to control his feelings.
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
late Middle English (as a verb in the sense ‘check or verify accounts’, especially by referring to a duplicate register): from Anglo-Norman French contreroller ‘keep a copy of a roll of accounts’, from medieval Latin contrarotulare, from contrarotulus ‘copy of a roll’, from contra- ‘against’ + rotulus ‘a roll’. The noun is perhaps via French contrôle.
Thesaurus:
control verb
1. T
• By the age of 25 he controlled the company.
run • • manage • • be in charge • • direct • • be responsible for sb/sth • • administer • • command •
control/run/manage a/an company/business/organization
control/run/manage/direct/be responsible for/administer a project
control/run/manage/be in charge of/direct/be responsible for operations
2. T
• Can't you control your dog?
manage • • handle •
control/manage a child
be easy/difficult to control/manage/handle
control/manage/handle sb/sth properly
3. T
• new measures to control immigration
limit • • restrict • • curb • • check • • keep/hold sth in check • • rein sth in • |especially BrE cap • |written contain • • suppress •
control/limit/restrict/curb/check/rein in/cap spending
keep/hold spending in check
control/limit/curb/check/contain the spread of sth
control/limit/restrict the size/number/extent/amount of sth
4. T
• She was given drugs to control the pain.
overcome • • bring/get/keep sth under control • • get over sth • |informal beat • |written conquer •
control/overcome/get over/beat/conquer a problem
control/overcome/get over/conquer a fear
control a fire /bring a fire under control
5. T
• The lights are controlled by a computer.
operate • • run • |especially spoken work • |formal manipulate •
control/operate/run/work a machine
control/operate/run a/an engine/motor
Control, operate or run? A person operates or runs a machine; machines are often controlled by the controls, such as a computer, knob or lever.
6. T
• She struggled to control her temper.
restrain • • hold sth back • • suppress • • repress • • stifle • • curb • |written contain • • check •
control/restrain/contain/check yourself
control/restrain/hold back/suppress/repress/contain/check your anger
control/restrain/suppress/repress/stifle/curb/check an impulse
control/curb/contain your temper
Example Bank:
• Conditions in the greenhouse are carefully controlled.
• Expenditure within the company is tightly controlled.
• The shutters can be electronically controlled.
• You can easily control the speed of the fan.
• Can't you control your children?
• Each school is controlled by a Board of Governors.
• Government forces have proved incapable of controlling the rebels.
• He had an emergency operation in which surgeons attempted to control the bleeding.
• He was finding it hard to control his feelings.
• His diabetes can be controlled by diet.
• I was so furious I couldn't control myself and I hit him.
• It is a multi-national company based in Britain but controlled from South Africa.
• Mounted police had been called to control the crowds.
• She was struggling to control her temper.
• Symptoms can be controlled in most patients.
• The National Bank is directly controlled by the government.
• The clerk could scarcely control his excitement.
• The clubs were found guilty of failing to control their fans.
• The government has announced new measures to control immigration
• This government has failed to control inflation.

• Time out is an effective way of controlling aggressive behaviour.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

control / kənˈtrəʊl / / -ˈtroʊl / verb [ T ] ( -ll- )

B1 to order, limit, or rule something, or someone's actions or behaviour:

If you can't control your dog, put it on a lead!

You're going to have to learn to control your temper.

The temperature is controlled by a thermostat.

The laws controlling drugs are very strict in this country.

The government is trying to control spending.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

control

[kəntro͟ʊl]

controls, controlling, controlled
1) N-UNCOUNT: oft N of/over n Control of an organization, place, or system is the power to make all the important decisions about the way that it is run.
  The restructuring involves Mr Ronson giving up control of the company...
  The first aim of his government would be to establish control over the republic's territory.

  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR, usu PHR of n If you are in control of something, you have the power to make all the important decisions about the way it is run.
  Nobody knows who is in control of the club...
  In the West, people feel more in control of their own lives.
  PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR If something is under your control, you have the power to make all the important decisions about the way that it is run.
  All the newspapers were taken under government control.
2) N-UNCOUNT: oft N of/over n If you have control of something or someone, you are able to make them do what you want them to do.
  He lost control of his car...
  Some teachers have more control over pupils than their parents have.
3) N-UNCOUNT If you show control, you prevent yourself behaving in an angry or emotional way.
  He had a terrible temper, and sometimes he would completely lose control...
  He was working hard to keep control of himself.
4) VERB The people who control an organization or place have the power to take all the important decisions about the way that it is run.
  [V n] He now controls the largest retail development empire in southern California...
  [V n] Almost all of the countries in Latin America were controlled by dictators...
  [V-ing] Minebea ended up selling its controlling interest in both firms.
  Derived words:
  -controlled COMB in ADJ AGA Gas is Swedish-controlled. ...the state-controlled media.
5) VERB To control a piece of equipment, process, or system means to make it work in the way that you want it to work.
  [V n] ...a computerised system to control the gates...
  [V n] Scientists would soon be able to manipulate human genes to control the ageing process.
  [V-ed] ...the controlled production of energy from sugar by a cell.
  Derived words:
  -controlled COMB in ADJ ...computer-controlled traffic lights.
6) VERB When a government controls prices, wages, or the activity of a particular group, it uses its power to restrict them.
  [V n] The federal government tried to control rising health-care costs.
  [V n] ...measures to control illegal mining.
N-UNCOUNT: with supp
Control is also a noun. Control of inflation remains the government's absolute priority.
7) VERB If you control yourself, or if you control your feelings, voice, or expression, you make yourself behave calmly even though you are feeling angry, excited, or upset.
  [V pron-refl] Jo was advised to learn to control herself...
  [V n] I just couldn't control my temper.
  Syn:
  restrain
  Derived words:
  controlled ADJ-GRADED Her manner was quiet and very controlled.
8) VERB To control something dangerous means to prevent it from becoming worse or from spreading.
  [V n] ...the need to control environmental pollution...
  [V n] One of the biggest tasks will be to control the spread of malaria.
9) N-COUNT A control is a device such as a switch or lever which you use in order to operate a machine or other piece of equipment.
  I practised operating the controls.
  ...the control box.

  PHRASE If someone is at the controls of a machine or other piece of equipment, they are operating it.
  He died of a heart attack while at the controls of the plane.
10) N-VAR Controls are the methods that a government uses to restrict increases, for example in prices, wages, or weapons.
  Critics question whether price controls would do any good...
  Their talks are expected to focus on arms control...
  They have very strict gun control in Sweden.
11) N-VAR: n N The word control is used to refer to a place where your documents or luggage are officially checked when you enter a foreign country.
  He went straight through Passport Control without incident.
  ...an agreement to abolish border controls.
12) → See also air traffic control, birth control, quality control, remote control, stock control
13) PHRASE: usu v PHR, v-link PHR If something is out of control, no-one has any power over it.
  The fire is burning out of control...
  I'm dealing with customers all the time who have let their debts get out of control.
14) PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v If something harmful is under control, it is being dealt with successfully and is unlikely to cause any more harm.
  The situation is under control...
  If the current violence is to be brought under control, the government needs to act.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹con·trol /kənˈtroʊl/ verb -trols; -trolled; -trol·ling [+ obj]
1 : to direct the behavior of (a person or animal) : to cause (a person or animal) to do what you want
• The parents could not control their child.
• The police controlled the crowd.
• The small boy could not control the big dog.
2 : to have power over (something)
• Her family controls the business.
• One country controls the whole island.
• The rebel army now controls nearly half the country.
3 a : to direct the actions or function of (something) : to cause (something) to act or function in a certain way
• The lights on stage are controlled by this computer.
• She struggled to control the cart as it rolled before her down the steep, bumpy road.
b : to set or adjust the amount, degree, or rate of (something)
• He controlled the volume by turning the radio's knob.
• A thermostat controls the room's temperature.
• The dam controls the flow of the river.
4 : to limit the amount or growth of (something)
• The farmer used insecticides to control the pests.
• The state allowed hunting in the area to control the deer population.
• The government made new laws to control pollution.
• The firefighters worked all night to control the fire.
5 a : to keep (emotions, desires, etc.) from becoming too strong or from being shown
• Please control your temper. [=keep yourself calm]
• He tried hard to control his laughter. [=to avoid laughing]
• I was hungry, but I controlled my appetite [=I resisted the desire to eat] and waited for dinner.
b : to keep or make (yourself) calm especially when you are angry, upset, or excited
• He couldn't control himself any longer.
- con·trol·la·ble /kənˈtroʊləbəl/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• The temperature of the room is controllable.
• The lighter drill was more controllable than the heavier one.

American English

British English

controlling and being in charge

B1 (Intermediate)

verb

destroy

destroy [verb]

to damage something so badly that it cannot be used

/dɪˈstrɔɪ/

Example:

Most of the old part of the city was destroyed by bombs during the war.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

destroy

verb (destroys, destroying, destroyed )
to break something completely so that you cannot use it again or so that it is gone:
The house was destroyed by fire.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

destroy

de‧stroy S2 W2 /dɪˈstrɔɪ/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Word Family: noun: destroyer, destruction; adjective: indestructible, destructive; verb: destroy; adverb: destructively]
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: destruire, from Latin destruere, from struere 'to build']
1. to damage something so badly that it no longer exists or cannot be used or repaired ⇨ destruction
completely/totally destroy
The school was completely destroyed by fire.
companies that are polluting and destroying the environment
destroy sb’s confidence/hope/faith etc
2. if something destroys someone, it ruins their life completely:
The scandal destroyed Simmons and ended his political career.
3. informal to defeat an opponent easily:
The Bears destroyed the Detroit Lions 35–3.
4. to kill an animal, especially because it is ill or dangerous:
One of the bulls had to be destroyed.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ destroy the evidence (=deliberately destroy evidence of a crime) They set light to the car to destroy the evidence.
▪ destroy the environment Some of these companies are polluting and destroying the environment.
▪ destroy the world/planet No one wants another war, which might destroy the world.
▪ destroy sb’s career She made one bad mistake and it destroyed her career.
▪ destroy sb’s reputation The scandal destroyed his reputation.
▪ destroy the character of something New buildings have destroyed much of the character of the area.
▪ destroy sb’s hopes Losing the game destroyed the team’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
▪ destroy sb’s confidence When he failed his degree, it completely destroyed his confidence.
■ adverbs
▪ completely/totally destroy something The plane was completely destroyed when it hit a mountain.
▪ partially destroy something The Great Fire of 1666 partially destroyed the prison.
■ phrases
▪ be destroyed by fire/a bomb/earthquake etc The building was destroyed by fire in 2004.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ destroy to damage something so badly that it no longer exists or cannot be used or repaired: The earthquake almost completely destroyed the city. | The twin towers were destroyed in a terrorist attack.
▪ devastate to damage a large area very badly and destroy many things in it: Allied bombings in 1943 devastated the city. | The country’s economy has been devastated by years of fighting.
▪ demolish to completely destroy a building, either deliberately or by accident: The original 15th century house was demolished in Victorian times. | The plane crashed into a suburb of Paris, demolishing several buildings.
▪ flatten to destroy a building or town by knocking it down, bombing it etc, so that nothing is left standing: The town centre was flattened by a 500 lb bomb.
▪ wreck to deliberately damage something very badly, especially a room or building: The toilets had been wrecked by vandals. | They just wrecked the place.
▪ trash informal to deliberately destroy a lot of the things in a room, house etc: Apparently, he trashed his hotel room while on drugs.
▪ obliterate formal to destroy a place so completely that nothing remains: The nuclear blast obliterated most of Hiroshima.
▪ reduce something to ruins/rubble/ashes to destroy a building or town completely: The town was reduced to rubble in the First World War.
▪ ruin to spoil something completely, so that it cannot be used or enjoyed: Fungus may ruin the crop. | The new houses will ruin the view.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

destroy

des·troy [destroy destroys destroyed destroying] [dɪˈstrɔɪ] [dɪˈstrɔɪ] verb
1. ~ sth/sb to damage sth so badly that it no longer exists, works, etc
• The building was completely destroyed by fire.
• They've destroyed all the evidence.
• Heat gradually destroys vitamin C.
• You have destroyed my hopes of happiness.

• Failure was slowly destroying him (= making him less and less confident and happy).

2. ~ sth to kill an animal deliberately, usually because it is sick or not wanted
• The injured horse had to be destroyed.
see also soul-destroying
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French destruire, based on Latin destruere, from de- (expressing reversal) + struere ‘build’.
Thesaurus:
destroy verb T
• a mission to destroy the enemy
devastate • • wipe sb/sth out • • annihilate • • eradicate • • decimate • • exterminate • • stamp sth out • |informal zap • |especially written ravage •
Opp: create
destroy/devastate/wipe out/decimate/ravage a village/town/city
destroy/wipe out/decimate/annihilate/exterminate/zap the enemy
a/an earthquake/flood/fire destroys/devastates/ravages sth
Destroy or devastate? Devastate is stronger than destroy, but is only used about places or buildings, not substances or objects. When used about people it has a different meaning.
Word Family:
destroy verb
destroyer noun
destruction noun
destructive adjective
indestructible adjective
Example Bank:
• Drugs can destroy the health and lives of young people.
• He physically destroyed the computer by smashing it to pieces.
• Our greed may ultimately destroy the planet.
• She seemed intent on destroying everything they had built up together.
• That guy just single-handedly destroyed everything we've worked for.
• The bomb hit, instantly destroying the building.
• The building was destroyed by fire last year.
• The earthquake literally destroyed their villages.
• The horse broke a leg and had to be destroyed.
• The rainforest is being systematically destroyed.
• Their lives have been virtually destroyed by this tragedy.
• These weapons are capable of destroying the entire planet.
• This disease threatens to destroy many of our native trees.
• a new attempt to destroy enemy positions
• Failure was slowly destroying him.
• The brigade's mission was to destroy the enemy.

• They've destroyed all the evidence.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

destroy / dɪˈstrɔɪ / verb [ T ]

B1 to damage something so badly that it cannot be used:

Most of the old part of the city was destroyed by bombs during the war.

The accident seemed to have completely/totally destroyed his confidence.

to kill an animal because it is ill, in pain, or dangerous

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

destroy

[dɪstrɔ͟ɪ]

destroys, destroying, destroyed
1) VERB To destroy something means to cause so much damage to it that it is completely ruined or does not exist any more.
  [V n] That's a sure recipe for destroying the economy and creating chaos...
  [V n] No one was injured in the explosion, but the building was completely destroyed...
  [V n] Even the most gifted can have confidence destroyed by the wrong instructor.
  Syn:
  wreck
2) VERB To destroy someone means to ruin their life or to make their situation impossible to bear.
  [V n] If I was younger or more naive, the criticism would have destroyed me.
3) VERB: usu passive If an animal is destroyed, it is killed, either because it is ill or because it is dangerous.
  [be V-ed] Lindsay was unhurt but the horse had to be destroyed.
  Syn:
  be put down
4) → See also soul-destroying

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

destroy

de·stroy /dɪˈstroɪ/ verb -stroys; -stroyed; -stroy·ing [+ obj]
1 : to cause (something) to end or no longer exist : to cause the destruction of (something)
• Eventually our problems with money destroyed our marriage.
• All the files were deliberately destroyed.
• The disease destroys the body's ability to fight off illness. : to damage (something) so badly that it cannot be repaired
• The bomb blast destroyed the village.
• The scandal destroyed [=ruined] his reputation.
• The building was partially destroyed [=demolished] by fire.
2 : to kill (an animal) especially because it is sick, injured, or dangerous
• The dog had to be destroyed since its owner could not prevent it from attacking people.
3 informal : to defeat (someone or something) easily or completely
• They destroyed [=demolished] the other team 51–7.

American English

British English

destroying and demolishing

B1 (Intermediate)

destroy

verb

attack

attack [verb] (HURT)

to try to hurt or defeat using violence

/əˈtæk/

Example:

He was attacked and seriously injured by a gang of youths.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

attack

verb (attacks, attacking, attacked )
to start fighting or hurting somebody or something:
The army attacked the town.
The old man was attacked and his money was stolen.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. attack² S3 W2 BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑attack, ↑counterattack, ↑attacker; verb: ↑attack, ↑counterattack; adjective: attacking, counterattacking]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: attaquer, from Old Italian attaccare 'to attach', from stacca 'sharp post']
1. USE VIOLENCE [intransitive and transitive] to deliberately use violence to hurt a person or damage a place:
She was attacked while walking home late at night.
His shop was attacked by a gang of youths.
Snakes will only attack if you disturb them.
attack somebody/something with something
He needed 200 stitches after being attacked with a broken bottle.
2. IN A WAR [intransitive and transitive] to start using guns, bombs etc against an enemy in a war:
Army tanks attacked a village near the capital on Sunday.
3. CRITICIZE [transitive] to criticize someone or something very strongly:
Last year Dr Travis publicly attacked the idea that abortion should be available on demand.
attack somebody for (doing) something
Newspapers attacked the government for failing to cut taxes.
strongly/bitterly/savagely etc attack somebody/something
4. DAMAGE [transitive] if something such as a disease, insect, or chemical attacks something, it damages it:
a cruel disease that attacks the brain and nervous system
5. BEGIN DOING [transitive] to begin to do something in a determined and eager way:
She immediately set about attacking the problem.
Martin attacked his meal (=started eating) with vigour.
6. SPORT [intransitive and transitive] to move forward and try to score ↑goals or win points ⇨ defend:
Brazil began to attack more in the second half of the match.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to attack a person
▪ attack to use violence against someone and try to hurt them: She was attacked by a man with a baseball bat. | Police dogs are trained to attack.
▪ ambush /ˈæmbʊʃ/ if a group of people ambush someone, they hide and wait for them and then attack them: The judge was ambushed by gunmen as he drove to work at the courthouse.
▪ mug to attack someone and take money from them in a public place such as a street: He was mugged on his way home from school.
▪ stab to attack someone with a knife: The victim had been stabbed in the neck.
▪ assault to attack and hurt someone – used especially when talking about this as a criminal ↑offence: He assaulted a flight attendant who refused to serve him more drinks.
▪ be set upon by somebody/something written to be attacked by a group of people: He died outside his home after being set upon by a gang of youths.
▪ turn on to suddenly change your behaviour and attack the person you are with, when they do not expect this: The dog suddenly turned on him, sinking its teeth into his arm.
■ to attack a place
▪ attack to use weapons to try to damage or take control of a place: The village was attacked by enemy warplanes. | We will attack at dawn.
▪ invade to enter a country and try to get control of it using force: The Romans invaded Britain 2,000 years ago.
▪ storm to suddenly attack a city or building that is well defended by getting inside it and taking control: Elite troops stormed the building and rescued the hostages.
▪ besiege /bɪˈsiːdʒ/ to surround a city or building with soldiers in order to stop the people inside from getting out or from receiving supplies: In April 655, Osman’s palace was besieged by rebels.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

attack / əˈtæk / verb [ I or T ] (HURT)

B1 to try to hurt or defeat using violence:

He was attacked and seriously injured by a gang of youths.

Army forces have been attacking the town since dawn.

Most wild animals won't attack unless they are provoked.

→ Compare defend (PROTECT)

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

attack

[ətæ̱k]
attacks, attacking, attacked
1) VERB To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence.
  [V n] Fifty civilians in Masawa were killed when government planes attacked the town...
  [V n] He bundled the old lady into her hallway and brutally attacked her...
  While Haig and Foch argued, the Germans attacked...
  [V-ing] The infantry would use hit and run tactics to slow attacking forces.
N-VAR: usu with supp
Attack is also a noun. ...a campaign of air attacks on strategic targets... Refugees had come under attack from federal troops.
2) VERB If you attack a person, belief, idea, or act, you criticize them strongly.
  [V n] He publicly attacked the people who've been calling for secret ballot nominations...
  [V n for -ing] A newspaper ran an editorial attacking him for being a showman. [Also V n as n/adj]
N-VAR: usu with supp
Attack is also a noun. The role of the state as a prime mover in planning social change has been under attack... The committee yesterday launched a scathing attack on British business for failing to invest.
3) VERB If something such as a disease, a chemical, or an insect attacks something, it harms or spoils it.
  [V n] The virus seems to have attacked his throat...
  [V n] Several key crops failed when they were attacked by pests.
N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl
Attack is also a noun. The virus can actually destroy those white blood cells, leaving the body wide open to attack from other infections.
4) VERB If you attack a job or a problem, you start to deal with it in an energetic way.
  [V n] Any attempt to attack the budget problem is going to have to in some way deal with those issues.
5) VERB In games such as soccer, when one team attacks the opponent's goal, they try to score a goal.
  [V n] Now the US is controlling the ball and attacking the opponent's goal...
  The goal was just reward for Villa's decision to attack constantly in the second half.
  Derived words:
  attacking ADJ-GRADED ADJ n Manchester City will play a more attacking style of football.
N-COUNT
Attack is also a noun. Lee was at the hub of some incisive attacks in the second half.
6) N-COUNT: with supp An attack of an illness is a short period in which you suffer badly from it.
  It had brought on an attack of asthma.
7) → See also counter-attack, heart attack

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

attack

³attack adj always used before a noun : designed for or used in a military attack
• an attack helicopter/submarine
• The bombers were in attack formation.

American English

British English

attacking and invading

B1 (Intermediate)

verb

divorced

divorced [adjective] (people)

married in the past but not now married

/dɪˈvɔːrst/

/dɪˈvɔːst/

Example:

They got divorced after only six months of marriage.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

divorced

di‧vorced /dəˈvɔːst, dɪˈvɔːst $ -ɔːrst/ adjective
[Word Family: noun: divorcé, divorcee; verb: divorce; adjective: divorced]
1. no longer married to your wife or husband:
Are you married, single, or divorced?
a divorced woman
divorced from
Anne is divorced from Simon’s father.
My parents are getting divorced.
2. separate from and not connected in any way to an idea, subject etc
divorced from
His ideas are completely divorced from reality.

THESAURUS

▪ married having a husband or wife: How long have you been married? | a married couple
▪ single not married: Chris is 45 and still single. | single mothers
▪ engaged having formally agreed to marry someone in the future: Jane and Pete have just got engaged. | engaged couples
▪ live together to share a home and have a sexual relationship, but not be married: More and more couples are choosing to live together rather than get married.
▪ separated no longer living with your husband or wife because of problems in your marriage: I think Joan and Brian are separated now.
▪ divorced no longer married because you have legally ended your marriage: My parents got divorced when I was 10. | divorced men
▪ widowed no longer married because your husband or wife has died: He’s a widowed father of two.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

divorced

di·vorced [dɪˈvɔːst] [dɪˈvɔːrst] adjective
1. no longer married
• Many divorced men remarry and have second families.
• My parents are divorced.

• Are they going to get divorced?

2. ~ from sth (formal) appearing not to be affected by sth; separate from sth
• He seems completely divorced from reality.
Thesaurus:
divorced [divorced] adj.
• My parents are divorced.
separated • |formal estranged •
Opp: married
be divorced/separated/estranged from sb
a divorced/separated man/woman/parent/mother/father/couple
Collocations:
Marriage and divorce
Romance
fall/be (madly/deeply/hopelessly) in love (with sb)
be/believe in/fall in love at first sight
be/find true love/the love of your life
suffer (from) (the pains/pangs of) unrequited love
have/feel/show/express great/deep/genuine affection for sb/sth
meet/marry your husband/wife/partner/fiancé/fiancée/boyfriend/girlfriend
have/go on a (blind) date
be going out with/ (especially NAmE) dating a guy/girl/boy/man/woman
move in with/live with your boyfriend/girlfriend/partner
Weddings
get/be engaged/married/divorced
arrange/plan a wedding
have a big wedding/a honeymoon/a happy marriage
have/enter into an arranged marriage
call off/cancel/postpone your wedding
invite sb to/go to/attend a wedding/a wedding ceremony/a wedding reception
conduct/perform a wedding ceremony
exchange rings/wedding vows/marriage vows
congratulate/toast/raise a glass to the happy couple
be/go on honeymoon (with your wife/husband)
celebrate your first (wedding) anniversary
Separation and divorce
be unfaithful to/ (informal) cheat on your husband/wife/partner/fiancé/fiancée/boyfriend/girlfriend
have an affair (with sb)
break off/end an engagement/a relationship
break up with/split up with/ (informal) dump your boyfriend/girlfriend
separate from/be separated from/leave/divorce your husband/wife
annul/dissolve a marriage
apply for/ask for/go through/get a divorce
get/gain/be awarded/have/lose custody of the children
pay alimony/child support (to your ex-wife/husband)
Example Bank:

• Many divorced people remarry and have second families.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

divorced / dɪˈvɔːst / / -ˈvɔːrst / adjective (PEOPLE)

B1 married in the past but not now married:

She's divorced.

They got divorced after only six months of marriage.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

divorced

[dɪvɔ͟ː(r)st]
1) ADJ: oft ADJ from n Someone who is divorced from their former husband or wife has separated from them and is no longer legally married to them.
  Princess Margaret is divorced from Lord Snowdon...
  He is divorced, with a young son.
2) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ from n If you say that one thing is divorced from another, you mean that the two things are very different and separate from each other.
  ...speculative theories divorced from political reality.
  Syn:
  unconnected
3) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ from n If you say that someone is divorced from a situation, you mean that they act as if they are not affected by it in any way.
  This just shows how divorced from reality she's become.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

divorce

²divorce verb -vorces; -vorced; -vorc·ing
1 : to legally end your marriage with (your husband or wife)

[+ obj]

• After years of unhappiness, she decided to divorce him.

[no obj]

• They both agreed it was best to divorce.
2 [+ obj] formal : to make or keep (something) separate
• Their constitution divorces church and state.
- often + from
• The organization hasn't yet fully divorced itself from its troubled past.
- divorced adj
• They're getting divorced.
• He's been divorced since 2003.
• a divorced man = a man who is divorced
• a theory that is completely divorced from reality [=a wrong theory that shows no connection to reality]

American English

British English

ending relationships and divorce

B1 (Intermediate)

adjective

attend

attend [verb] (BE PRESENT)

to go to an event, place, etc

/əˈtend/

Example:

Over two hundred people attended the funeral.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

attend

verb (attends, attending, attended)
to go to or be present at a place where something is happening:
Did you attend the meeting?

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

attend

at‧tend S2 W2 /əˈtend/ BrE AmE verb formal
[Word Family: noun: ↑attention, ↑attendant, ↑attentiveness ≠ ↑inattentiveness; verb: ↑attend; adverb: ↑attentively ≠ ↑inattentively; adjective: ↑attentive ≠ ↑inattentive]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: atendre, from Latin attendere, from ad- 'to' + tendere 'to stretch']
1. [intransitive and transitive] to go to an event such as a meeting or a class:
Only 12 people attended the meeting.
Please let us know if you are unable to attend.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say go (to) or come (to) instead of attend:
▪ I didn’t go to the parents’ meeting.
▪ Please let us know if you can’t come.
2. [intransitive and transitive] to go regularly to a school, church etc:
I am the first child in my family to attend college.
3. [transitive] formal to happen or exist at the same time as something:
the peculiar atmosphere which attends such an event
4. [transitive usually passive] to look after someone, especially because they are ill:
On his deathbed the General was attended by several doctors.
attend to somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to deal with business or personal matters:
I may be late – I have got one or two things to attend to.
2. to help a customer in a shop or a restaurant SYN serve

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

attend

at·tend [attend attends attended attending] [əˈtend] [əˈtend] verb
1. intransitive, transitive (rather formal) to be present at an event
• We'd like as many people as possible to attend.
• ~ sth The meeting was attended by 90% of shareholders.

• to attend a wedding/funeral

2. transitive ~ sth (formal) to go regularly to a place
• Our children attend the same school.

• How many people attend church every Sunday?

3. intransitive ~ (to sb/sth) (formal) to pay attention to what sb is saying or to what you are doing

• She hadn't been attending during the lesson.

4. transitive ~ sth (formal) to happen at the same time as sth

• She dislikes the loss of privacy that attends TV celebrity.

5. transitive ~ sb (formal) to be with sb and help them
• The President was attended by several members of his staff.
Derived: attend to somebody

Word Origin:
Middle English (in the sense ‘apply one's mind or energies to’): from Old French atendre, from Latin attendere, from ad- ‘to’ + tendere ‘stretch’.
Thesaurus:
attend verb
1. T, I (formal)
• Over 600 people attended the conference.
come • • go • • come along • • make it • • get •
come/go/come along/make it/get to sth
attend/come to/go to/come along to/make it to/get to a meeting/party
2. T (formal)
• The children attended the local school.
go to sth •
attend/go to school/college/a clinic/church/the mosque
regularly/occasionally attend/go to sth
Example Bank:
• He was invited to attend a seminar in Paris.
• Her lectures were generally rather sparsely attended.
• The event was well attended.
• to attend church regularly.
• He regularly attends the local mosque.
• Over 600 people attended the conference.
• Several members were unable to attend.
• She attended the college one day a week.
• She flew home to attend her father's funeral.
• She hadn't been attending during the lesson.
• The Senator was invited to attend, but he declined.
• The children attended the local school.
• The lecture was attended by most of the faculty.

• The patients all attend the clinic monthly.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

attend / əˈtend / verb (BE PRESENT)

B1 [ I or T ] to go to an event, place, etc.:

Over two hundred people attended the funeral.

The meeting is on the fifth and we're hoping everyone will attend.

→ See also well attended

B1 [ T ] to go officially and usually regularly to a place:

Which school do your children attend?

I attended the classes/seminars/lectures for a month or two.

attend / əˈtend / verb [ I ] formal (NOTICE)

to give attention to what someone is saying:

I'm afraid I wasn't attending to what was being said.

attend / əˈtend / verb [ T ] (PROVIDE HELP)

to provide a service to someone, especially as part of your job:

The queen was attended by her ladies-in-waiting.

attend / əˈtend / verb [ T ] formal (RESULT FROM)

to happen as a result of, and at the same time as:

the publicity that attends a career in television

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

attend

[əte̱nd]

attends, attending, attended
1) VERB If you attend a meeting or other event, you are present at it.
  [V n] Thousands of people attended the funeral...
  [V n] The meeting will be attended by finance ministers from many countries...
  We want the maximum number of people to attend to help us cover our costs.
2) VERB If you attend an institution such as a school, college, or church, you go there regularly.
  [V n] They attended college together at the University of Pennsylvania. [Also V]
3) VERB If you attend to something, you deal with it. If you attend to someone who is hurt or injured, you care for them.
  [V to n] The staff will helpfully attend to your needs...
  [V to n] There are more pressing matters to be attended to today...
  [V to n] The main thing is to attend to the injured.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

attend

at·tend /əˈtɛnd/ verb -tends; -tend·ed; -tend·ing
1 a : to go to and be present at (an event, meeting, etc.)

[+ obj]

• My husband and I will both attend the banquet.
• How many people attended the baseball game?
• He won't be attending the conference.

[no obj]

• How many people will be attending?
• One hundred people attended.
b [+ obj] : to regularly go to (classes, church services, etc.)
• She attends a school in the city.
• He'll be attending the university in the fall.
• I am the first child in my family to attend college.
• We attend the same church.
2 [+ obj]
a : to help or care for (someone, such as a patient)
• Each nurse attends 15 patients.
b : to assist with (a birth)
• A midwife attended the birth.
- see also attending
3 [+ obj] formal : to go with or be with (someone) as a helper or adviser
• ministers who attend the king
• She's attended by several assistants.
attend to [phrasal verb] attend to (someone or something)
1 : to deal with (something)
• Please excuse me. I must attend to some business. = Please excuse me. I've got some business I must attend to.
2 : to give needed help or attention to (someone or something)
• Volunteers attend to the park for the summer.
• The hotel staff attended to my every need.
• Please make sure that the guests are attended to.

opinion

opinion [noun]

a thought or belief about something or someone

/əˈpɪn.jən/

Example:

What's your opinion about/on the matter?

Oxford Essential Dictionary

opinion

noun
what you think about something same meaning view:
In my opinion, she's wrong.
What's your opinion of his work?
He had strong opinions on everything.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

opinion

o‧pin‧ion S1 W2 /əˈpɪnjən/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: Latin opinio]
1. [uncountable and countable] your ideas or beliefs about a particular subject
opinion of
What’s your opinion of Cathy?
opinion on
He asked his wife’s opinion on every important decision.
opinion about
The two women had very different opinions about drugs.
in my opinion (=used when giving your opinion)
In my opinion, the law should be changed. ⇨ ↑view¹(1)
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say I think ... rather than my opinion is ... or in my opinion .... In questions, people usually ask what do you think? rather than what is your opinion?:
▪ What do you think of Cathy?
2. [countable] judgement or advice from a professional person about something:
When choosing an insurance policy it’s best to get an independent opinion.
My doctor says I need an operation, but I’ve asked for a second opinion (=advice from a second doctor to make sure that the first advice is right).
They took the painting to get an expert opinion (=an opinion from someone who knows a lot).
3. have a high/low/good/bad etc opinion of somebody/something to think that someone or something is very good or very bad:
They have a very high opinion of Paula’s work.
4. be of the opinion (that) to think that something is true:
I was firmly of the opinion that we should not give Jackson any more money.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

opinion

opin·ion [opinion opinions] [əˈpɪnjən] [əˈpɪnjən] noun
1. countable your feelings or thoughts about sb/sth, rather than a fact
Syn: view
• ~ (about/of/on sb/sth) We were invited to give our opinions about how the work should be done.
• I've recently changed my opinion of her.
• Everyone had an opinion on the subject.
• ~ (that…) The chairman expressed the opinion that job losses were inevitable.
• He has very strong political opinions.
• In my opinion, it's a very sound investment.
• (formal) It is our opinion that he should resign.

• If you want my opinion, I think you'd be crazy not to accept.

2. uncountable the beliefs or views of a group of people
• legal/medical/political opinion (= the beliefs of people working in the legal, etc. profession)
• There is a difference of opinion (= people disagree) as to the merits of the plan.
• Opinion is divided (= people disagree) on the issue.
• There is a wide body of opinion that supports this proposal.
• Which is the better is a matter of opinion (= people have different opinions about it).

see also public opinion

3. countable advice from a professional person
• They called in a psychologist to give an independent opinion.
• I'd like a second opinion (= advice from another person) before I make a decision.
more at your considered opinion at consider
Idioms: have a good/bad/high/low opinion of somebody ▪ of the opinion that …
Word Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin opinio(n-), from the stem of opinari ‘think, believe’.
Thesaurus:
opinion noun C, U
• In my opinion he should resign.
view • • point of view • • belief • • idea • • feeling • • judgement • • point • • attitude • • stance • • position • • line • • conviction • |formal sentiment •
sb's opinion/view/beliefs/ideas/feelings/judgement/point/conviction/sentiments about sb/sth
sb's opinion/view/ideas/feelings/stance/position/line on sb/sth
have a/an opinion/view/point of view/belief/idea/feeling/attitude/line/conviction
express your opinion/view/point of view/beliefs/ideas/feelings/conviction/sentiments
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
Example Bank:
• ‘Miami is wonderful.’ ‘That's a matter of opinion.’
• Contrary to popular opinion, many adult cats dislike milk.
• Contrary to popular opinion, not all of Hitchcock's movies were great.
• He asked me for my opinion of the course.
• He has a very high opinion of your work.
• He writes an opinion piece in the ‘New York Times’.
• I don't share your opinion of his ability.
• I don't trust her, if you want my honest opinion.
• I formed the opinion that he was not to be trusted.
• If in doubt about your diagnosis, get a second opinion.
• If you want my honest opinion, I think the book is awful.
• In my opinion, golf is a dull sport.
• Opinion among doctors is that the medication is safe.
• Opinions are mixed regarding genetically-modified food.
• Opinions differ as to when this wine should be drunk.
• Prevailing local opinion is against the new road proposals.
• Public opinion is divided on the subject of capital punishment.
• She holds strong opinions on education.
• The bishop spoke without passing any opinion on the scandal.
• The country's government appears disdainful of world opinion.
• The meeting will give people the chance to voice their opinions on the matter.
• This view is supported by a growing body of professional opinion.
• a genuine difference of opinion between the experts
• all shades of political opinion
• attempts to shape public opinion
• in the present climate of opinion
• opinions as to the merits of the plan
• ‘I think she's great.’ ‘Well, that's a matter of opinion’.
• Everyone had a different opinion on the matter.
• I didn't ask for your opinion!
• I think you should keep your opinions to yourself.
• I've recently changed my opinion of her.
• If you want my opinion, I think you'd be crazy to accept the offer.
• In my opinion it's a very sound investment.
• It's our opinion that he should resign.
• Medical opinion differs as to whether the condition has any psychological causes.
• Opinion is divided about whether to join the new currency.
• Public opinion is shifting in favour of change.
• There is a difference of opinion as to the merits of the plan.
• We try to represent all shades of opinion.
• You can always ask for a second opinion if you're not sure.

• You need to be able to distinguish between fact and opinion.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

opinion / əˈpɪn.jən / noun

B1 [ C ] a thought or belief about something or someone:

What's your opinion about/on the matter?

People tend to have strong opinions on capital punishment.

He didn't express/give an opinion on the matter.

Who, in your opinion, (= who do you think) is the best football player in the world today?

He's very much of the opinion that alternative medicine is a waste of time.

B2 [ U ] the thoughts or beliefs that a group of people have:

Eventually, the government will have to take notice of public opinion.

There is a diverse range of opinion on the issue.

There was a difference of opinion as to the desirability of the project.

Opinion is divided as to whether the treatment actually works.

Both performances were excellent, it's simply a matter of opinion as to whose was better.

B1 [ C ] a judgment about someone or something:

Her opinion of Adam changed after he'd been so helpful at the wedding.

She has a good/high opinion of his abilities (= thinks he is good) .

I have a rather bad/low/poor opinion of my sister's boyfriend (= I do not like or approve of him) .

He has a very high opinion of himself (= thinks he is very skilled/clever in a way that is annoying) .

B1 [ C ] a judgment made by an expert:

My doctor has referred me to a specialist for a second opinion on the results of my blood test.

Word partners for opinion

have / hold an opinion • express / give / voice an opinion • conflicting / differing / strong opinions • sb's considered / personal opinion • in sb's opinion • sb's opinion about sth • be of the opinion (that)

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

opinion

[əpɪ̱njən]

opinions
1) N-COUNT: oft poss N, N that Your opinion about something is what you think or believe about it.
  I wasn't asking for your opinion, Dick...
  He held the opinion that a government should think before introducing a tax...
  Most who expressed an opinion spoke favorably of Thomas.
2) N-SING: usu supp N, N of n Your opinion of someone is your judgement of their character or ability.
  That improved Mrs Goole's already favourable opinion of him.
  Syn:
  estimation
3) N-UNCOUNT You can refer to the beliefs or views that people have as opinion.
  Some, I suppose, might even be in positions to influence opinion...
  There is a broad consensus of opinion about the policies which should be pursued.
4) N-COUNT: usu sing An opinion from an expert is the advice or judgement that they give you in the subject that they know a lot about.
  Even if you have had a regular physical check-up recently, you should still seek a medical opinion.
5) → See also public opinion, second opinion
6) PHRASE: PHR with cl You add expressions such as `in my opinion' or `in their opinion' to a statement in order to indicate that it is what you or someone else thinks, and is not necessarily a fact.
  The book is, in Henry's opinion, the best book on the subject...
  Well he's not making a very good job of it in my opinion.
7) PHRASE: v-link PHR that If someone is of the opinion that something is the case, that is what they believe. [FORMAL]
  Frank is of the opinion that the 1934 yacht should have won.
8) a matter of opinion → see matter

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

opinion

opin·ion /əˈpɪnjən/ noun, pl -ions
1 : a belief, judgment, or way of thinking about something : what someone thinks about a particular thing

[count]

• Why ask (for) my opinion if you have already decided?
• I value your opinion. [=I respect the way you think about things]
• We asked for their opinions about/on the new stadium.
• In my opinion, it's the best car on the market.
• Most of the people surveyed have a high/low opinion of the organization. [=most of the people surveyed think that the organization is good/bad]
• She has enough knowledge of the system to offer an informed opinion [=an opinion based on information] of why it isn't working.
• The meeting will give residents a chance to listen to some expert opinions. [=opinions of experts]

[noncount]

• The owner of the store is often there to offer customers expert opinion. [=an expert's opinion]
• Which one is better is a matter of opinion. [=people have different opinions about which one is better]
• I'm glad that we can have a difference of opinion [=we can disagree] and still be friends.
• The general opinion is that the players are paid too much. [=most people think that the players are paid too much]
• The company has been unsuccessful in its efforts to sway/change public opinion. [=to change what most people think]
• Contrary to popular opinion [=despite what many people think], fame does not always bring happiness.
2 [count] : advice from someone with special knowledge : advice from an expert
• We're still seeking medical opinions [=advice from doctors] on the cause of the pain.
• My doctor says I need surgery, but I'm going to get a second opinion. [=advice from a second doctor to make sure advice from the first doctor is correct]
3 [count] technical : a formal statement by a judge, court, etc., explaining the reasons a decision was made according to laws or rules
• The article discusses two recent Supreme Court opinions.
be of the opinion : to have a specifed opinion or belief
• They are of the opinion [=they think/believe] that the accident was caused by faulty wiring.
the court of public/world opinion
- see ¹court

American English

British English

opinions - beliefs and points of view

B1 (Intermediate)

noun

lie

lie [noun]

something you say that you know is not true

/laɪ/

Example:

I told a lie when I said I liked her haircut.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

lie

noun
something you say that you know is not true:
She told me a lie.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

III. lie³ S3 BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑liar, ↑lie; verb: lie; adjective: lying]
1. [countable] something that you say or write that you know is untrue:
I always know when he’s telling lies.
lie about
I knew that soon she would hear the lies about me.
2. give the lie to something formal to show that something is untrue:
This report gives the lie to the company’s claims.
3. the lie of the land
a) the way that a situation is developing at a particular time:
I'll talk to him and get the lie of the land before we go over.
b) the way an area of land has been formed and the physical features it has
4. (I) tell a lie British English spoken used when you realize that something you have just said is not correct:
It was £25, no, tell a lie, £35.
⇨ live a lie at ↑live¹(16)

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

noun
a statement made by sb knowing that it is not true
• to tell a lie
• The whole story is nothing but a pack of lies.
• a barefaced lie (= a lie that is deliberate and shocking)
see also white lie
more at live a lie at live¹, a tissue of lies at tissue
Thesaurus:
lie noun C
• The story is a pack of lies.
story • • nonsense • • fiction • |informal fib • |BrE, informal, disapproving rubbish • |especially AmE, informal, disapproving garbage • |formal fabrication • • falsehood • |law perjury • |taboo, slang, disapproving bullshit •
(a) complete lie/nonsense/fiction/rubbish/garbage/fabrication/falsehood/bullshit
tell (sb) a lie/story/fib/falsehood
believe a lie/a story/that nonsense/a fiction/that rubbish/that garbage/that bullshit
Example Bank:
• He lived a lie for thirty years, ‘married’ to two women.
• He lived a lie for thirty years, pretending to be the faithful husband of two different women living in two different towns.
• He told a big fat lie!
• He told a whopping great lie!
• How could she swallow such a blatant lie?
• That's a downright lie!
• That's a lie— I never said that!
• a web of elaborate lies
• As usual, the party's leaflet is full of barefaced lies.
• I couldn't tell her a lie.
• The whole story is nothing but a pack of lies.

• What's the harm in telling a little white lie?

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

lie / laɪ / noun [ C ]

B1 something you say that you know is not true:

I told a lie when I said I liked her haircut.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

lie

I [la͟ɪ]POSITION OR SITUATION

lies, lying, lay, lain
(Please look at category 11 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.)
1) VERB If you are lying somewhere, you are in a horizontal position and are not standing or sitting.
  [V prep/adv] There was a child lying on the ground...
  [V adj] The injured man was lying motionless on his back...
  [V adj] He lay awake watching her for a long time.
2) VERB If an object lies in a particular place, it is in a flat position in that place.
  [V prep/adv] ...a newspaper lying on a nearby couch...
  [V adj] Broken glass lay scattered on the carpet.
  [V adj] ...a two-page memo lying unread on his desk.
3) VERB If you say that a place lies in a particular position or direction, you mean that it is situated there.
  [V prep/adv] The islands lie at the southern end of the Kurile chain.
  Syn:
  sit
4) V-LINK You can use lie to say that something is or remains in a particular state or condition. For example, if something lies forgotten, it has been and remains forgotten.
  [V adj] She turned back to the Bible lying open in her lap...
  [V adj] The picture lay hidden in the archives for over 40 years...
  [V prep] His country's economy lies in ruins.
  Syn:
  sit
5) VERB You can use lie to say what position a competitor or team is in during a competition. [mainly BRIT]
  [V ord] I was going well and was lying fourth...
  [V in n] Blyth Tait is lying in second place.
6) VERB You can talk about where something such as a problem, solution, or fault lies to say what you think it consists of, involves, or is caused by.
  [V prep/adv] The problem lay in the large amounts spent on defence...
  [V prep/adv] They will only assume that, as a woman, the fault lies with me...
  [V prep/adv] He realised his future lay elsewhere...
  [V prep/adv] We must be clear about where the responsibility lies.
  Syn:
  rest
7) VERB You use lie in expressions such as lie ahead, lie in store, and lie in wait when you are talking about what someone is going to experience in the future, especially when it is something unpleasant or difficult.
  [V prep/adv] She'd need all her strength and bravery to cope with what lay in store...
  [V prep/adv] The President's most serious challenges lie ahead.
8) VERB Lie is used in formal English, especially on gravestones, to say that a dead person is buried in a particular place.
  [V prep/adv] The inscription reads: Here lies Catin, the son of Magarus...
  [V prep/adv] My father lies in the small cemetery a few miles up this road.
9) VERB If you say that light, clouds, or fog lie somewhere, you mean that they exist there or are spread over the area mentioned. [LITERARY]
  [V prep/adv] It had been wet overnight, and a morning mist lay on the field.
10) N-SING: with supp, oft N of n The lie of an object or area is its position or the way that it is arranged.
  The actual site of a city is determined by the natural lie of the land.
11) to let sleeping dogs lie → see dog
to lie in state → see state
to take something lying down → see take
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - lie around
  - lie back
  - lie behind
  - lie downII [la͟ɪ]THINGS THAT ARE NOT TRUE

lies, lying, lied
1) N-COUNT A lie is something that someone says or writes which they know is untrue.
→ See also white lie
  `Who else do you work for?' - `No one.' - `That's a lie.'...
  I've had enough of your lies...
  All the boys told lies about their adventures.
2) VERB If someone is lying, they are saying something which they know is not true.
  I know he's lying...
  [V about n] If asked, he lies about his age...
  [V to n] She lied to her husband so she could meet her lover...
  [V-ing] He reportedly called her `a lying little twit'.
  Derived words:
  lying N-UNCOUNT Lying is something that I will not tolerate.
3) VERB If you say that something lies, you mean that it does not express or represent something accurately.
  The camera sometimes lies.
4) → See also lying
5) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If something gives the lie to a statement, claim, or theory, it suggests or proves that it is not true.
  This survey gives the lie to the idea that Britain is moving towards economic recovery.
6) PHRASE: V inflects, usu cont If you say that someone is living a lie, you mean that in every part of their life they are hiding the truth about themselves from other people.
  My mother never told my father the truth about me. We've been living a lie all this time.
7) CONVENTION People sometimes say `I tell a lie' when they have just made a mistake in something that they are saying and immediately correct it. [BRIT]
  It is the first scene of the play chronologically. I tell a lie, it's actually strictly speaking the second scene.
  Syn:
  sorry

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

lie

⁴lie noun, pl lies [count] : something untrue that is said or written to deceive someone
• She told a lie to her parents.
• He has been accused of telling lies about his military record.
• a bold/brazen/barefaced lie
• a complete lie
• The accusations are lies, all lies.
• The claims he has made are nothing but a pack of lies.
• (chiefly Brit) He has woven a tissue of lies [=he has told many lies] about his military record.
- see also white lie
give the lie to formal : to show that (something) is not true
• Her success has given the lie to the notion that women cannot compete with men.
I tell a lie Brit informal
- used to correct something you have just said
• I saw him just yesterday. No, I tell a lie. It was two days ago.
live a lie : to live in a false or deceptive way : to live in a way that does not show who you truly are or what your feelings truly are
• Their friends thought that they had a happy marriage, but they were living a lie. [=their marriage was not happy]

- compare ²lie

American English

British English

lies - lying and hypocrisy

B1 (Intermediate)

noun

powerful

powerful [adjective] (CONTROL)

having a lot of power to control people and events

/ˈpaʊ.ɚ.fəl/

/ˈpaʊə.fəl/

Example:

The president is more powerful than the prime minister.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

powerful

adjective

1 having a lot of strength or power:
The car has a very powerful engine.
The president is very powerful.

2 having a strong effect:
a powerful drug

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

powerful

pow‧er‧ful S3 W2 /ˈpaʊəfəl $ ˈpaʊr-/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑power, ↑superpower, ↑powerlessness, ↑empowerment; adjective: ↑powerful ≠ ↑powerless, ↑overpowering, ↑power, ↑powered; verb: ↑power, ↑empower, ↑overpower; adverb: ↑powerfully ≠ ↑powerlessly, ↑overpoweringly]
1. IMPORTANT a powerful person, organization, group etc is able to control and influence events and other people’s actions ⇨ powerless:
He was one of the most powerful men in Bohemia.
a very influential and powerful family
rich and powerful nations
2. SPEECH/FILM ETC having a strong effect on someone’s feelings or opinions:
a powerful speech
powerful reasons/arguments (=reasons that make you think that something must be true)
Good teamwork is a powerful tool (=very effective method) for effective management.
3. FEELING/EFFECT a powerful feeling or effect is very strong or great:
Immigrants have had a powerful influence on the local culture.
a powerful sense of tradition
4. MACHINE/WEAPON ETC a powerful machine, engine, weapon etc is very effective and can do a lot:
a new generation of more powerful PCs
a machine that is immensely powerful
a powerful 24-valve engine
a powerful telescope
5. PHYSICALLY STRONG physically strong:
Jed was a powerful, well-built man.
The females are smaller and less powerful than the males.
6. A LOT OF FORCE a powerful blow, explosion etc has a lot of force:
an explosion ten times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb
a powerful right-foot shot on goal
winds powerful enough to uproot trees
7. MEDICINE a powerful medicine or drug has a very strong effect on your body
8. TEAM/ARMY ETC a powerful team, army etc is very strong and can easily defeat other teams or armies:
a powerful fighting force
9. QUALITY very strong, bright, loud etc:
a powerful singing voice
the powerful headlights

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

powerful

power·ful [ˈpaʊəfl] [ˈpaʊərfl] adjective
1. (of people) being able to control and influence people and events
Syn: influential
• an immensely powerful organization
• one of the most powerful directors in Hollywood
• a rich and powerful man

• Only the intervention of powerful friends obtained her release.

2. having great power or force; very effective
• powerful weapons
• a powerful engine
• a powerful voice
• a powerful telescope

• I traded my computer in for a more powerful model.

3. having a strong effect on your mind or body
• a powerful image/drug/speech
• Television may have a powerful influence on children.
• Fear is a powerful emotion.

• There is a powerful argument for changing the law.

4. (of a person or an animal) physically strong
Syn: muscular
• a powerful body
• a powerful athlete
Derived Word: powerfully
Thesaurus:
powerful [powerful powerfully] adj.
1.
• She is one of the most powerful women in politics.
influential • • important • • great • • dominant • • high-powered • |approving strong •
Opp: weak, Opp: powerless
a/an powerful/influential/important/great/dominant/strong figure/leader/position
a/an powerful/influential/important/dominant individual/group
a/an powerful/important/great/dominant/strong influence
Which word? Powerful people such as politicians use their position to control events. Influential people change other people's opinions or behaviour because people respect and listen to them. Important people influence other people or events because people respect them or because their position means their actions have a great effect. Strong people are confident and have leadership qualities.
2. (especially written, usually approving)
• He was lithe and powerful as an athlete.
strong • • muscular •
Opp: weak
(a) powerful/strong/muscular build/body/arms/legs
powerful/strong muscles/jaws
Example Bank:
• a politically powerful figure
• locally powerful landowners
• He is one of the most powerful directors in Hollywood.
• He was lithe and powerful as an athlete.
• He was the most powerful man in the country after the king.
• It is a country where religious leaders are often more powerful than politicians.
• This extremist movement has become increasingly powerful in recent years.
• When she trots she covers ground like a powerful horse rather than a pony.

• Why are there still so few women in politically powerful positions?

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

powerful / ˈpaʊə.f ə l / / ˈpaʊɚ- / adjective (CONTROL)

B1 having a lot of power to control people and events:

The president is more powerful than the prime minister.

She's the most powerful person in the organization.

powerfully / -i / / ˈpaʊɚ- / adverb

He argued powerfully and persuasively against capital punishment.

She kicked the ball so powerfully that it flew over the hedge.

Klaus is a very powerfully built man (= has a body with large strong muscles) .

powerful / ˈpaʊə.f ə l / / ˈpaʊɚ- / adjective (STRENGTH)

B1 having a lot of strength or force:

She's an extremely powerful runner.

The picture quality is bad because the TV signal isn't powerful enough.

B2 having a very great effect:

a powerful drug

Her speech about cruelty to children was very powerful.

powerfully / -i / / ˈpaʊɚ- / adverb

He argued powerfully and persuasively against capital punishment.

She kicked the ball so powerfully that it flew over the hedge.

Klaus is a very powerfully built man (= has a body with large strong muscles) .

powerful / ˈpaʊə.f ə l / / ˈpaʊɚ- / adjective (IMAGE SIZE)

having the power to increase the size of an image of something that is very small or far away many times:

You'd need an extremely powerful microscope to see something so small.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

powerful

[pa͟ʊə(r)fʊl]
♦♦
1) ADJ-GRADED A powerful person or organization is able to control or influence people and events.
→ See also all-powerful
  You're a powerful man - people will listen to you.
  ...Russia and India, two large, powerful countries.
  ...Hong Kong's powerful business community.
  Syn:
  influential
  Ant:
  powerless
2) ADJ-GRADED You say that someone's body is powerful when it is physically strong.
  Hans flexed his powerful muscles...
  It's such a big powerful dog.
  Syn:
  strong
  Ant:
  weak
  Derived words:
  powerfully ADV-GRADED ADV with v He is described as a strong, powerfully-built man of 60... You can contract your muscles more powerfully by linking up your breathing to the exercise.
3) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n A powerful machine or substance is effective because it is very strong.
  The more powerful the car the more difficult it is to handle.
  ...powerful computer systems...
  Alcohol is also a powerful and fast-acting drug.
  Derived words:
  powerfully ADV ADV adj Crack is a much cheaper, smokable form of cocaine which is powerfully addictive.
4) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n A powerful smell is very strong.
  There was a powerful smell of stale beer.
  ...tiny creamy flowers with a powerful scent.
  Syn:
  strong
  Derived words:
  powerfully ADV-GRADED ADV after v The railway station smelt powerfully of cats and drains.
5) ADJ-GRADED A powerful voice is loud and can be heard from a long way away.
  At that moment Mrs. Jones's powerful voice interrupted them, announcing a visitor.
  Syn:
  loud
6) ADJ-GRADED You describe a piece of writing, speech, or work of art as powerful when it has a strong effect on people's feelings or beliefs.
  ...Bleasdale's powerful 11-part drama about a corrupt city leader.
  ...one of the world's most powerful and moving operas, Verdi's `Otello'.
  ...a powerful new style of dance-theatre.
  Derived words:
  powerfully ADV-GRADED ADV -ed, ADV after v It's a play - painful, funny and powerfully acted.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

powerful

pow·er·ful /ˈpawɚfəl/ adj [more ~; most ~]
1 : having the ability to control or influence people or things
• rich and powerful people
• a powerful ally
• The country is becoming more and more powerful.
2 : having a strong effect on someone or something
• powerful drugs that attack cancer cells
• The cash bonus provides a powerful incentive to workers.
• powerful emotions/images
• The perfume has a powerful smell.
• It's a very powerful movie.
• He gave a powerful [=moving] speech.
• a powerful [=convincing, compelling] argument
3 : having or producing a lot of physical strength or force
• powerful magnets
• a powerful machine/motor/force
• The dog has a powerful body.
• She has a powerful voice.
• The weapons are very powerful.
• The aardvark uses its powerful claws to dig for food.
4 : capable of doing many things in a fast and efficient way
• His new computer is more powerful than the one I have.
the powerful : powerful people
• the weak and the powerful
- pow·er·ful·ly adv
• a powerfully built man [=a man with a body that looks very strong]
• a powerfully written speech/book

American English

British English

physically strong and powerful

B1 (Intermediate)

adjective

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