0
gray matter
grey matter [noun]
A person's intelligence
US
/ˈɡreɪ ˌmæt̬.ɚ/
UK
/ˈɡreɪ ˌmæt.ər/
Example:
It's not the sort of movie that stimulates the old grey matter much
A person's intelligence
It's not the sort of movie that stimulates the old grey matter much
gray matter
ˈgrey ˌmatter BrE AmE British English, gray matter American English noun [uncountable]
informal your intelligence, or your brain
grey matter
ˈgrey matter [grey matter] (especially BrE) (NAmE usually ˈgray matter) noun uncountable (informal)
a person's intelligence
• This should exercise the old grey matter.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
ˈ grey ˌ matter informal ( US usually ˈ gray ˌ matter ) noun [ U ]
a person's intelligence:
It's not the sort of movie that stimulates the old grey matter much.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
gray matter
gray matter noun [noncount] : the tissue that makes up the brain - often used figuratively to refer to a person's intelligence
• His books are enjoyable, but they don't do much to challenge the reader's gray matter. [=intelligence]
Someone who spoils other people’s enjoyment by taking a dim view of what they do or by not joining everyone else
I don’t like inviting Tina to my party, she’s such a wet blanket. She will ruin our mood by her deep sighs and gloomy remarks.
wet blanket
ˌwet ˈblanket / $ ˈ. ˌ../ BrE AmE noun [countable]
informal someone who seems to want to spoil other people’s fun, for example by refusing to join them in something enjoyable that they are doing
wet blanket
ˌwet ˈblanket [wet blanket] noun (informal, disapproving)
a person who is not enthusiastic about anything and who stops other people from enjoying themselves
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
ˌ wet ˈ blanket noun [ C usually singular ] disapproving
a person who says or does something that stops other people enjoying themselves
© Cambridge University Press 2013
wet blanket
wet blankets
N-COUNT (disapproval)
If you say that someone is a wet blanket, you are criticizing them because they refuse to join other people in an enjoyable activity or because they want to stop other people enjoying themselves. [INFORMAL]
wet blanket
wet blanket noun, pl ~ -kets [count] informal : a person who makes it difficult for other people to enjoy themselves by complaining, by showing no enthusiasm, etc.
A garden, usually open to the public, where a wide range of plants are grown for scientific and educational purposes
botanical garden
boˌtanical ˈgarden BrE AmE noun [countable]
a large public garden where many different types of flowers and plants are grown for scientific study
botanical garden
boˌtanical ˈgarden [botanical garden] (also boˌtanic ˈgarden) noun usually plural
a park where plants, trees and flowers are grown for scientific study
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
bo ˌ tanic ˈ garden noun [ C often plural ] ( also bo ˌ tanical ˈ garden )
a garden, usually open to the public, where a wide range of plants are grown for scientific and educational purposes
© Cambridge University Press 2013
botanical garden
botanical garden noun, pl ~ -dens [count] : a large usually public garden where plants are grown in order to be studied - called also bo·tan·ic garden, /bəˈtænɪk-/
Imaginary quotation marks that you make in the air with your fingers, to show that you are using a word or phrase in an unusual way or repeating exactly what someone has said
air quote noun [countable usually plural]
a movement that someone makes in the air with their fingers to show that what they are saying should be in quotation marks, and that it should not be taken as their real opinion or their usual way of speaking
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
ˈ air ˌ quotes noun [ plural ]
imaginary quotation marks that you make in the air with your fingers, to show that you are using a word or phrase in an unusual way or repeating exactly what someone has said
© Cambridge University Press 2013
plural noun
: a gesture made by raising and flexing the index and middle fingers of both hands that is used to call attention to a spoken word or expression
Music, TV, cinema, literature, etc. that is popular and enjoyed by ordinary people, rather than experts or very educated people
Pop culture involves the aspects of social life
pop culture
ˈpop ˌculture BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
music, films, products etc in a particular society that are familiar to and popular with most ordinary people in that society
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
ˌ pop ˈ culture noun [ U ]
music, TV, cinema, literature, etc. that is popular and enjoyed by ordinary people, rather than experts or very educated people
© Cambridge University Press 2013
the fact or state of not being strong or powerful
economic weakness
weakness
noun
1 (no plural) the state of not being strong:
He thought that crying was a sign of weakness.
2 (plural weaknesses) something that is wrong or bad in a person or thing
opposite strength
weakness
weak‧ness W3 /ˈwiːknəs, ˈwiːknɪs/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑weakling, ↑weakness; verb: ↑weaken; adverb: ↑weakly; adjective: ↑weak]
1. FAULT [countable] a fault in someone’s character or in a system, organization, design etc:
The legislation has a fundamental weakness.
The plan has strengths and weaknesses.
2. LACK OF POWER [uncountable] lack of strength, power, or influence
weakness in
weakness in the economy
weakness of
the growing weakness of local government
3. BODY [uncountable] the state of being physically weak:
muscular weakness
weakness in
weakness in the right arm
4. CHARACTER [uncountable] lack of determination shown in someone’s behaviour:
He couldn’t explain his weakness in giving in to her demands.
I dared not cry or show any sign of weakness.
weakness of
his weakness of character
5. MONEY [uncountable] the condition of not being worth a lot of money
weakness of
the weakness of the pound against the dollar
6. a weakness for something if you have a weakness for something, you like it very much even though it may not be good for you:
I have a real weakness for fashionable clothes.
THESAURUS
■ something wrong
▪ fault a problem in a machine, system, design etc that causes damage or makes it not work properly: The fire was caused by an electrical fault. | a fault in the engine
▪ defect a fault in something such as a product or machine, resulting from the way it was made or designed: Cars are tested for defects before they leave the factory.
▪ weakness a part of a plan, system, or argument that is not as good as the other parts, and makes it likely to fail: What are the strengths and weaknesses of each method?
▪ flaw a fault in a plan, system, argument etc, especially one that makes it useless or not effective: Your argument has a fundamental flaw. | There was one major flaw in his suggestion – we didn’t have enough money.
▪ bug a fault in a computer program: A bug in the system was quickly fixed.
▪ glitch a small fault in the way something works, that can usually be easily corrected: I noticed a small glitch when installing the software.
▪ mistake something that is wrong in someone’s spelling, grammar, calculations etc: The article was full of spelling mistakes.
▪ there’s something wrong with something used when saying that there is a problem in a machine, car etc, but you do not know what it is: There’s something wrong with the computer – it won’t close down.
weakness
weak·ness [weakness weaknesses] [ˈwiːknəs] [ˈwiːknəs] noun
1. uncountable lack of strength, power or determination
• The sudden weakness in her legs made her stumble.
• the weakness of the dollar against the pound
• He thought that crying was a sign of weakness.
Opp: strength
2. countable a weak point in a system, sb's character, etc
• It's important to know your own strengths and weaknesses.
• Can you spot the weakness in her argument?
Opp: strength
3. countable, usually singular ~ (for sth/sb) difficulty in resisting sth/sb that you like very much
• He has a weakness for chocolate.
Example Bank:
• He saw compromise as a sign of weakness.
• He worries a lot about his weight, but can't overcome his weakness for fatty foods.
• I have a real weakness for chocolate.
• In a moment of weakness I let him drive my car.
• Make companies aware of potential weaknesses so they know what steps to take.
• Service conditions soon revealed the inherent weaknesses in the vehicle's design.
• She didn't seem to have any obvious weaknesses.
• The appraisal system seeks to assess employees' strengths and weaknesses.
• The criminals exploit apparent weaknesses in the system.
• The greatest weakness of the plan lies in its lack of government support.
• The management had to address specific weaknesses in training.
• The team doesn't have any glaring weaknesses.
• They know their strengths and weaknesses.
• a fatal weakness in his theory
• a position of relative weakness
• business leaders who refuse to admit their weaknesses
• humanity's moral weakness and capacity for evil
• the primary methodological weakness of this study
• the underlying weakness of the coalition's position
• Can you spot the weakness in that argument?
• Certain structural weaknesses have to be overcome before the economy can recover.
• He regarded asking for help as a sign of weakness.
• She admits that her love of luxury is one of her greatest weaknesses.
• The fundamental weakness of the organization is its lack of effective communication.
• There are a number of weaknesses in this approach.
• Try to consider the relative strengths and weaknesses of your work.
• We all have our weaknesses.
• We are all subject to some form of human weakness.
• You need to be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses.
• Young recruits were urged to overcome their own innate weaknesses.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
weakness / wik.nəs / noun
B2 [ U ] the fact or state of not being strong or powerful:
Any change of policy will be interpreted as a sign of weakness.
B2 [ C ] a particular part or quality of someone or something that is not good or effective:
There are definite weaknesses in their security arrangements.
His main weakness as a manager is his inability to delegate.
The later novels show none of the weaknesses of his earlier work.
weakness for
C2 a strong liking, usually for something that might have unpleasant or unwanted effects:
My diet would be fine if only I didn't have this weakness for sweet things.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
weakness
[wi͟ːknəs]
weaknesses
N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N for n
If you have a weakness for something, you like it very much, although this is perhaps surprising or undesirable.
→ See also weak
Stephen himself had a weakness for cats...
His one weakness, apart from aeroplanes, is ice cream.
weakness
weak·ness /ˈwiːknəs/ noun, pl -ness·es
1 [noncount] : the quality or state of being weak
• muscle weakness
• The weakness of her voice surprised me.
• The incident exposed his weakness as a leader.
• Some see compromise as a sign of weakness.
• moral weakness
• the weakness of a radio signal/Internet connection
• the weakness of the dollar/economy
• I told them my secret in a moment of weakness.
2 [count] : a quality or feature that prevents someone or something from being effective or useful
• The tutor assessed the student's strengths and weaknesses.
• The basketball team has few weaknesses.
3 [count]
a : something that you like so much that you are often unable to resist it
• Chocolate is my greatest weakness.
b : a strong feeling of desire for something
• He has a weakness for desserts.
emphasizing or thinking of the bad part of a situation rather than the good part, or the feeling that bad things are more likely to happen than good things
There is now a mood of deepening pessimism about/over the economy.
pessimism
noun (no plural)
thinking that bad things will happen opposite optimism
>> pessimist noun:
Lisa's such a pessimist.
opposite optimist
>> pessimistic adjective:
Don't be so pessimistic – of course it's not going to rain!
opposite optimistic
pessimism
pes‧si‧mi‧sm /ˈpesəmɪzəm, ˈpesɪmɪzəm/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[Date: 1700-1800; Language: French; Origin: pessimisme, from Latin pessimus 'worst']
a tendency to believe that bad things will happen OPP optimism
pessimism about/over
There is deep pessimism about the future.
pessimism
pes·sim·ism [ˈpesɪmɪzəm] [ˈpesɪmɪzəm] noun uncountable ~ (about/over sth)
a feeling that bad things will happen and that sth will not be successful; the tendency to have this feeling
• There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects.
• This widespread pessimism does not seem justified.
Opp: optimism
Word Origin:
[pessimism] late 18th cent.: from Latin pessimus ‘worst’, on the pattern of optimism.
Example Bank:
• He warned against the dangers of undue pessimism.
• The article reflects the pessimism of its author.
• There were good grounds for pessimism about future progress.
• the widespread pessimism among young people today
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
pessimism / pes.ɪ.mɪ.z ə m / noun [ U ]
emphasizing or thinking of the bad part of a situation rather than the good part, or the feeling that bad things are more likely to happen than good things:
There is now a mood of deepening pessimism about/over the economy.
An underlying pessimism infuses all her novels.
→ Opposite optimism
pessimist / -mɪst / noun [ C ]
Don't be such a pessimist!
© Cambridge University Press 2013
pessimism
[pe̱sɪmɪzəm]
N-UNCOUNT: oft N about/over n
Pessimism is the belief that bad things are going to happen.
...universal pessimism about the economy...
My first reaction was one of deep pessimism.
Ant:
optimism
pessimism
pes·si·mism /ˈpɛsəˌmɪzəm/ noun [noncount] : a feeling or belief that bad things will happen in the future : a feeling or belief that what you hope for will not happen
• She has expressed pessimism over the outcome of the trial. [=she thinks the outcome will be bad]
• Although the economy shows signs of improving, a sense of pessimism remains.
• He expressed his pessimism about politics and politicians. [=his belief that politics and politicians are generally bad]
- opposite optimism
an occasion that allows something to be done
He put the phone down before I had a chance to answer.
chance
noun
1 (no plural) a possibility that something may happen:
There's no chance that she'll come now.
She has a good chance of becoming team captain.
He doesn't stand (= have) a chance of passing the exam.
2 (plural chances) a time when you can do something same meaning opportunity:
It was their last chance to escape.
Be quiet and give her a chance to explain.
3 (no plural) when something happens that you cannot control or that you have not planned same meaning luck:
We must plan this carefully. I don't want to leave anything to chance.
We met by chance at the station.
no chance (informal) used to say that there is no possibility of something happening:
'Perhaps your mum will give you the money.' 'No chance!'
take a chance to do something when it is possible that something bad may happen because of it:
We may lose money but we'll just have to take that chance.
chance
I. chance1 S1 W1 /tʃɑːns $ tʃæns/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: Vulgar Latin cadentia 'fall', from Latin cadere 'to fall']
1. POSSIBILITY [uncountable and countable] the possibility that something will happen, especially something you want:
There’s always the chance that something will go wrong.
chance of
What are the team’s chances of success?
If we did move to London, I’d stand a much better chance (=have a much better chance) of getting a job.
There is little chance of her being found alive.
Chances are (=it is likely that) you’ll be fine.
2. OPPORTUNITY [countable] a time or situation which you can use to do something that you want to do SYN opportunity
chance to do something
Ralph was waiting for a chance to introduce himself.
chance of
our only chance of escape
I’m sorry, I haven’t had a chance to look at it yet.
If someone invited me over to Florida, I’d jump at the chance (=use the opportunity eagerly).
3. RISK take a chance to do something that involves risks:
The rope might break, but that’s a chance we’ll have to take.
After losing $20,000 on my last business venture, I’m not taking any chances this time.
take a chance on
He was taking a chance on a relatively new young actor.
He decided to take his chances in the boat.
4. LIKELY TO SUCCEED sb’s chances how likely it is that someone will succeed:
Ryan will be a candidate in next month’s elections, but his chances are not good.
sb’s chances of doing something
England’s chances of winning the series have all but disappeared.
not fancy/not rate sb’s chances British English (=think someone is unlikely to succeed)
I don’t fancy their chances against Brazil.
► Do not say ‘someone’s chances to do something’. Say someone’s chances of doing something.
5. LUCK [uncountable] the way some things happen without being planned or caused by people ⇨ fate
by chance
I bumped into her quite by chance in Oxford Street.
leave something to chance (=to not plan something but just hope that everything will happen as intended)
Dave had thought of every possibility, he was leaving nothing to chance.
pure/sheer/blind chance (=not at all planned)
It was pure chance that they ended up working in the same office in the same town.
As chance would have it, the one time I wanted to see her, she wasn’t in.
6. by any chance spoken used to ask politely whether something is true:
Are you Mrs Grant, by any chance?
7. any chance of ...? spoken used to ask whether you can have something or whether something is possible:
Any chance of a cup of coffee?
Any chance of you coming to the party on Saturday?
8. be in with a chance if a competitor is in with a chance, it is possible that they will win:
I think we’re in with a good chance of beating them.
9. no chance!/fat chance! spoken used to emphasize that you are sure something could never happen:
‘Maybe your brother would lend you the money?’ ‘Huh, fat chance!’
10. on the off chance if you do something on the off chance, you do it hoping for a particular result, although you know it is not likely:
I didn’t really expect her to be at home. I just called on the off chance. ⇨ ↑off-chance
11. chance would be a fine thing! British English spoken used to mean that the thing you want to happen is very unlikely:
‘Do you think you’ll get married?’ ‘Chance would be a fine thing!’
⇨ game of chance at ↑game1(15)
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ verbs
▪ have/stand a chance (of something) (=it is possible you will do it) I think you have a good chance of getting the job.
▪ give somebody a chance of doing something (=say how likely it is that they will do it) He has been given a fifty-fifty chance of being fit for Sunday’s match.
▪ increase the chance of something Certain foods increase the chance of heart disease.
▪ improve the chance of something The book shows you how to improve your chance of success.
▪ reduce/lessen the chance of something The talks were aimed at reducing the chance of war.
▪ ruin any chance of something (=make it impossible for something to happen) Drinking alcohol can ruin any chance of weight loss.
▪ jeopardize any chance of something (=make something less likely to happen) This could jeopardize any chance of a ceasefire.
■ adjectives
▪ a good chance (=when something is likely) I think there is a good chance that he will say yes.
▪ every chance (=a good chance) There’s every chance that the baby will survive.
▪ some chance There’s some chance of snow later this week.
▪ a small/slight/slim chance He only has a very small chance of being elected. | There’s a slight chance of some sunshine in the west.
▪ no/little/not much chance The prisoners knew there was little chance of escape.
▪ a one in three/four/ten etc chance (=used to say how likely something is) People in their 30s have a one in 3,000 chance of getting the disease.
▪ a fair chance (=a fairly good chance) If you work, you have a fair chance of passing the test.
▪ a sporting chance (=a fairly good chance) The proposals had at least a sporting chance of being accepted.
▪ a fighting chance (=a small but real chance) The Republican Party has a fighting chance at the next election.
▪ a fifty-fifty chance (=an equal chance that something will or will not happen) I’d say there is a 50–50 chance that the deal will go through.
▪ an outside/a remote chance (=a very small chance) He still has an outside chance of winning the championship.
▪ a million-to-one chance/a one in a million chance (=when something is extremely unlikely) It must have been a million-to-one chance that we’d meet.
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ get/have a chance to do something I’d like a job in which I get the chance to travel.
▪ give somebody/offer/provide a chance I was given the chance to play the main part in the play. | Sport provides a chance for you to get outside with friends.
▪ take a chance (=accept an opportunity) If I was offered the chance to be in the team, I’d take it.
▪ jump at a chance (=use an opportunity eagerly) Ed jumped at the chance to earn some extra money.
▪ grab/seize a chance (=quickly use an opportunity) As soon as she stopped speaking, I grabbed the chance to leave.
▪ miss/lose a chance (=not use an opportunity) He missed a chance to score just before half time.
▪ throw away/pass up/turn down a chance (=not accept or use an opportunity) Imagine throwing up a chance to go to America!
▪ welcome the chance to do something I’d welcome the chance to discuss the problem with someone.
▪ deserve a chance Every kid deserves a chance in life.
▪ blow a chance informal (=have a special opportunity and fail to use it) He thought he’d blown his chance of happiness.
■ adjectives
▪ a second chance/another chance The interview went badly, so I didn’t think they would give me a second chance.
▪ sb’s last chance This is my last chance to try and pass the exam.
■ phrases
▪ the chance of a lifetime (=one that you are very unlikely to have again) If you don’t decide soon, you’ll have missed the chance of a lifetime.
▪ now’s your chance spoken (=you have the opportunity to do something now) You’re not working so now’s your chance to write a book.
▪ given the chance/given half a chance (=if there is an opportunity to do something) Goats will eat anything, given half a chance.
THESAURUS
▪ luck noun [uncountable] when good or bad things happen to people by chance: The game involves an element of luck as well as skill.
▪ chance noun [uncountable] the way that some things happen without being planned or caused by people: I met her by chance on a plane to Tokyo. | Like all top athletes, he leaves nothing to chance, and trains harder than anybody.
▪ fortune noun [uncountable] luck and the effect it has on your life: I had the good fortune to work with some great people. | The tour was dogged by ill fortune (=it had a lot of bad luck) from the start. | Fortune has shone on the team so far this season (=they have been lucky).
▪ fate noun [uncountable] a power that some people believe controls what happens to people and which cannot be changed or stopped: Fate dealt him a cruel blow with the death of his wife at the age of 32. | It must have been fate that brought them together, and fate that tore them apart. | We can’t just leave it to fate.
▪ providence noun [uncountable] a power which some people believe controls what happens in our lives and protects us: Do you believe in divine providence (=God’s power to make things happen)? | Her life was mapped out for her by providence.
▪ fluke noun [countable usually singular] informal something good that happens because of luck: Their second goal was a fluke. | They won by a fluke.
chance
chance [chance chances chanced chancing] noun, verb, adjective [tʃɑːns] [tʃæns]
noun
1. countable, uncountable a possibility of sth happening, especially sth that you want
• ~ of doing sth Is there any chance of getting tickets for tonight?
• She has only a slim chance of passing the exam.
• ~ that… There's a slight chance that he'll be back in time.
• There is no chance that he will change his mind.
• ~ of sth happening What chance is there of anybody being found alive?
• ~ of sth Nowadays a premature baby has a very good chance of survival.
• The operation has a fifty-fifty chance of success.
• an outside chance (= a very small one)
• The chances are a million to one against being struck by lightning.
2. countable a suitable time or situation when you have the opportunity to do sth
• It was the chance she had been waiting for.
• Jeff deceived me once already— I won't give him a second chance.
• This is your big chance (= opportunity for success).
• ~ of sth We won't get another chance of a holiday this year.
• ~ to do sth Please give me a chance to explain.
• Tonight is your last chance to catch the play at your local theatre.
• ~ for sb to do sth There will be a chance for parents to look around the school.
3. countable an unpleasant or dangerous possibility
• When installing electrical equipment don't take any chances. A mistake could kill.
• The car might break down but that's a chance we'll have to take.
4. uncountable the way that some things happen without any cause that you can see or understand
• I met her by chance (= without planning to) at the airport.
• Chess is not a game of chance.
• It was pure chance that we were both there.
• We'll plan everything very carefully and leave nothing to chance.
more at not have/stand a cat in hell's chance at cat, not have a dog's chance at dog n., have an even chance at even adj., with an eye for/to the main chance at eye n., fat chance at fat adj., a fighting chance at fight v., not have a snowball's chance in hell at snowball n., a sporting chance at sporting
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French cheance, from cheoir ‘fall, befall’, based on Latin cadere.
Thesaurus:
chance noun
1. C, U
• Is there any chance of getting tickets now?
possibility • • prospect • • odds • • likelihood • • probability •
a chance/a possibility/the prospect/the odds/the likelihood/a probability of/that…
little/no chance/possibility/prospect/likelihood
the chances/odds/likelihood/probability is/are that…
increase/reduce the chance/possibility/odds/probability/likelihood
2. C
• This is your big chance.
opportunity • • start • • possibilities • |informal break • |especially spoken moment • |especially business window •
a chance/the opportunity to do sth
have a/an chance/opportunity/break/moment/window
get/give sb a/an chance/opportunity/break/moment/start
take advantage of a chance/an opportunity/the possibilities/a window
Chance or opportunity? Opportunity tends to be more formal. In some cases only one of the words can be used:
• I won't give him a second chance.
¤ I won't give him a second opportunity.:
• job/equal opportunities
¤ job/equal chances
3. C
• The manager took a chance on a young, inexperienced player.
gamble • • risk •
take a chance/gamble/risk on sth
take a chance/risk with sth
a big chance/gamble/risk
Chance, gamble or risk? Risk is used especially when there is danger to life or sb's safety; gamble is used about less serious danger, or when you risk money. When you decide to give/not to give sb the opportunity to do sth, you take a chance/take no chances.
4. U, sing.
• We met by chance at the airport.
coincidence • • accident • • luck •
by chance/coincidence/accident/luck
pure/sheer chance/coincidence/accident/luck
a/an happy/unfortunate/strange chance/coincidence/accident
Synonyms:
luck
chance • coincidence • accident • fate • destiny
These are all words for things that happen or the force that causes them to happen.
luck • the force that causes good or bad things to happen to people: ▪ This ring has always brought me good luck.
chance • the way that some things happen without any cause that you can see or understand: ▪ The results could simply be due to chance.
coincidence • the fact of two things happening at the same time by chance, in a surprising way: ▪ They met through a series of strange coincidences.
accident • something that happens unexpectedly and is not planned in advance: ▪ Their early arrival was just an accident.
fate • the power that is believed to control everything that happens and that cannot be stopped or changed: ▪ Fate decreed that she would never reach America.
destiny • the power that is believed to control events: ▪ I believe there's some force guiding us— call it God, destiny or fate.
fate or destiny?
Fate can be kind, but this is an unexpected gift; just as often, fate is cruel and makes people feel helpless. Destiny is more likely to give people a sense of power: people who have a strong sense of destiny usually believe that they are meant to be great or do great things.
by …luck/chance/coincidence/accident
It's no coincidence/accident that…
pure/sheer luck/chance/coincidence/accident
to believe in luck/coincidences/fate/destiny
Example Bank:
• After a poor start, they are now in with a chance of winning the league.
• Are you by any chance Mr Ludd?
• As long as there is an outside chance, we will go for it.
• By a happy chance he bumped into an old friend on the plane.
• Chess is not a game of chance.
• Fat chance of him helping you!
• Given the chance, I'd retire tomorrow.
• He blew four of his seven save chances.
• He deserves the chance to give his side of the story.
• He didn't want to risk the chance of being discovered.
• He doesn't stand a chance of winning against such an experienced player.
• He had wasted a golden chance to make history.
• He had zero chance of survival.
• He realized that this might be his only chance to save himself.
• How do you rate our chances of finding her?
• I don't fancy our chances of getting there on time.
• I finally had the chance to meet my hero.
• I got most answers right through sheer chance.
• I rang the company just on the off chance that they might have a vacancy.
• I would welcome the chance to give my opinion.
• I wouldn't pass up the chance of working for them.
• If she let this chance slip, she would regret it for the rest of her life.
• It was a mistake which eliminated any chance of an Australian victory.
• Katie was his last real chance at happiness.
• Leaving nothing to chance, he delivered the letter himself.
• No child should be denied the chance of growing up in a family.
• She has every chance of passing the exam if she works hard.
• She played left-handed to give her opponent a fair chance.
• She spotted her chance of making a quick profit.
• Take every chance that comes your way.
• The doctors gave him little chance of surviving the night.
• The dog always runs off when it gets half a chance.
• The guide book didn't mention the hotel, but we decided to take a chance.
• The manager took a chance on the young goalkeeper.
• The missing climber's chances of survival are slim.
• The new college is intended to improve the life chances of children in the inner city.
• The police came upon the hideout purely by chance.
• The police were taking no chances with the protesters.
• The results could simply be due to chance.
• The teacher gave her one last chance to prove she could behave.
• The team created several clear chances but failed to score.
• There are no second chances in this business.
• There is a very real chance that the film will win an award.
• There is always an element of chance in buying a used car.
• There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that I'll wear that thing!
• There was only a million-to-one chance of it happening.
• There's a fair chance that nobody will come to the talk.
• They blew their chance to go second in the league.
• They have a 90 per cent chance of success.
• This is the ideal chance for him to show his ability.
• This is your big chance— grab it with both hands.
• Travis had left the door open— she seized her chance and was through it like a shot.
• What are his survival chances?
• When the chance came to go to Paris, she jumped at it.
• the variety with the best chance for success
• As chance would have it, John was going to London too.
• Jeff deceived me once already— I won't give him a second chance.
• Nowdays a premature baby has a very good chance of survival.
• The car might break down but that's a chance we'll have to take.
• There's a slight chance that she'll be back in time.
• We met by chance at the airport.
• We won't get another chance at a vacation this year.
• We'll plan everything very carefully and leave nothing to chance.
• When installing electrical equipment don't take any chances.
• You'll have the opportunity/chance to ask questions at the end.
Idioms: as chance would have it ▪ by any chance ▪ chance would be a fine thing ▪ chance your arm ▪ chances are … ▪ give somebody half a chance ▪ in with a chance ▪ no chance ▪ on the off chance ▪ stand a chance ▪ take a chance ▪ take your chances
Derived: chance on somebody
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
chance / tʃɑːns / / tʃæns / noun [ C ] (OPPORTUNITY)
B1 an occasion that allows something to be done:
I didn't get/have a chance to speak to her.
[ + to infinitive ] If you give me a chance to speak, I'll explain.
Society has to give prisoners a second chance when they come out of jail.
He left and I missed my chance to say goodbye to him.
I'd go now given half a chance (= if I had the slightest opportunity) .
→ Synonym opportunity
Word partners for chance (OPPORTUNITY)
give / offer sb a chance • get / have a chance • miss / pass up a chance • jump at / leap at / seize a chance • a second chance • a last chance • a rare chance • a chance of doing sth
Word partners for chance (POSSIBILITY)
an outside / slight / slim / small chance • a fair / fighting / good / realistic chance • be in with / have / stand a chance • lessen / minimize / reduce the chances of sth • improve the chances of sth • fancy sb's chances
chance / tʃɑːns / / tʃæns / noun [ S or plural ] (POSSIBILITY)
B1 the level of possibility that something will happen:
You'd have a better chance/more chance of passing your exams if you worked a bit harder.
[ + (that) ] There's a good chance (that) I'll have this essay finished by tomorrow.
There's a slim/slight chance (that) I might have to go to Manchester next week.
If we hurry, there's still an outside (= very small) chance of catch ing the plane.
"Is there any chance of speak ing to him?" " Not a/No chance, I'm afraid."
I don't think I stand/have a chance of winning.
UK John thinks they're in with a chance (= they have a possibility of doing or getting what they want) .
Her resignation has improved my chances of promotion.
What are her chances of survival?
[ + that ] What are the chances that they'll win?
→ Synonym likelihood
Word partners for chance (OPPORTUNITY)
give / offer sb a chance • get / have a chance • miss / pass up a chance • jump at / leap at / seize a chance • a second chance • a last chance • a rare chance • a chance of doing sth
Word partners for chance (POSSIBILITY)
an outside / slight / slim / small chance • a fair / fighting / good / realistic chance • be in with / have / stand a chance • lessen / minimize / reduce the chances of sth • improve the chances of sth • fancy sb's chances
chance / tʃɑːns / / tʃæns / noun [ C ] (RISK)
B2 a possibility that something negative will happen:
I'm delivering my work by hand - I'm not taking any chances.
There's a chance of injury in almost any sport.
→ Synonym risk noun
Word partners for chance (OPPORTUNITY)
give / offer sb a chance • get / have a chance • miss / pass up a chance • jump at / leap at / seize a chance • a second chance • a last chance • a rare chance • a chance of doing sth
Word partners for chance (POSSIBILITY)
an outside / slight / slim / small chance • a fair / fighting / good / realistic chance • be in with / have / stand a chance • lessen / minimize / reduce the chances of sth • improve the chances of sth • fancy sb's chances
chance / tʃɑːns / / tʃæns / noun (LUCK)
B1 [ U ] the force that causes things to happen without any known cause or reason for doing so:
Roulette is a game of chance.
I got this job completely by chance.
[ + (that) ] It was pure/sheer chance (that) we met.
We must double-check everything and leave nothing to chance.
by any chance C2 used to ask a question or request in a polite way:
Are you Hungarian, by any chance?
Could you lend me a couple of pounds, by any chance?
You wouldn't, by any chance, have a calculator on you, would you?
Word partners for chance (OPPORTUNITY)
give / offer sb a chance • get / have a chance • miss / pass up a chance • jump at / leap at / seize a chance • a second chance • a last chance • a rare chance • a chance of doing sth
Word partners for chance (POSSIBILITY)
an outside / slight / slim / small chance • a fair / fighting / good / realistic chance • be in with / have / stand a chance • lessen / minimize / reduce the chances of sth • improve the chances of sth • fancy sb's chances
© Cambridge University Press 2013
chance
[tʃɑ͟ːns, tʃæ̱ns]
chances, chancing, chanced
1) N-VAR: oft N of -ing/n, N that If there is a chance of something happening, it is possible that it will happen.
Do you think they have a chance of beating Australia?...
This partnership has a good chance of success...
The specialist who carried out the brain scan thought Tim's chances of survival were still slim...
There was really very little chance that Ben would ever have led a normal life.
2) N-SING: usu N to-inf, N for n to-inf If you have a chance to do something, you have the opportunity to do it.
The electoral council announced that all eligible people would get a chance to vote...
Most refugee doctors never get the chance to practice medicine in British hospitals...
I felt I had to give him a chance.
3) ADJ: ADJ n A chance meeting or event is one that is not planned or expected.
...a chance meeting.
N-UNCOUNT
Chance is also a noun. ...a victim of chance and circumstance.
4) VERB If you chance to do something or chance on something, you do it or find it although you had not planned or tried to. [FORMAL]
[V to-inf] A man I chanced to meet proved to be a most unusual character...
[V to-inf] It was just then that I chanced to look round.
[V upon/on/across n] ...Christopher Columbus, who chanced upon the Dominican Republic nearly 500 years ago.
Syn:
happen to
5) VERB If you chance something, you do it even though there is a risk that you may not succeed or that something bad may happen.
[V it] Andy knew the risks. I cannot believe he would have chanced it...
[V n] He decided no assassin would chance a shot from amongst that crowd.
Syn:
risk
6) → See also off-chance
7) PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR with cl Something that happens by chance was not planned by anyone.
He had met Mr Maude by chance.
Syn:
by accident
8) PHRASE: PHR with cl (not first in cl) You can use by any chance when you are asking questions in order to find out whether something that you think might be true is actually true.
Are they by any chance related?
Syn:
perhaps
9) PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR of -ing If you say that someone stands a chance of achieving something, you mean that they are likely to achieve it. If you say that someone doesn't stand a chance of achieving something, you mean that they cannot possibly achieve it.
Being very good at science subjects, I stood a good chance of gaining high grades...
Neither is seen as standing any chance of snatching the leadership from him.
10) PHRASE: V and N inflect When you take a chance, you try to do something although there is a large risk of danger or failure.
You take a chance on the weather if you holiday in the UK...
From then on, the Chinese were taking no chances...
Dennis was not a man to take chances.
Syn:
take a risk
1chance /ˈʧæns, Brit ˈʧɑːns/ noun, pl chanc·es
1 : an opportunity to do something : an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done
[count]
• I wanted to call you, but I never got/had the chance (to).
• I go to the beach every chance I get. [=I go whenever I can]
• This is the chance of a lifetime!
• You missed your chance.
• Everyone deserves a fair chance of winning the award.
• If you give me a chance, I know I can do a good job.
• He doesn't give second chances. [=opportunities to try something again after failing one time]
• If given half a chance [=if given some opportunity], she could show everyone how talented she is.
- often followed by to + verb
• Here's your chance to try something new.
• Give me a chance to explain.
• You have to give the wound a chance to heal. [=you have to allow time for the wound to heal]
[noncount]
• We didn't have much chance to talk about it.
✦To jump/leap/grab at the chance to do something is to have an opportunity to do something and to say in an excited way that you will do it or to do it in a very eager way.
• She jumped at the chance to go to New York City.
✦If you have a fighting chance to do something, you may be able to do it by making a great effort.
• The patient still has a fighting chance to survive.
• Their help gave us a fighting chance to finish the project on time.
2 : the possibility that something will happen
[count]
• There's a good chance that we'll finish on time.
• There's still a slim chance [=a small possibility] that we can win.
• There's an outside chance [=a small possibility] that something could go wrong.
• Chances are [=it is very likely that] she has already heard the news.
- often + of
• It increases/reduces the chance of getting the disease.
• There's a 50 percent chance of rain this afternoon.
• (Brit, informal) The challenger may not have much experience, but I still think he's in with a chance of winning. [=he has a possibility of winning]
- often plural
• What are the chances [=how likely is it] that we'll have nice weather today?
• I think her chances of winning the election are good.
• “How do you think the team will do this year?” “I like their chances.” [=I think they have a good chance of succeeding/winning]
[noncount]
• If you are free tonight, is there any chance you could join me for dinner?
- often + of
• If you want to have any chance of getting the job, you'll have to dress nicely.
• The prisoners had little/no chance of escape/escaping.
✦The phrase by any chance is used when asking questions in a polite way.
• Are you free tonight, by any chance?
✦The informal phrases fat chance and not a chance are used as a forceful way of saying that there is no possibility that something will happen.
• “He says that he'll get here on time.” “Fat chance!”
• “Do you think they'll win?” “Not a chance!”
• Fat chance of that happening!
3 [noncount] : the way that events happen when they are not planned or controlled by people : luck
• There is an element of chance [=luck] to winning a card game.
• Which cards you're given is simply a matter of chance.
• We planned for everything and left nothing to chance. [=we prepared for everything possible]
• That's not the kind of thing you want to leave to chance. [=that's not the kind of thing you don't want to plan or prepare for]
✦If something happens by chance, people have not planned it or tried to make it happen.
• By (pure/sheer) chance, I saw him again at the grocery store.
• We found the house entirely by chance.
✦The phrase as chance would have it is used to say that something happened because of good or bad luck.
• Our car broke down on the road, but as chance would have it [=as it turned out], there was a garage nearby.
✦A game of chance is a game (such as a dice game) in which luck rather than skill decides who wins.
• Games of chance are illegal in some states.
chance would be a fine thing Brit informal
- used to say that something good or desirable is not likely to happen
• This candidate promises to solve all the country's financial problems in six months. Chance would be a fine thing! [=if only that were possible]
on the off chance
- used to talk about something that might happen or be true but that is not likely
• I called his office on the off chance that he would still be there [=I called because I thought there was a slight chance that he would still be there], but he had already left.
stand a chance : to have a possibility of succeeding
• The team stands a chance of doing well this year.
• I think she stands a good chance of winning the election.
- often used in negative statements
• He doesn't stand a chance against the champion.
• She stands no chance of winning. [=she has no chance of winning]
take a chance : to do something that could have either good or bad results
• She's trying to find a publisher who will take a chance on her book. [=will publish her book without knowing for certain that it will succeed]
• It might not work, but it's a chance we'll have to take.
• I'm not willing to take that chance.
• He said he couldn't afford to take any chances.
• He's not afraid to take chances. [=to do things that are risky or dangerous]
• She was taking no chances. = She wasn't taking any chances.
• “You might not succeed.” “I know, but I'll take my chances anyway.”
A feeling of pleasure and satisfaction that you get because you or people connected with you have done or got something good
She felt a great sense of pride as she watched him accept the award.
pride
noun (no plural)
1 the feeling that you are proud of something that you or others have got or have done:
She showed us her painting with great pride.
2 the feeling that you are better than other people
pride
I. pride1 S3 W3 /praɪd/ BrE AmE noun
[Language: Old English; Origin: pryde, from prud 'proud']
1. FEELING OF PLEASURE [uncountable] a feeling that you are proud of something that you or someone connected with you has achieved ⇨ proud:
He wore his medals with pride.
pride in
He takes great pride in his children’s achievements.
The people have a sense of pride in their community.
His heart swelled with pride when his daughter came in.
She felt a glow of pride when her name was announced for the prize.
Success in sport is a source of national pride.
2. RESPECT [uncountable] a feeling that you like and respect yourself and that you deserve to be respected by other people ⇨ proud
sb’s pride
It hurt his pride when his wife left him.
I think that getting a job would give him his pride back.
She didn’t try to hide her anger and injured pride.
It’s a matter of pride for some men that their wives don’t have to work.
3. TOO MUCH PRIDE [uncountable] a belief that you are better than other people and do not need their help or support ⇨ proud
sb’s pride
His pride wouldn’t allow him to ask for help.
She ought to swallow her pride (=ignore or forget her feelings of pride) and call him.
4. take pride in your work/appearance etc to do something very carefully and well, in a way that gives you a lot of satisfaction:
Your should take more pride in your work.
She took great pride in her appearance.
5. sb’s pride and joy a person or thing that someone is very proud of:
His garden is his pride and joy.
6. the pride of something
a) the thing or person that the people in a particular place are most proud of:
Wigan’s rugby team was the pride of the town.
b) the best thing in a group:
a beautiful Japanese sword that is the pride of our collection
7. have/take pride of place if something has or takes pride of place, it is put in the best place for people to see because it is the thing you are most proud of:
A large photograph of the children had pride of place on the sitting room wall.
8. LIONS [countable] a group of lions:
A young lion had strayed some distance from the pride.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ great pride Caroline is pictured here holding the trophy with great pride.
▪ immense pride (=very great) He takes immense pride in his grandson.
▪ national pride (=pride in your country) A flag is a symbol of national pride.
▪ civic pride (=pride in your town or city) The museum is a vital source of civic pride.
■ verbs
▪ take pride in something (=feel proud of something) She takes pride in her beautiful gardens.
▪ be bursting with pride (=feel very proud) I could see that her mother was bursting with pride.
▪ swell with pride (=start to feel very proud) He would swell with pride as he discussed his department’s achievements.
▪ glow with pride (=look very proud) ‘I knew he could do it,’ she said, glowing with pride.
■ phrases
▪ a sense of pride I still feel a sense of pride at having been a member of the regiment.
▪ a source of pride (=a reason to feel proud) The Chinese Olympic Games were a source of pride to the whole country.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ satisfaction a feeling of happiness or pleasure, especially because you have achieved something good or useful: Most teachers take great pride and satisfaction in their work.
▪ pride a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction that you get when you or someone connected with you has achieved something good: Her father’s pride in her accomplishments was clear. | I was blushing with pride because I had been chosen to be on the team.
▪ contentment the feeling of being happy and satisfied because you have what you want or need. Contentment is rather a formal use: Only when you truly know yourself can you find contentment. | He sat back with a look of deep contentment on his face.
▪ fulfilment British English, fulfillment American English a feeling of being satisfied and happy with your life. Fulfilment is rather a formal use: Some women find fulfillment in being a mother, but this is not true for all women.
pride
pride [pride prides prided priding] noun, verb [praɪd] [praɪd]
noun
PLEASURE/SATISFACTION
1. uncountable, singular a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction that you get when you or people who are connected with you have done sth well or own sth that other people admire
• The sight of her son graduating filled her with pride.
• He felt a glow of pride as people stopped to admire his garden.
• ~ (in sth) I take (a) pride in my work.
• ~ (in doing sth) We take great pride in offering the best service in town.
• I looked with pride at what I had achieved.
• Success in sport is a source of national pride.
2. singular the ~ of sth a person or thing that gives people a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction
• The new sports stadium is the pride of the town.
RESPECT FOR YOURSELF
3. uncountable the feeling of respect that you have for yourself
• Pride would not allow him to accept the money.
• Her pride was hurt.
• Losing his job was a real blow to his pride.
• It's time to swallow your pride (= hide your feelings of pride) and ask for your job back.
4. uncountable (disapproving) the feeling that you are better or more important than other people
• Male pride forced him to suffer in silence.
see also proud
LIONS
5. countable + singular or plural verb a group of lions
Word Origin:
late Old English prȳde ‘excessive self-esteem’, variant of prȳtu, prȳte, from prūd ‘having a high opinion of one's own worth’, from Old French prud ‘valiant’, based on Latin prodesse ‘be of value’.
Thesaurus:
pride noun
1. U, sing.
• We take great pride in our nation's success in sport.
satisfaction • • happiness • • contentment • |BrE fulfilment • |AmE fulfillment •
Opp: shame
pride/satisfaction/happiness/contentment/fulfilment in sth
bring sb pride/satisfaction/happiness/contentment/fulfilment
take pride/satisfaction in sth
2. U
• I'm sorry if I hurt your pride.
dignity • • self-esteem • • self-respect • • feelings • |sometimes disapproving ego •
injured/personal pride/dignity/self-esteem/feelings
hurt sb's pride/feelings
restore sb's pride/dignity/self-esteem/self-respect
3. U (disapproving)
• Male pride forced him to suffer in silence.
egoism • • vanity • • arrogance • |especially written conceit • |literary hubris •
Opp: humility, Opp: modesty
appeal to sb's pride/vanity
Synonyms:
satisfaction
happiness • pride • contentment • fulfilment
These are all words for the good feeling that you have when you are happy or when you have achieved sth.
satisfaction • the good feeling that you have when you have achieved sth or when sth that you wanted to happen does happen: ▪ He derived great satisfaction from knowing that his son was happy.
happiness • the good feeling that you have when you are happy: ▪ Money can't buy you happiness.
pride • a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction that you get when you or people who are connected with you have done sth well or own sth that other people admire: ▪ The sight of her son graduating filled her with pride.
contentment • (rather formal) a feeling of happiness or satisfaction with what you have: ▪ They found contentment in living a simple life.
fulfilment • a feeling of happiness or satisfaction with what you do or have done: ▪ her search for personal fulfilment
satisfaction, happiness, contentment or fulfilment?
You can feel satisfaction at achieving almost anything, small or large; you feel fulfilment when you do sth useful and enjoyable with your life. Happiness is the feeling you have when things give you pleasure and can be quite a lively feeling; contentment is a quieter feeling that you get when you have learned to find pleasure in things.
satisfaction/happiness/pride/contentment/fulfilment in sth
real satisfaction/happiness/pride/contentment/fulfilment
true satisfaction/happiness/contentment/fulfilment
great satisfaction/happiness/pride
quiet satisfaction/pride/contentment
to feel satisfaction/happiness/pride/contentment
to bring sb satisfaction/happiness/pride/contentment/fulfilment
to find satisfaction/happiness/contentment/fulfilment
Example Bank:
• Businesses rushed to include images of patriotic pride in their marketing.
• He smiled with fatherly pride.
• He swelled with pride as he held the trophy.
• He was nursing his hurt pride.
• His masculine pride would not let him admit that a girl had defeated him.
• I didn't mean to hurt your pride.
• I don't want your money— I have my pride, you know!
• I wear my policeman's uniform with pride.
• It is a matter of pride for him that he has never accepted money from his family.
• It was foolish pride that prevented me from believing her.
• It would be stupid to refuse through pride.
• She expressed pride in her child's achievement.
• She refused his offer tactfully, allowing him to go away with his pride intact.
• She refused their help out of pride.
• She swallowed her pride and called him.
• She takes great pride in her work.
• She took justifiable pride in her son's achievements.
• Their reputation for fairness is a matter for pride.
• They have a fierce pride in their traditions.
• They have a strong sense of pride in their work.
• They managed to salvage some pride with a late goal.
• We want to restore pride in our public services.
• the politics of racial pride and Black Power
• He loves that boat, it's his pride and joy.
• His pride would not allow him to admit she was right.
• I take (a) pride in my work.
• I'm sorry if I hurt your pride.
• It's time to swallow your pride and ask for help.
• She was conceited, haughty and full of pride and arrogance.
• What's wrong— did I hurt your macho pride?
• You're going to have to swallow your pride and ask for your job back.
Idioms: pride goes before a fall ▪ pride of place ▪ somebody's pride and joy
Derived: pride yourself on on doing something
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
pride / praɪd / noun (SATISFACTION)
B2 [ U ] a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction that you get because you or people connected with you have done or got something good:
She felt a great sense of pride as she watched him accept the award.
He felt such pride walking his little daughter down the street.
→ See also proud adjective (SATISFIED)
take pride in sth/sb to feel very pleased about something or someone you are closely connected with:
If you don't take professional pride in your work, you're probably in the wrong job.
pride / praɪd / noun [ U ] (RESPECT FOR YOURSELF)
B2 your feelings of your own worth and respect for yourself:
She has too much pride to accept any help.
The country's national pride has been damaged by its sporting failures.
pride / praɪd / noun [ U ] disapproving (FEELING OF IMPORTANCE)
the belief that you are better or more important than other people:
Pride was his downfall.
→ See also proud adjective (FEELING IMPORTANT)
pride / praɪd / noun [ C ] (LIONS)
a group of lions
© Cambridge University Press 2013
pride
/praɪd/
(prides, priding, prided)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
Pride is a feeling of satisfaction which you have because you or people close to you have done something good or possess something good.
...the sense of pride in a job well done...
We take pride in offering you the highest standards...
They can look back on their endeavours with pride.
N-UNCOUNT: oft N in n/-ing
2.
Pride is a sense of the respect that other people have for you, and that you have for yourself.
It was a severe blow to Kendall’s pride.
= self-esteem
N-UNCOUNT
3.
Someone’s pride is the feeling that they have that they are better or more important than other people.
His pride may still be his downfall.
= arrogance
N-UNCOUNT [disapproval]
4.
If you pride yourself on a quality or skill that you have, you are very proud of it.
Smith prides himself on being able to organise his own life...
VERB: V pron-refl on -ing/n
5.
Someone or something that is your pride and joy is very important to you and makes you feel very happy.
The bike soon became his pride and joy.
PHRASE: v-link PHR
6.
If something takes pride of place, it is treated as the most important thing in a group of things.
A three-foot-high silver World Championship cup takes pride of place near a carved wooden chair...
PHRASE: PHR after v
1pride /ˈpraɪd/ noun, pl prides
1 [noncount]
a : a feeling that you respect yourself and deserve to be respected by other people : self-respect
• Being able to work again gave him his pride back.
• Getting caught cheating stripped him of his pride.
• Pride would not allow her to give up.
• It's a matter of pride that he does the work all by himself.
b : a feeling that you are more important or better than other people
• The novel is about a family consumed with pride and vanity.
• They needed help, but their pride wouldn't let them ask for it.
• I had to swallow my pride and admit I made a mistake.
2 a : a feeling of happiness that you get when you or someone you know does something good, difficult, etc.
[noncount]
• The sight of her son holding the trophy filled her with pride. [=made her very proud]
• She spoke with pride [=she spoke proudly] about her son's achievements.
• She looked at her painting with pride. [=satisfaction]
• He takes pride in [=is proud of] his work.
[singular]
• He showed a great/immense pride in his family.
b [singular] : a person or thing that makes you feel proud
• These young people are the pride of their community.
3 [count] : a group of lions
pride and joy : someone or something that makes you very proud and happy
• Our children are our pride and joy.
• The car is his pride and joy.
pride of place : the highest position or best place
• The Nobel Prize winner was given pride of place at the conference.
• The statue has pride of place in the center of town.
• A picture of their children took pride of place on the wall.
- pride·ful /ˈpraɪdfəl/ adj [more ~; most ~] US
• a prideful [=proud] parent
• He was too prideful to accept their help.
- pride·ful·ly adv US
A recording of moving pictures and sound, especially as a digital file, DVD, etc
I'd far rather go to the theatre than watch a video.
video
noun (plural videos)
1 (also videotape) tape in a plastic box (called a cassette) on which a film, TV programme or real event is recorded:
You can get this film on video or on DVD.
We stayed at home and watched a video.
They made a video of the wedding.
2 (British) (also video recorder) a machine connected to a television, that you use for recording or showing programmes:
Have you set the video?
video
I. vid‧e‧o1 S1 W2 /ˈvɪdiəʊ $ -dioʊ/ BrE AmE noun (plural videos)
1. [uncountable and countable] a copy of a film or television programme, or a series of events, recorded on ↑videotape
hire a video British English rent a video American English:
How much does it cost to hire videos?
Let’s stay at home and watch a video.
Rewind the video right to the beginning.
The school will be making a video of the play.
on video
The movie has not yet been released on video.
coming soon to a video store near you
2. [countable] a plastic box containing special tape for recording programmes and films on television SYN videotape, video cassette:
Have we got a blank video (=one with nothing recorded on it yet) anywhere?
3. [countable] British English a machine used to record television programmes or show videos SYN VCR, video cassette recorder
programme/set the video
Can you set the video to record the football match?
4. [uncountable] the process of recording or showing television programmes, films, real events etc on ↑videotape:
The course aims to help children learn through video.
5. [countable] a short film that is made to go with a particular piece of popular music SYN music video
6. [countable] a ↑digital recording of an event, for example one made using a ↑mobile phone:
a video clip shown on the Internet
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 4)
■ video + NOUN
▪ video footage Police are currently studying video footage to identify the rioters.
▪ a video recording Can a video recording of an interview with a child be used in a court as evidence?
▪ a video image (=a moving picture on a video) Video images of the surgery are sent to a special lecture theatre, so that students can observe.
▪ a video clip (=a short video) You can download video clips from the Internet.
▪ video evidence (=a recording of events, used in a court) Video evidence of illegal activities can later be used in court.
■ verbs
▪ record something on video She had no idea that her purchase was being recorded on video.
▪ be captured/caught on video (=recorded on video) The crime was captured on video.
video
video [video videos] noun, verb [ˈvɪdiəʊ] [ˈvɪdioʊ]
noun (pl. videos)
1. (also video·tape) uncountable, countable a type of magnetic tape used for recording moving pictures and sound; a box containing this tape, also called a video cassette
• The movie will be released on video in June.
• Do we have a blank video?
2. uncountable a system of recording moving pictures and sound, either using videotape or a digital method of storing data
• A wedding is the perfect subject for video.
• the use of video in schools
3. countable a copy of a film/movie, programme, etc. that is recorded on videotape
• a video of ‘ET’
• a home video (= not a professional one)
• a video shop/store
4. (also ˈmusic video) countable a short film made by a pop or rock band to be shown with a song when it is played on television
5. (also ˈvideo clip) countable a short film or recording of an event, made using digital technology and viewed on a computer, especially over the Internet
• The school made a short promotional video.
• Upload your videos and share them with friends and family online.
6. countable (BrE) = video cassette recorder
• to programme the video to record the football match
Word Origin:
1930s: from Latin videre ‘to see’, on the pattern of audio.
Collocations:
Cinema/the movies
Watching
go to/take sb to (see) a film/movie
go to/sit in (BrE) the cinema/(NAmE) the (movie) theater
rent a film/movie/DVD
download a film/movie/video
burn/copy/rip a DVD
see/watch a film/movie/DVD/video/preview/trailer
Showing
show/screen a film/movie
promote/distribute/review a film/movie
(BrE) be on at the cinema
be released on/come out on/be out on DVD
captivate/delight/grip/thrill the audience
do well/badly at the box office
get a lot of/live up to the hype
Film-making
write/co-write a film/movie/script/screenplay
direct/produce/make/shoot/edit a film/movie/sequel/video
make a romantic comedy/a thriller/an action movie
do/work on a sequel/remake
film/shoot the opening scene/an action sequence/footage (of sth)
compose/create/do/write the soundtrack
cut/edit (out) a scene/sequence
Acting
have/get/do an audition
get/have/play a leading/starring/supporting role
play a character/James Bond/the bad guy
act in/appear in/star in a film/movie/remake
do/perform/attempt a stunt
work in/make it big in Hollywood
forge/carve/make/pursue a career in Hollywood
Describing films
the camera pulls back/pans over sth/zooms in (on sth)
the camera focuses on sth/lingers on sth
shoot sb/show sb in extreme close-up
use odd/unusual camera angles
be filmed/shot on location/in a studio
be set/take place in London/in the '60s
have a happy ending/plot twist
Example Bank:
• An amateur video of the crash failed to reveal the cause.
• Did you remember to set the video for ‘EastEnders’?
• He posted a video on his website
• I can't find the video channel on this television.
• She started making a video diary of her life.
• The band are in Iceland doing a video shoot.
• The children can sit for hours watching videos.
• The film is already out on video.
• The group's new video will be released next month.
• The infamous video nasty is now a cult film.
• The jury watched video footage of the riots.
• The speech was broadcast via a video link to thousands standing outside.
• The thief was caught on video as he pocketed watches and rings.
• Their teacher showed them a video about the Inuit.
• They produce educational videos for learning languages.
• They sell both blank and pre-recorded videos.
• This article and the accompanying video takes you through each stage step by step.
• Video files can be readily transmitted over digital broadband.
• We rent videos nearly every weekend.
• You need a broadband Internet connection to stream video online.
• a review of the latest video releases
• a security video of the attack
• The school made a short promotional video.
• You can view and share video clips on this website.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
video / ˈvɪd.i.əʊ / / -oʊ / noun ( plural videos ) (FILM)
A2 [ U or C ] a recording of moving pictures and sound, especially as a digital file, DVD, etc.:
My new laptop handles video really well.
People can upload videos of their pets to this website.
We had a video made of our wedding.
"Avatar" is now available on video.
→ See also tape noun (RECORDING)
A2 [ C ] ( also music video ) a short film made to advertise a popular song
video / ˈvɪd.i.əʊ / / -oʊ / noun [ C ] ( plural videos ) (MACHINE)
UK for videocassette recorder
© Cambridge University Press 2013
video
/vɪdioʊ/
(videos, videoing, videoed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
A video is a film or television programme recorded on tape for people to watch on a television set.
...the makers of films and videos.
N-COUNT
2.
Video is the system of recording films and events on tape so that people can watch them on a television set.
She has watched the race on video.
...manufacturers of audio and video equipment.
N-UNCOUNT: oft on N
3.
A video is a machine that you can use to record television programmes and play videotapes on a television set. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use VCR)
He’d set the video for 8.00.
= video recorder, VCR
N-COUNT
4.
If you video a television programme or event, you record it on tape using a video recorder or video camera, so that you can watch it later. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use tape, videotape)
She had been videoing the highlights of the tournament...
= videotape, tape
VERB: V n
5.
Video is a system by which you can see television images or films on your computer, rather than on a television set.
N-UNCOUNT
1vid·eo /ˈvɪdijoʊ/ noun, pl -eos
1 [count] : a movie, television show, event, etc., that has been recorded onto a videocassette, DVD, etc., so that it can be watched on a television or computer screen
• We're going to rent a couple of videos to watch this weekend.
• She was talking about a popular video she saw on the Internet.
• The video of their wedding was made by a professional company.
• They showed us some of their home videos. [=recordings that they had made using a video camera]
2 [noncount] : 1videotape 1
• The movie is available on video and DVD.
3 [count] : a recorded performance of a song in which visual images are shown together with the music
• a TV channel that plays videos all day
• Her latest music video was first released on the Internet.
4 [noncount] : the moving images that are seen in a recording or broadcast
• The audio is OK but there's a problem with the video.
