noun

delay

delay [noun]

the situation in which you have to wait longer than expected for something to happen, or the time that you have to wait

US /dɪˈleɪ/ 
UK /dɪˈleɪ/ 
Example: 

There has been a delay in the book's publication.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

 noun (plural delays)
a time when somebody or something is late:
There was a long delay at the airport.
You must pay the money without delay (= immediately).

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

delay

I. delay1 W3 /dɪˈleɪ/ BrE AmE noun
1. [countable] when someone or something has to wait, or the length of the waiting time:
Sorry for the delay, Mr Weaver.
delay in
Why was there a delay in warning the public?
delay of
a delay of about an hour
long/considerable/slight etc delay
Long delays are expected on the motorways.
2. [uncountable] when something does not happen or start when it should do
without delay
They must restore normal services without delay.
There can be no excuse for any further delay.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + delay
a slight/short delay There was a slight delay in the departure of the plane.
a long/lengthy delay Patients often face long delays in getting the treatment they need.
a considerable/serious delay (=very long) After a considerable delay, the report was finally published.
a 20-minute/6-month/4-week etc delay A train had broken down, causing a two-hour delay.
traffic delays The roadworks are likely to cause serious traffic delays.
flight delays Unfortunately flight delays do sometimes occur.
■ verbs
cause/lead to a delay The bad weather caused a three-hour delay in sending out rescue helicopters.
experience delays People are experiencing considerable delays in receiving their mail.
face delays (=be likely to experience them) Commuters face long delays as a result of the rail strikes.
reduce delays (=make them shorter and less frequent) The new rules should reduce delays in bringing prisoners to trial.
■ phrases
a series of delays (=a number of delays) After a series of delays and setbacks, the project was finally approved.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

delay

delay [delay delays delayed delaying] noun, verb   [dɪˈleɪ]    [dɪˈleɪ]

noun
1. countable a period of time when sb/sth has to wait because of a problem that makes sth slow or late
Commuters will face long delays on the roads today.
We apologize for the delay in answering your letter.
a delay of two hours/a two-hour delay

Increased congestion and traffic delays are expected.

2. countable, uncountable a situation in which sth does not happen when it should; the act of delaying
There's no time for delay.
Report it to the police without delay (= immediately).  
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French delayer (verb).  
Collocations:
Travel and tourism
Holidays/vacations
have/take (BrE) a holiday/(NAmE) a vacation/a break/a day off/(BrE) a gap year
go on/be on holiday/vacation/leave/honeymoon/safari/a trip/a tour/a cruise/a pilgrimage
go backpacking/camping/hitchhiking/sightseeing
plan a trip/a holiday/a vacation/your itinerary
book accommodation/a hotel room/a flight/tickets
have/make/cancel a reservation/(especially BrE) booking
rent a villa/(both BrE) a holiday home/a holiday cottage
(especially BrE) hire/ (especially NAmE) rent a car/bicycle/moped
stay in a hotel/a bed and breakfast/a youth hostel/a villa/(both BrE) a holiday home/a caravan
cost/charge $100 a/per night for a single/double/twin/standard/(BrE) en suite room
check into/out of a hotel/a motel/your room
pack/unpack your suitcase/bags
call/order room service
cancel/cut short a trip/holiday/vacation
Foreign travel
apply for/get/renew a/your passport
take out/buy/get travel insurance
catch/miss your plane/train/ferry/connecting flight
fly (in)/travel in business/economy class
make/have a brief/two-day/twelve-hour stopover/(NAmE also) layover in Hong Kong
experience/cause/lead to delays
check (in)/collect/get/lose (your) (especially BrE) luggage/(especially NAmE) baggage
be charged for/pay excess baggage
board/get on/leave/get off the aircraft/plane/ship/ferry
taxi down/leave/approach/hit/overshoot the runway
experience/hit/encounter severe turbulence
suffer from/recover from/get over your jet lag/travel sickness
The tourist industry
attract/draw/bring tourists/visitors
encourage/promote/hurt tourism
promote/develop ecotourism
build/develop/visit a tourist/holiday/(especially BrE) seaside/beach/ski resort
work for/be operated by a major hotel chain
be served by/compete with low-cost/(especially NAmE) low-fare/budget airlines
book sth through/make a booking through/use a travel agent
contact/check with your travel agent/tour operator
book/be on/go on a package deal/holiday/tour
buy/bring back (tacky/overpriced) souvenirs 
Example Bank:
After a series of lengthy delays, the case finally came to court.
Flights to New York may be subject to delay.
I apologize for the delay in replying to you.
Passengers complain about lack of information when travel delays occur.
Passengers have experienced long delays.
Please address your letters properly so as to reduce delays.
Please send him the information without delay.
The building project has been plagued by bureaucratic delays.
The strike has led to some delays in train services.
There is a five-minute time delay on the bank's safe.
Travellers complained about lack of information when travel delays occurred.
Undue delays have been caused by people not doing their jobs properly.
a delay of several weeks
delays in getting to the airport
further delays to the plan
Report it to the police without delay.
There's no time for delay.

a delay of two hours/a two-hour delay

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

delay / dɪˈleɪ / noun [ C or U ]

A2 the situation in which you have to wait longer than expected for something to happen, or the time that you have to wait:

This situation needs to be tackled without delay.

Long delays are predicted on the motorway because of the accident.

There has been a delay in the book's publication.

Word partners for delay noun

a brief / short / slight delay • a considerable / lengthy / long / serious delay • cause delays • experience / face / suffer delays • delays due to sth • a delay in sth/doing sth • a delay of [two hours, five days, etc.] • without delay

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

delay

[dɪle͟ɪ]
 ♦♦
 delays, delaying, delayed

 1) VERB If you delay doing something, you do not do it immediately or at the planned or expected time, but you leave it until later.
  [V n/-ing] For sentimental reasons I wanted to delay my departure until June 1980...
  [V n/-ing] They had delayed having children, for the usual reason, to establish their careers...
  So don't delay, write in now for your chance of a free gift.
  Syn:
  postpone
  Ant:
  bring forward
 2) VERB To delay someone or something means to make them late or to slow them down.
  [V n] Can you delay him in some way?...
  [V n] Various set-backs and problems delayed production...
  [V n] The passengers were delayed for an hour.
  Syn:
  hold up
 3) VERB If you delay, you deliberately take longer than necessary to do something.
  If he delayed any longer, the sun would be up.
  Syn:
  hang on
 4) N-VAR If there is a delay, something does not happen until later than planned or expected.
  They claimed that such a delay wouldn't hurt anyone...
  Although the tests have caused some delay, flights should be back to normal this morning.
  Syn:
  hold-up
 5) N-UNCOUNT Delay is a failure to do something immediately or in the required or usual time.
  There is no time left for delay...
  We'll send you a quote without delay.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1de·lay /dɪˈleɪ/ noun, pl -lays
1 : a situation in which something happens later than it should

[count]

• Do you know what's causing the delay?
• The nurse apologized for the delay [=wait] and said that the doctor would be in shortly.
• a number of flight delays

[noncount]

• After months of delay, construction on the new school began.
• The roof must be repaired without delay. [=immediately]
2 [count] : the amount of time that you must wait for something that is late
• Airline travelers are experiencing delays of up to three hours.

remedy

remedy [noun]

a successful way of curing an illness or dealing with a problem or difficulty

US /ˈrem.ə.di/ 
UK /ˈrem.ə.di/ 
Example: 

an effective herbal remedy for headaches

Oxford Essential Dictionary

remedy

 noun (plural remedies)
something that makes you better when you are sick or in pain:
He gave me a remedy for toothache.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

remedy

I. remedy1 /ˈremədi, ˈremɪdi/ BrE AmE noun (plural remedies) [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Anglo-French; Origin: remedie, from Latin remedium, from mederi 'to heal']
1. a way of dealing with a problem or making a bad situation better SYN solution:
The problems in our schools do not have a simple remedy.
remedy for
The program is one remedy for discrimination.
2. a medicine to cure an illness or pain that is not very serious SYN cure
cold/cough remedy
remedy for
a remedy for colds
herbal/natural remedy
a natural remedy that helps insomnia
a home remedy (=one that you make at home) for sore throats
The herb is used as a folk remedy (=a traditional medicine, rather than one a doctor gives you) for a baby’s teething pains.
3. beyond/without remedy formal if a situation is beyond remedy, nothing can be done to make it better:
She felt as if her marital problems were beyond remedy.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + remedy
a cold/cough/flu remedy Most cold remedies have little effect.
a herbal remedy He brought with him a bottle of his own herbal remedy for hayfever.
a natural remedy She began to look into alternative methods of treatment, such as natural remedies and hypnotherapy.
a home remedy (=one that you make at home) Home remedies for colds include honey and lemon.
a traditional/folk remedy Fish oil has been used as a folk remedy since the eighteenth century.
■ verbs
take a remedy Have you tried taking herbal remedies?
• • •
THESAURUS
cure a medicine or medical treatment that makes an illness go away: The scientists are trying to find a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease.
remedy a way to treat a health problem, especially a small problem such as a cold, using plants or other natural methods: Rinsing with salt water is a good home remedy for a sore throat. | The store sells herbal remedies.
antidote a medicine that will stop the effects of a poison or dangerous drug: There is no known antidote to a bite from this snake.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

remedy

rem·edy [remedy remedies remedied remedying] noun, verb   [ˈremədi]    [ˈremədi]

noun (pl. rem·edies)
1. a way of dealing with or improving an unpleasant or difficult situation
Syn:  solution
~ (for sth) There is no simple remedy for unemployment.

~ (to sth) There are a number of possible remedies to this problem.

2. a treatment or medicine to cure a disease or reduce pain that is not very serious
a herbal remedy

~ for sth an excellent home remedy for sore throats

3. ~ (against sth) (law) a way of dealing with a problem, using the processes of the law
Syn:  redress
Holding copyright provides the only legal remedy against unauthorized copying.
What's my remedy in law in this case?  
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French remedie, from Latin remedium, from re- ‘back’ (also expressing intensive force) + mederi ‘heal’.  
Example Bank:
Ginger is a popular remedy for morning sickness.
He took a herbal remedy for his hay fever.
One dose of the remedy is sufficient.
She tried various remedies, but none of them worked.
The Act created rights and remedies for consumers.
The agreement states that he has a remedy against the subcontractor.
The player insists that he merely took a cold remedy and not a banned substance.
The remedies are all prepared from wild flowers.
The remedy was given in different strengths to a group of volunteers.
There's no easy remedy for unemployment.
They advised him to exhaust all other remedies before applying to court.
They will have to seek a judicial remedy for breach of contract.
They're hoping to find a remedy for the condition.
When the reservoir becomes blocked, the only remedy lies in cleaning the entire system.
You have a remedy in civil law.
Your best remedy is to go to the small claims court.
remedies afforded to creditors by a bankruptcy order
remedies for breach of contract
I prefer to use herbal remedies when I have a cold.

The best home remedy for a sore throat is honey and lemon.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

remedy / ˈrem.ə.di / noun [ C ]

B2 a successful way of curing an illness or dealing with a problem or difficulty:

an effective herbal remedy for headaches

The best remedy for grief is hard work.

legal remedy legal a way of solving a problem or ordering someone to make a payment for harm or damage they have caused, using a decision made in a law court:

We have exhausted all possible legal remedies for this injustice.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

remedy

[re̱mədi]
 remedies, remedying, remedied
 1) N-COUNT A remedy is a successful way of dealing with a problem.
  The remedy lies in the hands of the government.
  ...a remedy for economic ills.
 2) N-COUNT A remedy is something that is intended to cure you when you are ill or in pain.
  There are many different kinds of natural remedies to help overcome winter infections.
 3) VERB If you remedy something that is wrong or harmful, you correct it or improve it.
  [V n] A great deal has been done internally to remedy the situation.

 

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1rem·e·dy /ˈrɛmədi/ noun, pl -dies
1 [count] : a medicine or treatment that relieves pain or cures a usually minor illness
• a remedy for fever
• The store now sells herbal remedies. [=medicines made from plants]
• a shelf of cold remedies [=medicines to take when you have a cold]
• Do you know of a good home remedy [=a medicine made at home] for heartburn?
folk remedies [=traditional medicines that are not prescribed by a doctor]
2 : a way of solving or correcting a problem

[count]

• Building more roads isn't always the best remedy for traffic congestion.
• You may have no legal remedy [=way of finding a solution using the law] in this dispute.

[noncount]

• The problem was beyond remedy.
• She was left without remedy since the court did not recognize her claim.

rule

rule [noun] (INSTRUCTION)

an accepted principle or instruction that states the way things are or should be done, and tells you what you are allowed or are not allowed to do

US /ruːl/ 
UK /ruːl/ 
Example: 

A referee must know all the rules of the game.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

noun

1 (plural rules) something that tells you what you must or must not do:
It's against the school rules to smoke.
to break a rule (= do something that you should not do)

2 (no plural) government:
The country is under military rule.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

rule

I. rule1 S1 W1 /ruːl/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑rule, ↑ruler, ↑ruling, ↑unruliness; adjective: ↑ruling, ↑unruly, ↑ruled; verb: ↑rule, ↑overrule]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: reule, from Latin regula; ⇨ ↑regular1]
1. ABOUT WHAT IS ALLOWED [countable] an official instruction that says how things must be done or what is allowed, especially in a game, organization, or job
rule of
the rules of the game
under the rules/according to the rules
Under the rules, the company must publish its annual accounts.
2. ABOUT WHAT YOU SHOULD DO [countable] what you should do in a particular situation, or a statement about this:
There are no hard and fast rules (=clear and definite rules) about what to wear to classes.
rule of
There are two basic rules of survival.
The rule is: if you feel any pain you should stop exercising immediately.
3. NORMAL/USUAL [singular] something that is normal or usually true
as a (general) rule
As a general rule most students finish their coursework by the end of May.
Early marriage used to be the rule in that part of the world.
A series of payments used to be the exception rather than the rule.
Unfortunately there is an exception to every rule.
4. GOVERNMENT [uncountable] the government of a country or area by a particular group of people or using a particular system
under ... rule
people living under communist rule
the end of colonial rule
a period of military rule
direct rule from Westminster
the restoration of majority rule (=government by the party that most people have voted for) to Northern Ireland
5. IN GRAMMAR/SCIENCE ETC [countable] a statement about what is usually allowed in a particular system, such as the grammar of a language, or a science
rule of
the rules of English punctuation
6. the rule of law a situation in which the laws of a country are obeyed:
We are here to uphold the rule of law.
7. the rules of natural justice what people believe to be right and fair:
The governor failed to observe the rules of natural justice.
8. rule of thumb a rough figure or method of calculation, based on practical experience:
As a general rule of thumb, children this age should not spend more than one hour on homework.
9. make it a rule (to do something) to try to make sure that you always do something:
I make it a rule never to mix business with pleasure.
10. FOR MEASURING [countable] old-fashioned a ↑ruler
⇨ ↑golden rule, ↑ground rules, ↑home rule, ↑slide rule, ⇨ work to rule at ↑work1(32)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
break a rule (also violate a rule formal) (=not obey it) He had clearly broken the official rules. | Any one who violates this rule will be severely punished.
obey/follow a rule She wasn’t going to obey their silly rules.
comply with/abide by/observe a rule formal (=obey it) All members must comply with the rules of the organization. | There is little that one country can do if another fails to abide by the rules. | We expect you to observe the general rules of conduct as set out below.
stick to/go by the rules informal (=obey them) We all have to stick to the rules.
make the rules I’m only an assistant manager – I don’t make the rules.
the rule says ... The rule says that you must be standing inside the line.
the rule stipulates that ... formal (=it says that something must be done) The rules stipulate that clubs must field the strongest team available.
the rule prohibits/forbids something The rule forbids women from becoming members of the club.
the rule requires (that) ... formal (=it says that people must do something) School rules required all girls to tie back their hair.
the rule applies to somebody/something (=it concerns them) Everyone thinks that the rule doesn’t apply to them.
play by the rules (=do what is expected and agreed) The system works well enough — as long as everyone plays by the rules.
bend/stretch the rules (=allow someone to do something that is not normally allowed) They bend the rules to suit themselves.
relax the rules (=make them less strict) Britain relaxed its immigration rules.
tighten (up) the rules (=make them stricter) The EU has tightened the rules on the quality of drinking water.
enforce a rule (=make sure that it is obeyed) The planning office does not always enforce its own rules.
flout a rule (=break it, without trying to hide what you are doing) The party continues to flout its own rules.
be bound by rules (=have to obey them) Solicitors are bound by strict rules that regulate their professional conduct.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + rule
strict They have very strict rules about gambling.
simple The rules of the game are quite simple.
petty (=unreasonable rules about unimportant things) There are hundreds of petty rules.
a school/prison/club etc rule He had broken one of the school rules.
an unwritten rule (=a rule of behaviour that everyone in a group understands) There’s an unwritten rule that you never call an actor before 10 a.m.
health and safety rules You should follow any health and safety rules which apply to your workplace.
■ phrases
be against the rules (=not be allowed) It was against the rules to talk in class.
the rules concerning/governing/relating to something formal (=the rules about something) the rules governing food labeling
a change in the rules I didn’t realise that there had been a change in the rules.
a breach of the rules formal (=something that is against the rules) a serious breach of the rules
rules and regulations The government keeps introducing more and more rules and regulations.
rules are rules spoken (=a rule must be obeyed) Rules are rules and you have to abide by them.
• • •
THESAURUS
rule an instruction that says what people are allowed to do or not allowed to do, for example in a game, school, or company: the rules of baseball | He disobeyed the school rules.
law an official rule that everyone in a country, city, or state must obey: It is against the law to carry a concealed weapon. | The law requires motorcyclists to wear helmets.
regulation an official rule or order, which is part of a set of rules made by a government or organization: the regulations for applying for a passport | building regulations | environmental regulations on air pollution
restriction an official rule that limits what people can do: new restrictions on immigration | The government is planning to impose regulations on the amount of alcohol you can bring into the country.
guidelines rules or instructions about the best way to do something: the Department of Health’s guidelines for a healthy diet | guidelines for classroom teachers
code a set of rules that people or organizations agree to obey but are not forced to obey: The school has a dress code for its students. | the company’s code of conduct
statute formal a law that has been officially approved by a parliament, council etc, and written down: The statute banned corporal punishment.
ordinance American English a law, made by a city or town, that forbids or restricts an activity: A local ordinance limited speed in the parks to ten miles an hour.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

rule

rule [rule rules ruled ruling] noun, verb   [ruːl]    [ruːl]

noun  

OF ACTIVITY/GAME
1. countable a statement of what may, must or must not be done in a particular situation or when playing a game
to follow/obey/observe the rules
It's against all rules and regulations.
to break a rule (= not follow it)
This explains the rules under which the library operates.
Without unwritten rules civilized life would be impossible.
Normal competition rules apply.
• She laid down strict rules for her tenants including prompt payment of rent.

see also  ground rule  

ADVICE

2. countable a statement of what you are advised to do in a particular situation
There are no hard and fast rules for planning healthy meals.
• The first rule is to make eye contact with your interviewer.

see also  golden rule  

HABIT/NORMALLY TRUE

3. countable, usually singular a habit; the normal state of things; what is true in most cases
He makes it a rule never to borrow money.
I go to bed early as a rule.
Cold winters here are the exception rather than the rule (= are rare).

As a general rule vegetable oils are better for you than animal fats.  

OF SYSTEM

4. countable a statement of what is possible according to a particular system, for example the grammar of a language

• the rules of grammar  

 

GOVERNMENT/CONTROL

5. uncountable the government of a country or control of a group of people by a particular person, group or system
under Communist/civilian/military, etc. rule
majority rule (= government by the political party that most people have voted for)
The 1972 act imposed direct rule from Westminster.

see also  home rule  

 

MEASURING TOOL

6. countable a measuring instrument with a straight edge
see also  slide rule 
more at the exception proves the rule at  exception  
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French reule (noun), reuler (verb), from late Latin regulare, from Latin regula ‘straight stick’.  
Thesaurus:
rule noun
1. C
Tackling a player without the ball is against the rules.
regulationlawlegislationactstatutecommandment
the rules/regulations/laws on sth
against the rules/regulations/laws
obey a rule/the regulations/a law/a commandment
break a rule/regulation/law/commandment
2. U
The country was in the process of a return to civilian rule.
controlpowerauthoritycommand|formal jurisdiction
rule/control/power/authority/command/jurisdiction over sb/sth
be under sb's rule/control/authority/command/jurisdiction
direct rule/control/authority/command 
Example Bank:
Among her friends, casual dress and a relaxed manner are the rule.
As a rule, hardly anybody uses this road.
Couldn't they just bend the rules and let us in without a ticket?
Employees are bound by rules of confidentiality.
Follow these few simple rules, and you won't go far wrong.
He made his children's lives a misery with all his petty rules.
I believed I was acting within the rules.
If he wanted a loan he would have to play by the bank's rules.
New accounting rules come into force next year.
Several proposed rule changes have been announced.
Tackling a player without the ball is against the rules.
The Internet has changed the rules of business.
The aim is to get each member country to adhere to a single set of rules.
The competition rules provide that a cash alternative may be given.
The country remained under direct rule by the occupying powers.
The existing rules allow for some flexibility.
The music was turned off at midnight, in accordance with the rules.
The officials went strictly by the rule book.
The packaging does not conform to EU rules.
The president imposed emergency rule following the riots.
The punishment depends on how the umpire interprets the rules.
The referee applied the rules to the letter.
The rules keep changing.
The rules of dating have had to be rewritten, thanks to the movies.
The rules on claiming have been tightened up.
The rules were drawn up to make it fair for everyone.
The sport has strict rules for player safety.
Their action was in breach of Stock Exchange rules.
There are few exceptions to the general rule that bars close at midnight.
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing a typeface.
There seems to be one rule for the rich and another for the poor.
Under this rule, only full members of the club are entitled to vote.
What are the school rules about dress?
What is the rule for forming plurals?
You and your flatmates should establish some ground rules.
You don't make the rules, you know.
You should know the rules by now.
a society based on the rule of law
behaviour which is outside the rules
federal rules on campaign fund-raising
rules limiting imports
the lawless days of mob rule
the rules governing the importing of livestock
the traditional rules of grammar
Communist/military rule
He occasionally allowed himself to break his own rule.
He was punished for breaking school rules.
He's a writer who doesn't seem to know the most basic rules of English grammar.
I make it a rule never to mix business with pleasure.
I've made it a rule not to talk to the press.
It was an unspoken rule in my family that my mother was always right.
It's one of my rules not to get into debt.
Potatoes at the front of the stall and fruit at the back— that was his golden rule.
She laid down strict rules for her tenants including prompt payment of rent.
The first rule of interviews is to make eye contact with the interviewer.
The golden rule of teaching is to remember that all children learn at different rates.
There are no hard and fast rules for planning healthy meals.
There are several exceptions to the rule ‘i” before “e” except after “c’.
There was a gradual process of returning the country to civilian rule.
Without unwritten rules civilized life would be impossible.
a return to civilian/democratic/majority rule
colonial/British/Ottoman rule
Idioms: bend the rules  play by somebody's rules  play by the rules  rule of law  rule of thumb  rule the roost  rule with a rod of iron  rules of the game  work to rule

Derived: rule off  rule somebody out  rule somebody out of something  rule something off 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

rule / ruːl / noun [ C usually plural ] (INSTRUCTION)

B1 an accepted principle or instruction that states the way things are or should be done, and tells you what you are allowed or are not allowed to do:

A referee must know all the rules of the game.

The first/most important rule in life is always to appear confident.

Before you start your own business you should be familiar with the government's rules and regulations .

You must follow/obey/observe the rules.

You must not break the rules.

In special cases the manager will bend/stretch the rules (= allow the rules to be broken) .

You can trust Ruth because she always plays (it) by/goes by/does things by the rules (= follows instructions, standards, or rules) .

[ + to infinitive ] It's against the rules ( of/in boxing) to hit below the belt.

[ + that ] It's a club rule that new members must sing a song.

Word partners for rule noun

apply / enforce a rule • break / flout / violate a rule • bend / relax / stretch / waive a rule • follow / obey / observe the rules • establish / lay down / make a rule • a rule forbids / prevents / prohibits sth • rules governing sth • a strict / unwritten rule • a rule against sth • be against the rules
 

rule / ruːl / noun [ U ] (CONTROL)

C2 a period of time during which a particular person or group is in control of a country:

The period of Fascist rule is one people try to forget.

We don't want one-party rule - we want rule by the people.

→  See also misrule

Word partners for rule noun

apply / enforce a rule • break / flout / violate a rule • bend / relax / stretch / waive a rule • follow / obey / observe the rules • establish / lay down / make a rule • a rule forbids / prevents / prohibits sth • rules governing sth • a strict / unwritten rule • a rule against sth • be against the rules

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

rule

[ru͟ːl]
 
 rules, ruling, ruled

 1) N-COUNT: oft N of n, N num Rules are instructions that tell you what you are allowed to do and what you are not allowed to do.
  ...a thirty-two-page pamphlet explaining the rules of basketball...
  Sikhs were expected to adhere strictly to the religious rules concerning appearance...
  Strictly speaking, this was against the rules.
  ...the amendment to Rule 22.
 2) N-COUNT: oft N for/of n A rule is a statement telling people what they should do in order to achieve success or a benefit of some kind.
  An important rule is to drink plenty of water during any flight...
  By and large, the rules for healthy eating are the same during pregnancy as at any other time.
 3) N-COUNT: oft N of n The rules of something such as a language or a science are statements that describe the way that things usually happen in a particular situation.
  It is a rule of English that adjectives generally precede the noun they modify.
  ...according to the rules of quantum theory.
 4) N-SING: the N If something is the rule, it is the normal state of affairs.
  However, for many Americans today, weekend work has unfortunately become the rule rather than the exception.
 5) VERB The person or group that rules a country controls its affairs.
  [V n] For four centuries, he says, foreigners have ruled Angola...
  He ruled for eight months.
  [V over n] ...the long line of feudal lords who had ruled over this land.
 N-UNCOUNT: usu supp N
 Rule is also a noun. ...demands for an end to one-party rule.
 6) VERB If something rules your life, it influences or restricts your actions in a way that is not good for you.
  [V n] Scientists have always been aware of how fear can rule our lives and make us ill.
 7) VERB When someone in authority rules that something is true or should happen, they state that they have officially decided that it is true or should happen. [FORMAL]
  [V that] The court ruled that laws passed by the assembly remained valid...
  [V on n] The Israeli court has not yet ruled on the case...
  [V n adj/n] A provincial magistrates' court last week ruled it unconstitutional...
  [V against n] Kenneth Clarke, the home secretary, ruled against her being allowed to stay in Britain. [Also V in favour of n]
  Syn:
  pronounce
 8) VERB If you rule a straight line, you draw it using something that has a straight edge.
  [V-ed] ...a ruled grid of horizontal and vertical lines. [Also V n]
 9) → See also golden rule, ground rule, ruling, slide rule
 10) PHRASE: PHR with cl If you say that something happens as a rule, you mean that it usually happens.
  As a rule, however, such attacks have been aimed at causing damage rather than taking life.
  As a general rule, burglars are wary about gaining entry from the front or side of a building.
  Syn:
  generally, usually
 11) PHRASE: V inflects If someone in authority bends the rules or stretches the rules, they do something even though it is against the rules.
  There happens to be a particular urgency in this case, and it would help if you could bend the rules.
 12) PHRASE: rule inflects A rule of thumb is a rule or principle that you follow which is not based on exact calculations, but rather on experience.
  A good rule of thumb is that a broker must generate sales of ten times his salary if his employer is to make a profit...
  As a rule of thumb, a cup of filter coffee contains about 80mg of caffeine.
 13) PHRASE: V inflects If workers work to rule, they protest by working according to the rules of their job without doing any extra work or taking any new decisions. [BRIT]
  Nurses are continuing to work to rule.
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - rule in
  - rule out
  - rule out of

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1rule /ˈruːl/ noun, pl rules
1 [count]
a : a statement that tells you what is or is not allowed in a particular game, situation, etc.
• I understand the basic rules of chess.
• As long as you're living under our roof, you'll follow/obey our rules.
• The college has strict rules for qualifying for financial assistance.
• The new rule allows/permits employees to dress casually on Fridays.
• Under the new rules, casual dress is now allowed.
• the company's rules and regulations
• It's important to learn the rules of the road before taking your driving test.
• It's against the rules to eat during class.
• He violated the unwritten/unspoken rule that you must thank your host before you leave a party.
• We cannot bend/stretch the rules [=change or ignore the rules] just for you.
• If you break the rules, you'll be asked to leave.
- see also gag rule, ground rule synonyms seelaw
b : a statement that tells you what is allowed or what will happen within a particular system (such as a language or science)
• the rules of grammar
• the rules of geometry
2 [count] : a piece of advice about the best way to do something
• Your speech will go well as long as you follow one simple rule: be confident.
• The first rule of driving is to pay attention.
• A good rule to follow when traveling is to do as the locals do.
3 [singular] : the way something usually is done or happens
As a rule, I don't drive in the snow. [=I don't usually drive in the snow]
As a general rule, electronic gadgets become smaller as they develop.
• Friendly customer service seems to be the exception rather than the rule nowadays. [=friendly customer service seems to be rare these days]
• They make it a rule to treat everyone fairly. [=they always treat everyone fairly]
4 [noncount] : the control and power that a particular person, group, or government has over a country or area
• Today we celebrate the anniversary of the country's independence from colonial rule.
• Under her rule, the country prospered.
- see also home rule, majority rule
5 [count] old-fashioned : a stick used for measuring things : ruler
- see also slide rule
by the rules : in the way that is most common, expected, and acceptable
• After years of boredom, he grew tired of living by the rules.
• She has always played by the rules throughout her career.
rule of law : a situation in which the laws of a country are obeyed by everyone
• The courts uphold the rule of law.
rule of thumb
1 : a method of doing something that is based on experience and common sense rather than exact calculation
• A good rule of thumb for keeping your closet organized is to get rid of any clothes you haven't worn in the past year.
2 : a principle that is believed and followed and that is based on the way something usually happens or is done
• As a rule of thumb, stocks that involve greater risk also have the potential of earning you more money.

light

light [noun] (BRIGHTNESS)

the brightness that comes from the sun, fire, etc. and from electrical devices, and that allows things to be seen

US /laɪt/ 
UK /laɪt/ 
Example: 

a bright light

Oxford Essential Dictionary

noun

1 (no plural)

pronunciation
The word light sounds like white.

the energy from the sun, a lamp, etc. that allows us to see things:
Strong sunlight is bad for the eyes.
The light was not very good so it was difficult to read.

2 (plural lights) a thing that gives light, for example an electric lamp

which word?
A light can be on or off. You can put, turn or switch a light on, off or out: Turn the lights off before you go to bed.It's getting dark. Shall I switch the light on?

Look also at traffic lights.

3 (plural lights) something, for example a match, that you use to start a cigarette burning:
Do you have a light?

set light to something to make something start to burn

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

light

I. light1 S1 W1 /laɪt/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑light, ↑lighter, ↑lighting, ↑lightness; adjective: ↑light, ↑lighted, ↑unlit; verb: ↑light, ↑lighten; adverb: ↑lightly, ↑light]
[Language: Old English; Origin: leoht]
1. NATURAL/ARTIFICIAL LIGHT
a) [uncountable] the energy from the Sun, a flame, a lamp etc that allows you to see things:
We saw a flash of light.
in/by the light of something
Everything looked grey in the dim light of the oil lamp.
I read by the light of the fire.
in/into the light
The man moved forward into the light.
b) [countable] a particular type of light, with its own particular colour, level of brightness etc:
The colours look different in different lights.
2. LAMP/ELECTRIC LIGHT ETC [countable]
a) something that produces light, especially electric light, to help you to see:
Ahead of us we could see the lights of the city.
We’re having a mixture of wall lights and ceiling lights in different parts of the house.
turn/switch/put on a light
I switched on the light in the bedroom.
turn/switch/put off a light
Don’t forget to switch the lights off when you go out.
turn/switch/put out a light
Can you turn the light out downstairs?
a light is/comes/goes on
The lights in the office were still on.
The street lights were just beginning to come on.
He left a light on in the kitchen.
a light is off/out
Make sure all the lights are off when you leave.
Suddenly all the lights in the house went out.
Can you turn the light down (=make it less bright) a bit? ⇨ the bright lights at ↑bright(13)
b) something such as a lamp that you can carry to give you light:
Shine a light over here, will you?
3. TRAFFIC CONTROL [countable usually plural] one of a set of red, green, and yellow lights used for controlling traffic SYN traffic lights:
We waited for the lights to change.
Eventually the lights turned green.
The driver had failed to stop at a red light. ⇨ ↑green light, ↑red-light district
4. ON A VEHICLE [countable usually plural] one of the lights on a car, bicycle etc that help you to see at night:
He was dazzled by the lights of oncoming traffic.
You’ve left your lights on. ⇨ ↑brake light, ↑headlight, ↑parking light
5. first light literary the time when light first appears in the morning sky:
We set out at first light the next day.
6. be/stand in sb’s light to prevent someone from getting all the light they need to see or do something:
Could you move to the left a little – you’re standing in my light.
7. FOR A CIGARETTE a light a match or something else to light a cigarette:
Have you got a light, please?
8. IN SB’S EYES [singular] literary an expression in someone’s eyes that shows an emotion or intention SYN gleam:
There was a murderous light in his eyes.
9. set light to something to make something start burning:
The candle fell over and set light to the barn.
10. come to light/be brought to light if new information comes to light, it becomes known:
This evidence did not come to light until after the trial.
The mistake was only brought to light some years later.
11. throw/shed/cast light on something to provide new information that makes a difficult subject or problem easier to understand:
Melanie was able to shed some light on the situation.
These discoveries may throw new light on the origins of the universe.
12. in the light of something British English, in light of something American English if you do or decide something in the light of something else, you do it after considering that thing:
In light of this tragic event, we have canceled the 4th of July celebrations.
13. in a new/different/bad etc light if someone or something is seen or shown in a particular light, people can see that particular part of their character:
I suddenly saw my father in a new light.
This incident will put the company in a very bad light.
14. see the light
a) to suddenly understand something:
At last doctors have seen the light!
b) to begin to believe in a religion very strongly
15. see the light (of day)
a) if an object sees the light of day, it is taken from the place where it has been hidden, and becomes publicly known:
Some of these documents will probably never see the light of day.
b) if a law, decision etc sees the light of day, it comes into existence for the first time
16. light at the end of the tunnel something that gives you hope for the future after a long and difficult period:
It’s been a hard few months, but we’re finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
17. have your name in lights informal to be successful and famous in theatre or films
18. go/be out like a light informal to go to sleep very quickly because you are very tired:
I went straight to bed and went out like a light.
19. a leading light in/of something informal someone who is important in a particular organization:
She’s one of the leading lights of the local dramatic society.
20. the light of sb’s life the person that someone loves more than anyone else:
Her son was the light of her life.
21. WINDOW [countable] a window in a roof or wall that allows light into a room
hide your light under a bushel at ↑bushel, ⇨ be all sweetness and light at ↑sweetness(3), ⇨ in the cold light of day at ↑cold1(9)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + light
bright/strong The light was so bright he had to shut his eyes.
blinding/dazzling (=extremely bright) The white buildings reflected a blinding light.
dim (=not bright) Gradually her eyes became accustomed to the dim light.
good (=bright enough) Stand over here where the light is good.
poor/bad (=not bright enough) The light was too poor for me to read.
soft/warm (=light that seems slightly yellow or orange) the soft light of the candles
cold/harsh (=light that seems slightly blue) the cold light of the moon
the morning/dawn light The flowers glowed brightly in the morning light.
natural light (=light produced by the sun) The only natural light came from two high windows.
artificial light (=light produced by lamps) The office was windowless, lit only by artificial light.
■ verbs
light shines The light from the streetlamp shone through the curtains.
light comes from somewhere The only light came from the fire.
light streams/floods in (=a large amount of light comes in) Light streamed in through the window.
light falls on/across etc something The light fell on her book.
light illuminates something formal (=makes it bright or able to be seen) The light from the screen illuminated the people gathered round it.
the light is fading (=it is getting darker as the sun is going down)
produce light (also emit light technical) the light produced by the sun
cast light (=send light onto something) the gold circle of light cast by the lamp
reflect light Snow reflects a lot of light.
something is bathed in light literary (=something has a lot of light shining on it) The fields and woods were bathed in golden light.
■ phrases
a beam/ray/shaft of light (=a thin line of light) There was a shaft of light from the doorway.
a flash of light (=a bright light that appears suddenly for a very short time) A flash of light caught his attention.
a pool/circle of light (=an area of light) They stood in the pool of light cast by the streetlamp.
• • •
THESAURUS (for Meaning 2)
light something that produces light, especially electric light, to help you to see: She switched the kitchen light on. | The lights in the house were all off.
lamp an object that produces light by using electricity, oil, or gas - often used in names of lights: a bedside lamp | a street lamp | a desk lamp | a table lamp | an old oil lamp | a paraffin lamp
lantern a lamp that you can carry, consisting of a metal container with glass sides that surrounds a flame or light: The miners used lanterns which were lit by candles.
torch British English, flashlight American English a small electric lamp that you carry in your hand: We shone our torches around the cavern.
candle a stick of wax with a string through the middle, which you burn to give light: The restaurant was lit by candles.
bulb the glass part of an electric light, that the light shines from: a 100 watt bulb | an energy-saving light bulb
■ on a car
headlight (also headlamp) one of the two large lights at the front of a vehicle: It was getting dark so she switched the headlights on.
sidelight British English, parking light American English one of the two small lights next to the main lights, at the front and back of a car
tail light one of the two red lights at the back of a vehicle
indicator British English, turn signal American English one of the lights on a car that flash to show which way the car is turning

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

light

light [light lights lit lighted lighting] noun, adjective, verb, adverb   [laɪt]    [laɪt]

noun
FROM SUN/LAMPS
1. uncountable the energy from the sun, a lamp, etc. that makes it possible to see things
bright/dim light
a room with good natural light
in the fading light of a summer's evening
The light was beginning to fail (= it was beginning to get dark).
She could just see by the light of the candle.
Bring it into the light so I can see it.
a beam/ray of light
The knife gleamed as it caught the light (= as the light shone on it).

see also  first light

2. countable a particular type of light with its own colour and qualities
• A cold grey light crept under the curtains.

see also  Northern Lights  

LAMP

3. countable a thing that produces light, especially an electric light
to turn/switch the lights on/off
to turn out the light(s)
Suddenly all the lights went out.
It was an hour before the lights came on again.
to turn down/dim the lights
A light was still burning in the bedroom.
ceiling/wall lights
Keep going— the lights (= traffic lights) are green.
• Check your car before you drive to make sure that your lights are working.

see also  brake light, green light, headlight, leading light, red light  

FOR CIGARETTE

4. singular a match or device with which you can light a cigarette: (BrE) Have you got a light?

(NAmE, BrE) Do you have a light?  

EXPRESSION IN EYES

5. singular an expression in sb's eyes which shows what they are thinking or feeling

• There was a soft light in her eyes as she looked at him.  

IN PICTURE

6. uncountable light colours in a picture, which contrast with darker ones

• the artist's use of light and shade  

WINDOW

7. countable (architecture) a window or an opening to allow light in
leaded lights
see also  skylight 
more at the bright lights at  bright  adj., in the cold light of day at  cold  adj., hide your light under a bushel at  hide  v., jump the lights at  jump  v., be (all) sweetness and light at  sweetness  
Word Origin:
n. and v. adj. senses 1 to 2 Old English lēoht līht līhtan Germanic Dutch licht German Licht Indo-European Greek leukos ‘white’ Latin lux ‘light’
adj. senses 3 to 17 Old English lēocht līht lēohte Germanic Dutch licht German leicht Indo-European lung
 
Thesaurus:
light noun
1. U, sing.
She could just see by the light of the candle.
brightnesslighting
Opp: darkness, Opp: the dark, Opp: shade
light/brightness from sth
in the light/brightness
good/bright/strong/poor/electric light/lighting
give light/brightness to sth
2. C
Turn on the lights!
lampcandlelantern|BrE torch|especially AmE flashlight
switch on/off a light/lamp/torch/flashlight
shine a light/lantern/torch/flashlight on sth
a light/lamp/lantern/torch/flashlight shines  
Which Word?:
light / lighting
The noun light has several different meanings and is used in many phrases. Lighting can only be used to talk about the type of light in a place or how lights are used to achieve a particular effect: the lighting system the movie’s interesting lighting effects The lighting at the disco was fantastic.  
Example Bank:
A warning light goes on when the battery is running low.
Bring it into the light and we'll have a look at it.
Could you give me a light?
For the first time since the start of his treatment, we can now see light at the end of the tunnel.
He flashed his lights to warn the oncoming cars.
In full light, you could see Alison was well over forty.
Light from a tall lamp fell in a pool on the desk.
Nothing can travel faster than the speed of light.
She held up the letter against the light.
Some cars already had their lights on.
Some of his paintings never even saw the light of day.
Someone shone a light in my face.
The blue light was flashing.
The car was stopped at the side of the road with its hazard lights flashing.
The lamp was the only source of light in the room.
The light flickered a couple of times then went out.
The light reflecting off the snow was dazzling.
The pilot could just make out the runway landing lights.
The place looked calm in the golden evening light.
The warning light came on.
There was a flash of light followed by an explosion.
They managed to see where the door was by the light of the moon.
We could hardly see the ball in the failing light.
We were momentarily blinded by the light of the sun.
You could see the imperfections in the repair when the light caught it.
film that is sensitive to ultraviolet light
in the cold light of morning
light emitted by a star
the bright lights of the city
the light from the kitchen window
Check your car before you drive to make sure that your lights are working.
Examine the artist's use of light and shade.
He squinted in the bright light.
It was getting dark and the street lights had come on.
Keep going— the lights are green.
Suddenly all the lights went out.
The light was beginning to fail.
The lights dimmed and the curtain rose.
Turn on the lights!
We could only just make out the path in the dim light.
a beam/ray of light
Idioms: according to somebody's lights  bring something to light  cast light on something  come to light  in a good/bad/favourable light  in somebody's light  in the light of something  light at the end of the tunnel  light dawned  light of somebody's life  light on something  light touch  lights are on but nobody's home  make light of something  make light work of something  out like a light  run a light  run the lights  see the light  set light to something
Derived Word: lightness

Derived: light on something  light something up  light up 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

light / laɪt / noun (BRIGHTNESS)

B1 [ U ] the brightness that comes from the sun, fire, etc. and from electrical devices, and that allows things to be seen:

a bright light

fluorescent/ultraviolet light

a beam/ray of light

Light was streaming in through the open door.

It's a north-facing room so it doesn't get much light (= brightness from the sun) .

A2 [ C ] a piece of equipment that produces light, such as a lamp or a bulb:

Could you switch/turn the light on/off , please?

She could see the city lights in the distance.

As the lights went down, the audience grew quiet.

My front bike light isn't working.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

light

I [la͟ɪt]BRIGHTNESS OR ILLUMINATION
 ♦♦

 lights, lighting, lit, lighted, lighter, lightest
 (The form lit is the usual past tense and past participle, but the form lighted is also used.)
 1) N-UNCOUNT: also the N Light is the brightness that lets you see things. Light comes from sources such as the sun, moon, lamps, and fire.
  Cracks of light filtered through the shutters...
  Light and water in embassy buildings were cut off...
  It was difficult to see in the dim light.
  ...ultraviolet light.
  Ant:
  darkness
 2) N-COUNT A light is something such as an electric lamp which produces light.
  The janitor comes round to turn the lights out...
  You get into the music, the lights and the people around you.
  ...street lights.
 3) N-PLURAL You can use lights to refer to a set of traffic lights.
  ...the heavy city traffic with its endless delays at lights and crossings.
 4) VERB If a place or object is lit by something, it has light shining on it.
  [V n] It was dark and a giant moon lit the road so brightly you could see the landscape clearly...
  [V n] The room was lit by only the one light...
  [V n with n] The low sun lit the fortress walls with yellow light.
  [V-ed] ...the little lighted space at the bottom of the stairwell.
  Syn:
  illuminate
 5) ADJ-GRADED If it is light, the sun is providing light at the beginning or end of the day.
  It was still light when we arrived at Lalong Creek...
  He would often rise as soon as it was light and go into the garden.
  ...light summer evenings.
  Ant:
  dark
 6) ADJ-GRADED If a room or building is light, it has a lot of natural light in it, for example because it has large windows.
  It is a light room with tall windows...
  Her house is light and airy, crisp and clean.
  Syn:
  bright
  Ant:
  dark
  Derived words:
  lightness N-UNCOUNT usu with supp The dark green spare bedroom is in total contrast to the lightness of the large main bedroom.
 7) V-ERG If you light something such as a cigarette or fire, or if it lights, it starts burning.
  [V n] Stephen hunched down to light a cigarette...
  If the charcoal does fail to light, use a special liquid spray and light it with a long taper.
  [V-ed] ...a lighted candle.
 8) N-SING: a N If someone asks you for a light, they want a match or cigarette lighter so they can start smoking. [INFORMAL]
  Have you got a light anybody?
 9) N-COUNT: with supp If something is presented in a particular light, it is presented so that you think about it in a particular way or so that it appears to be of a particular nature.
  He has worked hard in recent months to portray New York in a better light.
 10) N-SING: the N of n You can refer to the type of influence that something has on situations, people, or things as the light of that situation, person, or thing. [WRITTEN]
  ...the harsh light of reality.
 11) N-PLURAL: prep poss N You say that something is done or is acceptable according to someone's lights when you mean that it is done or is acceptable according to their own ideas and standards. [FORMAL]
  They can get on with running the school system according to their own lights and in their own interests.
 12) N-SING: usu N in n If there is a light in someone's eyes, there is an expression in their eyes that shows you the mood they are in or what they are thinking about. [LITERARY]
  I remembered the curious expectant light in his eyes.
  Syn:
  glint
 13) → See also lighter, lighting, bright lights, night light, pilot light, red light
 14) PHRASE: V inflects If something comes to light or is brought to light, it becomes obvious or is made known to a lot of people.
  Nothing about this sum has come to light...
  The truth is unlikely to be brought to light by the promised enquiry.
 15) PHRASE: V inflects If light dawns on you, you begin to understand something after a period of not being able to understand it.
  At last the light dawned. He was going to marry Phylis!
 16) PHRASE First light is the time in the early morning when light first appears and before the sun rises. [LITERARY]
  Three hours before first light Fuentes gave orders for the evacuation of the camp.
  Syn:
  daybreak
 17) PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR If someone in authority gives you a green light, they give you permission to do something.
  The food industry was given a green light to extend the use of these chemicals...
  Other countries are eagerly awaiting an American green light to lift the sanctions altogether.
 18) PHR-PREP If something is possible in the light of particular information, it is only possible because you have this information.
  In the light of this information it is now possible to identify a number of key issues.
 19) PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v If someone goes out like a light, they fall asleep or become unconscious very quickly or immediately. [INFORMAL]
  `Why didn't somebody come and tell me?' - `Because you were out like a light.'
 20) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that an object sees the light of day or sees the light, you mean that it is taken out of the place where it is stored.
  Museum basements are stacked full of objects which never see the light of day.
 21) PHRASE: V inflects If something sees the light of day at a particular time, it comes into existence or is made known to the public at that time.
  This extraordinary document first saw the light of day in 1966.
 22) PHRASE: V inflects If someone sees the light, they finally realize something or change their attitude or way of behaving to a better one.
  I saw the light, ditched him and now live with a man who loves me and my body.
 23) PHRASE: V inflects: PHR n If you set light to something, you make it start burning. [mainly BRIT]
  They had poured fuel through the door of the flat and had then set light to it.(in AM, use set fire to)
 24) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n To shed light on, throw light on, or cast light on something means to make it easier to understand, because more information is known about it.
  A new approach offers an answer, and may shed light on an even bigger question.
  Syn:
  clarify
 25) PHRASE When you talk about the light at the end of the tunnel, you are referring to the end of the difficult or unpleasant situation that you are in at the moment.
  All I can do is tell her to hold on, that there's light at the end of the tunnel.
 26) all sweetness and lightsee sweetness
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - light on
  - light upon
  - light up
  - light uponII [la͟ɪt]NOT GREAT IN WEIGHT, AMOUNT, OR INTENSITY
 ♦♦♦

 lighter, lightest
 1) ADJ-GRADED Something that is light does not weigh very much, or weighs less than you would expect it to.
  Modern tennis rackets are now apparently 20 per cent lighter.
  ...weight training with light weights...
  Try to wear light, loose clothes.
  Ant:
  heavy
  Derived words:
  lightness N-UNCOUNT usu with supp The toughness, lightness, strength, and elasticity of whalebone gave it a wide variety of uses.
 2) ADJ-GRADED Something that is light is not very great in amount, degree, or intensity.
  It's a Sunday like any other with the usual light traffic in the city...
  Trading was very light ahead of yesterday's auction.
  ...a light breeze.
  Derived words:
  lightly ADV-GRADED usu ADV -ed, also ADV after v Put the onions in the pan and cook until lightly browned. ...the small and lightly armed UN contingent.
 3) ADJ: ADJ n Light equipment and machines are small and easily moved, especially because they are not heavy.
  ...a convoy of light armoured vehicles...
  They used light machine guns and AK forty-sevens.
 4) ADJ-GRADED Soil that is light is easy to dig, because it has a loose texture and is not sticky or solid.
  Less chemical gets into the sub-soil which is particularly important with the light, tropical soils.
 5) ADJ-GRADED Something that is light is very pale in colour.
  The walls are light in colour and covered in paper...
  He is light haired with gray eyes.
  Syn:
  pale
 COMB in COLOUR
 Light is also a combining form. We know he has a light green van. ...a light blue box.
 6) ADJ-GRADED: ADJ n A light sleep is one that is easily disturbed and in which you are often aware of the things around you. If you are a light sleeper, you are easily woken when you are asleep.
  She had drifted into a light sleep...
  She was usually a light sleeper.
  Ant:
  heavy
  Derived words:
  lightly ADV-GRADED ADV after v He was dozing lightly in his chair.
 7) ADJ-GRADED A light sound, for example someone's voice, is pleasantly quiet.
  The voice was sweet and light.
 8) ADJ-GRADED A light meal is small in quantity.
  ...a light, healthy lunch.
  ...wine and cheese or other light refreshment.
  Derived words:
  lightly ADV-GRADED ADV after v She found it impossible to eat lightly.
 9) ADJ-GRADED Food that is light has a delicate flavour and is easy to digest.
  Berti's clear tomato soup is deliciously light...
  Bake salmon in foil or poach in a light stock for 8-10 minutes.
  ...light table wines.
 10) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n Light work does not involve much physical effort.
  He was on the training field for some light work yesterday.
 11) ADJ-GRADED If you describe the result of an action or a punishment as light, you mean that it is less serious or severe than you expected.
  She confessed her astonishment at her light sentence when her father visited her at the jail.
  Syn:
  lenient
  Derived words:
  lightly ADV-GRADED ADV after v One of the accused got off lightly in exchange for pleading guilty to withholding information from Congress.
 12) ADJ-GRADED Movements and actions that are light are graceful or gentle and are done with very little force or effort.
  Use a light touch when applying cream or make-up...
  There was a light knock at the door.
  Derived words:
  lightly ADV-GRADED ADV with v He kissed her lightly on the mouth... Knead the dough very lightly.
  lightness N-UNCOUNT She danced with a grace and lightness that were breathtaking.
 13) → See also lighterIII [la͟ɪt]UNIMPORTANT OR NOT SERIOUS
 ♦♦♦

 lighter, lightest
 (Please look at category 5 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.)
 1) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n If you describe things such as books, music, and films as light, you mean that they entertain you without making you think very deeply.
  He doesn't like me reading light novels.
  ...light classical music.
  ...a light entertainment programme.
  Ant:
  deep
 2) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n If you say something in a light way, you sound as if you think that something is not important or serious.
  Talk to him in a friendly, light way about the relationship.
  ...to finish on a lighter note.
  Ant:
  serious
  Derived words:
  lightly ADV-GRADED ADV after v `Once a detective, always a detective,' he said lightly.
  lightness N-UNCOUNT `I'm not an authority on them,' Jessica said with forced lightness.
 3) ADJ-GRADED: usu with brd-neg If you say that something is not a light matter, you mean that it should be treated or considered as being important and serious.
  It can be no light matter for the Home Office that so many young prisoners should have wanted to kill or injure themselves.
  Derived words:
  lightly ADV-GRADED ADV with v His allegations cannot be lightly dismissed.
 4) PHRASE: V inflects If you make light of something, you treat it as though it is not serious or important, when in fact it is.
  Roberts attempted to make light of his discomfort.
  Syn:
  play down
 5) → See also lighter
 to make light work ofsee work

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1light /ˈlaɪt/ noun, pl lights
1 [noncount] : the form of energy that makes it possible to see things : the brightness produced by the sun, by fire, a lamp, etc.
• The light was bright/dazzling.
• The landscape was bathed/awash in light.
• a ray/shaft/beam of light
• a source of light = a light source
• a photograph taken in low/dim light
• the light of the moon
• a mixture of light and shadow
• The windows let fresh air and light into the room.
• a plant that grows best in direct/indirect light [=with light shining directly/indirectly on it]
natural light [=sunlight]
artificial light [=light produced by electric lamps]
- sometimes used figuratively
• He hates the harsh light of publicity.
2 [count]
a : a source of light (such as an electric lamp)
• turn/switch on/off the light
• a fluorescent light
• a light fixture [=a lamp that is permanently attached to a wall, ceiling, etc.]
• a warning light
• The lights suddenly went out.
• The lights suddenly came on.
• the twinkling lights of the city below
• the bright lights of Broadway
• a light switch [=a switch for turning lights on and off]
• The lights are on, so there must be somebody at home.
- see also nightlight
b : a light on a vehicle
• His car's battery died because he left his lights on.
3 [singular] : a way of showing or understanding something or someone
• The situation looks less serious when looked at in a certain light. [=in a certain way]
• I see things in a different light now. [=I see/understand things differently now]
• The defendants were shown/depicted in a bad light [=in a way that made them seem bad] by the lawyer.
• The news about his marital problems does not place/put him in a good light. [=does not make him appear to be a good person]
• She tried to explain her behavior in the best light possible. [=in a way that would make her appear as good as possible]
4 [count] : a light or set of lights used to control traffic : traffic light
• Turn left at the next light.
• The light was red.
• We were waiting for the light to turn green.
5 [singular] informal : a flame for lighting a cigarette
• I need a light for my cigarette.
• Do you have a light?
• I didn't have any matches, but a stranger gave me a light. [=lit my cigarette for me]
6 [noncount] formal : daylight 1
• Things look different by the light of day.
• We woke up at first light. [=at dawn; at sunrise; when the sun came up]
- see also see the light of day (below)
7 [singular] : a quality in a person's eyes that shows emotion
• I saw the light of recognition in her eye.
8 lights [plural]
a : light colors : colors that are more white than black
• the composition of lights and darks in the painting/photograph
b : light-colored clothes
• Wash the lights and the darks separately.
according to your lights formal : according to your idea of what is right
• You know my views on the matter; but of course you must act according to your (own) lights. [=you must be guided by your own opinions about what is right]
a light at the end of the tunnel : a reason to believe that a bad situation will end soon or that a long and difficult job will be finished soon
• They are falling deeper into debt, and there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
• The work on our house has been going on for months, but we're finally starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
bring (something) to light : to tell people about (something) : to make (something) known
• Many new facts were brought to light during the investigation.
cast/shed/throw light on : to help to explain (something) : to make it possible to understand or know more about (something)
• She is developing new theories that might shed some light on these unusual phenomena.
• I hope my explanation throws light on their behavior.
come to light : to become known
• Other details have come to light because of this investigation.
• She was angry when it came to light that some people were being promoted unfairly.
hide your light under a bushel
- see bushel
in someone's light : blocking the light that someone needs to see or read something
• She asked him to move back a few steps because he was in her light.
in the cold light of day
- see 1cold
in the light of or US in light of
1 : while thinking about (something that affects the way you see or understand things)
• You should think about their advice in light of your own needs.
• It is impossible to come to a conclusion in the light of the data we have here.
• You should read the story in light of your own experiences.
2 : because of (something)
• It's a particularly important topic in light of recent events.
light dawns
✦When people suddenly understand something that they had not understood before, (a/the) light dawns (on them).
• When she saw the guilty look on her husband's face, a light dawned, and she knew he had been lying to her.
more heat than light
- see 1heat
out like a light informal
1 : asleep
• As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out like a light.
2 : unconscious
• He took one punch to the jaw and was out like a light.
punch someone's lights out
- see 1punch
see the light informal : to suddenly understand or realize the truth of something
• Many people doubted his theory, but most of them have now finally seen the light. [=most of them now realize that his theory is correct]
see the light of day
1 : to be seen or used
• our fine china, which hasn't seen the light of day in at least 10 years
2 : to become publicly known
• Important documents in this case have never seen the light of day.
• Her theory first saw the light of day in a well-respected magazine.
set light to chiefly Brit : to cause (something) to begin burning
• used a match to set light to [=set fire to] the paper
the light of your life : a person you love very much and who makes you happy
• His daughter is the light of his life.
trip the light fantastic
- see 2trip

- see also green light, leading light, northern lights, southern lights sweetness and light at sweetness

nostalgia

nostalgia [noun]

a feeling of pleasure and also slight sadness when you think about things that happened in the past

US /nɑːˈstæl.dʒə/ 
UK /nɒsˈtæl.dʒə/ 
Example: 

Some people feel nostalgia for their schooldays.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

nostalgia

nostalgia /nɒˈstældʒə $ nɑː-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[Date: 1700-1800; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: Greek nostos 'returning home' + algos 'pain']
a feeling that a time in the past was good, or the activity of remembering a good time in the past and wishing that things had not changed
nostalgia for
nostalgia for the good old days
He looked back on his university days with a certain amount of nostalgia.
a wave of nostalgia for how great life was in the 1960s
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
feel nostalgia He didn't feel any nostalgia for his school days.
have nostalgia The immigrants I spoke to often had an intense nostalgia for their homeland.
■ adjectives
great nostalgia (=a strong feeling of nostalgia) I read the college newsletter with great nostalgia.
pure nostalgia (=used when talking about good things from the past that are not mixed with things from the present) It was an evening of pure nostalgia, as the band played hits from the 1940s.
■ phrases
a feeling/sense of nostalgia Did it give you a sense of nostalgia to see the play on Broadway again?
a pang of nostalgia (=a short feeling of nostalgia) She felt a pang of nostalgia for the time when they were all children.
a wave of nostalgia (=a strong feeling of nostalgia) As I drove into the city I felt a wave of nostalgia sweep over me.
■ nostalgia + NOUN
a nostalgia trip informal (=a situation or experience that reminds you of events in the past) Walking around campus was a great nostalgia trip for both of us.
a nostalgia buff informal (=someone who likes old things) The restaurant, which still has its 1930s décor, is a favorite with nostalgia buffs.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

nostalgia

nos·tal·gia [nostalgia nostalgias]   [nɒˈstældʒə]    [nəˈstældʒə]    [nɑːˈstældʒə]  noun uncountable
a feeling of sadness mixed with pleasure and affection when you think of happy times in the past
a sense/wave/pang of nostalgia
She is filled with nostalgia for her own college days.
Derived Words: nostalgic  nostalgically  
Word Origin:
late 18th cent. (in the sense ‘acute homesickness’): modern Latin (translating German Heimweh ‘homesickness’), from Greek nostos ‘return home’ + algos ‘pain’.  
Example Bank:
He thought back to his time as a student and felt no nostalgia for any of it.
I remember it with great nostalgia.
Nostalgia buffs gathered for the auction of wartime memorabilia.
She felt great nostalgia for the old way of life.
She remembers her life as a singer with a certain wistful nostalgia.
• The college reunion was a great nostalgia trip.

• an evening of pure nostalgia

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

nostalgia / nɒsˈtæl.dʒə /   / nɑːˈstæl- / noun [ U ]

C2 a feeling of pleasure and also slight sadness when you think about things that happened in the past:

Some people feel nostalgia for their schooldays.

Hearing that tune again filled him with nostalgia.

a wave (= sudden strong feeling) of nostalgia

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

nostalgia

[nɒstæ̱lʤə]
 N-UNCOUNT: oft N for n
 Nostalgia is an affectionate feeling you have for the past, especially for a particularly happy time.
  He might be influenced by nostalgia for the surroundings of his happy youth...
  He discerned in the novel an air of Sixties nostalgia.

 

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

nostalgia

nos·tal·gia /nɑˈstælʤə/ noun [noncount] : pleasure and sadness that is caused by remembering something from the past and wishing that you could experience it again
• A wave of nostalgia swept over me when I saw my childhood home.
• He was filled with nostalgia for his college days.
- nos·tal·gic /nɑˈstælʤɪk/ adj [more ~; most ~]
nostalgic memories
• Seeing pictures of my old friends made me feel very nostalgic.
• They remained nostalgic about the good old days.
- nos·tal·gi·cal·ly /nɑˈstælʤɪkli/ adv
• She spoke nostalgically about her childhood on the farm.

urge

urge [noun]

a strong wish, especially one that is difficult or impossible to control

US /ɝːdʒ/ 
UK /ɜːdʒ/ 
Example: 

The two of them seem unable to control their sexual urges.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

urge

 noun
a strong feeling that you want to do something:
I had a sudden urge to laugh.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. urge2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
a strong wish or need SYN desire
urge to do something
He could no longer resist the urge to go and see Amanda.
Suddenly she had an overwhelming urge to be with her son.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
strong/powerful The urge was too strong to resist.
an irresistible/uncontrollable/overwhelming urge (=very strong) I was overcome by an irresistible urge to laugh.
a sudden urge She fought back the sudden urge to beg his forgiveness.
a sexual/biological urge Most of us feel the biological urge to reproduce.
a primal/instinctive/basic/natural urge (=a natural urge that all people have) Every animal has an instinctive urge to survive.
■ verbs
feel/have an urge I still sometimes feel an urge to have a cigarette.
resist/fight/suppress an urge She had to resist a constant urge to look back over her shoulder.
satisfy an urge (=do want you feel you want to do) He satisfied his urge to travel by going to India.
give in to an urge (=do what you feel you want to do, when this is wrong) I try not to give in to the urge to gossip.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

noun
a strong desire to do sth
sexual urges
~ to do sth I had a sudden urge to hit him.  
Word Origin:
mid 16th cent.: from Latin urgere ‘press, drive’.  
Example Bank:
I felt a sudden urge to smash the teapot against the wall.
I suppressed a strong urge to yawn.
Leaving him off the guest list satisfied her urge for revenge.
She resisted the urge to kiss him.
an instinctive urge to tap your feet to the beat of the music
the human urge to control the environment
the primal urge to reproduce
Freud claimed that this behaviour was caused by the repression of sexual urges.
She felt a violent urge to laugh, but suppressed it, with difficulty.
a/an biological/instinctive/primitive need/urge

sexual needs/urges

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

urge / ɜːdʒ /   / ɝːdʒ / noun [ C ]

C2 a strong wish, especially one that is difficult or impossible to control:

The two of them seem unable to control their sexual urges.

[ + to infinitive ] The urge to steal is very strong in many of the young men we look after here.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

urge

[ɜ͟ː(r)ʤ]
 ♦♦
 urges, urging, urged

 1) VERB If you urge someone to do something, you try hard to persuade them to do it.
  [V n to-inf] They urged parliament to approve plans for their reform programme...
  [V n to-inf] He urged employers and trade unions to adapt their pay settlements to the economic circumstances.
 2) VERB If you urge someone somewhere, you make them go there by touching them or talking to them.
  [V n prep/adv] He slipped his arm around her waist and urged her away from the window...
  [V n] `Come on, Grace,' he was urging her, `don't wait, hurry up.'
 3) VERB If you urge a course of action, you strongly advise that it should be taken.
  [V n on n] He urged restraint on the security forces...
  [V n] We urge vigorous action to be taken immediately.
 4) N-COUNT: oft N to-inf If you have an urge to do or have something, you have a strong wish to do or have it.
  He had an urge to open a shop of his own...
  I have often talked about why we want to be mothers, but none of us can describe the urge exactly.
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - urge on

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

urge

2urge noun, pl urges [count] : a strong need or desire to have or do something
• the urge for something sweet
• He fought the urge to cry/laugh.
• creative/sexual urges

camel

camel [noun] (ANIMAL)

a large animal with a long neck, that lives in the desert and has one or two humps  (= large raised areas of flesh)  on its back

US /ˈkæm.əl/ 
UK /ˈkæm.əl/ 
Example: 

camel hair

Oxford Essential Dictionary

camel

 noun
a large animal with one or two round parts (called humps) on its back. Camels carry people and things in hot dry places.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

Camel

Camel BrE AmE trademark
a type of cigarette made in the US, with a picture of a ↑camel on the packet

camel

camel /ˈkæməl/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 900-1000; Language: Latin; Origin: camelus, from Greek kamelos, from a Semitic language]

a large desert animal with a long neck and either one or two ↑humps (=large raised parts) on its back

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

camel

camel [camel camels]   [ˈkæml]    [ˈkæml]  noun
1. countable an animal with a long neck and one or two humps on its back, used in desert countries for riding on or for carrying goods

compare  dromedary

2. uncountable =  camel hair
a camel coat
see the straw that breaks/broke the camel's back at  straw  
Word Origin:

Old English, from Latin camelus, from Greek kamēlos, of Semitic origin.

 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

camel

camel (CLOTH) /ˈkæm.əl/
noun [U] (ALSO camel hair)
a soft, pale brown woollen cloth used to make coats

camel (ANIMAL) /ˈkæm.əl/
noun [C]
a large animal with a long neck, that lives in the desert and has one or two humps (= large raised areas of flesh) on its back
See also dromedary.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

camel

[kæ̱m(ə)l]
 camels
 N-COUNT
 A camel is a large animal that lives in deserts and is used for carrying goods and people. Camels have long necks and one or two lumps on their backs called humps.
 the straw that broke the camel's backsee straw

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

camel

cam·el /ˈkæməl/ noun, pl -els [count] : a large animal of Africa and Asia that has a long neck and one or two large humps on its back and that is often used for desert travel
the straw that breaks the camel's back
- see straw

wood

wood [noun] (MATERIAL)

a hard substance that forms the branches and trunks of trees and can be used as a building material, for making things, or as a fuel

US /wʊd/ 
UK /wʊd/ 
Example: 

The table is made of wood.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

wood

noun

1 (no plural) the hard substance that trees are made of:
Put some more wood on the fire.
The table is made of wood.

2 (also woods) a big group of trees, smaller than a forest:
a large wood
a walk in the woods

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

wood S2 W2 /wʊd/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: adjective: ↑wooded, ↑wooden, ↑woody; noun: ↑wood, ↑woodenness; adverb: ↑woodenly]
[Language: Old English; Origin: wudu]

1. [uncountable and countable] the material that trees are made of ⇨ wooden, woody:
Put some more wood on the fire.
a polished wood floor
Her house was made of wood. ⇨ ↑hardwood, ↑softwood
2. [countable] (also the woods) a small forest:
a walk in the woods
3. touch wood British English, knock on wood American English said just after you have said that things are going well for you, when you want your good luck to continue
4. [countable] one of a set of four ↑golf clubs with wooden heads
5. not be out of the wood(s) yet informal used to say that there are likely to be more difficulties before things improve
6. not see the wood for the trees to not notice what is important about something because you give too much of your attention to small details
⇨ ↑dead wood
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
solid wood You can install a solid wood door.
bare wood (=not painted or covered) The floors were of bare wood.
a hard/soft wood Oak is a hard wood.
■ verbs
chop wood He was chopping wood for the fire.
cut/saw wood A local carpenter cut the wood to size.
carve wood (=used a knife to shape it) The room was decorated with carved wood.
■ phrases
a piece of wood He made a bench out of pieces of wood.
a plank of wood (=a long thin flat piece) The shed was constructed from some old planks of wood.
a block of wood I used a block of wood to knock the pole into the ground.
the grain of the wood (=the natural lines in it) The oil enhances the natural grain of the wood.
■ wood + NOUN
wood chips (=small rough pieces) Fish are smoked slowly over wood chips.
wood shavings (=thin curly pieces) He cleared up the wood shavings.
wood smoke There was a smell of wood smoke.

 

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

wood

wood [wood woods]   [wʊd]    [wʊd]  noun

1. uncountable, countable the hard material that the trunk and branches of a tree are made of; this material when it is used to build or make things with, or as a fuel
He chopped some wood for the fire.
a plank of wood
All the furniture was made of wood.
a wood floor
furniture made of a variety of different woods
In the spring, cut out the old wood and shorten the young stems (= of bushes, etc.).

see also  dead wood, hardwood, softwood, wooden, woody

2. countable (also woods plural) an area of trees, smaller than a forest
a large wood
a walk in the woods
 

see also  wooded

3. countable a heavy wooden ball used in the game of bowls

4. countable a golf club with a large head, that was usually made of wood in the past
compare  iron 
more at knock on wood at  knock  v., neck of the woods at  neck  n., touch wood at  touch  v.
Idioms: not out of the woods  not see the wood for the trees
See also: not see the forest for the trees  
Word Origin:
Old English wudu, from a Germanic word related to Welsh gwŷdd ‘trees’.  
Example Bank:
He wandered through the beech wood.
I made a coffee table out of a few bits of wood.
Over the years, much of the wood in the house had rotted.
Pine is a soft wood.
She pruned the dead wood from the tree.
She stained the wood green.
She wandered through the woods.
The cabinet is made of cherry wood.
The chapel has some interesting works in wood and marble.
The direction of the wood grain influences the composition of the carving.
The house had dark wood floors.
The pub had dark wood panelling.
The wood was too green to burn.
There were neat piles of kindling wood against the wall.
Traditionally wood was seasoned in the open air.
We came to a clearing in the woods.
We carve the moulds in wood.
We gathered wood for the fire.
When using a plane, be sure to follow the grain of the wood.
a cabin deep in the woods of Maine
a wardrobe in a mahogany wood finish
paper made from wood pulp
the largest ancient wood in Scotland
the sound of splintering wood
• varnish that retains the natural wood look

• We descended through an oak wood to the village below.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

wood

wood (GROUP OF TREES) /wʊd/
noun [C]
an area of land covered with a thick growth of trees:
an oak wood
See also woodland.

wooded /ˈwʊd.ɪd/
adjective
covered with trees:
wooded hills
The police found a vital clue to the girl's disappearance in a wooded area near her home.

woods /wʊdz/
plural noun
a wood:
We went for a walk in the woods after lunch.

woody /ˈwʊd.i/
adjective
They lived in a remote cottage set high on a woody hillside.

 

wood (MATERIAL) /wʊd/
noun
1 [C or U] a hard substance which forms the branches and trunks of trees and which can be used as a building material, for making things, or as a fuel:
He gathered some wood to build a fire.
She fixed a couple of planks of wood to the wall for shelves.
Mahogany is a hard wood and pine is a soft wood.
The room was heated by a wood-burning stove.

2 [C] a type of golf club (= long, thin stick) with a rounded wooden end, used in golf for hitting the ball over long distances:
He likes to use a number 2 wood to tee off.

wood /wʊd/
adjective
made of wood:
Solid wood furniture is much more sturdy and durable than chipboard furniture.
We sanded and polished the wood floor in the living room.
Much of the original 18th-century wood panelling was destroyed in the fire.
See also wooden (WOOD).

woody /ˈwʊd.i/
adjective
1 like wood, for example in taste or smell

2 describes plants with hard stems:
The garden was overgrown with woody plants such as hawthorn and bramble.
See also woody at wood (GROUP OF TREES).

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

wood

[w'ʊd]

 woods
 1) N-MASS Wood is the material which forms the trunks and branches of trees.
  Their dishes were made of wood...
  There was a smell of damp wood and machine oil.
  ...a short piece of wood.
 2) N-COUNT A wood is a fairly large area of trees growing near each other. You can refer to one or several of these areas as woods, and this is the usual form in American English.
  After dinner Alice slipped away for a walk in the woods with Artie...
  About a mile to the west of town he came upon a large wood.
 3) → See also dead wood
 4) PHRASE: v-link PHR If something or someone is not out of the woods yet, they are still having difficulties or problems. [INFORMAL]
  The nation's economy is not out of the woods yet.
 5) CONVENTION You can say `touch wood' in British English, or `knock on wood' in American English, to indicate that you hope to have good luck in something you are doing, usually after saying that you have been lucky with it so far.
  She's never even been to the doctor's, touch wood...
  Touch wood, I've been lucky enough to avoid any other serious injuries.
 6) your neck of the woodssee neck
 can't see the wood for the treessee tree

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1wood /ˈwʊd/ noun, pl woods
1 [noncount] : the hard substance that makes up the stems and branches of trees and shrubs
• a block of wood
• Some baseball bats are made out of wood.
• The wood on the deck has begun to rot.
- see also deadwood, driftwood, hardwood, plywood
2 a or woods [count] : an area of land covered with many trees
• Their house is near a small wood.
• A thick woods runs along the boundary of the estate.
b woods : a thick growth of trees and bushes that covers a wide area : forest

[noncount]
• The house is surrounded by woods.
• He went for a hike in the woods.

[plural]
• The woods are a dangerous place for walking. [=the forest is a dangerous place for walking]
3 [count] : a golf club with a large head that was made of wood in the past but is now usually made of metal
• She hit a wood off the tee.
• a fairway wood [=a type of wood that is used to hit shots from the fairway]
- compare 1iron 3
babe in the woods
- see babe
knock on wood US or chiefly Brit touch wood
✦People say knock on wood or touch wood and often hit or touch something made of wood as a way to prevent bad luck after they have just said that something good has happened, that they are in a good situation, etc.
• I've never broken a bone, knock on wood.
neck of the woods
- see 1neck
not see the wood for the trees
- see tree
out of the wood/woods : in a position free from danger or difficulty
• Her health is getting better but she's not out of the woods yet. [=she is still sick; there is still a chance that her condition could get much worse]

living

living [noun] (MONEY)

the money that you earn from your job

US /ˈlɪv.ɪŋ/ 
UK /ˈlɪv.ɪŋ/ 
Example: 

What do you do for a living?

Oxford Essential Dictionary

living

 noun

1 money to buy the things you need in life:
How did he earn a living?

2 the way that you live:
The cost of living has risen in recent years.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. living2 S2 BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: verb: ↑live, ↑outlive, ↑relive, ↑liven, ↑up; adjective: ↑live, ↑lively, ↑living, ↑liveable; noun: ↑liveliness, ↑living, ↑livelihood; adverb: ↑live]
1. [countable usually singular] the way that you earn money or the money that you earn:
It’s not a great job, but it’s a living.
What do you do for a living? (=what do you do as a job?)
earn/make a living
It’s hard to make a decent living as a musician.
scrape/scratch a living (=get just enough to eat or live)
2. the living all the people who are alive as opposed to dead people OPP the dead
3. [uncountable] the way in which someone lives their life:
the stresses of city living
4. [countable] the position or income of a ↑parish priest
⇨ ↑cost of living, ↑standard of living, ⇨ in the land of the living at ↑land1(7)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
earn/make a living She was able to make a living out of her talents as a cook.
do something for a living (=to work at something as your job) 'What does he do for a living?' 'I think he's a taxi driver.'
scrape out/scratch out/eke out a living (=to barely earn enough money to live) The farmers in these drought-stricken areas are barely able to scratch out a living.
■ adjectives
a good/decent living (=enough money) Her husband makes a good living.
a meagre living British English, a meager living American English (=not much money) She earned a meagre living as a shop assistant.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

noun
1. countable, usually singular money to buy the things that you need in life
She earns her living as a freelance journalist.
to make a good/decent/meagre living
What do you do for a living?

• to scrape/scratch a living from part-time tutoring

2. uncountable a way or style of life
everyday living
communal living
plain living
Their standard of living is very low.
The cost of living has risen sharply.

• poor living conditions/standards

3. the living plural people who are alive now
• the living and the dead

see land of the living at  land  n.

4. countable (BrE) (especially in the past) a position in the Church as a priest and the income and house that go with this
Syn:  benefice  
Example Bank:
He asked what I did for a living.
He makes a good living as a builder.
Her dream was to earn her living as a singer.
She eked out a meagre living as an artist's model.
Ten acres provides a decent living for a rural family.
They were forced to scrape a living by selling things on the streets.
Most homes for the elderly are based on communal living, with pensioners spending the daytime in a common space.
The classes are about helping children make informed choices about healthy living.
• The prisoners' living conditions were appalling.

• We need to reconsider our daily living arrangements.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

living / ˈlɪv.ɪŋ / noun (MONEY)

B2 [ C ] the money that you earn from your job:

What do you do for a living? (= What is your job?)

I mean, I don't like my job but at least it's a living (= a way of earning money) .

You can make a good living (= earn a lot of money) in sales if you have the right attitude.

→  See also livelihood

[ C ] old-fashioned in the Church of England, the job, given to a priest, of being in charge of a particular area

 

living / ˈlɪv.ɪŋ / noun [ U ] (WAY OF LIFE)

the way in which you live your life:

country/healthy living

→  See also cost of living
 

living / ˈlɪv.ɪŋ / noun (PEOPLE)

the living [ plural ] people who are still alive:

On this anniversary of the tragedy we remember the living as well as the dead.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

living

[lɪ̱vɪŋ]
 ♦♦♦
 livings

 1) N-COUNT: usu sing The work that you do for a living is the work that you do in order to earn the money that you need.
  Father never talked about what he did for a living...
  He earns his living doing all kinds of things.
 2) N-UNCOUNT: with supp You use living when you are talking about the quality of people's daily lives.
  Olivia has always been a model of healthy living.
  ...the stresses of urban living.
 3) ADJ: ADJ n You use living to talk about the places where people relax when they are not working.
  The spacious living quarters were on the second floor...
  The study links the main living area to the kitchen.
 4) N-PLURAL: the N The living are people who are alive, rather than people who have died.
  The young man is dead. We have only to consider the living.
  Ant:
  dead
 5) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that someone scrapes a living or scratches a living, you mean that they manage to earn enough to live on, but it is very difficult. In American English, you say they scrape out a living or scratch out a living.
  He almost manages to scrape a living as an artist.
  Syn:
  get by
 6) living proofsee proof
 in living memorysee memory
 the world owes them a livingsee world

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

living

2living noun, pl -ings
1 [count] : a way of earning money : the money that someone needs to pay for housing, food, etc. - usually singular
• His investments provide him with a good living. [=provide him with enough money to live well]
• What do you do for a living? [=what is your job?]
• He struggled to scratch/eke out a living as a farmer.
• He earned a/his living as a cook. = He made a living by working as a cook.
2 [noncount] : a way of living
• the challenges of city living
• outdoor living
• healthy living
• It's summertime, and the living is easy.
- see also assisted living, cost of living, standard of living
3 the living : people who are alive
the living and the dead
• The world belongs to the living.
in the land of the living
- see 1land

stuff

stuff [noun] (SUBSTANCE)

used to refer to a substance or a group of things, ideas, etc., often with a description of their general type or quality or saying who they belong to, without saying exactly what they are

US /stʌf/ 
UK /stʌf/ 
Example: 

We'll have to carry all our camping stuff.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

 noun (no plural) (informal)
any material, substance or group of things:
What's this blue stuff on the carpet?
Put your stuff in this bag.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

stuff

I. stuff1 S1 W3 /stʌf/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: estoffe, from estoffer 'to provide with things needed']
1. THINGS informal used when you are talking about things such as substances, materials, or groups of objects when you do not know what they are called, or it is not important to say exactly what they are:
I’ve got some sticky stuff on my shoe.
How do you think you’re going to fit all that stuff into the car?
I felt sorry for the ones who had to eat the awful stuff.
Where’s all the camping stuff?
2. sb’s stuff informal the things that belong to someone:
Did you get the rest of your stuff?
3. ACTIVITIES/IDEAS informal used when talking about different activities, subjects, or ideas, when you do not say exactly what these are:
What kind of stuff do you like to read?
I’ve got so much stuff to do this weekend.
There’s a lot of interesting stuff in this book.
He’s talked to me about all that stuff too.
He does mountain biking and skiing, and stuff like that.
4. WORK/ART informal used when you are talking about what someone has done or made, for example writing, music, or art:
I don’t like his stuff.
John Lee was getting ready to play his stuff.
He did some great stuff in his early films.
good stuff British English (=used to tell someone that their work is good)
This is good stuff.
5. ... and stuff spoken informal used to say that there are other things similar to what you have just mentioned, but you are not going to say what they are:
There’s some very good music there, CD systems and stuff, and laser disks.
6. the (very) stuff of dreams/life/politics exactly the kind of thing that dreams etc consist of:
an enchanting place – the very stuff of dreams
7. CHARACTER the qualities of someone’s character:
Does he have the right stuff (=qualities that make you able to deal with difficulties)?
Surely you’re not going to give up? I thought you were made of sterner stuff (=were more determined).
8. do/show your stuff informal to do what you are good at when everyone wants you to do it:
Come on Gina, get on the dance floor and do your stuff!
bit of stuff at ↑bit1(14), ⇨ kid’s stuff at ↑kid1(4), ⇨ know your stuff at ↑know1(5), ⇨ strut your stuff at ↑strut1(2)
• • •
GRAMMAR
Stuff is an uncountable noun and has no plural form. Use a singular verb after it:
▪ Most of my stuff is still in packing cases.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

stuff

stuff [stuff stuffs stuffed stuffing] noun, verb   [stʌf]    [stʌf]

noun uncountable
1. (informal, sometimes disapproving) used to refer to a substance, material, group of objects, etc. when you do not know the name, when the name is not important or when it is obvious what you are talking about
What's all that sticky stuff on the carpet?
The chairs were covered in some sort of plastic stuff.
This wine is good stuff.
(disapproving) I don't know how you can eat that stuff!
They sell stationery and stuff (like that).
Where's all my stuff (= my possessions)?
(disapproving) Could you move all that stuff off the table?

see also  foodstuff

2. (informal) used to refer in a general way to things that people do, say, think, etc
I've got loads of stuff to do today.
I like reading and stuff.
The band did some great stuff on their first album.
This is all good stuff. Well done!
• What's all this ‘Mrs Smith’ stuff? Call me Anna.

• I don't believe in all that stuff about ghosts.

3. ~ (of sth) (formal or literary) the most important feature of sth; something that sth else is based on or is made from
The trip was magical; the stuff of which dreams are made.
Parades and marches were the very stuff of politics in the region.
Let's see what stuff you're made of (= what sort of person you are).
see also  hot stuff 
more at kid's stuff at  kid  n., know your stuff at  know  v., be made of sterner stuff at  stern  adj., strut your stuff at  strut  v., don't sweat the small stuff at  sweat  v.  
Word Origin:
Middle English (denoting material for making clothes): shortening of Old French estoffe ‘material, furniture’, estoffer ‘equip, furnish’, from Greek stuphein ‘draw together’.  
Synonyms:
things
stuff property possessions junk belongings goods valuables
These are all words for objects or items, especially ones that you own or have with you at a particular time.
things(rather informal) objects, clothing or tools that you own or that are used for a particular purpose: Shall I help you pack your things? Bring your swimming things.
stuff[U] (informal) used to refer to a group of objects when you do not know their names, when the names are not important or when it is obvious what you are talking about: Where's all my stuff?
property[U] (rather formal) a thing or things that are owned by sb: This building is government property. Be careful not to damage other people's property.
possessionsthings that you own, especially sth that can be moved: Prisoners were allowed no personal possessions except letters and photographs.
junk[U] things that are considered useless or of little value: I've cleared out all that old junk from the attic.
belongingspossessions that can be moved, especially ones that you have with you at a particular time: Please make sure you have all your belongings with you when leaving the plane.
goods(technical or rather formal) possessions that can be moved: He was found guilty of handling stolen goods .
valuablesthings that are worth a lot of money, especially small personal things such as jewellery or cameras: Never leave cash or other valuables lying around.
personal things/stuff/property/possessions/belongings
to collect/gather/pack (up) your things/stuff/possessions/belongings
to search sb's/your/the things/stuff/property/belongings
to go through sb's/your/the things/stuff/belongings 
Example Bank:
I don't believe in all that stuff about ghosts.
I don't know how you can eat that stuff.
I like reading and stuff.
I've got loads of stuff to do today.
Let's see what stuff you're made of.
They sell stationery and stuff (like that).
This is all good stuff. Well done!
What's all that sticky stuff on the carpet?
What's all this ‘Mrs Smith’ stuff? Call me Anna.
• Where's all my stuff?

Idioms: do your stuff  get stuffed  not give a stuff  stuff and nonsense  stuff it  you can stuff something 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

stuff / stʌf / noun (SUBSTANCE)

B1 [ U ] informal used to refer to a substance or a group of things, ideas, etc., often with a description of their general type or quality or saying who they belong to, without saying exactly what they are:

There's sticky stuff all over the chair.

We'll have to carry all our camping stuff.

Do you want help bringing your stuff (= possessions) in from the van?

All that stuff she has been saying about Lee is rubbish.

the stuff of sth literary something that a particular type of thing is made of or based on:

Her appetite for shopping became the stuff of legend .

Word partners for study noun

carry out / conduct / undertake a study • commission a study • be based on a study • a study concludes / finds / shows / suggests • a study examines / focuses on sth • a careful / comprehensive / detailed / exhaustive study • a study into sth

 

stuff / stʌf / noun (QUALITY)

the stuff of sth literary the most necessary, important, or typical part of something:

A thwarted love affair is the (very) stuff of fiction.

[ U ] US In baseball, a pitcher's stuff is the quality and variety of their pitches (= throws to the player hitting the ball) :

Avery had great stuff, total command of all three of his pitches.

Word partners for study noun

carry out / conduct / undertake a study • commission a study • be based on a study • a study concludes / finds / shows / suggests • a study examines / focuses on sth • a careful / comprehensive / detailed / exhaustive study • a study into sth

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

stuff

[stʌ̱f]
 ♦♦
 stuffs, stuffing, stuffed

 1) N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp You can use stuff to refer to things such as a substance, a collection of things, events, or ideas, or the contents of something in a general way without mentioning the thing itself by name. [INFORMAL]
  I'd like some coffee, and I don't object to the powdered stuff if it's all you've got...
  I don't know anything about this antique stuff...
  `What do you want to know?' - `About life and stuff.'...
  Don't tell me you still believe in all that stuff?...
  He pointed to a duffle bag.`That's my stuff.'
 2) VERB If you stuff something somewhere, you push it there quickly and roughly.
  [V n prep/adv] I stuffed my hands in my pockets...
  [V n prep/adv] He stuffed the newspapers into a litter bin and headed down the street...
  [V-ed] His pants were stuffed inside the tops of his boots.
  Syn:
  shove
 3) VERB If you stuff a container or space with something, you fill it with something or with a quantity of things until it is full.
  [V n adj] He grabbed my purse, opened it and stuffed it full, then gave it back to me...
  [V n with n] He still stood behind his cash register stuffing his mouth with popcorn.
  [V-ed] ...wallets stuffed with dollars.
  Syn:
  cram
 4) VERB If you stuff yourself, you eat a lot of food. [INFORMAL]
  [V pron-refl prep] I could stuff myself with ten chocolate bars and half an hour later eat a big meal.
  Derived words:
  stuffed ADJ-GRADED v-link ADJ But you're just so stuffed you won't be able to drink anything.
 5) VERB If you stuff a bird such as a chicken or a vegetable such as a pepper, you put a mixture of food inside it before cooking it.
  [V n] Will you stuff the turkey and shove it in the oven for me?
  [V-ed] ...stuffed tomatoes.
 6) VERB: usu passive If a dead animal is stuffed, it is filled with a substance so that it can be preserved and displayed.
  [be V-ed] A pike weighing 29 lb 8 oz taken in 1878 was stuffed and is on display at the estate office...
  [V-ed] He didn't much care for the stuffed animal heads that hung on the walls.
 7) N-SING: the N of n If you say that one thing is the stuff of another, you mean that the first thing is a very important feature or characteristic of the second thing, or that the second thing can be based or built on the first thing. [FORMAL]
  The idea that we can be whatever we want has become the stuff of television commercials.
  Syn:
  essence
 8) EXCLAM (feelings) If you are angry with someone for something that they have said or done, you might say `Get stuffed!' to them. [BRIT, INFORMAL, RUDE]
 9) VERB: only imper (emphasis) Stuff is used in front of nouns to emphasize that you do not care about something, or do not want it. [INFORMAL]
  [V n] Ultimately my attitude was: stuff them...
  [V n] Stuff your money. We don't want a handout.
 10) PHRASE: V inflects If you do your stuff, you perform an activity in the way that people expect. [INFORMAL]
  Once I get on the pitch I know I can do my stuff...
  All that was left was to plant the roses and wait for nature to do her stuff.
 11) PHRASE: V inflects (approval) If you say that someone knows their stuff, you mean that they are good at doing something because they know a lot about it. [INFORMAL]
  These chaps know their stuff after seven years of war.
 12) to strut your stuffsee strut

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1stuff /ˈstʌf/ noun [noncount]
1 informal
a : materials, supplies, or equipment
• She got out the cooking stuff to bake some cookies.
• computers, word processors, and stuff like that
• I need a place to store my stuff.
b : a group or pile of things that are not specifically described
• Pick that stuff up off the floor.
2 informal
- used to refer to something when you do not need to name exactly what it is
• They sold tons of the stuff.
• Trust me. This stuff works.
• That stuff's expensive.
• She wears cool stuff.
• They're giving away free stuff at the door.
• I didn't like her early books, but her recent stuff is very good.
• The stuff he says about me is just not true.
• I drink wine and beer occasionally, but I never touch the hard stuff. [=hard liquor; alcoholic drinks like whiskey, vodka, etc.]
- see also hot stuff, kid stuff
3 informal
- used to speak in a general way about something that is talked about, written about, etc.
• There's some fascinating stuff in this book.
• I can't believe the stuff teenagers talk about.
4 informal
- used to describe the quality of a performance, experience, etc.
• The presentation of facts in history can be pretty dull stuff. [=can be pretty dull]
• This is great stuff [=is very enjoyable] for music fans.
5 informal : actions or behavior of a particular kind
• How do they get away with such stuff?
• Don't try any funny stuff.
• There's all this crazy stuff going on.
• He does stuff that bugs his parents.
6 : personality or character
• He's a coward but his brother is made of sterner/tougher stuff. [=his brother is a stronger/tougher person]
• A person who has the right stuff [=who has the necessary personal qualities] will do well here.
7 : the material that something is made of
• The floor tiles are made of very tough stuff.
- often used figuratively
• He has the stuff of greatness. [=he has the qualities that can make a person great]
• Her partying became the stuff of legend. [=became very famous or legendary]
8 baseball : the ability to throw pitches that are hard to hit
• a pitcher with good stuff
and stuff informal
- used in speech to refer to things that are similar to the thing just mentioned
• They asked me about my plans for the future and stuff.
• The store sells TVs and stereos and stuff (like that).
do your stuff informal : to do the things that you are able to do well : to do things that you are known for doing
• You'll succeed if you just get out there and do your stuff.
know your stuff informal : to be an expert at something
• When it comes to gardening, she really knows her stuff. [=she knows a lot about gardening]
show your stuff informal : to show what you are able to do : to show your skills
• The competition gives young performers a chance to show their stuff.
strut your stuff
- see 1strut

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