adjective

realistic

realistic [adjective]

accepting things as they are in fact and not making decisions based on unlikely hopes for the future

/ˌriː.əˈlɪs.tɪk/

/ˌrɪəˈlɪs.tɪk/

Example:

Let's be realistic (about this) - I just can't afford to pay that much money.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

realistic

adjective
sensible and accepting what is possible in a particular situation:
We have to be realistic about our chances of winning.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

realistic

rea‧lis‧tic S3 /rɪəˈlɪstɪk/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑realism, ↑realist, ↑reality, ↑unreality, ↑realization; adverb: ↑real, ↑really, ↑realistically ≠ ↑unrealistically; adjective: ↑real, ↑unreal, ↑realistic ≠ ↑unrealistic; verb: ↑realize]
1. judging and dealing with situations in a practical way according to what is actually possible rather than what you would like to happen OPP unrealistic
it is not realistic to do something
It’s just not realistic to expect a promotion so soon.
realistic about
You need to be realistic about the amount you can do in a day.
2. a realistic aim or hope is something that it is possible to achieve OPP unrealistic:
Is this a realistic target?
I don’t think they have a realistic chance of winning.
3. realistic pictures or stories show things as they are in real life:
a realistic portrayal of life in Victorian Britain

COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ nouns
▪ a realistic chance/prospect We felt we had a realistic chance of beating England.
▪ a realistic option/alternative We do not believe there is any realistic alternative.
▪ a realistic goal/target Set realistic goals for yourself.
▪ a realistic expectation There are no realistic expectations of improvement.
▪ a realistic figure/price A more realistic figure for energy saving would be 20 percent.
▪ a realistic solution Compromise is the only realistic solution.

THESAURUS
▪ possible if something is possible, it can be done or achieved: I think it’s possible that we could win the race. | I want to get back by 5 o'clock if possible. | Please let me know your answer as soon as possible.
▪ feasible if an idea or plan is feasible, it is possible and you can find a practical way of doing it: We need to find out first if the idea is technically feasible. | It is not feasible to have security cameras in every part of the building. | Da Silva considered it feasible that uranium could be produced on an industrial scale.
▪ viable possible and likely to be successful, and therefore worth doing: Nuclear energy is the only viable alternative to coal or gas. | The product needs to be commercially viable. | We have yet to find a viable solution to the problem. | The company was no longer financially viable (=it could not make enough money to be able to continue).
▪ workable a workable plan, system, or solution is one that can be done or used: By early morning, they had arrived at a workable and safe solution. | The company would have a tough job convincing people that the deal was workable.
▪ doable informal if something is doable, you have enough money, energy, or skill to do it: This exercise programme is doable for most people. | Do you think the walk is doable? | Hosting great parties is fun, easy, and doable on any budget. | The book is full of interesting and doable recipes.
▪ achievable (also attainable formal) able to be achieved: A 15% cut in carbon emissions is achievable. | Perfect democracy is not attainable, nor is perfect freedom or perfect justice.
▪ realistic if something is realistic, it seems sensible to think that it can be done or achieved: a realistic target | Their expectations didn’t seem very realistic. | It is important to set yourself realistic goals.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

realistic

real·is·tic [ˌriːəˈlɪstɪk] [ˌrɪəˈlɪstɪk] [ˌriːəˈlɪstɪk] adjective
1. accepting in a sensible way what it is actually possible to do or achieve in a particular situation
• a realistic assessment
• We have to be realistic about our chances of winning.

• It is not realistic to expect people to spend so much money.

2. sensible and appropriate; possible to achieve
Syn: feasible, Syn: viable
• We must set realistic goals.
• a realistic target

• to pay a realistic salary

3. representing things as they are in real life
• a realistic drawing
• We try to make these training courses as realistic as possible.
• realistic graphics
Opp: unrealistic
Thesaurus:
realistic [realistic] adj.
1. (usually approving)
• We have to be realistic about our chances.
no-nonsense • • matter-of-fact • |usually approving pragmatic • • practical • • down-to-earth • • level-headed •
Opp: unrealistic
realistic/matter-of-fact/pragmatic/practical/down-to-earth about sth
a realistic/non-nonsense/matter-of-fact/pragmatic/practical/down-to-earth/level-headed approach
a realistic/pragmatic/practical solution
2.
• We must set realistic goals.
possible • • achievable • • feasible • • practical • • workable • |especially business viable •
Opp: unrealistic
be realistic/possible/feasible to do sth
a realistic/feasible/practical/workable/viable solution/policy/plan
a realistic/an achievable goal/objective/target
3.
• a realistic drawing of a horse
authentic • • lifelike •
look realistic/authentic/lifelike
Example Bank:
• He was realistic enough to know this success could not last.
• It's not realistic to expect people to pay more.
• My friends were quite realistic about my problems.
• The special effects seem very realistic.
• Try to keep your ambitions realistic.
• You could make the hands a little more realistic.
• You're not being very realistic in your expectations.
• beautifully drawn, highly realistic flowers
• being very realistic in their expectations
• his grimly realistic first novel about drug addicts
• If you want to retain good employees, you have to pay a realistic salary.
• She made a very realistic drawing of a horse.
• The realistic graphics really bring the game to life.
• This report takes a much more realistic view of the situation.

• a realistic alternative/demand/estimate/goal/hope/option/plan/solution/target

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

realistic / ˌrɪəˈlɪs.tɪk / / ˌriː.ə- / adjective

B2 accepting things as they are in fact and not making decisions based on unlikely hopes for the future:

Let's be realistic ( about this) - I just can't afford to pay that much money.

It isn't realistic to expect people to work for so little money.

→ See also Realpolitik

B2 seeming to exist or be happening in fact:

The special effects were so realistic.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

realistic

[ri͟ːəlɪ̱stɪk]
1) ADJ-GRADED: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ about n, it v-link ADJ to-inf If you are realistic about a situation, you recognize and accept its true nature and try to deal with it in a practical way.
  Police have to be realistic about violent crime...
  It's only realistic to acknowledge that something, some time, will go wrong.
  ...a realistic view of what we can afford.
  Derived words:
  realistically ADV-GRADED usu ADV with v, also ADV adj As an adult, you can assess the situation realistically.
2) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n Something such as a goal or target that is realistic is one which you can sensibly expect to achieve.
  Is EC membership a realistic goal for Eastern European countries?...
  A more realistic figure is eleven million...
  Establish deadlines that are more realistic.
  Syn:
  sensible
3) ADJ-GRADED You say that a painting, story, or film is realistic when the people and things in it are like people and things in real life.
  ...extraordinarily realistic paintings of Indians...
  The language is foul and the violence horribly realistic.
  Derived words:
  realistically ADV-GRADED usu ADV with v The film starts off realistically and then develops into a ridiculous fantasy.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

realistic

re·al·is·tic /ˌriːjəˈlɪstɪk/ adj [more ~; most ~]
1 : able to see things as they really are and to deal with them in a practical way
• He tried to be realistic about the situation.
• We have to be realistic and accept the fact that these problems cannot be solved easily.
- opposite unrealistic
2 : based on what is real rather than on what is wanted or hoped for : sensible and appropriate
• The plan is not very realistic.
• a realistic approach/goal
• It's not realistic to expect people to spend that much money on wedding gifts.
- opposite unrealistic
3 : showing people and things as they are in real life
• a realistic painting/novel/description
• The battle scene in the movie was very realistic. [=it seemed very much like a real battle]
- opposite unrealistic
- re·al·is·ti·cal·ly /ˌriːjəˈlɪstɪkli/ adv
• We need to deal with these problems realistically.
• We can't realistically expect the war to end soon. = Realistically, we can't expect the war to end soon.
• The movie portrayed the battle very realistically.

American English

British English

wise and sensible

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

realistic

adjective

timely

timely [adjective]

happening at a suitable moment

/ˈtaɪm.li/

Example:

a timely decision

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

timely

time‧ly /ˈtaɪmli/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑time, ↑overtime, ↑timer, ↑timing, ↑timelessness; adjective: ↑timeless, ↑timely ≠ ↑untimely; verb: ↑time; adverb: ↑timelessly]
done or happening at exactly the right time:
The fight ended only with the timely arrival of the police.
in a timely manner/fashion (=as quickly as is reasonable in a particular situation)
We aim to settle all valid claims in a timely manner.
a timely reminder (of something) British English (=one that makes you remember something important)
The crash served as a timely reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

timely

time·ly [timely timelier timeliest] [ˈtaɪmli] [ˈtaɪmli] adjective
happening at exactly the right time
Syn: opportune
• A nasty incident was prevented by the timely arrival of the police.
• This has been a timely reminder to us all.
• I was grateful for your timely intervention.
Opp: untimely
Derived Word: timeliness
Example Bank:
• All claims must be dealt with in a professional and timely manner.

• The timely intervention of a teacher meant a fight was avoided.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

timely / ˈtaɪm.li / adjective

happening at a suitable moment:

a timely reminder

The change in the exchange rate provided a timely boost to the company's falling profits.

timeliness / -nəs / noun [ U ]

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

timely

[ta͟ɪmli]
ADJ-GRADED (approval)
If you describe an event as timely, you approve of it because it happens exactly at the moment when it is most useful, effective, or relevant.
The recent outbreaks of cholera are a timely reminder that this disease is still a serious health hazard...
The exhibition is timely, since `self-taught' art is catching on in a big way.
Syn:
opportune

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

timely

time·ly /ˈtaɪmli/ adj time·li·er; -est [or more ~; most ~] : happening at the correct or most useful time : not happening too late
• Her very timely book examines the effects of global warming on the world's climates.
• a timely decision/warning
• She always responds to my requests in a timely fashion/manner.
- opposite untimely
- time·li·ness noun [noncount]
• the timeliness of the warning

American English

British English

at the right time

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

timely

adjective

attainable

attainable [adjective]

possible to achieve

/əˈteɪ.nə.bəl/

Example:

This level is easily attainable by most students.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

attainable

See main entry: ↑attain

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

attainable

at·tain·able AW [attainable] [əˈteɪnəbl] [əˈteɪnəbl] adjective
that you can achieve
• attainable goals/objectives/targets
• This standard is easily attainable by most students.
Opp: unattainable
Example Bank:
• We believe that this level of performance is fully attainable.
• This level is easily attainable by most students.

• We need to set challenging but attainable targets.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

attainable / əˈteɪ.nə.bl̩ / adjective formal

C2 possible to achieve:

We must ensure that we do not set ourselves goals that are not attainable.

→ Opposite unattainable

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

attainable

[əte͟ɪnəb(ə)l]
ADJ-GRADED
Something that is attainable can be achieved.
It is unrealistic to believe perfection is an attainable goal.
Syn:
achievable

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

- at·tain·able /əˈteɪnəbəl/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• Be sure that the goals you set are attainable. [=achievable]

measurable

measurable [adjective]

able to be measured, or large enough to be noticed

/ˈmeʒ.ɚ.ə.bəl/

/ˈmeʒ.ər.ə.bəl/

Example:

The service produces clear, measurable benefits to people's health.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

measurable

mea‧su‧ra‧ble /ˈmeʒərəbəl/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: adjective: ↑measurable ≠ ↑immeasurable, ↑measured, ↑measureless; noun: ↑measure, ↑measurement; verb: ↑measure; adverb: ↑measurably ≠ ↑immeasurably]
1. large or important enough to have an effect that can be seen or felt SYN noticeable:
The law has had little measurable effect since it was introduced two years ago.
2. able to be measured OPP immeasurable:
measurable results
—measurably adverb:
The company is working to make its environmental performance measurably better.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

measurable

meas·ur·able [ˈmeʒərəbl] [ˈmeʒərəbl] adjective
1. that can be measured

• measurable amounts of pollution in the atmosphere

2. usually before noun large enough to be noticed or to have a clear and noticeable effect
• measurable improvements
Derived Word: measurably
Word Origin:

[measurable measurably] Middle English (in the sense ‘moderate’): from Old French mesurable, from late Latin mensurabilis, from Latin mensurare ‘to measure’.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

measurable / ˈmeʒ. ə r.ə.bl̩ / / -ɚ- / adjective

able to be measured, or large enough to be noticed:

The service produces clear, measurable benefits to people's health.

measurably / -bli / adverb

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

measurable

[me̱ʒərəb(ə)l]
1) ADJ: usu ADJ n If you describe something as measurable, you mean that it is large enough to be noticed or to be significant. [FORMAL]
  Both leaders seemed to expect measurable progress.
  Derived words:
  measurably ADV-GRADED ADV adj/adv, ADV with v The old man's voice was measurably weaker than the last time they'd talked... After this, the pace of events quickened measurably.
2) ADJ-GRADED Something that is measurable can be measured.
  Economists emphasize measurable quantities - the number of jobs, the per capita income...
  So far the effect is barely measurable.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

measurable

mea·sur·able /ˈmɛʒərəbəl/ adj : large enough to be measured or noticed
• We haven't had a measurable amount of rain in the past several weeks.
• There has been a measurable [=significant] improvement in the company's performance.
- mea·sur·ably /ˈmɛʒərəbli/ adv
• His job performance has improved measurably.

American English

British English

measurements in general

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

measurable

adjective

naive

naive [adjective]

too willing to believe that someone is telling the truth, that people's intentions in general are good, or that life is simple and fair. People are often naive because they are young and/or have not had much experience of life

/naɪˈiːv/

Example:

don't be so naive!

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

naive

na‧ive /naɪˈiːv/ adjective
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: naïve, feminine of naïf, from Latin nativus; ⇒ native]
not having much experience of how complicated life is, so that you trust people too much and believe that good things will always happen ⇒ innocent:
a naive young girl
Jim can be so naive sometimes.
it is naive to think/suppose/assume etc
It would be naive to think that this could solve all the area’s problems straight away.
naively adverb:
I had naively imagined that he was in love with me.
naivety /naɪˈiːvəti/ (also naiveté /naɪˈiːvəteɪ/) noun [uncountable]:
dangerous political naivety

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

naive

naive (also naïve) [naɪˈiːv] [naɪˈiːv] adjective
1. (disapproving) lacking experience of life, knowledge or good judgement and willing to believe that people always tell you the truth
• to be politically naive
• I can't believe you were so naive as to trust him!

• a naive question

2. (approving) (of people and their behaviour) innocent and simple
Syn: artless
• Their approach to life is refreshingly naive.

compare sophisticated

3. (technical) (of art) in a style which is deliberately very simple, often uses bright colours and is similar to that produced by a child
Derived Words: naively ▪ naivety
See also: naïvely ▪ naïvety
Word Origin:
mid 17th cent.: from French naïve, feminine of naïf, from Latin nativus ‘native, natural’.
Thesaurus:
naive (also naïve) adj. (disapproving)
• It was so naive of you to trust him!
inexperienced • • innocent • • impressionable • |disapproving gullible • |often approving trusting •
Opp: sophisticated
a naive/an innocent belief
a/an inexperienced/impressionable/gullible/trusting person
an innocent/impressionable child
Example Bank:
• He regarded the move as politically naive.
• He made some particularly naive remarks.
• I can't believe you were so naive as to trust him!
• It would be naive of us to think that football is only a game.

Example Bank:
• Opposition politicians accused him of naivety.
• She showed a certain naivety in going to the press about the matter.

• Their welcoming attitude towards strangers is often seen as naivety.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

naive

naive, naïve /naɪˈiːv/
adjective MAINLY DISAPPROVING
too willing to believe that someone is telling the truth, that people's intentions in general are good or that life is simple and fair. People are often naive because they are young and/or have not had much experience of life:
She was very naive to believe that he'd stay with her.
They make the naive assumption that because it's popular it must be good.
It was a little naive of you to think that they would listen to your suggestions.

naively, naïvely /naɪˈiːv.li/
adverb
I, perhaps naively, believed he was telling the truth.

naivety, naïveté /naɪˈiː.vɪ.ti/ US /-və.ţi/
noun [U]
trust based on lack of experience:
DISAPPROVING He demonstrated a worrying naivety about political issues.
APPROVING I think her naivety is charming - she's so unspoilt and fresh.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

naive

[naɪi͟ːv, AM nɑː-]
also naїve
ADJ-GRADED: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf, ADJ to-inf
If you describe someone as naive, you think they lack experience and so expect things to be easy or people to be honest or kind.
  It's naive to think that teachers are always tolerant...
  I must have been naive to think we would get my parents' blessing.
  ...naive idealists...
  Their view was that he had been politically naive.
Syn:
unrealistic
  Derived words:
  naively ADV-GRADED usu ADV with v ...naively applying Western solutions to Eastern problems... I thought, naively, that this would be a nine-to five job.
  naivety [naɪi͟ːvɪti] N-UNCOUNT I was alarmed by his naivety and ignorance of international affairs.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

naive

na·ive or na·ïve /nɑˈiːv, naɪˈiːv/ adj [more ~; most ~] : having or showing a lack of experience or knowledge : innocent or simple
• a naive belief that all people are good
• a naive view of the world
• She asked a lot of naive questions.
• He's politically naive. = He's naive about the nature of politics.
• I was young and naive at the time, and I didn't think anything bad could happen to me.
• The plan seems a little naive.
• If you're naive enough to believe him, you'll believe anyone.
• We're not naive to the fact [=we're not unaware of the fact] that there are problems with the system.
- na·ive·ly or na·ïve·ly adv
• I naively believed that we could fix the problem.
- na·ïve·té also na·ive·te or na·ive·té /nɑˌiːvˈteɪ, naɪˌiːvˈteɪ/ noun [noncount]
• political naïveté
- na·ive·ty also na·ïve·ty /nɑˈiːvəti, naɪˈiːvəti/ noun [noncount] chiefly Brit
• political naïvety

best

best [adjective]

Of the highest quality, or being the most suitable, pleasing, or effective type of thing or person

/best/

Example:

That's the best movie I've ever seen!

آهنگ وترانه:

You Are The Reason - Chris De Burgh

Oxford Essential Dictionary

adjective (good, better, best)
better than all others:
This is the best ice cream I have ever eaten!
Tom is my best friend.
Jo's the best player on the team.
opposite worst

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

best

I. best¹ S1 W1 /best/ BrE AmE adjective [superlative of good]
[Language: Old English; Origin: betst]
1. better than anything else or anyone else in quality, skill, how effective it is etc:
He won the best actor award.
What’s the best way to cook this fish?
The best thing to do is to stop worrying.
it’s best to do something
It’s best to go later in the season.
easily the best/by far the best (=much better than anything else)
John’s idea is by far the best option.
Our pilots are given the best possible training.
We use only the very best ingredients.
2. best friend the friend that you know and like better than anyone else:
She was my best friend in college.
3. best dress/shoes/clothes etc clothing that you keep for special occasions:
I put on my best suit for the wedding.
4. the next best thing something that is not exactly what you want but is as similar to it as possible:
If sterile equipment isn’t available, the next best thing is to clean equipment with disinfectant.
5. best of all used to introduce the fact about a situation that is even better than the other good things:
It’s clean and well-located, but best of all, it’s affordable.
6. best before British English written on food packets with the date that the food should be eaten before:
Best before 13 July.
a best-before date
⇨ be on your best behaviour at ↑behaviour(2), ⇨ your best bet at ↑bet²(2), ⇨ the best/better part of at ↑part¹(6)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adverbs
▪ the very best He’s one of the very best players around.
▪ easily the best The series was easily the best TV drama this year.
▪ by far the best One girl stood out as by far the best singer.
■ adjectives
▪ the best possible We sold the house at the best possible time.
▪ the best available The tuition we offer here is the best available.
■ nouns
▪ the best way to do/of doing something The best way to learn a language is to live in a country where it is spoken.
▪ the best thing to do The best thing to do is to apologize immediately.
▪ the best way forward (=the best way to make progress or deal with a problem) We believe that a merger is the best way forward for the business.
▪ make the best use of something Making the best use of space is important in any room.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

best

best [best bests bested besting] adjective, adverb, noun, verb [best] [best]

adjective (superlative of good)
1. of the most excellent type or quality
• That's the best movie I've ever seen!
• He wrote his best songs before he was 25.
• She was one of the best tennis players of her generation.
• Is that your best suit?
• They've been best friends (= closest friends) since they were children.
• the company's best-ever results

• We want the kids to have the best possible education.

2. most enjoyable; happiest

• Those were the best years of my life.

3. most suitable or appropriate
• What's the best way to cook steak?
• The best thing to do would be to apologize.
• He's the best man for the job.
• It's best if you go now.

• I'm not in the best position to advise you.

Rem: Idioms containing best adj. are at the entries for the nouns and verbs in the idioms, for example on your best behaviour is at behaviour.
Word Origin:
Old English betest (adjective), betost, betst (adverb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German best, also to better.
Thesaurus:
best adj.
• the best way to cook steak
• It's best if you go now.
ideal • • optimum • • wise • • sensible • • preferred • |formal desirable • • advisable • |formal, BrE favoured • |formal, AmE favored •
Opp: worst
be best/wise/sensible/desirable/advisable to do sth
the best/the optimum/a wise/a sensible/an ideal/the preferred choice
the best/a wise/a sensible thing to do
Example Bank:
• Owen judged it best to make no reply.
• This is by far the best restaurant in the town.
• We aim to give our guests the very best attention.
• Who in the class is best at history?
• He's the best man for the job.
• I'm not in the best position to advise you.
• It's best if you go now.
• What's the best way to cook steak?

Idioms: all the best ▪ as best you can ▪ at best ▪ best of a bad bunch ▪ best of three/five ▪ best that money can buy ▪ do/mean something for the best ▪ for the best ▪ get the best of something ▪ make the best of a bad job ▪ make the best of it ▪ make the best of things ▪ the best of your belief ▪ with the best

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

best / best / adjective

A1 of the highest quality, or being the most suitable, pleasing, or effective type of thing or person:

This is the best meal I've ever had.

He's one of our best students.

Are you sure this is the best way of doing it?

What's the best (= shortest or quickest) way to get to the station?

Your parents only want what is best for you.

She was my best friend (= the friend I liked most) .

It's best (= it is wise) to get to the supermarket early.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

best

/best/

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.

1.
Best is the superlative of good.
If you want further information the best thing to do is have a word with the driver as you get on the bus...
It’s not the best place to live if you wish to develop your knowledge and love of mountains.

2.
Best is the superlative of well.
James Fox is best known as the author of White Mischief.

3.
The best is used to refer to things of the highest quality or standard.
We offer only the best to our clients...
He’ll have the best of care.
≠ worst
N-SING: the N

4.
Someone’s best is the greatest effort or highest achievement or standard that they are capable of.
Miss Blockey was at her best when she played the piano...
One needs to be a first-class driver to get the best out of that sort of machinery.
N-SING: oft poss N

5.
If you say that something is the best that can be done or hoped for, you think it is the most pleasant, successful, or useful thing that can be done or hoped for.
A draw seems the best they can hope for...
The best we can do is try to stay cool and muddle through.
N-SING: the N

6.
If you like something best or like it the best, you prefer it.
The thing I liked best about the show was the music...
Mother liked it best when Daniel got money...
What was the role you loved the best?
= most
ADV: ADV after v, oft the ADV

7.
Best is used to form the superlative of compound adjectives beginning with ‘good’ and ‘well’. For example, the superlative of ‘well-known’ is ‘best-known’.

8.
see also second best, Sunday best

9.
You can say ‘All the best’ when you are saying goodbye to someone, or at the end of a letter.
Wish him all the best, and tell him we miss him.
CONVENTION [formulae]

10.
You use best of all to indicate that what you are about to mention is the thing that you prefer or that has most advantages out of all the things you have mentioned.
It was comfortable and cheap: best of all, most of the rent was being paid by two American friends.
PHRASE: PHR with cl/group

11.
If someone does something as best they can, they do it as well as they can, although it is very difficult.
The older people were left to carry on as best they could.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR after v

12.
You use at best to indicate that even if you describe something as favourably as possible or if it performs as well as it possibly can, it is still not very good.
This policy, they say, is at best confused and at worst non-existent...
PHRASE: PHR with cl/group

13.
If you do your best or try your best to do something, you try as hard as you can to do it, or do it as well as you can.
I’ll do my best to find out...
It wasn’t her fault, she was trying her best to help...
PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR to-inf

14.
If you say that something is for the best, you mean it is the most desirable or helpful thing that could have happened or could be done, considering all the circumstances.
Whatever the circumstances, parents are supposed to know what to do for the best.
PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR

15.
If two people are the best of friends, they are close friends, especially when they have had a disagreement or fight in the past.
Magda is now married to George Callerby and we are the best of friends.
PHRASE: usu v-link PHR

16.
If you say that a particular person knows best, you mean that they have a lot of experience and should therefore be trusted to make decisions for other people.
He was convinced that doctors and dentists knew best.
PHRASE: V inflects

17.
If you make the best of something, you accept an unsatisfactory situation cheerfully and try to manage as well as you can. In British English, you can also say that you make the best of a bad job.
She instilled in the children the virtues of good hard work, and making the best of what you have.
PHRASE: V inflects

18.
to the best of your ability: see ability
to hope for the best: see hope
to the best of your knowledge: see knowledge
best of luck: see luck
the best part: see part
at the best of times: see time
the best of both worlds: see world

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹best /ˈbɛst/ adj superlative form of ¹good or of ²well
1 a : better than all others in quality or value
• You should wear your best clothes tonight.
• He took us to the (very) best restaurants in the city.
• We ate the best food and drank the best wines.
• You're our best customers.
• His modesty and sense of humor are his best qualities.
• Is that your best offer?
• I've had the best time with you! [=I've had a very enjoyable time with you]
• The best [=most valuable] things in life are free.
• Which of these do you think tastes best?
• Mary sends you her very best wishes/regards.
• He's my best friend. [=my closest/dearest friend] = He and I are best friends.
b : most skillful, talented, or successful
• She's the best student in her class.
• He won the award for best actor in a drama.
• the team's best player
2 : most appropriate, useful, or helpful
• She truly believes that this is the best way to solve the problem.
• She's the team's best hope/chance for a medal.
• She thought waiting was best. = She thought that the best thing to do was to wait. = She thought that it was best to wait.
• It's best to leave early if you want to be sure of arriving on time.
• We want to do what's best for you.
• He's the best man for the job.
• You should do whatever you think is the best thing to do. = You should do whatever you think best.
• We're making the best possible use of these materials.
best of all
✦The phrase best of all is often used to refer to the most important or appealing part of something that has many good parts.
• The machine is easy to use, easy to clean, and best of all, it's absolutely free when you order these books.
next best
✦A person or thing that is next best is not as good as the best person or thing but is better than all others.
• The shortstop is the best player on the team, and the catcher is the next best player.
• We can't see each other often, but calling each other on the telephone is the next best thing.
on your best behavior
✦If you are on your best behavior you are behaving very politely and well.
• Remember to be on your best behavior with your grandmother.
• The children promised to be on their best behavior.

American English

British English

good - better and best

A1 (Basic)

adjective

online

online [adjective]

Describes products, services, or information that can be bought or used on the internet

/ˈɑːn.laɪn/

/ˈɒn.laɪn/

Example:

An online newspaper/magazine/dictionary

Oxford Essential Dictionary

online

adjective, adverb
using a computer or the Internet:
Online shopping is both cheap and convenient.
Bookings can be made online.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

online

on‧line /ˈɒnlaɪn $ ˈɑːn-, ˈɒːn-/ BrE AmE adjective
1. connected to other computers through the Internet, or available through the Internet OPP offline:
All the city’s schools will be online by the end of the year.
2. directly connected to or controlled by a computer OPP offline:
an online printer
—online adverb:
The reports are not available online yet.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

online

▪ I. on·line [online] [ˌɒnˈlaɪn] [ˌɑːnˈlaɪn] [ˌɔːnˈlaɪn] adjective
controlled by or connected to a computer or to the Internet
• Online shopping is both cheap and convenient.
• an online database
• online dating (= using the Internet to meet people in order to start a romantic relationship)
Collocations:
Email and the Internet
Email
receive/get/open an email
write/send/answer/forward/delete an email
check/read/access your email
block/filter (out) junk/spam/unsolicited email
exchange email addresses
open/check your inbox
junk mail fills/floods/clogs your inbox
have/set up an email account
open/send/contain an attachment
sign up for/receive email alerts
Connecting to the Internet
use/access/log onto the Internet/the Web
go online/on the Internet
have a high-speed/dial-up/broadband/wireless (Internet) connection
access/connect to/locate the server
use/open/close/launch a/your web browser
browse/surf/search/scour the Internet/the Web
send/contain/spread/detect a (computer/email) virus
update your anti-virus software
install/use/configure a firewall
accept/enable/block/delete cookies
Using the Internet
visit/check a website/an Internet site/sb's blog
create/design/launch a website/social networking site
start/write/post/read a blog
update your blog/a website
be in/meet sb in/go into/enter an Internet chat room
download/upload music/software/a song/a podcast/a file/a copy of sth
share information/data/files
post a comment/message on a website/an online message board/a web forum/an internet chat room
stream video/audio/music/content over the Internet
join/participate in/visit/provide a (web-based/web/online/Internet/discussion) forum

generate/increase/monitor Internet traffic

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

online / ˈɒn.laɪn / / ˈɑːn.laɪn / adjective [ before noun ]

A2 describes products, services, or information that can be bought or used on the internet:

an online newspaper/magazine/dictionary

online banking/shopping

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

online

/ɒnlaɪn/
also on-line

1.
If a company goes online, its services become available on the Internet. (BUSINESS, COMPUTING)
...the first bank to go online.
...an online shopping centre.
...an online catalogue.
ADJ

2.
If you are online, your computer is connected to the Internet. Compare offline. (COMPUTING)
You can chat to other people who are online.
ADJ
•
Online is also an adverb.
...the cool stuff you find online.
on line: see line
ADV: ADV after v

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

online

on·line /ˈɑːnˌlaɪn/ adj
1 : connected to a computer, a computer network, or the Internet
• an online printer
• The city libraries are all online.
2 : done over the Internet
• He likes to engage in online chats/discussions.
• online shopping/banking
• the company's online sales
- opposite off-line
- online adv
• people who shop/chat online
• I went online to do a search for information about new cars.
• She spends a lot of her free time online.

American English

British English

internet terminology and abbreviations

A2 (Elementary)

adjective

sports

sports [adjective]

Relating to sport

/spɔːrts/

/spɔːts/

Example:

Sports equipment

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

sport

I. sport¹ S2 W2 /spɔːt $ spɔːrt/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: adjective: ↑sporting, ↑unsporting, ↑sporty; verb: ↑sport; noun: ↑sport]
[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: disport]
1. GAMES
a) [countable] a physical activity in which people compete against each other:
My favourite sports are tennis and swimming.
a sports team
All students are encouraged to take part in a sport.
He picked up the newspaper and turned to the sports pages.
b) [uncountable] British English sports in general:
Why is there so much sport on TV?
I always hated sport at school.
GRAMMAR
The uncountable use of sport is British English only:
▪ I’m not interested in sport. In American English, the plural sports is used:
▪ He likes watching sports on TV.
2. HUNTING [countable] an activity that people do in the countryside, especially hunting or fishing:
the sport of falconry
a demonstration by people opposed to blood sports (=sports that involve killing animals)
3. HELPFUL PERSON [countable usually singular] (also good sport) old-fashioned a helpful cheerful person who lets you enjoy yourself
be a sport (=used when asking someone to help you)
Be a sport and lend me your bike.
4. a good sport someone who does not get angry when they lose at a game or sport
5. a bad/poor sport someone who gets angry very easily when they lose at a game or sport
6. MAN/BOY spoken
a) Australian English used when speaking to someone, especially a man, in a friendly way:
See you later, sport.
b) American English old-fashioned used when speaking to a boy in a friendly way
7. FUN [uncountable] old-fashioned fun or amusement:
Did she torment him merely for sport?
8. make sport of somebody old-fashioned to joke about someone in a way that makes them seem stupid
⇨ ↑field sports, ↑water sports, ↑winter sports
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ play (a) sport My ambition was to play sport at the highest level.
▪ take part in (a) sport Students are encouraged to take part in a sport of some kind.
▪ do sport British English, do sports American English I did a lot of sport at school.
▪ take up a sport (=start doing it) I took up the sport six years ago.
▪ compete in a sport (=do that sport in competitions) She competed in various sports when she was young.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + sport
▪ a team sport I liked playing team sports such as football and rugby.
▪ an individual sport You have to be mentally tough to compete in individual sports.
▪ a spectator sport (=one that people enjoy watching) Football is the most popular spectator sport.
▪ competitive sport(s) (=in which people compete and try to win) Competitive sport teaches valuable lessons which last for life.
▪ a contact sport (=one in which players have physical contact with each other) People get hurt in contact sports, but they also have fun.
▪ a winter sport (=skiing, ice skating etc) More and more people are taking up winter sports.
▪ an extreme sport (=one that is dangerous) Many teenagers are attracted to extreme sports such as snowboarding.
▪ professional sport(s) (=which people are paid to do) The kind of money involved in professional sport makes cheating inevitable.
▪ a minority sport (=one that very few people do) Minority sports rarely feature on TV.
■ sports + NOUN
▪ a sports team A lot of schools have their own sports teams.
▪ a sports club She joined her local sports club.
▪ a sports field/ground The village has its own sports field.
▪ a sports event Is this country able to stage a major sports event?
▪ a sports fan (=someone who enjoys watching sport) He was a big sports fan.
▪ a sports personality (=someone who is famous for playing sport) The event will be opened by a well-known sports personality.
▪ sports facilities All our holiday camps have wonderful sports facilities.
▪ sports equipment a new online store selling all kinds of sports equipment
▪ a sports injury The clinic specializes in treating sports injuries.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say 'make (a) sport'. Say do (a) sport or play (a) sport.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ places where people do sport
▪ field (also pitch British English) a large area of ground, usually covered with grass, where team sports are played: A few kids were playing on the football field. | a hockey field
▪ stadium a large sports field with seats all around it for people to watch team sports or track and field competitions: The atmosphere in the Olympic Stadium was amazing. | a football stadium
▪ ground British English a sports field and the seats and buildings around it, belonging to a particular football, rugby, or cricket team: I met my friends inside the ground.
▪ ballpark/park American English a stadium where baseball is played: Busch Stadium is one of the newest ballparks in Major League.
▪ court an area with lines painted on the ground, for tennis, badminton, basketball, or volleyball: The hotel has four tennis courts and a volleyball court.
▪ diamond the area in a baseball field that is within the shape formed by the four bases. The diamond can also be the whole field: The pitcher stands in the middle of the diamond. | There’s a playground, a picnic area, and a baseball diamond.
▪ track a circular path with lines on it, for running on: In the relay, each runner runs once around the track.
▪ gym a room with machines which you can use to do exercises: He spends an hour in the gym every day.
▪ pool/swimming pool a place where you can swim: He jumped into the deep end of the pool. | I’ll meet you outside the swimming pool.
▪ sports centre British English, sports center American English a building where you can play many types of indoor sports: Why not do exercise classes at your local sports centre?
▪ health club a small sports centre, where you pay to be a member: How much does it cost to join a health club?

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

sport

sport [sport sports sported sporting] noun, verb [spɔːt] [spɔːrt]

noun

1. uncountable (BrE) (NAmE sports plural) activity that you do for pleasure and that needs physical effort or skill, usually done in a special area and according to fixed rules
• There are excellent facilities for sport and recreation.
• I'm not interested in sport.

• the use of drugs in sport

2. countable a particular form of sport
• What's your favourite sport?
• team/water sports
• a sports club

see also blood sport, field sports, spectator sport, winter sports

3. countable (AustralE, NZE, informal) used as a friendly way of addressing sb, especially a man
• How are you doing, sport?

• Good on you, sport!

4. uncountable (formal) enjoyment or fun
• The comments were only made in sport.

• to make sport of (= to joke about) sb/sth

5. countable (biology) a plant or an animal that is different in a noticeable way from its usual type
Word Origin:
late Middle English (in the sense ‘pastime, entertainment’): shortening of disport.
Culture:
sport and fitness
The British are very fond of sport, but many people prefer to watch rather than take part. Many go to watch football, cricket, etc. at the ground, but many more sit at home and watch sport on television.
Most people today take relatively little general exercise. Over the last 30 or 40 years lifestyles have changed considerably and many people now travel even the shortest distances by car or bus. Lack of exercise combined with eating too many fatty and sugary foods has meant that many people are becoming too fat. Experts are particularly concerned that children spend a lot of their free time watching television or playing computer games instead of being physically active. In recent years, however, there has been a growing interest in fitness among young adults and many belong to a sports club or gym.
In Britain most towns have an amateur football and cricket team, and people also have opportunities to play sports such as tennis and golf. Older people may play bowls. Some people go regularly to a sports centre or leisure centre where there are facilities for playing badminton and squash, and also a swimming pool. Some sports centres arrange classes in aerobics, step and keep-fit. Some people work out (= train hard) regularly at a local gym and do weight training and circuit training. A few people do judo or other martial arts. Others go running or jogging in their local area. For enthusiastic runners there are opportunities to take part in long-distance runs, such as the London marathon. Other people keep themselves fit by walking or cycling. Many people go abroad on a skiing holiday each year and there are several dry slopes and snowdomes in Britain where they can practise.
Membership of a sports club or gym can be expensive and not everyone can afford the subscription. Local sports centres are generally cheaper. Evening classes are also cheap and offer a wide variety of fitness activities ranging from yoga to jazz dancing. Some companies now provide sports facilities for their employees or contribute to the cost of joining a gym.
Sports play an important part in American life. Professional baseball and football games attract large crowds, and many people watch games on television. Although many parents complain about their children being couch potatoes (= people who spend a lot of time watching television), there are sports sessions at school for all ages. College students are usually also required to take physical education classes to complete their studies.
Many popular keep-fit activities began in the US. Charles Atlas, Arnold Schwarzenegger and others inspired people to take up bodybuilding (= strengthening and shaping the muscles). Many women joined the ‘fitness craze’ as a result of video workouts produced by stars such as Jane Fonda and Cindy Crawford which they could watch and take part in at home. New fitness books are continually being published and these create fashions for new types of exercise, such as wave aerobics, which is done in a swimming pool, and cardio kick-boxing, a form of aerobics which involves punching and kicking a punchbag. Many richer people employ their own personal trainer, either at home or at a fitness centre, to direct their exercise programme. Local YMCAs offer programmes which include aerobics, gym, running, weights, treadmills and rowing machines, as well as steam rooms and swimming. But many people just walk or jog in the local park or play informal games of baseball or football.
Thesaurus:
sport noun
1. U (BrE) (AmE sports)
• facilities for sport and recreation
exercise • • workout • • aerobics • |BrE PE • |AmE P. E. •
do sport/exercises/a workout/aerobics/PE
2. C
• skiing, skating and other winter sports
game •
play/take part in a sport/game
team sports/games
Example Bank:
• He does a lot of sport.
• I need to take up a sport to get fit.
• In the 1960s, the Soviet Union dominated the sport of gymnastics.
• In theory, basketball is a non-contact sport.
• She has a real passion for sport/sport.
• Sports coverage in the local newspaper is good.
• The council has allocated an extra £11 million to a new community sports club.
• We encourage the children to get involved in sport/sports.
• We played sports together when we were kids.
• a campaign to promote sport/sports among women
• a campaign to promote the sport among young people
• government funding for sports programmes/programs for girls and women
• popular field sports such as football
• sports betting on the Internet
• the construction of a new $250-million sports arena
• the inherent dangers of adventure sports such as mountaineering
• the school sports day
• the sport of boxing
• Did you do any sport at school?
• Did you play any sports in high school?
• Do you do a lot of sport?
• I'm not interested in sport.
• Which is the country's most popular spectator sport?
• skiing, skating and other winter sports
• sports shoes

Idiom: a sport

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

sports / spɔːts / / spɔːrts / adjective [ before noun ]

B1 relating to sport:

sports equipment.

It's the school sports day on Monday.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

sport

/spɔ:(r)t/
(sports)

Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.

1.
Sports are games such as football and basketball and other competitive leisure activities which need physical effort and skill.
I’d say football is my favourite sport...
She excels at sport...
Billy turned on a radio to get the sports news.
N-VAR

2.
If you say that someone is a sport or a good sport, you mean that they cope with a difficult situation or teasing in a cheerful way. (OLD-FASHIONED)
He was accused of having no sense of humor, of not being a good sport.
N-COUNT [approval]

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

sports

sports /ˈspoɚts/ adj always used before a noun : of, relating to, or suitable for sports
• a sports team/fan
• a sports center
• the sports section/pages of the newspaper
• sports equipment/facilities
• a sports bra
- compare ²sport

Mexican

Mexican [adjective]

From, belonging to, or relating to Mexico

/ˈmek.sɪ.kən/

Example:

The Mexican government

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

Mexican

I. Mex‧i‧can¹ /ˈmeksəkən, ˈmeksɪkən/ BrE AmE adjective
relating to Mexico or its people:
the Mexican government
the Mexican border
Mexican food