adjective

self-confident

ˌself-ˈconfident BrE AmE adjective
sure that you can do things well, that people like you etc OPP shy
—self-confidently adverb
—self-confidence noun [uncountable]
• • •
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.

trendy

I. trend‧y¹ /ˈtrendi/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative trendier, superlative trendiest)
influenced by the most fashionable styles and ideas:
a trendy Bay Area restaurant
—trendiness noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ fashionable popular at a particular time: fashionable clothes | It was fashionable to have red hair. | His theories were fashionable in the 1980s.
▪ trendy informal modern and fashionable – often used in a slightly disapproving or joking way: a trendy tie | a trendy restaurant | The area has become very trendy and a lot of artists live there.
▪ stylish adjective fashionable and well-designed in an attractive way: She was wearing a stylish two-piece suit. | The furniture looked very stylish and modern.
▪ cool adjective informal fashionable – used especially when you think someone or something looks good: Michael looked very cool in his dark jacket and sunglasses. | a cool shirt
▪ happening [only before noun] informal adjective a happening place is fashionable and lively: London has always been a happening place.
▪ be in fashion verb phrase to be fashionable at a particular time: The Sixties look is back in fashion.
▪ in adjective informal fashionable at a particular time. In is not used before a noun, except in the phrases below: Pale colours are in. | New York was the in place to be. | Yoga has become the in thing to do.

funky

funk‧y /ˈfʌŋki/ BrE AmE adjective informal
[Date: 1700-1800; Origin: ⇨ ↑funk(3)]
1. modern, fashionable, and interesting:
Add a touch of style with these functional yet funky wall lights.
2. funky music is simple with a strong ↑rhythm that is easy to dance to
3. American English having a bad smell or a dirty appearance

stylish

styl‧ish AC /ˈstaɪlɪʃ/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑style, ↑styling, ↑stylishness, ↑stylist, ↑stylistics, ↑stylization; adjective: ↑stylish, ↑stylistic, ↑stylized; adverb: ↑stylishly, ↑stylistically; verb: ↑style]
attractive in a fashionable way:
a stylish woman in her forties
Jack is quite stylish.
a stylish restaurant in the West End
—stylishly adverb
—stylishness noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ fashionable popular at a particular time: fashionable clothes | It was fashionable to have red hair. | His theories were fashionable in the 1980s.
▪ trendy informal modern and fashionable – often used in a slightly disapproving or joking way: a trendy tie | a trendy restaurant | The area has become very trendy and a lot of artists live there.
▪ stylish adjective fashionable and well-designed in an attractive way: She was wearing a stylish two-piece suit. | The furniture looked very stylish and modern.
▪ cool adjective informal fashionable – used especially when you think someone or something looks good: Michael looked very cool in his dark jacket and sunglasses. | a cool shirt
▪ happening [only before noun] informal adjective a happening place is fashionable and lively: London has always been a happening place.
▪ be in fashion verb phrase to be fashionable at a particular time: The Sixties look is back in fashion.
▪ in adjective informal fashionable at a particular time. In is not used before a noun, except in the phrases below: Pale colours are in. | New York was the in place to be. | Yoga has become the in thing to do.

full

I. full¹ S1 W1 /fʊl/ BrE AmE adjective
[Language: Old English]
1. NO SPACE containing as much or as many things or people as possible, so there is no space left ⇨ empty:
The train was completely full.
Don’t talk with your mouth full.
The class is full, but you can register for next term.
full of
The kitchen was full of smoke.
be crammed/stuffed/packed etc full of something
Ted’s workshop was crammed full of old engines.
half-full/three-quarters full etc
McQuaid filled his glass until it was three-quarters full.
The bath was full to the brim (=completely full) with hot water.
full (up) to bursting British English informal (=completely full)
The filing cabinet was full to bursting.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people often say that a place is packed when it is full of people:
▪ The trains are always packed in the rush hour.
2. INCLUDING EVERYTHING [only before noun] complete and including all parts or details:
Please write your full name and address on the form.
The Health Centre offers a full range of services.
Lotus will not reveal full details until the Motor Show.
The BBC promised a full investigation.
I don’t think he’s telling us the full story (=everything he knows about the matter).
3. HIGHEST AMOUNT/LEVEL [only before noun] the greatest amount or highest level of something that is possible SYN maximum:
rising prosperity and full employment
The charity helps disabled children reach their full potential.
Few customers take full advantage of off-peak fares.
Parker was driving at full speed when he hit the wall.
in full leaf/bloom
The roses were now in full bloom.
4. HAVING A LOT OF SOMETHING be full of something
a) to contain many things of the same kind:
a garden full of flowers
His essay was full of mistakes.
The music papers were full of gossip about the band.
Life’s full of surprises, isn’t it?
b) to feel, express, or show a lot of a particular emotion or quality
full of excitement/energy/hope etc
Lucy was a happy child, always full of life.
He was full of praise for the work of the unit.
c) to talk or think a lot about a particular thing:
She was full of plans for the wedding.
5. FOOD (also full up British English) [not before noun] having eaten so much food that you cannot eat any more:
No more, thanks. I’m full.
6. EMPHASIS [only before noun] used to emphasize an amount, quantity, or rate
three/six etc full days/years/pages etc
We devote five full days a month to training.
His pants rose a full three inches off his shoes.
7. BUSY busy and involving lots of different activities:
Before her illness, Rose enjoyed a full life.
Go to bed. You’ve a full day tomorrow.
8. RANK having or giving all the rights, duties etc that belong to a particular rank or position
full professor/member/colonel etc
Only full members have the right to vote.
a full driving licence
9. be full of yourself to have a high opinion of yourself – used to show disapproval:
My first impression was that he was a bit full of himself.
10. be full of crap/shit/it not polite a rude expression used to say that someone often says things that are wrong or stupid:
Don’t listen to Jerry. He’s full of it.
11. CLOTHES made using a lot of material and fitting loosely:
a dress with a full skirt
12. BODY large and rounded in an attractive way
full figure/face/breasts etc
clothes for the fuller figure
13. TASTE having a strong satisfying taste:
Now you can enjoy Nescafé's fuller flavour in a decaffeinated form. ⇨ ↑full-bodied
14. SOUND pleasantly loud and deep:
the rich full sound of the cello
15. full price not a reduced price:
If you’re over 14, you have to pay full price.
16. in full view of somebody so that all the people in a place can see, especially when this is embarrassing or shocking:
The argument happened on stage in full view of the audience.
17. be in full swing if an event or process is in full swing, it has reached its highest level of activity:
By 8.30, the party was in full swing.
18. full speed/steam ahead doing something with as much energy and effort as possible:
With last season’s misery behind them, it’s full steam ahead for the Bears.
19. be full of beans to be excited and have lots of energy
20. (at) full blast informal as strongly, loudly, or quickly as possible:
The heater was on full blast but I was still cold.
a car stereo playing Wagner at full blast
21. (at) full tilt/pelt moving as fast as possible:
She ran full tilt into his arms.
22. be in full cry if a group of people are in full cry, they are criticizing someone very strongly:
Anyone who’s seen the world’s press in full cry can understand how Diana felt.
23. to the full (also to the fullest American English) in the best or most complete way:
Ed believes in living life to the full.
24. come/go/turn full circle to be in the same situation in which you began, even though there have been changes during the time in between:
Fashion has come full circle and denim is back.
⇨ ↑fully, ⇨ have your hands full at ↑hand¹(29), ⇨ draw yourself up to your full height at ↑draw up(4)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ full containing as much or as many things or people as possible, so there is no space left: The train was nearly full. | The cupboard was full of clothes. | He spilled a full cup of coffee on the carpet.
▪ filled with something full of something – use this about a container when a lot of things have been put into it: The envelopes were filled with cash.
▪ stuffed full of something completely full of something – use this about a container when lots of things have been put into it, often in an untidy way: The case was stuffed full of clothes.
▪ packed completely full of people – use this about a room, train etc: a packed restaurant | The courtroom will be packed with journalists.
▪ bursting (with something) extremely full of something: Her wardrobe was bursting with coats and shoes. | a small garden bursting with fruit and flowers
▪ crammed so full that you cannot fit anyone or anything else in – often used when you think there are too many people or things: In summer, the hotels are crammed with tourists. | The resort’s crammed beaches are uncomfortable in summer.
▪ teeming (with something) /ˈtiːmɪŋ/ full of people, animals etc that are all moving around: The rivers are teeming with fish.
▪ overflowing used about a container that is so full that the liquid or things inside it come out over the top: an overflowing bathtub | The drawers were overflowing with magazines.
▪ overloaded used about a vehicle or a ship which has too many people or things in it: an overloaded fishing boat | The trucks are often grossly overloaded (=far too overloaded).

successful

suc‧cess‧ful S2 W1 /səkˈsesfəl/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑success, ↑succession, ↑successor; adjective: ↑successful ≠ ↑unsuccessful, ↑successive; verb: ↑succeed; adverb: ↑successfully ≠ ↑unsuccessfully]
1. achieving what you wanted, or having the effect or result you intended:
The operation was successful.
a highly successful (=very successful) meeting
successful in (doing) something
Were you successful in persuading him to change his mind?
2. a successful business, film, product etc makes a lot of money:
The show’s had a pretty successful run.
a highly successful (=very successful) product
3. a successful person earns a lot of money or is very well known and respected:
Arthur was a highly successful (=very successful) businessman.
successful in
He later became successful in politics.
successful as
I think she’ll be successful as a photographer.
—successfully adverb:
He successfully completed a master’s degree.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ successful achieving what you wanted, or having the effect or result you intended: He applied for a visa three times and in the end he was successful. | The treatment was successful. | It was a highly successful campaign.
▪ effective having the effect or result that was wanted - used especially about treatments, drugs, or methods: The drug is effective against a range of diseases. | We still haven't found an effective way to solve the problem.
▪ victorious successful as a result of winning in a game, election, war etc: the captain of the victorious team | She emerged victorious in the second round of voting.
▪ promising likely to be very successful in the future, used especially about someone who is good at a job, sport, art etc: a promising young athlete | He gave up a promising career in banking.
▪ thriving very successful – used about a company, industry, or organization that is doing well at a particular time: The area has a thriving tourist industry. | The school is thriving academically.
▪ booming extremely successful – used about an economy, or when business or trade is increasing: the booming economy in China | Business is booming.
 

success

suc‧cess S1 W1 /səkˈses/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑success, ↑succession, ↑successor; adjective: ↑successful ≠ ↑unsuccessful, ↑successive; verb: ↑succeed; adverb: ↑successfully ≠ ↑unsuccessfully]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: past participle of succedere; ⇨ ↑succeed]
1. when you achieve what you want or intend OPP failure:
The experiment was a big success.
without success
I tried to contact him, but without success.
success in doing something
Did you have any success in persuading Alan to come?
2. when a lot of people like something, buy something, go to see something etc OPP failure
be a big/huge/great etc success
The film was a great success.
Her book has enjoyed a lot of success (=it has been very successful).
The play was a box-office success (=many people went to see it).
The show was an overnight success (=it was immediately successful).
3. when someone achieves a high position in their job, on a course, in a sport, in society etc OPP failure:
Success isn’t everything, you know.
success in
He has already had a lot of success in his career.
be a success as a ... (=be successful in a particular job)
She wasn’t much of a success as a lawyer.
She’s determined to make a success of (=be successful in) her career.
4. when a business makes a lot of money OPP failure:
the success of his latest business venture
be a big/huge/great etc success
The firm wasn’t a great success.
5. success story someone or something that is successful:
The company has been a major success story.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ a great success Everyone agreed the picnic was a great success.
▪ a big/huge/major success The government claimed the policy was a major success.
▪ a resounding/outstanding/spectacular success (=very great success) Financially, the event was a resounding success.
▪ great/considerable success This plant can be grown by the absolute beginner with great success.
▪ some success The group is already achieving some success.
▪ little/no success Attempts to resolve the dispute met with little success.
▪ limited success (=not very much success) The attempt to replace coca with other crops has had only limited success.
▪ commercial/economic/financial success None of his ideas had any commercial success.
▪ academic success (=success in education) There is no evidence that early teaching of reading leads to academic success.
▪ electoral success (=success in elections) The electoral success of the far right understandably fills many people in Europe with alarm.
▪ military success This military success was achieved at a cost.
■ verbs
▪ have/achieve success China has had considerable success in conserving water since 1983.
▪ meet with success (=be successful) We are disappointed that this round of negotiations has not met with success.
▪ put your success down to something (=say that your success was the result of it) They put their success down to their excellent teamwork.
■ phrases
▪ somebody's chance of success They have a good chance of success.
▪ the secret of somebody's success (=what makes them successful) A visitor asked Connie the secret of her success with growing roses.
▪ the success rate (=what percentage of actions are successful) The success rate in cloning is still extremely low.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say 'make success' or 'make a success'. Say have success or achieve success.

astronomical

as‧tro‧nom‧i‧cal /ˌæstrəˈnɒmɪkəl◂ $ -ˈnɑː-/ BrE AmE adjective
1. informal astronomical prices, costs etc are extremely high
2. [only before noun] relating to the scientific study of the stars
—astronomically /-kli/ adverb:
astronomically high rents
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ expensive costing a lot of money: an expensive car | Apartments in the city are very expensive. | An underground train system is expensive to build.
▪ high costing a lot of money.You use high about rents/fees/prices/costs. Don’t use expensive with these words: Rents are very high in this area. | Lawyers charge high fees. | the high cost of living in Japan
▪ dear [not before noun] British English spoken expensive compared to the usual price: £3.50 seems rather dear for a cup of coffee.
▪ pricey /ˈpraɪsi/ informal expensive: The clothes are beautiful but pricey.
▪ costly expensive in a way that wastes money: Upgrading the system would be very costly. | They were anxious to avoid a costly legal battle.
▪ cost a fortune informal to be very expensive: The necklace must have cost a fortune!
▪ exorbitant /ɪɡˈzɔːbətənt, ɪɡˈzɔːbɪtənt $ -ɔːr-/ much too expensive: Some accountants charge exorbitant fees.
▪ astronomical astronomical prices, costs, and fees are extremely high: the astronomical cost of developing a new spacecraft | the astronomical prices which some people had paid for their seats | The cost of living is astronomical.
▪ overpriced too expensive and not worth the price: The DVDs were vastly overpriced.
▪ somebody can’t afford something someone does not have enough money to buy or do something: Most people can’t afford to send their children to private schools.

thrifty

thrift‧y /ˈθrɪfti/ BrE AmE adjective
using money carefully and wisely SYN economical:
hard-working, thrifty people

grim

grim /ɡrɪm/ BrE AmE adjective
[Language: Old English; Origin: grimm]
1. making you feel worried or unhappy SYN harsh:
the grim reality of rebuilding the shattered town
When he lost his job, his future looked grim.
Millions of Britons face the grim prospect (=something bad that will probably happen) of dearer home loans.
We received the grim news in silence.
2. looking or sounding very serious:
‘I’ll survive,’ he said with a grim smile.
The child hung on to her arm with grim determination.
The police officers were silent and grim-faced.
3. British English informal very bad, ugly, or unpleasant:
The weather forecast is pretty grim.
They painted a grim picture of what life used to be like there.
a grim industrial town
4. [not before noun] informal ill:
Juliet felt grim through the early months of her pregnancy.
5. hold/hang on for/like grim death British English informal to hold something very tightly because you are afraid

passionate

pas‧sion‧ate /ˈpæʃənət, ˈpæʃənɪt/ BrE AmE adjective
1. showing or involving very strong feelings of sexual love:
He had a brief but passionate love affair with an older woman.
a very passionate young man
a passionate lover
a passionate kiss
2. someone who has a passionate belief believes something very strongly:
a passionate supporter of women’s rights
He had a passionate belief in justice.
3. if you are passionate about something, you like it a lot:
She developed a passionate interest in wild flowers.
passionate about
I’ve always been passionate about football.
—passionately adverb:
He kissed her passionately.
Peter is passionately involved in environmental issues.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ nouns
▪ a passionate belief/conviction We had a passionate belief in what we were doing.
▪ a passionate commitment to something There was no doubt about his passionate commitment to peace.
▪ a passionate concern for something She developed a passionate concern for human rights.
▪ a passionate supporter of somebody/something President Johnson was a passionate supporter of the space programme.
▪ a passionate defender of something The actress is a vocal and passionate defender of women's rights.
▪ a passionate speech Senator McCarthy delivered a powerful and passionate speech.
▪ a passionate plea She made a passionate plea for tolerance.