C1 (Advanced)

drive

drive [verb] (FORCE)

to force someone or something to go somewhere or do something

/draɪv/

Example:

They used dogs to drive the sheep into a pen.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

verb (drives, driving, drove /, has driven )

1 to control a car, bus, etc. and make it go where you want to go:
Can you drive?
She usually drives to work.

2 to take somebody to a place in a car:
My parents drove me to the airport.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

drive

I. drive¹ S1 W1 /draɪv/ BrE AmE verb (past tense drove /drəʊv $ droʊv/, past participle driven /ˈdrɪvən/)
[Word Family: noun: ↑drive, ↑driver, ↑driving; verb: ↑drive; adjective: ↑driving]
[Language: Old English; Origin: drifan]
1. VEHICLE
a) [intransitive and transitive] to make a car, truck, bus etc move along
drive to/down/off etc
I am planning to drive to Morocco next year.
the man driving the car
Can you drive?
So when did you learn to drive?
Bye! Drive carefully!
He drives 12 miles to work.
He drives (=has) a BMW estate.
b) [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a car, truck etc drives somewhere, it moves there:
After the accident, the other car just drove off.
c) [intransitive] if people drive somewhere, they travel somewhere in a car:
Shall we drive or take the bus?
drive to/down/off etc
They drove back to Woodside.
d) [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to take someone somewhere in a car, truck etc:
She drove Anna to London.
I’ll drive you home.
drive yourself
I drove myself to hospital.
2. MAKE SOMEBODY MOVE [transitive] to force a person or animal to go somewhere:
Torrential rain drove the players off the course.
With a few loud whistles, they drove the donkeys out of the enclosure.
3. MAKE SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING [transitive] to strongly influence someone to do something
drive somebody to do something
The detective wondered what had driven Christine to phone her.
drive somebody to/into something
The noises in my head have nearly driven me to suicide.
Phil, driven by jealousy, started spying on his wife.
4. MAKE SOMEBODY/SOMETHING BE IN A BAD STATE [transitive] to make someone or something get into a bad or extreme state, usually an emotional one
drive somebody crazy/nuts/mad/insane (=make someone feel very annoyed)
This cough is driving me mad!
drive somebody crazy/wild (=make someone feel very sexually excited)
drive somebody up the wall/out of their mind (=make someone feel very annoyed)
drive somebody to distraction/desperation
The mosquitoes drive me to distraction.
drive somebody/something into something
The factory had been driven into bankruptcy.
5. HIT/PUSH SOMETHING INTO SOMETHING [transitive] to hit or push something into something else
drive something into something
We watched Dad drive the posts into the ground.
She drove her heels into the sand.
6. MAKE SOMEBODY WORK [transitive] to make a person or animal work hard
drive yourself
Don’t drive yourself too hard.
7. SPORTS [intransitive and transitive]
a) to move a ball etc forward in a game of baseball, football, golf etc by hitting or kicking it hard and fast:
He drove the ball into the corner of the net.
b) to run with the ball towards the ↑goal in sports such as ↑basketball and American football
8. PROVIDE POWER [transitive] to provide the power for a vehicle or machine
petrol-driven/electrically-driven/battery-driven etc
a petrol-driven lawn mower
9. RAIN/WIND ETC [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if rain, snow, wind etc drives somewhere, it moves very quickly in that direction:
The rain was driving down hard.
10. drive a coach and horses through something to destroy an argument, plan etc completely:
The new bill will drive a coach and horses through recent trade agreements.
11. MAKE A HOLE [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to make a large hole in something using heavy equipment or machinery:
They drove a tunnel through the mountains.
12. drive something home to make something completely clear to someone:
He didn’t have to drive the point home. The videotape had done that.
13. drive a wedge between somebody to do something that makes people disagree or start to dislike each other:
I don’t want to drive a wedge between you and your father.
⇨ drive/strike a hard bargain at ↑hard¹(18)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 4)
■ phrases
▪ drive somebody crazy/mad/insane spoken (also drive somebody nuts spoken informal) (=make someone feel very annoyed) The continuous noise was driving me crazy.
▪ drive somebody crazy/wild (=make someone feel very sexually excited) He drives women wild.
▪ drive somebody up the wall/round the bend/out of their mind spoken informal (=make someone feel very annoyed) That voice of hers drives me up the wall.
▪ drive somebody to distraction (=make someone feel very upset or annoyed) She was being driven to distraction by her husband’s bad habits.
▪ drive somebody to despair/desperation (=make someone despair) Escalating personal debts have driven many people to despair.
▪ drive somebody to drink (=make someone so annoyed or upset that they depend on alcohol) His problems had almost driven him to drink.
drive at something phrasal verb
what somebody is driving at the thing someone is really trying to say SYN get at:
I still couldn’t understand what Toby was driving at.
drive somebody ↔ away phrasal verb
to behave in a way that makes someone leave:
He was cruel because he wanted to drive me away.
drive something ↔ down phrasal verb
to make prices, costs etc fall quickly:
We have to drive down costs.
drive somebody/something ↔ in phrasal verb
to hit the ball so that another player can score a ↑run in baseball
drive off phrasal verb
1. to hit the ball to begin a game of golf
2. drive somebody ↔ off to force a person or animal to go away from you:
We keep dogs in the yard to drive off intruders.
drive somebody/something ↔ out phrasal verb
1. to force someone or something to leave:
Downtown stores are being driven out by crime.
2. written to make something stop existing:
As we went forward, our fear was driven out by horror.
drive something ↔ up phrasal verb
to make prices, costs etc rise quickly:
The oil shortage drove gas prices up by 20 cents a gallon.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

drive

drive [drive drives drove driving driven] verb, noun [draɪv] [draɪv]

verb (drove [drəʊv] ; [droʊv] , driven [ˈdrɪvn] ; [ˈdrɪvn] )

VEHICLE
1. intransitive, transitive to operate a vehicle so that it goes in a particular direction
• Can you drive?
• Don't drive so fast!
• I drove to work this morning.
• Shall we drive (= go there by car) or go by train?

• ~ sth He drives a taxi (= that is his job).

2. transitive ~ sb (+ adv./prep.) to take sb somewhere in a car, taxi, etc

• Could you drive me home?

3. transitive ~ sth to own or use a particular type of vehicle

• What car do you drive?

MACHINE

4. transitive, usually passive ~ sth to provide the power that makes a machine work

• a steam-driven locomotive

MAKE SB DO STH

5. transitive ~ sb (+ adv./prep.) to force sb to act in a particular way
• The urge to survive drove them on.

• You're driving yourself too hard.

6. transitive to make sb very angry, crazy, etc. or to make them do sth extreme
• ~ sb + adj. to drive sb crazy/mad/insane
• ~ sb to do sth Hunger drove her to steal.
• ~ sb to sth Those kids are driving me to despair.

• (humorous) It's enough to drive you to drink (= to make you start drinking too much alcohol).

MAKE SB/STH MOVE

7. transitive ~ sb/sth + adv./prep. to force sb/sth to move in a particular direction
• to drive sheep into a field

• The enemy was driven back.

CAUSE STH TO MAKE PROGRESS

8. transitive ~ sth to influence sth or cause it to make progress

• This is the main factor driving investment in the area.

HIT/PUSH

9. transitive ~ sth + adv./prep. to force sth to go in a particular direction or into a particular position by pushing it, hitting it, etc

• to drive a nail into a piece of wood

MAKE A HOLE

10. transitive ~ sth + adv./prep. to make an opening in or through sth by using force

• They drove a tunnel through the solid rock.

IN SPORT

11. transitive, intransitive ~ (sth) (+ adv./prep.) to hit a ball with force, sending it forward

• to drive the ball into the rough (= in golf )

WIND/WATER

12. transitive ~ sth (+ adv./prep.) to carry sth along

• Huge waves drove the yacht onto the rocks.

13. intransitive (+ adv./prep.) to fall or move rapidly and with great force
• The waves drove against the shore.
more at run/drive/work yourself into the ground at ground _n., drive/strike a hard bargain at hard _adj., needs must (when the devil drives) at need _n., as clean, pure, etc. as the driven snow at snow _n.
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
Old English drīfan ‘urge (a person or animal) to go forward’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch drijven and German treiben.
Thesaurus:
drive verb
1. I, T
• I learned to drive at 17.
steer • • handle • |BrE manoeuvre • |AmE maneuver •
drive/steer/handle/manoeuvre a car
2. I, T
• We've driven over 200 miles today.
travel • • go • • come • • do •
drive/travel/go/come from/to sth
drive/travel/go/come/do 50 miles/10 kilometres, etc.
drive/travel/come a long distance
3. T (sometimes disapproving)
• You're driving yourself too hard.
work • |disapproving overwork • |usually approving push •
drive/work/push sb hard
drive/push sb too far/to the limit
drive/work sb into the ground
Collocations:
Driving
Having a car
have/own/ (BrE) run a car
ride a motorcycle/motorbike
drive/prefer/use an automatic/a manual/(NAmE, informal) a stick shift
have/get your car serviced/fixed/repaired
buy/sell a used car/(especially BrE) a second-hand car
take/pass/fail a (BrE) driving test/(both NAmE) driver's test/road test
get/obtain/have/lose/carry a/your (BrE) driving licence/(NAmE) driver's license
Driving
put on/fasten/ (NAmE) buckle/wear/undo your seat belt/safety belt
put/turn/leave the key in the ignition
start the car/engine
(BrE) change/ (NAmE) shift/put sth into gear
press/put your foot on the brake pedal/clutch/accelerator
release the clutch/(especially BrE) the handbrake/(both NAmE) the emergency brake/the parking brake
drive/park/reverse the car
(BrE) indicate left/right
(especially NAmE) signal that you are turning left/right
take/miss (BrE) the turning/(especially NAmE) the turn
apply/hit/slam on the brake(s)
beep/honk/ (especially BrE) toot/ (BrE) sound your horn
Problems and accidents
a car skids/crashes (into sth)/collides (with sth)
swerve to avoid an oncoming car/a pedestrian
crash/lose control of the car
have/be in/be killed in/survive a car crash/a car accident/(NAmE) a car wreck/a hit-and-run
be run over/knocked down by a car/bus/truck
dent/hit (BrE) the bonnet/(NAmE) the hood
break/crack/shatter (BrE) the windscreen/(NAmE) the windshield
blow/ (especially BrE) burst/puncture (BrE) a tyre/(NAmE) a tire
get/have (BrE) a flat tyre/a flat tire/a puncture
inflate/change/fit/replace/check a tyre/tire
Traffic and driving regulations
be caught in/get stuck in/sit in a traffic jam
cause congestion/tailbacks/traffic jams/gridlock
experience/face lengthy delays
beat/avoid the traffic/the rush hour
break/observe/ (NAmE) drive the speed limit
be caught on (BrE) a speed camera
stop sb for/pull sb over for/ (BrE, informal) be done for speeding
(both informal) run/ (BrE) jump a red light/the lights
be arrested for/charged with (BrE) drink-driving/(both US) driving under the influence (DUI)/driving while intoxicated (DWI)
be banned/ (BrE) disqualified from driving
Synonyms:
take
lead • escort • drive • show • walk • guide • usher • direct
These words all mean to go with sb from one place to another.
take • to go with sb from one place to another, for example in order to show them sth or to show them the way to a place: ▪ It's too far to walk— I'll take you by car.
lead • to go with or go in front of sb in order to show them the way or to make them go in the right direction: ▪ Firefighters led the survivors to safety.
escort • to go with sb in order to protect or guard them or to show them the way: ▪ The president arrived, escorted by twelve bodyguards.
drive • to take sb somewhere in a car, taxi, etc: ▪ My mother drove us to the airport.
show • to take sb to a particular place, in the right direction, or along the correct route: ▪ The attendant showed us to our seats.
walk • to go somewhere with sb on foot, especially in order to make sure that they get there safely; to take an animal, especially a dog, for a walk or make an animal walk somewhere: ▪ He always walked her home. ◊ ▪ Have you walked the dog yet today?
guide • to show sb the way to a place, often by going with them; to show sb a place that you know well: ▪ She guided us through the busy streets. ◊ ▪ We were guided around the museums.
usher • (rather formal) to politely take or show sb where they should go, especially within a building: ▪ She ushered her guests to their seats.
direct • (rather formal) to tell or show sb how to get somewhere or where to go: ▪ A young woman directed them to the station.
to take/lead/escort/drive/show/walk/guide/usher/direct sb to/out of/into sth
to take/lead/escort/drive/show/walk/guide sb around/round
to take/lead/escort/drive/walk sb home
to take/lead/escort/guide sb to safety
to lead/show the way
Example Bank:
• He was arrested for driving recklessly.
• I'll drive you home.
• She drove quickly back to the office.
• She got into the car and drove away.
• We drove from Quebec to Ottawa.
• You shouldn't drive so fast!
• driving from London to Manchester
• Driving lessons can be expensive.
• Have you ever driven a racing car?
• He drives a taxi.
• He took a wooden peg and drove it into the ground.
• Hunger drove them to steal.
• I asked the man to drive me home.
• I learned to drive when I was 25.
• It's enough to drive you to drink.
• It's the story of a teenager driven to despair by the hypocrisy of the adult world.
• My mother drove us to the airport.
• Shall we drive or go by train?
• Someone had driven a nail deep into the wood.
• The knife had been driven through his heart.
• They run a driving school in Birmingham.
• They were driven to an unknown place in the hills.
• They're intending to drive from Seattle down to San Diego.
• We drove the rest of the way in silence.
• We must have driven over 600 kilometres today.
• What type of car do you drive?
• You need a special licence to drive a heavy goods vehicle.
• You're driving yourself too hard.
Idioms: drive a coach and horses through something ▪ drive something home ▪ what somebody is driving at

Derived: drive away ▪ drive off ▪ drive on ▪ drive somebody away ▪ drive somebody off ▪ drive somebody out ▪ drive something up

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

drive / draɪv / verb ( drove , driven ) (FORCE)

C1 [ T ] to force someone or something to go somewhere or do something:

They used dogs to drive the sheep into a pen.

A post had been driven (= hit hard) into the ground near the tree.

By the end of the year, most of the occupying troops had been driven from the city.

[ + to infinitive ] In the end, it was his violent behaviour that drove her to leave home.

C1 [ T ] to force someone or something into a particular state, often an unpleasant one:

In the course of history, love has driven men and women to strange extremes.

For the second time in ten years, the government has driven the economy into recession.

drive sb mad, crazy, etc. B2 informal to make someone extremely annoyed:

My mother-in-law has been staying with us this past week and she's driving me crazy.

He leaves dirty clothes all over the floor and it's driving me mad.

drive sb wild informal to make you very excited, especially sexually:

When he runs his fingers through my hair, it drives me wild!

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

drive

[dra͟ɪv]

drives, driving, drove, driven
1) VERB When you drive somewhere, you operate a car or other vehicle and control its movement and direction.
  [V prep/adv] I drove into town and went to a restaurant for dinner...
  [V prep/adv] He put the bags in the car and drove off...
  She never learned to drive...
  [V n] Mrs Glick drove her own car and the girls went in Nancy's convertible. [Also V n prep/adv]
  Derived words:
  driving N-UNCOUNT ...a qualified driving instructor... It was an outrageous piece of dangerous driving.
2) VERB If you drive someone somewhere, you take them there in a car or other vehicle.
  [V n prep/adv] His daughter Carly drove him to the train station. [Also V n]
3) N-COUNT A drive is a journey in a car or other vehicle.
  I thought we might go for a drive on Sunday.
4) N-COUNT A drive is a wide piece of hard ground, or sometimes a private road, that leads from the road to a person's house.
  Syn:
  driveway
5) VERB If something drives a machine, it supplies the power that makes it work.
  [V n] The current flows into electric motors that drive the wheels.
6) N-UNCOUNT: usu n N Drive is the power supplied by the engine to particular wheels in a car or other vehicle to make the vehicle move.
  He put the jeep in four-wheel drive and splashed up the slope.
7) N-COUNT: usu supp N You use drive to refer to the mechanical part of a computer which reads the data on disks and tapes, or writes data onto them.
→ See also disk drive
  The firm specialised in supplying pieces of equipment, such as terminals, tape drives or printers.
8) VERB If you drive something such as a nail into something else, you push it in or hammer it in using a lot of effort.
  [V n prep] I had to use our sledgehammer to drive the pegs into the side of the path...
  [V n with adv] We managed to hold a strip of lead along it long enough for me to drive in a nail.
9) VERB In games such as cricket, golf, soccer, or football, if a player drives a ball somewhere, they kick or hit it there with a lot of force.
  [V n prep/adv] The clearance fell to Armstrong, who drove the ball into the roof of the Liverpool net. [Also V n]
10) N-COUNT In golf, a drive is the first stroke a player makes from the tee.
  Woosnam sliced his drive into the bushes.
11) VERB If the wind, rain, or snow drives in a particular direction, it moves with great force in that direction.
  [V prep/adv] Rain drove against the window.
  Derived words:
  driving ADJ ADJ n He crashed into a tree in driving rain. ...rescuers battling through driving snow.
12) VERB If you drive people or animals somewhere, you make them go to or from that place.
  [V n prep] The last offensive drove thousands of people into Thailand...
  [V n prep] Every summer the shepherds drive the sheep up to pasture...
  [V n with adv] The smoke also drove mosquitoes away.
13) VERB To drive someone into a particular state or situation means to force them into that state or situation.
  [V n into/to n] The recession and hospital bills drove them into bankruptcy...
  [V n adj] He nearly drove Elsie mad with his fussing.
14) VERB The desire or feeling that drives a person to do something, especially something extreme, is the desire or feeling that causes them to do it.
  [V n to-inf] More than once, depression drove him to attempt suicide...
  [V n to n] Jealousy drives people to murder...
  [be V-ed] If we are driven by guilt, resentment and anxiety, our children will absorb these feelings and express them too.
  [V-ed] ...a man driven by a pathological need to win. [Also V n]
15) N-UNCOUNT If you say that someone has drive, you mean they have energy and determination.
  John will be best remembered for his drive and enthusiasm.
16) N-COUNT A drive is a very strong need or desire in human beings that makes them act in particular ways.
  ...compelling, dynamic sex drives.
  Syn:
  campaign
17) N-SING: with supp A drive is a special effort made by a group of people for a particular purpose.
  The ANC is about to launch a nationwide recruitment drive...
  The Church in Haiti has played an important role in the drive towards democracy.
18) N-IN-NAMES Drive is used in the names of some streets.
  ...23 Queen's Drive, Malvern, Worcestershire.
19) → See also driving
20) PHRASE: V inflects If you ask someone what they are driving at, you are asking what they are trying to say or what they are saying indirectly.
  It was clear Cohen didn't understand what Millard was driving at.
21) to drive a hard bargain → see bargain
to drive a point home → see home
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - drive away
  - drive off
  - drive out

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹drive /ˈdraɪv/ verb drives; drove /ˈdroʊv/; driv·en /ˈdrɪvən/; driv·ing
1 a : to direct the movement of (a car, truck, bus, etc.)

[+ obj]

• He drove the car down a bumpy road.
• She drives a taxi. [=her job is driving a taxi]

[no obj]

• Do you want to drive or should I?
• He is learning to drive.
b always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] of a car, truck, etc. : to move in a specified manner or direction
• The car stopped and then drove off.
• A car drove by us slowly.
• The bus slowly drove away.
c : to travel in a car

[no obj]

• We drove all night and arrived at dawn.
• Are you driving or flying to Canada? [=will you travel to Canada by car or airplane?]
• We drove (for) eight hours yesterday.
• We drove 160 miles to get here.
• I drive on/along this route every day.

[+ obj]

• I drive this route every day.
d [+ obj] : to take (someone or something) to a place in a car, truck, etc.
• I drove her to the train station this morning.
• I had to drive myself to the hospital.
• Her mom drove us home.
e [+ obj] : to own and use (a vehicle of a specified kind)
• He drives a pickup/motorcycle.
• She drives a Ford.
2 [+ obj] : to move (people or animals) to or from a place by using force
• Cowboys drove the herds across the prairie.
• They drove the invaders back across the border.
• Thousands of people have been driven from their homes. [=have been forced to leave their homes]
3 [+ obj] : to push (something) with force
• drive a nail with a hammer
- often + into
• He drove a nail into the wall.
• She drove the sword into her enemy's side.
4 [+ obj] : to make (a machine or vehicle) work or move : to provide power for (something)
• Electricity drives the machinery.
• a steam-driven turbine [=a turbine that gets its power from steam]
- often used figuratively
• What drives the economy?
• a market-driven industry
5 [+ obj]
a : to cause (someone) to behave in a particular way
• They were driven [=motivated] by hunger to steal.
• Poverty drove them to a life of crime.
• Ambition drove her to succeed.
b : to force (someone) to work very hard
• The sergeant drove the recruits.
• The team was driven hard by the coach.
• He's been driving himself too hard. [=he's been working too hard]
6 [+ obj] : to bring (someone) into a particular condition
• That noise is driving me insane/crazy.
• The new store drove him out of business. [=caused him to go out of business]
• Her perfume drives me wild. [=gets me sexually excited]
7 [+ obj] : to cause (a price, number, etc.) to increase or decrease - + up or down
• The government report drove stock prices up.
• An increase in investments is driving down interest rates.
8 [no obj] sports : to move toward or through something with a lot of force or speed
• He took a pass and drove to/toward the basket/net.
• The running back drove through the line of scrimmage.
9 [+ obj] sports : to hit or kick (a ball or puck) with a lot of force or speed
• She drove the (golf) ball down the fairway.
• He drove the puck into the net.
- see also driving range
10 [no obj] of rain, wind, etc. : to fall or blow with great force
• The rain drove against the windows.
- see also driving
drive a hard bargain
- see ¹bargain
drive at [phrasal verb] drive at (something) : to attempt to say or do (something) - usually used as (be) driving at
• I have no idea what he was driving at.
• I think I see what you're driving at.
drive away [phrasal verb] drive (someone) away or drive away (someone) : to cause or force (someone) to leave especially by making a situation unpleasant or unattractive
• The store's high prices are driving away customers.
drive a wedge between
- see ¹wedge
drive in [phrasal verb] drive (someone or something) in or drive in (someone or something) baseball : to cause (a run or runner) to score
• He drove in another run.
• The hit drove him in for a 5–4 lead.
drive off [phrasal verb] drive (someone or something) off or drive off (someone or something) : to cause or force (someone or something) to leave
• They drove off the invaders.
drive out [phrasal verb] drive (someone or something) out or drive out (someone or something) : to cause or force (someone or something) to leave
• They drove out the invaders.
• The family was driven out of the neighborhood by rising real estate prices.
drive (someone) up a/the wall
- see ¹wall
drive your point home
- see ²home

English translation unavailable for drive.

entrée

entrée [noun] (FOOD)

US the main dish of a meal

UK at very formal meals, a small dish served just before the main part

/ˈɑːn.treɪ/

/ˈɒn.treɪ/

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

entrÃ©e

en‧trée /ˈɒntreɪ $ ˈɑːn-/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1700-1800; Language: French; Origin: ⇨ ↑entry]
1. [countable] the main dish of a meal, or a dish served before the main course – used in restaurants or on formal occasions:
an entrée of roast duck
2. [uncountable and countable] formal the right or freedom to enter a place or to join a social group
entrée to/into
My family name gave me an entrée into upper class Boston society.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

entrée

en·trée [entrée entrées] [ˈɒntreɪ] [ˈɑːntreɪ] noun (from French)

1. countable (in a restaurant or at a formal meal) the main dish of the meal or a dish served before the main course

2. uncountable, countable ~ (into/to sth) (formal) the right or ability to enter a social group or institution

• Her wealth and reputation gave her an entrée into upper-class circles.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

entrée / ˈɒn.treɪ / / ˈɑːn- / noun (FOOD)

[ C ] US the main dish of a meal [ C ] UK at very formal meals, a small dish served just before the main part

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

entrée

[ɒ̱ntreɪ]
entrées
also entree
1) N-COUNT: oft N into n If you have an entrée to a social group, you are accepted and made to feel welcome by them.
She had an entree into the city's cultivated society.
2) N-COUNT At restaurants or formal dinners, the entrée is the main course, or sometimes a dish before the main course.
Dinner features a hot entrée of chicken, veal, or lamb.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

entree

en·trée or en·tree /ˈɑːnˌtreɪ/ noun, pl -trées or -trees
1 [count] : the main dish of a meal especially in a restaurant
• We had steak as an entrée.
2 formal
a [count] : the act or manner of entering something
• She made a graceful entrée [=entrance] into the ballroom.
• His entrée [=entry] into the restaurant business was unexpected.
b [noncount] : the right to enter something
• His family connections have given him entrée [=entry] into the most exclusive clubs in the city.

American English

British English

meals and parts of meals

C1 (Advanced)

noun

rage

rage [noun] (EVENT)

an exciting or entertaining event involving a lot of activity

/reɪdʒ/

Example:

The party was a rage.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

rage

noun
very strong anger:
Sue stormed out of the room in a rage.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

rage

I. rage¹ /reɪdʒ/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin rabies 'anger, wildness', from rabere 'to be wild with anger']
1. [uncountable and countable] a strong feeling of uncontrollable anger:
Sobbing with rage, Carol was taken to the hospital.
in a rage
Sam became quite frightening when he was in a rage.
cry/scream/roar etc of rage
Just then, she heard Mr Evan’s bellow of rage.
red/dark/purple with rage
His face was red with rage.
trembling/shaking with rage
Forester stared at his car, trembling with rage.
seething/incandescent with rage (=as angry as a person can possibly be)
Animal rights supporters were incandescent with rage.
Richens was 17 when he flew into a rage and stabbed another teenager.
2. be all the rage informal to be very popular or fashionable:
DiCaprio became all the rage after starring in the film ‘Titanic’.
3. rage for something a situation in which something is very popular or fashionable:
the rage for mobile phones

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

rage / reɪdʒ / noun [ C usually singular ] Australian English informal (EVENT)

an exciting or entertaining event involving a lot of activity:

The party was a rage.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

rage

[re͟ɪʤ]

rages, raging, raged
1) N-VAR Rage is strong anger that is difficult to control.
  He was red-cheeked with rage...
  I flew into a rage...
  He admitted shooting the man in a fit of rage.
  Syn:
  fury
2) VERB You say that something powerful or unpleasant rages when it continues with great force or violence.
  Train services were halted as the fire raged for more than four hours.
  ...the fierce arguments raging over the future of the Holy City...
  [V on] The war rages on and the time has come to take sides.
3) VERB If you rage about something, you speak or think very angrily about it.
  [V about/against/at n] Monroe was on the phone, raging about her mistreatment by the brothers...
  Inside, Frannie was raging...
  [V with quote] `I can't see it's any of your business,' he raged.
4) N-UNCOUNT: n N You can refer to the strong anger that someone feels in a particular situation as a particular rage, especially when this results in violent or aggressive behaviour.
→ See also road rage
  Cabin crews are reporting up to nine cases of air rage a week.
5) N-SING: the N When something is popular and fashionable, you can say that it is the rage or all the rage. [INFORMAL]
  Badges are all the rage in France, Mr Toff explains.
6) → See also raging

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹rage /ˈreɪʤ/ noun, pl rag·es
1 a [noncount] : a strong feeling of anger that is difficult to control
• Her note to him was full of rage.
• He was shaking with rage.
• a fit of rage
- see also road rage synonyms see¹anger
b [count] : a sudden expression of violent anger
• She was seized by a murderous rage.
• His rages rarely last more than a few minutes.
• He flew into a rage. [=he suddenly became extremely angry]
2 [singular]
a : something that is suddenly very popular
• Karaoke is (all) the rage these days. [=karaoke is very popular]
b : a strong desire by many people to have or do something - + for
• I don't understand the current rage for flavored coffee. [=I don't understand why flavored coffee is so popular]

American English

British English

celebrations - parties and special occasions

C1 (Advanced)

noun

necessity

necessity [noun]

the need for something

/nəˈses.ə.t̬i/

/nəˈses.ə.ti/

Example:

You can come early if you want to, but there's no necessity for it.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

necessity

noun (plural necessities)
something that you must have:
Food and clothes are necessities of life.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

necessity

ne‧ces‧si‧ty /nəˈsesəti, nɪˈsesəti/ BrE AmE noun (plural necessities)
[Word Family: noun: ↑necessity, the necessaries, the necessary; verb: ↑necessitate; adverb: ↑necessarily ≠ ↑unnecessarily; adjective: ↑necessary ≠ ↑unnecessary]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: necessité, from Latin necessitas, from necesse; ⇨ ↑necessary]
1. [countable] something that you need to have in order to live OPP luxury:
She saw books as a necessity, not a luxury.
A car is an absolute necessity if you live in the country.
the basic/bare necessities
A lot of families cannot even afford to buy the basic necessities of life.
2. [uncountable] when something is necessary
necessity for
He emphasized the necessity for good planning and management.
the necessity of (doing) something
This illustrates the necessity of keeping accurate records of your work.
Many teachers are now questioning the necessity of formal exams.
through/out of necessity
He only remained with the group out of necessity.
economic/practical/political etc necessity
I’m afraid it’s become a matter of economic necessity.
3. [countable] something that must happen, even if it is unpleasant:
Taxes are a regrettable necessity.
4. of necessity formal used when something happens in a particular way because that is the only possible way it can happen:
Many of the jobs are, of necessity, temporary.
5. necessity is the mother of invention used to say that if someone really needs to do something, they will find a way of doing it

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

necessity

ne·ces·sity [necessity necessities] [nəˈsesəti] [nəˈsesəti] noun
1. uncountable the fact that sth must happen or be done; the need for sth
• ~ (for sth) We recognize the necessity for a written agreement.
• ~ (of sth/of doing sth) We were discussing the necessity of employing more staff.
• ~ (for sb) to do sth There had never been any necessity for her to go out to work.
• There is absolutely no necessity for you to be involved.

• This is, of necessity, a brief and incomplete account.

2. countable a thing that you must have and cannot manage without
• Many people cannot even afford basic necessities such as food and clothing.

• Air-conditioning is an absolute necessity in this climate.

3. countable, usually singular a situation that must happen and that cannot be avoided
• Living in London, he felt, was an unfortunate necessity.
more at make a virtue of necessity at virtue
Idiom: necessity is the mother of invention
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French necessite, from Latin necessitas, from necesse ‘be needful’.
Example Bank:
• Culling of the animals was born out of the necessity for successful conservation.
• Driven by financial necessity, she decided to give up her writing career.
• Food is a necessity of life.
• He argued that nuclear weapons were a political necessity.
• He is changing job out of necessity, not because he particularly wants to.
• I've never felt the necessity to rely on such a strict rule.
• Most disputes can be resolved without the necessity of going to court.
• Most of the women are forced, through economic necessity, to work in part-time low-paid jobs.
• Mrs R has been spared the necessity of having to give evidence.
• Necessity forced an urgent solution.
• Observers stressed the necessity for the ceasefire to be observed.
• Policies which address these issues are an urgent necessity.
• She saw the necessity to make an immediate impression on him.
• Sleep is an absolute necessity for life.
• The company sees no necessity for a more cautious approach to investment.
• The people in the rural areas use mud bricks only as an immediate, practical necessity.
• The visit will, of necessity, be brief.
• There's no necessity for you to come.
• These animals don't like water but will swim if the necessity arises.
• They have accepted the necessity of greater state intervention.
• They have nothing but the barest necessities.
• This rule is carried no farther than necessity requires.
• Where necessity demands, we can seat more guests in the gallery.
• You can dial direct without the necessity of going through the operator.
• the necessity to earn a living

• Living in London he felt, was an unfortunate necessity.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

necessity / nəˈses.ɪ.ti / / -ə.t̬i / noun

C1 [ U ] the need for something:

You can come early if you want to, but there's no necessity for it.

[ + to infinitive ] Is there any necessity to reply to her letter?

The report stresses the necessity of eat ing plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

With a personal fortune of six million pounds, she certainly doesn't work out of necessity (= because she needs to) .

We'll employ extra staff to help out as and when the necessity arises (= when we need to) .

C1 [ C ] something that you need, especially in order to live:

We brought only the bare necessities with us.

He regarded music as one of life's necessities.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

necessity

[nɪse̱sɪti]
necessities
1) N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp The necessity of something is the fact that it must happen or exist.
  There is agreement on the necessity of reforms...
  As soon as the necessity for action is over the troops must be withdrawn...
  Most women, like men, work from economic necessity...
  Some people have to lead stressful lifestyles out of necessity.
  ●
  PHRASE: usu PHR before v, PHR n/adj/adv If you say that something is of necessity the case, you mean that it is the case because nothing else is possible or practical in the circumstances. [FORMAL]
  The assembly line of necessity kept moving...
  Negotiations between the enemies are of necessity indirect.
  Syn:
  inevitably
2) N-COUNT A necessity is something that you must have in order to live properly or do something.
  Water is a basic necessity of life.
  ...food, fuel and other daily necessities.
  Syn:
  essential
  Ant:
  luxury
3) N-COUNT: usu sing A situation or action that is a necessity is necessary and cannot be avoided.
  The President pleaded that strong rule from the centre was a regrettable, but temporary necessity.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

necessity

ne·ces·si·ty /nɪˈsɛsəti/ noun, pl -ties
1 [count] : something that you must have or do : something that is necessary
• Sunscreen is an absolute necessity for the beach.
• food, clothes, and other basic necessities
• Getting plenty of rest is a necessity.
• Without a car, living close to work is a necessity.
• All we took with us on our hiking trip were the bare necessities.
• Many families cannot even afford the basic/bare necessities of life. [=things that a person must have in order to survive]
2 [noncount] formal : the quality of being necessary - usually + of or for
• She talked about the necessity of having the right training. [=she said that having the right training is necessary]
• He questioned the necessity for the change. [=he questioned whether the change was necessary]
by necessity or out of necessity : because of conditions that cannot be changed
• The process is by necessity a slow one. [=the process is necessarily slow; the slowness of the process cannot be avoided]
• He works two jobs out of necessity. [=because it is necessary]
make a virtue (out) of necessity
- see virtue
necessity is the mother of invention
- see ¹mother
of necessity formal
- used to say that something must happen or must be the way it is
• Further changes to the company will occur of necessity.

American English

British English

essential or necessary

C1 (Advanced)

noun

corrupt

corrupt [verb] (MAKE BAD)

to make someone or something become dishonest or immoral

/kəˈrʌpt/

Example:

The study claimed that violence on television corrupts the minds of children.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. corrupt² BrE AmE verb [transitive]
1. to encourage someone to start behaving in an immoral or dishonest way:
Young prisoners are being corrupted by the older, long-term offenders.
2. to change the traditional form of something, such as a language, so that it becomes worse than it was:
The culture has been corrupted by Western influences.
3. to change the information in a computer, so that the computer does not work properly any more:
a virus which corrupts the data on your hard drive

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

verb
1. transitive ~ sb to have a bad effect on sb and make them behave in an immoral or dishonest way
• He was corrupted by power and ambition.

• the corrupting effects of great wealth

2. transitive, often passive ~ sth to change the original form of sth, so that it is damaged or spoiled in some way

• a corrupted form of Buddhism

3. transitive, intransitive ~ (sth) (computing) to cause mistakes to appear in a computer file, etc. with the result that the information in it is no longer correct
• The program has somehow corrupted the system files.
• corrupted data
• The disk will corrupt if it is overloaded.
Verb forms:

Word Origin:

Middle English: from Latin corruptus, past participle of corrumpere ‘mar, bribe, destroy’, from cor- ‘altogether’ + rumpere ‘to break’.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

corrupt / kəˈrʌpt / verb [ T ] (MAKE BAD)

C1 to make someone or something become dishonest or immoral:

The study claimed that violence on television corrupts the minds of children.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

corrupt

[kərʌ̱pt]
corrupts, corrupting, corrupted
1) ADJ-GRADED Someone who is corrupt behaves in a way that is morally wrong, especially by doing dishonest or illegal things in return for money or power.
  ...to save the nation from corrupt politicians of both parties.
  ...corrupt police officers...
  He had accused three opposition members of corrupt practices.
  Ant:
  fair, honest, just
  Derived words:
  corruptly ADV-GRADED ADV with v ...several government officials charged with acting corruptly.
2) VERB: usu passive If someone is corrupted by something, it causes them to become dishonest and unjust and unable to be trusted.
  [be V-ed] It is sad to see a man so corrupted by the desire for money and power.
3) VERB To corrupt someone means to cause them to stop caring about moral standards.
  [V n] ...warning that television will corrupt us all...
  Cruelty depraves and corrupts.
4) VERB: usu passive If something is corrupted, it becomes damaged or spoiled in some way.
  [be V-ed] Some of the finer type-faces are corrupted by cheap, popular computer printers...
  [be V-ed] They can ensure that traditional cuisines are not totally corrupted by commercial practices.
  [V-ed] ...corrupted data.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹cor·rupt /kəˈrʌpt/ verb -rupts; -rupt·ed; -rupt·ing
1 : to cause (someone or something) to become dishonest, immoral, etc.

[+ obj]

• He believes that violence on television and film is corrupting our children. [=teaching bad beliefs and behaviors to our children]
• a politician corrupted by greed
• music that corrupts the morals of children
• corrupting the country's legal system

[no obj]

• the corrupting influence/effects of power
2 [+ obj] : to change (something) so that it is less pure or valuable
• He's convinced that the Internet is corrupting [=ruining] the English language.
• Their idealism has been corrupted by cynicism.
3 [+ obj] : to change (a book, computer file, etc.) from the correct or original form
• The file has been corrupted and no longer works properly.
• corrupted databases/files
• a corrupted version of the ancient text
- cor·rupt·er noun, pl -ers [count]
• a corrupter of our nation's youth
- cor·rupt·ibil·i·ty /kəˌrʌptəˈbɪləti/ noun [noncount]
- cor·rupt·ible /kəˈrʌptəbəl/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• young people who are easily corruptible

sacred

sacred [adjective]

considered to be holy and deserving respect, especially because of a connection with a god

/ˈseɪ.krɪd/

Example:

This area is sacred to the Apaches.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

sacred

adjective
with a special religious meaning:
A church is a sacred building.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

sacred

sa‧cred /ˈseɪkrəd, ˈseɪkrɪd/ adjective
[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: Past participle of sacre 'to make holy' (13-17 centuries), from Old French sacrer, from Latin sacrare, from sacer 'holy']
1. relating to a god or religion:
a sacred vow
the miraculous powers of sacred relics
Certain animals were considered sacred.
sacred to
The land is sacred to these tribesmen.
2. very important or greatly respected:
Human life is sacred.
Frontiers which have held for over forty years are no longer sacred.
sacred to
Few things were sacred to Henry, but local history was one of them.
He had no respect for everything I held sacred.
3. is nothing sacred? spoken used to express shock when something you think is valuable or important is being changed or harmed

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

sacred

sac·red [ˈseɪkrɪd] [ˈseɪkrɪd] adjective
1. connected with God or a god; considered to be holy
• a sacred image/shrine/temple
• sacred music

• Cows are sacred to Hindus.

2. very important and treated with great respect
Syn: sacrosanct
• Human life must always be sacred.
• For journalists nothing is sacred (= they write about anything).
• Some companies offer five-year plans but there is nothing sacred about this length of time (= it can be changed).
Derived Word: sacredness
Word Origin:
[sacred sacredness] late Middle English: past participle of archaic sacre ‘consecrate’, from Old French sacrer, from Latin sacrare, from sacer, sacr- ‘holy’.
Example Bank:
• The place was sacred to the Apaches.
• the feeling that all life should be held sacred

• a sacred image/grove

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

sacred / ˈseɪ.krɪd / adjective

C1 considered to be holy and deserving respect, especially because of a connection with a god:

sacred relics/temples

This area is sacred to the Apaches.

C1 connected with religion:

sacred music/writings

C2 considered too important to be changed:

His daily routine is absolutely sacred to him.

humorous The cricketers wore blue, not their usual white - is nothing sacred?

sacredness / -nəs / noun [ U ]

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

sacred

[se͟ɪkrɪd]
1) ADJ-GRADED Something that is sacred is believed to be holy and to have a special connection with God.
  The owl is sacred for many Californian Indian people.
  ...shrines and sacred places.
  Ant:
  profane, secular
  Derived words:
  sacredness N-UNCOUNT oft the N of n ...the sacredness of the site.
2) ADJ: ADJ n Something connected with religion or used in religious ceremonies is described as sacred.
  ...sacred art.
  ...sacred songs or music.
3) ADJ-GRADED You can describe something as sacred when it is regarded as too important to be changed or interfered with.
  My memories are sacred...
  He said the unity of the country was sacred.
  Syn:
  sacrosanct
  Derived words:
  sacredness N-UNCOUNT ...the sacredness of his given word.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

sacred

Function: adjective

1
Synonyms: HOLY 1, blessed, consecrated, hallowed, sanctified, unprofane
Related Words: sacramental; angelic, godly, saintly; cherished
Contrasted Words: lay, secular, temporal; earthly; unhallowed
Antonyms: profane
2 dedicated to or hallowed by association with a deity ＜sacred songs＞
Synonyms: numinous, spiritual; compare HOLY 1
Related Words: hallowed, sanctified
3 protected (as by law, custom, or human respect) against abuse ＜a fund sacred to charity＞
Synonyms: inviolable, inviolate, sacrosanct
Related Words: defended, guarded, protected, shielded; immune, untouchable

understand

understand [verb] (REALIZE)

formal to know or realize something because you have been told it

/ˌʌn.dɚˈstænd/

/ˌʌn.dəˈstænd/

Example:

I understand (that) you are interested in borrowing some money from us.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

understand

verb (understands, understanding, understood /, has understood)

1 to know what something means or why something happens:
I didn't understand what the teacher said.
He doesn't understand Spanish.
I don't understand why you're so angry.

2 to know something because somebody has told you about it same meaning believe:
I understand that the plane from Geneva will be late.

make yourself understood to make people understand you:
My German isn't very good but I can usually make myself understood.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

understand

un‧der‧stand S1 W1 /ˌʌndəˈstænd $ -ər-/ verb (past tense and past participle understood /-ˈstʊd/) [not in progressive]
[Word Family: adjective: understandable, understanding, misunderstood; verb: understand ≠ misunderstand; noun: understanding ≠ misunderstanding; adverb: understandably]
[Language: Old English; Origin: understandan, from under + standan 'to stand']
1. MEANING [intransitive and transitive] to know the meaning of what someone is telling you, or the language that they speak ⇒ misunderstood:
She doesn’t understand English.
I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Can you explain that again?
The woman had a strong accent, and I couldn’t understand what she was saying.
make yourself understood (=make what you say clear to other people, especially when speaking a foreign language)
I’m not very good at German, but I can make myself understood. ⇒ see Thesaurus box on P. 1916
2. FACT/IDEA [intransitive and transitive] to know or realize how a fact, process, situation etc works, especially through learning or experience:
I don’t really understand the political situation in Northern Ireland.
understand how/why/where etc
You don’t need to understand how computers work to be able to use them.
How the drug works isn’t fully understood.
understand (that)
I understand that this treatment may not work.
3. PERSON/FEELINGS [intransitive and transitive] to realize how someone feels and why they behave the way they do, and to be sympathetic:
My parents just don’t understand me.
Just tell him how you feel – I’m sure he’ll understand.
understand how/what etc
I understand how you feel, but I think you’re overreacting.
(can) understand somebody doing something
I can understand her wanting to live alone and be independent.
4. BELIEVE/THINK [transitive] to believe or think that something is true because you have heard it or read it
understand (that)
‘I understand that he was 62 when he died,’ McLeish said.
it is understood (that)
It is understood that the Queen approves of her nephew’s romance.
be understood to be (doing) something
Dillons is understood to be reorganising the company’s management structure.
5. give somebody to understand (that) formal to make someone believe that something is true, going to happen etc, without telling them this directly:
I was given to understand that the property was in good condition.
6. be understood (that) formal if something is understood, everyone knows it, or has agreed to it, and there is no need to discuss it:
From childhood it was understood that your parents would choose your husband.
7. understand something to be/mean something to accept something as having a particular meaning:
In this document, ‘children’ is understood to mean people under 14.
8. do you understand? spoken used when you are telling someone what they should or should not do, especially when you are angry with them:
Never speak to me like that again! Do you understand?
• • •

THESAURUS

▪ understand to know the meaning of something, or the reasons for something: I understand what you’re saying. | Doctors are beginning to understand what causes the disease.
▪ see especially spoken to understand something, especially the truth about a situation or the reasons for something: I can see why you don’t like him. | Do you see what I mean? | Oh, I see!
▪ get informal to understand a joke, what someone says, the reasons why something is true etc: She didn’t seem to get the joke. | Do you get me? | He explained the math homework twice, but I still don’t get it. | I still don’t get why she left.
▪ comprehend formal to understand something, or understand why something is important: The dream was easy to describe, but difficult to comprehend. | They had failed to comprehend the significance of the problem.
▪ know what somebody means spoken to understand what someone is telling you, or what a situation is like, especially because you have some experience or knowledge about this: ‘It can be really hard to give up smoking.’ ‘I know exactly what you mean.’ | We now know what the scientists meant when they warned about global warming.
▪ follow to understand something such as an explanation or story as you hear it, read it etc: The plot is hard to follow. | His instructions were easy to follow.

to understand something difficult

▪ grasp to completely understand an idea or a fact, especially a complicated one: Some of his theories can be rather difficult for the ordinary reader to grasp. | I don’t think Stuart really grasped the point I was making.
▪ fathom /ˈfæðəm/ formal to understand what something means or the reasons for something, after thinking carefully about it: She looked at him, puzzled, trying to fathom the reasons for his actions.
▪ make sense of something to understand something that is not easy to understand, especially by thinking about it: People are still trying to make sense of the news.
▪ can’t make head nor tail of something spoken used when something seems impossible to understand: I can’t make head nor tail of his plays, and I’m not sure that anyone else can either.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

understand

under·stand [understand understands understood understanding] [ˌʌndəˈstænd] [ˌʌndərˈstænd] verb (under·stood, under·stood [ˌʌndəˈstʊd] ; [ˌʌndərˈstʊd] )(not used in the progressive tenses)

MEANING
1. transitive, intransitive to know or realize the meaning of words, a language, what sb says, etc
• ~ (sth) Can you understand French?
• Do you understand the instructions?
• She didn't understand the form she was signing.
• I'm not sure that I understand. Go over it again.
• I don't want you doing that again. Do you understand?

• ~ what… I don't understand what he's saying.

HOW STH WORKS/HAPPENS
2. transitive, intransitive to know or realize how or why sth happens, how it works or why it is important
• ~ (sth) Doctors still don't understand much about the disease.
• No one is answering the phone— I can't understand it.
• ~ why, what, etc… I could never understand why she was fired.
• They're too young to understand what is happening.
• ~ sb/sth doing sth I just can't understand him taking the money.
• (formal) I just can't understand his taking the money.

• ~ that… He was the first to understand that we live in a knowledge economy.

KNOW SB
3. transitive, intransitive to know sb's character, how they feel and why they behave in the way they do
• ~ sb Nobody understands me.
• He doesn't understand women at all.
• We understand each other, even if we don't always agree.
• ~ what, how, etc… They understand what I have been through.
• I understand how hard things have been for you.
• ~ (that…) I quite understand that you need some time alone.
• If you want to leave early, I'm sure he'll understand.

• ~ sb doing sth I quite understand you needing some time alone.

THINK/BELIEVE
4. transitive (formal) to think or believe that sth is true because you have been told that it is
• ~ (that)… I understand (that) you wish to see the manager.
• Am I to understand that you refuse?
• ~ sb/sth to be/have sth The Prime Minister is understood to have been extremely angry about the report.

• it is understood that… It is understood that the band are working on their next album.

BE AGREED
5. transitive it is understood that… to agree sth with sb without it needing to be said

• I thought it was understood that my expenses would be paid.

MISSING WORD
6. transitive, usually passive ~ sth to realize that a word in a phrase or sentence is not expressed and to supply it in your mind
• In the sentence ‘I can't drive’, the object ‘a car’ is understood.
more at give sb to believe/understand at give _v.
Idiom: make yourself understood
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
Old English understandan (see under-, stand).
Word Family:
understand verb (≠ misunderstand)
understandable adjective
misunderstood adjective
understanding adjective noun (≠ misunderstanding)
Synonyms:
understand
see • get • follow • grasp • comprehend
These words all mean to know or realize sth, for example why sth happens, how sth works or what sth means.
understand • to know or realize the meaning of words, a language, what sb says, etc; to know or realize how or why sth happens, how it works or why it is important: ▪ I don't understand the instructions. ◊ ▪ Doctors still don't understand much about the disease.
see • to understand what is happening, what sb is saying, how sth works or how important sth is: ▪ ‘It opens like this.’ ‘Oh, ▪ I see ▪.’ ◊ ▪ Oh yes, ▪ I see what you mean ▪.
get • (informal) to understand a joke, what sb is trying to tell you, or a situation that they are trying to describe: ▪ She didn't get the joke. ◊ ▪ I don't get you.
follow • to understand an explanation, a story or the meaning of sth: ▪ Sorry— I don't quite follow. ◊ ▪ The plot is almost impossible to follow.
grasp • to come to understand a fact, an idea or how to do sth: ▪ They failed to grasp the importance of his words.
understand or grasp?
You can use understand or grasp for the action of realizing the meaning or importance of sth for the first time: ▪ It's a difficult concept for children to understand/grasp. Only understand can be used to talk about languages, words or writing: I don't grasp French/the instructions.
comprehend • (often used in negative statements) (formal) to understand a fact, idea or reason: ▪ The concept of infinity is almost impossible for the human mind to comprehend.
to understand/see/get/follow/grasp/comprehend what/why/how…
to understand/see/grasp/comprehend that…
to understand/see/get/grasp the point/idea (of sth)
to be easy/difficult/hard to understand/see/follow/grasp/comprehend
to fully understand/see/grasp/comprehend sth
Example Bank:
• Her behaviour wounded him in a way he did not really understand.
• I can't understand what all the fuss is about.
• I could barely understand a word of his story.
• I don't claim to understand it.
• I finally understood what she meant.
• I fully understand the reason for your decision.
• If I've understood you correctly…
• It is difficult to understand why he reacted in that way.
• Only specialists can hope to understand them.
• She intuitively understood his need to be alone.
• She realized that she had never properly understood him.
• She soon learnt to understand English.
• The effects of these chemicals on the body are still poorly understood.
• The girl understands immediately and promises to be more careful.
• The reasons for this decision are not easily understood.
• These beliefs are best understood as a form of escapism.
• These categories help us to better understand our readers.
• They won't necessarily understand the pros and cons of the matter.
• We came to understand why certain things happened in certain ways.
• We understand little about this disease.
• What is generally understood by ‘democracy’?
• a complex topic which I only partially understand
• a woman struggling to understand an incomprehensible situation
• Do you understand French?
• Doctors still don't understand much about the disease.
• He couldn't understand what she was saying.
• He doesn't understand women at all.
• I don't understand the instructions.
• I don't want you doing that again. Do you understand?
• I just can't understand him taking the money.
• If you want to leave early, I'm sure he'll understand.
• It's understood that the band are already working on their next album.
• She said she didn't understand the form she was signing.
• She understood that this was her last chance.
• The disease is still not fully understood.
• The prime minister is understood to have been extremely angry about the report.

• We understand each other, even if we don't always agree.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

understand / ˌʌn.dəˈstænd / / -dɚ- / verb ( understood , understood ) (REALIZE)

C1 [ T ] formal to know or realize something because you have been told it:

[ + (that) ] I understand (that) you are interested in borrowing some money from us.

[ + that ] The Director had given her to understand (= told her) that she would be promoted.

[ + obj + to infinitive ] A secret buyer is understood to have paid £1 million for the three pictures (= there is unofficial news that this has happened) .

[ I or T ] formal used when making certain that someone knows what you mean and that they will do as you want:

I don't want you to see that boy again. Understand?/Do you understand?/Is that understood?

it is understood formal used to refer to something such as a rule that everyone knows and accepts:

In the library it is understood that loud talking is not permissible.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

understand

[ʌ̱ndə(r)stæ̱nd]

understands, understanding, understood
1) VERB: no cont If you understand someone or understand what they are saying, you know what they mean.
  [V n] I think you heard and also understand me...
  [V n] Rusty nodded as though she understood the old woman...
  [V wh] I don't understand what you are talking about...
  [make pron-refl V-ed] He was speaking poor English, trying to make himself understood.
2) VERB: no cont If you understand a language, you know what someone is saying when they are speaking that language.
  [V n] I couldn't read or understand a word of Yiddish, so I asked him to translate.
3) VERB: no cont To understand someone means to know how they feel and why they behave in the way that they do.
  [V n] It would be nice to have someone who really understood me, a friend...
  [V n] Trish had not exactly understood his feelings...
  [V wh] She understands why I get tired and grumpy.
4) VERB: no cont You say that you understand something when you know why or how it happens.
  [V wh] They are too young to understand what is going on...
  [V wh] She didn't understand why the TV was kept out of reach of the patients...
  [V n] In the effort to understand AIDS, attention is moving from the virus to the immune system.
5) VERB: no cont If you understand that something is the case, you think it is true because you have heard or read that it is. You can say that something is understood to be the case to mean that people generally think it is true.
  [V that] We understand that she's in the studio recording her second album...
  [V that] I understand you've heard about David...
  [V it] As I understand it, you came round the corner by the cricket field and there was the man in the road...
  [be V-ed to-inf] The management is understood to be very unwilling to agree to this request...
  [it be V-ed that/to-inf] It is understood that the veteran reporter had a heart attack.
6) PHRASE: give inflects, usu PHR that If someone is given to understand that something is the case, it is communicated to them that it is the case, usually without them being told directly.
  I am given to understand that he was swearing throughout the game at our fans.
7) CONVENTION You can use understand in expressions like do you understand? or is that understood? after you have told someone what you want, to make sure that they have understood you and will obey you.
  You do not hit my grandchildren, do you understand?...
  I don't need it, understand?...
  I don't want to hear another word about it. Is that understood, Emma?

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

understand

un·der·stand /ˌʌndɚˈstænd/ verb -stands; -stood /-ˈstʊd/ ; -stand·ing
1 : to know the meaning of (something, such as the words that someone is saying or a language) : comprehend

[+ obj]
• Do you understand English?
• “Did you understand what he said?” “Not a word (of it).”
• I can't understand a word you're saying.
• I don't understand these directions.
• I didn't understand what you told me. = I didn't understand you.
• If I understand you correctly [=if I understand what you are saying correctly], this needs to be changed.

[no obj]
• I want you to stay away from her. Do you understand?
• The work has to be finished today. Understand? [=do you understand what I am telling you?]
2 [+ obj] : to know how (something) works or happens
• They understand local politics.
• I don't understand how this is supposed to work.
• He doesn't really understand the situation.
• You should read the book in order to understand more about the subject.
• I can't understand why she would do such a thing.
• She's beginning to understand what's going on.
• You have to understand that I had no other choice.
• We still don't fully understand the causes of the disease. = The causes of the disease are still not fully understood.
3 a [+ obj] : to know how (someone) thinks, feels, or behaves
• I understand [=know] him well enough to know that he won't want to go.
• She understands children.
• At first we didn't get along, but I think we understand each other now.
b : to feel sympathy for someone's feelings or situation

[+ obj]
• She had a similar experience, so she understands what I'm going through.
• I can understand your/you feeling annoyed. [=I think you have good reason for feeling annoyed]

[no obj]
• They will understand if you need some time off.
• My cousin doesn't understand about these things.
4 [+ obj]
a : to think or believe (something)
• She was given to understand [=she was led to believe] that the job was hers.
- used to say what you believe to be true based on what you have heard, read, etc.
• I understand that they will arrive today.
• As I understand it, this has been a problem for several years.
• I understand that some doctors disagree.
• He understood that he would be paid for the work.
b
- used to say that something is agreed to or accepted and does not need to be discussed; usually used as (be) understood
• It's understood that more time will be needed. [=we all know/accept that more time will be needed]
• He believed it was understood [=believed that everyone had agreed] that he would be paid for the work.
5 [+ obj] : to think that (something) has a particular meaning : interpret
• I understood the letter to be a refusal.
6 [+ obj]
- used to say that a word or phrase is thought of as having been said even though it is not actually said; usually used as (be) understood
• When people say “they're engaged,” the phrase “to be married” is understood. [=“they're engaged” is understood to mean “they're engaged to be married”]
make yourself understood
- see ¹make

American English

British English

understanding and comprehending

C1 (Advanced)

verb

triumph

triumph [noun]

a very great success, achievement, or victory (= when you win a war, fight, or competition) , or a feeling of great satisfaction or pleasure caused by this

/ˈtraɪ.əmf/

Example:

The signing of the agreement was a personal triumph for the prime minister.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

triumph

noun
great success:
The race ended in triumph for the German team.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

triumph

I. tri‧umph¹ /ˈtraɪəmf/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: triumphe, from Latin triumphus]
1. [countable] an important victory or success after a difficult struggle:
Winning the championship is a great personal triumph.
triumph for
a tremendous diplomatic triumph for France
triumph over
the triumph over hardship
2. [uncountable] a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction that you get from victory or success:
a shout of triumph
in triumph
He rode in triumph to the Tsar.
3. [singular] a very successful example of something
triumph of
The gallery is a triumph of design.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ victory noun [uncountable and countable] a situation in which you win a battle, game, election, or ↑dispute: The crowds celebrated Italy’s victory against England. | The party won a comfortable victory in the general election. | We’re very confident of victory.
▪ win noun [countable] a victory in a sports game or in a competition: It was an important win for the Yankees. | A couple from London are celebrating a big lottery win.
▪ triumph noun [countable] written an important victory, especially in war or politics: Thatcher’s greatest triumph was becoming the UK’s first female Prime Minister.
▪ conquest noun [countable] a situation in which one country wins a war against another country and takes control of it: the Spanish conquest of Mexico | Caesar is well-known for his military conquests.
▪ landslide noun [countable] an election victory in which one party or ↑candidate gets far more votes than their opponents: In 1945, there was a Labour landslide.
▪ walkover especially British English, cakewalk American English noun [countable] informal a very easy victory: The match was expected to be a walkover for Brazil.
▪ upset noun [countable] a situation in which the person, team, party etc that was expected to win is defeated: Truman pulled off the greatest election upset in United States history.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

triumph / ˈtraɪ.əmf / noun [ C or U ]

C1 a very great success, achievement, or victory (= when you win a war, fight, or competition) , or a feeling of great satisfaction or pleasure caused by this:

The book celebrates the hostages' remarkable triumph over appalling adversity.

The signing of the agreement was a personal triumph for the prime minister.

It was the Republican Party's third election triumph in a row.

The eradication of smallpox by vaccination was one of medicine's greatest triumphs.

The constitutional changes have been hailed as a triumph for democracy.

The match ended in triumph for the French team.

He returned in triumph from the sales with a half-price stereo system.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

triumph

[tra͟ɪʌmf]

triumphs, triumphing, triumphed
1) N-VAR A triumph is a great success or achievement, often one that has been gained with a lot of skill or effort.
  The championships proved to be a personal triumph for the coach, Dave Donovan...
  Cataract operations are a triumph of modern surgery, with a success rate of more than 90 percent...
  In the moment of triumph I felt uneasy.
2) N-UNCOUNT Triumph is a feeling of great satisfaction and pride resulting from a success or victory.
  Her sense of triumph was short-lived...
  He was laughing with triumph.
3) VERB If someone or something triumphs, they gain complete success, control, or victory, often after a long or difficult struggle.
  All her life, Kelly had stuck with difficult tasks and challenges, and triumphed...
  [V over n] The whole world looked to her as a symbol of good triumphing over evil.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹tri·umph /ˈtrajəmf/ noun, pl -umphs
1 [count]
a : a great or important victory
• They earned/gained a magnificent triumph over the invading army.
• They celebrated their triumph with a parade through the steets of the city.
• They were able to achieve an important triumph against their chief rivals.
b : a great success or achievement
• Quitting smoking was a personal triumph for her.
• The party was a triumph.
• The bridge is an engineering triumph.
2 [noncount] : the very happy and joyful feeling that comes from victory or success
• They had a feeling of triumph after finishing the project.
• shouts of triumph
• They stood atop the mountain in triumph.
3 [count] : something good that is an excellent example of a particular method, quality, etc.
• The design is a triumph of simplicity. [=the design is very good and simple]

American English

British English

success and achievements

C1 (Advanced)

noun

anguish

anguish [noun]

extreme unhappiness caused by physical or mental suffering

/ˈæŋ.ɡwɪʃ/

Example:

His anguish at the outcome of the court case was very clear.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

anguish

an‧guish /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable] written
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: angoisse, from Latin angustiae 'extreme upset', from angustus 'narrow']
mental or physical suffering caused by extreme pain or worry:
the anguish of not knowing what had happened to her
—anguished adjective:
an anguished cry for help
• • •
THESAURUS
■ the feeling of being worried
▪ worry the feeling of not being happy or relaxed and thinking a lot about a problem or something that is wrong: She was sick with worry over her daughter. | the look of worry on his face
▪ anxiety the feeling of being worried because you think that something bad has happened or will happen, and you feel that you have no control over the situation: The thought of having to give a speech filled me with anxiety. | The increase in heating costs is causing a lot of anxiety among elderly people.
▪ concern a worried feeling – use this especially when many people are worried about a problem that affects everyone: The shortage of water is beginning to cause widespread concern.
▪ stress the feeling of being worried all the time, for example about work or personal problems, which can make you ill or very tired: Her financial problems were causing her a lot of stress.
▪ anguish a feeling of extreme mental suffering caused by worry: How could her parents survive the anguish of not knowing what had happened to her? | When she spoke, her voice was full of anguish.
▪ angst a strong feeling of worry and anxiety because you are worried about your life, your future, or what you should do in a particular situation: The letter was full of teenage angst - would she ever be able to find another boyfriend? | There was much angst about the decision.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

anguish

an·guish [anguish anguishes anguished anguishing] [ˈæŋɡwɪʃ] [ˈæŋɡwɪʃ] noun uncountable (formal)
severe pain, mental suffering or unhappiness
• He groaned in anguish.
• Tears of anguish filled her eyes.
Derived Word: anguished
Word Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin angustia ‘tightness’, (plural) ‘distress’, from angustus ‘narrow’.
Example Bank:
• He looked across at Kate's anguished face.
• Jack looked anguished, almost desperate.
• She read the letter, gave an anguished cry and collapsed.

Example Bank:
• He suffered the anguish of watching his son go to prison.
• His mouth felt dry with anguish.
• In her anguish, she turned to her father for help.
• The loss of a pet can cause some people real anguish.
• his anguish at the death of his son

• to cry out/groan/scream in anguish

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

anguish / ˈæŋ.ɡwɪʃ / noun [ U ]

extreme unhappiness caused by physical or mental suffering:

His anguish at the outcome of the court case was very clear.

In her anguish she forgot to leave a message.

anguished / ˈæŋ.ɡwɪʃt / adjective

an anguished cry

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

anguish

[æ̱ŋgwɪʃ]
N-UNCOUNT
Anguish is great mental suffering or physical pain. [WRITTEN]
A cry of anguish burst from her lips...
Mark looked at him in anguish.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

anguish

an·guish /ˈæŋgwɪʃ/ noun [noncount] : extreme suffering, grief, or pain
• tears/cries of anguish
• He experienced the anguish of divorce after 10 years of marriage.
• mental anguish
• They watched in anguish as fire spread through the house.
- an·guished /ˈæŋgwɪʃt/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• She looked at me with an anguished expression.
• I will never forget their anguished cries.

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