noun

success

the achieving of the results wanted or hoped for

/səkˈses/

موفقیت، كاميابى

Example:

His success in the exams surprized everyone.

موفقيت‌ او در امتحانات‌ همه‌ را شگفت‌ زده‌ كرد.‏

Oxford Essential Dictionary

success

noun

1 (no plural) doing or getting what you wanted; doing well:
I wish you success with your studies.

2 (plural successes) somebody or something that does well or that people like a lot:
The film 'The Matrix' was a great success.
opposite failure

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

success

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

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

success

suc·cess [success successes] [səkˈses] [səkˈses] noun
1. uncountable the fact that you have achieved sth that you want and have been trying to do or get; the fact of becoming rich or famous or of getting a high social position
• What's the secret of your success?
• ~ (in doing sth) I didn't have much success in finding a job.
• ~ (in sth) They didn't have much success in life.
• Confidence is the key to success.
• economic success
• Their plan will probably meet with little success.

• She was surprised by the book's success (= that it had sold a lot of copies).

2. countable a person or thing that has achieved a good result and been successful
• The party was a big success.
• He's proud of his daughter's successes.
• She wasn't a success as a teacher.
• He was determined to make a success of the business.
Opp: failure, see a roaring success at roaring, nothing succeeds like success at succeed, the sweet smell of success at sweet _adj.
Word Origin:
mid 16th cent.: from Latin successus, from the verb succedere ‘come close after’, from sub- ‘close to’ + cedere ‘go’.
Example Bank:
• He attributes his success to having a stable family life.
• He is eager to notch up another success.
• He was pleased with his apparent success.
• I owe my success to him.
• I've had some success in getting rid of the weeds.
• Initially the venture enjoyed a fair amount of success.
• It has already been used with great success.
• Much of his success lies in his skill in handling staff.
• Researchers have claimed great success with this approach.
• Several people have reported success with this approach.
• She had little success in getting new customers.
• She had worked hard and was confident of success.
• She tried to persuade them without success.
• She's made a real success of that job.
• Success didn't come overnight— she struggled for years before making any money.
• That kind of financial success breeds confidence.
• The band's new album has been a runaway success.
• The bank's success rests on several factors.
• The book proved a major commercial success.
• The campaign had only limited success.
• The campaign to stop drink-driving had only limited success.
• The company has been one of the success stories of the past decade.
• The company's excellent marketing has resulted in enormous international success.
• The event was judged a success by its organizers.
• The movement has scored some notable successes.
• The operation has a success rate of over 80%.
• The success or failure of the project depends on how committed the managers are.
• The year-long fight for a pay rise ended in success.
• The year-long fight for permission to build the house ended in success.
• Their ultimate success has yet to be determined.
• These issues determine success in the global marketplace.
• We are sad to see Hiroko go, and wish her every success in the future.
• We can't guarantee immediate success.
• We had one or two outstanding successes.
• We were celebrating our success.
• We're trying to get him to sponsor us, but there's not much hope of success.
• What are our chances of success?
• Your contribution was vital to the success of the concert.
• artists who have experienced some initial success
• one of the key success factors
• the immediate satisfaction of worldly success
• the mixed success of the project
• the recent success of films from Mexico
• the secret of his success with women
• the test's ability to predict success in college
• He had already achieved modest successes on the London stage.
• If we manage to break even this year, it will be a qualified success.
• She wasn't a success as a teacher.
• The party was a great success.
• Confidence is the key to success.
• She was surprised by the book' s success.

• commercial/economic/electoral success

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

success / səkˈses / noun

B1 [ U ] the achieving of the results wanted or hoped for:

The success of almost any project depends largely on its manager.

I've been trying to persuade her to take on more staff, but so far without success.

I'm not having much success in communicating with him at the moment.

The success rate for this operation is very low.

B1 [ C ] something that achieves positive results:

Both films have been a big box-office success in this country.

She's determined to make a success of this project.

That salmon dish was a success, wasn't it?

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

success

[səkse̱s]
♦♦
successes
1) N-UNCOUNT Success is the achievement of something that you have been trying to do.
  It's important for the long-term success of any diet that you vary your meals.
  ...the success of European business in building a stronger partnership between management and workers.
  Ant:
  failure
2) N-UNCOUNT Success is the achievement of a high position in a particular field, for example in business or politics.
  Nearly all of the young people interviewed believed that work was the key to success.
  Ant:
  failure
3) N-UNCOUNT: usu with poss The success of something is the fact that it works in a satisfactory way or has the result that is intended.
  Most of the cast was amazed by the play's success...
  Enthused by the success of the first exhibition, its organisers are hoping to repeat the experience.
  Ant:
  failure
4) N-COUNT Someone or something that is a success achieves a high position, makes a lot of money, or is admired a great deal.
  The jewellery was a great success...
  We hope it will be a commercial success.
  Ant:
  failure

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

success

suc·cess /səkˈsɛs/ noun, pl -cess·es
1 [noncount]
a : the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame
• Success came easily to him.
• With success comes responsibility.
• the secret of my success [=why I am successful]
b : the correct or desired result of an attempt
• Did you have any/much success in finding the dog? [=did you find the dog?]
• The project met with little success. [=was not successful]
• He tried to repair the engine but without success. [=he was not able to repair the engine]
2 [count] : someone or something that is successful : a person or thing that succeeds
• The play was an immediate success. [=it was immediately popular]
• one of her many successes [=one of many things she has done successfully]
• She is country music's most recent success.
• The growth of the tourism industry is one of the city's great successes.

American English

British English

success and achievements

B1 (Intermediate)

success

noun

cough

cough [noun]

/kɑːf/

/kɒf/

Example:

cough medicine

The act of coughing, or the sound this makes

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

cough medicine

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

noises made by the body

Level:

B1 (Intermediate)

Region:

American English

British English

Oxford Essential Dictionary

cough

noun
when you send air out of your throat with a sudden loud noise:
I've got a bad cough.
He gave a little cough before he started to speak.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. cough² BrE AmE noun [countable]
1. a medical condition that makes you cough a lot:
He's got a bad cough.
Symptoms include a sore throat and a nasty cough.
cough medicine
2. [countable] the action or sound made when you cough:
Stuart gave an embarrassed cough.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ have (got) a cough I’ve had a cough for weeks now.
▪ get/catch a cough A lot of people get coughs at this time of year.
■ adjectives
▪ a bad cough Jason’s at home with a bad cough.
▪ a nasty/violent cough (=a very bad cough)
▪ a smoker's cough (=one caused by smoking)
▪ a dry cough (=one that does not produce any liquid)
▪ a loose cough (=one that produces liquid)
▪ a chesty cough British English (=one that affects your chest)
▪ a hacking cough (=a bad cough with an unpleasant sound)
▪ a slight cough (=one that is not very serious) He has a slight cough but I don’t think he’s really ill.
▪ a tickly cough (=one that keeps irritating your throat)
▪ a persistent cough (=one that is difficult to cure)
■ cough + NOUN
▪ cough medicine/cough mixture/cough syrup (=liquid containing medicine for a cough) You should take some cough medicine.
▪ a cough drop (also a cough sweet British English) (=a sweet you suck to make a cough less irritating) He was sucking on a cough sweet.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

noun
1. an act or a sound of coughing

• She gave a little cough to attract my attention.

2. an illness or infection that makes you cough often
• to have a dry/persistent/hacking cough
• My cold's better, but I can't seem to shake off this cough.
see also whooping cough
Word Origin:
Middle English: of imitative origin; related to Dutch kuchen ‘to cough’ and German keuchen ‘to pant’.
Example Bank:
• He had a smoker's cough and nicotine-yellowed fingers.
• She struggled to stifle a cough.

• The butler gave a little cough to announce his presence.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

cough / kɒf / / kɑːf / noun [ C ]

B1 the act of coughing, or the sound this makes:

a dry cough (= one that does not produce mucus)

a hacking (= very bad and loud) cough

an illness that makes you cough a lot:

a smoker's cough

Emily has a very bad/nasty cough.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

cough

/kɒf, AM kɔ:f/
(coughs, coughing, coughed)

Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.

1.
When you cough, you force air out of your throat with a sudden, harsh noise. You often cough when you are ill, or when you are nervous or want to attract someone’s attention.
Graham began to cough violently...
He coughed. ‘Excuse me, Mrs Allsworthy, could I have a word?’
VERB: V, V
•
Cough is also a noun.
They were interrupted by an apologetic cough.
N-COUNT
• cough‧ing
He was then overcome by a terrible fit of coughing.
N-UNCOUNT

2.
A cough is an illness in which you cough often and your chest or throat hurts.
...if you have a persistent cough for over a month.
N-COUNT

3.
If you cough blood or mucus, it comes up out of your throat or mouth when you cough.
I started coughing blood so they transferred me to a hospital.
VERB: V n
•
Cough up means the same as cough.
On the chilly seas, Keats became feverish, continually coughing up blood.
PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

cough

²cough noun, pl coughs [count]
1 : a physical condition or illness that causes someone to cough
• He has a cough and a cold.
• They both have bad coughs.
• He has a terrible smoker's cough. [=a cough caused by smoking]
- see also whooping cough
2 : an act of coughing or the sound made when someone coughs
• I heard a cough from the back of the church.
• He gave a cough [=he coughed] to get my attention.
• dry/hacking coughs

fever

fever [noun] (ILLNESS)

/ˈfiː.vɚ/

/ˈfiː.vər/

Example:

The symptoms of the disease include headache and fever.

A medical condition in which the body temperature is higher than usual and the heart beats very fast

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

The symptoms of the disease include headache and fever.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

fevers and infectious diseases

Level:

B1 (Intermediate)

Region:

American English

British English

Oxford Essential Dictionary

fever

noun
If you have a fever, your body is too hot because you are ill. same meaning temperature

>> feverish adjective If you are feverish, your body is too hot because you are ill.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

fever

fe‧ver /ˈfiːvə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 900-1000; Language: Latin; Origin: febris]
1. [uncountable and countable] an illness or a medical condition in which you have a very high temperature:
Andy has a fever and won’t be coming into work today.
I woke up this morning with a fever and an upset stomach.
She’s running a fever (=has a fever).
a high/low/slight fever
The usual symptoms are a pink rash with a slight fever. ⇨ ↑hay fever, ↑scarlet fever, ↑yellow fever, ↑glandular fever, ↑rheumatic fever
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually use fever to talk about a very high temperature. If someone's temperature is just high, they say that someone has a temperature rather than has a fever:
▪ He stayed home from school because he had a temperature.
2. [singular] a situation in which many people feel very excited or feel very strongly about something
fever of
a fever of excitement on Wall Street
election/carnival etc fever (=great interest or excitement about a particular activity or event)
Soccer fever has been sweeping the nation as they prepare for the World Cup.
3. (at) fever pitch British English if people’s feelings are at fever pitch, they are extremely excited:
The nation was at fever pitch in the days leading up to the election.
After a night of rioting, tensions in the city reached fever pitch.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fever

fever [fever fevers fevered fevering] [ˈfiːvə(r)] [ˈfiːvər] noun
1. countable, uncountable a medical condition in which a person has a temperature that is higher than normal
• He has a high fever.
• Aspirin should help reduce the fever.

compare temperature

2. countable, uncountable (old-fashioned) (used mainly in compounds) a particular type of disease in which sb has a high temperature
• She caught a fever on her travels in Africa, and died.

see also glandular fever, hay fever, rheumatic fever, scarlet fever, yellow fever

3. singular ~ (of sth) a state of nervous excitement

• He waited for her arrival in a fever of impatience.

4. uncountable (especially in compounds) great interest or excitement about sth
• election fever
• World Cup fever has gripped the country.
Word Origin:
Old English fēfor, from Latin febris; reinforced in Middle English by Old French fievre, also from febris.
Collocations:
Illnesses
Becoming ill
catch a cold/an infectious disease/the flu/(BrE) flu/pneumonia/a virus/(informal) a bug
get (BrE) ill/(NAmE) sick/a disease/AIDS/breast cancer/a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu/a migraine
come down with a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu
contract a deadly disease/a serious illness/HIV/AIDS
be infected with a virus/a parasite/HIV
develop cancer/diabetes/a rash/an ulcer/symptoms of hepatitis
have a heart attack/a stroke
provoke/trigger/produce an allergic reaction
block/burst/rupture a blood vessel
damage/sever a nerve/an artery/a tendon
Being ill
feel (BrE) ill/sick/nauseous/queasy
be running (BrE) a temperature/(NAmE) a fever
have a head cold/diabetes/heart disease/lung cancer/a headache/(BrE) a high temperature/(NAmE) a fever
suffer from asthma/malnutrition/frequent headaches/bouts of depression/a mental disorder
be laid up with/ (BrE) be in bed with a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu/a migraine
nurse a cold/a headache/a hangover
battle/fight cancer/depression/addiction/alcoholism
Treatments
examine a patient
diagnose a condition/disease/disorder
be diagnosed with cancer/diabetes/schizophrenia
prescribe/be given/be on/take drugs/medicine/medication/pills/painkillers/antibiotics
treat sb for cancer/depression/shock
have/undergo an examination/an operation/surgery/a kidney transplant/therapy/chemotherapy/treatment for cancer
have/be given an injection/(BrE) a flu jab/(NAmE) a flu shot/a blood transfusion/a scan/an X-ray
cure a disease/an ailment/cancer/a headache/a patient
prevent the spread of disease/further outbreaks/damage to the lungs
be vaccinated against the flu/(BrE) flu/the measles/(BrE) measles/polio/smallpox
enhance/boost/confer/build immunity to a disease
Example Bank:
• Election fever suddenly gripped the nation.
• He put his hand to my forehead as if I was running a fever.
• He suffered from recurrent bouts of fever.
• He was in bed with a fever.
• Inflammation is frequently accompanied by fever.
• James has come down with a fever.
• She had a very high fever.
• She was in a fever of anxiety about him.

• drugs which can help to bring down the fever

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

fever / ˈfiː.və r / / -vɚ / noun [ C or U ] (ILLNESS)

B1 a medical condition in which the body temperature is higher than usual and the heart beats very fast:

He's got a headache and a slight fever.

fever / ˈfiː.və r / / -vɚ / noun [ U ] (EXCITEMENT)

C2 a state of great excitement:

The whole country seems to be in the grip of football fever.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

fever

/fi:və(r)/
(fevers)

1.
If you have a fever when you are ill, your body temperature is higher than usual and your heart beats faster.
My Uncle Jim had a high fever...
Symptoms of the disease include fever and weight loss.
N-VAR
see also hay fever, rheumatic fever, scarlet fever

2.
A fever is extreme excitement or nervousness about something.
Angie waited in a fever of excitement.
= frenzy

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

fever
fe·ver /ˈfiːvɚ/ noun, pl -vers
1 a : a body temperature that is higher than normal

[count]

• He has had a fever for two days. = He has been running a fever for two days.

[noncount]
• The symptoms of the disease include headache and fever.
b [count] : a disease that causes an increase in body temperature
• She caught a fever.
- see also hay fever, rheumatic fever, scarlet fever, yellow fever
2 [singular]
a : a state of excited emotion or activity
• We waited in a fever of anticipation.
• He had us all in a fever with worry.
- see also cabin fever, spring fever
b : a state of great enthusiasm or interest
• Every fall the town develops football fever. [=the town becomes very excited about football]

cold

cold [noun] (ILLNESS)

/koʊld/

/kəʊld/

Example:

She caught a cold at school.

A common infection, especially in the nose and throat, that often causes a cough, a slight fever, and sometimes some pain in the muscles

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

She caught a cold at school.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Level:

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

cold

noun

1 (no plural) cold weather:
Don't go out in the cold.

2 (plural colds) a common illness of the nose and throat. When you have a cold, you often cannot breathe through your nose and your throat hurts:
I've got a cold.
Come in out of the rain, or you'll catch a cold

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. cold² BrE AmE noun
1. [countable] a common illness that makes it difficult to breathe through your nose and often makes your throat hurt:
I’ve got a bad cold.
Keep your feet dry so you don’t catch a cold. ⇨ ↑common cold
2. [uncountable] (also the cold) a low temperature or cold weather:
I was shivering with cold.
Don’t go out in the cold without your coat!
you’ll catch your death of cold British English (=used to warn someone that they may become very ill if they do not keep themselves warm in cold weather)
3. come in from the cold to become accepted or recognized, especially by a powerful group of people
4. leave somebody out in the cold informal to not include someone in an activity:
He chose to favour us one at a time and the others were left out in the cold.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ have (got) a cold She’s staying at home today because she’s got a cold.
▪ be getting a cold (=be starting to have a cold) I think I might be getting a cold.
▪ catch a cold (=start to have one) I caught a cold and had to miss the match.
▪ come down with a cold (also go down with a cold British English) informal (=catch one) A lot of people go down with colds at this time of year.
▪ be suffering from a cold formal (=have one) He was suffering from a cold and not his usual energetic self.
▪ suffer from colds formal (=have colds) Some people suffer from more colds than others.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + cold
▪ a bad cold If you have a bad cold, just stay in bed.
▪ a nasty cold (also a heavy cold British English) (=a bad one) He sounded as if he had a heavy cold.
▪ a streaming cold British English (=in which a lot of liquid comes from your nose) You shouldn’t go to work if you’ve got a streaming cold.
▪ a slight cold It’s only a slight cold – I’ll be fine tomorrow.
▪ a chest cold (=affecting your chest) He’s coughing all the time with a bad chest cold.
▪ a head cold (=affecting your nose and head) A bad head cold can sometimes feel like flu.
▪ the common cold formal There are hundreds of viruses that cause the common cold.
III. cold³ BrE AmE adverb
1. American English suddenly and completely:
Paul stopped cold. ‘What was that noise?’
2. out cold informal unconscious:
He drank until he was out cold.
You were knocked out cold (=hit on the head so that you became unconscious).
3. without preparation:
I can’t just get up there and make a speech cold!

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

noun

LOW TEMPERATURE
1. uncountable a lack of heat or warmth; a low temperature, especially in the atmosphere
• He shivered with cold.
• Don't stand outside in the cold.
• She doesn't seem to feel the cold.

• You'll catch your death of cold (= used to warn sb they could become ill if they do not keep warm in cold weather).

ILLNESS

2. countable (also less frequent the ˌcommon ˈcold) a common illness that affects the nose and/or throat, making you cough, sneeze, etc
• I've got a cold.
• a bad/heavy/slight cold
• to catch a cold
more at catch your death (of cold) at catch _v.
Word Origin:
Old English cald, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch koud and German kalt, also to Latin gelu ‘frost’.
Collocations:
Illnesses
Becoming ill
catch a cold/an infectious disease/the flu/(BrE) flu/pneumonia/a virus/(informal) a bug
get (BrE) ill/(NAmE) sick/a disease/AIDS/breast cancer/a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu/a migraine
come down with a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu
contract a deadly disease/a serious illness/HIV/AIDS
be infected with a virus/a parasite/HIV
develop cancer/diabetes/a rash/an ulcer/symptoms of hepatitis
have a heart attack/a stroke
provoke/trigger/produce an allergic reaction
block/burst/rupture a blood vessel
damage/sever a nerve/an artery/a tendon
Being ill
feel (BrE) ill/sick/nauseous/queasy
be running (BrE) a temperature/(NAmE) a fever
have a head cold/diabetes/heart disease/lung cancer/a headache/(BrE) a high temperature/(NAmE) a fever
suffer from asthma/malnutrition/frequent headaches/bouts of depression/a mental disorder
be laid up with/ (BrE) be in bed with a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu/a migraine
nurse a cold/a headache/a hangover
battle/fight cancer/depression/addiction/alcoholism
Treatments
examine a patient
diagnose a condition/disease/disorder
be diagnosed with cancer/diabetes/schizophrenia
prescribe/be given/be on/take drugs/medicine/medication/pills/painkillers/antibiotics
treat sb for cancer/depression/shock
have/undergo an examination/an operation/surgery/a kidney transplant/therapy/chemotherapy/treatment for cancer
have/be given an injection/(BrE) a flu jab/(NAmE) a flu shot/a blood transfusion/a scan/an X-ray
cure a disease/an ailment/cancer/a headache/a patient
prevent the spread of disease/further outbreaks/damage to the lungs
be vaccinated against the flu/(BrE) flu/the measles/(BrE) measles/polio/smallpox
enhance/boost/confer/build immunity to a disease
Example Bank:
• He stood out in the cold and waited.
• He took cold, developed pneumonia, and that was the end of him.
• I don't feel the cold as badly as many people.
• I must have caught a cold on the bus.
• If you stay out in the rain you'll catch cold!
• Jim stayed at home because he was nursing a cold.
• Millions of ordinary workers feel left out in the cold by the shift to digital technology.
• My hands were blue with cold.
• She won her match despite suffering from a heavy cold.
• The house has double glazing to keep out the cold.
• We were well wrapped up against the cold.
• When the coalition was formed the Liberals were left out in the cold.
• When will they find a cure for the common cold?
• Don't stand outside in the cold.

• She doesn't seem to feel the cold.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

cold / kəʊld / / koʊld / noun [ C ] (ILLNESS)

A2 a common infection, especially in the nose and throat, that often causes a cough, a slight fever, and sometimes some pain in the muscles:

I've got a cold.

She caught a cold at school.

UK informal Don't come near me - I've got a stinking/streaming cold (= extremely bad cold) .

cold / kəʊld / / koʊld / noun [ S or U ] (LOW TEMPERATURE)

B1 cold weather or temperatures:

Don't stand out there in the cold, come in here and get warm.

Old people tend to feel the cold (= feel uncomfortable in cold temperatures) more than the young.

My feet were numb with cold.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

cold

/koʊld/
(colder, coldest, colds)

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

1.
Something that is cold has a very low temperature or a lower temperature than is normal or acceptable.
Rinse the vegetables under cold running water...
He likes his tea neither too hot nor too cold...
Your dinner’s getting cold.
≠ hot, warm
ADJ
• cold‧ness
She complained about the coldness of his hands.
≠ warmth
N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp

2.
If it is cold, or if a place is cold, the temperature of the air is very low.
It was bitterly cold...
The house is cold because I can’t afford to turn the heat on...
This is the coldest winter I can remember.
≠ hot, warm
ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ
• cold‧ness
Within quarter of an hour the coldness of the night had gone.
N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp

3.
Cold weather or low temperatures can be referred to as the cold.
He must have come inside to get out of the cold...
His feet were blue with cold.
≠ heat
N-UNCOUNT: also the N

4.
If you are cold, your body is at an unpleasantly low temperature.
I was freezing cold...
I’m hungry, I’m cold and I’ve nowhere to sleep.
ADJ: usu v-link ADJ

5.
Cold food, such as salad or meat that has been cooked and cooled, is not intended to be eaten hot.
A wide variety of hot and cold snacks will be available.
...cold meats.
≠ hot
ADJ: usu ADJ n

6.
Cold colours or cold light give an impression of coldness.
Generally, warm colours advance in painting and cold colours recede.
...the cold blue light from a streetlamp.
≠ warm
ADJ

7.
A cold person does not show much emotion, especially affection, and therefore seems unfriendly and unsympathetic. If someone’s voice is cold, they speak in an unfriendly unsympathetic way.
What a cold, unfeeling woman she was...
‘Send her away,’ Eve said in a cold, hard voice.
≠ warm
ADJ [disapproval]
• cold‧ly
‘I’ll see you in the morning,’ Hugh said coldly.
ADV
• cold‧ness
His coldness angered her.
N-UNCOUNT

8.
A cold trail or scent is one which is old and therefore difficult to follow.
He could follow a cold trail over hard ground and even over stones.
≠ fresh
ADJ

9.
If you have a cold, you have a mild, very common illness which makes you sneeze a lot and gives you a sore throat or a cough.
N-COUNT

10.
see also common cold

11.
If you catch cold, or catch a cold, you become ill with a cold.
Let’s dry our hair so we don’t catch cold.
PHRASE: V inflects

12.
If something leaves you cold, it fails to excite or interest you.
Lawrence is one of those writers who either excite you enormously or leave you cold.
PHRASE: V inflects

13.
If someone is out cold, they are unconscious or sleeping very heavily.
She was out cold but still breathing.
PHRASE: v-link PHR

14.
in cold blood: see blood
to get cold feet: see foot
to blow hot and cold: see hot
to pour cold water on something: see water

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

²cold noun, pl colds
1 [noncount] : a cold condition
• I mind cold more than heat.
• They died of exposure to cold.
• She was shivering with cold. [=because she was cold]
2 the cold : cold weather
• The cold really sets in around late November and doesn't let up until April.
• I stood there shivering in the cold.
• He waited outside for her in the bitter cold.
• Come in out of the cold.
3 [count] : a common illness that affects the nose, throat, and eyes and that usually causes coughing, sneezing, etc.
• It's not the flu, it's just a cold.
• He got/caught a cold. = He came down with a cold. = (Brit) He went down with a cold.
• the common cold
- often used before another noun
• the cold virus
• cold symptoms/remedies
- see also head cold
blue with cold, blue from the cold
- see ¹blue
come in from the cold : to become part of a group or of normal society again after you have been outside it
• a former spy who has come in from the cold
leave (someone) out in the cold : to leave (someone) in a bad position : to not give (someone) the rights or advantages that are given to others
• The changes benefit management but leave the workers out in the cold.

backache

backache [noun]

/ˈbæk.eɪk/

Example:

She often suffers from backache.

A pain in your back

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

She often suffers from backache.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Problems with bones - joints and teeth

Level:

B1 (Intermediate)

Region:

American English

British English

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

backache

back‧ache /ˈbækeɪk/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
a pain in your back

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

backache

back·ache [backache backaches] [ˈbækeɪk] [ˈbækeɪk] noun uncountable, countable
a continuous pain in the back: (BrE) to have backache/a backache

• (NAmE) to have a backache

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

backache / ˈbæk.eɪk / noun [ C or U ]

B1 a pain in your back:

Gardening gives me such backache.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

backache

/bækeɪk/
(backaches)

Backache is a dull pain in your back.

N-VAR

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

backache

back·ache /ˈbækˌeɪk/ noun, pl -aches : pain in the back

[count]

• She has/gets frequent backaches.

[noncount]

• a patient suffering from backache
• (Brit) She has/gets frequent backache.

toothache

toothache [noun]

/ˈtuːθ.eɪk/

Example:

I've got terrible toothache.

Pain caused by something being wrong with one of your teeth

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

I've got terrible toothache.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Problems with bones - joints and teeth

Level:

A2 (Elementary)

Region:

American English

British English

Oxford Essential Dictionary

toothache

noun (no plural)
a pain in your tooth:
I've got toothache.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

toothache

tooth‧ache /ˈtuːθ-eɪk/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
a pain in a tooth:
I’ve got toothache.
I had terrible toothache all last night.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

toothache

tooth·ache [toothache toothaches] [ˈtuːθeɪk] [ˈtuːθeɪk] noun uncountable, countable, usually singular
a pain in your teeth or in one tooth: (BrE) I've got toothache.

• (NAmE, BrE) I've got a toothache.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

toothache / ˈtuːθ.eɪk / noun [ C or U ]

A2 pain caused by something being wrong with one of your teeth:

I've got terrible toothache.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

toothache

/tu:θeɪk/

Toothache is pain in one of your teeth.

N-UNCOUNT

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

toothache

tooth·ache /ˈtuːɵˌeɪk/ noun, pl -aches : pain in or near a tooth

[count]

• He has a toothache.

[noncount]

• (Brit) He's got toothache.

earache

earache [noun]

/ˈɪr.eɪk/

/ˈɪə.reɪk/

Example:

I’ve got terrible earache and a sore throat.

A pain in the inside part of your ear

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

I’ve got terrible earache and a sore throat.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Level:

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

earache

noun (no plural)
pain inside your ear:
I've got earache.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

earache

ear‧ache /ˈɪəreɪk $ ˈɪr-/ BrE AmE noun [singular, uncountable]
a pain inside your ear:
I’ve got terrible earache and a sore throat.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

earache

ear·ache [earache earaches] [ˈɪəreɪk] [ˈɪreɪk] noun uncountable, countable
pain inside the ear

• to have (an) earache

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

earache / ˈɪə.reɪk / / ˈɪr.eɪk / noun [ C or U ]

B1 a pain in the inside part of your ear

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

earache

/ɪəreɪk/
(earaches)

Earache is a pain in the inside part of your ear.

N-VAR

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

earache

ear·ache /iɚˌeɪk/ noun, pl -aches : an ache or pain in the ear

[count]

• He has/gets frequent earaches.

[noncount]

(chiefly Brit)
• He has/gets frequent earache.

stomachache

stomach ache [noun]

/ˈstʌm·ək ˌeɪk/

Example:

I ate too much food and got a severe stomach ache.

Pain in your stomach

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

I ate too much food and got a severe stomach ache.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Level:

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

stomach ache

noun (no plural)
a pain in your stomach:
I've got stomach ache.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

stomachache

stom‧ach‧ache /ˈstʌmək-eɪk/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
pain in your stomach or near your stomach
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ stomachache pain in your stomach or near your stomach: He said he had a stomachache and didn't want to go to school. | I've got bad stomachache.
▪ indigestion pain or uncomfortable feelings that you get when your stomach cannot break down food that you have eaten: She frequently suffered from indigestion. | If I eat onions, they give me indigestion.
▪ food poisoning a stomach illness caused by eating food that contains harmful bacteria, so that you vomit: I got food poisoning while I was on holiday and had to spend the day in bed. | Two of the customers has to be taken to hospital with suspected food poisoning.
▪ nausea the feeling that you have when you think you are going to vomit: A feeling of nausea suddenly came over me.
▪ constipation the condition of having difficulty in getting rid of solid waste from your body: Do you suffer from constipation?
▪ diarrhoea British English, diarrhea American English an illness in which waste from the bowels is watery and comes out often: The main symptoms are diarrhoea and vomiting. | Some dairy products can cause diarrhoea.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

stomach ache

ˈstomach ache [stomach ache] noun countable, uncountable

pain in or near your stomach

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

ˈ stomach ˌ ache noun [ C or U ]

A2 pain in your stomach:

I ate too much and got a terrible stomach ache.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

stomach ache

also stomachache
(stomach aches)

If you have a stomach-ache, you have a pain in your stomach.

N-VAR

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

stomachache
stom·ach·ache /ˈstʌməkˌeɪk/ noun, pl -aches : pain in or near your stomach

[count]
• Eating too much food will give you a stomachache.

[noncount]
• Side effects include gas, bloating, and stomachache.

headache

headache [noun] (PAIN)

/ˈhed.eɪk/

Example:

that trip was nothing but a long headache

A pain you feel inside your head

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

I've got a severe headache.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

headaches and dizziness

Level:

A2 (Elementary)

Region:

American English

British English

Oxford Essential Dictionary

headache

noun
a pain in your head:
I've got a headache.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

headache

head‧ache /ˈhedeɪk/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
1. a pain in your head:
If you have a headache, you should take some aspirin.
2. informal a problem that is difficult or annoying to deal with:
Security is a big headache for airline operators.
—headachy adjective:
a headachy feeling
• • •
GRAMMAR
Headache is a countable noun:
▪ I had a headache (NOT I had headache).
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ bad/terrible/severe I’ve got a really bad headache.
▪ a splitting headache (=a very bad headache) The next day he woke up with a splitting headache.
▪ a throbbing/pounding/blinding headache (=a very bad headache) He had a throbbing headache, behind his nose and his eyes.
▪ a slight headache (also a bit of a headache spoken) (=one that is not very serious ) I’d rather stay at home – I’ve got a bit of a headache.
■ verbs
▪ have a headache (also have got a headache spoken) She’s not coming – she says she’s got a headache.
▪ get headaches/suffer from headaches (=regularly have a headache) He often gets headaches at school.
▪ give somebody a headache The music was starting to give him a headache.
▪ cause headaches The drug can cause headaches.
▪ complain of a headache (=say that you have a headache) Your child may complain of headaches or problems seeing the blackboard.
▪ a headache goes away (=it stops) I'd like to lie down for a bit to make my headache go away,
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say 'a strong/heavy headache'. Say a bad headache.
Do not say 'a little headache'. Say a slight headache or a bit of a headache.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ headache a pain in your head: Looking at a computer for a long time can give you a headache.
▪ hangover a headache and feeling of sickness that you get the day after you have drunk too much alcohol: The next day I had a terrible hangover.
▪ migraine /ˈmiːɡreɪn, ˈmaɪ- $ ˈmaɪ-/ a very bad headache, which makes you feel sick and have difficulty seeing: He has suffered from migraines all his life.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

headache

head·ache [headache headaches] [ˈhedeɪk] [ˈhedeɪk] noun
1. a continuous pain in the head
• to suffer from headaches
• Red wine gives me a headache.
• I have a splitting headache (= a very bad one).

• a tension headache

2. (informal) a person or thing that causes worry or trouble
• The real headache will be getting the bank to lend you the money.
Collocations:
Illnesses
Becoming ill
catch a cold/an infectious disease/the flu/(BrE) flu/pneumonia/a virus/(informal) a bug
get (BrE) ill/(NAmE) sick/a disease/AIDS/breast cancer/a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu/a migraine
come down with a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu
contract a deadly disease/a serious illness/HIV/AIDS
be infected with a virus/a parasite/HIV
develop cancer/diabetes/a rash/an ulcer/symptoms of hepatitis
have a heart attack/a stroke
provoke/trigger/produce an allergic reaction
block/burst/rupture a blood vessel
damage/sever a nerve/an artery/a tendon
Being ill
feel (BrE) ill/sick/nauseous/queasy
be running (BrE) a temperature/(NAmE) a fever
have a head cold/diabetes/heart disease/lung cancer/a headache/(BrE) a high temperature/(NAmE) a fever
suffer from asthma/malnutrition/frequent headaches/bouts of depression/a mental disorder
be laid up with/ (BrE) be in bed with a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu/a migraine
nurse a cold/a headache/a hangover
battle/fight cancer/depression/addiction/alcoholism
Treatments
examine a patient
diagnose a condition/disease/disorder
be diagnosed with cancer/diabetes/schizophrenia
prescribe/be given/be on/take drugs/medicine/medication/pills/painkillers/antibiotics
treat sb for cancer/depression/shock
have/undergo an examination/an operation/surgery/a kidney transplant/therapy/chemotherapy/treatment for cancer
have/be given an injection/(BrE) a flu jab/(NAmE) a flu shot/a blood transfusion/a scan/an X-ray
cure a disease/an ailment/cancer/a headache/a patient
prevent the spread of disease/further outbreaks/damage to the lungs
be vaccinated against the flu/(BrE) flu/the measles/(BrE) measles/polio/smallpox
enhance/boost/confer/build immunity to a disease
Example Bank:
• He developed a severe migraine headache.
• I have a splitting headache.
• I've got a splitting headache.
• She had left the party early, pleading a headache.
• The workers had complained of headaches and nausea.
• These regulations have created major headaches for many businesses.
• Uneven cash flow proved to be a major headache for the company.

• We all get headaches from time to time.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

headache / ˈhed.eɪk / noun [ C ] (PAIN)

A2 a pain you feel inside your head:

I've got a splitting (= severe) headache.

headache / ˈhed.eɪk / noun [ C ] (DIFFICULTY)

something that causes you great difficulty and worry:

Finding a babysitter for Saturday evening will be a major headache.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

headache

• a tension headache

• We all get headaches from time to time.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

headache
head·ache /ˈhɛdˌeɪk/ noun, pl -aches
1 : an ache or pain in the head

[count]
• I'm starting to get a headache.

[noncount]
• The symptoms include fever and headache.
- see also splitting headache
2 [count] : a difficult or annoying situation or problem
• The city's biggest headache is traffic.
• Managing your finances can be a real headache.
- head·achy /ˈhɛdˌeɪki/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• I was feeling tired and headachy.

back

/bæk/

The part of your body that is opposite to the front, from your shoulders to your bottom

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

My back hurts.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Level:

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

noun

1 the part of a person or an animal that is between the neck and the bottom:
He lay on his back and looked up at the sky.
She was standing with her back to me so I couldn't see her face.

2 the part of something that is behind or furthest from the front:
The answers are at the back of the book.
Write your address on the back of the cheque.
We sat in the back of the car.

back to front with the back part where the front should be:
You've got your sweater on back to front.

behind somebody's back when somebody is not there, so that they do not know about it:
Don't talk about Kate behind her back.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. back² S1 W1 BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Language: Old English; Origin: bæc]
1. PART OF YOUR BODY
a) the part of the body between the neck and legs, on the opposite side to the stomach and chest:
The cat arched its back and hissed.
My feet were sore and my back was aching.
Keep your head up and your back straight.
To avoid back problems, always bend your knees when you lift heavy objects.
He lay on his back and gazed at the ceiling.
Johnny was lying flat on his back in the middle of the floor.
Anna stood with her back to the window.
on sb’s back (=carried on someone’s back)
The girl appeared again, now with a little baby on her back.
b) the bones between your neck and the top of your legs SYN spine:
He broke his back in a motorbike accident.

NOT AT FRONT [usually singular] the part of something that is furthest from the front OPP front:
a T-shirt with a picture of a snake on the back
back of
He kissed her on the back of her head.
Her window faced the backs of the houses.
in the back (of something) (=used especially about the back of a vehicle)
Two men were sitting in the back of the car.
at the back (of something)
a small shop with an office at the back
in back (of something) American English (=in or at the back of something)
Kids should always wear seat belts, even in back.
out back American English (=behind a house or other building)
Tom’s working on the car out back.
round/out the back British English (=behind a house or building)
Have you looked round the back?
3. LESS IMPORTANT SIDE [usually singular] the less important side or surface of something such as a piece of paper or card OPP front:
Paul scribbled his address on the back of an envelope.
The credits are listed on the back of the album.
4. PART OF SEAT the part of a seat that you lean against when you are sitting
back of
He rested his arm on the back of the sofa.
5. BOOK/NEWSPAPER [usually singular] the last pages of a book or newspaper OPP front
at the back (of)
The sports pages are usually at the back.
in the back (of)
The answers are in the back of the book.
6. at/in the back of your mind a thought that is at the back of your mind is one you try to ignore because you do not want it to be true:
At the back of her mind was the thought that he might be with someone else.
put/push something to the back of your mind
He tried to push these uncomfortable thoughts to the back of his mind.
7. back to back
a) with the backs towards each other:
Stand back to back and we’ll see who’s tallest.
b) happening immediately one after the other:
a couple of back-to-back wins for the team ⇨ ↑back-to-back¹
8. back to front British English
a) in an incorrect position so that what should be at the back is at the front:
You’ve got your sweater on back to front.
b) doing something the wrong way round and starting with the part that should be at the end:
He got the commands back to front and the program didn’t work.
9. behind sb’s back if you do something behind someone’s back, you do it without them knowing:
I don’t like the idea of the two of them talking about me behind my back.
I should have realized that he’d go behind my back (=do something without telling me).
10. when/while sb’s back is turned if something happens when your back is turned, it happens when you are not able to see or know what someone is doing:
What are your kids up to when your back is turned?
11. get/put sb’s back up British English informal to annoy someone:
Simone was the kind of person who was always putting people’s backs up.
12. get (somebody) off sb’s back spoken to stop annoying someone with a lot of questions, criticisms etc, or to make someone stop annoying you in this way:
Maybe the only way to get him off my back is to tell him the truth.
Do me a favour and get off my back!
13. be on sb’s back spoken to be trying to make someone do something they do not want to do:
Why are you and Dad always on my back?
14. on the back of something as a result of something that already exists or something you have already done:
The company should be able to generate business on the back of existing contracts.
15. on the backs of somebody using the work of a particular group to achieve something that they will not get any advantage from:
Economic prosperity was won on the backs of the urban poor.
16. SPORTS a defending player in a sports team SYN defender
17. the back of beyond informal a place that is a long way from other places and is difficult to get to:
It’s a nice little cottage but it really is in the back of beyond.
18. be (flat) on your back
a) to be lying on your back – used to emphasize that someone seems unlikely to get up soon:
He was drunk and flat on his back on the street.
b) to be so ill that you cannot get out of bed:
Their best player was flat on his back in hospital.
c) if a business, country, ↑economy etc is on its back, it is not successful:
The UK market was flat on its back.
19. put your back into it informal to work extremely hard at something:
If we really put our backs into it, we could finish today.
20. be glad/delighted/pleased etc to see the back of somebody/something to be happy that someone is leaving or because you no longer have to deal with something:
No, I’m not too upset that he left – in fact, I was glad to see the back of him.
I can’t wait to see the back of this project, I can tell you (=I will be happy when it ends).
21. have your back to/against the wall informal to be in a difficult situation with no choice about what to do
22. at your back
a) behind you:
They had the wind at their backs as they set off.
b) supporting you:
Caesar marched into Rome with an army at his back.
23. on your back informal not polite if someone achieves something on their back, they achieve it by having sex with someone
24. high-backed/straight-backed/low-backed etc with a high, straight, low etc back:
a high-backed chair
⇨ know something like the back of your hand at ↑know¹(3), ⇨ turn your back on somebody/something at ↑turn¹(7)

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

back

back [back backs backed backing] noun, adjective, adverb, verb [bæk] [bæk]

noun

PART OF BODY
1. the part of the human body that is on the opposite side to the chest, between the neck and the tops of the legs; the part of an animal's body that corresponds to this
• Do you sleep on your back or your front?
• He stood with his back to the door.
• They had their hands tied behind their backs.
• They set off with the wind at their backs (= behind them).
• I pulled (= injured the muscles in) my back playing squash.
• back pain
• a back massage
• A small boy rode on the elephant's back.

see also bareback, horseback

2. the row of bones in the middle of the back
Syn: backbone, Syn: spine
• She broke her back in a riding accident.

• He put his back out (= dislocated sth in his back) lifting the crates.

PART FURTHEST FROM FRONT

3. usually singular ~ (of sth) the part or area of sth that is furthest from the front
• We could only get seats at the back (= of the room).
• I found some old photos at the back of the drawer.
• He was shot in the back of the knee.
• The house has three bedrooms at the front and two at the back.
• (BrE) There's room for three people in the back.
• (NAmE) There's room for three people in back = of a car, etc..
• (BrE) If you'd like to come round the back (= to the area behind the house), I'll show you the garden.

see also hardback, paperback, short back and sides

OF PIECE OF PAPER

4. usually singular ~ (of sth) the part of a piece of paper, etc. that is on the opposite side to the one that has information or the most important information on it

• Write your name on the back of the cheque.

OF BOOK

5. usually singular ~ (of sth) the last few pages of a book, etc

• The television guide is at the back of the paper.

OF CHAIR

6. the part of a chair, etc. against which you lean your back

-BACKED
7. (in adjectives) used to describe furniture that has the type of back mentioned

• a high-backed sofa

IN SPORT

8. (in sports) a player whose main role is to defend their team's goal
compare forward _n.
see also fullback, halfback
more at cover your back at cover _v., have eyes in the back of your head at eye _n., know sb/sth like the back of your hand at know _v., a pat on the back at pat _n., pat sb/yourself on the back at pat _v., push sth to the back of your mind at push _v., make a rod for your own back at rod, you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours at scratch _v., the shirt off sb's back at shirt, a stab in the back at stab _n., stab sb in the back at stab _v., the straw that breaks/broke the camel's back at straw, (like) water off a duck's back at water _n.
Word Origin:
Old English bæc, of Germanic origin; related to Middle Dutch and Old Norse bak. The adverb use dates from late Middle English and is a shortening of aback.
Collocations:
Physical appearance
A person may be described as having:
Eyes
(bright) blue/green/(dark/light) brown/hazel eyes
deep-set/sunken/bulging/protruding eyes
small/beady/sparkling/twinkling/(informal) shifty eyes
piercing/penetrating/steely eyes
bloodshot/watery/puffy eyes
bushy/thick/dark/raised/arched eyebrows
long/dark/thick/curly/false eyelashes/lashes
Face
a flat/bulbous/pointed/sharp/snub nose
a straight/a hooked/a Roman/(formal) an aquiline nose
full/thick/thin/pouty lips
dry/chapped/cracked lips
flushed/rosy/red/ruddy/pale cheeks
soft/chubby/sunken cheeks
white/perfect/crooked/protruding teeth
a large/high/broad/wide/sloping forehead
a strong/weak/pointed/double chin
a long/full/bushy/wispy/goatee beard
a long/thin/bushy/droopy/handlebar/pencil moustache/ (especially US) mustache
Hair and skin
pale/fair/olive/dark/tanned skin
dry/oily/smooth/rough/leathery/wrinkled skin
a dark/pale/light/sallow/ruddy/olive/swarthy/clear complexion
deep/fine/little/facial wrinkles
blonde/blond/fair/(light/dark) brown/(jet-)black/auburn/red/(BrE) ginger/grey hair
straight/curly/wavy/frizzy/spiky hair
thick/thin/fine/bushy/thinning hair
dyed/bleached/soft/silky/dry/greasy/shiny hair
long/short/shoulder-length/cropped hair
a bald/balding/shaved head
a receding hairline
a bald patch/spot
a side/centre/(US) center (BrE) parting/ (NAmE) part
Body
a long/short/thick/slender/(disapproving) scrawny neck
broad/narrow/sloping/rounded/hunched shoulders
a bare/broad/muscular/small/large chest
a flat/swollen/bulging stomach
a small/tiny/narrow/slim/slender/28-inch waist
big/wide/narrow/slim hips
a straight/bent/arched/broad/hairy back
thin/slender/muscular arms
big/large/small/manicured/calloused/gloved hands
long/short/fat/slender/delicate/bony fingers
long/muscular/hairy/shapely/(both informal, often disapproving) skinny/spindly legs
muscular/chubby/(informal, disapproving) flabby thighs
big/little/small/dainty/wide/narrow/bare feet
a good/a slim/a slender/an hourglass figure
be of slim/medium/average/large/athletic/stocky build
Which Word?:
at the back / at the rear / behind
At the back and at the rear have a similar meaning, but at the rear is used more in formal or official language: ▪ What’s that at the back of the fridge? ◊ ▪ Smoking is only allowed at the rear of the aircraft. It is more usual to talk about the back door of a house but the rear exit of an aircraft or public building. If something is behind something else it is near to the back of it but not part of it. Compare: ▪ Our room was at the back of the hotel and ▪ There’s a lovely wood just behind our hotel.
Example Bank:
• Come around back and I'll show you the pool.
• He hunches his back when he walks.
• He leaned his back against the bar.
• He smiled and gave me a hearty slap on the back.
• He spent six months recovering from a broken back.
• He was carrying a small child on his back.
• He was standing with his back to the fire.
• He yawned and stretched his back as he got out of bed.
• He's in bed with a bad back.
• His back stiffened as he saw the photographers waiting.
• I had my pullover on back to front.
• I have a nagging pain in my lower back.
• I warned her she should watch her back.
• I was flat on my back for six weeks when I broke my leg.
• If you'd like to come round the back, I'll show you the garden.
• My money's all fallen down the back of the cushion.
• People say bad things about him behind his back, but never to his face.
• She decided to turn her back on Paris and return home.
• She decided to turn her back on Paris and return to her home town.
• She deserves a pat on the back for her efforts.
• She felt a sharp pain in the small her back.
• She was lying on her back on the sofa.
• The arts page is usually towards the back of the newspaper.
• The boss was certain that the staff would stop working as soon as his back was turned.
• The cat arched its back and hissed at the dog.
• The children sat back to back so they couldn't see each others' drawings.
• The cup had been pushed to the back of the cupboard.
• The man was refusing to go to the back of the queue.
• The sun beat down on their bare backs.
• There's room for three people in back.
• They blindfolded him and tied his hands behind his back.
• They tied his hands behind his back.
• Two passengers sat in the back of the car.
• We could only get seats at the back.
• Would you give me a back rub?
• a seat with good back support
Idioms: at the back of your mind ▪ back and forth ▪ back in the day ▪ back in the days ▪ back of beyond ▪ back of something ▪ back the wrong horse ▪ back to back ▪ back to front ▪ behind somebody's back ▪ break the back of something ▪ get off somebody's back ▪ get somebody's back up ▪ glad to see the back of somebody ▪ have somebody's back ▪ have your back to the wall ▪ off the back of a lorry ▪ on somebody's back ▪ on the back burner ▪ on the back of something ▪ on your back ▪ put your back into something ▪ turn your back ▪ turn your back on somebody

Derived: back away ▪ back down ▪ back off ▪ back onto something ▪ back out ▪ back somebody up ▪ back something up ▪ back up

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

back / bæk / noun [ C ] (FURTHEST PART)

A2 the inside or outside part of an object, vehicle, building, etc. that is furthest from the front:

He jotted her name down on the back of an envelope.

I found my tennis racket at the back of the cupboard.

We sat at the back of the bus.

Our seats were right at the back of the hall.

Ted was out/round the back ( US out back) (= in the area behind the house) ."

There is a beautiful garden at the back of ( US also in back of ) (= behind) the house.

If there's no reply at the front door, come round the back.

He put his jacket on the back of his chair (= the part of the chair that you put your back against when you sit on it) .

back to back close together and facing in opposite directions:

The office was full of computers, and we had to sit back to back in long rows.

happening one after another, without interruption:

Coming up after the break, three Rolling Stones classics back to back.

→ See also back-to-back

back to front C2 UK ( US backwards ) with the back part of something where the front should be:

You've put your jumper on back to front.

the back of your hand

the side of your hand that has hair growing on it

back / bæk / noun [ C ] (BODY PART)

A2 the part of your body that is opposite to the front, from your shoulders to your bottom:

I've got a bad back.

Sleeping on a bed that is too soft can be bad for your back.

He lay on his back, staring at the ceiling.

I turned my back (= turned round so that I could not see) while she dressed.

She put her back out (= caused a serious injury to her back) lifting a box.

See picture back

See picture body

back / bæk / noun [ C ] (SPORT)

(in some sports, such as football) one of the players in a team who try to stop players from the other team from scoring goals, rather than trying to score goals themselves

→ Compare forward noun

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

II. OPPOSITE OF FRONT; NOUN AND ADJECTIVE USES

/bæk/

(backs)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
Please look at category 17 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1.
A person’s or animal’s back is the part of their body between their head and their legs that is on the opposite side to their chest and stomach.
She turned her back to the audience...
Three of the victims were shot in the back...
N-COUNT: oft poss N
2.
The back of something is the side or part of it that is towards the rear or farthest from the front. The back of something is normally not used or seen as much as the front.
...a room at the back of the shop...
She raised her hands to the back of her neck...
Smooth the mixture with the back of a soup spoon...
≠ front
N-COUNT: usu sing, oft the N of n
3.
Back is used to refer to the side or part of something that is towards the rear or farthest from the front.
He opened the back door...
Ann could remember sitting in the back seat of their car.
...the path leading to the back garden.
≠ front
ADJ: ADJ n
4.
The back of a chair or sofa is the part that you lean against when you sit on it.
There was a neatly folded pink sweater on the back of the chair.
N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp
5.
The back of something such as a piece of paper or an envelope is the side which is less important.
Send your answers on the back of a postcard.
≠ front
N-COUNT: the N, usu sing
6.
The back of a book is the part nearest the end, where you can find the index or the notes, for example.
...the index at the back of the book...
≠ front
N-COUNT: the N, usu sing
7.
You can use back in expressions such as round the back and out the back to refer generally to the area behind a house or other building. (BRIT SPOKEN)
He had chickens and things round the back...
N-SING: prep the N
8.
You use back in expressions such as out back to refer to the area behind a house or other building. You also use in back to refer to the rear part of something, especially a car or building. (AM)
Dan informed her that he would be out back on the patio cleaning his shoes...
Catlett got behind the wheel and I sat in back...
N-UNCOUNT: prep N, oft N of n
9.
In team games such as football and hockey, a back is a player who is concerned mainly with preventing the other team from scoring goals, rather than scoring goals for their own team.
= defender
≠ forward
N-COUNT
10.
In American football, a back is a player who stands behind the front line, runs with the ball and attacks rather than defends.
N-COUNT
11.
If you say that something was done behind someone’s back, you disapprove of it because it was done without them knowing about it, in an unfair or dishonest way.
You eat her food, enjoy her hospitality and then criticize her behind her back.
PHRASE: PHR after v [disapproval]
12.
If you break the back of a task or problem, you do the most difficult part of what is necessary to complete the task or solve the problem.
It seems at least that we’ve broken the back of inflation in this country...
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
13.
If two or more things are done back to back, one follows immediately after the other without any interruption.
...two half-hour shows, which will be screened back to back.
PHRASE
14.
If you are wearing something back to front, you are wearing it with the back of it at the front of your body. If you do something back to front, you do it the wrong way around, starting with the part that should come last. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use backward)
He wears his baseball cap back to front...
The picture was printed back to front.
= backwards
PHRASE: PHR after v
15.
If you say that one thing happens on the back of another thing, you mean that it happens after that other thing and in addition to it.
The cuts, if approved, come on the back of a difficult eight years that have seen three London fire stations closed.
PHRASE
16.
If someone is on the back foot, or if something puts them on the back foot, they feel threatened and act defensively.
From now on Labour will be on the back foot on the subject of welfare.
...another scheme designed purely to put the Scots Nationalists on the back foot.
PHRASE
17.
If someone or something puts your back up or gets your back up, they annoy you. (INFORMAL)
Some food labelling practices really get my back up.
= irritate
PHRASE: V inflects
18.
to take a back seat: see seat

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹back /ˈbæk/ noun, pl backs [count]
1 a : the rear part of the body : the part of the body that is opposite to the stomach and chest and that goes from the neck to the top of the legs
• She was carrying her little daughter on her back.
• He injured his back. = He suffered a back injury.
• She has a pain in the small of her back.
• an aching back
• I slapped/patted him on his/the back to congratulate him.
• He broke his back [=spine] in a fall.
• She stabbed/shot him in the back.
• He was handcuffed with his hands behind his back.
- see picture at human
b : the part of an animal that is like a person's back
• a bird with a spotted back
• riding on the back of a horse/donkey/camel
- see also horseback
2 a : the side or surface of something that is opposite the front or face : the rear side or surface of something - usually singular
• the back of the head
• the back of a mirror/spoon
• the back of the hand/leg/foot
• The book has fallen down the back of the couch.
b : the side or surface of something (such as a piece of paper) that is not usually used or seen first - usually singular
• She wrote something on the back of an envelope.
• He signed his name on the back of the check.
c : a place, position, or area that is at or near the rear of something - usually singular
• He put the letter in the back of the drawer.
• The kitchen is at/in the back of the house and the living room is at/in the front.
• Since our plane was leaving soon we were moved to the front of the line while others remained at the back.
• Please move to the back of the elevator to make room for others.
3 : the part of a chair or seat that supports a person's back
• a comfortable chair with a padded back
4 a : the section of a book, magazine, etc., that includes the last pages - usually singular
• There is an index in the back of the book.
b : the part of a book's cover that can be seen when the book is on a shelf
• The title of the book is shown on its back. [=spine]
5 sports : a player in some games (such as soccer and American football) who is positioned behind the front line of players
• a defensive back
- see also fullback, halfback, quarterback, running back
a pat on the back
- see ¹pat
a stab in the back
- see ¹stab
at/in the back of your mind : in the part of your mind where thoughts and memories are kept - used to describe ideas, memories, etc., that someone has but that are not usually thought about or not perfectly remembered
• The thought of retiring and moving out into the country has been in the back of her mind for many years, and now she's finally doing it.
• Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew I'd met him before.
back is to/against the wall
✦When your back is to/against the wall or you have your back to/against the wall you are in a bad position in which you are forced to do something in order to avoid failure.
• With our backs to the wall we made a last desperate effort to finish the project on time.
• We knew that with so little time and money left to finish the project we had our backs to the wall.
back to back
1 : with backs opposite or against each other
• The soldiers stood back to back.
2 : happening one after the other
• She won the annual competition two times back to back. [=in a row]
• He's had two victories back to back.
• I've scheduled two appointments back to back.
- see also back-to-back
back to front of a piece of clothing : with the back where the front should be
• He accidentally put the sweater on back to front. [=front to back, backwards]
behind someone's back : without someone's knowledge : in secret
• You shouldn't gossip about people behind their back(s).
• If you have something to say, why not say it to my face instead of whispering it behind my back?!
• She went behind his back and spoke directly to his supervisor.
break the back of : to get control of (something you are trying to stop or defeat) : to greatly weaken or subdue (something)
• He says the government's new policies will break the back of inflation.
eyes in the back of your head
- see ¹eye
get your back up : to become angry or annoyed and want to fight or argue
• He gets his back up and becomes defensive whenever someone questions his work.
- compare put someone's back up (below)
have someone's back
- see watch someone's back (below)
in back : in an area at the back of something
• There was only room for one passenger in front. The rest of us sat in back. [=in the back]
in back of chiefly US : directly behind (something or someone)
• There's a small yard in back of the house.
on the back of
1 : because of (something)
• Profits have increased on the back of [=on the strength of] improved international sales.
2 disapproving : by using the efforts of (other people)
• The company has achieved record profits on the back of cheap labor.
on/off your back
✦Someone who is always or frequently criticizing you or telling you what to do is on your back and won't get off your back.
• He says his wife is always on his back about doing chores around the house.
• Get off my back! I'm working as hard as I can!
• My boss is always criticizing me. I wish I knew some way to get him off my back.
on your back
✦If you are (flat) on your back you are lying with your back against the ground, on a bed, etc.
• The accident left him (lying) flat on his back (in bed) for two weeks. This phrase is sometimes used figuratively.
• The stock market has been flat on its back [=has been doing very poorly] in recent weeks.
out back US or chiefly Brit out the back or round the back : in the area behind something (such as a building)
• In my youth we didn't have a toilet in the house but there was one out back.
put someone's back up : to offend or annoy someone : to make someone angry or ready to argue
• I don't want to question his decision because that will just put his back up.
- compare get your back up (above)
put your back into : to work very hard at (something) : to put a lot of effort into (something)
• If you want to get that floor clean you'll have to put your back into it.
• You'll really have to put your back into this project if you want it to succeed.
scratch someone's back
- see ¹scratch
see the back of
✦In British English, to be glad/happy (etc.) to see the back of someone is to be glad to see someone finally going away.
• He's done nothing but make trouble and I'll be glad to see the back of him! [=I'll be glad when he has gone]
stab (someone) in the back
- see ²stab
the shirt off your back
- see shirt
turn your back : to turn so that you are facing away from someone
• He turned his back and walked away from me.
- often + on
• He turned his back on me and walked away.
- often used figuratively
• His former supporters have turned their backs on him. [=have abandoned him]
watch someone's back or have someone's back : to protect someone who is doing something that is dangerous or risky
• The police officer's partner always watches his back.
• Don't worry, I've got your back.
watch your back
✦If people tell you to watch your back, they are telling you to be careful.
• I hear the boss is in a bad mood this morning, so you'd better watch your back.
- back·less /ˈbækləs/ adj
• a backless evening gown

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