adjective

possible

pos·sible [possible possibles] adjective, noun   [ˈpɒsəbl]    [ˈpɑːsəbl] 

adjective
1. not usually before noun that can be done or achieved
• It is possible to get there by bus.
• Would it be possible for me to leave a message for her?
• This wouldn't have been possible without you.
• Try to avoid losing your temper if at all possible (= if you can).
• Use public transport whenever possible (= when you can).
• It's just not physically possible to finish all this by the end of the week.
• We spent every possible moment on the beach.
• The doctors did all that was humanly possible to save him.
• Expansion was made possible by the investment of government money.

Opp:  impossible

2. that might exist or happen but is not certain to
• a possible future president
• the possible side effects of the drug
• Frost is possible, although unlikely, at this time of year.
• It's just possible that I gave them the wrong directions.
• With the possible exception of the Beatles, no other band has become so successful so quickly.
• ‘Do you think he'll resign?’ ‘Anything's possible where he's concerned.’

• ‘You might be wrong, of course!’ ‘It's possible, but I doubt it.’

3. reasonable or acceptable in a particular situation
• There are several possible explanations.

• Please suggest possible ways in which you would improve the existing program.

4. used after adjectives to emphasize that sth is the best, worst, etc. of its type
• It was the best possible surprise anyone could have given me.
• Don't leave your packing until the last possible moment.
more at the best of both/all possible worlds at  world, the worst of all (possible) worlds at  worst  _n.  
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin possibilis, from posse ‘be able’.  
Thesaurus:
possible adj.
1.
• Use public transport whenever possible.
practical • • feasible • • realistic • • workable • • achievable • |especially business viable •
Opp: impossible
be possible/feasible/realistic to do sth
a practical/feasible/realistic/workable/viable solution/policy/plan
perfectly possible/practical/feasible/viable
2.
• She is a possible future president.
potential • • likely • • prospective • |especially written probable •
possible/likely/probable that…
a possible/potential/likely/prospective/probable site
a possible/potential/likely/probable cause/effect/consequence/outcome
3.
• There are several possible explanations.
plausible • • credible • • conceivable • • imaginable • • believable •
Opp: impossible
possible/plausible/credible/conceivable/imaginable/believable that …
possible/plausible/credible/believable explanation/excuse
sound possible/plausible/credible/believable
barely/hardly/scarcely possible/credible/conceivable/imaginable/believable 
Language Bank:
perhaps
Making an opinion sound less definite
▪ Most cybercrime involves traditional crimes, such as theft and fraud, being committed in new ways. Phishing is perhaps ▪ / possibly ▪ / probably ▪ the best-known example of this.
▪ It seems ▪ / appears ▪ that the more personal data which organizations collect, the more opportunity there is for this data to be lost or stolen.
It seems clear that ▪ introducing national ID cards would do little to prevent identity theft.
It could be argued that ▪ the introduction of national ID cards might actually make identity theft easier.
It is possible that ▪ / It may be that ▪ the only way to protect ourselves against DNA identity theft is to avoid the creation of national DNA databases.
Language Banks at impersonal, opinion  
Example Bank:
• I'd like the money back by next week if possible.
• In those circumstances, I thought it possible to work with him.
• It is just possible that he's still here.
• It's theoretically possible but highly unlikely ever to happen.
• New technology has made it possible to communicate more easily.
• Please come as soon as possible.
• She did as much as possible to help him.
• ‘Do you think he'll resign?’ ‘Anything's possible where he's concerned.’
• ‘You might be wrong, of course!’ ‘It's possible, but I doubt it.’
• Do everything possible to get it finished on time.
• He explained the possible side effects of the drug.
• It is possible to get there by bus.
• It's just not physically possible to finish all this by the end of the week.
• It's just possible that I gave them the wrong directions.
• It's scarcely possible that he knew nothing about it.
• She's perfectly possible as our main speaker.
• They spoke of her as a possible future president.
• This would not have been possible without you.
• Travel by bus whenever possible.
• Try to avoid losing your temper if (at all) possible.
• What are the possible interpretations of this message?
• What possible reason can you have for stopping me going?
• Would it be possible for me to leave a message for her?

Idiom: as quickly/much/soon as possible

pink

pink [pink pinks pinked pinking pinker pinkest] adjective, noun, verb   [pɪŋk]    [pɪŋk] 

adjective
1. pale red in colour
• pale pink roses
• She went bright pink with embarrassment.

• The sun was now just a pink glow in the evening sky.

2. only before noun (BrE) connected with homosexual people

• the pink pound (= money spent by homosexuals as an influence in the economy)

3. (politics) (informal, disapproving) having or showing slightly left-wing political views
• pale pink politics
compare  red  _adj.
see be tickled pink at  tickle  _v.  
Word Origin:
adj. and n. sense 1 mid 17th cent. pink
n. sense 2 late 16th cent. pink eye ‘small or half-shut eye’ French oeillet ‘little eye’
v. early 20th cent.
 
Example Bank:
• He was pink with anger.
• She could feel herself going pink.
• The western sky was glowing pink.
Idiom: in the pink

Derived Word: pinkness 

sunny

sunny [sunny sunnier sunniest]   [ˈsʌni]    [ˈsʌni]  adjective (sun·nier, sun·ni·est)
1. with a lot of bright light from the sun
• a sunny day
• sunny weather
• The outlook for the weekend is hot and sunny.
• a sunny garden

• Italy was at its sunniest.

2. cheerful and happy
• a sunny disposition  
Example Bank:
• a brilliantly sunny day
• a gloriously sunny morning
• He had a sunny disposition and was always fun to be with.
• She flashed him her sunniest smile.
• The outlook for the weekend is warm and sunny.
• These plants grow best in a sunny spot.

• Throughout the week, the weather was fine and sunny.

snowy

snowy [snowy snowier snowiest]   [ˈsnəʊi]    [ˈsnoʊi]  adjective (snow·ier, snowi·est)
1. usually before noun covered with snow

• snowy fields

2. (of a period of time) when a lot of snow falls
• a snowy weekend

• The weather in January is often cold and snowy.

3. (literary) very white, like new snow
• snowy hair  
Example Bank:

• snowy fields/peaks

weak

weak [weak weaker weakest]   [wiːk]    [wiːk]  adjective (weaker, weakest)

NOT PHYSICALLY STRONG
1. not physically strong
• She is still weak after her illness.
• His legs felt weak.

• She suffered from a weak heart.  

LIKELY TO BREAK

2. that cannot support a lot of weight; likely to break

• That bridge is too weak for heavy traffic.  

WITHOUT POWER

3. easy to influence; not having much power
• a weak and cowardly man
• In a weak moment (= when I was easily persuaded) I said she could borrow the car.
• a weak leader

• The unions have always been weak in this industry.  

POOR/SICK PEOPLE

4. the weak noun plural people who are poor, sick or without power  

CURRENCY/ECONOMY
5. not financially strong or successful
• a weak currency

• The economy is very weak.  

NOT GOOD AT STH

6. not good at sth
• a weak team

• ~ in sth I was always weak in the science subjects.  

NOT CONVINCING

7. that people are not likely to believe or be persuaded by
Syn:  unconvincing
• weak arguments

• I enjoyed the movie but I thought the ending was very weak.  

HARD TO SEE/HEAR

8. not easily seen or heard

• a weak light/signal/sound  

WITHOUT ENTHUSIASM

9. done without enthusiasm or energy
• a weak smile

• He made a weak attempt to look cheerful.  

LIQUID

10. a weak liquid contains a lot of water

• weak tea  

POINT/SPOT

11. ~ point/spot the part of a person's character, an argument, etc. that is easy to attack or criticize
• The team's weak points are in defence.

• He knew her weak spot where Steve was concerned.  

GRAMMAR

12. a weak verb forms the past tense and past participle by adding a regular ending and not by changing a vowel. In English this is done by adding -d, -ed or -t (for example walk, walked)  

PHONETICS
13. (of the pronunciation of some words) used when there is no stress on the word. For example, the weak form of and is /[ən] / or /[n] /, as in bread and butter /[ˌbred n ˈbʌtə(r)] /.
Opp:  strong 
more at the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak at  spirit  _n.
Idioms: weak at the knees ▪ weak link  
Word Origin:
Old English wāc ‘pliant’, ‘of little worth’, ‘not steadfast’, reinforced in Middle English by Old Norse veikr, from a Germanic base meaning ‘yield, give way’.  
Example Bank:
• He was weak with hunger.
• He's weak in English.
• Her legs felt suddenly weak.
• She was weak from shock.
• She's rather weak at languages.
• The essay was a bit weak on detail.
• The judge decided the evidence was inherently weak and inconsistent.
• When the spasm passed, it left him weak and sweating.
• The case for the prosecution was rather weak.
• The weak winter sunlight spread across the lake.

• weak arguments/evidence

waking

▪ I. wak·ing [waking]   [ˈweɪkɪŋ]    [ˈweɪkɪŋ]  adjective only before noun
used to describe time when you are awake
• She spends all her waking hours caring for her mother.

• He thought of her every waking moment.

unimaginable

un·imagin·able [unimaginable unimaginably]   [ˌʌnɪˈmædʒɪnəbl]    [ˌʌnɪˈmædʒɪnəbl]  adjective (formal)
impossible to think of or to believe exists; impossible to imagine
• unimaginable wealth
• This level of success would have been unimaginable just last year.
Opp:  imaginable

Derived Word: unimaginably

negative

nega·tive AW [negative negatives] adjective, noun, verb   [ˈneɡətɪv]    [ˈneɡətɪv] 

adjective  

BAD
1. bad or harmful
• The crisis had a negative effect on trade.
• The whole experience was definitely more positive than negative.

Opp:  positive  

NOT HOPEFUL

2. considering only the bad side of sth/sb; lacking enthusiasm or hope
• Scientists have a fairly negative attitude to the theory.
• ‘He probably won't show up.’ ‘Don't be so negative.’

Opp:  positive  

NO

3. expressing the answer ‘no’
• His response was negative.
• They received a negative reply.

Opp:  affirmative  

GRAMMAR

4. containing a word such as ‘no’, ‘not’, ‘never’, etc

• a negative form/sentence  

SCIENTIFIC TEST

5. (abbr. neg.) not showing any evidence of a particular substance or medical condition
• Her pregnancy test was negative.

Opp:  positive  

ELECTRICITY

6. (technical) containing or producing the type of electricity that is carried by an electron
• a negative charge/current
• the negative terminal of a battery

Opp:  positive  

NUMBER/QUANTITY

7. less than zero
• a negative trade balance
Opp:  positive  
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from late Latin negativus, from negare ‘deny’.  
Thesaurus:
negative adj.
1.
• The crisis had a negative effect on trade.
damaging • • bad • • ill • • destructive • |formal harmful • • detrimental • • pernicious •
Opp: positive
a negative/damaging/bad/destructive/harmful/detrimental/pernicious effect /ill effects
a negative/damaging/bad/destructive/pernicious influence
negative/damaging/bad/harmful publicity
2.
• He's been rather negative about the idea.
pessimistic • • gloomy • • bleak • • dark • • depressing • • miserable • • black • |informal downbeat •
Opp: positive
negative/pessimistic/miserable about sth
a negative/pessimistic/gloomy/bleak outlook
negative/gloomy/dark/depressing/black thoughts
paint a negative/pessimistic/gloomy/bleak/depressing picture (of sb/sth) 
Example Bank:
• He tested negative for HIV infection.
• He's been rather negative about the idea.
• Reaction to last night's attack was uniformly negative.
• She spoke in entirely negative terms.
• Some people have accused me of being overly negative.
• The antibody test proved negative.
• The urine tests were negative for protein.
• Their attitude was highly negative.
• the strongly negative implications of these survey results
• ‘He probably won't show up.’ ‘Don't be so negative.’
• I don't want to sound unduly negative, but I simply couldn't see the point.
• Negative side effects of the drug can occur and include drowsiness and headaches.
• Scientists have a fairly negative attitude to the theory.
• The whole experience was definitely more positive than negative.
• We try to pinpoint the cause of any negative feelings.

Derived Word: negatively 

positive

posi·tive AW [positive positives] adjective, noun   [ˈpɒzətɪv]    [ˈpɑːzətɪv] 

adjective  

CONFIDENT
1. thinking about what is good in a situation; feeling confident and sure that sth good will happen
• a positive attitude/outlook
• the power of positive thought
• ~ (about sth) She tried to be more positive about her new job.
• On the positive side, profits have increased.
• The report ended on a positive note.

Opp:  negative  

EFFECTIVE/USEFUL

2. directed at dealing with sth or producing a successful result
• We must take positive steps to deal with the problem.
• It will require positive action by all in the industry.

Opp:  negative

3. expressing agreement or support
• We've had a very positive response to the idea.

Opp:  negative

4. good or useful
• to make a positive contribution to a discussion
• His family have been a very positive influence on him.
• Overseas investment has had a positive effect on exports.

Opp:  negative  

SURE/DEFINITE

5. not before noun (of a person) completely sure that sth is correct or true
• ~ (about sth) I can't be positive about what time it happened.
• ~ (that…) She was positive that he had been there.

• ‘Are you sure?’ ‘Positive.’

6. only before noun (informal) complete and definite
Syn:  absolute
• He has a positive genius for upsetting people.

• It was a positive miracle that we survived.

7. giving clear and definite proof or information
Syn:  conclusive
• We have no positive evidence that she was involved.

• (formal) This is proof positive that he stole the money.  

SCIENTIFIC TEST

8. showing clear evidence that a particular substance or medical condition is present
• a positive pregnancy test
• The athlete tested positive for steroids.
• to be HIV positive

Opp:  negative  

NUMBER/QUANTITY

9. greater than zero

Opp:  negative  

ELECTRICITY

10. (technical) containing or producing the type of electricity that is carried by a proton
• a positive charge
• the positive terminal of a battery
Opp:  negative  
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French positif, -ive or Latin positivus, from posit- ‘placed’, from the verb ponere. The original sense referred to laws as being formally ‘laid down’, which led to the sense ‘explicitly laid down and admitting no question’, hence ‘certain’.  
Thesaurus:
positive adj.
1.
• She tried to be more positive about her new job.
optimistic • • hopeful • |especially business bullish • • upbeat •
Opp: negative
positive/optimistic/hopeful/bullish/upbeat about sth
a/an positive/optimistic/hopeful/bullish view
a/an positive/optimistic/bullish/upbeat mood/note
2.
• We got very positive feedback on the idea.
good • • approving • • appreciative • • complimentary • • glowing • |BrE favourable • |AmE favorable •
Opp: negative
positive/complimentary about sb/sth
a/an positive/good/approving/appreciative/complimentary/favourable comment
a positive/good/favourable opinion/impression/reaction/response
show sb/sth in a positive/good/favourable light
3.
• He made a positive contribution to the debate.
helpful • • valuable • • good • • constructive • • worthwhile • |BrE favourable • |AmE favorable • |formal beneficial •
Opp: negative
positive/helpful/valuable/good/constructive suggestions/advice
a positive/valuable/good/constructive/worthwhile/beneficial experience
a positive/good/constructive/beneficial effect
4. (especially spoken)
• ‘Are you sure?’ ‘Positive.’
sure • • certain • • convinced • • confident • • clear • • satisfied •
positive/sure/certain/convinced/confident/clear about sth
positive/sure/certain/convinced/confident/clear/satisfied that…
feel positive/sure/certain/convinced/confident/satisfied
5.
• We have no positive evidence that he was involved.
concrete • • absolute • • firm • • hard • • definite • • definitive • • final • • proven • |formal categorical •
positive/concrete/absolute/firm/hard/definite/definitive evidence
positive/concrete/absolute/firm/definite/definitive/final proof  
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:
• He sounded very positive about his chances.
• He tested positive for HIV.
• He took a highly positive view of the matter.
• I'm absolutely positive it was him.
• She seemed fairly positive about it.
• The test proved positive.
• Friendlier relations between the countries had a positive effect on exports.
• I can't be positive about what time it happened.
• Local residents made a very positive contribution to the debate.
• Most of his remarks were positive, but there were a few criticisms.
• On the positive side, profits have increased.
• She was positive that he'd been there.
• The feedback from the public was very positive.
• Try to have a positive attitude.
• We got a very positive response to the idea.

• You should try to be a bit more positive about your students.

noun  

GOOD QUALITY
1. countable, uncountable a good or useful quality or aspect
• Take your weaknesses and translate them into positives.

• To manage your way out of recession, accentuate the positive.  

IN PHOTOGRAPHY

2. countable (technical) a developed film showing light and dark areas and colours as they actually were, especially one printed from a negative  

RESULT OF TEST
3. countable the result of a test or an experiment that shows that a substance or condition is present
Opp:  negative  
Word Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French positif, -ive or Latin positivus, from posit- ‘placed’, from the verb ponere. The original sense referred to laws as being formally ‘laid down’, which led to the sense ‘explicitly laid down and admitting no question’, hence ‘certain’.

proud

proud [proud prouder proudest] adjective, adverb   [praʊd]    [praʊd] 

adjective (proud·er, proud·est) 

PLEASED
1. feeling pleased and satisfied about sth that you own or have done, or are connected with
• proud parents
• the proud owner of a new car
• ~ of sb/sth/yourself Your achievements are something to be proud of.
• He was proud of himself for not giving up.
• ~ to be/have sth I feel very proud to be a part of the team.
• ~ that… She was proud that her daughter had so much talent.

see also  house-proud

2. only before noun causing sb to feel pride
• This is the proudest moment of my life.
• It was a proud day in the nation's history

• The car had been his proudest possession.  

FEELING TOO IMPORTANT

3. (disapproving) feeling that you are better and more important than other people
Syn:  arrogant

• She was too proud to admit she could be wrong.  

HAVING SELF-RESPECT

4. having respect for yourself and not wanting to lose the respect of others
• They were a proud and independent people.

• Don't be too proud to ask for help.  

BEAUTIFUL/TALL

5. (literary) beautiful, tall and impressive
• The sunflowers stretched tall and proud to the sun.
see also  pride  
Word Origin:
late Old English prūt, prūd ‘having a high opinion of one's own worth’, from Old French prud ‘valiant’, based on Latin prodesse ‘be of value’.  
Thesaurus:
proud adj.
1.
• She was very proud of her achievements.
pleased • • delighted • • happy •
proud/pleased/delighted/happy that…
proud/pleased/delighted/happy to see/hear/find/know
proud/pleased/delighted/happy to say (that…)
2. (disapproving)
• He was too proud to admit that he was wrong.
arrogant • • vain • • conceited • • pompous • • self-important • • boastful • • superior • |informal cocky • |especially written haughty •
Opp: humble, Opp: modest
a/an proud/arrogant/vain/conceited/pompous/self-important/haughty man
a/an proud/arrogant/vain/conceited/haughty woman
3. (often approving)
• They were a proud and independent people.
self-respecting • |approving dignified •
a proud/self-respecting/dignified man/woman  
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:
• He seemed almost proud of his practical incompetence.
• He was more than a little proud of himself.
• He was not vain, but he was quietly proud of his achievements.
• He was tremendously proud of himself.
• Londoners have long been perversely proud of a health service that does not serve them well.
• She was fiercely proud of family traditions and continuity.
• We are all really proud of you!
• What has become of this once proud nation?
• Don't be too proud to ask for advice.
• He was too proud now to be seen with his former friends.
• She's a very proud woman who refuses to ask for help.
• Your achievements are something to be proud of.

Idioms: do somebody proud ▪ do yourself proud