B2 (Upper-intermediate)

remedy

remedy [noun]

a successful way of curing an illness or dealing with a problem or difficulty

/ˈrem.ə.di/

Example:

an effective herbal remedy for headaches

Oxford Essential Dictionary

remedy

noun (plural remedies)
something that makes you better when you are sick or in pain:
He gave me a remedy for toothache.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

remedy

I. rem‧e‧dy¹ /ˈremədi, ˈremɪdi/ BrE AmE noun (plural remedies) [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Anglo-French; Origin: remedie, from Latin remedium, from mederi 'to heal']
1. a way of dealing with a problem or making a bad situation better SYN solution:
The problems in our schools do not have a simple remedy.
remedy for
The program is one remedy for discrimination.
2. a medicine to cure an illness or pain that is not very serious SYN cure
cold/cough remedy
remedy for
a remedy for colds
herbal/natural remedy
a natural remedy that helps insomnia
a home remedy (=one that you make at home) for sore throats
The herb is used as a folk remedy (=a traditional medicine, rather than one a doctor gives you) for a baby’s teething pains.
3. beyond/without remedy formal if a situation is beyond remedy, nothing can be done to make it better:
She felt as if her marital problems were beyond remedy.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + remedy
▪ a cold/cough/flu remedy Most cold remedies have little effect.
▪ a herbal remedy He brought with him a bottle of his own herbal remedy for hayfever.
▪ a natural remedy She began to look into alternative methods of treatment, such as natural remedies and hypnotherapy.
▪ a home remedy (=one that you make at home) Home remedies for colds include honey and lemon.
▪ a traditional/folk remedy Fish oil has been used as a folk remedy since the eighteenth century.
■ verbs
▪ take a remedy Have you tried taking herbal remedies?
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ cure a medicine or medical treatment that makes an illness go away: The scientists are trying to find a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease.
▪ remedy a way to treat a health problem, especially a small problem such as a cold, using plants or other natural methods: Rinsing with salt water is a good home remedy for a sore throat. | The store sells herbal remedies.
▪ antidote a medicine that will stop the effects of a poison or dangerous drug: There is no known antidote to a bite from this snake.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

remedy

rem·edy [remedy remedies remedied remedying] noun, verb [ˈremədi] [ˈremədi]

noun (pl. rem·edies)
1. a way of dealing with or improving an unpleasant or difficult situation
Syn: solution
• ~ (for sth) There is no simple remedy for unemployment.

• ~ (to sth) There are a number of possible remedies to this problem.

2. a treatment or medicine to cure a disease or reduce pain that is not very serious
• a herbal remedy

• ~ for sth an excellent home remedy for sore throats

3. ~ (against sth) (law) a way of dealing with a problem, using the processes of the law
Syn: redress
• Holding copyright provides the only legal remedy against unauthorized copying.
• What's my remedy in law in this case?
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French remedie, from Latin remedium, from re- ‘back’ (also expressing intensive force) + mederi ‘heal’.
Example Bank:
• Ginger is a popular remedy for morning sickness.
• He took a herbal remedy for his hay fever.
• One dose of the remedy is sufficient.
• She tried various remedies, but none of them worked.
• The Act created rights and remedies for consumers.
• The agreement states that he has a remedy against the subcontractor.
• The player insists that he merely took a cold remedy and not a banned substance.
• The remedies are all prepared from wild flowers.
• The remedy was given in different strengths to a group of volunteers.
• There's no easy remedy for unemployment.
• They advised him to exhaust all other remedies before applying to court.
• They will have to seek a judicial remedy for breach of contract.
• They're hoping to find a remedy for the condition.
• When the reservoir becomes blocked, the only remedy lies in cleaning the entire system.
• You have a remedy in civil law.
• Your best remedy is to go to the small claims court.
• remedies afforded to creditors by a bankruptcy order
• remedies for breach of contract
• I prefer to use herbal remedies when I have a cold.

• The best home remedy for a sore throat is honey and lemon.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

remedy / ˈrem.ə.di / noun [ C ]

B2 a successful way of curing an illness or dealing with a problem or difficulty:

an effective herbal remedy for headaches

The best remedy for grief is hard work.

legal remedy legal a way of solving a problem or ordering someone to make a payment for harm or damage they have caused, using a decision made in a law court:

We have exhausted all possible legal remedies for this injustice.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

remedy

[re̱mədi]
remedies, remedying, remedied
1) N-COUNT A remedy is a successful way of dealing with a problem.
  The remedy lies in the hands of the government.
  ...a remedy for economic ills.
2) N-COUNT A remedy is something that is intended to cure you when you are ill or in pain.
  There are many different kinds of natural remedies to help overcome winter infections.
3) VERB If you remedy something that is wrong or harmful, you correct it or improve it.
  [V n] A great deal has been done internally to remedy the situation.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹rem·e·dy /ˈrɛmədi/ noun, pl -dies
1 [count] : a medicine or treatment that relieves pain or cures a usually minor illness
• a remedy for fever
• The store now sells herbal remedies. [=medicines made from plants]
• a shelf of cold remedies [=medicines to take when you have a cold]
• Do you know of a good home remedy [=a medicine made at home] for heartburn?
• folk remedies [=traditional medicines that are not prescribed by a doctor]
2 : a way of solving or correcting a problem

[count]

• Building more roads isn't always the best remedy for traffic congestion.
• You may have no legal remedy [=way of finding a solution using the law] in this dispute.

[noncount]

• The problem was beyond remedy.
• She was left without remedy since the court did not recognize her claim.

American English

British English

medicine in different forms

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

noun

caring

caring [adjective]

describes someone who is kind and gives emotional support to others

/ˈker.ɪŋ/

/ˈkeə.rɪŋ/

Example:

I've always thought of Jo as a very caring person.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

caring

car‧ing /ˈkeərɪŋ $ ˈker-/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑care, ↑carer; adjective: ↑careful ≠ ↑careless, ↑caring ≠ UNCARING; verb: ↑care; adverb: ↑carefully ≠ ↑carelessly]
1. thinking about what other people need or want and trying to help them ⇨ care:
a warm and caring man
a caring attitude
The school aims to provide a caring environment.
2. [only before noun] involving the job of looking after other people:
Many of the caring professions are badly paid.
More men are taking on a caring role.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

caring

car·ing [caring] [ˈkeərɪŋ] [ˈkerɪŋ] adjective usually before noun
kind, helpful and showing that you care about other people
• He's a very caring person.
• caring parents
• Children need a caring environment.
• (BrE) a caring profession (= a job that involves looking after or helping other people)
Example Bank:
• He was described as ‘a good man, a caring father and a considerate neighbour’.

• She's a very caring person.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

caring / ˈkeə.rɪŋ / / ˈker.ɪŋ / adjective

B2 describes someone who is kind and gives emotional support to others:

I've always thought of Jo as a very caring person.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

caring

[ke͟ərɪŋ]
♦♦♦
1) ADJ-GRADED If someone is caring, they are affectionate, helpful, and sympathetic.
  He is a lovely boy, very gentle and caring.
  ...a loving, caring husband.
  Syn:
  loving
2) ADJ: ADJ n The caring professions are those such as nursing and social work that are involved with looking after people who are ill or who need help in coping with their lives. [BRIT]
  The course is also suitable for those in the caring professions.
  ...the caring services.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

caring

caring adj
1 [more ~; most ~] : feeling or showing concern for other people
• a caring parent/child/teacher
• a caring gesture
2 always used before a noun Brit : of or relating to work that involves helping people
• the caring professions

American English

British English

kind and thoughtful

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

adjective

clock in

clock in [phrasal verb]

to record the time you arrive at work on a special machine

/klɑːk/

/klɒk/

Example:

What time did you clock in this morning?

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

clock in/on phrasal verb especially British English
to record on a special card the time you arrive at or begin work SYN punch in American English:
I clock on at 8:30.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

clock in

ˌclock ˈin/ˈon derived
(BrE) (NAmE ˌpunch ˈin) to record the time at which you arrive at work, especially by putting a card into a machine
• Staff should clock in on arrival.
• I clock on at 8 a.m.

Main entry: clock_derived

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

clock in ( UK also clock on ) informal — phrasal verb with clock / klɒk / / klɑːk / verb [ T ]

to record the time you arrive at work on a special machine:

What time did you clock in this morning?

Clocking-in time is 9.00 a.m.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

clock in

PHRASAL VERB
When you clock in at work, you arrive there or put a special card into a device to show what time you arrived.
[V P] I have to clock in by eight.
Ant:
clock off

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

clock in/on [phrasal verb] chiefly Brit : to record on a special card the time that you start working
• What time did you clock on?
• I clocked in [=(US) punched in] 10 minutes late.

American English

British English

working hours and periods of work

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

phrasal verb

homesick

homesick [adjective]

unhappy because of being away from home for a long period

/ˈhoʊm.sɪk/

/ˈhəʊm.sɪk/

Example:

As I read my mother's letter, I began to feel more and more homesick.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

homesick

adjective
sad because you are away from home

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

homesick

home‧sick /ˈhəʊmˌsɪk $ ˈhoʊm-/ BrE AmE adjective
feeling unhappy because you are a long way from your home

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

homesick

home·sick [homesick homesickness] [ˈhəʊmsɪk] [ˈhoʊmsɪk] adjective
sad because you are away from home and you miss your family and friends
• I felt homesick for Scotland.
Derived Word: homesickness
Example Bank:
• She felt homesick for her country.

• She was beginning to get a bit homesick.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

homesick / ˈhəʊm.sɪk / / ˈhoʊm- / adjective

unhappy because of being away from home for a long period:

As I read my mother's letter, I began to feel more and more homesick.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

homesick

[ho͟ʊmsɪk]
ADJ-GRADED: usu v-link ADJ
If you are homesick, you feel unhappy because you are away from home and are missing your family, friends, and home very much.
  She's feeling a little homesick.
  Derived words:
  homesickness N-UNCOUNT There were inevitable bouts of homesickness.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

homesick

home·sick /ˈhoʊmˌsɪk/ adj [more ~; most ~] : sad because you are away from your family and home
• He was/got homesick when he went to college.
• She was homesick for her mother's cooking.
- home·sick·ness noun [noncount]

American English

British English

feeling sad and unhappy

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

adjective

seek

seek [verb] (SEARCH)

to try to find or get something, especially something that is not a physical object

/siːk/

Example:

"Are you actively seeking jobs?" she asked.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

seek

verb (seeks, seeking, sought /, has sought) (formal)
to try to find or get something:
You should seek help.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

seek

seek S2 W1 AC /siːk/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle sought /sɔːt $ sɒːt/) [transitive]
[Word Family: verb: ↑seek; noun: ↑seeker]
[Language: Old English; Origin: secan]
1. formal to try to achieve or get something:
Do you think the President will seek re-election?
seek refuge/asylum/shelter etc
Thousands of people crossed the border, seeking refuge from the war.
seek revenge/damages/compensation etc
He sought revenge against Surkov for separating him from his wife and son.
seek to do something
Local schools are seeking to reduce the dropout rate.
attention-seeking/publicity-seeking
2. seek (sb’s) advice/help/assistance etc formal to ask someone for advice or help:
If the symptoms persist, seek medical advice.
3. written to look for someone or something SYN look for:
new graduates seeking employment
Attractive woman, 27, seeks male, 25-35, for fun and friendship.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say that they are looking for someone or something rather than seeking someone or something:
▪ What kind of job are you looking for?
4. seek your fortune literary to go to another place hoping to gain success and wealth:
Coles came to the Yukon in the 1970s to seek his fortune.
5. to move naturally towards something or into a particular position:
Water seeks its own level.
⇨ ↑heat-seeking, ↑hide-and-seek, ↑self-seeking, ↑sought-after
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 1 & 2)
■ nouns
▪ seek help He sought help from the police.
▪ seek advice/information If in any doubt, seek the advice of a senior officer.
▪ seek support/approval He said he would seek shareholder support for the proposal.
▪ seek permission They are seeking permission to build 200 new houses.
▪ seek refuge/asylum/shelter (=try to find somewhere safe) They sought refuge inside the castle.
▪ seek election/re-election (=try to be elected or re-elected) He hasn’t decided whether to seek re-election.
▪ seek compensation/damages (=ask for money because of something bad you have suffered) The other two may seek compensation for wrongful imprisonment.
▪ seek revenge Dafoe plays a computer mastermind who seeks revenge on his former employer.
■ adverbs
▪ actively The university is actively seeking new funds.
▪ desperately They ran in all directions, desperately seeking escape.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ search to look carefully for someone or something: Detectives continue to search for clues. | She searched through all his clothes.
▪ look for somebody/something to try to get someone or something you want or need: I’m looking for something to wear for my sister’s wedding. | The band is looking for a singer. | He’s decided to look for a new career.
▪ try to find somebody/something used especially when someone or something is difficult to find: I spent half an hour trying to find a parking space. | She was in the kitchen, trying to find something to eat that wasn’t raw carrot.
▪ seek formal to try to find something or someone. Used especially about jobs, help, or information. Also used in newspaper advertisements when trying to find a suitable person: They went there seeking work. | She decided to seek help. | Tall blond 18-year-old male seeks female 17+ for friendship.
▪ hunt to look for someone or something. Used when you look very carefully and thoroughly, or in the phrase house/job/bargain hunting: I’ve hunted everywhere, but I can’t find a recipe for French onion soup. | She’s gone out bargain-hunting in the sales.
▪ be on the lookout for somebody/something to be continuously looking for someone or something: I’m always on the lookout for a good bargain.
▪ leave no stone unturned to look for someone or something in every possible place: The police say they will leave no stone unturned in their search for the killer.
seek somebody/something ↔ out phrasal verb
to try to find someone or something, especially when this is difficult:
Our mission is to seek out the enemy and destroy them.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

seek

seek AW [seek seeks sought seeking] [siːk] [siːk] verb (sought, sought [sɔːt] ; [sɔːt] )(formal)
1. transitive, intransitive to look for sth/sb
• ~ sth/sb Drivers are advised to seek alternative routes.

• ~ for sth/sb (BrE) They sought in vain for somewhere to shelter.

2. transitive, intransitive ~ (sth) to try to obtain or achieve sth
• to seek funding for a project
• Highly qualified secretary seeks employment. (= in an advertisement)
• He intends to seek custody of the children.

• We are currently seeking new ways of expanding our membership.

3. transitive to ask sb for sth
• ~ sth I think it's time we sought legal advice.

• ~ sth from sb She managed to calm him down and seek help from a neighbour.

4. intransitive ~ to do sth to try to do sth
Syn: attempt

• They quickly sought to distance themselves from the protesters.

5. -seeking (in adjectives and nouns) looking for or trying to get the thing mentioned; the activity of doing this
• attention-seeking behaviour
• Voluntary work can provide a framework for job-seeking.
see also heat-seeking, self-seeking
see also hide-and-seek
Idiom: seek your fortune
Derived: seek somebody out
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
Old English sēcan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zieken and German suchen, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin sagire ‘perceive by scent’.
Thesaurus:
seek verb
1. T, I (formal)
• Police are seeking witnesses.
look • • search • • hunt • |written cast around/about for sth •
seek/look/search/hunt for sth
seek/look for/search for/cast around for a/an alternative/way
police/detectives seek/look for/search for/hunt sb/sth
2. T, I (formal)
• She is seeking work in the charity sector.
go after sth • |formal pursue •
seek/go after a job
actively/successfully seek/pursue sth
be currently seeking/pursuing sth
3. T (formal)
• She sought help from a neighbour.
ask • • appeal • • apply • • claim • • demand • |formal request • |especially journalism call for sth •
seek/ask for/appeal for/claim/request/call for sth from sb
formally seek/ask for/apply for/claim/request/call for sth
Example Bank:
• He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.
• Jobs in Paris are highly sought after.
• The developer is currently seeking funding for the project.
• They initially sought to blame others for the disaster.
• We sought in vain for a solution.
• We're seeking for alternative materials which might bring the cost down.
• people who are unemployed and actively seeking work
• the answers she sought in those books
• Employers are seeking further clarification of the proposals.
• He admired her ability to seek out bargains.
• He encouraged governments to adopt a more forceful approach in seeking to improve the environment.
• I advise you to seek assistance from the police.
• I think you should seek guidance from your lawyer on this matter.
• It is best to seek a compromise rather than a perfect solution.
• Lawyers are seeking an out-of-court settlement.
• Police are seeking witnesses to the accident.
• She fled the country and is now seeking asylum in Sweden.
• The police are seeking independent confirmation of certain details of the story.
• The research project will seek to find an answer to this question.
• The state has actively sought to develop tourism.
• They are now seeking endorsement for their ideas.
• They sought comfort in each other.
• They sought refuge in the mountain villages.

• To receive the benefit, you have to be actively seeking work.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

seek / siːk / verb ( sought , sought ) formal (SEARCH)

B2 [ T ] to try to find or get something, especially something that is not a physical object:

"Are you actively seeking jobs?" she asked.

Hundreds of dissidents are seeking refuge/asylum in the US embassy.

B2 [ T ] to ask for advice, help, approval, permission, etc.:

Legal advice should be sought before you take any further action.

-seeking / -ɪŋ / suffix

A lot of bad behaviour is attention -seeking on the part of mixed-up kids.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

seek

[si͟ːk]

seeks, seeking, sought
1) VERB If you seek something such as a job or a place to live, you try to find one. [FORMAL]
  [V n] They have had to seek work as labourers...
  [V n] Four people who sought refuge in the Italian embassy have left voluntarily...
  [be V-ed for n] Candidates are urgently sought for the post of Conservative party chairman.
2) VERB When someone seeks something, they try to obtain it. [FORMAL]
  [V n] The prosecutors have warned they will seek the death penalty...
  [V n] Haemophiliacs are seeking compensation for being given contaminated blood.
3) VERB If you seek someone's help or advice, you contact them in order to ask for it. [FORMAL]
  [V n] Always seek professional legal advice before entering into any agreement...
  [V n] On important issues, they seek a second opinion...
  [V n from n] The couple have sought help from marriage guidance counsellors.
4) VERB If you seek to do something, you try to do it. [FORMAL]
  [V to-inf] He also denied that he would seek to annex the country...
  [V to-inf] Moscow is seeking to slow the growth of Russian inflation.
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - seek out

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

seek

seek /ˈsiːk/ verb seeks; sought /ˈsɑːt/; seek·ing [+ obj] somewhat formal
1 : to search for (someone or something) : to try to find (someone or something)
• He is seeking employment. [=he is looking for a job]
• The office is seeking a salesperson.
• The prince is seeking a wife.
• Snakes seek the sun to warm their bodies.
• thrill-seeking travelers [=travelers who want to have very exciting/thrilling experiences]
2 : to ask for (help, advice, etc.)
• You should visit your doctor and seek his advice.
• You should seek medical help immediately if you experience any chest pain or shortness of breath.
• The church is seeking donations/volunteers.
3 a : to try to get or achieve (something)
• He sought revenge for his son's murder.
• During the war, she sought asylum in Spain.
• They sought refuge in Canada.
• The company is seeking new ways to improve service.
• The mayor is seeking reelection.
• She seeks perfection in her work.
• attention-seeking behavior
• Immigrants come to America to seek their fortune. [=to try to become rich]
• They are seeking compensation/damages [=they are trying to get money] for their loss.
b : to make an attempt to do something
• Doctors have been seeking [=trying] to find a cure.
• The builders sought to make the bridge stronger.
seek out [phrasal verb] seek (someone or something) out or seek out (someone or something) : to search for and find (someone or something)
• His parents sought out the best doctors in the field.
• White blood cells seek out and destroy infections.

- see also heat-seeking

- seek·er noun, pl -ers [count]
• seekers of perfection
• job/thrill/pleasure/autograph seekers

American English

British English

searching

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

verb

living

living [noun] (MONEY)

the money that you earn from your job

/ˈlɪv.ɪŋ/

Example:

What do you do for a living?

Oxford Essential Dictionary

living

noun

1 money to buy the things you need in life:
How did he earn a living?

2 the way that you live:
The cost of living has risen in recent years.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. living² S2 BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: verb: ↑live, ↑outlive, ↑relive, ↑liven, ↑up; adjective: ↑live, ↑lively, ↑living, ↑liveable; noun: ↑liveliness, ↑living, ↑livelihood; adverb: ↑live]
1. [countable usually singular] the way that you earn money or the money that you earn:
It’s not a great job, but it’s a living.
What do you do for a living? (=what do you do as a job?)
earn/make a living
It’s hard to make a decent living as a musician.
scrape/scratch a living (=get just enough to eat or live)
2. the living all the people who are alive as opposed to dead people OPP the dead
3. [uncountable] the way in which someone lives their life:
the stresses of city living
4. [countable] the position or income of a ↑parish priest
⇨ ↑cost of living, ↑standard of living, ⇨ in the land of the living at ↑land¹(7)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ earn/make a living She was able to make a living out of her talents as a cook.
▪ do something for a living (=to work at something as your job) 'What does he do for a living?' 'I think he's a taxi driver.'
▪ scrape out/scratch out/eke out a living (=to barely earn enough money to live) The farmers in these drought-stricken areas are barely able to scratch out a living.
■ adjectives
▪ a good/decent living (=enough money) Her husband makes a good living.
▪ a meagre living British English, a meager living American English (=not much money) She earned a meagre living as a shop assistant.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

noun
1. countable, usually singular money to buy the things that you need in life
• She earns her living as a freelance journalist.
• to make a good/decent/meagre living
• What do you do for a living?

• to scrape/scratch a living from part-time tutoring

2. uncountable a way or style of life
• everyday living
• communal living
• plain living
• Their standard of living is very low.
• The cost of living has risen sharply.

• poor living conditions/standards

3. the living plural people who are alive now
• the living and the dead

see land of the living at land _n.

4. countable (BrE) (especially in the past) a position in the Church as a priest and the income and house that go with this
Syn: benefice
Example Bank:
• He asked what I did for a living.
• He makes a good living as a builder.
• Her dream was to earn her living as a singer.
• She eked out a meagre living as an artist's model.
• Ten acres provides a decent living for a rural family.
• They were forced to scrape a living by selling things on the streets.
• Most homes for the elderly are based on communal living, with pensioners spending the daytime in a common space.
• The classes are about helping children make informed choices about healthy living.
• The prisoners' living conditions were appalling.

• We need to reconsider our daily living arrangements.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

living / ˈlɪv.ɪŋ / noun (MONEY)

B2 [ C ] the money that you earn from your job:

What do you do for a living? (= What is your job?)

I mean, I don't like my job but at least it's a living (= a way of earning money) .

You can make a good living (= earn a lot of money) in sales if you have the right attitude.

→ See also livelihood

[ C ] old-fashioned in the Church of England, the job, given to a priest, of being in charge of a particular area

living / ˈlɪv.ɪŋ / noun [ U ] (WAY OF LIFE)

the way in which you live your life:

country/healthy living

→ See also cost of living

living / ˈlɪv.ɪŋ / noun (PEOPLE)

the living [ plural ] people who are still alive:

On this anniversary of the tragedy we remember the living as well as the dead.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

living

[lɪ̱vɪŋ]
♦♦♦
livings
1) N-COUNT: usu sing The work that you do for a living is the work that you do in order to earn the money that you need.
  Father never talked about what he did for a living...
  He earns his living doing all kinds of things.
2) N-UNCOUNT: with supp You use living when you are talking about the quality of people's daily lives.
  Olivia has always been a model of healthy living.
  ...the stresses of urban living.
3) ADJ: ADJ n You use living to talk about the places where people relax when they are not working.
  The spacious living quarters were on the second floor...
  The study links the main living area to the kitchen.
4) N-PLURAL: the N The living are people who are alive, rather than people who have died.
  The young man is dead. We have only to consider the living.
  Ant:
  dead
5) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that someone scrapes a living or scratches a living, you mean that they manage to earn enough to live on, but it is very difficult. In American English, you say they scrape out a living or scratch out a living.
  He almost manages to scrape a living as an artist.
  Syn:
  get by
6) living proof → see proof
in living memory → see memory
the world owes them a living → see world

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

living

²living noun, pl -ings
1 [count] : a way of earning money : the money that someone needs to pay for housing, food, etc. - usually singular
• His investments provide him with a good living. [=provide him with enough money to live well]
• What do you do for a living? [=what is your job?]
• He struggled to scratch/eke out a living as a farmer.
• He earned a/his living as a cook. = He made a living by working as a cook.
2 [noncount] : a way of living
• the challenges of city living
• outdoor living
• healthy living
• It's summertime, and the living is easy.
- see also assisted living, cost of living, standard of living
3 the living : people who are alive
• the living and the dead
• The world belongs to the living.
in the land of the living
- see ¹land

American English

British English

earning money and money earned

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

noun

fence

fence [noun] (STRUCTURE)

a structure that divides two areas of land, similar to a wall but made of wood or wire and supported with posts

/fens/

Example:

The deer jumped over the fence

Oxford Essential Dictionary

fence

noun
a thing like a wall that is made of pieces of wood or metal. Fences are put round gardens and fields.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

fence

I. fence¹ S3 /fens/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: defense]
1. a structure made of wood, metal etc that surrounds a piece of land
2. a wall or other structure that horses jump over in a race or competition
3. informal someone who buys and sells stolen goods
4. sit/be on the fence to avoid saying which side of an argument you support
⇨ mend (your) fences at ↑mend¹(4)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ wall an upright flat structure made of stone or brick, that divides one area from another or surrounds an area: The estate is surrounded by high stone walls. | a brick wall
▪ fence a structure made of wood, metal etc that surrounds a piece of land: The garden was surrounded by an old wooden fence. | the chain link fence around the school
▪ railings a metal fence that is made of a series of upright bars: the iron railings in front of the house | The boy was leaning over the railing on the side of the boat.
▪ barrier a type of fence or gate that prevents people from moving in a particular direction: A guard stood near the barrier. | The police had put up barriers to keep the crowd under control.
▪ screen a piece of furniture like a thin wall that can be moved around and is used to divide one part of a room from another: the screen around his hospital bed | a Japanese bamboo screen | a fire screen (=that you put near a fire)
▪ partition a thin wall that separates one part of a room from another: The room was divided into two by a thin partition. | The offices are separated by partitions and you can hear everything that is said in the next office.
▪ barricade a line of objects that people have put across a road, to prevent people getting past, especially as part of a protest: The soldiers used tanks to smash through the barricades.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fence

fence [fence fences fenced fencing] noun, verb [fens] [fens]

noun
1. a structure made of wood or wire supported with posts that is put between two areas of land as a boundary, or around a garden/yard, field, etc. to keep animals in, or to keep people and animals out

2. a structure that horses must jump over in a race or a competition

3. (informal) a criminal who buys and sells stolen goods
see the grass is (always) greener on the other side (of the fence) at grass _n., mend (your) fences (with sb) at mend _v., on the other side of the fence at side _n., sit on the fence at sit
Word Origin:
Middle English (in the sense ‘defending, defence’): shortening of defence. Compare with fend.
Thesaurus:
fence noun C
• Guards with dogs patrolled the perimeter fence.
railing • • wall •
a high/low fence/wall
(a) metal/wooden fence/railings
put up/build a fence/wall
Example Bank:
• She walked over to the tall wooden privacy fence.
• The White House already is struggling to mend fences with Europe.
• The house was surrounded by a white picket fence.
• There was a cottage garden at the front and a white picket fence.
• a fence around the site
• a proposal approved by people on both sides of the political fence
• the airport perimeter fence
• the fence line separating the United States from Mexico
• Security guards with dogs patrolled the perimeter fence.

Derived: fence somebody in ▪ fence something off

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

fence / fens / noun [ C ] (STRUCTURE)

fence

B2 a structure that divides two areas of land, similar to a wall but made of wood or wire and supported with posts

fence / fens / noun [ C ] old-fashioned slang (CRIMINAL)

a person who buys and sells stolen goods

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

fence

[fe̱ns]
♦♦♦
fences, fencing, fenced
1) N-COUNT A fence is a barrier between two areas of land, made of wood or wire supported by posts.
  Villagers say the fence would restrict public access to the hills.
2) VERB If you fence an area of land, you surround it with a fence.
  [V n] The first task was to fence the wood to exclude sheep...
  [V-ed] Thomas was playing in a little fenced area full of sand.
  Syn:
  close off
3) N-COUNT A fence in show jumping or horse racing is an obstacle or barrier that horses have to jump over.
  Syn:
  hurdle
4) N-COUNT A fence is a person who receives stolen property and then sells it. [INFORMAL]
  He originally acted as a fence for another gang before turning to burglary himself.
5) PHR-RECIP: V inflects, PHR with n, pl-n PHR If one country tries to mend fences with another, it tries to end a disagreement or quarrel with the other country. You can also say that two countries mend fences.
  Washington was last night doing its best to mend fences with the Europeans, saying it understood their concerns...
  The two countries fought a border war a decade ago, but now they are mending fences.
6) PHRASE: V inflects If you sit on the fence, you avoid supporting a particular side in a discussion or argument.
  They are sitting on the fence and refusing to commit themselves...
  He's not afraid of making decisions and is a man who never sits on the fence.
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - fence in
  - fence off

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹fence /ˈfɛns/ noun, pl fenc·es [count]
1 : a structure like a wall built outdoors usually of wood or metal that separates two areas or prevents people or animals from entering or leaving
• We put up a fence around our yard.
- see picture at house; see also chain-link fence
2 informal : a person who buys stolen property from thieves and sells it
mend fences
- see ¹mend
on the fence : unable to decide about something
• He tried to persuade those still (sitting) on the fence to vote in his favor.
the grass is always greener on the other side (of the fence)
- see ¹grass
- fence·less adj

American English

British English

fences and rails

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

noun

species

species [noun]

a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar characteristics to each other and can breed with each other

/ˈspiː.ʃiːz/

Example:

Over a hundred species of insect are found in this area.

media:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

species

noun (plural species)
a group of animals or plants that are the same and can breed (= make new animals or plants) together:
a rare species of frog

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

species

spe‧cies W2 /ˈspiːʃiːz/ BrE AmE noun (plural species) [countable]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: 'appearance, kind', from specere 'to look (at)']
a group of animals or plants whose members are similar and can breed together to produce young animals or plants ⇨ genus:
Seven species of birds of prey have been observed.
pandas and other endangered species (=ones that may soon no longer exist)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + species
▪ endangered (=used about a species of which there are very few still alive, so that it may soon not exist) The park is a sanctuary for 41 endangered species.
▪ protected Elephants are a protected species in Indonesia.
▪ rare The area contains many rare species of plants.
▪ common Here you will see most of the common species of African wildlife.
▪ extinct (=no longer existing) About a hundred species are becoming extinct every day.
▪ new (=not known about before, or not existing before ) A new species of spider has been discovered in a field in Cambridgeshire.
▪ native (=having always been in a particular country) Desert broom is a species native to Arizona.
▪ bird/animal/plant species You can see many different bird species on the canal.
■ verbs
▪ a species is found somewhere This species is found only in the Southern Hemisphere.
▪ a species lives somewhere (=used about animals) Many rainforest species cannot live anywhere else.
▪ a species grows somewhere (=used about plants) The species grows wild in Europe.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

species

spe·cies [ˈspiːʃiːz] [ˈspiːʃiːz] noun (pl. spe·cies)
a group into which animals, plants, etc. that are able to breed with each other and produce healthy young are divided, smaller than a genus and identified by a Latin name
• a rare species of beetle
• There are many species of dog(s).
• a conservation area for endangered species
Word Origin:
[species] late Middle English: from Latin, literally appearance, form, beauty, from specere ‘to look’.
Example Bank:
• Similar species of fish occur in Mongolia.
• The area is rich in different plant species.
• a native species of fish
• closely related species of beetle
• the development of the human species

• the threat posed by non-native invasive species

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

species / ˈspiː.ʃiːz / noun [ C ] ( plural species )

B2 a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar characteristics to each other and can breed with each other:

Mountain gorillas are an endangered species.

Over a hundred species of insect are found in this area.

figurative humorous Women film directors in Hollywood are a rare species.

→ See also subspecies

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

species

[spi͟ːʃiz]
♦♦♦
N-COUNT
(species is both the singular and the plural form.)
A species is a class of plants or animals whose members have the same main characteristics and are able to breed with each other.
Pandas are an endangered species...
There are several thousand species of trees here.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

species

spe·cies /ˈspiːʃiz/ noun, pl species [count]
1 biology : a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants : a group of related animals or plants that is smaller than a genus
• There are approximately 8,000 species of ants.
• All European domestic cattle belong to the same species.
• laws that protect endangered/threatened species
- see also subspecies
2 : a particular group of things or people that belong together or have some shared quality
• the different species [=kinds, types] of criminals

American English

British English

species and genders

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

noun

blinding

blinding [adjective]

Blinding pain is very strong pain.

/ˈblaɪn.dɪŋ/

Example:

There was a pain then, a quick, blinding agony that jumped along Danlo's spine.

media:

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

blinding

blind‧ing /ˈblaɪndɪŋ/ BrE AmE adjective
1. [usually before noun] so bright or strong that you cannot see properly
blinding flash/light/glare etc
the desert with its strange twisted plants and its blinding light
blinding rain/snow/heat etc
I struggled back to the hut through blinding rain.
2. blinding headache a very bad ↑headache
3. blinding realization/clarity/revelation etc a sudden realization, clear understanding, or new idea about something:
It was then that she realised, with blinding clarity, that she loved him.
Suddenly, I had a blinding flash of inspiration.
4. British English spoken informal very good and enjoyable:
It’s a blinding album.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

blinding

blind·ing [blinding] [ˈblaɪndɪŋ] [ˈblaɪndɪŋ] adjective usually before noun
1. very bright; so strong that you cannot see
• a blinding flash of light

• (figurative) a blinding (= very bad) headache

2. (BrE, informal) very good or enjoyable

• We had a blinding day out in London last Saturday.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

blinding / ˈblaɪn.dɪŋ / adjective

extremely bright:

There was loud bang and a sudden blinding light .

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

blinding

[bla͟ɪndɪŋ]
1) ADJ: usu ADJ n A blinding light is extremely bright.
  The doctor worked busily beneath the blinding lights of the delivery room.
  Syn:
  dazzling
2) ADJ: ADJ n (emphasis) You use blinding to emphasize that something is very obvious.
  The miseries I went through made me suddenly realise with a blinding flash what life was all about.
  Derived words:
  blindingly ADV-GRADED ADV adj/adv It is so blindingly obvious that defence must be the responsibility of the state.
3) ADJ: usu ADJ n Blinding pain is very strong pain.
  There was a pain then, a quick, blinding agony that jumped along Danlo's spine.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

blinding

blinding adj [more ~; most ~]
1 : very bright or strong
• a blinding color
• a blinding headache [=a very painful headache] especially; : so bright or strong that you cannot see
• the blinding light of the sun in her eyes
• a blinding snowstorm
2 : very fast
• His blinding speed makes him a great player.
- blind·ing·ly /ˈblaɪndɪŋli/ adv
• blindingly bright
• blindingly fast

American English

British English

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

adjective

accept

accept [verb] (APPROVE)

to consider something or someone as satisfactory

/əkˈsept/

Example:

She was accepted as a full member of the society.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

verb (accepts, accepting, accepted)

spelling
Remember! Don't confuse accept with except, which sounds nearly the same.

1 to say 'yes' when somebody asks you to have or do something:
Please accept this present.
I accepted the invitation to his party.

2 to believe that something is true:
She can't accept that her son is dead.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

ac‧cept S1 W1 /əkˈsept/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: adjective: ↑acceptable ≠ ↑unacceptable, ↑accepted; verb: ↑accept; noun: ↑acceptance; adverb: ↑acceptably ≠ ↑unacceptably]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: accepter, from Latin acceptare, from accipere 'to receive', from ad- 'to' + capere 'to take']
1. GIFT/OFFER/INVITATION [intransitive and transitive] to take something that someone offers you, or to agree to do something that someone asks you to do OPP refuse:
Rick accepted her offer of coffee.
He accepted the invitation to stay with us.
His school reports said that he is always ready to accept a challenge (=agree to do something difficult).
Please accept this small gift.
They offered me a job and I accepted.
accept something from somebody
He accepted a glass of water from Helen.
He readily accepted her invitation (=accepted it quickly).
REGISTER
In everyday English, when talking about accepting a job, accepting responsibility or blame, or accepting a method of payment, people usually use take:
▪ They offered me the job and I accepted. ➔ They offered me the job and I took it.
When talking about accepting an offer, people often say take someone up on their offer:
▪ He decided to take her up on her offer.
2. SITUATION/PROBLEM ETC [transitive] to decide that there is nothing you can do to change a difficult and unpleasant situation or fact and continue with your normal life:
He’s not going to change, and you just have to accept it.
accept that
We have to accept that this is not an ideal world.
You need to accept the fact that most of your problems are caused by jealousy.
3. THINK SOMEBODY/SOMETHING IS GOOD ENOUGH [transitive] to decide that someone has the necessary skill or intelligence for a particular job, course etc or that a piece of work is good enough OPP reject:
Students accepted by Stanford Law School had very high scores on the LSAT.
accept somebody/something as something
They have accepted him as the representative of the company.
accept somebody/something for something
Random House accepted the book for publication.
4. BECOME PART OF A GROUP [transitive] to allow someone to become part of a group, society, or organization, and to treat them in the same way as the other members OPP reject
accept somebody as something
The children gradually began to accept her as one of the family.
accept somebody into something
It often takes years for immigrants to be accepted into the host community.
5. AGREE TO TAKE/DEAL WITH SOMETHING [transitive] to agree to take or deal with something that someone gives you, or to say that it is suitable or good enough:
The government has accepted the resignation of a senior army commander.
Please accept my sincere apologies.
Sorry, we don’t accept traveller’s cheques.
6. SUGGESTION/ADVICE [transitive] to decide to do what someone suggests or advises you should do:
Be prepared to accept the advice of members of staff.
7. BELIEVE AN EXPLANATION/STATEMENT [transitive] to agree that what someone says is right or true OPP reject:
She has accepted your explanation as to why you didn’t attend the meeting.
8. accept responsibility/blame for something to admit that you were responsible for something bad that happened:
The University will not accept responsibility for items lost or stolen.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ accept an offer In the end I had to accept his offer of £4,500.
▪ accept an invitation Are you going to accept their invitation to the wedding?
▪ accept help Don’t be afraid to accept help if you need it.
▪ accept aid Egypt gratefully accepted American economic aid.
▪ accept assistance They were ready to accept French military assistance.
▪ accept a challenge To protect the environment we must accept some difficult challenges.
▪ accept an award Miller accepted the award for best comedy show.
▪ accept an opportunity I wish that I’d accepted the opportunity to retire when it was offered.
▪ accept a gift/present Accepting presents from him made her feel uncomfortable.
▪ accept a job She was desperate for money so she accepted the job.
▪ accept a lift British English, accept a ride American English I had been taught not to accept lifts from strangers.
▪ accept a bribe The president’s family and friends accepted massive bribes in exchange for official favours.
■ adverbs
▪ gladly/willingly/readily accept She invited him for a drink and he gladly accepted.
▪ gratefully accept He gratefully accepted Athena’s help.
▪ graciously accept She accepted her gift graciously.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

ac·cept [accept accepts accepted accepting] [əkˈsept] [əkˈsept] verb

OFFER/INVITATION
1. intransitive, transitive to take willingly sth that is offered; to say ‘yes’ to an offer, invitation, etc
• He asked me to marry him and I accepted.
• ~ sth Please accept our sincere apologies.
• It was pouring with rain so I accepted his offer of a lift.
• She's decided not to accept the job.
• Please accept this small token of my appreciation.
• ~ sth from sb He is charged with accepting bribes from a firm of suppliers.
• ~ sth for sth She said she'd accept $15 for it.

Opp: refuse

RECEIVE AS SUITABLE

2. transitive to receive sth as suitable or good enough
• ~ sth This machine only accepts coins.
• Will you accept a cheque?

• ~ sth for sth My article has been accepted for publication.

AGREE

3. transitive to agree to or approve of sth
• ~ sth They accepted the court's decision.
• He accepted all the changes we proposed.
• Everything about the child's adoption was against accepted practice.
• ~ sth from sb She won't accept advice from anyone.

Opp: reject

RESPONSIBILITY

4. transitive ~ sth to admit that you are responsible or to blame for sth
• He accepts full responsibility for what happened.

• You have to accept the consequences of your actions.

BELIEVE

5. transitive to believe that sth is true
• ~ sth I don't accept his version of events.
• ~ sth as sth Can we accept his account as the true version?
• ~ that… I accept that this will not be popular.
• I am not prepared to accept that this decision is final.
• it is accepted that… It is generally accepted that people are motivated by success.

• it is accepted to be, have, etc. sth The workforce is generally accepted to have the best conditions in Europe.

DIFFICULT SITUATION

6. transitive to continue in a difficult situation without complaining, because you realize that you cannot change it
• ~ sth You just have to accept the fact that we're never going to be rich.
• Nothing will change as long as the workers continue to accept these appalling conditions.
• ~ sth as sth They accept the risks as part of the job.

• ~ that… He just refused to accept that his father was no longer there.

WELCOME

7. transitive to make sb feel welcome and part of a group
• ~ sb It may take years to be completely accepted by the local community.
• ~ sb into sth She had never been accepted into what was essentially a man's world.
• ~ sb as sth He never really accepted her as his own child.

Opp: reject

ALLOW SB TO JOIN

8. transitive to allow sb to join an organization, attend an institution, use a service, etc
• ~ sb The college he applied to has accepted him.
• ~ sb into sth She was disappointed not to be accepted into the club.
• ~ sb as sth The landlord was willing to accept us as tenants.
• ~ sb to do sth She was accepted to study music.
Opp: reject

Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Latin acceptare, frequentative of accipere ‘take something to oneself’, from ad- ‘to’ + capere ‘take’.
Thesaurus:
accept verb
1. I, T
• She decided to accept the job.
take • • take sb/sth on • • take sth up • • take sb up on sth •
Opp: refuse, (formal) Opp: decline
accept/take/take on a job/post/position/role/responsibility
accept/take/take up an offer
accept/take up a/an invitation/suggestion
accept/take on/take on a challenge
2. T
• accept a cheque
get • • receive • • collect •
accept/get/receive/collect sth from sb
accept/get/receive/collect a/an medal/award/prize
accept/get/receive treatment/payment/help
3. T
• He accepted all the changes we proposed.
agree • • approve • • go along with sb/sth • • take sth on board • |formal consent • • acquiesce •
agree/consent/acquiesce to sth
accept/agree to/approve/go along with/consent to a plan/scheme/proposal
accept/agree to/approve/go along with/acquiesce in a decision
accept/agree to/approve/take on board a suggestion
4. T
• She accepts full responsibility for what happened.
take • • carry • • shoulder • |formal assume • • bear •
accept/take/carry/shoulder/assume/bear sth for sb/sth
accept/take/carry/shoulder/assume/bear the responsibility
accept/take/carry/shoulder/bear the blame
accept/take/bear the consequences
5. T
• He could not accept the fact that he was wrong.
face • • face up to sth • • come to terms with sth • • live with sth • • make the best of sth • • resign yourself to sth • |formal reconcile sb/yourself to sth •
accept/face/face up to/come to terms with/live with/resign yourself to/reconcile yourself to the fact that…
accept/face/come to terms with/make the best of a situation
to accept/face/face up to/come to terms with the truth/the reality of sth
6. T
• She had never felt accepted into their world.
welcome • • receive •
accept/receive sb as sth
accept/receive sb into sth
7. T
• The college he applied to has accepted him.
especially BrE enrol • |AmE usually enroll • |formal admit •
accept/enrol/admit sb into sth
accept/enrol/admit sb as sth
accept/enrol/admit a candidate/member/student
Synonyms:
agree
accept • approve • go along with sb/sth • consent
These words all mean to say that you will do what sb wants or that you will allow sth to happen.
agree • to say that you will do what sb wants or that you will allow sth to happen: ▪ He agreed to let me go early.
accept • to be satisfied with sth that has been done, decided or suggested: ▪ They accepted the court's decision.
approve • to officially agree to a plan, suggestion or request: ▪ The committee unanimously approved the plan.
go along with sb/sth • (rather informal) to agree to sth that sb else has decided; to agree with sb else's ideas: ▪ She just goes along with everything he suggests.
consent • (rather formal) to agree to sth or give your permission for sth: ▪ She finally consented to answer our questions.
to agree/consent to sth
to agree/consent to do sth
to agree to/accept/approve/go along with/consent to a plan/proposal
to agree to/accept/approve a request
Example Bank:
• He would not accept my advice.
• He would not accept the fact that his father was dead.
• I accepted the gift from my sister.
• I am unfortunately unable to accept your kind invitation.
• I had no choice but to accept the committee's decision.
• I was very unwilling to accept her resignation.
• She accepted a bribe from an undercover policeman.
• She graciously accepted my apology.
• Some people readily accept that they may have to pay for medical treatment.
• The college cannot accept responsibility for items lost or stolen on its premises.
• The government now accepts the need for change.
• These figures should not be accepted at face value.
• Everything about the child's adoption was against accepted practice.
• He refused to accept that his father was no longer there.
• It was true, but hard to accept.
• Most people had come to accept that war was inevitable.
• She had never been accepted into what was essentially a man's world.
• She said she'd accept $15 for it.
• She won't accept advice from anyone.
• She's decided not to accept the job.
• The company cannot accept liability for any damage caused by natural disasters.
• They accepted the court's decision.

• You just have to accept the fact that we're never going to be rich.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

accept / əkˈsept / verb [ T ] (APPROVE)

B2 to consider something or someone as satisfactory:

The manuscript was accepted for publication last week.

She was accepted as a full member of the society.

His fellow workers refused to accept him (= to include him as one of their group) .

accept / əkˈsept / verb (TAKE)

B1 [ T ] to agree to take something:

Do you accept credit cards?

She was in London to accept an award for her latest novel.

I offered her an apology, but she wouldn't accept it.

I accept full responsibility for the failure of the plan.

The new coffee machines will accept coins of any denomination.

B1 [ I or T ] to say 'yes' to an offer or invitation:

We've offered her the job, but I don't know whether she'll accept it.

I've just accepted an invitation to the opening-night party.

I've been invited to their wedding but I haven't decided whether to accept.

accept / əkˈsept / verb [ T ] (BELIEVE)

B2 to believe that something is true:

The police refused to accept her version of the story.

He still hasn't accepted the situation (= realized that he cannot change it) .

[ + that ] I can't accept that there's nothing we can do.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

[ækse̱pt]
♦
accepts, accepting, accepted
1) VERB If you accept something that you have been offered, you say yes to it or agree to take it.
  [V n] Eventually Stella persuaded her to accept an offer of marriage...
  [V n] Your old clothes will be gratefully accepted by jumble sale organisers...
  All those invited to next week's peace conference have accepted.
2) VERB If you accept an idea, statement, or fact, you believe that it is true or valid.
  [V that] I do not accept that there is any kind of crisis in British science...
  [V n] I don't think they would accept that view...
  [V n as adj/n] He did not accept this reply as valid.
  [V-ed] ...a workforce generally accepted to have the best conditions in Europe.
  Syn:
  acknowledge
3) VERB If you accept a plan or an intended action, you agree to it and allow it to happen.
  [V n] ...Britain's reluctance to accept a proposal for a single European currency...
  [V n] The Council will meet to decide if it should accept his resignation.
  Ant:
  reject
4) VERB If you accept an unpleasant fact or situation, you get used to it or recognize that it is necessary or cannot be changed.
  [V n] People will accept suffering that can be shown to lead to a greater good...
  [V n as n/adj] Urban dwellers often accept noise as part of city life...
  [V that] I wasn't willing to accept that her leaving was a possibility.
5) VERB If a person, company, or organization accepts something such as a document, they recognize that it is genuine, correct, or satisfactory and agree to consider it or handle it.
  [V n] We took the unusual step of contacting newspapers to advise them not to accept the advertising...
  [V n] Cheques can only be accepted up to the value guaranteed on the card...
  [be V-ed as n] Proof of postage will not be accepted as proof of receipt. [Also V n as n/adj]
  Ant:
  reject
6) VERB If an organization or person accepts you, you are allowed to join the organization or use the services that are offered.
  [V n] All-male groups will not be accepted.
  [V n as n] ...incentives to private landlords to accept young people as tenants. [Also V n into n]
  Ant:
  reject
7) VERB If a person or a group of people accepts you, they begin to be friendly towards you and are happy with who you are or what you do.
  [V n] As far as my grandparents were concerned, they've never had a problem accepting me...
  [V n as n] Many men still have difficulty accepting a woman as a business partner...
  [V n into n] Stephen Smith was accepted into the family like an adopted brother.
  Ant:
  reject
8) VERB If you accept the responsibility or blame for something, you recognize that you are responsible for it.
  [V n] The company cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage.
  Ant:
  reject
9) VERB If you accept someone's advice or suggestion, you agree to do what they say.
  [V n] The army refused to accept orders from the political leadership...
  [V n] Don't automatically accept the solicitor recommended by the broker.
  Ant:
  reject
10) VERB If someone's body accepts a transplanted organ, the organ becomes part of the body and starts to function normally.
  [V n] ...drugs which will fool the body into accepting transplants.
  Ant:
  reject
11) VERB If a machine accepts a particular kind of thing, it is designed to take it and deal with it or process it.
  [V n] The telephone booths accept 10 and 20 pence coins...
12) → See also accepted

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

ac·cept /ɪkˈsɛpt/ verb -cepts; -cept·ed; -cept·ing
1 a : to receive or take (something offered)

[+ obj]

• accept a gift
• accept a proposal
• accept a bribe
• accept an assignment/invitation/offer
• They offered him the job, and he accepted it.

[no obj]

• They offered him the job, and he accepted.
b [+ obj] : to take (something) as payment
• The store doesn't accept credit cards.
c [+ obj] : to be able or designed to take or hold (something)
• a surface that will not accept ink
• a computer program ready to accept commands
2 [+ obj] : to agree to (something) : to agree to receive or allow (something)
• accept a telephone call
• They accepted some applications and rejected others.
• She's still trying to get her manuscript accepted for publication.
• I accept your apology.
• They refused to accept his resignation.
3 [+ obj]
a : to think of (something) as true, proper, or normal
• a word that has come to be accepted as standard
• This treatment is now accepted by many doctors.
• He refused to accept the decision.
• I accepted his advice and joined the health club.
• They accepted [=believed] her explanation.
• The theory is widely accepted as correct. = It is widely accepted that the theory is correct.
b : to stop denying or resisting (something true or necessary)
• She found it difficult to accept change.
• The truth is sometimes hard to accept.
• He behaved badly, and now he has to accept the consequences.
• He has to accept the fact that his baseball career is over. [=he has to admit that his baseball career is over]
• He was unwilling to accept [=believe] that he could no longer play as he once had.
c : to admit that you have or deserve (something, such as blame or responsibility)
• accept blame
• I accept responsibility for the accident.
d : to be willing to have or experience (something)
• To be a successful investor you have to accept some risk.
• She accepted [=took on, faced] the challenge of starting her own business.
4 [+ obj]
a : to allow (someone) to join a club, to attend a school, etc.
• The club accepted her as a member but rejected her sister.
• She was accepted at/by Georgetown University.
b : to regard (someone) as belonging to a group
• She felt that her in-laws had never really accepted her (as a member of the family).
• She doesn't yet feel accepted (by her in-laws).
• The new family was quickly accepted into the community.
- accepted adj
• an accepted practice
• an accepted definition
• a widely accepted truth
- ac·cept·er or ac·cep·tor /ɪkˈsɛptɚ/ noun, pl -ters or -tors [count]

American English

British English

Accepting and agreeing

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

verb

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B2 (Upper-intermediate)

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