someone who paints pictures SYN artist
Gerry’s ambition was to become a portrait painter.
آرزوی گری این بود که یک نقاش پرتره بشه.
the Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer
نقاش هلندی ژوهانس ورمیر
painter
noun
1 a person whose job is to paint things like walls or houses
2 a person who paints pictures same meaning artist:
Picasso was a famous painter.
painter
paint‧er /ˈpeɪntə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑paint, ↑painter, ↑painting, repaint; verb: ↑paint, repaint; adjective: ↑painterly]
[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: ⇨ ↑paint2]
1. someone who paints pictures SYN artist:
Gerry’s ambition was to become a portrait painter.
2. someone whose job is painting houses or other buildings
painter and decorator British English
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ artist someone who produces art, especially paintings or drawings: an exhibition of paintings by 50 contemporary artists | a wildlife artist who specializes in drawing birds
▪ painter someone who paints pictures: the Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer | Sisley was principally a landscape painter.
▪ photographer someone who takes photographs, as an art or as a job: Cartier-Bresson was one of the greatest photographers of all time. | a fashion photographer
▪ potter someone who makes pots or other objects from clay: In Spain, local potters produce ceramics with beautiful brightly-coloured designs.
▪ sculptor someone who makes ↑sculptures (=a work of art that is made from stone, metal, or wood): The museum has several pieces by the great English sculptor, Sir Henry Moore.
▪ performance artist someone who uses acting, dance and other actions to create art that expresses an idea: a one-man show by the French performance artist, Orlan
painter
paint·er [painter painters] [ˈpeɪntə(r)] [ˈpeɪntər] noun
1. a person whose job is painting buildings, walls, etc
• He works as a painter and decorator.
2. an artist who paints pictures
• a famous painter
• a portrait/landscape painter
3. a rope fastened to the front of a boat, used for tying it to a post, ship, etc.
Word Origin:
senses 1 to 2 Middle English Anglo-Norman French peintour Latin pictor pingere ‘to paint’
sense 3 Middle English Old French pentoir ‘something from which to hang things’
Example Bank:
• He now works as a painter and decorator.
• Rudolf II's court painter
• an exhibition of works by contemporary painters
• some of the great painters of the last century
• the Dutch master painter Jan Vermeer
• Chardin was a gifted still-life painter.
• Pablo Picasso, the famous cubist painter, was born in Malaga.
painter /ˈpeɪn.təʳ/ US /-ţɚ/
noun [C]
1 someone who paints pictures
2 someone whose job is to paint surfaces, such as walls and doors
painter
[pe͟ɪntə(r)]
painters
1) N-COUNT A painter is an artist who paints pictures.
2) N-COUNT A painter is someone who paints walls, doors, and some other parts of buildings as their job.
Local artists are currently exhibiting their work at the gallery.
artist
noun
a person who paints or draws pictures:
Monet was a famous French artist.
artist
art‧ist S3 W2 /ˈɑːtəst, ˈɑːtɪst $ ˈɑːr-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑art, ↑artist, ↑artistry; adjective: ↑artistic, ↑arty; adverb: ↑artistically]
1. someone who produces art, especially paintings or drawings:
an exhibition of paintings by local artists ⇨ make-up artist at ↑make-up(1)
2. a professional performer, especially a singer, dancer, or actor:
Many of the artists in the show donated their fee to charity.
3. informal someone who is extremely good at something:
He’s an artist in the kitchen. ⇨ ↑con artist
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ artist someone who produces art, especially paintings or drawings: an exhibition of paintings by 50 contemporary artists | a wildlife artist who specializes in drawing birds
▪ painter someone who paints pictures: the Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer | Sisley was principally a landscape painter.
▪ photographer someone who takes photographs, as an art or as a job: Cartier-Bresson was one of the greatest photographers of all time. | a fashion photographer
▪ potter someone who makes pots or other objects from clay: In Spain, local potters produce ceramics with beautiful brightly-coloured designs.
▪ sculptor someone who makes ↑sculptures (=a work of art that is made from stone, metal, or wood): The museum has several pieces by the great English sculptor, Sir Henry Moore.
▪ performance artist someone who uses acting, dance and other actions to create art that expresses an idea: a one-man show by the French performance artist, Orlan
artist
art·ist [artist artists] [ˈɑːtɪst] [ˈɑːrtɪst] noun
1. a person who creates works of art, especially paintings or drawings
• an exhibition of work by contemporary British artists
• a graphic artist
• a make-up artist
• Police have issued an artist's impression of her attacker.
• In Paris she met a group of young artists: poets, film-makers and painters.
• (figurative) Whoever made this cake is a real artist.
2. (especially BrE ar·tiste [ɑːˈtiːst] ; [ɑːrˈtiːst] ) a professional entertainer such as a singer, a dancer or an actor
• a recording/solo artist
• (especially BrE) Among the artistes appearing on our show tonight we have…
• He was a true artiste: sensitive, dramatic and tragic.
Word Origin:
early 16th cent. (denoting a master of the liberal arts): from French artiste, from Italian artista, from arte ‘art’, from Latin ars, art-.
Thesaurus:
artist noun
1. C
• an exhibition of work by contemporary Danish artists
painter • • sculptor •
a contemporary/talented/famous artist/painter/sculptor
a/an abstract/impressionist/portrait/landscape artist/painter
2. C
• After the duo split up, Kit became a successful solo artist.
performer • • entertainer • • artiste • • musician • • singer • • dancer •
a famous/talented/aspiring artist/performer/entertainer/musician/singer/dancer
Collocations:
Fine arts
Creating art
make a work of art/a drawing/a sketch/a sculpture/a statue/engravings/etchings/prints
do an oil painting/a self-portrait/a line drawing/a rough sketch
create a work of art/an artwork/paintings and sculptures
produce paintings/portraits/oil sketches/his most celebrated work/a series of prints
paint a picture/landscape/portrait/mural/in oils/in watercolours/(especially US) in watercolors/on canvas
draw a picture/a portrait/a cartoon/a sketch/a line/a figure/the human form/in charcoal/in ink
sketch a preliminary drawing/a figure/a shape
carve a figure/an image/a sculpture/an altarpiece/reliefs/a block of wood
sculpt a portrait bust/a statue/an abstract figure
etch a line/a pattern/a design/a name into the glass
mix colours/(especially US) colors/pigments/paints
add/apply thin/thick layers of paint/colour/(especially US) color/pigment
use oil pastels/charcoal/acrylic paint/a can of spray paint
work in bronze/ceramics/stone/oils/pastels/watercolour/a wide variety of media
Describing art
paint/depict a female figure/a biblical scene/a pastoral landscape/a domestic interior
depict/illustrate a traditional/mythological/historical/religious theme
create an abstract composition/a richly textured surface/a distorted perspective
paint dark/rich/skin/flesh tones
use broad brush strokes/loose brushwork/vibrant colours/a limited palette/simple geometric forms
develop/adopt/paint in a stylized manner/an abstract style
Showing and selling art
commission an altarpiece/a bronze bust of sb/a portrait/a religious work/an artist to paint sth
frame a painting/portrait
hang art/a picture/a painting
display/exhibit modern art/sb's work/a collection/original artwork/ drawings/sculptures/a piece
be displayed/hung in a gallery/museum
install/place a sculpture in/at/on sth
erect/unveil a bronze/marble/life-size statue
hold/host/mount/open/curate/see (especially BrE) an exhibition/(NAmE usually) exhibit
be/go on (BrE) exhibition/(NAmE) exhibit
feature/promote/showcase a conceptual artist/contemporary works
collect African art/modern British paintings/Japanese prints
restore/preserve a fresco/great works of art
Example Bank:
• He is a serious artist, and totally committed to his work.
• In 1942 the city commissioned war artist John Piper to paint its bombed cathedral.
• Local artists are currently exhibiting their work at the gallery.
• Local watercolour artists are currently exhibiting their work in the town hall.
• My husband is a real artist in the kitchen.
• She set up the gallery so that up-and-coming artists could exhibit their work.
• The Blue Note Quartet will be the guest artists tomorrow night.
• The agency began to represent Chinese artists.
• The artists explored common themes.
• The festival featured artists such John Mclaughlin and Russell Malone.
• The festival featured up-and-coming young artists.
• The museum's featured artists include Degas, Cézanne and Renoir.
• a group of artists who specialize in jazz-themed art
• an artist who paints in oils
• an exhibition featuring wildlife artist Emma Gray
• artists who work in different media
• the new artist in residence at the Tate Gallery
• A mime artist's movements must be clear to the audience.
• After the band broke up, Joe relaunched his career as a solo artist.
• Caruso was probably the most popular recording artist of his time.
• Even the most beautiful celebrities need the services of a make-up artist.
• In Paris she met a group of young artists: poets, film-makers and painters.
• Police have issued an artist's impression of her attacker.
• The advertisement was designed professionally by a graphic artist.
art
art /ɑːt/ US /ɑːrt/
noun
1 [U] the making of objects, images, music, etc. that are beautiful or that express feelings:
Can television and pop music really be considered art?
I enjoyed the ballet, but it wasn't really great art.
2 [U] the activity of painting, drawing and making sculpture:
Art and English were my best subjects at school.
an art teacher
3 [U] paintings, drawings and sculptures:
The gallery has an excellent collection of modern art.
an exhibition of Native American art
Peggy Guggenheim was one of the twentieth century's great art collectors.
The Frick is an art gallery in New York.
4 [C] an activity through which people express particular ideas:
Drama is an art that is traditionally performed in a theatre.
Do you regard film as entertainment or as an art?
She is doing a course in the performing arts.
5 [C] a skill or special ability:
the art of conversation
Getting him to go out is quite an art (= needs special skill).
artist /ˈɑː.tɪst/ US /ˈɑːr.ţɪst/
noun [C]
1 someone who paints, draws or makes sculptures:
Monet is one of my favourite artists.
Compare artiste.
2 someone who creates things with great skill and imagination:
He described her as one of the greatest film artists of the 20th century.
artistic /ɑːˈtɪs.tɪk/ US /ɑːr-/
adjective
1 [before noun] relating to art:
the artistic director of the theatre
artistic endeavours
a work of artistic merit
2 able to create or enjoy art:
His friends are all artistic - they're painters, musicians and writers.
3 skilfully and attractively made:
That's a very artistic flower arrangement you have there.
artistically /ɑːˈtɪs.tɪ.kli/ US /ɑːr-/
adverb
artistry /ˈɑː.tɪ.stri/ US /ˈɑːr.ţɪ-/
noun [U]
great skill in creating or performing something, such as in writing, music, sport, etc:
You have to admire the artistry of her novels.
the arts plural noun
the making or showing or performance of painting, acting, dancing and music:
More government money is needed for the arts.
public interest in the arts
See also arts.
arty /ˈɑː.ti/ US /ˈɑːr
adjective INFORMAL USUALLY DISAPPROVING
being or wishing to seem very interested in everything connected with art and artists:
She hangs out with a lot of arty types.
artist
[ɑ͟ː(r)tɪst]
♦♦
artists
1) N-COUNT An artist is someone who draws or paints pictures or creates sculptures as a job or a hobby.
...the studio of a great artist...
Each poster is signed by the artist...
I'm not a good artist.
2) N-COUNT An artist is a person who creates novels, poems, films, or other things which can be considered as works of art.
His books are enormously easy to read, yet he is a serious artist...
Engel is quoted as saying that balanced people do not become artists.
3) N-COUNT An artist is a performer such as a musician, actor, or dancer.
...a popular artist who has sold millions of records.
4) N-COUNT: usu with supp If you say that someone is an artist at a particular activity, you mean they are very skilled at it.
Jack is an outstanding barber, an artist with shears.
artist
art·ist /ˈɑɚtɪst/ noun, pl -ists [count]
1 : a person who creates art
• the great artists of the Renaissance
• a graphic artist : a person who is skilled at drawing, painting, etc.
• I can't draw at all, but both of my children are very talented artists. [=they draw very well]
2 : a skilled performer
• a jazz artist
• a trapeze artist
• famous recording artists [=singers and musicians who record their music]
3 : a person who is very good at something
• She's an artist in her field. [=she's very good at her job]
• a scam artist
a woman who performs in a play or film
actress
noun (plural actresses)
a woman who acts in plays, films or television programmes
actress
ac‧tress /ˈæktrəs, ˈæktrɪs/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
a woman who performs in a play or film
actress
ac·tress [actress actresses] [ˈæktrəs] [ˈæktrəs] noun
a woman who performs on the stage, on television or in films/movies, especially as a profession Many women now prefer to be called actors, although when the context is not clear, an actor is usually understood to refer to a man.
More About:
gender
Ways of talking about men and women
When you are writing or speaking English it is important to use language that includes both men and women equally. Some people may be very offended if you do not.The human race
Man and mankind have traditionally been used to mean ‘all men and women’. Many people now prefer to use humanity, the human race, human beings or people.Jobs
The suffix -ess in names of occupations such as actress, hostess and waitress shows that the person doing the job is a woman. Many people now avoid these. Instead you can use actor or host, (although actress and hostess are still very common) or a neutral word, such as server for waiter and waitress.
Neutral words like assistant, worker, person or officer are now often used instead of -man or -woman in the names of jobs. For example, you can use police officer instead of policeman or policewoman, and spokesperson instead of spokesman or spokeswoman. Neutral words are very common in newspapers, on television and radio and in official writing, in both BrE and NAmE.
When talking about jobs that are traditionally done by the other sex, some people say: a male secretary/nurse/model (NOT man) or a woman/female doctor/barrister/driver. However this is now not usually used unless you need to emphasize which sex the person is, or it is still unusual for the job to be done by a man/woman: ▪ My daughter prefers to see a woman doctor. ◊ ▪ They have a male nanny for their kids. ◊ ▪ a female racing driver Pronouns
He used to be considered to cover both men and women: ▪ Everyone needs to feel he is loved. This is not now acceptable. Instead, after everybody, everyone, anybody, anyone, somebody, someone, etc. one of the plural pronouns they, them, and their is often used: ▪ Does everybody know what they want? ◊ ▪ Somebody’s left their coat here. ◊ ▪ I hope nobody’s forgotten to bring their passport with them.
Some people prefer to use he or she, his or her, or him or her in speech and writing: ▪ Everyone knows what’s best for him or herself. He/she or (s)he can also be used in writing: ▪ If in doubt, ask your doctor. He/she can give you more information. (You may find that some writers just use ‘she’.) These uses can seem awkward when they are used a lot. It is better to try to change the sentence, using a plural noun. Instead of saying: ▪ A baby cries when he or she is tired you can say ▪ Babies cry when they are tired.
Example Bank:
• In 1940 he married actress Jane Wyman.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
actress / æk.trəs / noun [ C ]
a female actor:
She's the highest-paid actress in Hollywood.
actress
[æ̱ktrəs]
♦♦♦
actresses
N-COUNT
An actress is a woman whose job is acting in plays or films.
She's not only a very great dramatic actress but she's also very funny.
A period of 15 minutes
I’ll meet you at a quarter to ten.
quarter
noun
1 one of four equal parts of something; ¼:
a mile and a quarter
The film starts in three quarters of an hour.
2 three months:
You get a telephone bill every quarter.
3 a part of a town:
the Chinese quarter
(a) quarter past (British) 15 minutes after the hour:
It's quarter past two.
I'll meet you at a quarter past.
In American English you say a quarter after:
It's a quarter after seven.
(a) quarter to (British) 15 minutes before the hour:
It's quarter to nine.
In American English you say a quarter of:
It's a quarter of four now.
quarter
I. quar‧ter1 S1 W2 /ˈkwɔːtə $ ˈkwɔːrtər/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑quarter, quarters, ↑quarterly; verb: ↑quarter; adverb: ↑quarterly; adjective: ↑quarterly]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: quartier, from Latin quartarius, from quartus 'fourth']
1. AMOUNT one of four equal parts into which something can be divided ⇨ half, third
a/one quarter (of something)
a quarter of a mile
roughly one quarter of the city’s population
It’s about a page and a quarter.
three quarters (of something) (=75%)
three quarters of a million pounds
the first/second etc quarter
in the last quarter of the 19th century
Cut the cake into quarters.
► Say a quarter of something, not ‘quarter of’ something.
2. PART OF AN HOUR a period of 15 minutes:
I’ll meet you in a quarter of an hour.
She arrived three quarters of an hour (=45 minutes) late.
(a) quarter to (something) (also (a) quarter of (something) )American English (=15 minutes before the hour)
It’s a quarter of two.
(a) quarter past (something) British English also (a) quarter after (something) )American English (=15 minutes after the hour)
I’ll meet you at a quarter past ten.
3. MONEY a coin used in the US and Canada worth 25 cents
4. THREE MONTHS a period of three months, used especially when discussing business and financial matters
the first/second/third/fourth quarter
The company’s profits rose by 11% in the first quarter of the year.
Our database is updated every quarter. ⇨ ↑quarterly(1)
5. SPORT one of the four equal periods of time into which games of some sports are divided
the first/second/third/fourth quarter
The home side took the lead in the second quarter.
6. PART OF A CITY [usually singular] an area of a town:
I found a small flat in the student quarter.
Granada’s ancient Arab quarter
a historic quarter of the city
7. HOME quarters [plural] the rooms that are given to someone to live in as part of their job, especially servants or soldiers:
The top floor provided living quarters for the kitchen staff.
Most of the officers live in married quarters (=houses where soldiers live with their wives).
8. COLLEGE American English one of the four periods into which a year at school or college is divided, continuing for 10 to 12 weeks ⇨ semester:
What classes are you taking this quarter?
9. MOON the period of time twice a month when you can see a quarter of the moon’s surface
10. in/from ... quarters among or from different groups of people:
Offers of financial help came from several quarters.
Doubts were expressed in many quarters.
11. all quarters of the Earth/globe literary everywhere in the world
12. give/receive no quarter literary if someone gives no quarter, they do not show any pity or gentleness when dealing with someone, especially an enemy:
It was a fight to the death, with no quarter given.
⇨ at close quarters at ↑close2(20)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ area a part of a town or country, or of the world: They live in a very wealthy area. | coastal areas
▪ region a large area of a country or the world: the northwest region of Russia | desert regions
▪ zone an area that is different from other areas around it in some way: a war zone | a no-parking zone | We crossed two different time zonesareas where there is a particular time compared to the rest of the world.
▪ district one of the areas a city or town is officially divided into, or an area of a city where a particular group live or an activity happens: the Chelsea district of Manhattan | the business/financial/theatre etc district: the financial district of London
▪ neighbourhood British English, neighborhood American English /ˈneɪbəhʊd $ -ər-/ an area of a town where people live: a friendly neighbourhood | There are lots of trees in our neighborhood.
▪ suburb an area outside the centre of a city, where people live: a suburb of Boston
▪ quarter an area of a town or city where people of a particular nationality live: the French quarter of New Orleans
▪ slum an area of a city that is in very bad condition, where many poor people live: He grew up in the slums of East London.
▪ ghetto an area of a city where poor people of a particular race or class live: a black baby born in the ghetto
II. quarter2 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Word Family: noun: ↑quarter, quarters, ↑quarterly; verb: ↑quarter; adverb: ↑quarterly; adjective: ↑quarterly]
1. to cut or divide something into four parts ⇨ halve:
Quarter the tomatoes and place them round the dish.
2. [usually passive] formal to provide someone with a place to sleep and eat, especially soldiers:
Our troops were quartered in Boston until June.
quarter
quar·ter [quarter quarters quartered quartering] noun, verb [ˈkwɔːtə(r)] [ˈkwɔːrtər]
noun
1 OF 4 PARTS
1. (also fourth especially in NAmE) countable one of four equal parts of sth
• a quarter of a mile
• The programme lasted an hour and a quarter.
• Cut the apple into quarters.
• The theatre was about three quarters full.
15 MINUTES
2. countable a period of 15 minutes either before or after every hour
• It's (a) quarter to four now— I'll meet you at (a) quarter past.
• (NAmE also) It's quarter of four now— I'll meet you at quarter after.
3 MONTHS
3. countable a period of three months, used especially as a period for which bills are paid or a company's income is calculated
• The rent is due at the end of each quarter.
• Our gas bill for the last quarter was much higher than usual.
• Sales were down 10% in the first quarter of 2009.
PART OF TOWN
4. countable, usually singular a district or part of a town
• the Latin quarter
• the historic quarter of the city
PERSON/GROUP
5. countable a person or group of people, especially as a source of help, information or a reaction
• Support for the plan came from an unexpected quarter.
• The news was greeted with dismay in some quarters.
25 CENTS
6. countable a coin of the US and Canada worth 25 cents
ROOMS TO LIVE IN
7. quarters plural rooms that are provided for soldiers, servants, etc. to live in
• We were moved to more comfortable living quarters.
• married quarters
OF MOON
8. countable the period of time twice a month when we can see a quarter of the moon
• The moon is in its first quarter.
IN SPORT
9. countable one of the four periods of time into which a game of American football is divided
WEIGHT
10. countable (BrE) a unit for measuring weight, a quarter of a pound; 4 ounces
11. countable a unit for measuring weight, 28 pounds in the UK or 25 pounds in the US; a quarter of a hundredweight
PITY
12. uncountable (old-fashioned or literary) pity that sb shows towards an enemy or opponent who is in their power
Syn: mercy
• His rivals knew that they could expect no quarter from such a ruthless adversary.
see at/from close quarters at close2 adj.
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French quartier, from Latin quartarius ‘fourth part of a measure’, from quartus ‘fourth’, from quattuor ‘four’.
Grammar Point:
half / whole / quarter
Quarter, half and whole can all be nouns: ▪ Cut the apple into quarters. ◊ ▪ Two halves make a whole.
Whole is also an adjective: ▪ I’ve been waiting here for a whole hour.
Half is also a determiner: ▪ Half (of) the work is already finished. ◊ ▪ They spent half the time looking for a parking space. ◊ ▪ Her house is half a mile down the road. Note that you do not put a or the in front of half when it is used in this way: ▪ I waited for half an hour ◊ I waited for a half an hour.
Half can also be used as an adverb: ▪ This meal is only half cooked.
Example Bank:
• He was confined to quarters as a punishment.
• Profits fell during the third quarter.
• The corporal and his family lived in married quarters.
• The problem was being discussed in all quarters.
• There was no comment from official quarters on the allegations.
• a quarter of a century/mile/million
• a quarter of all potential customers
• a quarter of an hour
• six consecutive quarters of improved earnings
• the current fiscal quarter
• the president's private quarters
• Ford scored the winning touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
• She lives in the Latin quarter of Paris.
• The historic quarter of the city is full of grand buildings.
• The robbery took place in a normally quiet quarter of the town.
verb
DIVIDE INTO 4
1. ~ sth to cut or divide sth into four parts
• She peeled and quartered an apple.
PROVIDE ROOMS
2. ~ sb (+ adv./prep.) (formal) to provide sb with a place to eat and sleep
• The soldiers were quartered in the town.
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French quartier, from Latin quartarius ‘fourth part of a measure’, from quartus ‘fourth’, from quattuor ‘four’.
Example Bank:
• Three hundred soldiers were quartered in the town.
quarter
quarter (FORGIVENESS) /ˈkwɔː.təʳ/ US /ˈkwɑː.ţɚ/
noun [U] LITERARY
a show of kindness and forgiveness towards a person that you have defeated, especially in allowing them to live:
We can expect no quarter from our enemies.
quarter (PERSON) /ˈkwɔː.təʳ/ US /ˈkwɑː.ţɚ/
noun [C]
one or more people who provide help, information or a particular reaction to something but who are not usually named:
Help came from an unexpected quarter.
There is a feeling in certain/some quarters (= Some people consider) that a change is needed.
quarter (AREA) /ˈkwɔː.təʳ/ US /ˈkwɑː.ţɚ/
noun [C]
an area of a town where a particular group of people live or work or where a particular activity happens:
This is the bustling commercial quarter of the city.
quarter (MONEY) /ˈkwɔː.təʳ/ US /ˈkwɑː.ţɚ/
noun [C]
in the US and Canada, a coin worth 25 cents
quarter (FOURTH PART) /ˈkwɔː.təʳ/ US /ˈkwɑː.ţɚ/
noun [C]
1 one of four equal or almost equal parts of something; ¼:
He cut the orange into quarters.
Under a quarter of people questioned said that they were happily married.
My house is situated a mile and three-quarters from here.
2 a quarter of an hour 15 minutes:
I waited a quarter of an hour and then went home.
I was there three-quarters of an hour.
an hour and three-quarters
3 a quarter to/US ALSO of two/three/four, etc. 15 minutes before two/three/four, etc:
It was a quarter to six when I left.
4 a quarter past/US ALSO after two/three/four, etc. 15 minutes after two/three/four, etc:
I'll meet you at a quarter past five.
5 one of four periods of time into which a year is divided for financial calculations, such as for profits or taxes:
There was a fall in unemployment in the second quarter of the year.
I get an electricity bill every quarter.
6 one of four periods in a game of American football and other ball sports
quarter /ˈkwɔː.təʳ/ US /ˈkwɑː.ţɚ/
verb [T often passive]
to cut something into four parts
quarterly /ˈkwɔː.təl.i/ US /ˈkwɑː.ţɚ.li/
adjective, adverb
a quarterly magazine
The magazine will be published quarterly (= four times a year).
quarters
quarters /ˈkwɔː.təz/ US /ˈkwɑː.ţɚz/
plural noun
a room or house that has been provided, especially for servants or soldiers and their families, to live in:
The army's married quarters are just outside the town.
quarter /ˈkwɔː.təʳ/ US /ˈkwɑː.ţɚ/
verb [T usually passive + adverb or preposition]
to send especially soldiers to live in a place:
The soldiers were quartered with (= they lived with) local villagers during the war.
term
term (TIME) /tɜːm/ US /tɝːm/
noun
1 [C] the fixed period of time which something lasts for:
He received a prison term for drunk driving.
The Government's term of office (= The period in which they have power) expires at the end of the year.
See also terms.
2 [C] MAINLY UK (US USUALLY semester or quarter) one of the periods into which a year is divided at school, college or university:
In Britain, the spring term starts in January and ends just before Easter.
We're very busy in term-time (= during the term).
3 [C] FORMAL the period of time which a legal agreement lasts for:
The lease on our house is near the end of its term.
4 [U] SPECIALIZED the end of a pregnancy when a baby is expected to be born:
Her last pregnancy went to term (= The baby was born after the expected number of weeks).
a full-term pregnancy
-term/-tɜːm/ US /-tɝːm/
suffix
long/medium/short-term lasting a long/medium/short time:
The project will have long-term benefits.
quarter
/kwɔ:(r)tə(r)/
(quarters, quartering, quartered)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
A quarter is one of four equal parts of something.
A quarter of the residents are over 55 years old...
I’ve got to go in a quarter of an hour...
Prices have fallen by a quarter since January...
Cut the peppers into quarters.
FRACTION
•
Quarter is also a predeterminer.
The largest asteroid is Ceres, which is about a quarter the size of the moon.
PREDET
•
Quarter is also an adjective.
...the past quarter century...
ADJ: ADJ n
2.
A quarter is a fixed period of three months. Companies often divide their financial year into four quarters.
The group said results for the third quarter are due on October 29.
N-COUNT: usu sing
3.
When you are telling the time, you use quarter to talk about the fifteen minutes before or after an hour. For example, 8.15 is quarter past eight, and 8.45 is quarter to nine. In American English, you can also say that 8.15 is a quarter after eight and 8.45 is a quarter of nine.
It was a quarter to six...
I got a call at quarter of seven one night...
N-UNCOUNT: also a N
4.
If you quarter something such as a fruit or a vegetable, you cut it into four roughly equal parts.
Chop the mushrooms and quarter the tomatoes.
VERB: V n
5.
If the number or size of something is quartered, it is reduced to about a quarter of its previous number or size.
The doses I suggested for adults could be halved or quartered.
VERB: usu passive, be V-ed
6.
A quarter is an American or Canadian coin that is worth 25 cents.
I dropped a quarter into the slot of the pay phone.
N-COUNT
7.
A particular quarter of a town is a part of the town where a particular group of people traditionally live or work.
Look for hotels in the French Quarter.
N-COUNT: supp N
8.
To refer to a person or group you may not want to name, you can talk about the reactions or actions from a particular quarter.
Help came from an unexpected quarter...
N-COUNT: usu supp N
9.
The rooms provided for soldiers, sailors, or servants to live in are called their quarters.
Mckinnon went down from deck to the officers’ quarters.
N-PLURAL: poss N
10.
If you do something at close quarters, you do it very near to a particular person or thing.
You can watch aircraft take off or land at close quarters...
Two hours after midnight
12 o'clock at night
Two hours after midnight
midnight
noun (no plural)
twelve o'clock at night:
We left the party at midnight.
Look at midday.
midnight
mid‧night S3 /ˈmɪdnaɪt/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑night, ↑midnight, ↑nightie; adverb: ↑overnight, ↑nightly; adjective: ↑nightly, ↑overnight]
12 o'clock at night ⇨ midday
at midnight
The train is due in at midnight.
after/before midnight
We stayed there until way after midnight.
You can’t phone her now – it’s gone midnight (=after midnight)!
By the time he arrived, it was well past midnight (=after midnight).
at/on the stroke of midnight (=at exactly midnight)
The treaty will come into force on the stroke of midnight tonight.
He’s gone for a midnight swim.
► Do not say ‘in the midnight’. If you mean ‘at 12 o’clock at night' say at midnight and if you mean ‘very late at night’ say in the middle of the night.
midnight
mid·night [midnight midnights] [ˈmɪdnaɪt] [ˈmɪdnaɪt] noun uncountable
1. 12 o'clock at night
• They had to leave at midnight.
• on the stroke of midnight/shortly after midnight
• She heard the clock strike midnight.
• Let's have a midnight feast tonight (= a secret meal that children like to have in the middle of the night).
• We have to catch the midnight train.
2. (especially NAmE) = midnight blue
see burn the midnight oil at burn v., do a moonlight/midnight flit at flit n.
Word Origin:
Old English midniht (see mid-, night).
Example Bank:
• Downstairs in the hall, midnight struck.
• It was approaching midnight when I finally reached home.
• On the stroke of midnight, Prince Charming turned back into a rat.
• The church clock struck midnight.
• the land of the midnight sun
• The law comes into effect on the stroke of midnight tomorrow.
• The ship set sail shortly after midnight.
• They had to leave at midnight.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
midnight / ˈmɪd.naɪt / noun [ U ]
A2 twelve o'clock in the middle of the night:
There's a great film on TV at midnight.
It was after midnight when we got home.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
midnight
/mɪdnaɪt/
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
Midnight is twelve o’clock in the middle of the night.
It was well after midnight by the time Anne returned to her apartment...
N-UNCOUNT: usu prep N
2.
Midnight is used to describe something which happens or appears at midnight or in the middle of the night.
It is totally out of the question to postpone the midnight deadline...
ADJ: ADJ n
3.
If someone is burning the midnight oil, they are staying up very late in order to study or do some other work.
Chris is asleep after burning the midnight oil trying to finish his article.
PHRASE: V inflects
midnight
mid·night /ˈmɪdˌnaɪt/ noun [noncount] : the middle of the night : 12 o'clock at night
• Her parents wanted her home before midnight.
• The clock struck midnight.
• It was 12 midnight when we arrived home.
- often used before another noun
• a midnight snack
• at the midnight hour [=at midnight]
burn the midnight oil
Take one pill at noon and one at night
12 o'clock in the daytime SYN midday
Take one pill at noon and one at night
noon
noun (no plural)
twelve o'clock in the middle of the day same meaning midday:
I met him at noon.
noon
noon /nuːn/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[Language: Old English; Origin: non 'ninth hour from sunrise', from Latin nonus 'ninth']
12 o'clock in the daytime SYN midday
at/before/by noon
We left home at noon.
He rarely gets up before noon.
We met at 12 noon.
noon
noon [noon noons] [nuːn] [nuːn] noun uncountable
12 o'clock in the middle of the day
Syn: midday
• We should be there by noon.
• The conference opens at 12 noon on Saturday.
• the noon deadline for the end of hostilities
• I'm leaving on the noon train.
• the glaring light of high noon
see morning, noon and night at morning
Word Origin:
Old English nōn ‘the ninth hour from sunrise, i.e. approximately 3 p.m.’, from Latin nona (hora) ‘ninth hour’.
Example Bank:
• the glaring light of high noon
• I'm leaving on the noon train.
• We arrived at high noon.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
noon / nuːn / noun [ U ]
A2 twelve o'clock in the middle of the day, or about that time:
We used to ski before noon then take a long lunch.
By noon, we had had ten phone calls.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
noon
/nu:n/
1.
Noon is twelve o’clock in the middle of the day.
The long day of meetings started at noon...
Our branches are open from 9am to 5pm during the week and until 12 noon on Saturdays.
= midday
N-UNCOUNT: oft prep N
see also high noon
2.
Noon means happening or appearing in the middle part of the day.
The noon sun was fierce...
He expected the transfer to go through by today’s noon deadline.
= midday
ADJ: ADJ n
noon
noon /ˈnuːn/ noun [noncount] : the middle of the day : 12 o'clock in the daytime
• Meet me at/around noon.
• half past noon
• The party will take place from noon to 4 p.m.
• He showed up at precisely 12 noon.
- often used before another noun
• the noon meal/hour
• the hot noon sun
morning, noon, and night
hope
noun
1 (plural hopes) a feeling of wanting something to happen and thinking that it will:
There's little hope of finding survivors.
Don't give up hope; you may still pass.
2 (no plural) a person or thing that gives you hope:
Can you help me? You're my only hope.
verb (hopes, hoping, hoped )
to want something to happen or be true:
I hope that you have a nice holiday.
I hope to see you tomorrow.
She's hoping for a bike for her birthday.
'Do you think it will rain?' 'I hope not.'
'Will you be at the party?' 'I'm not sure – I hope so.'
Hope
I. Hope, Anthony BrE AmE
(1863–1933) a British writer known especially for his adventure novel The Prisoner of Zenda
II. Hope, Bob BrE AmE
(1903–2003) a US actor and ↑comedian, born in the UK, who appeared in many humorous films such as Road to Singapore (1940) and The Paleface (1948). He was known for his special style of humour, which was based on ↑one-liners (=very short, clever jokes), and for entertaining soldiers during wartime.
hope
I. hope1 S1 W1 /həʊp $ hoʊp/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[Word Family: noun: hope, hopefulness ≠ hopelessness, hopeful; verb: hope; adverb: hopefully ≠ hopelessly; adjective: hopeful ≠ hopeless]
[Language: Old English; Origin: hopian]
1. to want something to happen or be true and to believe that it is possible or likely
hope (that)
We hope that more women will decide to join the course.
I do hope everything goes well.
It was hoped that the job would be filled by a local person.
Let’s just hope someone finds her bag.
I hope to God I haven’t left the car window open.
hope to do something
Joan’s hoping to study law at Harvard.
hope for
We were hoping for good weather.
Liam decided to ignore the warning and just hope for the best (=hope that a situation will end well when there is a risk of things going wrong).
I rang my parents, hoping against hope (=hoping for something that is very unlikely to happen or be true) that they hadn’t left yet.
► Do not say that you ‘hope something would happen’. Say that you hope something will happen: I hope the weather will be nice (NOT I hope the weather would be nice).
2. I hope so spoken used to say that you hope something that has been mentioned happens or is true:
‘Do we get paid this week?’ ‘I certainly hope so!’
3. I hope not spoken used to say that you hope something that has been mentioned does not happen or is not true:
I don’t think I’m busy that day, or at least I hope not.
4. I’m hoping spoken used to say that you hope something will happen, especially because you are depending on it
I’m hoping (that)
I’m hoping the car will be fixed by Friday.
I’m hoping to do something
We were hoping to see you today.
5. I hope (that) spoken used when you want to be polite and to make sure that you are not interrupting or offending someone:
I hope I’m not interrupting you.
I hope you don’t mind me asking, but why are you moving?
6. I should hope so (too) (also I should hope not British English) spoken used to say that you feel very strongly that something should or should not happen:
‘They’ll get their money back.’ ‘I should hope so too, after being treated like that.’
II. hope2 S2 W2 BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: hope, hopefulness ≠ hopelessness, hopeful; verb: hope; adverb: hopefully ≠ hopelessly; adjective: hopeful ≠ hopeless]
1. FEELING [uncountable and countable] a feeling of wanting something to happen or be true and believing that it is possible or likely:
When I first arrived in New York, I was full of hope for the future.
the hope that
The President has expressed the hope that relations will improve.
hopes for something
hopes for an end to the fighting
hopes of doing something
Rita has hopes of studying to be a nurse.
in the hope that
Should they hang on in the hope that the shares will go up in value?
in the hope of doing something (=because you hope that you will do something)
Shoppers flocked to the sales in the hope of finding a bargain.
2. SOMETHING YOU HOPE FOR [countable] something that you hope will happen:
She told him all her secret hopes and fears.
sb’s hope is that
My hope is that by next summer I’ll have saved enough money to go travelling.
3. CHANCE [uncountable and countable] a chance of succeeding or of something good happening
hope of
It was the rush hour, and there was no hope of getting a seat.
It was a desperate plan, with little hope of success.
hope (that)
There’s still a faint hope (=a very small chance) that the two sides will reach an agreement.
not a hope! spoken (=used to say that there is no chance of something happening)
not a hope in hell (of doing something) spoken (=not even the smallest chance of success)
They don’t have a hope in hell of winning.
some hope! (also what a hope! )British English spoken (=used humorously to say that there is no chance that something will happen)
‘Your dad might lend you the car.’ ‘Some hope!’
4. be sb’s last/only/best hope to be someone’s last, only etc chance of getting the result they want:
Please help me. You’re my last hope.
be sb’s last/only/best hope of
Joshua’s only hope of survival was a heart transplant.
5. be beyond hope if a situation is beyond hope, it is so bad that there is no chance of any improvement
be beyond hope of
Some of the houses were beyond hope of repair.
6. have high/great hopes for somebody/something to be confident that someone or something will be succesful:
The weather looked good, so we had high hopes for today.
7. I/we live in hope spoken used when saying that you keep hoping that something will happen - often used humorously when saying that it seems unlikely:
"Do you think your son will ever get a job?" "We live in hope!"
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 1 & 2)
■ verbs
▪ have hope The situation looked bad, but we still had hope that things would get better soon.
▪ give/offer hope The research has given hope to thousands of sufferers of the disease.
▪ lose/give up/abandon hope (=stop hoping) After so long without any word from David, Margaret was starting to lose hope.
▪ raise sb’s hopes (also get/build somebody's hopes up) (=make someone feel that what they want is likely to happen) I don't want to raise your hopes too much. | Don’t build your hopes up, Julie. You’ll only get hurt.
▪ hold out hope (=say that you think something is likely) Negotiators did not hold out much hope of a peaceful solution.
▪ pin your hopes on something (=hope for one thing that everything else depends on) After a difficult year, the company is pinning its hopes on its new range of products.
▪ cling to the hope that (=keep hoping that something will happen, even though it seems unlikely) They clung to the hope that one day a cure would be found.
▪ dash/shatter sb’s hopes (=make what someone wants seem impossible) The ending of the talks has dashed any hopes of peace.
▪ hopes are fading (=people have much less hope of doing something) Hopes are fading that rescuers will find any more survivors.
▪ hope lies in/with something (=something gives people hope) Our real hope lies with a vaccine.
■ phrases
▪ be full of hope His voice sounded full of hope.
▪ a glimmer/ray of hope (=a little hope, or something that gives you a little hope) The new treatment gives patients a glimmer of hope.
▪ sb’s hopes and dreams (=all the things someone hopes for) We talked about all our hopes and dreams for the future.
▪ sb’s hopes and fears (=all the things someone hopes for and is afraid of) The crew members have different hopes and fears about the trip.
▪ it is our fervent hope that formal (=used when saying that you hope very much that something will or will not happen) It is our fervent hope that change is coming.
▪ hope springs eternal (=used to say that people will always hope for something) It is unlikely these diets will work, but hope springs eternal.
▪ a symbol/beacon of hope (=something that makes people have hope) Mandela was a symbol of hope for his whole country.
■ adjectives
▪ false hope We don't want to give people false hopes.
▪ a vain/forlorn hope (=hope for something that is impossible) He traveled south in the vain hope of finding work.
▪ somebody's only/one hope My only hope is that someone may have handed in the keys to the police.
hope
hope [hope hopes hoped hoping] verb, noun [həʊp] [hoʊp]
verb intransitive, transitive
to want sth to happen and think that it is possible
• ~ (for sth) We are hoping for good weather on Sunday.
• All we can do now is wait and hope.
• ‘Do you think it will rain?’ ‘ I hope not.’
• ‘Will you be back before dark?’ ‘ I hope so, yes.’
• The exam went better than I'd dared hope.
• I'll see you next week, I hope.
• ~ (that)… I hope (that) you're okay.
• I can only hope (that) there has been some mistake.
• Detectives are hoping (that) witnesses will come forward.
• Let's hope we can find a parking space.
• it is hoped (that)… It is hoped that over £10 000 will be raised.
• ~ to do sth She is hoping to win the gold medal.
• We hope to arrive around two.
• What had he hoped to achieve? Hope can be used in the passive in the form it is hoped that…. For must always be used with hope in other passive sentences
• The improvement that had been hoped for never came.
• The hoped-for improvement never came.
more at cross my heart (and hope to die) at cross
Verb forms:
Word Origin:
late Old English hopa (noun), hopian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch hoop (noun), hopen (verb), and German hoffen (verb).
Thesaurus:
hope verb I, T
• We're hoping for good weather on Sunday.
wish • • aspire • • wait • • set your heart on sth • |especially journalism set your sights on sth •
Opp: despair of sth
hope/wish/wait for sth
hope/wish that…
hope/aspire/wait to do sth
Example Bank:
• He secretly hoped that she wouldn't be home.
• I hardly dared to hope the plan would succeed.
• I only hope you're right.
• I sincerely hope that you will be successful.
• They hoped desperately that their missing son would come home.
• We are hoping for good weather.
• ‘Do you think it will rain?’ ‘I hope not.’
• ‘Will you be back before dark?’ ‘I hope so, yes.’
• I can only hope there has been some mistake.
• Let's hope we can find a parking space.
• The exam went better than I'd dared hope.
• We're hoping for good weather on Sunday.
Idioms: I should hope so ▪ beyond hope ▪ hold out little hope ▪ hope against hope ▪ hope for the best ▪ hope springs eternal ▪ in the hope of something ▪ in the hope that … ▪ not have a hope ▪ not hold out any/much hope ▪ so I should hope ▪ some hope!
noun
1. uncountable, countable a belief that sth you want will happen
• ~ (of sth) There is now hope of a cure.
• ~ (for sb/sth) Hopes for the missing men are fading.
• ~ (that…) There is little hope that they will be found alive.
• ~ (of doing sth) They have given up hope of finding any more survivors.
• She has high hopes of winning (= is very confident about it).
• The future is not without hope.
• Don't raise your hopes too high, or you may be disappointed.
• I'll do what I can, but don't get your hopes up.
• There is still a glimmer of hope.
• The situation is not good but we live in hope that it will improve.
2. countable ~ (of/for sth) | ~ (for sb) | ~ (that…) | ~ (of doing sth) something that you wish for
• She told me all her hopes, dreams and fears.
• They have high hopes for their children.
3. countable, usually singular ~ (of sth) | ~ (for sb) a person, a thing or a situation that will help you get what you want
• He turned to her in despair and said, ‘You're my last hope.’
• The operation was Kelly's only hope of survival.
more at dash sb's hopes at dash v., pin (all) your hopes on sb/sth at pin
Word Origin:
late Old English hopa (noun), hopian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch hoop (noun), hopen (verb), and German hoffen (verb).
Thesaurus:
hope noun
1. U, C
• There is no hope of finding any more survivors.
optimism • • expectancy • • wishful thinking •
Opp: despair, Opp: hopelessness
hope/optimism for sth
hope/optimism that…
express/share your hope/optimism
2. C
• They have high hopes for their children.
dream • • ambition • • aspiration • • expectation • • fantasy •
Opp: fear
hopes/aspirations/expectations for sth
high hopes/ambitions/aspirations/expectations
have hopes/a dream/an ambition/aspirations/expectations/a fantasy
fulfil your hopes/dreams/ambitions/aspirations/expectations/fantasies
Example Bank:
• He had one last hope to cling to.
• He pinned all his hopes on getting that job.
• He represents our best hope for a swimming medal.
• He secretly cherished hopes that George would marry his daughter.
• He turned to her in despair and said, ‘You're my last hope.’
• He wasn't trying to give her false hope.
• Her dark eyes lit with sudden hope.
• Her hopes of going to college have now been dashed.
• Her only hope lay in escape.
• His early hopes of freedom were now gone.
• Hope faded after wrecked remains of the ship were washed onto the shore.
• Hope flared up inside her.
• Hope remains that survivors will be found.
• Hopes are high that a resolution to the conflict can be found.
• Hopes of a peaceful end to the strike are now growing.
• I am writing this letter in hopes that it will be forwarded to the editor.
• I am writing to you in the hope that you can help me obtain some information.
• I didn't give up hope of being released.
• I don't hold out much hope of finding a buyer.
• I have no hope of winning.
• I haven't yet found a flat, but I live in hope.
• I looked at her and felt a glimmer of hope.
• I'll see what I can do, but don't get your hopes up too much.
• It is important to keep alive the hope that a peace settlement might be found.
• It is my fervent hope that you will be able to take this project forward.
• It is my sincere hope that she will find happiness at last.
• It seemed a forlorn hope that we would find a taxi.
• Lord Mountbatten secretly cherished hopes that Charles would marry his granddaughter.
• Maybe we can find some hope for humanity after all.
• Our one hope was that the hurricane would change direction.
• Peace is a distant hope in this war-torn region.
• Political leaders do now entertain the hope that a settlement can be found.
• Privatization seems to offer the best hope for the industry.
• She felt weak and without hope.
• She is Britain's brightest hope for a medal.
• She saw little hope of meeting the targets.
• She told me all her hopes and dreams.
• The Mexican president expressed hope for cooperation on trade.
• The latest job figures have boosted hopes for the economy.
• The use of fish oil to treat cancer has brought fresh hope to millions of sufferers.
• Their main hopes rest on their new striker.
• There was still a faint hope that they would accept the offer.
• These figures kill off any lingering hopes of an early economic recovery.
• This announcement has raised hopes that the crisis may be coming to an end.
• We have every hope of completing the project this year.
• We have high hopes for the project.
• We now have good grounds for hope.
• We're trying to keep our hopes up.
• You don't have a hope in hell of finding a job.
• a bitter tale of disappointed hopes
• a feeling of considerable hope
• damaged beyond hope of repair
• keeping alive the hope that a peace settlement might be found
• the team's championship hopes
• the treatment gave him renewed hope
• without any real hope of success
• young people who are full of hope for the future
• Don't raise your hopes too high, or you may be disappointed.
• I'll do what I can, but don't get your hopes up.
• She has high hopes of winning.
hope
hope /həʊp/ US /hoʊp/
noun [C or U]
something good that you want to happen in the future, or a confident feeling about what will happen in the future:
What are your hopes and dreams for the future?
Is there any hope of getting financial support for the project?
[+ that] Is there any hope that they will be home in time?
Young people are growing up in our cities without any hope of finding a job.
His reply dashed (= destroyed) our hopes.
They have pinned (all) their hopes on (= They are depending for success on) their new player.
She's very ill, but there's still hope/we live in hope (= we think she might be cured).
The situation is now beyond/past hope (= unlikely to produce the desired result).
We never gave up hope (= stopped hoping) that she would be found alive.
The letter offered us a glimmer/ray of (= a little) hope.
I didn't phone till four o'clock in the hope that you'd be finished.
I don't hold out much hope of getting (= I don't expect to be able to get) a ticket.
hope /həʊp/ US /hoʊp/
verb [I or T]
to want something to happen or to be true, and usually have a good reason to think that it might:
I'm hoping for an interview next week.
[+ (that)] She's hoping (that) she won't be away too long.
I hope (that) she'll win.
We have to hope and pray (that) the operation will go well.
[+ to infinitive] They hope to visit us next year.
It's good news, I hope.
"Will you be at the meeting tomorrow?" "I hope not/so".
Compare wish (HOPE).
hopeful /ˈhəʊp.fəl/ US /ˈhoʊp-/
adjective
1 having hope:
He was hopeful about the outcome of the meeting.
They were hopeful of a successful agreement.
I'm hopeful (that) we can reach a compromise.
2 giving hope:
The green shoots were hopeful signs of spring.
hopeful /ˈhəʊp.fəl/ US /ˈhoʊp-/
noun [C usually plural]
a person who is trying to get a part in a film, play for a famous football team, etc:
Over a thousand young hopefuls went to the Theatre Royal today to audition for a part in the new musical.
hopefulness /ˈhəʊp.fəl.nəs/ US /ˈhoʊp-/
noun [U]
hopefully /ˈhəʊp.fəl.i/ US /ˈhoʊp-/
adverb
1 used, often at the start of a sentence, to express what you would like to happen:
Hopefully it won't rain.
Hopefully we'll be in Norwich by early evening.
2 in a hopeful way:
"Do you have a cigarette?" he asked hopefully.
hopeless /
adjective
1 without hope:
a hopeless situation
They searched for survivors but it was hopeless.
She was depressed and felt totally hopeless about the future.
2 completely without skill at a particular activity:
I'm hopeless at sports.
He's a hopeless cook.
hopelessly
adverb
extremely, or in a way that makes you lose hope:
They met at university and fell hopelessly in love.
We were hopelessly lost.
hopelessness
noun [U]
I find the hopelessness of the situation very depressing.
hope
[ho͟ʊp]
♦
hopes, hoping, hoped
1) VERB If you hope that something is true, or you hope for something, you want it to be true or to happen, and you usually believe that it is possible or likely.
She had decided she must go on as usual, follow her normal routine, and hope and pray...
[V for n] He hesitates before leaving, almost as though he had been hoping for conversation...
[V to-inf] I hope to get a job within the next two weeks...
[V that] The researchers hope that such a vaccine could be available in about ten years' time...
[V so/not] `We'll speak again.' - `I hope so.'...
[V so/not] `Will it happen again?' - `I hope not, but you never know.'
2) VERB: with brd-neg If you say that you cannot hope for something, or if you talk about the only thing that you can hope to get, you mean that you are in a bad situation, and there is very little chance of improving it.
[V for n] Things aren't ideal, but that's the best you can hope for...
[V for n] I always knew it was too much to hope for.
[V to-inf] ...these mountains, which no one can hope to penetrate.
N-VAR
Hope is also a noun. The only hope for underdeveloped countries is to become, as far as possible, self-reliant... The car was smashed beyond any hope of repair.
3) N-UNCOUNT Hope is a feeling of desire and expectation that things will go well in the future.
Now that he has become President, many people once again have hope for genuine changes in the system...
But Kevin hasn't given up hope of being fit...
Consumer groups still hold out hope that the president will change his mind...
Thousands of childless couples are to be given new hope by the government.
4) N-COUNT: with supp, oft N of n/-ing, N that If someone wants something to happen, and considers it likely or possible, you can refer to their hopes of that thing, or to their hope that it will happen.
They have hopes of increasing trade between the two regions...
The delay in the programme has dashed Japan's hopes of commercial success in space...
My hope is that, in the future, I will go over there and marry her.
5) N-COUNT: with supp If you think that the help or success of a particular person or thing will cause you to be successful or to get what you want, you can refer to them as your hope.
...England's last hope in the English Open Table Tennis Championships...
Roemer represented the best hope for a businesslike climate in Louisiana.
6) PHRASE: V inflects If you are in a difficult situation and do something and hope for the best, you hope that everything will happen in the way you want, although you know that it may not.
I took the risk and hoped for the best...
Some companies are cutting costs and hoping for the best.
7) PHRASE: V inflects If you tell someone not to get their hopes up, or not to build their hopes up, you are warning them that they should not become too confident of progress or success.
There is no reason for people to get their hopes up over this mission...
I don't want you to build your hopes up, but I'll have a word with Fred tomorrow.
8) PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR, oft PHR of -ing (emphasis) If you say that someone has not got a hope in hell of doing something, you are emphasizing that they will not be able to do it. [INFORMAL]
Everybody knows they haven't got a hope in hell of forming a government anyway.
9) PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR, usu PHR that, PHR of n/-ing, PHR for n If you have high hopes or great hopes that something will happen, you are confident that it will happen.
I had high hopes that Derek Randall might play an important part...
Britain's three-day event team has high hopes of winning the Olympic gold medal...
He had no great hopes for the success of his undertaking.
10) PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR that If you hope against hope that something will happen, you hope that it will happen, although it seems impossible.
She glanced about the hall, hoping against hope that Richard would be waiting for her.
11) PHRASE: PHR with cl (politeness) You use `I hope' in expressions such as `I hope you don't mind' and `I hope I'm not disturbing you', when you are being polite and want to make sure that you have not offended someone or disturbed them.
I hope you don't mind me coming to see you...
I hope I haven't said anything to upset you.
12) PHRASE: PHR with cl, PHR not You say `I hope' when you want to warn someone not to do something foolish or dangerous.
You're not trying to see him, I hope?...
I hope you won't be too harsh with the girl...
Are we starting that again? I most sincerely hope not.
13) PHRASE: PHR with cl (politeness) You add `I hope' to what you are saying to make it sound more polite and less rude or less definite.
I'm the best man for the job, I hope...
Fraulein Wendel is well, I hope?
14) PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR of -ing, PHR that If you do one thing in the hope of another thing happening, you do it because you think it might cause or help the other thing to happen, which is what you want.
He was studying in the hope of being admitted to an engineering college...
We will be analysing all the things she has told us in the hope that we can locate the person responsible.
15) PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR that, PHR of -ing If you live in hope that something will happen, you continue to hope that it will happen, although it seems unlikely, and you realize that you are being foolish.
I just live in hope that one day she'll talk to me...
My mother bought lots of tickets and lived in hope of winning the prize.
16) CONVENTION (feelings) If you say `Some hope', or `Not a hope', you think there is no possibility that something will happen, although you may want it to happen. [INFORMAL]
The industry reckons it will see orders swell by 10% this financial year. Some hope.
hope
2hope noun, pl hopes
1 : the feeling of wanting something to happen and thinking that it could happen : a feeling that something good will happen or be true
[noncount]
• When they started their life together, they were young and full of hope.
• Rescuers have not yet abandoned/lost hope that more survivors will be found.
• The drug has brought/given hope to thousands of sufferers.
[count]
• We allowed ourselves to entertain hopes that the crisis would end soon.
• The goal raised/lifted the hopes of the team.
• The hope is that there will be a settlement soon.
• The lawyers do not want to raise false hopes of an early settlement.
• Our hopes are fading/dwindling.
• We had high hopes of winning the game. [=we felt we had a very good chance of winning the game]
• You shouldn't get your hopes up. [=feel so hopeful]
• She went back to the restaurant with hopes of finding her purse there. = She went back to the restaurant with the hope of finding her purse there. [=because she thought and hoped that she might find her purse there]
• He told them the truth with the hope that they would understand.
2 [noncount] : the chance that something good will happen
• She believes there's hope of/for a cure. [=that a cure is possible]
• He had little/no hope of attending college.
• The latest reports hold out hope for a possible end to this crisis.
• They have a glimmer/ray of hope [=a small chance] of winning.
• His condition is beyond hope. [=his condition is hopeless]
3 [singular] : someone or something that may be able to provide help : someone or something that gives you a reason for hoping
• He's our last/best hope.
• At this point their only hope is that someone will offer to buy the company.
• What hope is there for someone like me?
4 [count] : something that is hoped for
• All my hopes have been fulfilled at last.
• Our fondest hope is that our children will be happy and healthy.
• We all have hopes and dreams for the future.
• We have great hopes for the coming year.
fix your hopes on/upon
- see 1fix
in (the) hope of/that or in hopes of/that : with the hope that something will happen or could happen
• He returned to the crime scene in (the) hope of finding further evidence.
• He waited in hopes that she would show up.
live in hope chiefly Brit : to hope for something when you know that it will probably not happen or be true
• We live in hope that there will be some survivors of the crash.
pin (all) your hopes on
- see pin on at 2pin
Did you come by train?
A set of several carriages that are connected to each other and pulled along a railway line by an engine
Did you come by train?
train
verb (trains, training, trained )
1 to teach a person or an animal to do something:
He was trained as a pilot.
2 to make yourself ready for something by studying or doing something a lot:
Ann is training to be a doctor.
She's training for the Olympics.
noun
a vehicle that is pulled by an engine along a railway line:
I'm going to Bristol by train.
We caught the 7.15 train to Leeds.
You have to change trains at Reading.
word building
You get on and off trains at a station. A goods train or a freight train carries things and a passenger train carries people.
train
I. train1 S1 W2 /treɪn/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old French; Origin: 'something that is pulled along behind', from trainer; ⇨ ↑train2]
1. RAILWAY a set of several carriages that are connected to each other and pulled along a railway line by an engine
train to
the train to Munich
We went all the way to Inverness by train. ⇨ ↑boat train
2. SERIES a train of something a series of events or actions that are related:
The decision set off a train of events which led to his resignation.
3. train of thought a related series of thoughts that are developing in your mind:
The phone interrupted my train of thought.
I’ve lost my train of thought.
4. bring something in its train formal if an action or event brings something in its train, that thing happens as a result of it:
a decision that brought disaster in its train
5. set something in train British English formal to make a process start happening:
Plans to modernize have been set in train.
6. PEOPLE/ANIMALS a long line of moving people, animals, or vehicles:
a camel train
7. DRESS a part of a long dress that spreads out over the ground behind the person wearing it:
a wedding dress with a long train
8. SERVANTS a group of servants or officers following an important person, especially in the past
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ take/get a train I took the first train home.
▪ catch a train He was in a hurry to catch a train.
▪ go by/travel by train We decided to go by train.
▪ get on/board a train At Stoke, another passenger boarded the train.
▪ get off a train He got off the train at Flushing.
▪ wait for a train She sat on the railway platform for half an hour, waiting for a train.
▪ miss a train (=be too late to get on a train) I just missed the last train.
▪ trains run (=take people from one place to another at fixed times) Trains run from two main London stations, Victoria and Charing Cross, every hour.
▪ a train arrives The train arrived on time.
▪ a train leaves/departs Trains depart from Rugby at half-hourly intervals until 4.00 pm.
▪ a train pulls into/out of a station The train pulled into Euston station and I got off.
▪ a train derails/is derailed (=comes off the rails) Most of the passengers escaped injury when their train was derailed.
■ adjectives/NOUN + train
▪ a freight/goods train a freight train carrying hazardous chemicals
▪ a passenger train a passenger train bound for Geneva
▪ a commuter train (=a train that people going to work use) a crash involving two crowded commuter trains
▪ an express train/a fast train (=one that does not stop at many places) He boarded the express train to London.
▪ a slow train (also a stopping train British English) (=one that stops at a lot of places) We got on the stopping train by mistake and it took hours to get home.
▪ a steam train Railway enthusiasts have the opportunity to take a nostalgic trip on a steam train.
▪ a tube/underground train (=one that runs under London) The condition of many tube trains is a disgrace.
■ train + NOUN
▪ a train journey British English, a train trip American English They were not looking forward to the long train journey.
▪ a train fare How much is the train fare to Derby?
▪ a train driver The train driver apologized for the late departure.
▪ a train crash (also a train wreck American English) Ten people were killed in the train crash.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say 'go by the train' or 'travel by the train'. Say go by train or travel by train.
II. train2 S1 W2 BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑trainee, ↑trainer, ↑training, ↑retraining; verb: ↑train, ↑retrain; adjective: trained ≠ ↑untrained]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: trainer 'to pull, drag', from Vulgar Latin traginare, probably from Latin trahere 'to pull']
1. TEACH SOMEBODY [intransitive and transitive] to teach someone the skills of a particular job or activity, or to be taught these skills ⇨ training
train somebody in something
All staff will be trained in customer service skills.
train to do something
She’s training to be a doctor.
train somebody to do something
Employees are trained to deal with emergency situations.
train as
Nadia trained as a singer.
a highly trained workforce
Trained staff will be available to deal with your queries.
2. TEACH AN ANIMAL [transitive] to teach an animal to do something or to behave correctly:
a well-trained puppy
train something to do something
These dogs are trained to detect drugs.
3. PREPARE FOR SPORT [intransitive and transitive] to prepare for a sports event or tell someone how to prepare for it, especially by exercising ⇨ training
train for
Brenda spends two hours a day training for the marathon.
4. AIM SOMETHING [transitive] to aim something such as a gun or camera at someone or something
train something on/at somebody/something
She trained her binoculars on the bird.
5. DEVELOP SOMETHING [transitive] to develop and improve a natural ability or quality:
You can train your mind to relax.
To the trained eye the difference between these flowers is obvious (=the difference is clear to someone who has developed skills to notice something).
6. PLANT [transitive] to make a plant grow in a particular direction by bending, cutting, or tying
train
train [train trains trained training] noun, verb [treɪn] [treɪn]
noun
1. a railway/railroad engine pulling a number of coaches/cars or trucks, taking people and goods from one place to another
• to get on/off a train
• I like travelling by train.
• a passenger/commuter/goods/freight train
• to catch/take/get the train to London
• a train journey/driver
• You have to change trains at Reading.
• There are regular train services to Edinburgh and Glasgow.
see also gravy train, road train, wagon train
2. a number of people or animals moving in a line
• a camel train
3. usually singular a series of events or actions that are connected
• His death set in motion a train of events that led to the outbreak of war.
4. the part of a long formal dress that spreads out on the floor behind the person wearing it
Word Origin:
Middle English (as a noun in the sense ‘delay’): from Old French train (masculine), traine (feminine), from trahiner (verb), from Latin trahere ‘pull, draw’. Early noun senses were ‘trailing part of a robe’ and ‘retinue’; the latter gave rise to ‘line of travelling people or vehicles’, later ‘a connected series of things’. The early verb sense ‘cause a plant to grow in a desired shape’ was the basis of the sense ‘instruct’.
Culture:
railways and railroads
The world’s first railway along which passengers travelled on trains pulled by steam locomotives was opened in 1825 between Stockton and Darlington in north-east England. By the early 1900s, when railways reached the height of their popularity, there were about 23 000 miles/37 000 kilometres of railway track. Victorian engineers such as Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed bridges for the railway, and architects designed elaborate station buildings such as St Pancras in London.
The railways played a vital role in Britain’s industrial development during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Later, with the invention of the internal combustion engine (= the type of engine used in cars), road transport became more popular for both goods and passengers. In 1947 regional railway companies were nationalized and became British Rail (later BR), but following the Beeching report in 1963 many lines (= routes) were closed in order to save money. In 1994 the government decided that BR should be returned to private ownership. Tracks and stations were made the responsibility of a company called Railtrack, while trains were once again operated by several companies on a regional basis. People have been encouraged to use trains and other forms of public transport to help reduce fuel consumption and pollution.
The railway network connects all the major towns in Britain, and now, via the Channel Tunnel, links Britain with France and Belgium. Railways are used for both short and long journeys, for commuting to work each day, and for transporting freight. In 2003 more than a billion journeys were made by rail in Britain and rail travel had increased by 36% in ten years. Some routes are now electrified and have high-speed trains. Others still rely on diesel-powered locomotives. Some trains are old, dirty and overcrowded. They also have a reputation for being late, and jokes are often made about the excuses given for delays. These have included ‘leaves on the line’ in autumn, and ‘the wrong kind of snow’. Tickets are quite expensive, although students and old people can get railcards which entitle them to cheaper fares.
Following several major railway accidents and the failure of the Railtrack company in 2002 the government set up Network Rail to be responsible for the railway system used by the train operating companies, private companies which run the trains. These companies provide information about trains to the public through their organization, National Rail.
Most Americans have never been on a train. This is sad because the railroads, as they are generally called in the US, were the means by which the Old West was settled. Passenger trains today mainly serve commuters around large cities. The only major long-distance railway business is done by freight trains (BrE also goods trains).
The first US rail company was the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in 1828, but its cars (BrE carriages) were pulled by horses. Steam power was used by the 1830s, and the Pullman car was invented in 1856. The Civil War led to the rapid development of railroads, and the nation was connected from east to west in 1869 when the Union Pacific Railroad and Central Pacific joined their tracks in Utah. The 20th century brought more powerful locomotives and huge stations, like Grand Central in New York. The greatest period of US railroads began in the middle of the 19th century and lasted about 100 years. This time has been celebrated with popular songs like I’ve Been Working on the Railroad, Freight Train Blues, John Henry, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Orange Blossom Special and Casey Jones. Trains and railroad workers were also the subjects of many films and novels.
After World War II car ownership greatly increased and people no longer used trains as a means of transport. Union Pacific, once known for its two-level ‘dome lounge cars’ from which passengers could see the scenery, stopped long-distance passenger services in 1971. Amtrak, a company controlled by the government, now runs the California Zephyr, the Texas Eagle and other trains but it is not very successful in attracting passengers.
Some Americans are train buffs and take special steam locomotive trips. Americans also collect model trains, some of which, including the heavy Lionel sets from the 1940s, are now valuable. In Britain old and young alike visit railway museums at e.g. Didcot and York. Trainspotting (= recording the names and registration numbers of locomotives) used to be a popular hobby, especially for boys, but is less common now.
Example Bank:
• Driven to despair, he threw himself under a train.
• From Germany they travelled by train to Poland.
• From Germany we'll travel by train to Poland.
• He was leaving on the early train for Zaragoza.
• He was pushed into the path of an oncoming train.
• I can't stop now, I have a train to catch.
• I got the through train to Manchester.
• I lose my train of thought when there are distractions.
• I saved up my pocket money to buy an electric train set.
• I saved up to buy an electric train set.
• I was late and had to run for my train.
• I'm going to the station to meet her off the train.
• In summer the trains run as often as every ten minutes.
• In the train of= following behind the rich and famous came the journalists.
• It's quicker by train.
• Most trains are running late because of the accident.
• She ran alongside the departing train, waving goodbye.
• She travels on the same train as you.
• She tried to kill herself by jumping off a moving train.
• Slowly the train began to move.
• The 10.19 train has been cancelled.
• The 15.18 Amtrak train to Chicago will be arriving on track 3.
• The company plans to run trains on key intercity routes.
• The high-speed train travels at 120 mph.
• The last train leaves at 00.30.
• The next train is due at 9.45.
• The next train to arrive at Platform 2 is the 12.30 from Leeds.
• The telephone rang and she lost her train of thought.
• The train came in and I got on.
• The train came towards them.
• The train chugged slowly forward.
• The train drew into the station.
• The train entered the tunnel.
• The train headed out of Athens.
• The train jolted into motion.
• The train now standing at Platform 3 is the 16.50 to Brighton.
• The train reached Prague at half past six.
• The train terminated in Baltimore.
• Unemployment brings greater difficulties in its train.
• We didn't want to leave the platform in case the train came.
• We had to get up early to make the 6 o'clock train for Florence.
• We jumped on the train just as it was about to leave.
• What are the times of the return trains?
• You'll have to change trains at Cambridge.
• a carnival with ghost trains and dodgem cars
• a picture of the bullet train speeding past Mount Fuji
• a train hauled by a steam locomotive
• a train waiting at a signal
• an express train bound for Edinburgh
• an initial omission which set in motion a train of events leading to the crime
• the Paris to Brussels train
• the people on the train
• the roar of a passing train
• the sound of an approaching train
• the train from Birmingham to Worcester
• the train from Toronto to Calgary
• train loads of iron ore
• trains between Brindisi and Rome
• trains between Cape Town and Pretoria
Idioms: bring something in its train ▪ in somebody's train ▪ set something in train ▪ train of thought
Derived: train something at somebody
verb
1. transitive, intransitive to teach a person or an animal the skills for a particular job or activity; to be taught in this way
• ~ sb/sth badly trained staff
• ~ sb/sth to do sth They train dogs to sniff out drugs.
• ~ (sb) (as/in/for sth) He trained as a teacher before becoming an actor.
• All members of the team have trained in first aid.
• ~ to do/be sth Sue is training to be a doctor.
2. intransitive, transitive to prepare yourself/sb for a particular activity, especially a sport, by doing a lot of exercise; to prepare a person or an animal in this way
• ~ (for/in sth) athletes training for the Olympics
• I train in the gym for two hours a day.
• ~ sb/sth (for/in sth) She trains horses.
• He trains the Olympic team.
3. transitive to develop a natural ability or quality so that it improves
• ~ sth An expert with a trained eye will spot the difference immediately.
• ~ sth to do sth You can train your mind to think positively.
4. transitive ~ sth (around/along/up, etc.) to make a plant grow in a particular direction
• Roses had been trained around the door.
Word Origin:
Middle English (as a noun in the sense ‘delay’): from Old French train (masculine), traine (feminine), from trahiner (verb), from Latin trahere ‘pull, draw’. Early noun senses were ‘trailing part of a robe’ and ‘retinue’; the latter gave rise to ‘line of travelling people or vehicles’, later ‘a connected series of things’. The early verb sense ‘cause a plant to grow in a desired shape’ was the basis of the sense ‘instruct’.
Example Bank:
• He's been training seriously for over a year now.
• The team is training hard for the big match.
• All members of the team have been trained in first aid.
• I was impressed by the well trained staff.
• We watched the athletes training for the Olympics.
train
train (PART OF DRESS) /treɪn/
noun [C]
the part of a long dress that spreads out onto the floor behind:
an elaborate wedding dress with a long train
train (SERIES) /treɪn/
noun
1 train of thought/events a series of connected thoughts or events:
What amazing train of thought led you from Napoleon to global warming?
The book describes the train of events that led up to the assassination.
2 [C] a line of animals, people or things moving along together:
a wagon train
a mule/camel train
train (DIRECT GROWTH) /treɪn/
verb [T]
to direct the growth of a plant in a particular direction by cutting it and tying it:
The vines were trained over an arch, providing shade as well as fruit.
train (AIM) /treɪn/
verb [T usually + adverb or preposition] FORMAL
to aim or point a gun, camera, light, etc. at someone or something:
With five guns suddenly trained on him, he was understandably nervous.
train (PREPARE) /treɪn/
verb [I or T]
to prepare or be prepared for a job, activity or sport, by learning skills and/or by mental or physical exercise:
She trained as a pilot.
[+ to infinitive] Isn't Michael training to be a lawyer?
[R + to infinitive] I've had to train myself to be more assertive at work.
She trained hard for the race, sometimes running as much as 60 miles a week.
HUMOROUS I'm trying to train my boyfriend to do the occasional bit of housework.
trained /treɪnd/
adjective
I didn't realize Philippa was a trained nurse.
Are you trained in the use of this equipment?
HUMOROUS "Did I hear you say your children cleared up after the party?" "Oh yes, I've got them well-trained!"
trainee /ˌtreɪˈniː/
noun [C]
a person who is learning and practising the skills of a particular job:
a trainee dentist/electrician
trainer /ˈtreɪ.nəʳ/ US /-nɚ/
noun [C]
a person who teaches skills to people or animals and prepares them for a job, activity or sport:
They showed pictures of the horse and its trainer (= the person who prepared it for its races).
A lot of wealthy people have their own personal trainer (= a person they employ to help them exercise).
See also trainer.
training /ˈtreɪ.nɪŋ/
noun [U]
the process of learning the skills you need to do a particular job or activity:
a training course
a teacher-training college
New staff have/receive a week's training in how to use the computers.
train (VEHICLE) /treɪn/
noun [C]
a railway engine connected to carriages for carrying people or wheeled containers for carrying goods:
a goods/freight/passenger train
the train to/from Bristol
a train journey/station
Did you come by train?
She caught/took the train to Edinburgh.
Hurry up, or we'll miss (= arrive too late for) the train.
train
I. NOUN USES
/treɪn/
(trains)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
A train is a number of carriages, cars, or trucks which are all connected together and which are pulled by an engine along a railway. Trains carry people and goods from one place to another.
The train pulled into a station...
We can catch the early morning train...
He arrived in Shenyang by train yesterday.
N-COUNT: also by N
2.
A train of vehicles, people, or animals is a long line of them travelling slowly in the same direction.
...a long train of oil tankers.
N-COUNT: with supp, usu N of n
3.
A train of thought or a train of events is a connected sequence, in which each thought or event seems to occur naturally or logically as a result of the previous one.
He lost his train of thought for a moment, then recovered it...
Giles set in motion a train of events which would culminate in tragedy.
N-COUNT: usu sing, N of n
4.
The train of a woman’s formal dress or wedding dress is the long part at the back of it which flows along the floor behind her.
N-COUNT
5.
If a process or event is in train or has been set in train, it is happening or starting to happen. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use in motion)
He praised the economic reforms set in train by the government.
PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v
II. VERB USES
/treɪn/
(trains, training, trained)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
If someone trains you to do something, they teach you the skills that you need in order to do it. If you train to do something, you learn the skills that you need in order to do it.
The US was ready to train its troops to participate...
Stavros was training to be a priest...
Psychiatrists initially train as doctors...
We don’t train them only in bricklaying, but also in other building techniques...
Companies tend to favour the lawyer who has trained with a good quality City firm...
I’m a trained nurse...
VERB: V n to-inf, V to-inf, V as/in n, V n as/in n, V, V-ed
• -trained
Mr. Koutab is an American-trained lawyer.
COMB in ADJ
• train‧er (trainers)
...a book for both teachers and teacher trainers.
N-COUNT
2.
To train a natural quality or talent that someone has, for example their voice or musical ability, means to help them to develop it.
I see my degree as something which will train my mind and improve my chances of getting a job...
VERB: V n
3.
If you train for a physical activity such as a race or if someone trains you for it, you prepare for it by doing particular physical exercises.
Strachan is training for the new season...
He has spent a year training crews for next month’s round the world race.
VERB: V for n, V n for n, also V, V n
• train‧er
She went to the gym with her trainer.
N-COUNT
4.
If an animal or bird is trained to do particular things, it is taught to do them, for example in order to be able to work for someone or to be a good pet.
Sniffer dogs could be trained to track them down.
...a man who trained hundreds of dogs...
VERB: be V-ed to-inf, V n, also V n to-inf
• train‧er
The horse made a winning start for his new trainer.
N-COUNT
5.
If you train something such as a gun, a camera, or a light on a person or thing, you aim it at them and keep it towards them.
She trained her binoculars on the horizon...
VERB: V n on n
6.
If you train a tree, bush, or plant in a particular direction, you tie it and cut it so that it grows in that direction.
Instead of training the shoots up the fence, lay them flat in both directions alongside it...
You could even put a trellis on your walls and train plants to grow up it.
VERB: V n prep, V n to-inf
1train /ˈtreɪn/ noun, pl trains
1 : a group of vehicles that travel on a track and are connected to each other and usually to an engine : a connected group of railroad cars
[count]
• The train pulled into the station.
• You can get off/on the train in Atlanta.
• I took a train to Madrid.
• We caught the last train.
• We slept on the train.
• a passenger train [=a train that people use for traveling]
• a commuter train [=a train that people use to get to and from work]
• an express train [=a train that has very few stops]
• a subway train [=an underground train]
• (US) a freight train = (Brit) a goods train [=a train carrying cargo]
[noncount]
• We traveled by train through Europe.
- often used before another noun
• a train [=railroad] station
• train tracks
• a train schedule/signal/ticket
• a train crash = (US) a train wreck
2 [count] old-fashioned : a group of people, vehicles, or animals that are moving in a line
• a funeral train
• a mule train
- see also wagon train
3 [count] : an orderly series of events, actions, or ideas
• a train of events
• I lost my train of thought [=I forgot what I was thinking about] when you interrupted me.
4 [count] technical : a series of moving machine parts (such as gears) for controlling motion
• There's a problem with the car's drive train.
• the gear train
5 [count] : a part of a long dress that trails behind the woman who is wearing it
• the bride's train
- see color picture
in train Brit formal : in an active state or condition
• a process that had been in train for decades
• The plans have been set in train. [=set in motion]
I don't like to travel on the subway after dark.
A railway system that runs under the ground below a big city
I don't like to travel on the subway after dark.
subway
noun (plural subways)
1 American English for underground2:
the New York subway
a subway station
2 (British) a path that goes under a busy road, so that people can cross safely
subway
sub‧way /ˈsʌbweɪ/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑way, ↑subway; adverb: ↑midway, ↑way; adjective: ↑midway]
1. American English a railway system that runs under the ground below a big city SYN underground British English:
the New York City subway
a crowded subway station
Boston has the oldest subway system in the US.
2. British English a path for people to walk under a road or railway SYN underpass
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ the subway American English the railway system that runs under the ground below a big city. British people use the underground when talking about the railway system in London, and many systems outside the US: the New York subway | We got on the next subway train.
▪ the underground British English the railway system that runs under the ground below a big city: the London underground | an underground map | It’s quickest to travel by underground.
▪ the tube British English informal the railway system that runs under London: We took the tube to Trafalgar Square. | a crowded tube train
▪ the metro used especially to talk about the railway system that runs under Paris. Also used about some other city's systems, for example Moscow, Washington DC and Newcastle: the Paris Metro | Moscow’s metro stations
subway
sub·way [subway subways] [ˈsʌbweɪ] [ˈsʌbweɪ] noun
1. (NAmE) an underground railway/railroad system in a city
• the New York subway
• a subway station/train
• a downtown subway stop
• to ride/take the subway
• In Boston the subway is known as the ‘T’; in Washington DC it's the‘Metro’.
2. (BrE) a path that goes under a road, etc. which people can use to cross to the other side
Syn: underpass
British/American:
underground / subway / metro / tube
A city’s underground railway/railroad system is usually called the underground (often the Underground) in BrE and the subway in NAmE. Speakers of BrE also use subway for systems in American cities and metro for systems in other European countries. The Metro is the name for the systems in Paris and Washington, D.C. London’s system is often called the Tube.
Example Bank:
• He ran through the pedestrian subway.
• I've never been on the subway.
• Yankee Stadium is a 40-minute subway ride from our house.
• rush hour in the subway
subway
subway (UNDERGROUND RAILWAY) /ˈsʌb.weɪ/
noun [C] MAINLY US
a railway system in which electric trains travel along passages below ground:
We took the subway uptown to Yankee Stadium.
subway (UNDERGROUND PASSAGE) /ˈsʌb.weɪ/
noun [C] UK
an underground passage which allows people on foot to cross a busy road
underpass
underpass /ˈʌn.də.pɑːs/ US /-dɚ.pæs/
noun [C] (UK subway)
a road or path that goes under something such as a busy road, allowing vehicles or people to go from one side to the other
subway
/sʌbweɪ/
(subways)
1.
A subway is an underground railway. (mainly AM; in BRIT, use underground, tube)
...the Bay Area Rapid Transit subway system...
I don’t ride the subway late at night.
N-COUNT: oft N n, also by N
2.
A subway is a passage underneath a busy road or a railway track for people to walk through. (BRIT; in AM, use underpass)
N-COUNT
subway
sub·way /ˈsʌbˌweɪ/ noun, pl -ways [count]
1 chiefly US : a system of underground trains in a city
• I took/rode the subway to midtown.
• No one on the subway seemed to mind how crowded it was.
• I've been on both the New York subway and the Underground in London.
- often used before another noun
• a subway car/station
• the subway platform
2 Brit : a road or passage for walking under a road, set of railroad tracks, etc. : underpass
Hurry or you'll miss the bus!
A large vehicle that people pay to travel on
Hurry or you'll miss the bus!
bus
noun (plural buses)
a large vehicle that carries a lot of people along the road and stops often so they can get on and off:
We went to town by bus.
Where do you get off the bus?
word building
You can get on or off a bus at a bus stop and the place where most bus routes start is the bus station. The bus driver will take the money (your fare) and give you your ticket. You can buy a single ticket for a one-way journey or a return ticket if you want to come back again: Return to Woodstock, please. Note that we travel on the bus or by bus: 'How do you get to school?' 'By bus.'
bus
I. bus1 S1 W2 /bʌs/ BrE AmE noun (plural buses or busses especially American English) [countable]
[Date: 1800-1900; Origin: omnibus]
1. a large vehicle that people pay to travel on
on a bus
There were a lot of people on the bus.
by bus
The best way to get there is by bus.
I took a bus to San Francisco.
Buses run at 15 and 30 minutes past the hour.
2. a ↑circuit that connects the main parts of a computer so that signals can be sent from one part of the computer to another
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ go/travel by bus I usually go to work by bus.
▪ go on the bus/use the bus (=travel by bus) It's easier to go on the bus than to drive.
▪ get/take/catch a bus Can we get a bus from here to Reading?
▪ ride a bus American English It was the first time Craig had ridden a bus downtown by himself.
▪ get on/off a bus Several more passengers got on the bus.
▪ wait for a bus We were waiting for the bus for half an hour.
▪ miss the bus (=be too late to get on a bus) He woke up late and missed the bus.
▪ a bus goes/leaves The last bus went ten minutes ago.
▪ a bus comes/arrives I waited and waited but the bus didn't come.
▪ buses run (=go at regular times) The buses run less frequently on a Sunday.
■ bus + NOUN
▪ a bus ride/journey/trip It's a 20-minute bus ride into town.
▪ a bus stop (=a place where a bus stops for passengers) She got off at the next bus stop.
▪ a bus shelter (=a small covered area where you wait for a bus) Some kids had vandalized the bus shelter.
▪ a bus service (=a service that provides regular buses) It's a small village but there is a good bus service.
▪ a bus route We live very near a main bus route.
▪ a bus fare (=the money you pay for a bus journey) Can you lend me 50p for my bus fare?
▪ a bus ticket She lost her bus ticket.
▪ a bus pass (=a card that allows you to make several bus journeys) Most of the students have a termly bus pass.
▪ a bus station (=a place where buses start and finish their journeys) Dad met me at the bus station.
▪ a bus lane (=a part of the road where only buses are allowed to drive) You can be fined for driving in a bus lane.
▪ a bus driver She asked the bus driver where to get off for the Botanical Gardens.
▪ a bus timetable The bus timetable changes on January 31st.
▪ a bus queue British English (=a line of people waiting for a bus) We were chatting while we stood in the bus queue.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + bus
▪ a school bus Hurry up or you'll miss the school bus!
▪ a shuttle bus (=one that makes regular short journeys between two places) There's a shuttle bus between the hotel and the beach.
▪ a double-decker bus (=one with two levels for passengers) London used to be famous for its double-decker buses.
▪ an open-topped bus (=one without a roof, used for showing tourists a town etc) We took a tour on an open-topped bus.
▪ a regular bus (=one that goes at regular times) Regular buses run to the airport.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ bus a large vehicle that people pay to travel on: There were a lot of people on the bus.
▪ coach British English a bus with comfortable seats used for long journeys: Taking the coach is cheaper than the train.
▪ minibus a small bus with seats for six to twelve people: The school uses a minibus to take teams to matches.
▪ double-decker a bus with two levels: the red double-deckers in London
▪ articulated bus (also bendy bus British English) a very long bus that has a joint in the middle that allows it to go around corners: Articulated buses have been used in Europe for many years.
▪ tram British English, streetcar American English, trolley/trolley car American English a vehicle for passengers, which travels along metal tracks in the street, and usually gets power from electric lines over the vehicle: We waited at the stop for the tram. | San Diego has a well-used trolley system.
▪ tram American English a vehicle with many different parts for people to sit in, and which usually has open sides. A tram runs on wheels and is used to take tourists from place to place within a particular area: The tram takes visitors around the backlot of Universal Studios, where many famous movies were once made.
II. bus2 BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle bused or bussed, present participle busing or bussing)
[Sense 1: Date: 1900-2000; Origin: ⇨ ↑bus1]
[Sense 2: Date: 1900-2000; Origin: busboy]
1. [transitive usually passive] to take a person or a group of people somewhere in a bus
bus somebody to/in/into something
Casey was bussed to the school.
2. [transitive] American English to take away dirty dishes from the tables in a restaurant:
Shelley had a job bussing tables.
bus
bus [bus busses buses bussed bused bussing busing] noun, verb [bʌs] [bʌs]
noun
(pl. buses, US also busses)
1. a large road vehicle that carries passengers, especially one that travels along a fixed route and stops regularly to let people get on and off
• Shall we walk or go by bus?
• A regular bus service connects the train station with the town centre.
• a bus company/driver
• a school bus
compare coach
see also bus lane, bus shelter, bus station, bus stop, minibus, trolleybus
2. (computing) a set of wires that carries information from one part of a computer system to another
Word Origin:
early 19th cent.: shortening of omnibus.
Thesaurus:
bus noun C
• Shall we go by bus?
BrE coach • • minibus • |AmE van •
by bus/coach/minibus/van
get on/off a bus/coach/minibus
get in/out of a minibus/van
Bus or coach? In British English a bus that carries passengers over a long distance is called a coach.
Example Bank:
• I left work a bit late and had to run for my bus.
• I missed the last bus and had to walk.
• I waited 40 minutes for a bus.
• Is this the bus for Oxford?
• It's about 15 minutes away by bus.
• Local buses run regularly to and from the campus.
• Look up the bus schedule on the Internet.
• Look up the bus times in the local timetable.
• The bus left the city, heading north.
• The bus pulled up and we got on.
• The buses stop outside the post office.
• The double-decker bus stopped to pick up some more passengers.
• There are regular buses to the beach.
• We took the bus from Reading to Bristol.
• a bus carrying 56 passengers
• a four-hour bus journey over the mountains
• a short bus journey to work
• people travelling on buses
• people who travel on buses
• the bus from Charlottesville to Union Station
• the bus into town
• Have you got a bus timetable?
• I was waiting at the bus stop.
• It's a short bus ride from here.
• Shall we walk or go by bus?
• The map shows all the local bus routes.
• There is a bus, the number 18, which stops outside the house.
• When we go on a double-decker bus the children always want to sit upstairs.
verb (-s- or -ss-)
1. ~ sb (from/to…) to transport sb by bus
• We were bussed from the airport to our hotel.
2. ~ sb (NAmE) to transport young people by bus to another area so that students of different races can be educated together
3. ~ sth (NAmE) to take the dirty plates, etc. off the tables in a restaurant, as a job
• He buses tables to help finance his tuition.
Word Origin:
early 19th cent.: shortening of omnibus.
bus
bus /bʌs/
noun [C] plural buses or US ALSO busses
a large vehicle in which people are driven from one place to another:
You should take the bus/go by bus (= travel by bus) if you want to see the sights.
See also minibus; omnibus (TRANSPORT); trolleybus.
bus /bʌs/
verb [T] -ss- or US USUALLY -s-
1 to take people somewhere by bus:
Demonstrators were bussed in from all parts of the country to attend the protest rally.
2 US to take children by bus to school in another area every day
coach
coach (VEHICLE) /kəʊtʃ/ US /koʊtʃ/
noun [C]
1 (US USUALLY bus) a long motor vehicle with comfortable seats, used to take groups of people on journeys:
We're going to the airport by coach.
a coach trip.
2 an old-fashioned carriage pulled by horses, now used mainly in official or royal ceremonies
3 UK (US car) a carriage in a train
bus
/bʌs/
(buses, busses, bussing, bussed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
Note: The plural form of the noun is 'buses'. The third person singular of the verb is 'busses'. American English uses the spellings 'buses', 'busing', 'bused' for the verb.
1.
A bus is a large motor vehicle which carries passengers from one place to another. Buses drive along particular routes, and you have to pay to travel in them.
He missed his last bus home...
They had to travel everywhere by bus.
N-COUNT: also by N
2.
When someone is bussed to a particular place or when they bus there, they travel there on a bus.
On May Day hundreds of thousands used to be bussed in to parade through East Berlin...
To get our Colombian visas we bussed back to Medellin...
Essential services were provided by Serbian workers bussed in from outside the province.
VERB: be V-ed adv/prep, V adv/prep, V-ed, also V n adv/prep
3.
In some parts of the United States, when children are bused to school, they are transported by bus to a school in a different area so that children of different races can be educated together.
Many schools were in danger of closing because the children were bused out to other neighborhoods.
VERB: usu passive, be V-ed adv/prep
• bus‧ing
The courts ordered busing to desegregate the schools.
1bus /ˈbʌs/ noun, pl bus·es also US bus·ses : a large vehicle that is used for carrying passengers especially along a particular route at particular times
[count]
• She boarded a bus in Nashville.
[noncount]
• I usually go to work by bus. = I usually take the bus to work.
• Are you traveling by train or by bus?
- often used before another noun
• a bus driver
• a bus station
• waiting at the bus stop [=one of the places where a bus stops for passengers to get on or off]
