noun

Ignorance

ignorance [noun]

lack of knowledge, understanding, or information about something

/ˈɪɡ.nɚ.əns/

/ˈɪɡ.nər.əns/

Example:

Public ignorance about the disease is still a cause for concern.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

ignorance

noun (no plural)
not knowing about something:
Her ignorance surprised me.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

ignorance

ig‧no‧rance AC /ˈɪɡnərəns/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑ignorance; adverb: ↑ignorantly; adjective: ↑ignorant]
1. lack of knowledge or information about something:
Excuse my ignorance, but how does it actually work?
ignorance of
our ignorance of the true situation
in ignorance
I would have remained in ignorance if Shaun hadn’t mentioned it.
ignorance about
public fear and ignorance about AIDS
2. ignorance is bliss used to say that if you do not know about a problem, you cannot worry about it

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

ignorance

ig·nor·ance AW [ˈɪɡnərəns] [ˈɪɡnərəns] noun uncountable ~ (of/about sth)
a lack of knowledge or information about sth
• widespread ignorance of/about the disease
• They fought a long battle against prejudice and ignorance.
• She was kept in ignorance of her husband's activities.
• Children often behave badly out of/through ignorance.
• I hate to admit my ignorance, but how does it work?
Idiom: ignorance is bliss
Word Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin ignorantia, from ignorant- ‘not knowing’, from the verb ignorare ‘not know, ignore’, from in- ‘not’ + gno-, a base meaning ‘know’.
Thesaurus:
ignorance [ignorance] noun U, sing. (sometimes disapproving)
• There is widespread ignorance about the disease.
incomprehension • • inexperience • |often disapproving naivety • |approving innocence •
Opp: knowledge
ignorance/naivety/innocence about sth
betray/show (your) ignorance/inexperience
take advantage of sb's ignorance/inexperience/naivety/innocence
Example Bank:
• He pleaded ignorance of any wrongdoing.
• He showed a remarkable ignorance of the facts.
• He was kept in ignorance of his true identity.
• I had to confess my ignorance.
• I tried not to betray my ignorance.
• Many lives are lost through ignorance.
• Outsiders, in their ignorance, fail to understand this.
• She remained in blissful ignorance of these events.
• The sisters lived in total ignorance of each other.
• There is still widespread ignorance about this disease.
• These attitudes are based on ignorance and fear.
• This showed a profound ignorance of local customs.
• a policy based on wilful ignorance of history
• mistakes due to ignorance
• our appalling ignorance of international events
• widespread ignorance of the causes of the Civil War
• Children often behave badly out of ignorance.
• I hate to confess my ignorance, but can you explain what ‘space-time’actually is?
• I remained in blissful ignorance of what was going on.
• Many of the comments betray an appalling ignorance of the reality of these children's lives.
• She was kept in ignorance of her husband's activities.
• Some doctors believe that ignorance is bliss and do not tell their patients all the facts.

• The more he talks, the more he shows his ignorance.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

ignorance / ˈɪɡ.n ə r. ə ns / / -nɚ- / noun [ U ]

C2 lack of knowledge, understanding, or information about something:

Public ignorance about the disease is still a cause for concern.

Patients, it is claimed, were kept/left in ignorance of what was wrong with them.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

ignorance

[ɪ̱gnərəns]
N-UNCOUNT: oft N of/about n
Ignorance of something is lack of knowledge about it.
  I am beginning to feel embarrassed by my complete ignorance of non-European history...
  There is so much ignorance about mental illness...
  In my ignorance I had never heard country & western music.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

ignorance

ig·no·rance /ˈɪgnərəns/ noun : a lack of knowledge, understanding, or education : the state of being ignorant

[noncount]

• His racist attitudes were born out of ignorance.
- often + of
• Ignorance of the law is no excuse (for violating it).
• Their decisions were made in ignorance of [=without knowing] the true nature of the situation.
• When asked about the reasons for these drastic changes, she pleaded/pled ignorance. [=she said that she did not know the reasons]

[singular]

• an appalling ignorance about/of other cultures
ignorance is bliss
- used to say that a person who does not know about a problem does not worry about it;

shade

shade [noun] (SLIGHT DARKNESS)

slight darkness caused by something blocking the direct light from the sun

/ʃeɪd/

Example:

The sun was hot, and there were no trees to offer us shade.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

noun

1 (no plural) a place where it is dark and cool because the sun doesn't shine there:
We sat in the shade of a big tree.

2 (plural shades) a thing that keeps strong light from your eyes:
I bought a new shade for the lamp.

3 (plural shades) how light or dark a colour is:
I'm looking for a shirt in a darker shade of green.

4 shades (plural) (informal) = sunglasses

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

shade

I. shade¹ /ʃeɪd/ BrE AmE noun
[Language: Old English; Origin: sceadu]
1. OUT OF SUNLIGHT [uncountable] slight darkness or shelter from the direct light of the sun made by something blocking it:
a plant that needs a lot of shade
in the shade (of something)
She was sitting in the shade of a large oak tree.
The temperature was over 90 degrees in the shade.
2. FOR BLOCKING LIGHT [countable]
a) something you use to reduce or block light:
The shade on the lamp was slightly crooked. ⇨ ↑lampshade
b) American English a covering that can be pulled down over a window SYN blind
3. shades [plural] informal ↑sunglasses
4. IN A PICTURE [uncountable] the dark places in a picture:
strong contrasts of light and shade
5. COLOUR [countable] a particular type of red, green, blue etc
shade of
a bright shade of pink
6. shade of meaning/opinion/feeling etc a meaning etc that is slightly different from other ones SYN nuance:
There is room in the Democratic Party for many shades of opinion.
7. a shade formal very slightly
a shade too big/hot/fast etc
Matt’s clothes were just a shade too big for me.
a shade better/quicker/faster etc
The results were a shade better than we expected.
a shade over/under/above etc
She was a shade under five feet tall.
8. shades of somebody/something used to say that someone or something reminds you of another person or thing:
The food was horrible – shades of school dinners.
9. put somebody/something in the shade to be so good or impressive that other similar things or people seem much less important or interesting:
They’re planning a festival that will put all the others in the shade.
10. have it made in the shade American English informal to be extremely rich – used humorously
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ colour red, blue, yellow etc: Blue is my favourite colour. | Matisse was famous for his use of colour.
▪ shade a particular type of a colour: The dress is a light shade of pink. | He uses different shades of green.
▪ hue /hjuː/ literary or technical a particular colour or shade of a colour: Her face had lost its golden hue.
▪ tint a small amount of a colour in something that is mostly another colour: He wears sunglasses that have a pinky-orange tint.
▪ tone one of the many different shades of a colour, each slightly darker, lighter, brighter etc than the next: Carpets in neutral tones give a feeling of space.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

shade

shade [shade shades shaded shading] noun, verb [ʃeɪd] [ʃeɪd]

noun

OUT OF SUN
1. uncountable ~ (of sth) an area that is dark and cool under or behind sth, for example a tree or building, because the sun's light does not get to it
• We sat down in the shade of the wall.
• The temperature can reach 40°C in the shade.
• The trees provide shade for the animals in the summer.
• These plants grow well in sun or shade.

see also shady

ON LAMP, ETC.

2. countable a thing that you use to prevent light from coming through or to make it less bright
• I bought a new shade for the lamp.
• an eyeshade

see also lampshade, sunshade

ON WINDOW

3. countable (also ˈwindow shade) (both NAmE) = blind

OF COLOUR
4. countable ~ (of sth) a particular form of a colour, that is, how dark or light it is
• a delicate/pale/rich/soft shade of blue

• Cool pastel shades are just right for summer.

IN PICTURE

5. uncountable the dark areas in a picture, especially the use of these to produce variety

• The painting needs more light and shade.

OF OPINION/FEELING

6. countable, usually plural ~ of sth a different kind or level of opinion, feeling, etc
• politicians of all shades of opinion

• The word has many shades of meaning.

SLIGHTLY

7. a shade singular a little; slightly
Syn: touch
• He was feeling a shade disappointed.

• Her skirt was a shade too short.

FOR EYES

8. shades plural (informal) = sunglasses

GHOST
9. countable (literary) the spirit of a dead person; a ghost
Word Origin:
Old English sc(e)adu, of Germanic origin. Compare with shadow.
Thesaurus:
shade noun C
• a delicate shade of blue
tint • • tinge • |BrE colour • |AmE color • |literary technical hue •
a shade/tinge of blue/green, etc.
a warm/rich shade/tint/colour/hue
a bright/dark/pastel/subtle shade/colour/hue
have a shade/tint/tinge/colour/hue
Synonyms:
colour
shade • hue • tint • tinge
These words all describe the appearance of things, resulting from the way in which they reflect light.
colour/color • the appearance that things have, resulting from the way in which they reflect light. Red, green and blue are colours: ▪ What's your favourite colour? ◊ ▪ bright/dark/light colours
shade • a particular form of a colour, especially when describing how light or dark it is. Sky blue is a shade of blue.
hue • (literary or technical) a colour or a particular shade of a colour: ▪ His face took on an unhealthy, whitish hue.
tint • a shade or small amount of a particular colour; a faint colour covering a surface: ▪ leaves with red and gold autumn tints
tinge • a small amount of a colour: ▪ There was a pink tinge to the sky.
tint or tinge?
You can say: ▪ a reddish tint/tinge or: ▪ a tinge of red but not: a tint of red. Tint is often used in the plural, but tinge is almost always singular.
a warm/rich colour/shade/hue/tint
a bright/vivid/vibrant/dark/deep colour/shade/hue
a pale/pastel/soft/subtle/delicate colour/shade/hue
a light/strong/neutral/natural colour/shade
Which Word?:
shade / shadow
Shade [U] is an area or a part of a place that is protected from the heat of the sun and so is darker and cooler: ▪ Let’s sit in the shade for a while.
A shadow [C] is the dark shape made when a light shines on a person or an object: ▪ As the sun went down we cast long shadows on the lawn.
Shadow [U] is an area of darkness in which it is difficult to distinguish things easily: ▪ Her face was in deep shadow.
Example Bank:
• He threw out his old suits, all in various shades of brown.
• His face turned an even deeper shade of red.
• His room was dark, the shades pulled to block out the sun.
• I searched for a patch of shade to rest in.
• I was sitting in the shade.
• Let's move into the shade.
• The huge trees offered shade from the sun.
• The ocean glistened in shades of blue and emerald.
• The rooms were decorated in delicate pastel shades.
• They were sitting under the shade of an umbrella.
• This wool is available in 18 stunning shades.
• Towels in warm shades can soften the room.
• a plant that grows well in shade
• a room painted in startling shades of pink and orange
• a word with various shades of meaning
• giving shade for cattle
• in the leafy shade of a fig tree
• our new range of shades for lips and eyes
• reformers of all political shades
• the need to ensure adequate shade for coffee plants
• various shades of green
• Her eyes were a delicate shade of green.
• The painting needs more light and shade.
• The sun peered through the shades in the hotel room.
• The temperature can reach 40°C in the shade.
• Use different shades of the same colour, rather than lots of different colours.
• We sat down in the shade of the tree.
Idioms: put somebody in the shade ▪ shades of somebody

Derived: shade into something

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

shade / ʃeɪd / noun (SLIGHT DARKNESS)

B1 [ U ] slight darkness caused by something blocking the direct light from the sun:

The sun was hot, and there were no trees to offer us shade.

The children played in/under the shade of a large beach umbrella.

→ See also sunshade

C2 [ C ] a covering that is put over an electric light in order to make it less bright:

The lamps all had matching purple shades.

[ U ] ( also shading ) specialized the parts of a picture or painting that the artist has made slightly darker than the other parts:

A good artist can produce a very realistic effect using only light and shade.

shades [ plural ] informal dark glasses:

She was wearing a black leather jacket and shades.

[ C ] US for roller blind

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

shade

[ʃe͟ɪd]

shades, shading, shaded
1) N-COUNT: oft N of n, in N A shade of a particular colour is one of its different forms. For example, emerald green and olive green are shades of green.
  In the mornings the sky appeared a heavy shade of mottled gray...
  The walls were painted in two shades of green.
  ...new eyeshadows in a choice of 80 shades.
2) N-UNCOUNT: oft in the N Shade is an area of darkness under or next to an object such as a tree, where sunlight does not reach.
  Temperatures in the shade can reach forty-eight degrees celsius at this time of year...
  Alexis walked up the coast, and resumed his reading in the shade of an overhanging cliff.
  ...exotic trees provide welcome shade.
3) VERB If you say that a place or person is shaded by objects such as trees, you mean that the place or person cannot be reached, harmed, or bothered by strong sunlight because those objects are in the way.
  [be V-ed] ...a health resort whose beaches are shaded by palm trees...
  [be V-ed from n] Most plants prefer to be lightly shaded from direct, hot sunlight...
  [V n] Umbrellas shade outdoor cafes along winding cobblestone streets.
  Derived words:
  shaded ADJ-GRADED oft adv ADJ These plants will grow happily in a sunny or partially shaded spot.
4) VERB If you shade your eyes, you put your hand or an object partly in front of your face in order to prevent a bright light from shining into your eyes.
  [V n] You can't look directly into it; you've got to shade your eyes or close them altogether...
  [V n from n] I had to stop at the traffic lights and put down the sun visor to shade my eyes from the light.
  Syn:
  shield
5) N-UNCOUNT Shade is darkness or shadows as they are shown in a picture.
  ...Rembrandt's skilful use of light and shade to create the atmosphere of movement.
  Ant:
  light
6) N-COUNT: usu pl, N of n The shades of something abstract are its many, slightly different forms.
  ...the capacity to convey subtle shades of meaning.
  ...literally dozens of newspapers of every shade of opinion.
7) VERB If something shades into something else, there is no clear division between the two things, so that you cannot tell where or when the first thing ends and the second thing begins.
  [V into n] As the dusk shaded into night, we drove slowly through narrow alleys...
  [V to n] The tail feathers are dark blue at their bases, shading to pale blue at their tips.
8) N-PLURAL Shades are sunglasses. [INFORMAL]
9) N-COUNT A shade is the same as a lampshade.
10) N-COUNT A shade is a piece of stiff cloth or heavy paper that you can pull down over a window as a covering. [AM]
  Nancy left the shades down and the lights off.
  Syn:
  blind(in BRIT, use blind)
11) N-COUNT: usu N of n The shade of a dead person is their spirit, which is thought to be still alive in some way and in contact with the real world. [LITERARY]
  His writing benefits from the shade of Lincoln hovering over his shoulder.
12) → See also shaded, shading
13) PHRASE: PHR adj/adv/prep If you say that something is, for example, a shade unusual or a shade disappointing, you mean that it is slightly unusual or disappointing.
  The first two goals were a shade fortunate...
  He found her charming, but perhaps just a shade too ingenuous for him...
  The South is now only a shade behind the rest of the affluent United States.
  Syn:
  a little
14) PHRASE (approval) If you say that there is light and shade in something such as a performance, you mean you like it because different parts of it are different in tone or mood. [WRITTEN]
  ...a faltering, artless voice that is pleasant enough, if rather lacking in light and shade.
15) PHRASE: V inflects To put someone or something in the shade means to be so impressive that the person or thing seems unimportant by comparison.
  ...a run that put every other hurdler's performance in the shade.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹shade /ˈʃeɪd/ noun, pl shades
1 [noncount] : an area of slight darkness that is produced when something blocks the light of the sun
• The buildings cast shade on the plaza.
• The tree provided plenty of shade.
• These plants grow well in shade.
• It was a hot sunny day, but luckily their seats for the game were in the shade.
• We sat in the shade of a willow tree.
2 [count]
a : something that is used to block strong light
• He used his hand as a shade as he looked out into the bright sunlight.
• an eye shade
b : lampshade
• a lamp with a broken shade
c US : window shade
• She pulled down the shades.
3 shades [plural] informal : sunglasses
• She was wearing a cool pair of shades.
4 [noncount] : a darkened area in a drawing, painting, etc.
• a painting with contrasting areas of light and shade
5 [count] : a particular type of a color that is lighter, darker, etc., than other types - usually + of
• different shades of brown
• lipstick in several shades of red
• a bright shade of blue
6 [count] : a particular form of something that is usually slightly different from other forms
• The word has many shades of meaning.
7 [count] : a very small amount
• He saw shades [=traces] of himself in his son.
• He is just a shade [=a bit, a little] taller than his brother.
• The shirt is a shade too large for me.
draw the shades on
- see ¹draw
have it made in the shade US informal : to have a very easy life or to be in a very good situation
• She had to work hard for many years to achieve success, but now she has it made in the shade.
put (someone or something) in the shade chiefly Brit informal : to be much better than (someone or something)
• Their performance really put ours in the shade.
shades of
- used to say what or who you are reminded of when you look at or think about someone or something
• a former actor who's now a politician—shades of Ronald Reagan
- shade·less adj
• Their yard is bare and shadeless.

American English

British English

darkness and becoming dark

B1 (Intermediate)

noun

society

society [noun] (PEOPLE)

a large group of people who live together in an organized way, making decisions about how to do things and sharing the work that needs to be done. All the people in a country, or in several similar countries, can be referred to as a society

/səˈsaɪ.ə.t̬i/

/səˈsaɪ.ə.ti/

Example:

There's a danger that we will end up blaming innocent children for society's problems.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

society

noun
1 (no plural) a large group of people who live in the same country or area and have the same ideas about how to live:
They carried out research into the roles of men and women in today's society.

2 (plural societies) a group of people who are interested in the same thing:
a music society

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

society

so‧ci‧e‧ty S1 W1 /səˈsaɪəti, səˈsaɪɪti/ BrE AmE noun (plural societies)
[Word Family: noun: ↑society, ↑sociologist, ↑sociology, ↑sociability, ↑social, ↑socialism, ↑socialist, ↑socialite, ↑socialization, ↑sociopath; adjective: ↑sociable ≠ ↑unsociable, ↑social ≠ ANTI-SOCIAL, ↑unsocial, ↑socialist, ↑socialistic, ↑societal, ↑sociological, ↑sociopathic; adverb: ↑socially, ↑sociably, ↑sociologically; verb: ↑socialize]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: société, from Latin societas, from socius; ⇨ ↑social¹]
1. PEOPLE IN GENERAL [uncountable] people in general, considered in relation to the laws, organizations etc that make it possible for them to live together:
technology and its effects on modern society
Children are the most vulnerable members of society.
2. A PARTICULAR GROUP [uncountable and countable] a particular large group of people who share laws, organizations, customs etc:
Britain is now a multiracial society.
the capitalist societies of the West
the conservative segment of American society
3. CLUB [countable] an organization or club with members who share similar interests, aims etc:
the university film society
the American Cancer Society
society of
the Society of Black Lawyers
4. UPPER CLASS [uncountable] the fashionable group of people who are rich and powerful:
a society wedding
high society (=the richest, most fashionable etc people)
5. BEING WITH PEOPLE [uncountable] formal when you are together with other people
society of
Holidays are a time to enjoy the society of your family.
6. polite society middle- or upper-class people who behave correctly in social situations
in polite society (=among middle- or upper-class people)
The subject was rarely mentioned in polite society.
⇨ ↑building society, ↑friendly society
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ adjectives
▪ a free society Censorship has no place in a free society.
▪ a civilized society A civilized society should treat its elderly members well.
▪ a civil society (=a society based on laws that everyone accepts) The protection of human rights is essential for a civil society.
▪ a multicultural/multiracial society We live in a multicultural society.
▪ a democratic society Education is important in a democratic society.
▪ an advanced/modern society The Greeks formed the first advanced societies in the West. | This kind of hatred and violence have no place in a modern society like ours.
▪ an industrial society In complex industrial societies, different groups specialize in particular activities.
▪ a primitive society In almost all primitive societies, volcanoes have been regarded with fear.
▪ a just society We are making progress towards a just society.
▪ a classless society (=one in which people are not divided into different social classes) the Prime Minister’s vision of a classless society
▪ a capitalist society As consumers in a capitalist society, we can press companies to behave responsibly.
▪ the larger/wider society (=used when comparing a small group of people to society as a whole) The poor are part of the larger society, and programs must be there to help them.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ organization a group of people, companies, or countries, which is set up for a particular purpose: Greenpeace is an international organization that protects the environment. | the World Health Organization
▪ institution a large important organization such as a bank, church, or university: The University is an important academic institution. | financial institutions such as banks
▪ association an organization for people in a particular profession, sport, or activity, which officially represents its members – often used in names: I met a representative of the National Association of Teachers. | the Football Association
▪ party an organization of people with the same political aims which you can vote for in elections: Which political party do you support? | He voted for the Republican Party’s candidate.
▪ body an important group of people who make the rules and advise people about what should be allowed: the sport’s governing body | The government has set up an advisory body.
▪ club/society an organization for people who share an interest, for example a sport: We belong to a tennis club. | I joined the university film society.
▪ union an organization formed by workers in order to protect their rights: The union ordered its members out on strike.
▪ charity an organization which collects money to help people who are poor, sick etc and does not make any profit for itself: She has raised a lot of money for local charities.
▪ quango British English disapproving an organization set up by the government, which has official power but whose members have not been elected: the amount of money that is wasted on government quangos

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

society / səˈsaɪ.ə.ti / / -t̬i / noun (PEOPLE)

B1 [ C or U ] a large group of people who live together in an organized way, making decisions about how to do things and sharing the work that needs to be done. All the people in a country, or in several similar countries, can be referred to as a society:

a classless/multicultural/capitalist/civilized society

These changes strike at the heart of British/American/modern society.

There's a danger that we will end up blaming innocent children for society's problems.

We must also consider the needs of the younger/older members of society.

[ U ] ( also high society ) the part of society that consists of people who are rich, powerful, and fashionable:

a society hostess/ball/function

[ U ] formal the state of being together with other people:

She prefers her own society (= likes to be alone) .

Word partners for society

build / create a society • live in a society • a member of society • a section / segment of society • a civilized / classless / democratic / multicultural society • modern society • in society

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

society

[səsa͟ɪɪti]

societies
1) N-UNCOUNT Society is people in general, thought of as a large organized group.
  This reflects attitudes and values prevailing in society...
  He maintains Islam must adapt to modern society.
2) N-VAR: with supp A society is the people who live in a country or region, their organizations, and their way of life.
  We live in a capitalist society.
  ...those responsible for destroying our African heritage and the fabric of our society.
  ...the complexities of South African society.
3) N-COUNT A society is an organization for people who have the same interest or aim.
  ...the North of England Horticultural Society.
  ...the historical society.
  Syn:
  association
4) N-UNCOUNT: oft N n Society is the rich, fashionable people in a particular place who meet on social occasions.
  The couple quickly became a fixture of society pages.
  ...the high season for society weddings.
5) → See also building society

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

society

so·ci·ety /səˈsajəti/ noun, pl -et·ies
1 [noncount] : people in general thought of as living together in organized communities with shared laws, traditions, and values
• Poverty hurts society as a whole.
2 : the people of a particular country, area, time, etc., thought of especially as an organized community

[count]

• ancient/modern societies
• Christian/consumer societies
• We need to do more to help the poorer members of our society.

[noncount]

• the values of Western/American society
• wealthy/poor members of society
• These problems affect only a small segment of society. [=only a small number of people]
• That kind of behavior isn't allowed in polite society. [=among people of the middle and upper classes who speak and behave in a polite way]
3 [noncount] : people who are fashionable and wealthy
• She was introduced to society at a formal reception.
• The club's members are drawn from the ranks of high society.
- often used before another noun
• society ladies/fashions/parties
• the newspaper's society page
4 [count] : a group of people who work together or regularly meet because of common interests, beliefs, or activities
• a literary/musical society
• historical societies
• The American Cancer Society
• The Society of Newspaper Editors
5 [noncount] formal : the state of being with other people
• He avoided the society [=company] of other writers.

American English

British English

society - general words

B1 (Intermediate)

noun

person

person [noun] (HUMAN)

a man, woman, or child

/ˈpɝː.sən/

/ˈpɜː.sən/

Example:

Who was the first person to swim the English Channel?

Oxford Essential Dictionary

person

noun (plural people )
a man or woman:
I think she's the best person for the job.
We've invited a few people to dinner.

in person seeing somebody, not just speaking on the telephone or writing a letter:
I want to speak to her in person.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

person

per‧son S1 W1 /ˈpɜːsən $ ˈpɜːr-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑person, ↑personality, ↑persona, ↑personage, the personals, ↑personification, ↑personnel; adjective: ↑personal ≠ ↑impersonal, ↑personalized, ↑personable; verb: ↑personalize, ↑personify; adverb: ↑personally ≠ ↑impersonally]
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: persone, from Latin persona 'actor's mask, character in a play, person', probably from Etruscan phersu 'mask']
1. (plural people /ˈpiːpəl/) a human being, especially considered as someone with their own particular character:
He was a very nice person, always pleasant and friendly.
The only person who really said anything helpful was Jack.
kind/type/sort of person
David was not the sort of person who found it easy to talk about his feelings.
I like her as a person, but not as a boss.
I still know quite a lot of people in the village.
a group of young people
city/cat/night etc person (=someone who likes a particular kind of thing)
I’m not a morning person.
2. in person if you do something in person, you go somewhere and do it yourself, instead of doing something by letter, asking someone else to do it etc:
You have to sign for it in person.
3. businessperson/salesperson etc someone who works in business, who sells things etc ⇨ ↑chairperson, ↑spokesperson
4. (plural persons) formal or law someone who is not known or not named:
The police are appealing for any person who was in the area at this time to contact them.
murder by person or persons unknown
All 115 persons on board were killed.
5. on/about your person formal if you have something on or about your person, you have it in your pockets or attached to you:
Customs officers found a gun concealed about his person.
6. in the person of somebody formal used before the name of someone who you have just mentioned in a more general way:
I was met by the police in the person of Sergeant Black.
⇨ ↑first person, ↑missing person, ↑person-to-person, ↑second person, ↑third person
• • •
GRAMMAR
The plural of person is usually people:
▪ Sixty-four people (NOT persons) died in the fire.
Persons is also used, but only in formal notices, documents, and situations:
▪ All persons born in the United States are citizens of the United States.
People meaning 'more than one person' is already plural and cannot form a plural with 's':
▪ A lot of British people (NOT peoples) are employed by foreign firms.
People meaning 'race' or 'nation' is countable and you can add 's' to form a plural in the normal way:
▪ African peoples

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

person / ˈpɜː.s ə n / / ˈpɝː- / noun [ C ] ( plural people or formal persons ) (HUMAN)

A1 a man, woman, or child:

Who was the first person to swim the English Channel?

A meal at the restaurant costs about $70 for two people.

legal Four persons have been charged with the murder.

used when describing someone and their particular type of character:

She's an extremely kind person.

He's nice enough as a person, but he's not the right man for this job.

informal I don't think of him as a book person (= a person who likes books) .

in person B2 If you do something or go somewhere in person, you do it or go there yourself:

If you can't be there in person, the next best thing is watching it on TV.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

person

[pɜ͟ː(r)s(ə)n]

people, persons
(The usual word for `more than one person' is people. The form persons is used as the plural in formal or legal language.)
1) N-COUNT A person is a man, woman, or child.
  At least one person died and several others were injured...
  Everyone knows he's the only person who can do the job...
  My great-grandfather was a person of some importance here...
  The amount of sleep we need varies from person to person...
  They were both lovely, friendly people...
  At least fifty four people have been killed and a further fifty are missing.
2) N-PLURAL Persons is used as the plural of person in formal, legal, and technical writing.
  ...removal of the right of accused persons to remain silent...
  Persons who wish to adopt a child may contact their local social services department.
  ...persons with neck problems.
3) N-COUNT If you talk about someone as a person, you are considering them from the point of view of their real nature.
  I've a lot of time for him as a person now...
  Robin didn't feel good about herself as a person.
4) N-COUNT: a supp N If someone says, for example,`I'm an outdoor person' or `I'm not a coffee person', they are saying whether or not they like that particular activity or thing. [mainly SPOKEN]
  I am not a country person at all. I prefer the cities.
5) PHRASE: PHR after v If you do something in person, you do it yourself rather than letting someone else do it for you.
  You must collect the mail in person and take along some form of identification...
  She went to New York to receive the award in person.
6) PHRASE: PHR after v If you meet, hear, or see someone in person, you are in the same place as them, rather than, for example, speaking to them on the telephone, writing to them, or seeing them on television.
  It was the first time she had seen him in person.
  ...a trip to Hollywood to meet his favorite actor in person...
  She wanted to hear him sing in person.
7) N-COUNT: poss N Your person is your body. [FORMAL]
  The suspect had refused to give any details of his identity and had carried no documents on his person.
8) PHRASE: PHR n You can use in the person of when mentioning the name of someone you have just referred to in a more general or indirect way. [WRITTEN]
  We had a knowledgeable guide in the person of George Adams.
9) N-COUNT: usu supp N In grammar, we use the term first person when referring to `I' and `we', second person when referring to `you', and third person when referring to `he', `she', `it', `they', and all other noun groups. Person is also used like this when referring to the verb forms that go with these pronouns and noun groups.
→ See also first person, second person, third person

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

person

per·son /ˈpɚsn̩/ noun, pl people or per·sons [count]
✦The plural of person is usually people except in formal or legal contexts, where the plural is often persons.
1 a : a human being
• She is a very nice/shy/interesting person.
• I saw a person standing on the dock.
• Any person who wants a refund must have a receipt.
• Most people here are quite friendly.
• The tickets are $25 per person.
• The person at the front desk will be able to help you.
• The tax break is only applicable to persons in a high income bracket.
• I like her as a person, but she is not a very good writer.
• The disease is easily transmitted from person to person.
- sometimes used in compounds to avoid using man or woman
• a spokesperson
• salespeople
- see also missing person
b : a person who likes or enjoys something specified
• Our new friends are real party people. [=our new friends like parties]
• I'm just not a city person. [=I do not like the city very much]
• She's always been a cat person. [=she likes cats a lot]
- see also people person
2 pl persons law : the body or clothing of a person especially when considered as a place to hide things
• He was arrested for having a gun on his person without a permit. [=he was arrested for carrying a gun without having a gun permit]
• The dogs discovered that the men were hiding drugs about their persons.
in person
- used to say that a person is actually present at a place
• The president appeared in person at the ceremony.
• They met in person after speaking on the phone.
• You will need to sign for the package in person.
in the person of formal
- used to say that someone is the person who does something, provides something, etc.
• Relief during the blackout arrived in the person of my brother, who brought flashlights and candles.

- see also first person, second person, third person

advantage

advantage [noun]

a condition giving a greater chance of success

/ədˈvæn.t̬ɪdʒ/

/ədˈvɑːn.tɪdʒ/

Example:

The advantage of book ing tickets in advance is that you get better seats.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

advantage

noun
something that helps you or that is useful:
One advantage of camping is that it's cheap.
opposite disadvantage

take advantage of something to make good use of something to help yourself:
Buy now and take advantage of these special prices!

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

advantage

ad‧van‧tage S2 W1 /ədˈvɑːntɪdʒ $ ədˈvæn-/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑advantage ≠ ↑disadvantage, the disadvantaged; adjective: ↑advantageous ≠ ↑disadvantageous, ↑advantaged ≠ ↑disadvantaged; verb: ↑disadvantage; adverb: ↑advantageously ≠ ↑disadvantageously]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: avantage, from avant 'before', from Latin abante; ⇨ ↑advance²]
1. [uncountable and countable] something that helps you to be more successful than others, or the state of having this OPP disadvantage
advantage over
Her experience meant that she had a big advantage over her opponent.
Younger workers tend to be at an advantage (=have an advantage) when applying for jobs.
It might be to your advantage (=it might help you) to take a computer course of some kind.
2. [uncountable and countable] a good or useful feature that something has
advantage of
One of the many advantages of living in New York is that you can eat out at almost any time of day.
advantage over
This printer has several advantages over conventional printers.
3. take advantage of somebody to treat someone unfairly in order to get what you want, especially someone who is generous or easily persuaded:
Don’t lend them the car – they’re taking advantage of you!
4. take advantage of something (to do something) to use a particular situation to do or get what you want:
I took advantage of the good weather to paint the shed.
You’ll want to take full advantage of the beach-front clubs.
5. use/turn something to your/good advantage to use something that you have or that happens in order to achieve something:
How could he turn the situation to his advantage?
Burns used his family connections to good advantage.
6. show something to (good/great) advantage to make the best features of someone or something very noticeable:
Her dress showed her tanned skin to great advantage.
7. advantage somebody used in tennis to show that the person named has won the next point after the score was 40–40

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

advantage

▪ I. ad·van·tage [advantage advantages advantaged advantaging] noun, verb [ədˈvɑːntɪdʒ] [ədˈvæntɪdʒ]

noun countable, uncountable
1. a thing that helps you to be better or more successful than other people
• a big/great/definite advantage
• an unfair advantage (= sth that benefits you, but not your opponents)
• She had the advantage of a good education.
• You will be at an advantage (= have an advantage) in the interview if you have thought about the questions in advance.
• ~ over sb Being tall gave him an advantage over the other players.
• companies seeking competitive advantage over their trading rivals

Opp: disadvantage

2. a quality of sth that makes it better or more useful
• A small car has the added advantage of being cheaper to run.
• One advantage of/One of the advantages of living in the country is the fresh air.
• Each of these systems has its advantages and disadvantages.

Opp: disadvantage

3. (in tennis) the first point scored after a score of 40–40
• Advantage Federer.
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French avantage, from avant ‘in front’, from late Latin abante ‘in front’, from ab ‘from’ + ante ‘before’. The initial a- was mistakenly assimilated to ad- in the 16th cent.
Thesaurus:
advantage noun
1. sing.
• Being tall gave him an advantage over the other players.
edge • • lead • • the upper hand • • head start •
Opp: disadvantage
an advantage/an edge/a lead/the upper hand/a head start over sb/sth
an advantage/an edge/a lead/the upper hand/a head start in sth
have/give sb an advantage/an edge/a lead/the upper hand/a head start
2. C, U
• the advantages of having a degree
benefit • • strength • • good • • asset • • good point • |informal plus •
Opp: disadvantage
some/any/no advantage/benefit in sth
be to sb's advantage/benefit
considerable/great/real/relative advantages/benefits/strengths/good/assets
Advantage or benefit? A benefit is sth that you get or that comes from sth that you do. An advantage is sth that a person, thing, plan or action has as a quality.
Example Bank:
• Breastfeeding offers a clear advantage to your baby.
• East coast resorts have the advantage over west coast ones.
• He would gain considerable advantage from staying in that job.
• I took complete advantage of the situation.
• It is to your advantage to delay things for as long as possible.
• The bright lighting showed the jewels to their best advantage.
• The commanders were anxious to press home their advantage with a further offensive in the north.
• The company has an unfair advantage over its competitors.
• The company was able to gain a competitive advantage over its rivals by reducing costs.
• The new design gives us a clear advantage over our competitors.
• The plan would be to our mutual advantage.
• There may be some advantage in laying down a clearer procedure.
• These computers have the added advantage of being cheap.
• They argue that the possible risks attached to such vaccines vastly outweigh any advantages.
• the advantage to both countries of closer economic ties
• the natural advantages of a fertile soil
• the natural advantages of countries with low labour costs
• Being tall gave him a definite advantage over the other players.
• Having a degree is a huge advantage when it comes to getting a job.
• Is there any advantage in getting there early?
• The bill will give US tuna processors a competitive advantage in the US tuna market.
• Their better training gave the French troops a decisive advantage.
• They took an early lead and held onto their advantage right to the end.
• With good cooperation we should be able to exploit this opportunity to our mutual advantage.
• You will be at an advantage if you have thought about the interview questions in advance.

Idioms: take advantage of somebody ▪ to your advantage ▪ turn something to your advantage

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

advantage / ədˈvɑːn.tɪdʒ / / -ˈvæn.t̬ɪdʒ / noun

B1 [ C or U ] a condition giving a greater chance of success:

The advantage of book ing tickets in advance is that you get better seats.

Despite the twin advantages of wealth and beauty, she did not have a happy life.

[ + to infinitive ] It would be to your advantage (= it would improve the situation for you) to agree to his demands.

For a goalkeeper, it 's a great advantage to have big hands.

His height and reach give him a big advantage over (= make him better than) other boxers.

UK formal "Do you know how old I am?" "I'm afraid you have the advantage of me there (= you know the answer but I do not) ."

take advantage of sth B1 to use the good things in a situation:

I thought I'd take advantage of the sports facilities while I'm here.

take advantage of sb / sth B2 disapproving to treat someone badly in order to get something good from them:

I think she takes advantage of his good nature.

I know she's offered to babysit, but I don't want her to think we're taking advantage of her.

[ U ] the word used in tennis when a player has won the point after deuce:

Advantage Miss Williams!

Word partners for advantage

a big / great / major / obvious advantage • the main advantage • an unfair advantage • have an advantage • give sb an advantage • the advantage of sth • put sb/ be at an advantage • be / work to sb's advantage

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

advantage

[ædvɑ͟ːntɪʤ, -væ̱n-]
advantages
1) N-COUNT An advantage is something that puts you in a better position than other people.
  They are deliberately flouting the law in order to obtain an advantage over their competitors...
  A good crowd will be a definite advantage to me and the rest of the team.
  Ant:
  disadvantage
2) N-UNCOUNT Advantage is the state of being in a better position than others who are competing against you.
  Men have created a social and economic position of advantage for themselves over women.
3) N-COUNT: oft N of n An advantage is a way in which one thing is better than another.
  The great advantage of home-grown oranges is their magnificent flavour...
  This custom-built kitchen has many advantages over a standard one.
  Ant:
  disadvantage
4) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If you take advantage of something, you make good use of it while you can.
  I intend to take full advantage of this trip to buy the things we need.
5) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If someone takes advantage of you, they treat you unfairly for their own benefit, especially when you are trying to be kind or to help them.
  She took advantage of him even after they were divorced.
6) PHRASE: PHR after v If you use or turn something to your advantage, you use it in order to benefit from it, especially when it might be expected to harm or damage you.
  The government have not been able to turn today's demonstration to their advantage.
7) PHRASE: PHR after v If something is shown to good advantage or to best advantage, it is shown in a way that reveals its best features.
  The walls were painted in muted tones to show the pictures to good advantage.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

advantage

ad·van·tage /ədˈvæntɪʤ, Brit ədˈvɑːntɪʤ/ noun, pl -tag·es
1 [count]
a : something (such as a good position or condition) that helps to make someone or something better or more likely to succeed than others
• Higher ground gave the enemy the/an advantage.
• He has/enjoys an unfair advantage over us because of his wealth.
• His plan has the advantage of being less expensive than other options.
• He lacked the advantages of an advanced education.
• Speed is an advantage in most sports.
• The company's only advantage over the competition is its location.
• Applicants for this job will find that previous experience is an advantage.
• The union should be at an advantage [=should have an advantage] in the negotiations.
b : a good or desirable quality or feature
• Being able to set your own schedule is one of the advantages of owning a business.
• Among the advantages of a small college is its campus life.
- opposite disadvantage
2 [noncount] : benefit or gain
• There isn't any advantage in/to leaving early.
• She used her position for personal advantage. [=for personal gain; to help herself]
• The error was to our advantage. [=we were helped by the error]
- opposite disadvantage
✦If you turn/use something to your advantage or to good advantage, you use something in a way that is helpful to you.
• Is there a way to turn this situation to our advantage? [=is there a way to exploit this situation?; is there a way to take advantage of this situation?]
3 [noncount] tennis : the first point won after the score is tied at 40–40 - used to announce the person who has won the point
• Advantage Mr. Jones.
take advantage of
1 : to use (something, such as an opportunity) in a way that helps you : to make good use of (something)
• We took advantage of the warm weather and did some yard work.
• They are taking advantage of an opportunity to travel.
• You should take (full) advantage of this opportunity while you can.
2 a : to ask for or expect more than is fair or reasonable from (someone) : to treat (someone who is generous or helpful) unfairly
• After a while, I began to think she was taking advantage of me.
b : to use (something) unfairly for personal gain
• He took advantage of [=exploited] my lack of knowledge.
• She took advantage of our generosity.
to advantage : in an attractive and appealing way
• The display shows off the collection to (good/best) advantage.

American English

British English

advantage and disadvantage

B1 (Intermediate)

noun

capitalism

capitalism [noun]

an economic, political, and social system in which property, business, and industry are privately owned, directed towards making the greatest possible profits for successful organizations and people

/ˈkæp.ə.t̬əl.ɪ.zəm/

/ˈkæp.ɪ.təl.ɪ.zəm/

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

capitalism

cap‧i‧tal‧is‧m /ˈkæpətl-ɪzəm, ˈkæpɪtl-ɪzəm/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
an economic and political system in which businesses belong mostly to private owners, not to the government ⇨ communism, socialism

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

capitalism

cap·it·al·ism [capitalism] [ˈkæpɪtəlɪzəm] [ˈkæpɪtəlɪzəm] noun uncountable
an economic system in which a country's businesses and industry are controlled and run for profit by private owners rather than by the government
• the growth of industrial capitalism in the West
compare socialism
Example Bank:
• He predicted the fall of world capitalism.
• He was one of the leading advocates of laissez-faire capitalism.
• She deplored unbridled capitalism as much as communism.
• a protest against global capitalism

• a study of the development of agriculture under capitalism

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

capitalism / ˈkæp.ɪ.t ə l.ɪ.z ə m / / -t̬ ə l- / noun [ U ]

C2 an economic, political, and social system in which property, business, and industry are privately owned, directed towards making the greatest possible profits for successful organizations and people

→ Compare communism , socialism

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

capitalism

[kæ̱pɪtəlɪzəm]
N-UNCOUNT
Capitalism is an economic and political system in which property, business, and industry are owned by private individuals and not by the state.
...the two fundamentally opposed social systems, capitalism and socialism.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

capitalism

cap·i·tal·ism /ˈkæpətəˌlɪzəm/ noun [noncount] : a way of organizing an economy so that the things that are used to make and transport products (such as land, oil, factories, ships, etc.) are owned by individual people and companies rather than by the government - compare communism, socialism

American English

British English

systems of government

C2 (Proficient)

noun

necessity

necessity [noun]

the need for something

/nəˈses.ə.t̬i/

/nəˈses.ə.ti/

Example:

You can come early if you want to, but there's no necessity for it.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

necessity

noun (plural necessities)
something that you must have:
Food and clothes are necessities of life.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

necessity

ne‧ces‧si‧ty /nəˈsesəti, nɪˈsesəti/ BrE AmE noun (plural necessities)
[Word Family: noun: ↑necessity, the necessaries, the necessary; verb: ↑necessitate; adverb: ↑necessarily ≠ ↑unnecessarily; adjective: ↑necessary ≠ ↑unnecessary]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: necessité, from Latin necessitas, from necesse; ⇨ ↑necessary]
1. [countable] something that you need to have in order to live OPP luxury:
She saw books as a necessity, not a luxury.
A car is an absolute necessity if you live in the country.
the basic/bare necessities
A lot of families cannot even afford to buy the basic necessities of life.
2. [uncountable] when something is necessary
necessity for
He emphasized the necessity for good planning and management.
the necessity of (doing) something
This illustrates the necessity of keeping accurate records of your work.
Many teachers are now questioning the necessity of formal exams.
through/out of necessity
He only remained with the group out of necessity.
economic/practical/political etc necessity
I’m afraid it’s become a matter of economic necessity.
3. [countable] something that must happen, even if it is unpleasant:
Taxes are a regrettable necessity.
4. of necessity formal used when something happens in a particular way because that is the only possible way it can happen:
Many of the jobs are, of necessity, temporary.
5. necessity is the mother of invention used to say that if someone really needs to do something, they will find a way of doing it

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

necessity

ne·ces·sity [necessity necessities] [nəˈsesəti] [nəˈsesəti] noun
1. uncountable the fact that sth must happen or be done; the need for sth
• ~ (for sth) We recognize the necessity for a written agreement.
• ~ (of sth/of doing sth) We were discussing the necessity of employing more staff.
• ~ (for sb) to do sth There had never been any necessity for her to go out to work.
• There is absolutely no necessity for you to be involved.

• This is, of necessity, a brief and incomplete account.

2. countable a thing that you must have and cannot manage without
• Many people cannot even afford basic necessities such as food and clothing.

• Air-conditioning is an absolute necessity in this climate.

3. countable, usually singular a situation that must happen and that cannot be avoided
• Living in London, he felt, was an unfortunate necessity.
more at make a virtue of necessity at virtue
Idiom: necessity is the mother of invention
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French necessite, from Latin necessitas, from necesse ‘be needful’.
Example Bank:
• Culling of the animals was born out of the necessity for successful conservation.
• Driven by financial necessity, she decided to give up her writing career.
• Food is a necessity of life.
• He argued that nuclear weapons were a political necessity.
• He is changing job out of necessity, not because he particularly wants to.
• I've never felt the necessity to rely on such a strict rule.
• Most disputes can be resolved without the necessity of going to court.
• Most of the women are forced, through economic necessity, to work in part-time low-paid jobs.
• Mrs R has been spared the necessity of having to give evidence.
• Necessity forced an urgent solution.
• Observers stressed the necessity for the ceasefire to be observed.
• Policies which address these issues are an urgent necessity.
• She saw the necessity to make an immediate impression on him.
• Sleep is an absolute necessity for life.
• The company sees no necessity for a more cautious approach to investment.
• The people in the rural areas use mud bricks only as an immediate, practical necessity.
• The visit will, of necessity, be brief.
• There's no necessity for you to come.
• These animals don't like water but will swim if the necessity arises.
• They have accepted the necessity of greater state intervention.
• They have nothing but the barest necessities.
• This rule is carried no farther than necessity requires.
• Where necessity demands, we can seat more guests in the gallery.
• You can dial direct without the necessity of going through the operator.
• the necessity to earn a living

• Living in London he felt, was an unfortunate necessity.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

necessity / nəˈses.ɪ.ti / / -ə.t̬i / noun

C1 [ U ] the need for something:

You can come early if you want to, but there's no necessity for it.

[ + to infinitive ] Is there any necessity to reply to her letter?

The report stresses the necessity of eat ing plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

With a personal fortune of six million pounds, she certainly doesn't work out of necessity (= because she needs to) .

We'll employ extra staff to help out as and when the necessity arises (= when we need to) .

C1 [ C ] something that you need, especially in order to live:

We brought only the bare necessities with us.

He regarded music as one of life's necessities.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

necessity

[nɪse̱sɪti]
necessities
1) N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp The necessity of something is the fact that it must happen or exist.
  There is agreement on the necessity of reforms...
  As soon as the necessity for action is over the troops must be withdrawn...
  Most women, like men, work from economic necessity...
  Some people have to lead stressful lifestyles out of necessity.
  ●
  PHRASE: usu PHR before v, PHR n/adj/adv If you say that something is of necessity the case, you mean that it is the case because nothing else is possible or practical in the circumstances. [FORMAL]
  The assembly line of necessity kept moving...
  Negotiations between the enemies are of necessity indirect.
  Syn:
  inevitably
2) N-COUNT A necessity is something that you must have in order to live properly or do something.
  Water is a basic necessity of life.
  ...food, fuel and other daily necessities.
  Syn:
  essential
  Ant:
  luxury
3) N-COUNT: usu sing A situation or action that is a necessity is necessary and cannot be avoided.
  The President pleaded that strong rule from the centre was a regrettable, but temporary necessity.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

necessity

ne·ces·si·ty /nɪˈsɛsəti/ noun, pl -ties
1 [count] : something that you must have or do : something that is necessary
• Sunscreen is an absolute necessity for the beach.
• food, clothes, and other basic necessities
• Getting plenty of rest is a necessity.
• Without a car, living close to work is a necessity.
• All we took with us on our hiking trip were the bare necessities.
• Many families cannot even afford the basic/bare necessities of life. [=things that a person must have in order to survive]
2 [noncount] formal : the quality of being necessary - usually + of or for
• She talked about the necessity of having the right training. [=she said that having the right training is necessary]
• He questioned the necessity for the change. [=he questioned whether the change was necessary]
by necessity or out of necessity : because of conditions that cannot be changed
• The process is by necessity a slow one. [=the process is necessarily slow; the slowness of the process cannot be avoided]
• He works two jobs out of necessity. [=because it is necessary]
make a virtue (out) of necessity
- see virtue
necessity is the mother of invention
- see ¹mother
of necessity formal
- used to say that something must happen or must be the way it is
• Further changes to the company will occur of necessity.

American English

British English

essential or necessary

C1 (Advanced)

noun

circumstance

circumstance [noun]

a fact or event that makes a situation the way it is

/ˈsɝː.kəm.stæns/

/ˈsɜː.kəm.stɑːns/

Example:

I think she coped very well under the circumstances.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

circumstance

cir‧cum‧stance S2 W1 AC /ˈsɜːkəmstæns, -stəns $ ˈsɜːr-/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin circumstantia, from circumstare 'to stand around', from circum- (CIRCUM-) + stare 'to stand']
1. [countable usually plural] the conditions that affect a situation, action, event etc:
The Soviet Union had been forced by circumstances to sign a pact with Nazi Germany.
I can’t imagine a circumstance in which I would be willing to steal.
in ... circumstances
The rules can only be waived in exceptional circumstances.
under ... circumstances
Prisoners can only leave their cells under certain circumstances.
2. under no circumstances (also in no circumstances British English) used to emphasize that something must definitely not happen:
Under no circumstances are you to go out.
3. under/given the circumstances (also in the circumstances British English) used to say that a particular situation makes an action, decision etc necessary, acceptable, or true when it would not normally be:
It’s the best result that could be expected under the circumstances.
4. [uncountable] formal the combination of facts, events etc that influence your life, and that you cannot control:
He was a victim of circumstance.
5. circumstances [plural] formal the conditions in which you live, especially how much money you have
economic/financial/personal etc circumstances
Whether or not you qualify for a loan will depend on your financial circumstances.
people living in difficult social circumstances
in reduced circumstances old-fashioned (=with much less money than you used to have)
⇨ pomp and circumstance at ↑pomp
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ in/under certain circumstances (=if particular conditions exist) In certain circumstances you may be refused a visa.
▪ exceptional/special circumstances The court may allow this evidence in exceptional circumstances.
▪ normal circumstances In normal circumstances, a child’s language will develop naturally.
▪ particular circumstances (=special or specific) There may be particular circumstances in which this rule will not apply.
▪ difficult circumstances Many teachers are doing a very good job under difficult circumstances.
▪ suspicious circumstances (=making you think something illegal has happened) Officers said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
▪ mysterious circumstances (=strange or suspicious) One of their colleagues had vanished in mysterious circumstances.
▪ unusual circumstances There were several unusual circumstances that night.
▪ unforeseen circumstances (=that you did not realize would happen) The tragedy was the result of a series of unforeseen circumstances.
▪ tragic circumstances (=extremely sad and unfortunate) Both parents had died in tragic circumstances.
▪ extenuating/mitigating circumstances (=conditions that make it reasonable for someone to break the rules or law) Hunger and poverty are not treated by the courts as extenuating circumstances.
■ phrases
▪ a set/combination of circumstances This was a very unusual set of circumstances.
▪ the circumstances surrounding something Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.
▪ due to circumstances beyond sb’s control Occasionally flights are cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

circumstance

cir·cum·stance AW [circumstance circumstances] [ˈsɜːkəmstəns] [ˈsɜːkəmstɑːns] [ˈsɜːkəmstæns] [ˈsɜːrkəmstæns] noun
1. countable, usually plural the conditions and facts that are connected with and affect a situation, an event or an action
• The company reserves the right to cancel this agreement in certain circumstances.
• changing social and political circumstances
• I know I can trust her in any circumstance.
• Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the boy's death.
• The ship sank in mysterious circumstances.

• She never discovered the true circumstances of her birth.

2. circumstances plural the conditions of a person's life, especially the money they have
• Grants are awarded according to your financial circumstances.

• family/domestic/personal circumstances

3. uncountable (formal) situations and events that affect and influence your life and that are not in your control
• a victim of circumstance (= a person who has suffered because of a situation that they cannot control)
• He had to leave the country through force of circumstance (= events made it necessary).
• We were simply thrown together by circumstance on the long journey.
more at pomp and circumstance at pomp, reduced circumstances at reduce
Idioms: in no circumstances ▪ in the circumstances
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French circonstance or Latin circumstantia, from circumstare ‘encircle, encompass’, from circum ‘around’ + stare ‘stand’.
Thesaurus:
circumstance noun C, usually pl.
• She did the job very well in the circumstances.
conditions • • situation • • position • • the case • • state of affairs • |informal, especially spoken things •
in the/a circumstances/particular situation/position/state of affairs
the general/current/present/real circumstances/conditions/situation/position/state of affairs
sb's economic/financial/social circumstances/conditions/situation/position
describe/explain the circumstances/situation/position/state of affairs/things
Circumstances or conditions? Circumstances refers to sb's financial situation; conditions refers to things such as food, shelter, or the working environment. The circumstances that affect an event are the facts surrounding it; the conditions are usually physical things, such as the weather.
Synonyms:
situation
circumstances • position • conditions • things • the case • state of affairs
These are all words for the conditions and facts that are connected with and affect the way things are.
situation • all the things that are happening at a particular time and in a particular place: ▪ the present economic situation
circumstances • the facts that are connected with and affect a situation, an event or an action; the conditions of a person's life, especially the money they have: ▪ The ship sank in mysterious circumstances.
position • the situation that sb is in, especially when it affects what they can and cannot do: ▪ She felt she was in a position of power.
conditions • the circumstances in which people live, work or do things; the physical situation that affects how sth happens: ▪ We were forced to work outside in freezing conditions.
circumstances or conditions?
Circumstances refers to sb's financial situation; conditions are things such as the quality and amount of food or shelter they have. The circumstances that affect an event are the facts surrounding it; the conditions that affect it are usually physical ones, such as the weather.
things • (rather informal) the general situation, as it affects sb: ▪ Hi, Jane! ▪ How are things? ◊ ▪ Think things over before you decide.
the case • the true situation: ▪ If that is the case ▪ (= if the situation described is true) ▪, we need more staff.
state of affairs • a situation: ▪ How did this unhappy state of affairs come about?
situation or state of affairs?
State of affairs is mostly used with this. It is also used with adjectives describing how good or bad a situation is, such as happy, sorry, shocking, sad and unhappy, as well as those relating to time, such as present and current. Situation is much more frequent and is used in a wider variety of contexts.
in (a) particular situation/circumstances/position/state of affairs
the/sb's economic/financial/social situation/circumstances/position/conditions
(a/an) happy/unhappy situation/circumstances/position/state of affairs
to look at/review the situation/circumstances/conditions/things
Example Bank:
• Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to reschedule the concert.
• He died in tragic circumstances.
• He was a writer living in straitened circumstances.
• He was simply a victim of circumstance.
• His sentence was reduced because of the extenuating circumstances.
• I felt that circumstances were conspiring against me.
• In normal circumstances I would let you use my car, but today I need it.
• In the circumstances, you'd better call the police.
• Only if the circumstances are exceptional will we accept late applications.
• She died in rather suspicious circumstances.
• The amount paid will vary according to circumstances.
• The bank will investigate the circumstances surrounding the robbery.
• The delays were due to circumstances beyond our control.
• The plan might work better with more favourable/favorable circumstances.
• The survivors ate plants and insects by force of circumstance.
• Under no circumstances should you leave the door unlocked.
• We lost our position in the market due to a combination of circumstances.
• an unfortunate set of circumstances that made her life difficult
• life in the changing economic circumstances of China
• people facing adverse circumstances
• the tragic circumstances of his early life
• Don't open the door, in any circumstances.
• Grants are awarded according to your financial circumstances.
• He had to leave the country through force of circumstance.
• Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the boy's death.

• Under the circumstances, it seemed better not to tell him about the accident.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

circumstance / ˈsɜː.kəm.stɑːns / / ˈsɝː.kəm.stæns / noun

B2 [ C usually plural ] a fact or event that makes a situation the way it is:

I think she coped very well under the circumstances.

Obviously we can't deal with the problem until we know all the circumstances.

She died in suspicious circumstances.

We oppose capital punishment in/under any circumstances.

Under no circumstances should you (= you should not) approach the man.

The meeting has been cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control.

[ U ] formal events that change your life, over which you have no control:

They were victims of circumstance.

We were obliged to go by force of circumstance.

circumstances how much money someone has:

Grants are available depending on your circumstances.

By now she was alone and living in reduced circumstances (= with little money) .

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

circumstance

[sɜ͟ː(r)kəmstæns]

circumstances
1) N-COUNT: usu pl, with supp The circumstances of a particular situation are the conditions which affect what happens.
  Recent opinion polls show that 60 percent favor abortion under certain circumstances...
  The strategy was too dangerous in the explosive circumstances of the times...
  I wish we could have met under happier circumstances.
2) N-PLURAL: with supp, oft the N of n The circumstances of an event are the way it happened or the causes of it.
  I'm making inquiries about the circumstances of Mary Dean's murder...
  Hundreds of people had died there in terrible circumstances during and after the revolution.
3) N-PLURAL: usu with poss Your circumstances are the conditions of your life, especially the amount of money that you have.
  ...help and support for the single mother, whatever her circumstances...
  I wouldn't have expected to find you in such comfortable circumstances.
  Syn:
  situation
4) N-UNCOUNT Events and situations which cannot be controlled are sometimes referred to as circumstance.
  There are those, you know, who, by circumstance, end up homeless...
  You might say that we've been victims of circumstance.
5) PHRASE: PHR with cl (emphasis) You can emphasize that something must not or will not happen by saying that it must not or will not happen under any circumstances.
  Racism is wholly unacceptable under any circumstances...
  She made it clear that under no circumstances would she cancel the trip.
6) PHRASE: PHR with cl You can use in the circumstances or under the circumstances before or after a statement to indicate that you have considered the conditions affecting the situation before making the statement.
  Under the circumstances, a crash was unavoidable...
  In the circumstances, Paisley's plans looked highly appropriate.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

circumstance

cir·cum·stance /ˈsɚkəmˌstæns/ noun, pl -stanc·es
1 [count] : a condition or fact that affects a situation
• I can't imagine a circumstance in/under which I would do that.
- usually plural
• If our business is to survive, we must be able to adapt to changing circumstances.
• It is impossible under these circumstances to meet our deadline.
• Do not, under any circumstances, open that door. = Under no circumstances are you to open that door. [=no matter what happens, do not open that door]
• Due to circumstances beyond our control [=things that have happened that we cannot change or influence], the flight is canceled.
• There is nothing we can do under the circumstances. [=in this specific situation]
• Given the circumstances, I think we did well. [=when you consider how everything went, I think we did well]
2 circumstances [plural] : the way something happens : the specific details of an event
• The circumstances of his death are suspicious.
3 : an event or situation that you cannot control

[noncount]

• She says that her client is a victim of circumstance and should not be blamed for the accident.

[plural]

• He was a victim of circumstances.
4 circumstances [plural] : the conditions in which someone lives
• Their circumstances changed dramatically after she lost her job.
• I don't know anything about his financial circumstances. [=about how much money he has]
• They have been forced to live in reduced circumstances. [=to live with less money]
pomp and circumstance
- see pomp

American English

British English

situations and circumstances

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

noun

sister-in-law

sister-in-law [noun]

the wife of your brother or sister, or the sister of your husband or wife, or the wife of the brother or sister of your husband or wife

/ˈsɪs.tɚ.ɪn.lɑː/

/ˈsɪs.tə.rɪn.lɔː/

Oxford Essential Dictionary

sister-in-law

noun (plural sisters-in-law)

1 the sister of your wife or husband

2 the wife of your brother

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

sister-in-law

ˈsister-in-ˌlaw BrE AmE noun (plural sisters-in-law) [countable]
1. the sister of your husband or wife
2. your brother’s wife
3. the wife of the brother of your husband or wife

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

sister-in-law

ˈsister-in-law [sister-in-law sisters-in-law] noun (pl. sisters-in-law)
the sister of your husband or wife; your brother's wife; the wife of your husband or wife's brother

compare brother-in-law

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

sister-in-law

sisters-in-law
N-COUNT: oft poss N
Someone's sister-in-law is the sister of their husband or wife, or the woman who is married to their brother.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

sister-in-law

sis·ter–in–law /ˈsɪstɚrənˌlɑː/ noun, pl sis·ters–in–law /ˈsɪstɚzənˌlɑ/ [count]
1 : the sister of your husband or wife
2 : the wife of your brother

American English

British English

non-blood relations

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

noun

brother-in-law

brother-in-law [noun]

the husband of your sister or brother, or the brother of your husband or wife, or the man who is married to the sister or brother of your wife or husband

/ˈbrʌð.ɚ.ɪn.lɑː/

/ˈbrʌð.ə.rɪn.lɔː/

Oxford Essential Dictionary

brother-in-law

noun (plural brothers-in-law)

1 the brother of your wife or husband

2 the husband of your sister
Look at sister-in-law.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

brother-in-law

ˈbrother-in-law BrE AmE noun (plural brothers-in-law) [countable]
1. the brother of your husband or wife
2. the husband of your sister
3. the husband of your husband or wife’s sister
⇨ sister-in-law

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

brother-in-law

ˈbrother-in-law [brother-in-law brothers-in-law] (pl. brothers-in-law) noun
the brother of your husband or wife; your sister's husband; the husband of your husband or wife's sister

compare sister-in-law

broth·er–in–law /ˈbrʌðɚrənˌlɑː/ noun, pl broth·ers–in–law /ˈbrʌðɚzənˌlɑː/ [count]
1 : the brother of your husband or wife
2 : the husband of your sister

American English

British English

non-blood relations

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

noun

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