noun

Example:

He took two steps toward me.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

stages and phases

Level:

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

noun

1 a movement when you move your foot up and put it down in another place to walk, run or dance:
She took a step forward and then stopped.

2 a place to put your foot when you go up or down:
These steps go down to the garden.

3 one thing in a list of things that you must do:
What is the first step in planning a holiday?

step by step doing one thing after another; slowly:
This book shows you how to play the guitar, step by step.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

step

I. step¹ S2 W1 /step/ BrE AmE noun
[Language: Old English; Origin: stæpe]
1. MOVEMENT [countable] the movement you make when you put one foot in front of or behind the other when walking:
a video of baby’s first steps
He took one step and fell.
step back/forwards/towards etc
Tom took a step back and held the door open.
I had to retrace my steps (=go back the way I came) several times before I found the shop.
2. ACTION [countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed
step in (doing) something
This is the first step in reforming the welfare system.
step to do something
The president took immediate steps to stop the fighting.
step towards
an important step towards peace
3. IN A PROCESS [countable] a stage in a process, or a position on a scale:
Each book goes up one step in difficulty.
Record your result, and go on to step 3.
step in
the next step in the process
Drug companies influence the scientific process every step of the way (=during every stage).
Describe step by step (=describing each stage) how you went about achieving your goal.
Moving to Cottage Grove represented a definite step up (=something that is better than you had before) for my parents.
He saw the job as a step down (=something that is worse than he had before).
4.
STAIR [countable] a flat narrow piece of wood or stone, especially one in a series, that you put your foot on when you are going up or down, especially outside a building:
Jenny sat on the step in front of the house, waiting.
He climbed the wooden steps and rang the bell.
a flight of (=set of) broad stone steps ⇨ doorstep¹(1)
5. DISTANCE [countable] the short distance you move when you take a step while walking SYN pace:
Roy was standing only a few steps away.
6. SOUND [countable] the sound you make when you put your foot down while walking SYN footstep:
I heard a step in the corridor.
7. DANCING [countable] a movement of your feet in dancing:
the steps for the Charleston
8. in step
a) having ideas or actions that are like those of other people
in step with
He isn’t in step with ordinary voters.
b) moving your feet so that your right foot goes forward at the same time as people you are walking with
9. out of step
a) having ideas or actions that are different from those of other people
out of step with
This type of training is out of step with changes in the industry.
b) moving your feet in a different way from people you are walking with
10. watch your step (also mind your step British English)
a) to be careful about what you say or how you behave:
You’d better watch your step – he’s the boss here.
b) to be careful when you are walking:
Mind your step – the railing’s loose.
11. fall into step (with somebody)
a) to start walking beside someone at the same speed as them:
Maggie fell into step beside her.
b) to start thinking or doing the same as other people:
The administration has fallen into step with its European allies on this issue.
12. be/keep/stay one step ahead (of somebody)
a) to be better prepared for something or know more about something than someone else:
A good teacher is always at least one step ahead of his students.
b) to manage not to be caught by someone who is trying to find or catch you
13. WAY SOMEBODY WALKS [countable usually singular] the way someone walks, which often tells you how they are feeling:
Gianni’s usual bouncy step
14. steps [plural] British English a stepladder
15. EXERCISE [uncountable] a type of exercise you do by walking onto and off a flat piece of equipment around 15–30 centimetres high:
a step class
16. MUSIC [countable] American English the difference in pitch between two musical notes that are separated by one key on the piano SYN tone British English
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ take a step The authority will take steps to reunite the child and his family.
■ adjectives
▪ an important/major/big step The move is seen as a major step forward for UK firms.
▪ the first step The first step in resolving conflict is to understand what the other person wants.
▪ the next step He met in Washington with his campaign advisers to plan his next step.
▪ a small step This is a small step in the right direction.
▪ a positive step (=an action that will have a good effect) This is a positive step which gives cause for some optimism.
▪ an unusual/unprecedented step (=something that is not usually done/has never been done before) Police last night took the unusual step of releasing photographs of him.
▪ a drastic step The government is wary of taking any drastic steps that would scare off foreign investment.
▪ a bold step We welcome the bold step taken by President Bush.
▪ a tentative step (=a small action, which is not done in a very determined way) The Institute has taken a tentative step towards opening up its meetings to the public.
▪ a logical step She felt she had an aptitude for medicine. Her next logical step would be to begin studying when the summer was over.
▪ immediate steps We believe immediate steps could be taken to generate jobs.
▪ reasonable steps They must take reasonable steps to ensure that this information is available to those who might benefit.
▪ necessary steps We must be sure that we are taking the necessary steps to prevent the problem from getting a foothold here.
■ phrases
▪ a step forward (=an action that makes things better) The declaration which we have just signed is a big step forward for both of our nations.
▪ a step backwards/a backward step (=an action that makes things worse) A rationing system would be a major step backwards.
▪ a step in the right direction (=an action that helps to improve things) Environmentalists said the law was a step in the right direction.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

step

step [step steps stepped stepping] noun, verb [step] [step]

noun

MOVEMENT/SOUND
1. countable the act of lifting your foot and putting it down in order to walk or move somewhere; the sound this makes
• a baby's first steps
• He took a step towards the door.
• We heard steps outside.

see also footstep, goose-step

WAY OF WALKING

2. countable, usually singular the way that sb walks
• He walked with a quick light step.

• There was a smile on her face and a spring in her step.

DISTANCE

3. countable the distance that you cover when you take a step
• It's only a few steps further.
• He turned around and retraced his steps (= went back the way he had come).
• She moved a step closer to me.

• The hotel is only a short step from the beach.

IN SERIES/PROCESS

4. countable one of a series of things that you do in order to achieve sth
• This was a first step towards a united Europe.
• It's a big step giving up your job and moving halfway across the world.
• We are taking steps to prevent pollution.
• This won't solve the problem but it's a step in the right direction.
• The new drug is a major step forward in the treatment of the disease.

• Closing the factory would be a retrograde step.

5. countable one of a series of things that sb does or that happen, which forms part of a process
Syn: stage
• Having completed the first stage, you can move on to step 2.
• I'd like to take this idea a step further.
• This was a big step up (= to a better position) in his career.
• I'll explain it to you step by step.

• a step-by-step guide to building your own home

STAIR

6. countable a surface that you put your foot on in order to walk to a higher or lower level, especially one of a series
• She was sitting on the bottom step of the staircase.
• We walked down some stone steps to the beach.
• A short flight of steps led up to the door.

see also doorstep

IN DANCE

7. countable, usually plural a series of movements that you make with your feet and which form a dance
• Do you know the steps of this dance?

see also quickstep

EXERCISE

8. uncountable (often in compounds) a type of exercise that you do by stepping on and off a raised piece of equipment
• step aerobics

• a step class

LADDER

9. steps plural (BrE) a stepladder
• a pair of steps

• We need the steps to get into the attic.

IN MUSIC

10. countable (NAmE) the interval between two notes that are next to each other in a scale
compare tone (⁷), semitone
Word Origin:
Old English stæpe, stepe (noun), stæppan, steppan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch steppen and German stapfen.
Thesaurus:
step noun
1. C
• I took a step forward.
pace • • stride • • footstep •
take a few steps/paces/strides (back/forward/to sth/towards sth)
take a step/pace (backwards)
hear (sb's) steps/footsteps
2. C
• This was a first step towards a united Europe.
move • • measure • • action • • act • • procedure • • gesture •
a/an step/move/measure/action/act/gesture by sb
make a step/move/gesture (towards sb)
take steps/measures/actions
3.
• I'll explain it step by step.
stage • • round •
the first/initial/preliminary/opening/second/final/last step/stage/round
successive steps/stages/rounds
a/an important/critical/crucial/key/difficult step/stage
Synonyms:
action
measure • step • act • move
These are all words for a thing that sb does.
action • a thing that sb does: ▪ Her quick action saved the child's life.
measure • an official action that is done in order to achieve a particular aim: ▪ Tougher measures against racism are needed.
step • one of a series of things that you do in order to achieve sth: ▪ This was a first step towards a united Europe.
act • a thing that sb does: ▪ an act of kindness
action or act?
These two words have the same meaning but are used in different patterns. An act is usually followed by of and/or used with an adjective. Action is not usually used with of but is often used with his, her, etc.: ▪ a heroic act of bravery ◊ a heroic action of bravery ◊ ▪ his heroic actions/acts during the war. Action often combines with take but act does not: We shall take whatever acts are necessary.
move • (used especially in journalism) an action that you do or need to do to achieve sth: ▪ They are waiting for the results of the opinion polls before deciding their next move.
to take action/measures/steps
to make a step/move
a heroic/brave/daring action/step/act/move
Example Bank:
• Greece moved a step closer to the final with last night's win.
• He executed some dance steps for the judges.
• He executed some jive steps on the pavement.
• He grew fainter with every step.
• He lagged a few steps behind.
• He took a hesitant step towards her.
• He was out of step with the music.
• He'd only gone a few steps when he realized he'd left his keys behind.
• I gasped and took an involuntary step back.
• I had a spring in my step when I walked into that office for the last time.
• I shall take immediate steps to have this matter put right.
• If he goes one step further with this crazy idea, I'll resign.
• If you follow all the steps, nothing will go wrong.
• It suddenly struck her that having a baby was an irrevocable step.
• It's only a short step from disorder to complete chaos.
• Mind the step!
• One false step could mean disaster.
• She had trouble keeping in step with the others.
• She paused on the top step.
• She was only a step away from the cliff edge.
• She went up a flight of steps to the side entrance.
• She's always one step ahead of the competition.
• The front steps lead to an enormous terrace.
• The move was a first step in establishing a union.
• The new law is seen by many as a backward step.
• The new speed limit does not solve the problem, but it is a step in the right direction.
• The offer constitutes a considerable step forward.
• The talks mark a step towards peace.
• There are three steps down to the garden.
• They have taken their first tentative steps towards democracy.
• This can only be seen as a step backward.
• We shall take all necessary steps to prevent public disorder.
• We've moved a step closer to independence.
• What's the next step?
• You have to go up four flights of steps to get up to the roof.
• You might find your ticket if you retrace your steps back to the car.
• a step-by-step guide to setting up an aquarium
• He turned and retraced his steps.
• I could hear his steps coming closer.
• I quickened my step.
• I recognized her quick light step.
• I was growing more and more nervous with every step.
• I'd like to take this idea a step further.
• I'll explain it to you step by step.
• Keep on moving— it's only a few steps further.
• Take two steps forward and one step back.
• The promotion was a big step up in his career.
• There was a new spring in his step.
• This won't solve the problem but it's a step in the right direction.
• What I need is a step-by-step guide to building your own home.
• the baby's first steps
Idioms: break step ▪ fall into step ▪ in of step ▪ mind your step ▪ one step forward, two steps back ▪ out of line ▪ step ahead ▪ step at a time ▪ step into somebody's shoes ▪ step into the breach ▪ step on it ▪ step on somebody's toes ▪ step out of line ▪ step up to the plate

Derived: step back ▪ step down ▪ step forward ▪ step in ▪ step out ▪ step something up ▪ step up

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

step / step / noun (STAGE)

B2 [ C ] a stage in a process:

What's the next step in the programme?

We must stay one step ahead of our competitors.

Most people believe that the decision to cut interest rates was a step in the right direction .

Let's take things a step/ one step at a time (= slowly) .

Following the success of our products in Europe, our logical next step is to move into the American market.

B2 [ C ] an action in a series of actions taken for a particular purpose:

The country is taking its first tentative steps towards democracy.

We need to take drastic steps to reduce pollution.

The president took the unusual step of altering his prepared speech in order to condemn the terrorist attack.

step by step C1 dealing with one thing and then another thing in a fixed order:

step-by-step instructions

Don't worry - I'll go through the procedure with you step by step.

step / step / noun (STAIR)

B1 [ C ] one of the surfaces that you walk on when you go up or down stairs:

a flight of steps

We had to climb some steps to reach the front door.

I asked them to leave the parcel on the (front) step (= outside the door to the house) .

Mind the step as you leave the train.

It's difficult for people in wheelchairs to negotiate (= move up and down) steps.

One of the steps on the ladder is broken.

steps [ plural ] another word for stepladder :

kitchen steps

library steps

step / step / noun (FOOT MOVEMENT)

B1 [ C ] the act of lifting one foot and putting it down on a different part of the ground, such as when you walk or run:

Sophie took her first steps when she was eleven months old.

He rose to his feet and took a couple of steps towards her.

With every step, her feet hurt her more and more.

I retraced my steps, looking for my lost keys.

→ See also footstep

[ C ] the distance you cover when you take a step:

I'd only gone a few steps down the road when I realized I'd forgotten to lock the door.

[ U ] the way you move your feet when you are walking or running, which can sometimes show how you are feeling:

She walked out of the office with a spring in her step (= in a way that showed she was happy) .

The driver told us to mind/watch our step (= walk carefully) as we got off the bus.

[ C ] a particular movement that you make with your feet when you dance:

She's teaching me some basic dance steps.

in step When people walk in step, they lift their feet off the ground and put them down again at the same time:

The soldiers marched in step.

describes opinions, ideas, or ways of living that are the same as those of other people:

Television companies need to keep in step with public opinion.

out of step When someone is out of step, they do not lift the same foot and put it down again at the same time as other people:

I'm no good at dancing - I always get hopelessly out of step.

describes opinions, ideas, or ways of living that are different from those of other people:

The Republicans are out of step with the country, Williams said.

He thinks that everyone is out of step except him.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

step

[ste̱p]
♦
steps, stepping, stepped
1) N-COUNT If you take a step, you lift your foot and put it down in a different place, for example when you are walking.
  I took a step towards him...
  She walked on a few steps...
  I followed her, five steps behind...
  He heard steps in the corridor.
2) VERB If you step on something or step in a particular direction, you put your foot on the thing or move your foot in that direction.
  [V prep/adv] This was the moment when Neil Armstrong became the first man to step on the Moon...
  [V prep/adv] She accidentally stepped on his foot on a crowded commuter train...
  [V prep/adv] I tried to step back, but he held my upper arms too tightly.
3) N-COUNT Steps are a series of surfaces at increasing or decreasing heights, on which you put your feet in order to walk up or down to a different level.
  This little room was along a passage and down some steps...
  A flight of stone steps leads to the terrace.
  Syn:
  stairs
4) N-COUNT A step is a raised flat surface in front of a door.
→ See also doorstep
  A little girl was sitting on the step of the end house...
  Leave empty milk bottles on the step.
5) N-COUNT: oft N prep/adv A step is one of a series of actions that you take in order to achieve something.
  He greeted the agreement as the first step towards peace...
  She is not content with her present lot and wishes to take steps to improve it...
  The elections were a step in the right direction, but there is a lot more to be done.
6) N-COUNT A step in a process is one of a series of stages.
  The next step is to put the theory into practice...
  Aristotle took the scientific approach a step further.
  Syn:
  stage
7) N-COUNT The steps of a dance are the sequences of foot movements which make it up.
  Syn:
  movement
8) N-SING: poss N Someone's step is the way they walk.
  He quickened his step...
  There was a real spring in her step.
9) N-PLURAL Steps are the same as a stepladder. [BRIT]
10) PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR If you stay one step ahead of someone or something, you manage to achieve more than they do or avoid competition or danger from them.
  Successful travel is partly a matter of keeping one step ahead of the crowd...
  Businessmen cluster together to get ideas, tips, personal contacts anything to get a step ahead of the computer.
  ...nations only a few steps ahead of famine.
11) PHRASE: PHR after v If people who are walking or dancing are in step, they are moving their feet forward at exactly the same time as each other. If they are out of step, their feet are moving forward at different times.
  They were almost the same height and they moved perfectly in step...
  They jogged in silence a while, faces lowered, out of step...
  She slipped her hand into his and fell into step beside him.
12) PHRASE: usu PHR with n If people are in step with each other, their ideas or opinions are the same. If they are out of step with each other, their ideas or opinions are different.
  Moscow is anxious to stay in step with Washington...
  The British Government is once more out of step with world opinion.
13) PHRASE If you tell someone to step on it, you are telling them to go faster or hurry up. [INFORMAL]
  We've only got thirty-five minutes so step on it.
  Syn:
  hurry up
14) PHRASE: PHR with v, PHR n If you do something step by step, you do it by progressing gradually from one stage to the next.
  I am not rushing things and I'm taking it step by step...
  Follow our simple step-by-step instructions.
15) PHRASE If someone tells you to watch your step, they are warning you to be careful about how you behave or what you say so that you do not get into trouble.
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - step aside
  - step back
  - step down
  - step aside
  - step in
  - step out
  - step up
  Syn:
  be careful

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹step /ˈstɛp/ noun, pl steps
1 [count]
a : a movement made by lifting your foot and putting it down in a different place
• counting our steps
• She took one step forward/backward.
• The baby took her first steps today.
• He had to retrace his steps [=go back along the way he had come] to find his keys.
b : the sound of a foot making a step : footstep
• I heard steps on the stairs.
c : the distance covered in one step
• The edge of the cliff was only about three steps to my left. also; : a short distance
• The cottage is just steps from the beach.
d : a mark left by a foot or shoe : footprint
• steps in the sand
2 [singular] : the way that someone walks
• He walks with a spring in his step.
• She walked down the hall with a quick/light step.
- see also goose step, lockstep
3 [count] : one of a series of actions that are done to achieve something
• a major/important step towards independence
• We are taking steps to correct the situation.
• The court's decision is a step backward/forward for the reform movement. [=it is something that will hurt/help the reform movement]
• Exercise won't solve all your health problems, but it's a step in the right direction. [=it will improve your health]
• They're taking baby steps. [=they're doing minor things that produce only a small amount of progress toward achieving something]
4 [count] : a stage in a process
• We're in the first/intermediate/last steps of the negotations.
• She's one step nearer/closer to graduation.
• I want to take it a step further. [=I want to move to the next stage in the process]
• He was criticized at every step. = He was criticized every step of the way.
• We'll guide you through the process step by step.
• Let's take this one step at a time.
5 [count] : a level or rank in a scale
• a step above/below average
• a step beyond what was expected
• The new job is a step up/down for her. [=the new job is more/less important, challenging, etc., than the job she had before]
6 [count] : the flat piece of wood, stone, etc., that forms one of the levels of a staircase
• They sat on the steps in front of the house.
• The top step [=stair] squeaks when you step on it.
- see picture at house; see also doorstep
7 [count] : a movement or pattern of movements made by someone who is dancing
• a ballet step
• dance steps
8 US music : the distance from one tone of a musical scale to the next

[count]

• The melody moves up/down a step.

[noncount]

• The melody moves upward by step [=in a series of steps] from D to C.
- see also half step, whole step
9 [count] : a piece of exercise equipment consisting of a small platform that you use by stepping on and off it
• Working out with a step can be very rigorous.
- see also step aerobics
10 steps [plural] Brit : stepladder
a/one step ahead of
1 : better prepared than (someone or something)
• The teacher really has to work to keep one step ahead of the class.
• She always seems to be one step ahead of me.
2 : able to avoid being caught or found by (someone or something)
• So far the killer has managed to stay one step ahead of the police/law. [=managed to avoid being caught by the police]
break step : to stop walking or marching with the same rhythm as another person or group of people
• The soldier was startled and broke step.
fall into step : to begin walking or marching with the same rhythm as another person or group of people
• He fell into step beside her and struck up a conversation.
in step
1 : with the same rhythm as someone or something
• They walked in step down the avenue.
- usually + with
• We danced in step with the music.
2 : matching or agreeing with someone or something
• She's in step with people her age. [=she has the same ideas, problems, etc., as other people her age]
• The practice is not in step with modern morality.
mind/watch your step
1 : to walk carefully
• It's slippery, so watch your step.
2 : to speak or behave carefully
• You'd better watch your step with me, young lady.
out of step
1 : not moving with the same rhythm as someone or something
• One of the dancers was out of step.
2 : not matching or agreeing with someone or something
• Her fashion sense is completely out of step.
- often + with
• She's out of step with current fashion.
• Critics say the rule is out of step with the times. [=the rule does not agree with the ideas that are popular or important now]
- step·like /ˈstɛpˌlaɪk/ adj
- stepped /ˈstɛpt/ adj
• a stepped pyramid [=a pyramid with sides made of steps]

step

noun

January

/ˈdʒæn.ju.er.i/

/ˈdʒæn.ju.ə.ri/

the first month of the year, after December and before February

Persian equivalent:

Example:

I went to Paris in January.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Level:

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

January

noun
the first month of the year

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

January

Jan‧u‧a‧ry /ˈdʒænjuəri, -njʊri $ -njueri/ BrE AmE noun (plural Januaries) [uncountable and countable] (written abbreviation Jan.)
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Latin; Origin: Januarius, from Janus ancient Roman god of doors, gates, and new beginnings]
the first month of the year, between December and February
next/last January
I haven’t heard from him since last January.
in January
She started working there in January.
on January 6th
Rosie’s party was on January 6th.
on 6th January British English:
He took office on 6th January 1999.
January 6 American English:
The package arrived January 6.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

January

Janu·ary [January Januaries] [ˈdʒænjuəri] [ˈdʒænjueri] noun uncountable, countable (abbr. Jan.)
the 1st month of the year, between December and February. To see how January is used, look at the examples at April.
Word Origin:

Old English, from Latin Januarius (mensis) ‘(month) of Janus ’, the Roman god who presided over doors and beginnings.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

January / ˈdʒæn.jʊ.ri / / -juː.er.i / noun [ C or U ] ( written abbreviation Jan. )

A1 the first month of the year, after December and before February:

Her father died in January.

His birthday is 25 January .

We're going skiing next January.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

January

[ʤæ̱njəri, AM -jueri]
♦
Januaries
N-VAR
January is the first month of the year in the Western calendar.
  We always have snow in January...
  She was born on January 6, 1946...
  I haven't seen my own daughter since last January.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

January

Jan·u·ary /ˈʤænjəˌweri/ noun, pl -ar·ies : the first month of the year

[noncount]

• in (early/middle/mid-/late) January
• early/late in January
• They arrived on January the fourth. = (US) They arrived on January fourth. = They arrived on the fourth of January.

[count]

• Sales are up (for) this January in comparison with the previous two Januaries.
- abbr. Jan.;

January

noun

beginning

/bɪˈɡɪn.ɪŋ/

the start or first part of an event, story, period of time etc

Persian equivalent:

Example:

This is just the beginning.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

beginnings and starts

Level:

A2 (Elementary)

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

beginning

noun
the time or place where something starts; the first part of something:
I didn't see the beginning of the film.
opposite end

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

beginning

be‧gin‧ning S1 W2 /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/ BrE AmE noun [countable usually singular]
[Word Family: noun: ↑beginner, ↑beginning; verb: ↑begin]
1. the start or first part of an event, story, period of time etc
beginning of
She’s been here since the beginning of the year.
There’s a short poem at the beginning of every chapter.
From the beginning of my career as a journalist, I’ve been writing about gender issues.
I thought he loved me; perhaps he did in the beginning.
That chance meeting marked the beginning of a long and happy relationship.
This is just the beginning of a new and different life for you.
I said he would cause trouble, right from the beginning.
I opposed it from the very beginning.
The whole trip was a disaster from beginning to end.
I feel like I’ve been offered a new beginning.
Could we start at the beginning? Tell me where you first met him.
2. beginnings [plural] the early signs or stages of something that later develops into something bigger or more important
beginnings of
I think I have the beginnings of a cold.
from humble/small beginnings
He rose from humble beginnings to great wealth.
3. the beginning of the end the time when something good starts to end
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ a new beginning The country needed a new government and a new beginning.
■ verbs
▪ mark the beginning of something (also signal/herald the beginning of something) (=show that something is starting to happen) This event marked the beginning of a ten-year worldwide depression.
▪ see the beginning of something (=be the time when something important starts to happen) The 1970s saw the beginning of a technological revolution.
■ phrases
▪ right at/from the beginning (=used for emphasis) That’s what I suggested right at the beginning.
▪ at/from the very beginning (=used for emphasis) He had been lying to me from the very beginning.
▪ start at the beginning (=start a story or activity at the first part) Just start at the beginning and tell us exactly what happened.
▪ from beginning to end The whole project was full of problems from beginning to end.
▪ something is just/only the beginning (=used to emphasize that many more things will happen) Signing the contract is just the beginning of a long process.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ beginning the first part of something such as a story, event, or period of time: The beginning of the movie is very violent. | Let’s go back to the beginning.
▪ start the beginning of something, or the way something begins: Tomorrow marks the start of the presidential election campaign. | It was not a good start to the day. | The runners lined up for the start of the race.
▪ commencement formal the beginning of something – used especially in official contexts: the commencement of the academic year | the commencement of the contract
▪ origin the point from which something starts to exist: He wrote a book about the origins of the universe. | The tradition has its origins in medieval times.
▪ the onset of something the time when something bad begins, such as illness, old age, or cold weather: the onset of winter | An active lifestyle can delay the onset of many diseases common to aging.
▪ dawn literary the beginning of an important period of time in history: People have worshipped gods since the dawn of civilization.
▪ birth the beginning of something important that will change many people’s lives: the birth of democracy in South Africa | the birth of the environmental movement

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

beginning

be·gin·ning [beginning beginnings] [bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ] [bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ] noun
1. countable, usually singular ~ (of sth) the time when sth starts; the first part of an event, a story, etc
• We're going to Japan at the beginning of July.
• She's been working there since the beginning of last summer.
• We missed the beginning of the movie.
• Let's start again from the beginning.
• The birth of their first child marked the beginning of a new era in their married life.

• I've read the whole book from beginning to end and still can't understand it. At the beginning (of) is used for the time and place when something begins. In the beginning = at first and suggests a contrast with a later situation.

2. beginnings plural the first or early ideas, signs or stages of sth
• Did democracy have its beginnings in ancient Greece?
• He built up his multimillion-pound music business from small beginnings.
Idiom: beginning of the end
Thesaurus:
beginning noun
1. usually sing.
• the beginning of July/the movie
start • • opening • • birth • |formal outset • • onset • |literary dawn • |(in football) kick-off •
Opp: end, Opp: ending
at the beginning/start/opening/outset/onset/birth/dawn (of sth)
in the beginning
from the (very) beginning/start/outset
Beginning or start? Compare:
• We missed the beginning of the movie (= the first few scenes).
• We'll miss the start of the game (= the moment when it starts; the kick-off).
• from start to finish
• from beginning to end
¤ from start to end
• ¤ from beginning to finish
:
• the beginning/start of the day/week/year/century/a new era
• at the beginning of July/summer /the 90s
¤ at the start of July/summer/the 90s:
• I want to make an early start
¤ I want to make an early beginning.
2. beginnings pl.
• From these small beginnings it grew into the vast company we know today.
origin/origins • • source • • root • • starting point •
Opp: end, Opp: ending
have its beginnings/origin/source/roots in sth
from these/this beginnings/source/starting point
Example Bank:
• From these small beginnings it grew into the vast company we know today.
• I disliked her from the very beginning.
• I'm paid at the beginning of each month.
• In the beginning I found the course very difficult.
• It was an auspicious beginning to his long career.
• She spoke of a new beginning for the nation.
• Tell me the whole story, right from the beginning.
• That day was the beginning of the end of our friendship.
• The play was nonsense from beginning to end.
• The society had its early beginnings in discussion groups.
• These changes are just the beginning: much more is to come.
• This invention marked the beginning of the modern age.
• a custom that traces its beginnings to the 15th century
• I've read the whole book from beginning to end.
• Let's start again from the beginning.
• She's been working there since the beginning of last summer.
• We're going to Japan at the beginning of July.

• the beginning/start of the day/week/year/century/a new era

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

beginning / bɪˈɡɪn.ɪŋ / noun

A2 [ C usually singular , U ] the first part of something or the start of something:

Notes on how to use this dictionary can be found at the beginning of the book.

She sat down and read the book straight through from beginning to end .

I enjoyed my job at/in the beginning (= when I started it) , but I'm bored with it now.

[ C often plural ] the origin of something, or the place, time, or way in which something started:

The city had its beginnings in Roman times.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

beginning

[bɪgɪ̱nɪŋ]
♦♦♦
beginnings
1) N-COUNT: usu sing The beginning of an event or process is the first part of it.
  This was also the beginning of her recording career...
  Think of this as a new beginning.
  Syn:
  start
  Ant:
  end
2) N-PLURAL: usu the N, oft N of n The beginnings of something are the signs or events which form the first part of it.
  I had the beginnings of a headache...
  The discussions were the beginnings of a dialogue with Moscow.
3) N-SING: the N The beginning of a period of time is the time at which it starts.
  The wedding will be at the beginning of March.
  Ant:
  end
4) N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N of n The beginning of a piece of written material is the first words or sentences of it.
  ...the question which was raised at the beginning of this chapter.
  Ant:
  end
5) N-PLURAL: usu with supp If you talk about the beginnings of a person, company, or group, you are referring to their backgrounds or origins.
  His views come from his own humble beginnings.
6) ADJ: ADJ n You use beginning to describe someone who is in the early stages of learning to do something.
  The people that she had in her classroom were beginning learners.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹be·gin·ning /bɪˈgɪnɪŋ/ noun, pl -nings
1 [count] : the point or time at which something begins : a starting point - usually singular
• He has been working there since the beginning of the year.
• A poem was recited at the beginning of the wedding ceremony.
• It was clear from the (very) beginning that she would eventually succeed.
• The company was very small in the beginning [=when it began], but it eventually became a giant corporation.
• The argument marked the beginning of the end of their marriage. [=the argument was the start of a series of events that led to the end of their marriage]
2 [count] : the first part of something
• Go back to the beginning of the song.
• We were late, so we missed the beginning of the movie.
• The changes that have been made so far are just/only the beginning. There are many more changes still to come.
3 beginnings [plural]
a : an early stage or period
• I have the beginnings of a sore throat. [=my throat is starting to feel sore]
b : the origins or background of a person or thing
• He came from humble beginnings.
• the company's modest beginnings in an old warehouse
• The organization had its beginnings [=began] in a small Midwestern town.

beginning

noun

life

life [noun]

/laɪf/

Example:

There was no sign of life in him.

the period of time when someone is alive

Persian equivalent:

Example:

There was no sign of life in him.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Level:

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

life

noun (plural lives )

1 (no plural) People, animals and plants have life while they are alive, but things like stone, metal and water do not:
Do you believe there is life after death?
Is there life on other planets?

2 (plural lives) being alive:
Many people lost their lives (= died) in the fire.
The doctor saved her life (= stopped her dying).

3 (plural lives) the time that somebody is alive:
He has lived here all his life.

4 (plural lives) the way that you live or the experiences that you have when you are alive:
They were very happy throughout their married life.
They lead a busy life.

5 (no plural) energy; being busy and interested:
Young children are full of life.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

life

life S1 W1 /laɪf/ BrE AmE noun (plural lives /laɪvz/)
[Word Family: noun: life, lifelessness, lifer; adjective: lifeless, lifelike, lifelong; adverb: lifelessly]
[Language: Old English; Origin: lif]
1. TIME SOMEBODY IS ALIVE [uncountable and countable] the period of time when someone is alive:
Learning goes on throughout life.
You have your whole life ahead of you.
in sb’s life
For the first time in my life I was happy.
I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life!
I’ve known John all my life (=since I was born).
His main aim in life was to have fun.
It was one of the best days of my life.
The accident scarred him for life (=for the rest of his life).
She knew she’d feel guilty for the rest of her life.
Raj spent his life caring for others.
Bonington spent his entire adult life in France.
We don’t know much about the poet’s early life (=when he was young).
Poor diet can lead to a whole range of diseases in later life (=when you are older).
She married late in life (=when she was fairly old).
He’s a life member (=continuing until he dies) of the club.
2. STATE OF BEING ALIVE [uncountable and countable] the state of being alive:
The right to life is the most basic of human rights.
Danny was a cheerful little boy who loved life.
Two firefighters risked their lives to save the children.
3. WAY SOMEBODY LIVES [countable usually singular] the way you live your life, and what you do and experience during it
lead/live/have a ... life
The operation should enable Bobby to lead a normal life.
She just wanted to live a quiet life.
Having a baby changes your life completely.
The family moved to Australia to start a new life.
Ken’s whole life revolved around surfing (=that was the main interest and purpose of his life).
You shouldn’t let your boyfriend rule your life (=control and affect everything you do).
My grandmother had a hard life (=a life full of problems).
She’s led a very sheltered life (=a life in which you have been protected from unpleasant things).
a life of crime/poverty/misery etc
He had been drawn into a life of crime.
4. PARTICULAR SITUATION/JOB [uncountable and countable]
a) the experiences, activities, and ways of living that are typical of being in a particular job, situation, society etc:
Why do so few women enter political life?
the British way of life
city/country/village etc life
Noise has become one of the main pollutants of modern city life.
army/student/college etc life
He missed the routine of army life.
Are you enjoying married life?
b) the time in your life when you are doing a particular job, are in a particular situation etc
sb’s life as something
Now a celebrity chef, he rarely talks about his life as an army cook.
Sara admits to having affairs throughout her married life.
Most of his working life was spent in the shipyards.
5. social/personal/sex etc life the activities in your life relating to your friends, your family, sex etc:
I don’t need advice about my love life.
traditional views of family life
Children need a caring and happy home life.
6. HUMAN EXISTENCE [uncountable] human existence, considered as a variety of experiences and activities:
My Aunt Julia had very little experience of life.
Life has a way of changing the best of plans.
For some people, religion gives life a meaning.
daily/everyday life
the frustrations and disappointments of everyday life
I try to see the funny side of life.
7. TIME WHEN SOMETHING EXISTS/WORKS [countable usually singular]
a) the period of time during which something happens or exists
life of
The issues will not be resolved during the life of the present parliament.
start/begin/come to life as something
The building began life as a monastery.
b) the period of time during which something is still good enough to use
life of
What’s the average life of a passenger aircraft?
Careful use can extend the life of your washing machine. ⇨ ↑shelf life
8. LIVING THINGS [uncountable]
a) the quality of being alive that people, animals, plants etc have and that objects and dead things do not have:
Ben felt her neck for a pulse or any other sign of life.
In the springtime, everything comes to life again.
b) living things, such as people, animals, or plants:
Is there life on other planets?
human/animal/plant/bird etc life
The island is rich in bird life. ⇨ ↑wildlife
9. be sb’s (whole) life to be the most important thing or person to someone:
Music is Laura’s whole life.
10. life and death (also life or death) used for emphasizing that a situation, decision etc is extremely urgent and important, especially because someone is at risk of dying:
Don’t call me unless it’s a matter of life and death.
a life or death decision
A doctor’s job involves life and death situations.
11. GAME [countable] a chance in a game, especially a computer game, in which you can be defeated or do something wrong and can still continue playing:
He’s up to level five and still has three lives left.
12. ACTIVITY [uncountable] activity or movement:
The house was quiet and there was no sign of life.
She was always so cheerful and full of life.
13. INTEREST/EXCITEMENT [uncountable] a quality of being interesting or exciting:
Try to put some life into your writing.
The game really came to life after a magnificent goal from Rooney.
A gifted teacher can really bring literature to life for his or her students.
14. come to life/roar into life/splutter into life etc to suddenly start working:
Finally the car spluttered into life.
15. make life difficult/easier etc to make it difficult, easier etc to do something:
Surely computers are supposed to make life easier, not more complicated!
make life difficult/easier etc for
Why make life difficult for yourself?
16. the life and soul of the party British English, the life of the party American English someone who enjoys social occasions and is fun and exciting to be with
17. life and limb formal your life and physical health – used especially when this is threatened in some way:
She risks life and limb every day in her job as an undercover investigator.
18. get a life! spoken used to tell someone that you think they are boring and should find more exciting things to do:
You guys should just stop moaning and get a life!
19. that’s life (also such is life) spoken used to say that something is disappointing but you have to accept it:
Oh well, that’s life!
20. life’s a bitch spoken not polite used to say that bad things happen in life
21. this is the life spoken used when you are relaxing and doing something you enjoy:
Ah, this is the life! Lying on the beach, sipping cool drinks.
22. the shock/surprise/game etc of sb’s life the biggest shock or surprise, the best game etc that someone has ever had:
I had the surprise of my life when I saw John standing there. ⇨ have the time of your life at ↑time¹(41)
23. how’s life? spoken used to ask someone if they are well, what they have been doing etc:
Hi Bob! How’s life?
How’s life been with you?
24. life goes on spoken used to say that you must continue to live a normal life even when something sad or disappointing has happened:
We both miss him, but life goes on.
25. a life of its own
a) if something has a life of its own, it seems to move or work by itself:
The ball seemed to have acquired a life of its own.
b) if something has a life of its own, it exists and develops without depending on other things:
Slowly but surely, the project is taking on a life of its own.
26. cannot for the life of me spoken used to say that you cannot remember or understand something even when you try hard:
I couldn’t for the life of me remember his name.
27. life’s too short spoken used to say that you should not waste time doing something or worrying about something:
Forget about it. Life’s too short.
life’s too short for
Life’s too short for moping about.
life’s too short to do something
Life’s too short to bear grudges.
28. not on your life spoken used as a reply to a question or suggestion to say that you definitely will not do something:
‘Are you going to go and work for him then?’ ‘Not on your life!’
29. the woman/man/girl etc in your life the woman or man you are married to or are having a relationship with – used especially in advertisements:
This is the ideal gift for the man in your life.
30. PRISON [uncountable] (also life imprisonment) the punishment of being put in prison for the rest of your life
be sentenced to/get/be given life
He was sentenced to life for the murder.
I think she should get life. ⇨ ↑life sentence, ↑lifer
31. ART [uncountable] when you paint, draw etc something you are looking at, especially a person or animal:
She’s taking classes in life drawing. ⇨ ↑still life
32. frighten/scare the life out of somebody informal to make someone feel very frightened:
Don’t do that! You scared the life out of me!
33. there’s life in the old dog yet spoken used to say that although someone or something is old, they are still able to do something – used humorously
34. live/lead/have the life of Riley informal to have a very easy and comfortable life and not have to work hard:
He spends all day lounging by the pool and living the life of Riley.
35. BOOK/FILM [uncountable] the story of someone’s life SYN biography:
Boswell’s ‘Life of Johnson’
36. the next life (also the life to come), life after death the time after death, in which some people believe life continues in another form:
She expects to meet her dead husband in the next life.
⇨ as large as life at large¹(7), ⇨ change of life, ⇨ for dear life at dear³(6), ⇨ double life, ⇨ high life at high¹(22), ⇨ a new lease of life at lease¹(2), ⇨ quality of life at quality¹(5), ⇨ real life at real¹(3), ⇨ real-life, ⇨ true to life at true¹(9), ⇨ walk of life
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ save sb’s life The money you give will save the life of a child.
▪ risk your life He risked his life to help Jews during the Second World War.
▪ lose your life (=die) Hundreds of people lost their lives on the first day of the fighting.
▪ take a/sb’s life (=kill someone) All cultures consider it wrong to take a life for no reason.
▪ take your own life (=kill yourself) He was depressed and decided to take his own life.
▪ claim the life of somebody (=kill someone – used of a thing) The disease claimed the lives of up to a quarter of the population.
▪ cost lives/cost somebody their life (=result in deaths/in someone’s death) That decision may have cost him his life.
▪ give your life/lay down your life (=die in order to save other people, or because of a strong belief) These men gave their lives during the war to keep us free.
▪ endanger the life of somebody They wanted to capture the gunman without endangering the lives of his hostages.
▪ spare sb’s life (=not kill someone, when you could kill them) She begged him to spare the life of her son.
▪ be fighting for your life (=be so ill or injured that you might die) One badly burned man was fighting for his life in hospital.
▪ cling to life (=try to stay alive, even though you are very ill or injured) She clung to life, despite the pain.
■ phrases
▪ owe your life to somebody (=be still alive because of someone’s actions) The victim said he owed his life to the stranger who helped him.
▪ take your life in your hands (=put yourself in a dangerous situation) Just crossing this road is taking your life in your hands.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say 'the cost of life'. Say the cost of living.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

life

life [life lives] [laɪf] [laɪf] noun (pl. lives [laɪvz] ; [laɪvz] )

STATE OF LIVING
1. uncountable the ability to breathe, grow, reproduce, etc. which people, animals and plants have before they die and which objects do not have
• life and death
• The body was cold and showed no signs of life.
• My father died last year— I wish I could bring him back to life.

• In spring the countryside bursts into life.

2. uncountable, countable the state of being alive as a human; an individual person's existence
• The floods caused a massive loss of life (= many people were killed).
• He risked his life to save his daughter from the fire.
• Hundreds of lives were threatened when the building collapsed.
• The operation saved her life.
• My grandfather lost his life (= was killed) in the war.

• Several attempts have been made on the President's life (= several people have tried to kill him).

LIVING THINGS

3. uncountable living things
• plant/animal life
• marine/pond life

• Is there intelligent life on other planets?

PERIOD OF TIME

4. countable, uncountable the period between sb's birth and their death; a part of this period
• He's lived here all his life.
• I've lived in England for most of my life.
• to have a long/short life
• He became very weak towards the end of his life.
• Brenda took up tennis late in life.
• He will spend the rest of his life (= until he dies) in a wheelchair.
• There's no such thing as a job for life any longer.
• She is a life member of the club.
• in early/adult life

see also change of life

5. countable (used with an adjective) a period of sb's life when they are in a particular situation or job
• She has been an accountant all her working life.
• He met a lot of interesting people during his life as a student.

• They were very happy throughout their married life.

6. countable the period of time when sth exists or functions
• The International Stock Exchange started life as a London coffee shop.
• They could see that the company had a limited life (= it was going to close).
• In Italy the average life of a government is eleven months.

see also shelf life

PUNISHMENT

7. uncountable the punishment of being sent to prison for life; life imprisonment
• The judge gave him life.

• She is doing life for murder.

EXPERIENCE/ACTIVITIES

8. uncountable the experience and activities that are typical of all people's existences
• the worries of everyday life
• He is young and has little experience of life.
• Commuting is a part of daily life for many people.
• Jill wants to travel and see life for herself.
• We bought a dishwasher to make life easier.
• In London life can be hard.
• In real life (= when she met him) he wasn't how she had imagined him at all.
• Life can be difficult when you move to a new town.

• Life isn't like in the movies, you know.

9. uncountable, countable the activities and experiences that are typical of a particular way of living
• country/city life
• She enjoyed political life.
• family/married life

• How do you find life in Japan?

10. countable a person's experiences during their life; the activities that form a particular part of a person's life
• He has had a good life.
• a hard/an easy life
• My day-to-day life is not very exciting.
• a life of luxury
• Her daily life involved meeting lots of people.
• She lived a quiet life in the countryside.
• Many of these children have led very sheltered lives (= they have not had many different experiences).
• They emigrated to start a new life in Canada.
• He doesn't like to talk about his private life.
• She has a full social life.
• articles about the love lives of the stars

see also sex life

ENERGY/EXCITEMENT

11. uncountable the quality of being active and exciting
Syn: vitality

• This is a great holiday resort that is full of life.

IN ART

12. uncountable a living model or a real object or scene that people draw or paint
• She had lessons in drawing from life.
• a life class (= one in which art students draw a naked man or woman)

see also still life

STORY OF LIFE

13. countable a story of sb's life
Syn: biography

• She wrote a life of Mozart.

IN CHILDREN'S GAMES

14. countable one of a set number of chances before a player is out of a game
• He's lost two lives, so he's only got one left.
more at you can bet your life/your bottom dollar (on sth/(that)…) at bet _v., the breath of life at breath, breathe (new) life into sth at breathe, the change of life at change _n., depart this life at depart, a dog's life at dog _n., end your days/life at end _v., a fact of lifethe facts of life at fact, in fear of your life at fear _n., fight for (your) life at fight _v., within an inch of your life at inch _n., kiss of life at kiss _n., large as lifelarger than life at large, a new lease of life at lease, light of sb's life at light _n., a matter of life and death at matter _n., make sb's life a misery at misery, have nine lives at nine, risk life and limb at risk _v., not be able to do sth to save your life at save _v., a slice of life at slice _n., spring into/to life at spring _v., the staff of life at staff _n., that's the story of my life at story, at my, your, his, etc. time of lifehave the time of your life at time _n., true to life at true _adj., variety is the spice of life at variety, a walk of life at walk _n., a/the/sb's way of life at way _n.
Idioms: bring somebody to life ▪ come to life ▪ for dear life ▪ for the life of you ▪ for your life ▪ full of life ▪ get a life ▪ lay down your life ▪ lead the life of Riley ▪ life after death ▪ life and soul of the party ▪ life is cheap ▪ life of its own ▪ life's too short ▪ make life difficult ▪ man in your life ▪ not on your life ▪ scare the life out of somebody ▪ somebody's life ▪ take somebody's life ▪ take your life ▪ take your life in your hands ▪ that's life ▪ where there's life
Word Origin:
Old English līf, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch lijf, German Leib ‘body’, also to live¹.
Thesaurus:
life noun
1. U, C
• The body was cold and showed no signs of life.
existence • • survival •
Opp: death
sb/sth's very/continued/day-to-day life/existence/survival
threaten sb/sth's life/existence/survival
fight for your life/survival
2. C, U
• I've lived here all my life.
lifetime • • career • • in sb's day •
in/of sb's life/lifetime/career/day
during sb's life/lifetime/career
a life/lifetime/career of doing sth
3. C
• How do you find life in America?
lifestyle • • way of life • • living • • existence •
(sb's) day-to-day life/living/existence
a comfortable/busy life/lifestyle/existence
have/lead/enjoy a… life/lifestyle/existence
4. U
• We need to inject some new life into this project.
energy • • vitality • • fire • • dynamism • • spark • • gusto • • zest • |BrE vigour • |AmE vigor •
new life/energy/vitality/zest/vigour
be full of life/energy/vitality/fire/dynamism/zest/vigour
Collocations:
The living world
Animals
animals mate/breed/reproduce/feed (on sth)
fish/amphibians swim/spawn (= lay eggs)
birds fly/migrate/nest/sing
insects crawl/fly/bite/sting
insects/bees/locusts swarm
bees collect/gather nectar/pollen
spiders spin/weave a web
snakes/lizards shed their skins
bears/hedgehogs/frogs hibernate
insect larvae grow/develop/pupate
an egg/a chick/a larva hatches
attract/find/choose a mate
produce/release eggs/sperm
lay/fertilize/incubate/hatch eggs
inhabit a forest/a reef/the coast
mark/enter/defend (a) territory
stalk/hunt/capture/catch/kill prey
Plants and fungi
trees/plants grow/bloom/blossom/flower
a seed germinates/sprouts
leaves/buds/roots/shoots appear/develop/form
flower buds swell/open
a fungus grows/spreads/colonizes sth
pollinate/fertilize a flower/plant
produce/release/spread/disperse pollen/seeds/spores
produce/bear fruit
develop/grow/form roots/shoots/leaves
provide/supply/absorb/extract/release nutrients
perform/increase/reduce photosynthesis
Bacteria and viruses
bacteria/microbes/viruses grow/spread/multiply
bacteria/microbes live/thrive in/on sth
bacteria/microbes/viruses evolve/colonize sth/cause disease
bacteria break sth down/convert sth (into sth)
a virus enters/invades sth/the body
a virus mutates/evolves/replicates (itself)
be infected with/contaminated with/exposed to a new strain of a virus/drug-resistant bacteria
contain/carry/harbour (especially US) harbor bacteria/a virus
kill/destroy/eliminate harmful/deadly bacteria
Example Bank:
• He always believed in living life to the full.
• He always had a great love of life.
• He built his whole life around his children.
• He devoted his life to the education of deaf children.
• He ended his life a happy man.
• He gave up his high-flying job and now enjoys a better quality of life.
• He had been leading a double life, married to two women.
• He hopes the development will breathe new life into the community.
• He lost his life in an air crash.
• He met the love of his life at college.
• He never discussed the unhappiness of his past life.
• He never let his work dominate his life.
• He ruined his life through drinking.
• He spent his whole life in Cornwall.
• He was a miner all his working life.
• He'll be haunted by the crash for the rest of his life.
• Her paintings became more obscure towards the end of her life.
• His fame was so sudden that he was unprepared for public life.
• His foolishness almost cost him his life.
• His time in London was his first glimpse of the seamier side of life.
• I had the fright of my life when I saw the snake in my bed.
• I owe my life to the the doctors at the hospital.
• I think I may have been an animal in a previous life.
• I wanted to see something of life before I settled down.
• I've always had a fairly optimistic outlook on life.
• I've known her all my life.
• In later life he took up writing.
• It's nice to see an old man still so full of life.
• Japanese people have a very high life expectancy.
• Learning meditation changed her life.
• No lives were lost in the accident.
• Only his wife had access to his inner life.
• She begged the soldiers to spare her son's life.
• She clung to life for several weeks.
• She did not tolerate press intrusion into her private life.
• She discovered jazz quite late in life.
• She is still rebuilding her life after the accident.
• She leads a busy social life.
• She loved the Spanish way of life and immediately felt at home there.
• She risked her life for the sake of the children.
• She sensed she was entering a new phase in her life.
• She thought marriage should be for life.
• She took her own life.
• She went through life always wanting what she couldn't get.
• She's critically ill, on life support.
• The city only comes to life at night.
• The crash claimed 43 lives.
• The driver showed no signs of life.
• The hotel started life as a prison.
• The pace of life is much gentler on the island.
• The plane crashed with heavy loss of life.
• There has only been one woman in her life.
• There have been three attempts on the president's life.
• These talks are a matter of life and death for the factory.
• They both seem to want the same things out of life.
• They need some new, younger staff to breathe some life into the company.
• They went to Australia to start a new life.
• They were enjoying the high life in the smartest hotels of New York.
• They're living a life of luxury in the Bahamas.
• Throughout her life she was dogged by loneliness.
• Witnesses are living in fear for their life after giving evidence against the gang.
• You're still in the prime of life.
• a child bursting with life
• a drug that will save lives
• a life-support machine
• a real-life drama
• anti-abortionists campaigning for the right to life
• for the first time in her life
• Bad posture is one of the causes of back pain in later life.
• He doesn't like to talk about his private life.
• He has had a hard life.
• He is young and has little experience of life.
• He met a lot of interesting people during his life as a student.
• He said the men had threatened his life.
• He spent his entire adult life in France.
• He will spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
• He's lived here all his life.
• How do you find life in America?
• I've lived in England for most of my life.
• In Italy at that time the average life of a government was eleven months.
• In real life he wasn't how she had imagined him at all.
• Life isn't like in the movies, you know.
• Many of these children have led very sheltered lives.
• My father died last year— I wish I could bring him back to life.
• My grandfather lost his life in the Second World War.
• My mother took up tennis late in life.
• She has a full social life.
• She has been an accountant all her working life.
• She led a life of luxury.
• The International Stock Exchange started life as a London coffee shop.
• The body was cold and showed no signs of life.
• The floods caused a massive loss of life.
• The operation saved her life.
• The product has a guaranteed shelf life of 60 days.
• The worries of everyday life can become unbearable for people with this condition.
• There's no such thing as a job for life any longer.
• They emigrated to start a new life in America.
• They were very happy throughout their married life.
• We bought a dishwasher to make life easier.
• We need to inject some new life into this project.
• Yet more species of plant and animal life die out as their very specialized habitat is disturbed.
• You mustn't let anyone know— it's a matter of life and death.

• pond life

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

life / laɪf / noun ( plural lives )

A1 [ C or U ] the period between birth and death, or the experience or state of being alive:

Life's too short to worry about money!

I'm not sure I want to spend the rest of my life with him.

Unfortunately, accidents are part of life.

He went mad towards the end of his life.

Cats are supposed to have nine lives.

He doesn't know what he really wants in/out of life.

The accident changed my whole outlook on life.

He lost his life (= died suddenly because of a violent event or accident) in the Great War.

A simple mixture of glucose and water can save lives in many parts of the world.

He ran off with her life savings (= all the money she had saved) .

→ See also afterlife , pro-life

B1 [ C or U ] a way of living or a particular part of someone's life:

her family/private/sex life

my working life

We interviewed senior politicians, famous writers, and others in public life.

Drugs and violence are deeply rooted in American life.

I left home at 16 to see life (= have different experiences with a lot of people in lots of places) .

Teaching has been her life (= the most important and enjoyable thing in her life) .

C2 [ C usually singular ] the period for which a machine or organization lasts:

The newer batteries have a much longer life.

Careful use will prolong the life of your machine.

The legislation won't be passed during the life of the present parliament.

[ U ] the quality that makes people, animals, and plants different from objects, substances, and things that are dead:

The doctor could find no sign of life in the old man's body.

figurative I looked through the window but I couldn't see any signs of life (= people moving) .

B2 [ U ] energy or enthusiasm:

She's so full of life.

B1 [ U ] everything that is alive:

human/marine/plant life

[ U ] specialized In art, if you work from life, you paint, draw, etc. real people or objects, usually while they are in front of you rather than from memory:

life drawing classes

[ C ] informal especially in children's games, one of the limited number of times that you can lose, but still continue playing:

Every time the little man gets hit, you lose a life.

bring sth to life ( also come to life ) to make something more real or exciting, or to become more real or exciting:

It's always been an interesting period in history and this film really brought it to life.

for life C1 for the whole of a person's life:

I believe marriage is for life.

give your life ( also lay down your life ) to be willing to die in order to defend or support someone or something:

They were ready to give their lives for their country.

life after death

If you believe in life after death, you believe that people continue to exist in some form after they die.

start a new life ( also make a new life for yourself ) to completely change how or where you live:

She decided to start a new life in Australia.

Word partners for life

have / lead / live a (charmed/normal, etc.) life • spend your life (doing sth) • affect / change / ruin sb's life • lose / risk your life • save sb's life • rebuild your life • an aspect / part of sb's life • all sb's life

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

life

[la͟ɪvz]
♦
lives
1) N-UNCOUNT Life is the quality which people, animals, and plants have when they are not dead, and which objects and substances do not have.
  ...a baby's first minutes of life...
  Amnesty International opposes the death penalty as a violation of the right to life.
  ...the earth's supply of life-giving oxygen.
2) N-UNCOUNT: with supp You can use life to refer to things or groups of things which are alive.
  Is there life on Mars?...
  The book includes some useful facts about animal and plant life.
3) N-COUNT: usu poss N If you refer to someone's life, you mean their state of being alive, especially when there is a risk or danger of them dying.
  Your life is in danger...
  A nurse began to try to save his life...
  The intense fighting is reported to have claimed many lives.
4) N-COUNT: poss N Someone's life is the period of time during which they are alive.
  He spent the last fourteen years of his life in retirement...
  For the first time in his life he regretted that he had no faith.
5) N-COUNT: with supp, usu poss N You can use life to refer to a period of someone's life when they are in a particular situation or job.
  Interior designers spend their working lives keeping up to date with the latest trends...
  That was the beginning of my life in the television business.
6) N-COUNT: supp N You can use life to refer to particular activities which people regularly do during their lives.
  My personal life has had to take second place to my career...
  Most diabetics have a normal sex life.
7) N-UNCOUNT You can use life to refer to the events and experiences that happen to people while they are alive.
  Life won't be dull!...
  It's the people with insecurities who make life difficult.
  ...the sort of life we can only fantasise about living.
8) N-UNCOUNT If you know a lot about life, you have gained many varied experiences, for example by travelling a lot and meeting different kinds of people.
  I was 19 and too young to know much about life...
  I needed some time off from education to experience life.
9) N-UNCOUNT: usu supp N You can use life to refer to the things that people do and experience that are characteristic of a particular place, group, or activity.
  How did you adjust to college life?...
  ...he abhors the wheeling-and-dealing associated with conventional political life.
  ...the culture and life of north Africa.
10) N-UNCOUNT (approval) A person, place, book, or film that is full of life gives an impression of excitement, energy, or cheerfulness.
  The town itself was full of life and character...
  The rejection of the Jewish theme meant the rejection of everything that gave the script passion and life...
  He's sucked the life out of her.
11) N-COUNT: oft N of n A life of a person is a book or film which tells the story of their life.
  A life of John Paul Jones had long interested him.
  Syn:
  biography
12) N-UNCOUNT If someone is sentenced to life, they are sentenced to stay in prison for the rest of their life or for a very long time. [INFORMAL]
  He could get life in prison, if convicted.
  Syn:
  life imprisonment
13) N-COUNT: with poss The life of something such as a machine, organization, or project is the period of time that it lasts for.
  The repairs did not increase the value or the life of the equipment.
14) N-UNCOUNT In art, life refers to the producing of drawings, paintings, or sculptures that represent actual people, objects, or places, rather than images from the artist's imagination.
  ...learning to draw from life...
  She had once posed for Life classes when she was an art student.
15) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that something or someone is your life, you are emphasizing that they are extremely important to you.
  The Church is my life.
16) PHRASE: V inflects If you bring something to life or if it comes to life, it becomes interesting or exciting.
  The cold, hard cruelty of two young men is vividly brought to life in this true story...
  Poems which had seemed dull and boring suddenly came to life.
17) PHRASE: V inflects If something or someone comes to life, they become active.
  The volcano came to life a week ago.
18) PHRASE If you talk about life after death, you are discussing the possibility that people may continue to exist in some form after they die.
  I believe in life after death.
19) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that someone is fighting for their life, you mean that they are in a very serious condition and may die as a result of an accident or illness. [JOURNALISM]
  He was in a critical condition, fighting for his life in hospital.
20) PHRASE: PHR after v, n PHR For life means for the rest of a person's life.
  He was jailed for life in 1966 for the murder of three policemen...
  She may have been scarred for life...
  There can be no jobs for life.
21) PHRASE: with brd-neg, usu PHR before v, PHR with cl (emphasis) If you say that you cannot for the life of you understand or remember something, you are emphasizing that you cannot understand or remember it, even if you try hard. [INFORMAL]
  I can't for the life of me understand why you didn't think of it.
22) PHRASE: PHR after v (emphasis) If you say that someone does something for dear life or for their life, you mean that they do it using all their strength and effort because they are in a dangerous or urgent situation. [INFORMAL]
  I made for the life raft and hung on for dear life.
23) PHRASE: V inflects (approval) If you say that someone lives life to the full, you mean that they try to gain a lot from life by being always busy and trying new activities.
24) PHRASE (disapproval) If you tell someone to get a life, you are expressing frustration with them because their life seems boring or they seem to care too much about unimportant things. [INFORMAL]
25) CONVENTION (feelings) You can say `Life goes on' after mentioning something very sad to indicate that, although people are very upset or affected by it, they have to carry on living normally.
  I can't spend the rest of my life wishing it hadn't happened. Life goes on.
26) PHRASE: V and N inflect If you say that you have a life, you mean that you have interests and activities, particularly outside your work, which make your life enjoyable and worthwhile.
27) PHRASE: usu n PHR If you talk about the man or woman in someone's life, you mean the person they are having a relationship with, especially a sexual relationship.
  There is a new man in her life.
28) PHRASE: usu with brd-neg, usu PHR after v (emphasis) You can use in all my life or in my life to emphasize that you have never previously experienced something to such a degree.
  I have never been so scared in all my life...
  I have never seen such a shambles in my life.
29) PHRASE: N inflects (emphasis) You can use expressions such as the fright of your life or the race of your life to emphasize, for example, that you have never been so frightened or that you never have run faster.
  A top reggae singer gave a young fan the thrill of her life when he serenaded her.
30) PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR n If you say that someone or something is larger than life, you mean that they appear or behave in a way that seems more exaggerated or important than usual.
  ...not that we should expect all good publishers to be larger than life...
  Nobody takes seriously the improbable storylines and larger than life characters.
31) PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR for n If someone lays down their life for another person, they die so that the other person can live. [LITERARY]
  Man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.
32) PHRASE: V inflects To risk life and limb means to do something very dangerous in order to achieve something.
  Viewers will remember the dashing hero, Dirk, risking life and limb to rescue Daphne from the dragons.
33) PHRASE: N inflects If you start a new life, you move to another place or country, or change your career, usually to try and recover from an unpleasant experience.
  He had gone as far away as possible to build a new life.
34) CONVENTION (emphasis) If someone says `Not on your life', they are totally rejecting a suggestion that has been made. [INFORMAL]
  `You should have given him a lift.' - `In that condition? Not on your life!'
  Syn:
  no way
35) PHRASE: V and N inflect If you live your own life, you live in the way that you want to and accept responsibility for your actions and decisions, without other people's advice or interference.
  Adults need to live their own lives and that's difficult with children.
36) PHRASE: V and N inflect If you say that something rules someone's life, you mean that it affects everything they do, usually in a negative way.
  I'm going to stop letting drugs and drink rule my life.
37) PHRASE: N inflects, PHR after v (emphasis) If you say that someone cannot do something to save their life, you are emphasizing that they do it very badly. [INFORMAL]
  Winston could not have read the road signs to save his life.
38) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR (approval) If you refer to someone as the life and soul of the party, you mean that they are very lively and entertaining on social occasions, and are good at mixing with people. In American English, you usually say that they are the life of the party.
39) PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR as n If something starts life or begins life as a particular thing, it is that thing when it first starts to exist.
  Herr's book started life as a dramatic screenplay.
40) PHRASE: V and N inflect If someone takes another person's life, they kill them. If someone takes their own life, they kill themselves. [FORMAL]
  Before execution, he admitted to taking the lives of at least 35 more women...
  He helped his first wife take her life when she was dying of cancer.
41) CONVENTION (feelings) People say `That's life' after an unlucky, unpleasant, or surprising event to show that they realize such events happen occasionally and must be accepted.
  `It never would have happened if Florette had not gone back for the book.' - `That's life.'
42) PHRASE: V inflects You can use expressions such as to come to life, to spring to life, and to roar into life to indicate that a machine or vehicle suddenly starts working or moving. [LITERARY]
  To his great relief the engine came to life...
  In the garden of the Savoy Hotel the sprinklers suddenly burst into life.
43) CONVENTION (feelings) People say `What a life' to indicate that they are unhappy or are having great difficulties.
  Here I am at a crummy hotel with no clean clothes, no money and suffering from shock. What a life!
44) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that life isn't worth living without something, or that something makes life worth living, you mean that you cannot enjoy life without it.
  Life is not worth living without food you can look forward to and enjoy!...
  Those are the moments which make life worth living.
45) → See also fact of life, kiss of life
a matter of life and death → see death
a new lease of life → see lease
to have the time of your life → see time
true to life → see true

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹life /ˈlaɪf/ noun, pl lives /ˈlaɪvz/
1 [noncount] : the ability to grow, change, etc., that separates plants and animals from things like water or rocks
• He believes that God gives life to all creatures.
• the miracle of life
• eternal/everlasting life
2 a : the period of time when a person is alive

[noncount]

• She knew what she wanted to do early in life. [=when she was young]
• He became famous relatively late in life. [=at a relatively old age]
• He became famous later in life. = He became famous in later life.

[count]

• She was happy and healthy for most of her life.
• The people in her family tend to have long/short lives.
• I've known her all my life.
• He is nearing the end of his life.
• They spent their whole/entire lives in one town. = They lived in one town all their lives.
• People can expect to change jobs several times in their life/lives.
• They've been waiting their whole/entire life/lives for an opportunity like this.
• This is the financial opportunity of his life. [=of his lifetime; the best chance in his life to make money]
b : the experience of being alive

[noncount]

• What do you really want out of life?
• He believes in living life to the fullest. [=in living a very full and rich life]
• All this paperwork has made life much more difficult.
• The details of everyday/ordinary life can be fascinating.
• life in the city/country = city/country life
• Sometimes life just isn't fair.
• We can laugh at things in movies that would scare us in real life. [=in a real situation; in actual existence]
• Oh well, that's life! [=bad things will happen, and you have to deal with them]
• Despite the political upheaval, for most people life goes on as usual. [=the activities of life continue in the usual way]

[count]

• What do you really want to do with your life?
• Her children say that she has ruined their lives.
• She talked about the men in her life. [=the men she has had a romantic or close relationship with during her life]
• She has dedicated/devoted her life to helping other people.
• All this paperwork has made my life much more difficult.
• They're trying to get/put their lives back together. [=to begin living in a normal way after suffering loss, hardship, etc.]
• She was the love of my life. [=the person I loved more than any other person at any time in my life]
• I've never heard such a silly idea in all my life! [=at any time] = Never in my life have I heard such a silly idea!
• They're old enough to run/live their own lives. [=to make their own decisions about how to live]
• After all the problems they've had recently, they just want to get/move on with their lives. [=to continue living their lives in the usual way]
• I'm not surprised that I didn't get the job. That's the story of my life. [=that's the way things usually or always happen in my life]
- often used before another noun
• She told us her life story. [=she told us about many of the things that had happened to her in her life]
• a lack of life experience [=experience and knowledge gained through living]
✦If your life flashes/passes before your eyes or if your life flashes/passes before you, many memories from different parts of your life quickly appear in your mind one after the other.
• Her life flashed before her eyes when her car was about to crash.
3 [count]
a : a specified part of a person's life
• He talked about his life as an artist.
• the social lives of college students
• How's your love/sex life?
• They had difficult home lives when they were children.
• They are trying to keep their personal/private lives separate from their public lives.
• the responsibilities of their family life
b : a specified way or manner of living
• He lived/led a life of crime. [=he was a criminal]
• They have lived/led sheltered lives.
• He is trying to make a better life for himself and his family.
✦Your way of life is how you live your life.
• a fisherman's way of life
• Most people don't approve of my way of life.
• a traditional way of life
4 [count] : the state or condition of being alive
• They spared the horse's life. [=they did not kill the horse]
• She feels that her life is in danger. = She fears for her life. = She is in fear for her life. [=she feels that she is in danger of being killed]
• She risked her life [=she did something very dangerous that could have resulted in her death] to help him.
• She gave/sacrificed her life [=she did something that resulted in her death] for her country.
• He was running for his life. [=he was running to escape from great danger]
• He is fighting for his life. [=he is very sick or injured and may die]
• A would-be assassin made an attempt on the President's life. [=tried to kill the President]
5 [noncount] : living things of a specified kind or in a specified place
• There may be a great deal of animal/plant life still to be discovered in this region.
• forest life
• ocean life
• Will we ever find intelligent life on other planets?
6 : the time when something can be used : the period when something exists or is useful or effective

[noncount]

• battery life
• the life of an insurance policy
• They claim that using their product will extend the life of the car.
• a warranty that is good for the life of the product

[count]

• a product that extends the lives of the rugs/cars
- see also half-life, shelf life
7 [noncount]
a : energy and spirit
• eyes full of life
• (informal) suck the life out of a room [=take all the fun and energy out of a group of people in a room]
b : activity and movement
• The streets were humming with life. [=the streets were filled with people and activity]
• There were no signs of life in the deserted village.
8 [count] : a book that tells about the life of a person : biography
• She wrote a life of Napoleon.
• Boswell's Life of Johnson
9 [noncount] : the punishment of being kept in a prison for the rest of your life : life imprisonment
• He was found guilty and sentenced to life. = (informal) He got life. = He was given life.
a dog's life
- see ¹dog
a life of its own
✦Something that takes on a life of its own becomes very large, important, or hard to control.
• The project soon took on a life of its own and prevented us from getting any other work done.
• The story took on a life of its own and began to appear on news broadcasts everywhere.
all walks of life or every walk of life
- see ²walk
a matter of life and death : something that is extremely important and often involves decisions that will determine whether someone lives or dies
• Being prepared for severe weather can be a matter of life and death.
- see also life-and-death
a new lease on/of life
- see ¹lease
(as) big as life US or chiefly Brit (as) large as life informal : in person - used to describe the surprise of seeing someone
• I never expected her to come to the party, but there she was, as big as life.
bet/stake your life on
✦If you would bet/stake your life on something, you are very sure that it will happen.
• “Will she keep her promise?” “I'd bet/stake my life on it!”
breathe (new) life into : to give new energy and excitement to (something)
• She is credited with breathing new life into contemporary art.
• The singer managed to breathe life into some tired old songs.
bring someone or something back to life : to cause someone or something that has died to begin living again
• The story is about a mad scientist who tries to bring dead people back to life.
- often used figuratively
• They're trying to bring the restaurant back to life by introducing a new menu.
• an old theory that is being brought back to life
bring something to life : to make something very interesting, appealing, or exciting
• She brings history to life with her books.
come to life
1 : to become very interesting, appealing, or exciting
• The movie really comes to life when she appears on the screen.
2 of a place : to become filled with the energy and excitement of active people
• Downtown comes to life each night when the clubs open.
3 or sputter/roar (etc.) to life of a machine : to begin working
• The engine suddenly roared to life.
depart this life
- see depart
for dear life : very tightly or quickly because of fear or danger
• He was hanging/holding on to the rope for dear life.
• They were running for dear life to get away from the vicious dogs.
for life : for the whole of your life : for the rest of your life
• They met in college and have remained friends for life.
• He was sentenced to prison for life.
for the life of me informal : in any way at all - used to say that you are unable to remember or understand something
• I couldn't for the life of me remember what her name was.
• For the life of me, I can't think of any reasons why you wouldn't want a computer at home.
frighten/scare the life out of informal : to frighten (someone) very badly
• You (nearly) scared the life out of me when you startled me like that!
from life of a painting, drawing, etc. : from looking at an actual person, object, etc.
• drawings done from life rather than from photographs
get a life informal : to stop spending time doing or thinking about things that are not important or interesting : to begin to have a more interesting or exciting life
• My girlfriend's parents are nice people, but all they do is watch TV all day. They need to get a life.
larger than life
- see ¹large
lay down your life
- see lay down at ¹lay
life depends on
✦If your life depends on something, then you must do it.
• His life depends on how he answers this question.
• He was studying as if his life depended on it.
- often used in negative statements
• I wouldn't eat that food if my life depended on it. [=I would never eat it]
lose your life : to die
• She nearly lost her life in a car accident.
• Many lives were lost. [=many people died]
new life
✦When something takes on (a) new life or when you give something new life or give new life to something, it becomes more active, interesting, etc.
• Plain old mashed potatoes take on a new life in this recipe.
• Falling interest rates gave new life to the housing market.
not on your life informal
- used as a very forceful way of saying “no” or “never”
• Do the government's policies really help the average worker? Not on your life.
risk life and limb : to do something that is very dangerous
• They risked life and limb to pull the child from the river.
save someone's life
- see ¹save
spring into/to life
- see ²spring
staff of life
- see ¹staff
such is life
- see ²such
take/claim someone's life : to cause someone's death
• Two years ago he was diagnosed with the illness that eventually took his life.
• The flood claimed many lives. [=caused the deaths of many people]
take your own life : to kill yourself
• He threatened to take his own life [=commit suicide], but no one believed him.
the life of the party US or chiefly Brit the life and soul of the party : someone who is very lively and amusing at a party or other social gathering
the light of your life
- see ¹light
the next life or the life to come : a life that is believed by some people to come after death
• He believed that he would see his family again in the next life.
the simple life
- see simple
to save your life
- see ¹save
true to life
- see ¹true

- see also fact of life, good life, slice-of-life, still life

toilet

toilet [noun] (CONTAINER)

/ˈtɔɪ.lət/

Example:

men's toilet

A bowl-shaped device with a seat that you sit on or stand near when emptying the body of urine or solid waste, or another device used for this purpose

Persian equivalent:

Example:

men's toilet

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Level:

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

toilet

noun

1 a large bowl with a seat, that you use when you need to empty waste from your body

2 (British) (American bathroom) a room that contains a toilet:
I'm going to the toilet.

word building
In their houses, British people usually say the toilet or, informally, the loo. Lavatory and WC are formal and old-fashioned words. In public places in Britain, the toilets are called the Ladies or the Gents. In American English, people say the bathroom in their homes and the restroom, ladies' room or men's room in public places.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

toilet

toi‧let S2 /ˈtɔɪlət, ˈtɔɪlɪt/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: toilette 'cloth put around the shoulders while arranging the hair or shaving, toilette, toilet', from toile 'net, cloth', from Latin tela 'something woven']

1. [countable] a large bowl that you sit on to get rid of waste liquid or waste matter from your body:
He flushed the toilet (=pulled the handle so that water ran into the toilet to clean it).
2. [countable] British English a room or building containing a toilet SYN bathroom, restroom American English:
public toilets
3. go to the toilet especially British English to pass waste liquid or waste matter from your body:
Mummy, I need to go to the toilet!
4. [uncountable] old-fashioned the act of washing and dressing yourself:
She finished her toilet.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ go to the toilet (also use the toilet especially British English) He got up to go to the toilet in the middle of the night.
▪ need the toilet British English (=need to use the toilet) Does anyone need the toilet before we set off?
▪ flush the toilet (=make water go through it to clean it) I heard someone flush the toilet.
■ adjectives
▪ a public toilet especially British English He set off across the square in search of a public toilet.
▪ a disabled toilet British English (=one for disabled people) Is there a disabled toilet?
▪ an outside toilet (=one that is outside a house, not in it) The house was small, with no hot water and an outside toilet.
▪ an indoor toilet Many cottages lacked a bathroom or indoor toilet.
■ toilet + NOUN
▪ toilet facilities Toilet facilities are available at the bus station.
▪ the toilet seat He always left the toilet seat up.
▪ the toilet bowl She was scrubbing the toilet bowl.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say 'go to toilet'. Say go to the toilet.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ toilet British English a room with a toilet in it, in someone’s house or in a public place: He locked himself in the toilet. | the public toilets
▪ bathroom a room with a toilet in it, in someone’s house. In British English, bathroom is used especially when you want to be polite. In American English, it is the usual word to use: He asked to use the bathroom.
▪ restroom American English a room in a public place that has one or more toilets in it: She went into the store to use the restroom.
▪ lavatory formal a room with a toilet in it. In American English lavatory is used mainly for toilets in a public building or on a plane. In British English it is used both about public toilets and toilets in people’s houses: public lavatories | He didn’t have time to visit the lavatory.
▪ loo British English informal, john American English informal a room with a toilet in it. Loo is very common in everyday spoken British English: ‘Where’s Chris?’ ‘He’s in the loo.’ | Can I use your loo? | Where’s the john?
▪ bog British English informal a very informal word for a toilet, which is not considered polite: The nearest bog was miles away.
▪ the ladies British English, the ladies’ room American English a public toilet for women: Where’s the ladies? | I need to go to the ladies’ room.
▪ the gents British English, the men’s room American English a public toilet for men: I followed him into the gents. | I’ve got to go to the men’s room. Excuse me.
▪ latrine an outdoor toilet in a camp or military area: The latrines were in a shocking state.
▪ urinal a type of toilet for men that is attached to a wall: He was standing at the urinal.
▪ potty a bowl that babies use as a toilet: Does he need his potty?
▪ commode a chair with a bowl in it, used as a toilet, especially in hospitals and homes for old people: She has to use a commode.
▪ bedpan a container which is used as a toilet, especially in hospitals by people who are too ill or weak to get out of bed: I had to change the bedpans.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

toilet

toi·let [toilet toilets toileted toileting] [ˈtɔɪlət] [ˈtɔɪlət] noun
1. countable a large bowl attached to a pipe that you sit on or stand over when you get rid of waste matter from your body
• Have you flushed the toilet?
• (BrE) I need to go to the toilet (= use the toilet).
• a toilet seat
• toilet facilities
• Do you need the toilet?

2. (BrE) (NAmE bath·room) countable a room containing a toilet
• Every flat has its own bathroom and toilet.

• Who's in the toilet?

3. (BrE) countable (also toi·lets plural) a room or small building containing several toilets, each in a separate smaller room
• public toilets

• Could you tell me where the ladies' toilet is, please?

4. uncountable (old-fashioned) the process of washing and dressing yourself, arranging your hair, etc.
See also: bathroom
Word Origin:
mid 16th cent.: from French toilette ‘cloth, wrapper’, diminutive of toile ‘cloth, web’, from Latin tela ‘web’. The word originally denoted a cloth used as a wrapper for clothes; then (in the 17th cent.) a cloth cover for a dressing table, the articles used in dressing, and the process of dressing, later also of washing oneself (sense 4). In the 19th cent. the word came to denote a dressing room, and, in the US, one with washing facilities; hence, a lavatory (early 20th cent.).
British/American:
toilet / bathroom
In BrE, but not in NAmE, the room that has a toilet in it is usually referred to as a toilet. This room in people’s houses can also be called the lavatory, or informally, the loo. An extra downstairs toilet in a house can be called the cloakroom. In public places, especially on signs, the words toilets, Gents (for men’s toilets) or Ladies (for women’s toilets) are used for a room or small building containing several toilets. You might also see WC or Public Conveniences on some signs.
In NAmE the room that contains a toilet is usually called the bathroom, never the toilet. A room with a toilet in a public place can also be called a restroom, ladies’ room, women’s room or men’s room. Washroom is also used, especially in Canada.
Example Bank:
• He flushed the letter down the toilet.
• I need to go to the toilet.
• Someone's forgotten to flush the toilet.
• The caravan is equipped with a sink and a flush toilet.
• There was a communal toilet on the landing for the four flats.
• Could you tell me where the ladies' toilet is, please?
• The toilets are located in the entrance area.
• Toilet facilities for the disabled are available.

• Who's in the toilet?

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

toilet / ˈtɔɪ.lət / noun (CONTAINER)

A1 [ C ] a bowl-shaped device with a seat that you sit on or stand near when emptying the body of urine or solid waste, or another device used for this purpose:

I was on (= using) the toilet when the phone rang.

Don't forget to flush the toilet.

Excuse me, Miss Lewis, I need/want (to go to) the toilet.

The toilet seat was cracked and there was no paper.

[ C ] UK ( US bathroom ) a room with a toilet in it:

Someone's in the toilet.

go to the toilet A2 to empty the body of urine or solid waste, usually using a toilet to do so:

It's going to be a long journey, kids, so if you want to go to the toilet do so now.

toilets A2 [ plural ] UK ( US restroom , US also ladies'/men's room ) a room or small building in a public place in which there are several toilets:

Do you know where the ladies' toilets are?

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

toilet / ˈtɔɪ.lət / noun [ U ] old-fashioned formal (WASHING)

the process of washing and dressing yourself:

Virginia had spent longer than usual over her toilet that evening, with pleasing results.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

toilet

/tɔɪlət/
(toilets)

1.
A toilet is a large bowl with a seat, or a platform with a hole, which is connected to a water system and which you use when you want to get rid of urine or faeces from your body.
N-COUNT

2.
A toilet is a room in a house or public building that contains a toilet. (BRIT; in AM, use bathroom, rest room)
Annette ran and locked herself in the toilet...
Fred never uses public toilets.
N-COUNT

3.
You can say that someone goes to the toilet to mean that they get rid of waste substances from their body, especially when you want to avoid using words that you think may offend people. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use go to the bathroom)
PHRASE: V inflects

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

toilet

toi·let /ˈtoɪlət/ noun, pl -lets [count]
1 : a large bowl attached to a pipe that is used for getting rid of bodily waste and then flushed with water
• flush the toilet
• One of the kids needed to use the toilet.
• a toilet brush/seat/bowl
• (Brit) The little boy told his mother that he had to go to the toilet. [=use the toilet; (US) go to the bathroom]
- see picture at bathroom
2 chiefly Brit : bathroom
• a public toilet [=restroom]
• He's in the toilet. [=loo]
3 old-fashioned : the act or process of washing and dressing yourself
• a painting of a woman at her toilet
flush something down the toilet

dresser

dresser [noun] (FURNITURE)

/ˈdres.ɚ/

/ˈdres.ər/

Example:

There was a small dresser in the corner of the bedroom.

A piece of bedroom furniture with drawers, usually with a mirror on top, used especially for keeping clothes in

Persian equivalent:

Example:

There was a small dresser in the corner of the bedroom.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

furniture for storage

Level:

A2 (Elementary)

Region:

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

dresser

dress‧er /ˈdresə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑dress, ↑dresser, ↑dressing; adjective: ↑dressed ≠ ↑undressed, ↑dressy; verb: ↑dress ≠ ↑undress]
1. British English a large piece of furniture with open shelves for storing plates, dishes etc SYN Welsh dresser
2. American English a piece of furniture with drawers for storing clothes, sometimes with a mirror on top SYN chest of drawers British English
3. a fashionable/stylish/sloppy etc dresser someone who dresses in a fashionable etc way:
Stanley was an impeccable dresser.
4. someone who takes care of someone’s clothes, especially an actor’s in the theatre, and helps them to dress

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

dresser

dress·er [dresser dressers] [ˈdresə(r)] [ˈdresər] noun

1. (also ˌWelsh ˈdresser) (BrE) a large piece of wooden furniture with shelves in the top part and cupboards below, used for displaying and storing cups, plates, etc.

2. (NAmE) = chest of drawers

3. (used with an adjective) a person who dresses in the way mentioned

• a snappy dresser
4. (in a theatre) a person whose job is to take care of an actor's clothes for a play and help him/her to get dressed
See also: Welsh dresser
Word Origin:
senses 1 to 2 late Middle English (denoting a kitchen sideboard or table on which food was prepared): from Old French dresseur, from dresser ‘prepare’, based on Latin directus ‘direct, straight’.
Example Bank:
• I put the kettle on and took two cups and saucers down from the dresser.
• The china display in her dresser was all blue and white.

• There was a small dresser in the corner of the bedroom.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

dresser / dres.ə r / / -ɚ / noun [ C ] (FURNITURE)

UK a tall piece of furniture with cupboards below and shelves on the top half:
a kitchen dresser
A2 US a piece of bedroom furniture with drawers, usually with a mirror on top, used especially for keeping clothes in

dresser / ˈdres.ə r / / -ɚ / noun [ C ] (CLOTHES)

used in phrases that describe the type of clothes that someone wears:

She was always a very stylish dresser.

He's a very snappy (= stylish and modern) dresser.

specialized a person who works in the theatre or in films, helping the actors to put on their clothes

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

dresser

/dresə(r)/
(dressers)

1.
A dresser is a chest of drawers, usually with a mirror on the top. (AM; in BRIT, use dressing table)
N-COUNT

2.
A dresser is a piece of furniture which has cupboards or drawers in the lower part and shelves in the top part. It is usually used for storing china. (mainly BRIT)
N-COUNT

3.
You can use dresser to refer to the kind of clothes that a person wears. For example, if you say that someone is a smart dresser, you mean that they wear smart clothes.
N-COUNT: adj N

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

dresser
dress·er /ˈdrɛsɚ/ noun, pl -ers [count]
1 : a person who dresses in a particular way
• She is a stylish/sloppy dresser.
2 US : a piece of furniture that has drawers for storing clothes : chest of drawers
3 Brit : hutch 1

- see also hairdresser window dresser

desk

desk [noun] (TABLE)

/desk/

Example:

she sat behind her desk and wrote two letters

A type of table that you can work at, often one with drawers

Persian equivalent:

Example:

she sat behind her desk and wrote two letters

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Level:

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

desk

noun

1 a type of table, often with drawers, that you sit at to write or work:
The pupils took their books out of their desks.

2 a table or place in a building where somebody gives information, etc.:
Ask at the information desk.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

desk

desk S2 W2 /desk/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: desca, from Latin discus 'dish, disk']

1. a piece of furniture like a table, usually with drawers in it, that you sit at to write and work:
Marie was sitting at her desk.
2. a place where you can get information or use a particular service in a hotel, airport etc:
the reception desk
the check-in desk
3. an office that deals with a particular subject, especially in newspapers or television
the news/sports desk
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ tidy How come your desk is always so tidy?
▪ cluttered (=covered with papers, books etc in an untidy way) His desk is so cluttered he can't find anything.
▪ empty (=that no one is using) There are one or two empty desks in the office.
▪ a school desk The children are at their school desks by 8:30 in the morning.
▪ an office desk I got back from holiday to find piles of papers on my office desk.
▪ a writing desk (=that you use for writing letters etc) Under the window was a small writing desk.
▪ a wooden/mahogany/rosewood etc desk He sat at a plain wooden desk.
■ verbs
▪ sit at a desk I don't want to do a job in which I'm sitting at a desk all day.
▪ get up from your desk He got up from his desk to welcome the visitors.
▪ tidy your desk I need to tidy my desk.
▪ clear your desk (=remove all the papers etc from it) It's a good idea to clear your desk regularly.
■ desk + NOUN
▪ a desk job (=working mostly at a desk in an office) He left his desk job to become a gardener.
▪ a desk drawer I think I left my car keys in the desk drawer.
▪ a desk lamp Don't forget to switch off the desk lamp.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

desk

desk [desk desks] [desk] [desk] noun
1. a piece of furniture like a table, usually with drawers in it, that you sit at to read, write, work, etc
• He used to be a pilot but now he has a desk job.

2. a place where you can get information or be served at an airport, a hotel, etc
• the check-in desk
• the reception desk

see also cash desk, front desk

3. an office at a newspaper, television company, etc. that deals with a particular subject
• the sports desk
see also city desk, news desk
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from medieval Latin desca, probably based on Provençal desca ‘basket’ or Italian desco ‘table, butcher's block’, both based on Latin discus from Greek diskos.
Example Bank:
• A very strange request landed on my desk this morning.
• He got up from his desk and went to the window.
• He was sitting at his desk working when we got home.
• I left the file on your desk.
• I worked the front desk as one of my first jobs.
• Leave your valuables at the reception desk.
• My desk gets very cluttered if I don't clear it at the end of each day.
• Papers littered the desk and the floor.
• She called the front desk to let them know that he would be arriving.
• She paid for the book at the cash desk.
• Staff experiencing problems with their computers should call the help desk.
• The empty desk suggested she had already gone home.
• The manager sat frowning behind his desk throughout the whole interview.
• There was a long queue at the check-in desk.
• They put me on desk duty for a month.
• We asked the man on the information desk for a map of the city.

• a computer which takes up less desk space

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

desk / desk / noun [ C ] (TABLE)

desk

A1 a type of table that you can work at, often one with drawers:

an office/school desk

She sat at her desk writing letters.

He had a pile of papers on his desk.

The report arrived on/landed on/reached my desk (= I received it) this morning.

See picture in the office

desk / desk / noun [ C ] (SERVICE AREA)

a place, often with a counter (= a long flat narrow surface) especially in a hotel or airport, where you can get information or service:

a check-in/information/reception desk

desk / desk / noun [ C ] (NEWSPAPER OFFICE)

an office that deals with a particular type of news for a newspaper or broadcasting company:

the foreign/sports desk

Now let's hear from Sue at our travel desk.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

desk

/desk/
(desks)

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

1.
A desk is a table, often with drawers, which you sit at to write or work.
N-COUNT

2.
The place in a hotel, hospital, airport, or other building where you check in or obtain information is referred to as a particular desk.
I spoke to the girl on the reception desk...
N-SING: usu supp N

3.
A particular department of a broadcasting company, or of a newspaper or magazine company, can be referred to as a particular desk.
Over now to Simon Ingram at the sports desk.
N-SING: supp N

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

desk

desk /ˈdɛsk/ noun, pl desks [count]
1 : a piece of furniture that is like a table and often has drawers
✦People often sit at desks when they are writing or using a computer.
• a cluttered desk
• a classroom with desks arranged in rows
✦Often desk refers specifically to the desk a person uses to do his or her job.
• I'm sorry I missed your call. I've been away from my desk.
- often used before another noun
• a desk lamp/calendar/chair
• She left her desk job [=the job that she did while sitting at a desk] to become a farmer.
- see picture at office
2 : a place where people can get information or be served at an office, a hotel, etc.
• an information desk at an airport
• We will ask for directions to the restaurant at the front desk.
• We went to the reception desk to check into our room.
3 : the part of a company or organization that deals with a particular subject
• the television network's financial/foreign desk [=department]
• the newspaper's sports desk
• the news desk [=the office where news is gathered to be reported in a newspaper, on television, etc.]
- see also city desk

window

window [noun] (GLASS)

/ˈwɪn.doʊ/

/ˈwɪn.dəʊ/

Example:

A room with two large windows

A space usually filled with glass in the wall of a building or in a vehicle, to allow light and air in and to allow people inside the building to see out

Persian equivalent:

Example:

A room with two large windows

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Level:

A1 (Basic)

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

window

noun
an opening in a building or in a car door, for example, with glass in it:
It was cold, so I closed the window.
She looked out of the window.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

window

win‧dow S1 W1 /ˈwɪndəʊ $ -doʊ/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old Norse; Origin: vindauga, from vindr 'wind' + auga 'eye']
1. a space or an area of glass in the wall of a building or vehicle that lets in light
open/close/shut a window
Do you mind if I open the window?
out of/from/through the window
She looked out of the window to see if it was raining.
The sun was shining through the windows.
in the window (=just inside a window)
We were looking at the Christmas displays in the shop windows.
bedroom/kitchen etc window ⇨ ↑bay window, DORMER WINDOW, ↑French windows, ↑picture window, ↑sash window
2. one of the separate areas on a computer screen where different programs are operating
3. (also window of opportunity) a short period of time that is available for a particular activity:
Delay might open a window of opportunity for their rivals.
4. an area on an envelope with clear plastic in it which lets you see the address written on the letter inside the envelope
5. a window on/to the world something that makes it possible to see and learn about what is happening in other parts of the world:
Television provides us with a useful window on the world.
6. go out (of) the window informal to disappear completely or no longer have any effect:
One glass of wine, and all my good intentions went out the window.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ open a window I opened the window and breathed in the fresh air.
▪ close/shut a window She shut the window firmly.
▪ roll up/down a window (=open or shut the window in a car) Lucy rolled the window down and waved to him.
▪ look/gaze/stare out of the window Mom stared out of the window at the road.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + window
▪ open A breeze from the open window lifted her hair.
▪ closed/shut All the windows were closed.
▪ a front window I don't want people looking in my front window.
▪ a back window The burglar had got in through one of the back windows.
▪ the rear window (=the back window, especially of a car) The car's rear window had been bashed in.
▪ a shop/store window She looked in shop windows.
▪ somebody's bedroom/office window From his bedroom window he could see two men having an argument.
▪ the kitchen/car etc window She had left the kitchen window open.
▪ a stained glass window (=made of pieces of coloured glass) The church has fine medieval stained glass windows.
■ window + NOUN
▪ the window frame The window frame was rotten.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

window

win·dow [window windows] [ˈwɪndəʊ] [ˈwɪndoʊ] noun
1. an opening in the wall or roof of a building, car, etc, usually covered with glass, that allows light and air to come in and people to see out; the glass in a window
• She looked out of the window.
• to open/close the window
• the bedroom/car/kitchen, etc. window
• a broken window

see also bay window, dormer window, French window, picture window, rose window, sash window

2. = shop window
• I saw the dress I wanted in the window.

• a window display

3. an area within a frame on a computer screen, in which a particular program is operating or in which information of a particular type is shown

• to create/open a window

4. a small area of sth that you can see through, for example to talk to sb or read sth on the other side
• There was a long line of people at the box-office window.

• The address must be clearly visible through the window of the envelope.

5. singular ~ on/into sth a way of seeing and learning about sth
• Television is a sort of window on the world.

• It gave me an intriguing window into the way people live.

6. a time when there is an opportunity to do sth, although it may not last long
• We now have a small window of opportunity in which to make our views known.
Idiom: go out the window
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old Norse vindauga, from vindr ‘wind’ + auga ‘eye’.
Example Bank:
• All the windows blew out with the force of the blast.
• All the windows in the prison are barred.
• Click on the window to make it active.
• Do you have a window next Monday?
• French windows lead out onto the patio.
• He was standing at the window waiting for us.
• He works as a window cleaner.
• How does the window open?
• I always ask for a window seat when I fly.
• I found her looking in the window of a department store.
• I love going window shopping.
• I rolled down the window to ask for directions.
• I sat by the window to get some air.
• If you close a couple of windows, the screen will be less cluttered.
• It was raining so hard I could scarcely see out of the window.
• No light showed in any of the blank windows of the house.
• She gazed out of the window at the falling snow.
• The cathedral has a beautiful rose window.
• The windows all steam up when you have a shower.
• The windows glinted in the sunlight.
• The windows of the house stared bleakly down at her.
• The windows rattle when a train goes past.
• There was a vase of flowers in the window.
• There was evidence that the window had been forced.
• They threw a brick through the window.
• We caught sight of him in the window as we passed.
• We tapped on the window to get their attention.
• You get to the garden through French windows at the back of the house.
• a limousine with smoked windows
• a studio with windows looking out on the park
• an advertisement in the shop window

• floral displays such as window boxes and hanging baskets

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

window / wɪn.dəʊ / / -doʊ / noun (GLASS)

A1 [ C ] a space usually filled with glass in the wall of a building or in a vehicle, to allow light and air in and to allow people inside the building to see out:
Is it all right if I open/close the window?
He caught me staring out of the window.
I saw a child's face at the window.
She's got some wonderful plants in the window (= on a surface at the bottom of the window) .
I was admiring the cathedral's stained-glass windows.
Have you paid the window cleaner (= person whose job is to clean the outside of windows) ?
window frames
a window ledge
[ S ] literary something that makes it possible for you to see and learn about a situation or experience that is different from your own:
The film provides a window on the immigrant experience.
[ C ] a transparent rectangle on the front of an envelope, through which you can read the address written on the letter inside
[ C ] the decorative arrangement of goods behind the window at the front of a shop, in addition to the window itself:
How much is the jacket in the window?
The shop windows are wonderful around Christmas time.

window / ˈwɪn.dəʊ / / -doʊ / noun [ C ] (COMPUTER)

B1 a separate area on a computer screen that shows information and can be moved around:

to minimize/maximize a window

window / ˈwɪn.dəʊ / / -doʊ / noun [ C ] (OPPORTUNITY)

a period when there is an opportunity to do something:

I'm quite busy this week but there might be a window on Friday.

If a window of opportunity (= an opportunity) should present itself, I'd take advantage of it.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

window

/wɪndoʊ/
(windows)

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

1.
A window is a space in the wall of a building or in the side of a vehicle, which has glass in it so that light can come in and you can see out.
He stood at the window, moodily staring out...
The room felt very hot and she wondered why someone did not open a window...
...my car window.
N-COUNT

2.
A window is a large piece of glass along the front of a shop, behind which some of the goods that the shop sells are displayed.
I stood for a few moments in front of the nearest shop window.
N-COUNT

3.
A window is a glass-covered opening above a counter, for example in a bank, post office, railway station, or museum, which the person serving you sits behind.
The woman at the ticket window told me that the admission fee was $17.50.
N-COUNT

4.
On a computer screen, a window is one of the work areas that the screen can be divided into. (COMPUTING)
N-COUNT

5.
If you have a window in your diary for something, or if you can make a window for it, you are free at a particular time and can do it then.
Tell her I’ve got a window in my diary later on this week.
N-COUNT: usu sing

6.
see also French window, picture window, rose window

7.
If you say that something such as a plan or a particular way of thinking or behaving has gone out of the window or has flown out of the window, you mean that it has disappeared completely.
By now all logic had gone out of the window...
PHRASE: V inflects

8.
If you say that there is a window of opportunity for something, you mean that there is an opportunity to do something but that this opportunity will only last for a short time and so it needs to be taken advantage of quickly. (JOURNALISM)
The king said there was now a window of opportunity for peace.
PHRASE: window inflects, oft PHR for n, PHR to-inf

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

window

win·dow /ˈwɪndoʊ/ noun, pl -dows
1 [count]
a : an opening in a wall, door, etc., that usually contains a sheet of glass
• She opened a window to let in some air.
• I looked out the window and saw a deer.
- see also bay window, french window, picture window, rose window, storm window
b : a sheet of glass that covers an opening in a building, vehicle, etc.
• He used vinegar and water to wash the windows.
• He accidentally broke a window.
• Can you roll down the car window?
c : a large window at the front of a store where goods are displayed so that they can be seen by people who are walking past
• The windows along 5th Avenue were all decorated for Christmas.
• I saw a beautiful dress in the window.
d : an opening in a wall through which business is conducted
• He sits behind a window and sells movie tickets.
• a ticket window
• a bank teller's window
2 [count] : a part of something that you can see through
• Make sure the address shows through the window in the envelope.
• A window opened in the fog and we could finally see the ocean.
3 [count] : an area or box on a computer screen that shows a program that is currently running
• Minimize that window and open a new one.
• Close all the windows and restart the computer.
- see picture at computer
4 [singular] : a period of time during which something can happen
• The shuttle's launch has a window of only two days. [=it can only happen within two specific days]
• The window of opportunity [=the time during which there is a chance to do something] has closed/ended.
a window into/on : something that makes it possible to see or understand something clearly
• This knowledge opens a window into your opponent's mind.
• The book gives the reader a window on war.
go out the window informal : to stop being used or thought about
• By that point in the argument, reason had gone out the window.
throw (something) out the window informal : to stop using or thinking about (something)
• We can throw that idea out the window.

closet

closet [noun]

/ˈklɑː.zət/

/ˈklɒz.ɪt/

Example:

She hung my overcoat in the closet

A cupboard or a small room with a door, used for storing things, especially clothes

Persian equivalent:

Example:

She hung my overcoat in the closet

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

furniture for storage

Level:

A2 (Elementary)

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

closet

noun (American)
a space in a wall with a door that reaches the ground, used for storing clothes, shoes, etc.:
a walk-in closet

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

closet

I. clos‧et¹ S3 /ˈklɒzət, ˈklɒzɪt $ ˈklɑː-, ˈklɒː-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: clos 'enclosed place', from Latin clausum, from clausus; ⇨ ↑close²]
1. especially American English a cupboard built into the wall of a room from the floor to the ceiling ⇨ wardrobe:
a closet full of beautiful clothes
2. come out of the closet
a) to tell people that you are ↑homosexual after hiding the fact SYN come out
b) to admit something or to start to discuss something that was kept secret before
3. be in the closet American English informal to not tell people that you are ↑homosexual
⇨ ↑water closet, ⇨ a skeleton in the closet at ↑skeleton(5)
II. closet² BrE AmE adjective
closet homosexual/alcoholic etc someone who is a ↑homosexual etc but who does not want to admit it:
a closet communist
III. closet³ BrE AmE verb [transitive usually passive]
to shut someone in a room away from other people in order to discuss something private, to be alone etc
be closeted with somebody
All morning he’d been closeted with various officials.
Don’t let her closet herself away in her room.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

closet

closet [closet closets closeted closeting] noun, adjective, verb [ˈklɒzɪt] [ˈklɑːzət]

noun (especially NAmE)
a small room or a space in a wall with a door that reaches the floor, used for storing things
• a walk-in closet

compare cupboard, wardrobe
see also water closet
see also come out (¹⁰), see a skeleton in the cupboard/closet at skeleton
Word Origin:
late Middle English (denoting a private or small room): from Old French, diminutive of clos ‘closed’, from Latin claudere ‘to shut’.
Thesaurus:
closet noun C (especially AmE)
• a walk-in closet for her clothes
cupboard • • wardrobe • • pantry • • cabinet • • unit •
walk-in closet/cupboard/wardrobe/pantry
built-in closet/cupboard/wardrobe
wall/storage/kitchen closet/cupboard/cabinet/unit
Example Bank:
• He searched his closet for something to wear.
• He went to the closet and pulled out a suit.
• Her closet was filled with black clothes.
• I picked a shirt from the closet.
• I raided Bob's closet for something to wear.
• More public figures are finding the courage to come out of the closet.
• They were hoping to find some skeletons in his closet.
• clothes hanging in the closet
• It's about time I cleared out this closet.
• She has a walk-in closet for all her clothes.

Idiom: come out of the closet

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

closet / klɒz.ɪt / / klɑ.zɪt / noun [ C ] mainly US

A2 a cupboard or a small room with a door, used for storing things, especially clothes:
a bedroom/linen/storage closet

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

closet

/klɒzɪt/
(closets)

1.
A closet is a piece of furniture with doors at the front and shelves inside, which is used for storing things. (AM; in BRIT, use cupboard)
N-COUNT

2.
A closet is a very small room for storing things, especially one without windows. (AM; also BRIT OLD-FASHIONED)
N-COUNT

3.
Closet is used to describe a person who has beliefs, habits, or feelings which they keep secret, often because they are embarrassed about them. Closet is also used of their beliefs, habits, or feelings.
He is a closet Fascist.
ADJ: ADJ n

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹clos·et /ˈklɑːzət/ noun, pl -ets
1 [count] chiefly US : a usually small room that is used for storing things (such as clothing, towels, or dishes)
• The sheets and blankets are in the hall closet.
• He has a closet full of new clothes.
• broom/coat closets
• a walk-in closet [=a large closet usually for clothes]
- see also water closet
2 [noncount] : a state in which someone will not talk about something or admit something especially; : a state in which someone will not admit being a homosexual - usually used in the phrases in the closet or out of the closet
• He's still in the closet. [=he has not told people that he is gay]
• She came out of the closet in college.
skeleton in the/your closet

kitchen

kitchen [noun]

/ˈkɪtʃ.ən/

Example:

She wants a house with a large kitchen.

A room where food is kept, prepared, and cooked and where the dishes are washed

Persian equivalent: