adjective

excited

ex‧cit‧ed /ɪkˈsaɪtəd, ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: adjective: ↑excitable, ↑excited, ↑exciting ≠ ↑unexciting, ↑excitable; noun: ↑excitement, ↑excitability; adverb: ↑excitedly, ↑excitingly; verb: ↑excite]
1. happy, interested, or hopeful because something good has happened or will happen:
Steve flies home tomorrow – we’re all really excited.
excited about
Maria’s starting to get pretty excited about the wedding.
excited by/at
We’re all excited by the prospect of a party.
excited to do something
Michelle sounded excited to hear from him.
excited (that)
I’m so excited that we’re going to New York.
The food was nothing to get excited about (=not very good or special).
excited crowds of shoppers
2. very nervous and upset about something so that you cannot relax
excited about
There’s no point getting excited about it. We can’t change things.
3. feeling sexual desire
—excitedly adverb:
People had gathered and were talking excitedly.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ excited feeling happy, especially about something good that has happened or is going to happen: He’s excited about his new job. | The kids always get excited on their birthday. | An excited crowd watched their team win 3–0. | When we get home, the dogs are always excited to see us. | Doctors are very excited by the discovery.
▪ thrilled /θrɪld/ [not before noun] very excited and pleased: She was thrilled to hear that you were in London. | I was thrilled when they told me that I’d got a place on the course.
▪ exhilarated /ɪɡˈzɪləreɪtəd, ɪɡˈzɪləreɪtɪd/ [not before noun] very excited and full of energy, especially because you are experiencing something new or something that involves risks: She felt exhilarated by her new freedom. | The climb left him feeling exhilarated.
▪ look forward to something to feel excited about something good that is going to happen and to think about it a lot: The kids are looking forward to their vacation – they’ve never been to California before. | She’s really looking forward to meeting him.
▪ can’t wait to do something especially spoken to be very excited about something good that is going to happen: I can’t wait to see him again.
▪ on the edge of your seat extremely excited and interested when you are watching a film, game etc, because you do not know what is going to happen next: I was on the edge of my seat throughout the movie. | The game kept fans on the edge of their seats.
▪ on tenterhooks /ˈtentəhʊks $ -ər-/ very excited and nervous because you are waiting to find out what has happened: Don’t keep us on tenterhooks! Did you pass your test?
▪ rapturous [usually before noun] especially written rapturous behaviour shows that a large group of people are extremely excited and pleased: They received a rapturous welcome. | He came on the stage to rapturous applause (=everyone was clapping and cheering).

selfless

self‧less /ˈselfləs/ BrE AmE adjective
caring about other people more than about yourself – used to show approval:
selfless devotion to their work

brave

I. brave¹ S3 /breɪv/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative braver, superlative bravest)
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: Old Italian and Old Spanish bravo 'brave, wild', from Latin barbarus; ⇨ ↑barbarous]
1.
a) dealing with danger, pain, or difficult situations with courage and confidence SYN courageous:
brave soldiers
her brave fight against cancer
it is brave of somebody (to do something)
It was brave of you to speak in front of all those people.
b) the brave [plural] brave people:
Today we remember the brave who died in the last war.
2. very good:
Despite their captain’s brave performance, Arsenal lost 2–1.
brave effort/attempt
the brave efforts of the medical staff to save his life
3. put on a brave face/front to pretend that you are happy when you are really very upset
4. brave new world a situation or a way of doing something that is new and exciting and meant to improve people’s lives:
the brave new world of digital television
—bravely adverb:
She smiled bravely.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ brave showing that you are not afraid to do things that other people find dangerous or difficult: I think he was incredibly brave to do a parachute jump. | a brave attempt to change the system
▪ courageous /kəˈreɪdʒəs/ especially written very brave – used especially about someone fighting for what they believe in, or fighting against a disease: a courageous speech | her courageous fight against cancer
▪ daring brave and willing to take a lot of risks: a daring escape from a prison camp | a daring fighter pilot | a daring thing to do
▪ bold willing to make difficult decisions or say what you think, even though it may involve risks: It was a bold move to set up his own company. | She was very bold in criticizing the leadership.
▪ intrepid written willing to do dangerous things or go to dangerous places: an intrepid traveller | We sent our intrepid reporter to find out what is happening.
▪ adventurous used about someone who enjoys going to new places and doing new, possibly dangerous, things: More adventurous visitors can go skiing or snowboarding.
▪ fearless not afraid of anything or anyone: a fearless campaigner for human rights
▪ heroic very brave and admired by many people: heroic rescuers | Despite heroic efforts to save him, he died.
▪ plucky brave and determined – often used in newspapers: Plucky Megan, aged 10, has beaten cancer twice.

remaining

re‧main‧ing W2 /rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/ BrE AmE adjective [only before noun]
[Word Family: noun: the remainder, ↑remainder, ↑remains; verb: ↑remain; adjective: ↑remaining]
the remaining people or things are those that are left when the others have gone, been used, or been dealt with:
The few remaining guests were in the kitchen.
Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes.
The only remaining question is whether we can raise the money.

tough

I. tough¹ S2 W2 /tʌf/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative tougher, superlative toughest)
[Word Family: adverb: ↑toughly, ↑tough, ↑toughly; verb: ↑toughen; noun: ↑toughness; adjective: ↑tough]
[Language: Old English; Origin: toh]
1. DIFFICULT difficult to do or deal with:
It was a tough race.
She’s had a tough life.
The company admitted that it had been a tough year.
Tough decisions will have to be made.
The reporters were asking a lot of tough questions.
have a tough time (of it) (=face a lot of difficult problems)
The family has had a tough time of it these last few months.
it’s tough doing something
It’s tough being married to a cop.
be tough on somebody (=cause problems for someone or make their life difficult)
Having to stay indoors all day is tough on a kid.
It was a tough call (=a difficult decision), but we had to cancel the game because of the weather.
I find his books pretty tough going (=difficult to read).
Gage predicted the president’s proposal would be a tough sell (=something that is difficult to persuade someone about) before Congress. American English
when the going gets tough (the tough get going) informal (=used to say that when a situation becomes difficult, strong people take the necessary action to deal with it)
2. STRONG PERSON physically or emotionally strong and able to deal with difficult situations:
The men who work on the oil rigs are a tough bunch.
tough cookie/customer informal (=someone who is very determined to do what they want and not what other people want)
as tough as nails/as tough as old boots (=very tough)
He’s as tough as nails – a good man to have on the team.
3. STRONG MATERIAL not easily broken or made weaker:
tough, durable plastic
a very tough, hard-wearing cloth
4. STRICT/FIRM very strict or firm
tough on/with
My mother was very tough on my sister.
It’s time to get tough with drunk drivers.
The EU is taking a tough line with the UK over this issue.
5. VIOLENT AREA a tough part of a town has a lot of crime or violence
tough neighborhood/area/part of town etc
a tough area of Chicago
6. tough!/that’s tough! spoken used when you do not have any sympathy with someone:
‘I’m getting wet.’ ‘Tough! You should’ve brought your umbrella.’
She didn’t tell us she was coming, so if this screws up her plans that’s just tough.
7. tough luck! spoken
a) used when you do not have any sympathy for someone’s problems:
Well, that’s just their tough luck! It was their mistake.
b) British English used when you feel sympathy about something bad that has happened to someone:
You didn’t get the job? Oh, tough luck!
8. tough shit! spoken not polite used when you do not have any sympathy for someone’s problems
9. VIOLENT PERSON likely to behave violently and having no gentle qualities:
one of football’s most notorious tough guys
tough young thugs looking for trouble
10. FOOD difficult to cut or eat OPP tender:
The meat was tough and hard to chew.
the tough outer leaves of the cabbage
11. tough love a way of helping someone to change their behaviour by treating them in a kind but strict way

artificial

ar‧ti‧fi‧cial S3 /ˌɑːtəˈfɪʃəl◂, ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃəl◂ $ ˌɑːr-/ BrE AmE adjective [usually before noun]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: artificiel, from Latin artificialis, from artificium; ⇨ ↑artifice]
1. not real or not made of natural things but made to be like something that is real or natural SYN false OPP natural:
artificial flowers
artificial light
artificial fertilizers
2. an artificial situation or quality exists because someone has made it exist, and not because it is really necessary:
artificial distinctions
artificial barriers of gender and race
3. artificial behaviour is not sincere – used to show disapproval OPP genuine:
an artificial smile
—artificially adverb:
Food prices are being kept artificially low.
—artificiality /ˌɑːtəfɪʃiˈæləti, ˌɑːtɪfɪʃiˈæləti $ ˌɑːr-/ noun [uncountable]
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ artificial light/lighting Energy is being wasted by using artificial lighting when daylight is adequate.
▪ artificial sweeteners (=used to make food or drink taste sweeter) Diet drinks contain artificial sweeteners like saccharin.
▪ artificial colours (=used in food) I try to buy food that is free from artificial colours.
▪ artificial flavours Ice cream often has artificial flavours in it.
▪ artificial additives (=used to give food more colour or taste) Artificial additives such as colourings, sweeteners and flavour enhancers aren’t permitted in baby foods.
▪ artificial preservatives (=used to preserve food) This jam has no artificial preservatives.
▪ artificial flowers a vase of stiff-looking artificial flowers
▪ an artificial environment Animals hate being confined in an artificial environment.
▪ artificial grass artificial grass tennis courts
▪ artificial snow Some ski resorts use huge amounts of artificial snow.
▪ an artificial pitch British English The club is building a new artificial training pitch at its sports ground.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ artificial not real or natural, but made to look or work like something real or natural: artificial flowers | He was given an artificial heart.
▪ synthetic made using chemical processes rather than by natural processes: synthetic fabrics | a synthetic version of the drug
▪ man-made made by people – used especially about geographical features and materials: a man-made lake | man-made fibres
▪ fake made to look or seem like something else, especially in order to deceive people: a fake passport | fake fur
▪ imitation made to look like something, but not real – used especially about guns, jewellery, and leather: imitation firearms | imitation pearls
▪ false artificial – used especially about teeth, ↑eyelashes, and ↑beards: a set of false teeth
▪ simulated not real, but made to look, sound, or feel real, especially by means of special computers or machines: a simulated space flight
▪ virtual made, done, seen etc on a computer, rather than in the real world: a virtual tour of the garden

superficial

su‧per‧fi‧cial /ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃəl◂ $ -pər-/ BrE AmE adjective
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Late Latin; Origin: superficialis, from Latin superficies 'surface', from facies 'face']
1. NOT LOOKING/STUDYING CAREFULLY not studying or looking at something carefully and only seeing the most noticeable things
superficial examination/study etc
Even a superficial inspection revealed serious flaws.
Naturally, such visits can allow only the most superficial understanding of prison life.
2. APPEARANCE seeming to have a particular quality, although this is not true or real
superficial resemblance/similarity
Despite their superficial similarities, the two novels are, in fact, very different.
Beneath his refined manners and superficial elegance lay something treacherous.
at/on a superficial level
At a superficial level, things seem to have remained the same.
3. WOUND/DAMAGE affecting only the surface of your skin or the outside part of something, and therefore not serious:
She escaped with only superficial cuts and bruises.
superficial damage
4. PERSON someone who is superficial does not think about things that are serious or important – used to show disapproval SYN shallow:
All the other girls seemed silly and superficial to Darlene.
5. NOT IMPORTANT superficial changes, difficulties etc are not important and do not have a big effect SYN minor:
superficial changes in government policies
6. TOP LAYER existing in or relating to the top layer of something, especially soil, rock etc

superficial

su‧per‧fi‧cial /ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃəl◂ $ -pər-/ BrE AmE adjective
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Late Latin; Origin: superficialis, from Latin superficies 'surface', from facies 'face']
1. NOT LOOKING/STUDYING CAREFULLY not studying or looking at something carefully and only seeing the most noticeable things
superficial examination/study etc
Even a superficial inspection revealed serious flaws.
Naturally, such visits can allow only the most superficial understanding of prison life.
2. APPEARANCE seeming to have a particular quality, although this is not true or real
superficial resemblance/similarity
Despite their superficial similarities, the two novels are, in fact, very different.
Beneath his refined manners and superficial elegance lay something treacherous.
at/on a superficial level
At a superficial level, things seem to have remained the same.
3. WOUND/DAMAGE affecting only the surface of your skin or the outside part of something, and therefore not serious:
She escaped with only superficial cuts and bruises.
superficial damage
4. PERSON someone who is superficial does not think about things that are serious or important – used to show disapproval SYN shallow:
All the other girls seemed silly and superficial to Darlene.
5. NOT IMPORTANT superficial changes, difficulties etc are not important and do not have a big effect SYN minor:
superficial changes in government policies
6. TOP LAYER existing in or relating to the top layer of something, especially soil, rock etc
—superficially adverb
—superficiality /ˌsuːpəfɪʃiˈæləti, ˌsuːpəfɪʃiˈælɪti $ -pər-/ noun [uncountable]
 

undressed

un‧dressed /ˌʌnˈdrest◂/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑dress, ↑dresser, ↑dressing; adjective: ↑dressed ≠ ↑undressed, ↑dressy; verb: ↑dress ≠ ↑undress]
1. [not before noun] not wearing any clothes:
He started to get undressed (=to take his clothes off).
2. an undressed wound has not been covered to protect it
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ naked not wearing any clothes or not covered by clothes - used especially when this seems rather shocking: a naked man | He got out of bed naked, and answered the telephone. | his naked chest
▪ have nothing on/not have anything on to not be wearing any clothes. This phrase is very commonly used in everyday English instead of saying that someone is naked: Can you wait a minute? I've got nothing on! | The little boy didn’t have anything on when he answered the door!
▪ bare used about feet, legs, arms etc that are not covered by clothes: The sand was too hot to walk on in bare feet.
▪ nude naked – used especially when talking about naked people in paintings, films etc: a nude portrait of his wife
▪ undressed [not before noun] not wearing any clothes, especially because you have just taken them off in order to go to bed, have a bath etc: Sara was undressed and ready for bed but Jenny was fully clothed. | Wearily she got undressed and stepped into the shower.
▪ topless if a woman is topless, she is not wearing any clothes on the upper part of her body, so that her breasts are not covered: a topless waitress
▪ in the nude not wearing any clothes: Men and women swam together in the nude and thought nothing of it.
▪ in your birthday suit informal humorous not wearing any clothes: He likes to sleep in his birthday suit. He says pyjamas are uncomfortable.
▪ go commando informal humorous to not wear any underwear: In summertime, he likes to go commando.
▪ in the buff informal not wearing any clothes - a very informal use: a beach where you can sunbathe in the buff