adjective

young

I. young¹ S1 W1 /jʌŋ/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative younger, superlative youngest)
[Word Family: noun: ↑young, ↑youngster, ↑youth, ↑youthfulness; adjective: ↑young, ↑youthful; adverb: ↑youthfully]
[Language: Old English; Origin: geong]

1. a young person, plant, or animal has not lived for very long:
a young child
He’s younger than me.
You’re too young to get married.
young trees
When I was young, I wanted to be a model.
John was a great footballer in his younger days (=when he was younger).
2. a young country, organization, or type of science has existed for only a short time:
At that time, America was still a young nation.
Psychology is a young science.
3. young lady/man spoken used to speak to a girl or boy when you are angry with them:
Now, you listen to me, young man!
4. seeming or looking younger than you are SYN youthful:
Val is incredibly young for her age.
5. young at heart thinking and behaving as if you were young, even though you are old
6. 65/82/97 etc years young spoken used humorously to give the age of an old person who seems or feels much younger:
Next week, Bessie will be 84 years young.
7. designed or intended for young people:
I’m looking for something in a younger style.
8. young gun/Turk a young person who has just started doing a job or being involved in something, and is eager to achieve things or make changes
9. somebody is not getting any younger used to say that someone is no longer young, especially when they may soon be too old to do something
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ young not old: a young man of about 22 | My dad died when I was young. | There are excellent facilities for young children. | Young people are often unable to get jobs.
▪ small/little a small child is very young. Little sounds more informal than small, and is used especially in spoken English: They have two small children. | We used to go camping a lot when the kids were little.
▪ teenage [only before noun] between the ages of 13 and 19: a group of teenage boys | They have three teenage children.
▪ adolescent especially written at the age when you change from being a child into an adult – used especially when talking about the problems that young people have at this age: Sudden mood changes are common in adolescent girls. | adolescent behaviour
▪ juvenile /ˈdʒuːvənaɪl $ -nəl, -naɪl/ [only before noun] formal connected with young people who commit crime: juvenile crime | a special prison for juvenile offenders | juvenile deliquents (=young people who commit crimes)
▪ youthful especially written seeming young, or typical of someone who is young – often used about someone who is no longer young: a youthful 55 year old | youthful enthusiasm | Andrew still has a slim youthful look about him. | The photograph showed a youthful, smiling Rose.
▪ junior connected with sports played by young people rather than adults: the junior championships | the junior champion
■ COLLOCATIONS CHECK
▪ small/little child/girl/boy
▪ teenage girl/boy/daughter/mother/pregnancy
▪ juvenile crime/offence/court/offender/delinquent
▪ youthful enthusiasm/energy/face/look/appearance
■ when you are young
▪ childhood the time when you are a child, especially a young child: I had a wonderful childhood in the country. | childhood illnesses
▪ girlhood/boyhood the time when you are a young girl or boy: The two men had been friends in boyhood. | the transition from girlhood to womanhood
▪ youth the time when you are young, especially between about 15 and 25 when you are no longer a child: He was a great sportsman in his youth. | She revisited all the places where she had spent her youth.
▪ adolescence the time when you are changing from being a child into an adult – used especially when you are talking about the problems people have at this age: During adolescence, boys are often lacking in self-confidence.
▪ infancy formal the time when you are a baby: In the past, many more babies died in

old

old S1 W1 /əʊld $ oʊld/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative older, superlative oldest)
[Language: Old English; Origin: eald]
1. NOT NEW something that is old has existed or been used for a long time OPP new:
a pair of old shoes
Some of the houses around here are very old.
one of our oldest traditions
The car’s getting old now, and things are starting to go wrong with it.
That story’s as old as the hills (=extremely old).
2.
NOT YOUNG
a) someone who is old has lived for a very long time OPP young:
an old man
a home for old people
get/grow old
I can’t run around like I used to – I must be getting old.
b) the old [plural] people who are old:
the care of the old and sick
3. AGE used to talk about how long a person or thing has lived or existed
five/ten/fifty etc years old
I can’t believe you’re nearly forty years old!
a house that’s 300 years old
How old are you?
Are you older than Sally?
You’re old enough to get your own breakfast now.
I’m not coming skating. I’m too old for that now.
five-year-old/ten-year-old etc somebody/something
a six-week-old baby
a 500-year-old sword
somebody is old enough to know better (=used to say that you think someone should behave more sensibly)
somebody is old enough to be his/her/your mother/father (=used to say that someone is too old to be having a sexual relationship with someone else)
4. THAT YOU USED TO HAVE [only before noun] your old house, job, girlfriend etc is one that you used to have SYN former:
I met up with one of my old girlfriends at the weekend.
My old car was always breaking down.
That happened when we were still in the old house.
My old boss was awful!
old flame (=someone with whom you used to have a romantic relationship)
5. FAMILIAR [only before noun] old things are things that are familiar to you because you have seen them or experienced them many times before:
It’s good to get back into the old routine.
I enjoyed seeing all the old familiar faces.
He comes out with the same old excuses every time! ⇨ it’s the same old story at ↑story(9)
6. VERY WELL KNOWN [only before noun] an old friend, enemy etc is someone you have known for a long time:
Bob’s an old friend of mine.
an old colleague
They’re old rivals.
7. the old days times in the past
in the old days
In the old days people used to fetch water from the pump.
8. the good old days/the bad old days an earlier time in your life, or in history, when things seemed better or worse than now:
We like to chat about the good old days.
9. be/feel/look like your old self to feel or look better again after you have been ill or very unhappy:
It’s good to see you looking more like your old self again.
10. any old thing/place/time etc spoken used to say that it does not matter which thing, place etc you choose:
Oh, just wear any old thing.
Phone any old time – I’m always here.
11. any old how/way spoken in an untidy or careless way:
The papers had been dumped on my desk any old how.
12. good/poor/silly old etc somebody spoken used to talk about someone you like:
Good old Keith!
You poor old thing!
13. a good old something (also a right old something British English) spoken used to talk about something you enjoy:
We had a good old talk.
14. old devil/rascal etc spoken used to talk about someone you like and admire:
You old devil! You were planning this all along!
15. old fool/bastard/bat etc spoken not polite used to talk very rudely about someone you do not like:
the stupid old cow
16. the old guard a group of people within an organization or club who do not like changes or new ideas:
He’ll never manage to persuade the old guard.
17. be an old hand (at something) to have a lot of experience of something:
I’m an old hand at this game.
18. be old before your time to look or behave like someone much older than you, especially because of difficulties in your life
19. for old times’ sake if you do something for old times’ sake, you do it to remind yourself of a happy time in the past
20. the old country especially American English the country that you were born in, but that you no longer live in, used especially to mean Europe
21. an old head on young shoulders British English a young person who seems to think and behave like an older person
22. pay/settle an old score to punish someone for something wrong that they did to you in the past
23. of/from the old school old-fashioned and believing in old ideas and customs:
a doctor of the old school
24. old wives’ tale a belief based on old ideas that are now considered to be untrue
25. of old literary from a long time ago in the past:
the knights of old
26. Old English/Old Icelandic etc an early form of English, Icelandic etc
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 3)
■ phrases
▪ be 5/10/50 etc years old My dad is 45 years old.
▪ a five-year-old/fifteen-year-old etc somebody/something a three-year-old boy
▪ how old is …? ‘How old is your daughter?’ ‘She’s ten.’
▪ be too old for something He was too old for military service.
▪ be old enough to do something You’re old enough to help with the cooking.
▪ somebody is old enough to know better (=used when you think someone should behave more sensibly) He’s old enough to know better, but he went and did it anyway!
▪ somebody is old enough to be sb’s mother/father (=used when you think that someone is much too old to be having a relationship with another person ) Why would she want to go out with someone who was old enough to be her father?
• • •
THESAURUS
■ person
▪ old having lived for a long time: an old man | I’m too old to learn a new language.
▪ elderly a polite word for old: an elderly lady | a home for the elderly (=elderly people) | If you are elderly, you may be eligible for financial assistance.
▪ aging (also ageing British English) [only before noun] becoming old: an ageing rock star | the problems of an ageing population
▪ aged /ˈeɪdʒəd, ˈeɪdʒɪd/ [only before noun] written aged relatives are very old: aged parents | She had to look after her aged aunt.
▪ elder brother/sister especially British English [only before noun] an older brother or sister. Elder sounds more formal than older: I have two elder brothers.
▪ ancient [not usually before noun] informal very old – used humorously: I’ll be 30 next year – it sounds really ancient!
▪ be getting on (in years) informal to be fairly old: He’s 60 now, so he’s getting on a bit.
▪ be over the hill (also be past it British English) informal to be too old to do something: Everyone thinks you’re past it when you get to 40.
▪ geriatric [only before noun] relating to medical care and treatment for old people: a geriatric hospital | geriatric patients
■ thing
▪ old: an old car | an old Chinese saying
▪ ancient very old – used about things that existed thousands of years ago, or things that look very old: ancient civilisations | an ancient Rolls Royce
▪ antique antique furniture, clocks, jewellery etc are old and often valuable: an antique writing desk
▪ age-old used about traditions, problems, or situations that have existed for a very long time: the age-old tradition of morris dancing | the age-old prejudice against women in positions of power | the age-old problem of nationalism | age-old hatreds between religious groups

tall

tall S2 W2 /tɔːl $ tɒːl/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative taller, superlative tallest)
[Language: Old English; Origin: getæl 'quick, ready']
1. a person, building, tree etc that is tall is a greater height than normal:
He was young and tall.
a house surrounded by tall trees
This bush grows tall very quickly.
2. you use ‘tall’ to say or ask what the height of something or someone is
6ft/2m/12 inches etc tall
He’s only 5 feet tall.
How tall is that building?
She’s a little taller than her sister.
3. American English a tall drink contains a small amount of alcohol mixed with a large amount of a non-alcoholic drink
4. a tall order informal a request or piece of work that is almost impossible:
Finding a replacement is going to be a tall order.
5. tall story/tale a story that is so unlikely that it is difficult to believe
—tallness noun [uncountable]
⇨ stand tall at ↑stand¹(39), ⇨ walk tall at ↑walk¹(10)
• • •
THESAURUS
■ buildings/mountains etc
▪ high measuring a long distance from the bottom to the top – used about mountains, walls, and buildings: the highest mountain in the world | The castle was surrounded by high walls. | a high cliff | The council told the architects the tower was too high.
▪ tall high – used about people, trees, plants, and buildings. Tall is used especially about things that are high and narrow: tall marble columns | A cat was hiding in the tall grass. | a tall modern building
▪ majestic especially written very impressive because of being very big and tall – used about mountains, buildings, trees, and animals: the majestic mountains of the Himalayas | The abbey is noted for its majestic arches, fine doorways and elegant windows. | The cathedral looked majestic in the evening light.
▪ soaring [only before noun] especially written used about a building or mountain that looks extremely tall and impressive: a soaring skyscraper | the soaring towers of the palace
▪ towering [only before noun] especially written extremely high, in a way that seems impressive but also often rather frightening: The sky was shut out by the towering walls of the prison. | towering trees
▪ lofty [usually before noun] literary very high and impressive – used in literature: the lofty peaks in the far distance
▪ high-rise [usually before noun] a high-rise building is a tall modern building with a lot of floors containing apartments or offices: a high-rise apartment block | He works in a high-rise office in New York.

short

I. short¹ S1 W1 /ʃɔːt $ ʃɔːrt/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative shorter, superlative shortest)
[Word Family: noun: ↑short, ↑shortage, ↑shortness, shorts, ↑shorty; verb: ↑shorten, ↑short; adverb: ↑short, ↑shortly; adjective: ↑short]
[Language: Old English; Origin: scort]
1. TIME happening or continuing for only a little time or for less time than usual OPP long:
a short meeting
Morris gave a short laugh.
a short course on business English
Winter is coming and the days are getting shorter.
I’ve only been in Brisbane a short time.
For a short while (=a short time), the city functioned as the region’s capital.
I learned a lot during my short period as a junior reporter.
Germany achieved spectacular economic success in a relatively short period of time.
They met and married within a short space of time.
I promise to keep the meeting short and sweet (=short in a way that is good, especially not talking for a long time).
For a few short weeks (=they seemed to pass very quickly), the sun shone and the fields turned gold.
2. LENGTH/DISTANCE measuring a small amount in length or distance OPP long:
a short skirt
Anita had her hair cut short.
They went by the shortest route, across the fields.
Carol’s office was only a short distance away, and she decided that she would walk there.
a short walk/flight/drive
It’s a short drive to the airport.
The hotel is only a short walk from the beach.
3. NOT TALL someone who is short is not as tall as most people OPP tall:
a short plump woman
Chris was short and stocky, with broad shoulders.
He’s a bit shorter than me.
4. BOOK/LETTER a book, letter etc that is short does not have many words or pages OPP long:
a short novel
I wrote a short note to explain. ⇨ ↑short story
5. NOT ENOUGH
a) if you are short of something, you do not have enough of it
be short (of something)
Can you lend me a couple of dollars? I’m a little short.
be short of money/cash/funds
Our libraries are short of funds.
be 5p/$10 etc short
Have you all paid me? I’m about £9 short.
I’m a bit short British English spoken (=I haven’t got much money at the moment)
somebody is not short of something British English (=they have a lot of it)
Your little girl’s not short of confidence, is she?
They’re not short of a few bob (=they are rich).
b) if something is short, there is not enough of it:
Money was short in those days.
It’s going to be difficult – time is short.
Gasoline was in short supply (=not enough of it was available) after the war.
6. be short on something to have less of something than you should have:
He’s a nice guy, but a little short on brains.
The president’s speech was long on colorful phrases but short on solutions.
7. LESS THAN a little less than a number
short of
Her time was only two seconds short of the world record.
just/a little short of something
She was just short of six feet tall.
8. short notice if something is short notice, you are told about it only a short time before it happens:
I can’t make it Friday. It’s very short notice.
at short notice British English on short notice American English:
The party was arranged at short notice.
9. in the short term/run during the period of time that is not very far into the future ⇨ short-term:
These measures may save money in the short term, but we’ll end up spending more later.
10. have a short memory if someone has a short memory, they soon forget something that has happened:
Voters have very short memories.
11. be short for something to be a shorter way of saying a name:
Her name is Alex, short for Alexandra.
12. be short of breath to be unable to breathe easily, especially because you are unhealthy:
He couldn’t walk far without getting short of breath.
13. be short with somebody to speak to someone using very few words, in a way that seems rude or unfriendly:
Sorry I was short with you on the phone this morning.
14. have a short temper/fuse to get angry very easily:
Mr Yanto, who had a very short fuse, told her to get out.
15. get/be given short shrift if you or your idea, suggestion etc is given short shrift, you are told immediately that you are wrong and are not given any attention or sympathy:
McLaren got short shrift from all the record companies when he first presented his new band to them in 1976.
16. be nothing/little short of something used to emphasize that something is very good, very surprising etc:
Her recovery seemed nothing short of a miracle.
The results are little short of astonishing.
17. draw/get the short straw to be given something difficult or unpleasant to do, especially when other people have been given something better:
Giles drew the short straw, and has to give us a talk this morning.
18. make short work of (doing) something to finish something quickly and easily, especially food or a job:
The kids made short work of the sandwiches.
Computers can make short work of complex calculations.
19. have/get somebody by the short and curlies (also have/get somebody by the short hairs) British English informal not polite to put someone in a situation in which they are forced to do or accept what you want:
I signed the contract – they’ve got me by the short and curlies.
20. be one ... short of a ... spoken used humorously to say that someone is a little crazy or stupid:
Lady, are you a few aces short of a deck?
He’s one sandwich short of a picnic.
21. short time British English when workers work for fewer hours than usual, because the company cannot afford to pay them their full wage:
Most of the workers were put on short time.
22. in short order formal in a short time and without delay
23. give somebody short measure British English old-fashioned to give someone less than the correct amount of something, especially in a shop
24. SOUND technical a short vowel is pronounced quickly without being emphasized, for example the sound of a in ‘cat’, e in ‘bet’, and i in ‘bit’ OPP long
—shortness noun [uncountable]:
He was suffering from shortness of breath.
Shirley was very conscious of her shortness and always wore high heels.
⇨ life’s too short at ↑life(27)
• • •
THESAURUS
■ time
▪ short not long: I lived in Tokyo for a short time. | Smokers have a shorter life expectancy than non-smokers.
▪ brief especially written lasting only for a short time. Brief is more formal than short, and is used especially in written English: The President will make a brief visit to Seattle today. | He coached Hingis for a brief period in the 1990s.
▪ quick [only before noun] taking a short time to do something: I had a quick look at the map. | He had a quick shower and then went out.
▪ short-lived lasting only for a short time – used especially when someone wishes that a good situation had been able to last for longer: short-lived success | The ceasefire was short-lived. | a short-lived romance | short-lived optimism about the economy
▪ fleeting lasting only for an extremely short time – used especially when someone wishes that something had been able to last for longer: a fleeting visit | a fleeting smile | She caught a fleeting glimpse of him. | a fleeting moment of happiness | a fleeting thought
▪ momentary lasting for a very short time – used especially about feelings or pauses: There was a momentary pause in the conversation. | The momentary panic ended when he found his two-year-old son waiting happily outside the store.
▪ passing [only before noun] lasting only for a short time – used especially when people are only interested in something or mention something for a short time: passing fashions | He made only a passing reference to war. | It’s just a passing phase (=it will end soon).
▪ ephemeral formal lasting only for a short time, and ending quickly like everything else in this world: Beauty is ephemeral. | the ephemeral nature of our existence | His wealth proved to be ephemeral.
■ person
▪ short someone who is short is not as tall as most people: He was a short fat man.
▪ not very tall quite short. This phrase sounds more gentle than saying that someone is short: She wasn’t very tall – maybe about 1.60 m.
▪ small short and with a small body: My mother was a small woman. | The girl was quite small for her age (=smaller than other girls of the same age).
▪ petite used about a woman who is attractively short and thin: She was a petite woman with blonde hair.
▪ stocky used about a boy or man who is short, heavy, and strong: Harry was stocky and middle-aged.
▪ dumpy short and fat: a dumpy girl with red hair
▪ diminutive formal literary very short or small – used especially in descriptions in novels: a diminutive figure dressed in black
▪ stubby stubby fingers or toes are short and thick: the baby’s stubby little fingers

late

I. late¹ S1 W1 /leɪt/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative later, superlative latest)
[Language: Old English; Origin: læt]
1. AFTER EXPECTED TIME arriving, happening, or done after the time that was expected, agreed, or arranged OPP early:
Sorry I’m late – I overslept.
ten minutes/two hours etc late
You’re half an hour late.
The train was even later than usual.
We apologize for the late departure of flight AZ709.
There are penalties if loan repayments are late.
late for
Cheryl was late for school.
late with
We’ve never been late with the rent.
2. NEAR THE END [only before noun] used to refer to the part near the end of a period of time OPP early:
a late eighteenth century building
Paul’s in his late forties.
in the late 1980s
By late afternoon, she had done 10 drawings.
3. be too late to arrive or do something after the time when something could or should have been done:
He shouted a warning but it was too late.
too late to do something
Are we too late to get tickets?
It was too late to turn back.
4. AFTER USUAL TIME happening or done after the usual or normal time:
a late breakfast
The harvest was late this year because of the rain.
She looked tired – too many late nights (=nights when she went to bed after the normal time).
5. EVENING near the end of a day:
the late movie
It’s late – I’d better go home.
6. DEAD [only before noun] dead
late husband/wife
Mrs. Moore’s late husband
7. late developer/bloomer
a) a child who develops socially, emotionally, or physically at a later age than other children
b) someone who does not become successful until they are older
8. it’s (a little/bit) late in the day (to do something) used to show disapproval because someone has done something too late:
It’s a bit late in the day to start having objections.
9. late of something formal used about someone who has died fairly recently:
Billy Hicks, late of this parish
—lateness noun [uncountable]:
penalties for lateness at work
despite the lateness of the hour
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ late arriving or happening after the time that was expected or arranged: Sorry I’m late. | The bus was late. | Spring seems to be very late this year.
▪ not on time not arriving or doing something at the time that was expected or arranged: He never hands his homework in on time. | If we don’t leave on time, we’ll miss the flight.
▪ overdue not done or happening by the expected time – used especially about payments that are late or library books that should have been returned: Your rent is three weeks overdue. | I had to pay a £3 fine on some overdue library books.
▪ be behind with something British English, be behind on something American English to be late in doing something that you have to do: I can’t come out because I’m behind with my English essay.
▪ be held up to be made late for a meeting, appointment etc by something that happens, especially by bad traffic: I was held up by a traffic jam.
▪ be delayed to be prevented from arriving, leaving, or happening at the expected time – often used about public transport: The flight was delayed by bad weather.
▪ belated /bɪˈleɪtəd, bɪˈleɪtɪd/ given or done late – used especially about something that someone has forgotten or failed to do: a belated birthday card | I’m still hoping for a belated apology from him.
▪ tardy especially American English formal arriving or happening late: a habitually tardy person | a tardy decision
▪ be in arrears /əˈrɪəz $ əˈrɪrz/ formal to have not made one or more regular payments at the time when you should: One in eight mortgage payers are in arrears.
II. late² S2 W3 BrE AmE adverb (comparative later, superlative no superlative)
1. after the usual time:
The stores are open later on Thursdays.
Ellen has to work late tonight.
Can you stay late?
2. after the arranged or expected time OPP early
ten minutes/two hours etc late
The bus came ten minutes late.
3. too late after the time when something could or should have been done:
The advice came too late.
4. near to the end of a period of time or an event
late in
The wedding took place late in May.
It was not a place to walk in late at night.
5. as late as something used to express surprise that something considered old-fashioned was still happening so recently:
Capital punishment was still used in Britain as late as the 1950s.
6. of late formal recently:
Birth rates have gone down of late.
7. late in life if you do something late in life, you do it at an older age than most people do it
8. better late than never used to say that you are glad someone has done something, or to say that they should do something even though they are late
⇨ run late at ↑run¹(39)

half

I. half¹ S1 W1 /hɑːf $ hæf/ BrE AmE predeterminer, pronoun, adjective [only before noun]
1. 50% exactly or about 50% (½) of an amount, time, distance, number etc
half of
Over half of the children live in one-parent families.
Only half the guests had arrived by seven o'clock.
If you look at our members, at least half are women.
half a mile/pound/hour etc
half a pound of butter
It’s about half a mile down the road.
She drank half a bottle of wine.
half a million dollars
a half hour/mile etc
You can’t just waltz in a half hour late.
It’s about a half mile down the road.
a half day excursion to the island
He demanded a half share of the money.
half the price/size/length etc
It’s only half the size of a normal violin.
They offered to pay half the cost of repairs.
2. MOST OF the largest part of something
half of
We missed half of what he said because someone was talking.
She seems to be asleep half the time.
Getting covered in mud is half the fun.
3. TIME half past one/two/three etc especially British English (also half one/two/three etc British English spoken) 30 minutes after the hour mentioned:
I got home at about half past one.
I rang at about half six.
We’ll be there by seven or half past (=half past seven).
4. half a dozen
a) six:
half a dozen eggs
b) a small number of people or things:
There were half a dozen other people in front of me.
5. half a/the chance a small opportunity to do something, especially one which someone would take eagerly:
I’d go to university if I got half the chance.
Many kids would sleep till noon given half a chance.
6. half an eye/ear if you have half an eye on something, or if you are listening with half an ear, you are giving only part of your attention to it:
He listened with only half an ear and his thoughts wandered.
The teacher kept half an eye on them all through the lesson.
7. be half the battle spoken used to say that when you have done the most difficult part of an activity, the rest is easy:
Getting the audience to like you is half the battle.
8. half a minute/moment/second etc spoken a very short time:
Hold on, this will only take half a second.
9. only half the story an explanation that is not complete, used especially to say that someone is trying to keep something secret:
Journalists are convinced that she was only telling them half the story.
10. have half a mind to do something spoken used to say that you would like to do something but you probably will not do it:
He had half a mind to ask for his money back.
I have half a mind to tell your mother about this.
11. half measures actions or methods that are not strong enough, and so are not effective in dealing with a difficult problem:
This is no time for half measures.
12. half a loaf (is better than none) something that is less than what you wanted or asked for, but that you might accept because it is better than nothing
• • •
GRAMMAR
Use a plural verb after half (of) if you are referring to a number of people or things:
▪ Barely half the citizens bother to vote. Use a singular verb if you are referring to an amount or thing:
▪ Half the food was wasted.
▪ Over half of Britain’s ancient woodland has been destroyed.

► You do not usually say 'the half':
▪ I’ve only read half of the story (NOT the half of the story). The only time you say 'the half' is when you are referring to a particular half:
▪ the first half of the book

► Do not say 'half of hour'. Say half an hour or, especially in spoken American English, a half hour.

► Do not say 'one and half', 'two and half' etc. Say one and a half, two and a half etc:
▪ She is two and a half years old. These phrases are followed by a plural noun, not a singular noun:
▪ one and a half days (NOT one and a half day)
II. half² S1 W2 BrE AmE noun (plural halves /hɑːvz $ hævz/) [countable]
1. 50% one of two equal parts of something:
Two halves make a whole.
one/two etc and a half (=1½, 2½ etc)
My son’s three and a half now.
an hour and a half later
two and a half thousand people
first/second/other half (of something)
in the first half of the 19th century
He kept the other half of the cake for himself.
top/bottom/northern etc half (of something)
A veil covered the lower half of her face.
the southern half of the country
break/cut/tear etc something in half (=into two equal parts)
She tore the piece of paper in half.
reduce/cut something by half (=make something 50% smaller)
a plan to cut European forces by half
2. SPORT one of the two parts into which a sports event is divided
first/second half
France played very well in the first half.
3. PLAYER a player who plays in the middle part of the field in sports like football, ↑rugby etc:
the 23-year-old Newcastle centre half
4. BEER British English a half of a ↑pint of beer
half of
Can I have a half of lager, please?
5. TICKET British English a child’s ticket, for example on a bus or train, that is cheaper than an adult’s ticket:
One and a half to Waterloo, please.
6. a ... and a half informal used when you think that something is very unusual or surprising, or very good:
That was a meal and a half!
7. the half of it spoken used to emphasize that a situation is more difficult, complicated, or unpleasant than people realize:
Everyone knows she’s a difficult girl, but they don’t know the half of it.
8. your better half/other half old-fashioned used humorously to mean your husband or wife
9. not do something by halves to do something very eagerly and using a lot of care and effort:
I’m sure it will be a fantastic wedding. Eva never does anything by halves.
10. go halves (on something) to share something, especially the cost of something, equally between two people:
Do you want to go halves on a pizza?
11. too clever/rich/good etc by half British English informal very clever, rich etc in an annoying way:
That boy’s too arrogant by half.
12. how the other half lives how people who are much richer or much poorer than you manage their lives, work, money etc
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ break/cut/tear something in half (=into two equal pieces) He tore the paper in half.
▪ divide/split something in half Divide the dough in half.
▪ reduce/cut something by half (=make something 50% smaller or 50% less) The company has reduced the number of staff by half.
▪ decrease/fall by half (=become 50% less) Share prices fell by half.
▪ increase/rise by half (=become 50% more) The number of passengers using the service has increased by half.
■ adjectives
▪ the top/bottom half He graduated in the top half of his law school class.
▪ the upper/lower half The upper half of the door contained a stained glass window.
▪ the northern/southern half The northern half of the city is generally poorer.
▪ the first/second half Profits doubled in the first half of the year.
▪ the other half Half the patients were given the drug and the other half were given a sugar pill.
▪ the last/latter half He struggled with ill health in the latter half of his life.
■ phrases
▪ one/two etc and a half ‘How old is she?’ ‘Five and a half.’
III. half³ S2 BrE AmE adverb
1. partly, but not completely:
He was half in the water and half out.
She was standing there half dressed, putting on her make-up.
The door was only half closed.
The jug was still half full.
a half-empty wine bottle
I was only half awake.
He looked half asleep.
I was half expecting her to say ‘no’.
I half hoped that they wouldn’t come.
I said it half jokingly.
2. if something is half one thing and half something else, it is a combination of those two things:
He’s half English, half Swiss.
3. used to emphasize something bad, to say that it is almost an extremely bad thing:
The kitten looked half starved.
He was half dead with exhaustion.
I had been driven half out of my mind with worry.
4.
a) half as much/big etc half the size, amount etc of something else:
The new machine has all the same functions, but is only half as large.
b) half as much/big etc again larger by an amount that is equal to half the original size:
A flat in London costs almost half as much again as a flat in Glasgow.
5. not half as/so good/interesting etc (as somebody/something) much less good, less interesting etc than someone or something else:
The movie wasn’t half as entertaining as the book.
She can’t love you half as much as I do.
6. not half British English spoken used when you want to emphasize an opinion or statement:
She doesn’t half talk once she gets started.
7. not half bad spoken an expression meaning good, used especially when you are rather surprised that something is good:
Actually, the party wasn’t half bad.
8. half and half partly one thing and partly another:
The group was about half and half, complete beginners and people with some experience.

human

I. hu‧man¹ S2 W1 /ˈhjuːmən/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: human, humanism, humanity ≠ inhumanity, humanitarian, humanitarianism, humankind, humanoid; adjective: human ≠ inhuman, superhuman, subhuman, humane ≠ inhumane, humanitarian, ↑humanoid; adverb: humanly ≠ inhumanly, humanely ≠ inhumanely; verb: humanize]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: humain, from Latin humanus]
1. belonging to or relating to people, especially as opposed to machines or animals:
There are many different cell types in the human body.
the power of the human mind
The desire for joy lies deep within the human spirit.
Infra-red light is invisible to the human eye.
theories of human behaviour
different areas of human experience
respect for the absolute value of human life
The accident was the result of human error.
The meat was declared unfit for human consumption.
2. human weaknesses, emotions etc are those that are typical of people:
He was also a person with very obvious human failings.
3. somebody is only human used to say that someone should not be blamed for what they have done
4. having the same feelings and emotions as ordinary people:
He’s really not so bad. When you get to know him he seems quite human.
5. a/the human touch someone, especially someone in authority, who has the human touch deals with people in a kind friendly way and is able to understand their feelings and problems:
The president has been accused of lacking the human touch.
6. human interest a quality that makes a story interesting because it is about people’s feelings, lives, relationships etc
7. the human condition the experiences, emotions, needs etc that all people share, especially considered as a situation from which it is impossible to escape
8. human chain a line of people:
Firefighters formed a human chain to carry the brothers to safety.
9. put a human face on something (also give something a human face) to make an important event or principle understandable to ordinary people by directing their attention to the way it affects a particular person:
Anne Frank was the girl whose diary put a human face on the Holocaust.
10. capitalism/communism/socialism etc with a human face a capitalist etc economic and political system that does not ignore people’s needs
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ the human body The diagram shows all the organs in the human body.
▪ the human mind/brain Distances in space are too great for the human mind to comprehend.
▪ the human spirit Our capacity for forgiveness is a triumph of the human spirit.
▪ the human eye (=used especially when saying that something cannot be seen by people) These creatures are too small for the human eye to see.
▪ human life I firmly believe in the sanctity of all human life.
▪ human health Toxic waste is a risk to human health and the environment.
▪ human behaviour British English, human behavior American English We study the aspects of human behaviour that result from our social upbringing.
▪ human activity Our research measured the impact of human activity on this particular eco-system.
▪ human relationships Trust is an essential ingredient in all human relationships.
▪ human society In every human society there is a struggle for power.
▪ the human population The UN estimates that the human population will reach 9.1 billion by 2050.
▪ human error Investigators concluded that the crash was caused by human error.
▪ human needs (=the things people need to have in order to live a normal healthy comfortable life) The islanders meet the universal basic human needs of food and shelter in unexpected ways.
▪ human remains (=the body of someone who has died) The police found human remains in the basement.
■ phrases
▪ for human consumption/habitation (=to be eaten/lived in by people) This meat is not fit for human consumption.
II. human² W3 BrE AmE (also ˌhuman ˈbeing) noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑human, ↑humanism, ↑humanity ≠ ↑inhumanity, ↑humanitarian, ↑humanitarianism, ↑humankind, ↑humanoid; adjective: ↑human ≠ ↑inhuman, ↑superhuman, ↑subhuman, ↑humane ≠ ↑inhumane, ↑humanitarian, ↑humanoid; adverb: ↑humanly ≠ ↑inhumanly, ↑humanely ≠ ↑inhumanely; verb: ↑humanize]
a person
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ human/human being a person: The monkeys show no fear of humans. | It was thought that the disease could not be passed to human beings.
▪ the human race all the people in the world, considered as one group: War and aggression threaten the future of the whole human race.
▪ humanity people in general – used especially when you are talking about people’s rights, or their suffering etc: The general was accused of committing crimes against humanity. | 30% of humanity live in conditions of terrible poverty.
▪ mankind/humankind people in general – used especially when talking about their history and development. Some people prefer not to use mankind because it sounds like it does not include women: Travelling into space was a great advance for mankind. | The greatest threat to humankind is poverty.
▪ man people in general – used especially when you are talking about people compared to nature. Some people prefer not to use man because it sounds like it does not include women: The grandeur of the mountains is a constant reminder of man’s insignificance.

alive

a‧live S2 W3 /əˈlaɪv/ BrE AmE adjective [not before noun]
[Language: Old English; Origin: on life 'in life']
1. NOT DEAD still living and not dead:
It was a bad accident – they’re lucky to be alive.
My grandparents are still alive.
We stayed alive by eating berries.
He was kept alive on a life-support machine.
Apparently he’s alive and well and living in Brazil.
2. STILL EXISTING continuing to exist:
Ancient traditions are very much alive in rural areas.
Christianity is alive and well in Asia.
The sport is still very much alive and kicking in this country.
3. CHEERFUL full of energy, happiness, activity etc:
It was the kind of morning when you wake up and feel really alive.
alive with
Her face was alive with excitement.
The whole house was alive with activity.
4. come alive
a) if a subject or event comes alive, it becomes interesting and seems real:
Hopefully, we can make history come alive for the children.
b) if someone comes alive, they suddenly become happy and interested in what is happening:
She only came alive when she sat down at the piano.
c) if a town, city etc comes alive, it becomes busy:
seaside resorts that come alive in the summer
5. be alive to a fact/possibility/danger etc to know that a particular fact etc exists and that it is important:
The company is alive to the threat posed by foreign imports.
6. be alive with something to be full of living things that are moving:
The pond was alive with fish.
7. bring something alive to make something interesting and real:
The way he describes his characters really brings them alive.
⇨ skin somebody alive at ↑skin²(3)

rich

rich S2 W2 /rɪtʃ/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative richer, superlative richest)
[Word Family: noun: ↑riches, ↑richness, ↑enrichment, the rich; adjective: ↑rich, ↑enriched; verb: ↑enrich; adverb: ↑richly]
[Language: Old English; Origin: rice]
1. WEALTHY
a) someone who is rich has a lot of money and valuable possessions OPP poor:
one of the richest women in America
She found herself a rich husband.
He thought this was the easiest way to get rich.
the rich nations of the world
fabulously rich British English:
She was both beautiful and fabulously rich.
His brother’s stinking rich (=very rich, in a way that you do not approve of).
b) the rich [plural] people who are rich:
houses belonging to the rich and famous
REGISTER
In written English, people sometimes prefer to use affluent rather than rich, because it sounds more formal:
▪ In affluent societies the definition of poverty is relative.
2. LARGE AMOUNT containing a lot of something
rich in
Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C.
oxygen-rich/nutrient-rich/protein-rich etc
Pregnant women should eat protein-rich foods.
Rich mineral deposits have been found in the sea bed.
Red meat is a rich source of iron.
3. FULL OF INTEREST full of interesting or important facts, events, or ideas:
the rich literary tradition of England
The area has a very rich history.
rich in
a story that was rich in detail
4. FOOD rich food contains a lot of butter, cream, or eggs, which make you feel full very quickly OPP light:
a rich fruit cake
The sauce was very rich.
5. SMELL/FLAVOUR a rich smell or flavour is strong and pleasant:
the rich scent of the pine trees
meat with a wonderfully rich flavour
a rich, fruity wine
6. COLOUR a rich colour is strong and attractive:
a rich dark brown colour
7. SOUND a rich sound is low and pleasant:
the rich tone of a cello
He laughed with a rich, throaty chuckle.
8. SOIL rich soil is good for growing plants in OPP poor:
Vegetables grow well in the rich, black soil.
9. CLOTH rich cloth is expensive and beautiful:
She stroked the rich velvet of the dress enviously.
10. that’s rich (coming from him/you etc) British English spoken used to say that what someone has said is unreasonable and that they are criticizing you for doing something that they do themselves:
He accused me of being dishonest, which was a bit rich coming from him.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adverbs
▪ very rich He is a very rich man.
▪ extremely rich He came from an extremely rich Viennese family.
▪ immensely rich (=extremely rich) He was immensely rich and owned two yachts.
▪ fabulously rich (=extremely rich) She must have been fabulously rich to live in a house like this.
▪ seriously rich (=very rich) They stand to become seriously rich if the venture succeeds.
▪ stinking/filthy rich disapproving (=very rich) She was obviously stinking rich.
■ verbs
▪ get rich They just wanted to get rich. | get rich quick schemes
▪ become rich Over the years, he became enormously rich.
▪ grow rich (=become rich) They have grown rich by selling this technology to other companies.
▪ make somebody rich The trade in tea made the British rich.
■ phrases
▪ the new rich disapproving (=people who have recently become rich and spend a lot of money) For Russia's new rich, life is a candy store.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ rich having a lot of money – used about people and places: She married a rich Greek shipowner. | one of the world’s richest nations
▪ wealthy rich – used about people and places, especially when they have been rich for a long time: wealthy landowners | Orange County is a very wealthy area. | a wealthy Arab businessman
▪ affluent formal rich – used about societies, groups of people, or areas where people live, where people have nice houses and a lot of expensive possessions: today’s affluent society | affluent young professionals | an affluent suburb of Boston
▪ prosperous formal rich – used about places and groups of people, especially when their money is related to success in business: Sales have grown fastest in the more prosperous areas of the south. | prosperous merchants and bankers
▪ well-off fairly rich compared to other people, so that you can live very comfortably: Her parents are pretty well-off. | children from well-off families
▪ well-to-do written rich – used especially in the past about families and people who had a fairly high position in society: Only well-to-do families could afford to send their children to university. | The Westons were now well-to-do and there was no necessity for work.
▪ privileged having special advantages because your family have a lot of money and a high position in society: He comes from a privileged background. | The sport was only played by a privileged few.
▪ comfortably off [not before noun] having enough money to have a nice life without having to worry about money: I wouldn’t say that we were rich – just comfortably off.
▪ be rolling in it/be loaded informal to be extremely rich: They’ve got two houses and a boat – they must be rolling in it. | Her books were so successful that she’s loaded now.
■ COLLOCATIONS CHECK
▪ wealthy person/family/area
▪ affluent society/area/family/lifestyle
▪ prosperous area/economy/middle class
▪ well-to-do family
▪ privileged person/background/few/elite