0
runny
runny [adjective]
US
/ˈrʌn.i/
UK
/ˈrʌn.i/
Example:
A runny nose
A runny nose
More liquid than usual
A runny nose
runny
adjective (runnier, runniest)
runny
adjective (runnier, runniest)
1 If you have a runny nose, a lot of liquid comes out of it, for example because you have a cold.
2 If a substance is runny, it has more liquid than is usual:
Omelettes should be runny in the middle.
1 If you have a runny nose, a lot of liquid comes out of it, for example because you have a cold.
2 If a substance is runny, it has more liquid than is usual:
Omelettes should be runny in the middle.
runny
run‧ny /ˈrʌni/ BrE AmE adjective informal
[Word Family: noun: ↑run, ↑rerun, ↑runner, ↑running, ↑overrun; verb: ↑run, ↑outrun, ↑overrun, ↑rerun; adjective: ↑running, ↑runny; adverb: ↑running]
1. a runny nose, runny eyes etc have liquid coming out of them, usually because you have a cold
2. food that is runny is not as solid or thick as normal or as desired:
The butter had gone runny in the heat.
runny
runny [runny runnier runniest] [ˈrʌni] [ˈrʌni] adjective (run·nier, run·ni·est)
1. (of your nose or eyes) producing a lot of liquid, for example when you have a cold
• I think I'm getting a cold— I've got a sore throat and a runny nose.
2. having more liquid than is usual; not solid
• runny honey
• Omelettes should be runny in the middle.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
runny / ˈrʌn.i / adjective
more liquid than usual:
The sauce looked runny so I added some more flour.
If your nose is runny, it is producing more mucus than usual, usually because you are ill:
I've got a runny nose .
© Cambridge University Press 2013
runny
/rʌni/
(runnier, runniest)
1.
Something that is runny is more liquid than usual or than was intended.
Warm the honey until it becomes runny.
ADJ
2.
If someone has a runny nose or runny eyes, liquid is flowing from their nose or eyes.
Symptoms are streaming eyes, a runny nose, headache and a cough.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
runny
run·ny /ˈrʌni/ adj run·ni·er; -est
1 of a food : soft and with a lot of liquid
• The scrambled eggs are runny.
• The pudding is runnier than I like it.
2 : having a thin flow of liquid flowing out
• a little boy with a runny nose
• My eyes felt itchy and runny.
extremely pleased
I was thrilled that so many people turned up to the party.
thrilled
adjective
very happy and excited:
We are all thrilled that you have won the prize.
thrilled
thrilled /θrɪld/ adjective [not before noun]
very excited, happy, and pleased
be thrilled to see/hear/learn etc something
We were so thrilled to hear about the baby.
thrilled (that)
I’m absolutely thrilled that you are coming.
thrilled about
He was thrilled about being asked to play.
thrilled to bits/pieces (=very thrilled)
thrilled
thrilled [thrilled] [θrɪld] [θrɪld] adjective
very excited and pleased
• ~ (about/at/with sth) He was thrilled at the prospect of seeing them again.
• ~ (to do sth) I was thrilled to be invited.
• ~ (that…) (BrE) She was thrilled to bits (= extremely pleased) that he'd been offered the job.
• ‘Are you pleased?’ ‘I'm thrilled.’
Synonyms:
glad
happy • pleased • delighted • proud • relieved • thrilled
These words all describe people feeling happy about sth that has happened or is going to happen.
glad • [not usually before noun] happy about sth or grateful for it: ▪ He was glad he'd come. ◊ ▪ She was glad when the meeting was over.
happy • pleased about sth nice that you have to do or sth that has happened to sb: ▪ We are happy to announce the engagement of our daughter.
pleased • [not before noun] happy about sth that has happened or sth that you have to do: ▪ She was very pleased with her exam results. ◊ ▪ You're coming? I'm so pleased.
glad, happy or pleased?
Feeling pleased can suggest that you have judged sb/sth and approve of them. Feeling glad can be more about feeling grateful for sth. You cannot be ‘glad with sb’: The boss should be glad with you. Happy can mean glad, pleased or satisfied.
delighted • very pleased about sth; very happy to do sth; showing your delight: ▪ I'm delighted at your news.
Delighted is often used to accept an invitation: ▪ ‘Can you stay for dinner?’ ‘I'd be delighted (to).’
proud • pleased and satisfied about sth that you own or have done, or are connected with: ▪ proud parents ◊ ▪ He was ▪ proud of ▪ himself for not giving up.
relieved • feeling happy because sth unpleasant has stopped or has not happened; showing this: ▪ You'll be relieved to know your jobs are safe.
thrilled • [not before noun] (rather informal) extremely pleased and excited about sth: ▪ I was thrilled to be invited.
delighted or thrilled?
Thrilled may express a stronger feeling than delighted, but delighted can be made stronger with absolutely, more than or only too. Thrilled can be made negative and ironic with not exactly or less than: ▪ She was ▪ not exactly thrilled ▪ at the prospect of looking after her niece.
glad/happy/pleased/delighted/relieved/thrilled about sth
pleased/delighted/relieved/thrilled at sth
glad/happy/pleased/delighted/thrilled for sb
glad/happy/pleased/delighted/proud/relieved/thrilled that…/to see/hear/find/know…
very glad/happy/pleased/proud/relieved
absolutely delighted/thrilled
Example Bank:
• I was secretly thrilled at the prospect of going there again.
• I was thrilled to bits when my son won the cup.
• I'm really thrilled with the results.
• She was thrilled to bits that he'd been offered the job.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
thrilled / θrɪld / adjective
B2 extremely pleased:
[ + that ] I was thrilled that so many people turned up to the party.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
thrilled
[θrɪ̱ld]
1) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ to-inf, ADJ prep, ADJ that If someone is thrilled, they are extremely pleased about something.
I was so thrilled to get a good report from him...
Sue and John were especially thrilled with this award...
I'm really thrilled that the public have taken to the song.
●
PHRASE: v-link PHR, oft PHR to-inf, PHR at/with n/-ing If you say that someone is thrilled to bits, you are emphasizing the fact that they are extremely pleased about something. You can also say thrilled to pieces, especially in American English. (emphasis)
I'm thrilled to bits to have won the cash...
He's thrilled to bits at the news...
He just thoroughly enjoyed reading it with me and was thrilled to bits that it was his very own story.
thrilled
thrilled adj not used before a noun [more ~; most ~] : very excited and happy
• I'm so thrilled to see you.
• “Will you come to dinner at my house tomorrow?” “Certainly. I'd be thrilled.”
• I'm not thrilled about/with her decision.
• (US) He was thrilled to death/pieces [=very excited and pleased] about the baby. = (chiefly Brit) He was thrilled to bits about the baby.
• I'm less than thrilled [=not happy] with her decision.
• He was none/not too thrilled [=not pleased] by the idea.
My grandson, Brian, has curly, yellow hair
Having curls or a curved shape
My grandson, Brian, has curly, yellow hair
curly
adjective (curlier, curliest)
with a lot of curls opposite straight:
He's got curly hair.
curly
curl‧y /ˈkɜːli $ ˈkɜːrli/ BrE AmE adjective
1. having a lot of curls OPP straight:
long dark curly hair
2. British English curved in shape:
cows with curly horns
—curliness noun [uncountable]
curly
curly [curly curlier curliest] [ˈkɜːli] [ˈkɜːrli] adjective
(curl·ier, curli·est)
having a lot of curls or a curved shape
• short curly hair
• I wish my hair was curly.
• a curly-headed boy
• a dog with a curly tail
• curly cabbage leaves
Opp: straight
Example Bank:
• She wished she had naturally curly hair.
• Your hair's gone all curly!
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
curly / ˈkɜː.li / / ˈkɝː- / adjective
curly
B1 having curls or a curved shape:
He has blond, curly hair.
These pigs all have curly tails.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
curly
/kɜ:(r)li/
(curlier, curliest)
1.
Curly hair is full of curls.
I’ve got naturally curly hair...
Her hair was dark and curly.
≠ straight
ADJ
2.
Curly is sometimes used to describe things that are curved or spiral in shape.
...cauliflowers with extra long curly leaves.
...dragons with curly tails.
≠ straight
ADJ: usu ADJ n
curly
curly /ˈkɚli/ adj curl·i·er; -est [also more ~; most ~]
1 : having curls
• She has curly hair and blue eyes.
2 : formed into a round shape
• curly french fries
• The dog's tail is curly.
She has a wavy blonde hair.
Having a series of curves
She has a wavy blonde hair.
wavy
adjective (wavier, waviest)
having curves; not straight:
a wavy line
She has wavy black hair.
wavy
wav‧y /ˈweɪvi/ BrE AmE adjective
1. wavy hair grows in waves
2. a wavy line is smoothly curved
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ bent no longer straight: The knife was bent in the middle. | a bent nail | She kept her head bent so that Josie couldn't see her face.
▪ twisted having a bent shape that turns around - used especially when something has been damaged or is old and has lost its natural straight shape: a twisted tree trunk | All that was left was a pile of twisted metal. | His knee was all twisted. | a twisted ankle
▪ curved bent in the shape of part of a circle, especially naturally or because something has been made that way: The bird has a long curved bill. | a curved dagger | The plane's wings are curved.
▪ warped bent or twisted into the wrong shape because of heat or dryness: warped floorboards | The windows are warped and won't open anymore.
▪ crooked not straight, but bending sharply in one or more places, especially in a way that looks different from normal or does not look right - often used about a part of someone's body, a path, or a picture: He had crooked teeth. | her crooked nose and long thin face | The boys at school used to make fun of me because I have a crooked spine. | The picture looks crooked - can you move it up on the left? | a crooked path | the narrow crooked streets of the financial district
▪ wavy having smooth bends in it, usually in a regular pattern – used about hair or lines: her brown wavy hair | The pictures were separated by a thin wavy line.
wavy
wavy [wavy wavier waviest] [ˈweɪvi] [ˈweɪvi] adjective
(wavi·er, wavi·est)
having curves; not straight
• brown wavy hair
• a pattern of wavy lines
Example Bank:
• her dark, naturally wavy hair
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
wavy / ˈweɪ.vi / adjective
wavy
having a series of curves:
Sarah's got lovely wavy blond hair.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
wavy
/weɪvi/
(wavier, waviest)
1.
Wavy hair is not straight or curly, but curves slightly.
She had short, wavy brown hair.
ADJ
2.
A wavy line has a series of regular curves along it.
The boxes were decorated with a wavy gold line.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
wavy
wavy /ˈweɪvi/ adj wav·i·er; -est : having the curving shape of a wave or of many waves
• She has wavy blond hair.
• wavy lines
- wav·i·ness /ˈweɪvinəs/ noun [noncount]
Her brothers have curly hair but her hair is straight.
Continuing in one direction without bending or curving
Her brothers have curly hair but her hair is straight.
straight
adjective (straighter, straightest)
1 with no curve or bend:
Use a ruler to draw a straight line.
His hair is curly and mine is straight.
2 with one side as high as the other:
This picture isn't straight.
3 honest and direct:
a straight answer to a straight question
get something straight to make sure that you understand something completely:
Let's get this straight. Are you sure you left your bike by the cinema?
straight
I. straight1 S1 W2 /streɪt/ BrE AmE adverb
[Word Family: verb: ↑straighten; noun: ↑straight; adverb: ↑straight; adjective: ↑straight]
1. IN A STRAIGHT LINE in a line or direction that is not curved or bent
straight ahead/at/down/in front of etc
The book is on the table straight in front of you.
She was looking straight at me.
Terry was so tired he couldn’t walk straight.
He was sitting with his legs stretched straight out in front of him.
2. POSITION in a level or correct position:
He stopped in front of the mirror to put his tie straight.
Sit up straight, don’t slouch.
3. IMMEDIATELY immediately, without delay, or without doing anything else first
straight to/up/down/back etc
I went straight up to bed.
Go straight home and tell your mother.
straight after
I’ve got a meeting straight after lunch.
I think I should get straight to the point.
4. ONE AFTER THE OTHER happening one after the other in a series:
He’s been without sleep now for three days straight.
5. HONEST (also straight out) if you say or ask something straight, you say it in an honest direct way, without trying to hide your meaning:
I just told him straight that I wouldn’t do it.
She came straight out with it and said she was leaving.
I hope, for your sake, you’re playing it straight (=being honest).
I told him straight to his face (=speaking directly to him) what I thought of him.
6. think/see straight if you cannot think or see straight, you cannot think or see clearly:
Turn the radio down – I can’t think straight.
7. straight away (also straight off) British English spoken immediately or without delay:
I phoned my mum straight away.
8. go straight informal to stop being a criminal and live an honest life:
Tony’s been trying to go straight for about six months.
9. straight up spoken
a) used to ask someone if they are telling the truth:
Straight up? Did you really pay that much for it?
b) used to emphasize that what you are saying is true:
No, straight up, I’ve never seen him before.
10. straight from the shoulder British English informal if someone speaks straight from the shoulder, they say things in a very direct way, without trying to be polite
adjective (straight·er, straight·est)
WITHOUT CURVES
1. without a bend or curve; going in one direction only
• a straight line
• a straight road
• long straight hair (= without curls)
• a boat sailing in a straight line
• straight-backed chairs
CLOTHING
2. not fitting close to the body and not curving away from the body
• a straight skirt
AIM/BLOW
3. going directly to the correct place
• a straight punch to the face
IN LEVEL/CORRECT POSITION
4. positioned in the correct way; level, vertical or parallel to sth
• Is my tie straight?
CLEAN/NEAT
5. not usually before noun clean and neat, with everything in the correct place
• It took hours to get the house straight.
HONEST
6. honest and direct
• a straight answer to a straight question
• I don't think you're being straight with me.
• It's time for some straight talking.
• You can trust Ben— he's (as) straight as a die (= completely honest).
CHOICE
7. only before noun simple; involving only two clear choices
• It was a straight choice between taking the job and staying out of work.
• (BrE) The election was a straight fight between the two main parties.
ACTOR/PLAY
8. only before noun (of an actor or a play) not connected with comedy or musical theatre, but with serious theatre
WITHOUT INTERRUPTION
9. only before noun one after another in a series, without interruption
Syn: consecutive
• The team has had five straight wins.
ALCOHOLIC DRINK
10. (NAmE) (BrE neat) not mixed with water or anything else
NORMAL/BORING
11. (informal) you can use straight to describe a person who is normal and ordinary, but who you consider dull and boring
SEX
12. (informal) heterosexual
Opp: gay
more at ramrod straight(as) straight as a ramrod at ramrod, put/set the record straight at record n.
Word Origin:
Middle English (as an adjective and adverb): archaic past participle of stretch.
Synonyms:
honest
frank • direct • open • outspoken • straight • blunt
These words all describe people saying exactly what they mean without trying to hide feelings, opinions or facts.
honest • not hiding the truth about sth: ▪ Thank you for being so honest with me.
frank • honest in what you say, sometimes in a way that other people might not like: ▪ To be frank with you, I think your son has little chance of passing the exam.
direct • saying exactly what you mean in a way that nobody can pretend not to understand: ▪ You'll have to get used to his direct manner.
Being direct is sometimes considered positive but sometimes it is used as a ‘polite’ way of saying that sb is rude.
open • (approving) (of a person) not keeping thoughts and feelings hidden: ▪ He was quite open about his reasons for leaving.
outspoken • saying exactly what you think, even if this shocks or offends people: ▪ She was outspoken in her criticism of the plan.
straight • honest and direct: ▪ I don't think you're being straight with me.
blunt • saying exactly what you think without trying to be polite: ▪ She has a reputation for blunt speaking.
which word?
Honest and frank refer to what you say as much as how you say it: ▪ a(n) honest/frank admission of guilt. They are generally positive words, although it is possible to be too frank in a way that other people might not like. Direct, outspoken and blunt all describe sb's manner of saying what they think. Outspoken suggests that you are willing to shock people by saying what you believe to be right. Blunt and direct often suggest that you think honesty is more important than being polite. Open is positive and describes sb's character: ▪ I'm a very open person.
honest/frank/direct/open/outspoken/straight about sth
honest/frank/direct/open/straight/blunt with sb
a(n) honest/direct/straight/blunt answer
a frank/direct/blunt manner
Example Bank:
• Can you hang that sign straight for me?
• His teeth were white and perfectly straight.
• I think he was pretty straight with me.
• I'm trying to get the house straight before the weekend.
• Keep going in a dead straight line.
• Keep the car straight when you're backing out.
• Keep your back absolutely straight.
• Let's get this absolutely straight.
• She had curled her naturally straight hair.
• She held herself very straight.
• She soon set me straight about what had happened.
• She tidied up and put the ornaments straight.
• He stepped back to make sure that the picture was straight.
• I don't think you're being straight with me.
• I expect a straight answer to a straight question.
• I was stranded for nine straight weeks.
• It's time for some straight talking.
• She won in straight sets.
• The team has had six straight wins.
• This was our third straight victory.
• You can trust Ben— he's (as) straight as a die.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
straight / streɪt / adjective , adverb (NOT CURVING)
A2 continuing in one direction without bending or curving:
a straight line
She's got straight blonde hair.
Skirts this summer are long and straight.
Can't you see it? - it's straight ahead (of you)!
The dog seemed to be coming straight at/for me.
Go straight along this road and turn left at the traffic lights.
See picture hair
straight / streɪt / adjective , adverb (HONEST)
B2 honest:
Just be straight with her and tell her how you feel.
informal Tell me straight, would you rather we didn't go tonight?
→ Compare bent adjective (DISHONEST)
straight out If you tell someone something straight out, you tell them directly and honestly, without trying to make what you are saying more pleasant:
I told her straight out that I didn't love her any more.
straight / streɪt / adverb (IMMEDIATELY)
B1 immediately:
I got home and went straight to bed.
Shall we go straight to the party or stop off at a pub first?
Time is short so I'll get straight to the point (= explain the matter immediately) .
→ See also straightaway
straight away/off B1 mainly UK immediately:
I knew straight away what you were thinking.
We don't need to go straight off - we can stay for a little while.
straight / streɪt / adjective [ before noun ] (CLEAR)
C1 clear or not complicated:
It's a straight choice - either you leave him or you stay.
Let's get this straight - you're travelling to Frankfurt on Monday and Brussels on Tuesday, is that correct?
→ See also straightforward (SIMPLE)
straight / streɪt / adjective (LEVEL)
B2 level and not sloping to either side:
This picture's not straight.
The shelf isn't straight - it sags in the middle.
straight / streɪt / adjective [ after verb ] mainly UK (TIDY)
tidy, or arranged in order:
It only took an hour to get the flat straight after the party.
Have you got a mirror? - I'll just put my hair straight.
straight / streɪt / adjective (PLAIN)
plain and basic, or without anything added:
No tonic for me, please, I like my vodka straight.
Straight pasta is very bland - you need some kind of sauce to make it interesting.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
straight / streɪt / adjective [ before noun ] (FOLLOWING EACH OTHER)
following one after another without an interruption:
They're the only team to have won ten straight games this season.
straight / streɪt / adjective informal (TRADITIONAL)
traditional or serious:
disapproving He was a nice enough bloke, but he was so straight - I always felt I had to be on my best behaviour with him.
There's a lot of straight theatre at the festival as well as the newer, more experimental stuff.
straight / streɪt / adjective informal (SEXUAL PREFERENCE)
not gay
straight / streɪt / adjective informal (NO DRUGS)
not using illegal drugs or alcohol:
He's been straight for five months.
straight / streɪt / adjective [ after verb ] informal (NOT OWING MONEY)
neither owing nor owed any money:
You bought the tickets, so if I pay for the taxi, we'll be straight.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
straight
/streɪt/
(straighter, straightest, straights)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
A straight line or edge continues in the same direction and does not bend or curve.
Keep the boat in a straight line...
Using the straight edge as a guide, trim the cloth to size...
There wasn’t a single straight wall in the building.
ADJ
•
Straight is also an adverb.
Stand straight and stretch the left hand to the right foot...
ADV: ADV after v
2.
Straight hair has no curls or waves in it.
Grace had long straight dark hair which she wore in a bun.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
3.
You use straight to indicate that the way from one place to another is very direct, with no changes of direction.
The ball fell straight to the feet of Klinsmann...
He finished his conversation and stood up, looking straight at me...
Straight ahead were the low cabins of the motel.
ADV: ADV prep/adv
4.
If you go straight to a place, you go there immediately.
As always, we went straight to the experts for advice...
ADV: ADV prep/adv
5.
If you give someone a straight answer, you answer them clearly and honestly.
What a shifty arguer he is, refusing ever to give a straight answer.
ADJ: ADJ n
•
Straight is also an adverb.
I lost my temper and told him straight that I hadn’t been looking for any job.
ADV: ADV after v
6.
Straight means following one after the other, with no gaps or intervals.
They’d won 12 straight games before they lost.
ADJ: ADJ n
•
Straight is also an adverb.
He called from Weddington, having been there for 31 hours straight.
ADV: n ADV
7.
A straight choice or a straight fight involves only two people or things.
It’s a straight choice between low-paid jobs and no jobs...
ADJ: ADJ n
8.
If you describe someone as straight, you mean that they are normal and conventional, for example in their opinions and in the way they live.
Dorothy was described as a very straight woman, a very strict Christian who was married to her job.
ADJ
9.
If you describe someone as straight, you mean that they are heterosexual rather than homosexual. (INFORMAL)
His sexual orientation was a lot more gay than straight...
≠ gay
ADJ: usu v-link ADJ
•
Straight is also a noun.
...a standard of sexual conduct that applies equally to gays and straights.
N-COUNT
10.
A straight drink, especially an alcoholic drink, has not had another liquid such as water added to it.
...a large straight whiskey without ice...
= neat
ADJ: ADJ n, v n ADJ
11.
On a racetrack, a straight is a section of the track that is straight, rather than curved.
I went to overtake him on the back straight on the last lap.
N-COUNT
see also home straight
12.
If you get something straight, you make sure that you understand it properly or that someone else does. (SPOKEN)
Let’s get things straight. I didn’t lunch with her.
PHRASE: V inflects
13.
If a criminal is going straight, they are no longer involved in crime.
PHRASE: V inflects
14.
If something keeps people on the straight and narrow, it helps to keep them living an honest or healthy life.
All her efforts to keep him on the straight and narrow have been rewarded.
PHRASE: PHR after v
15.
a straight face: see face
to set the record straight: see record
1straight /ˈstreɪt/ adj straight·er; -est [also more ~; most ~]
1 : not having curves, bends, or angles
• a straight line/edge
• She has long, straight hair.
• Keep your back straight.
2 : vertical or level
• The flagpole is perfectly straight.
• The picture isn't quite straight.
3 always used before a noun : following one after the other in order
• He has won three straight [=consecutive] tournaments. : following each other without interruption
• We sat in the airport for five straight hours.
4 : honest and direct
• They wouldn't give me a straight answer.
• He's known for his straight dealing.
• They're not being straight with you.
• What we want is some straight talk.
5 always used before a noun
a : including only two people or things
• It was a straight choice: accept the offer or don't.
• a straight exchange/swap
b : not including any things or parts of a different kind
• a straight romance novel
• The band plays straight blues.
• (US) He always votes a straight Democratic ticket. [=he always votes for Democratic candidates]
• (US) She got straight A's in all her classes last year. [=she got an A in every class]
• (US) a straight-A student
6 not used before a noun : with everything in its proper place
• After supper, the kids helped set/put the kitchen straight. [=tidy up the kitchen]
7 not used before a noun : agreeing with what is true or what is stated to be true
• We have to have our stories straight or else the police will get suspicious.
• Let me get this straight [=I am surprised/confused by what you are saying and I want to be sure that I understand you correctly]: You want me to lend you $2,000?
• You need to get your facts straight. [=you need to get your facts correct]
• He set/put her straight about/on what happened. [=he corrected her and explained to her what actually happened]
- see also set/put the record straight at 1record
8 not used before a noun informal : having nothing owed by either side
• You pay for my ticket, and I'll consider us straight. [=even]
9 : behaving in a way that is socially correct and acceptable
• (disapproving) She's too straight [=conventional] and needs to lighten up.
• (informal) He left the gang and promised himself that he would go straight. [=stop being a criminal]
10 informal : heterosexual
• He's gay but he has a lot of straight friends.
11 : not using drugs or alcohol
• She has been straight for two years now.
12 US of alcoholic drinks : not mixed with anything : without ice or water added
• I like my bourbon/whiskey straight. [=neat]
• I'll have a martini straight up.
13 : not joking or funny : serious
• a straight actor
• straight theatrical drama
- see also straight man
- straight·ness noun [noncount]
blonde hair/highlights
blonde
(also blond) adjective
with light-coloured hair:
She is tall and blonde.
He's got blond hair.
>> blonde noun a woman who has blonde hair:
She's a natural blonde.
blond
blond /blɒnd $ blɑːnd/ BrE AmE adjective
[Date: 1700-1800; Language: French; Origin: Medieval Latin blondus 'yellow']
1. another spelling of ↑blonde
2. a man who is blond has pale or yellow hair
blonde
blonde [blonde blondes] adjective, noun [blɒnd] [blɑːnd]
adjective (also blond) In British English it is usual to spell this word blonde when writing about a woman or girl and blond when writing about a man or boy, although the spelling blonde is sometimes used for men and boys too. In American English the spelling blond is often preferred for either sex. Blonde may be used to describe a woman's hair, but it is sometimes considered offensive to refer to a woman as ‘a blonde’ because hair colour is not a whole person.
1. (of hair) pale gold in colour
2. (of a person) having blonde hair
• a small, blond boy
Word Origin:
late 17th cent. (earlier as blond): from French, feminine of blond, from medieval Latin blundus ‘yellow’, perhaps from Germanic.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
blonde ( also blond ) / blɒnd / / blɑːnd / adjective
A2 with pale yellow or gold hair:
blonde hair/highlights
a blonde woman/a blond man
© Cambridge University Press 2013
blonde
/blɒnd/
(blondes, blonder, blondest)
Note: The form 'blonde' is usually used to refer to women, and 'blond' to refer to men.
1.
A woman who has blonde hair has pale-coloured hair. Blonde hair can be very light brown or light yellow. The form blond is used when describing men.
There were two little girls, one Asian and one with blonde hair...
The baby had blond curls.
COLOUR
2.
Someone who is blonde has blonde hair.
He was blonder than his brother.
...the striking blond actor.
ADJ
3.
A blonde is a woman who has blonde hair.
N-COUNT
1blond or blonde /ˈblɑːnd/ adj blond·er; -est
1 : of a yellow or very light brown color
• long blond hair
• blonde curls/locks/braids
• She has blonde highlights in her hair.
• His hair was dyed/bleached blond. also; : having blond hair
• a blond actor
• She was blonde as a child.
✦When used to describe a boy or man, the word is spelled blond. When used for a girl or woman, the word is often spelled blonde.
✦A person with dirty blond hair has very dark blond hair that is almost light brown in color.
- see also platinum blonde, strawberry blonde
2 : of a very light color
• a table made of blond wood
having confidence
I'm confident that we are the winner.
confident
adjective
sure that you can do something well, or that something will happen:
I'm confident that our team will win.
confident
con‧fi‧dent S3 W3 /ˈkɒnfədənt, ˈkɒnfɪdənt $ ˈkɑːn-/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑confidence, ↑confidant, ↑confidentiality; adverb: ↑confidently, ↑confidentially; adjective: ↑confident, ↑confidential; verb: ↑confide]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: present participle of confidere; ⇨ ↑confide]
1. [not before noun] sure that something will happen in the way that you want or expect
confident (that)
We are confident next year’s profits will be higher.
He is quietly confident that there will be no problems this time.
confident of
The Prime Minister appeared relaxed and confident of winning an overall majority.
The company is confident of success.
confident about
I feel quite confident about the future.
2. sure that you have the ability to do things well or deal with situations successfully:
Despite her disability, Philippa is very confident.
confident about
I feel much more confident about myself and my abilities these days.
confident smile/voice/manner etc
He began to read in a calm confident voice.
3. sure that something is true
confident (that)
We are confident we have done nothing wrong.
He began to feel confident that Zaborski was only guessing.
It is not possible to give a confident answer to the question of whether the delay was unreasonable.
—confidently adverb
⇨ ↑self-confident
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ confident sure that you have the ability to do something well or deal with situations successfully: She seemed confident that she would pass. | his calm and confident manner | George was very confident about his abilities as a writer. | Baldwin is confident of victory in this year’s senate race.
▪ self-confident/self-assured confident, and not shy or nervous in social situations: Jess was only 12, but she was very self-confident. | He was very self-assured and spoke without notes. | I eventually became more self-confident as a public speaker. | supremely self-confident: She was supremely self-confident, with the gift of being able to talk on any subject whenever the camera was rolling.
▪ self-possessed adjective confident, calm, and in control of your feelings even in a difficult situation
▪ assertive confident enough to say what you think and want, so that people take notice of you: The course helps women learn how to be more assertive in the workplace.
▪ sure of yourself confident that you are right, even when other people do not agree with you: He sounded so sure of himself that I didn’t bother to argue. | Jenny was younger than her sister but seemed much more sure of herself.
▪ extrovert noun [countable] someone who behaves in a confident way in social situations and likes talking and being with other people: Most actors are natural extroverts. | Jan says her twin babies are completely different: Kelly is a real extrovert while Jessie is quiet and thoughtful. | He’s a total extrovert who will talk to any stranger.
■ not confident
▪ lack confidence/be lacking in confidence to not be confident about your abilities or appearance: Francine is lacking in confidence and needs a lot of encouragement. | I was fat, had no friends, and lacked confidence. | While girls lack confidence, boys often overestimate their abilities.
▪ shy not confident about meeting or speaking to people who you do not know: Jane is a quiet shy person. | He had been painfully shy (=very shy) as a child.
▪ insecure not confident about yourself or your relationships, especially because you are worried that you are not good enough: His childhood had left him very insecure. | Ben’s parents’ divorce left him lonely and insecure. | Models can make young women feel insecure about their own bodies.
▪ unsure of yourself not confident, especially because you are young or you do not have much experience: At first, Chris seemed nervous and unsure of herself. | He was only 21 and still very unsure of himself with girls.
▪ discouraged /dɪsˈkʌrɪdʒd $ -ˈkɜːr-/ not confident that you can succeed, because you have had problems trying to do something: Students can become discouraged very easily if they are not given the help they need. | I was very discouraged at the time, but I still hoped we could find a solution. | discouraged by: Discouraged by her failed marriages, she gradually withdrew from the world. | discouraged about: Hartman was so discouraged about the way his performing career was going, that he gave up acting for writing.
▪ demoralized someone who is demoralized has lost all their confidence and wants to give up: The team were completely demoralized after losing a series of games. | a demoralized work force | Many employees became demoralized and cynical when the company announced another round of job cuts. | utterly/thoroughly demoralized
confident
con·fi·dent [ˈkɒnfɪdənt] [ˈkɑːnfɪdənt] adjective
1. feeling sure about your own ability to do things and be successful
• She was in a relaxed, confident mood.
• Beneath his confident and charming exterior, lurked a mass of insecurities.
• The teacher wants the children to feel confident about asking questions when they don't understand.
see also self-confident
2. feeling certain that sth will happen in the way that you want or expect
• ~ of sth/doing sth The team feels confident of winning.
• ~ that… I'm confident that you will get the job.
• She was quietly confident that everything would go as planned.
Derived Word: confidently
Word Origin:
late 16th cent.: from French confident(e), from Italian confidente, from Latin confident- ‘having full trust’, from the verb confidere, from con- (expressing intensive force) + fidere ‘trust’.
Thesaurus:
confident [confident confidently] adj.
1.
• Beneath his confident exterior, he's very insecure.
self-confident • • independent • |disapproving brash •
Opp: insecure
very confident/self-confident/independent
Confident or self-confident? Confident can describe a person or what they do; self-confident only describes a person.
2.
• The team feels confident of winning
sure • • certain • • convinced • • positive •
confident/sure/certain/convinced/positive about sth
confident/sure/certain/convinced of sth
confident/sure/certain/convinced/positive that…
Synonyms:
sure
confident • convinced • certain • positive • clear
These words all describe sb who knows without doubt that sth is true or will happen.
sure • [not before noun] without any doubt that you are right, that sth is true, that you will get sth or that sth will happen: ▪ ‘Is that John over there?’ ‘I'm not sure.’ ◊ ▪ Are you sure about that? ◊ ▪ England must win this game to be sure of qualifying.
Sure is often used in negative statements and questions, because there is some doubt or anxiety over the matter. If there is no doubt, people often say quite sure: ▪ I'm quite sure (that) I left my bag here ▪ (= I have no doubt about it) ▪.
confident • completely sure that sth will happen in the way that you want or expect: ▪ I'm quite confident that you'll get the job. ◊ ▪ The team feels confident of winning.
Confident is a stronger and more definite word than sure and is more often used in positive statements, when you feel no anxiety.
convinced • [not before noun] completely sure that sth is true or right, especially because the evidence seems to prove it or sb else has persuaded you to believe it: ▪ I'm convinced that she's innocent.
certain • [not usually before noun] sure that you are right or that sth is true: ▪ Are you absolutely certain about this?
sure or certain?
Like sure, certain is often used in negative statements and questions. It is slightly more formal than sure; sure is more frequent, especially in spoken English.
positive • [not before noun] (rather informal) completely sure that sth is true: ▪ She was positive that he'd been there. ◊ ▪ ‘Are you sure?’ ‘Positive.’
clear • (often used in negative statements and questions) having no doubt or confusion about sth: ▪ My memory isn't really clear on that point.
sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive/clear about sth
sure/confident/convinced/certain of sth
sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive/clear that…
sure/certain/clear who/what/how, etc.
to feel sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive
quite/absolutely/completely/fairly/pretty sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive/clear
not altogether sure/confident/convinced/certain/clear
Example Bank:
• Going to university has made her more confident.
• He came out of the interview feeling quietly confident.
• He was overly confident, perhaps to the point of arrogance.
• He's becoming more confident as he gets older.
• I'm 95% confident of success.
• I'm fully confident of winning the title.
• I'm very confident in our ability to maintain leadership.
• She gradually grew more confident.
• She sauntered onto the set, looking serenely confident.
• We are confident about the future.
• We feel confident that these results are accurate.
• You get young people who appear to be socially confident, but inside they are a bundle of neuroses.
• young people who appear to be socially confident, but inside are a bundle of neuroses
• I'm quite confident that you'll get the job.
• They gave a confident prediction that things would improve.
• They gave a very confident performance of the piece.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
confident / ˈkɒn.fɪ.d ə nt / / ˈkɑːn- / adjective
B1 having confidence:
Be a bit more confident in yourself!
They don't sound confident about the future of the industry.
I'm confident of his skills as a manager.
[ + that ] Are you confident that enough people will attend the event?
It was a confident performance.
confidently / -li / adverb
B2
Try to act confidently, even if you feel nervous.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
confident
/kɒnfɪdənt/
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If you are confident about something, you are certain that it will happen in the way you want it to.
I am confident that everything will come out right in time...
Mr Ryan is confident of success...
Management is confident about the way business is progressing.
≠ sceptical
ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ that, ADJ prep
• con‧fi‧dent‧ly
I can confidently promise that this year is going to be very different.
ADV: ADV with v
2.
If a person or their manner is confident, they feel sure about their own abilities, qualities, or ideas.
In time he became more confident and relaxed...
= self-assured
ADJ
• con‧fi‧dent‧ly
She walked confidently across the hall.
ADV: usu ADV with v
3.
If you are confident that something is true, you are sure that it is true. A confident statement is one that the speaker is sure is true.
She is confident that everybody is on her side...
‘Bet you I can’, comes the confident reply.
ADJ: oft ADJ that
• con‧fi‧dent‧ly
I can confidently say that none of them were or are racist.
ADV: ADV with v
confident
con·fi·dent /ˈkɑːnfədənt/ adj [more ~; most ~]
1 a : having a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something : having confidence
• The class made me more confident (about myself).
• a confident young businesswoman
• I am confident about my ability to do the job.
• The players seem more relaxed and confident this season.
• He has become more confident in his Spanish-speaking skills.
- see also overconfident, self-confident
b : showing that you have confidence
• a confident smile
• They have a confident air about them.
• His voice sounded confident.
2 not used before a noun : certain that something will happen or that something is true
• We are confident that conditions will improve soon.
• He seemed confident of success. [=sure that he would succeed]
- con·fi·dent·ly adv
• “I know the answer,” she said confidently.
• We can confidently state that the product is safe.
Because of the cloudy weather they decided not to go hiking.
A cloudy sky/day
Because of the cloudy weather they decided not to go hiking.
cloudy
adjective (cloudier, cloudiest)
If the weather is cloudy, the sky is full of clouds:
a cloudy day
cloudy
cloud‧y /ˈklaʊdi/ BrE AmE adjective
1. a cloudy sky, day etc is dark because there are a lot of clouds OPP clear:
a cloudy night with some light rain
Tomorrow, it will be cloudy and cool.
2. cloudy liquids are not clear:
a rather cloudy wine
3. cloudy thoughts, memories etc are not very clear or exact
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ cloudy with a lot of clouds: The weather was cold and cloudy. | cloudy skies
▪ grey (also gray American English) grey in colour, because there are dark clouds – used especially in written descriptions: Mary looked out at the cold grey sky.
▪ overcast dark and completely covered with clouds: a chilly overcast day
▪ leaden literary a leaden sky is grey and full of dark clouds: Snow fell from a leaden sky.
▪ gloomy dark and cloudy, in a depressing way: The gloomy weather shows no sign of improving.
▪ foggy with thick low cloud that is difficult to see through. You use foggy especially about low-lying places: a foggy day in London in November
▪ misty with light low cloud that is difficult to see through. You use misty especially about places that are next to water or in the mountains: a cold misty morning
▪ hazy with air that looks cloudy, because there is smoke, dust, or mist in it: hazy sunshine
cloudy
cloudy [cloudy cloudier cloudiest] [ˈklaʊdi] [ˈklaʊdi] adjective (cloud·ier, cloudi·est)
1. (of the sky or the weather) covered with clouds; with a lot of clouds
Opp: clear
• a grey, cloudy day
2. (of liquids) not clear or transparent
• The water looked cloudy and not fit to drink.
Derived Word: cloudiness
Thesaurus:
cloudy adj.
• The sky was cloudy when we set off.
misty • • foggy • • overcast • • dull • |especially BrE, usually disapproving grey • |AmE usually gray • |often disapproving murky •
Opp: clear, Opp: sunny
cloudy/foggy/dull/grey weather
a cloudy/misty/overcast/dull/grey day
a cloudy/misty/foggy/murky night
Which word? If it is cloudy there may be a lot of clouds about while the rest of the sky is blue. Overcast, dull and grey suggest that the whole sky is covered with clouds.
Example Bank:
• It stayed cloudy for most of the day.
• Later it will become cloudy with rain in places.
• Sometimes the drinking water becomes rather cloudy.
• The beer looked cloudy.
• The warm water is made cloudy by adding some milk.
• a rather cloudy sky
• It was a dark, cloudy night.
• Scotland and Northern Ireland will be rather cloudy with patchy rain.
• The sky was cloudy when we set off but it cleared up by lunchtime.
• You can still get sunburnt on a cloudy day.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
cloudy / ˈklaʊ.di / adjective
A2 with clouds:
a cloudy sky/day
Scotland will be cloudy with wintry showers.
not transparent:
The beer was cloudy and dark.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
cloudy
/klaʊdi/
(cloudier, cloudiest)
1.
If it is cloudy, there are a lot of clouds in the sky.
...a windy, cloudy day.
ADJ
2.
A cloudy liquid is less clear than it should be.
ADJ
cloudy
cloudy /ˈklaʊdi/ adj cloud·i·er; -est [also more ~; most ~]
1 : having many clouds in the sky
• Tomorrow will be cloudy and cold.
• a cloudy day
• cloudy weather : covered with clouds
• partly cloudy skies
2 : not clean or clear
• a puddle of cloudy [=dirty, murky] water
• cloudy eyes
- cloud·i·ness noun [noncount]
• We'll have clear skies in the morning with increasing cloudiness in the afternoon.
I hate rainy weather.
Raining a lot
I hate rainy weather.
rainy
adjective (rainier, rainiest)
with a lot of rain:
a rainy day
rainy
rain‧y /ˈreɪni/ BrE AmE adjective
1. a rainy period of time is one when it rains a lot SYN wet:
a cold rainy day in October
I hate rainy weather.
the rainy season
2. save something for a rainy day to save something, especially money, for a time when you will need it
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ rainy a rainy period of time is one when it rains a lot: a cold rainy day in October | The weather continued to be rainy. | The rainy season is in July.
▪ wet rainy. Wet and rainy mean the same and are used in the same way: In Cyprus during the winter, you’ll only have the occasional wet day. | The wet weather is expected to continue. | another wet summer | It's been wet all week.
▪ damp if the air feels damp, there is a lot of ↑moisture in the air and it may be raining slightly: It was a cold damp day. | a damp November morning
▪ showery raining for short periods: the cool, bright, showery weather of early April | The weather will be showery, with some sunny intervals.
▪ drizzly raining slightly, with a lot of mist in the air: The morning was grey and drizzly.
▪ grey British English, gray American English if the sky is grey, there are a lot clouds, and it looks like it will rain: The next morning, the sky was grey. | Then, as if by magic, the sun burst through what had until then been a rather grey day.
rainy
rainy [rainy rainier rainiest] [ˈreɪni] [ˈreɪni] adjective (rain·ier, rain·iest)
having or bringing a lot of rain
• a rainy day
• the rainy season
• the rainiest place in Britain
Idiom: save/keep something for a rainy day
Word Origin:
Old English rēnig (see rain, -y).
Example Bank:
• I went there during the rainy season.
• This valley is said to be the rainiest place in Britain.
• We woke up to a rainy day.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
rainy / ˈreɪ.ni / adjective
B1 raining a lot:
We had three rainy days on holiday, but otherwise it was sunny.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
rainy
/reɪni/
(rainier, rainiest)
1.
During a rainy day, season, or period it rains a lot.
The rainy season in the Andes normally starts in December.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
2.
If you say that you are saving something, especially money, for a rainy day, you mean that you are saving it until a time in the future when you might need it.
I’ll put the rest in the bank for a rainy day.
PHRASE
rainy
rainy /ˈreɪni/ adj rain·i·er; -est [also more ~; most ~] : having a lot of rain
• It's been rainy all day today. [=rain has been falling all day]
• rainy weather
for a rainy day informal : for a time in the future when something will be needed
• He set a little money aside for a rainy day. [=he saved a little money so that he would have it if he needed it in the future]
• I have some money that I'm saving for a rainy day.
