noun

vegetable

vegetable [noun] (FOOD)

a plant, root, seed, or pod that is used as food, especially in dishes that are not sweet

/ˈvedʒ.tə.bəl/

Example:

The potato is the most popular vegetable in Britain.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

vegetable

noun
a plant or part of a plant that we eat:
The students grow vegetables such as cabbages, beans and carrots.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

vegetable

I. vege‧ta‧ble¹ S3 W3 /ˈvedʒtəbəl/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: vegetabilis 'growing', from vegetare 'to grow', from Latin vegere 'to cause to act, excite']
1. a plant that is eaten raw or cooked, such as a ↑cabbage, a ↑carrot, or ↑peas:
fresh fruit and vegetables
organic methods of growing vegetables
vegetable soup
a neat vegetable garden
Vitamin A is found in liver and green vegetables.
salad vegetables (=vegetables such as ↑lettuce or ↑tomatoes eaten raw)
GRAMMAR
Vegetable is a countable noun, not an uncountable noun:
▪ They grew their own vegetables (NOT their own vegetable).
2. not polite an offensive word for someone who is alive but who cannot talk or move because their brain is damaged
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + vegetable
▪ fresh Fresh vegetables taste best immediately after they've been picked.
▪ raw Some vegetables are better eaten raw.
▪ organic (=grown without using chemicals) Most supermarkets sell organic fruit and vegetables.
▪ tinned/canned Do canned vegetables have as many vitamins as fresh ones?
▪ frozen packets of frozen vegetables
▪ green vegetables Eat plenty of green vegetables.
▪ leafy vegetables Leafy vegetables contain iron, which is good for the blood.
▪ root vegetables (=vegetables whose roots you eat, such as carrots) Excellent soups can be made from root vegetables.
▪ a salad vegetable (=a vegetable that is eaten raw in a salad) You can buy ready-prepared salad vegetables.
▪ baby vegetables (=vegetables that have not grown to their full size) Baby vegetables, especially carrots and corn, appeal to youngsters.
■ vegetable + NOUN
▪ vegetable soup I think I'll have the vegetable soup.
▪ vegetable stock (=a liquid in which vegetables have been cooked) Gently cook the mushrooms and onions in the vegetable stock.
▪ vegetable oil She uses vegetable oil instead of lard.
▪ a vegetable garden/patch/plot Anna was digging in the vegetable garden.
■ verbs
▪ grow vegetables If we had a garden, we could grow our own vegetables.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

vegetable

vege·table [vegetable vegetables] [ˈvedʒtəbl] [ˈvedʒtəbl] noun

1. (also informal veg·gie especially in NAmE) a plant or part of a plant that is eaten as food. Potatoes, beans and onions are all vegetables
• green vegetables (= for example cabbage )
• root vegetables (= for example carrots )
• a salad of raw vegetables
• a vegetable garden/patch/plot
• vegetable matter (= plants in general)

compare animal, fruit, mineral

2. (BrE also cab·bage) a person who is physically alive but not capable of much mental or physical activity, for example because of an accident or illness

• Severe brain damage turned him into a vegetable.

3. a person who has a boring life
• Since losing my job I've been a vegetable.
See also: cabbage ▪ veggie
Word Origin:
late Middle English (in the sense ‘growing as a plant’): from Old French, or from late Latin vegetabilis ‘animating’, from Latin vegetare, from vegetus ‘active’, from vegere ‘be active’. The current sense dates from the late 16th cent.
Example Bank:
• The children don't eat enough green vegetables.
• They grow all their own vegetables.

• a salad of crisp, raw vegetables

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

vegetable / ˈvedʒ.tə.bl̩ / noun [ C ] ( US informal veggie ) (FOOD)

A1 a plant, root, seed, or pod that is used as food, especially in dishes that are not sweet:

fresh/frozen vegetables

vegetable soup/stew/curry

fruit and vegetables

The potato is the most popular vegetable in Britain.

In the winter we tend to eat more root vegetables, such as carrots and parsnips.

Raw vegetables contain more potassium than cooked ones.

a vegetable knife

→ Compare fruit noun (PLANT PART)

See picture vegetables 1

See picture vegetables 2

vegetable / ˈvedʒ.tə.bl̩ / noun (PERSON)

[ C ] informal a person who does not do anything or has no interest in doing anything:

Sitting at home all day in front of the TV slowly turned her into a vegetable.

[ C ] offensive a person who is unable to think or move correctly because of severe brain damage

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

vegetable

[ve̱ʤtəb(ə)l]

vegetables
1) N-COUNT Vegetables are plants such as cabbages, potatoes, and onions which you can cook and eat.
  A good general diet should include plenty of fresh vegetables.
  ...traditional Caribbean fruit and vegetables.
  ...vegetable soup.
2) ADJ: usu ADJ n Vegetable matter comes from plants. [FORMAL]
  ...compounds, of animal, vegetable or mineral origin.
  ...decayed vegetable matter.
3) N-COUNT: usu sing If someone refers to a brain-damaged person as a vegetable, they mean that the person cannot move, think, or speak. [INFORMAL, OFFENSIVE]
  Syn:
  cabbage

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

vegetable

veg·e·ta·ble /ˈvɛʤtəbəl/ noun, pl -ta·bles [count]
1 : a plant or plant part that is eaten as food
• The doctor said I should eat more fruits and vegetables.
• a bowl of vegetable soup
• a vegetable garden
• vegetable oil
- see color picture
- see also root vegetable
2 sometimes offensive : a person who is unable to talk, move, etc., because of severe brain damage
• The accident had left him a vegetable.
- called also (Brit, informal) cabbage,

English translation unavailable for main course.

nature

nature [noun] (LIFE)

all the animals, plants, rocks, etc. in the world and all the features, forces, and processes that happen or exist independently of people, such as the weather, the sea, mountains, the production of young animals or plants, and growth

/ˈneɪ.tʃɚ/

/ˈneɪ.tʃər/

Example:

This new technique of artificially growing cells copies what actually happens in nature.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

nature

noun

1 (no plural) all the plants, animals, etc. in the world and all the things that happen in it that are not made or caused by people:
the beauty of nature

2 (plural natures) the way a person or thing is:
Our cat has a very friendly nature.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

nature

na‧ture S1 W1 /ˈneɪtʃə $ -tʃər/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑nature, ↑naturalist, ↑naturalism, ↑naturalization, ↑naturalness, the supernatural, ↑natural, ↑naturist, ↑naturism; adverb: ↑naturally ≠ ↑unnaturally, ↑naturalistically, ↑supernaturally; adjective: ↑natural ≠ ↑unnatural, ↑supernatural, ↑naturalistic; verb: ↑naturalize]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: French; Origin: Latin natura, from natus; ⇨ ↑nation]
1. PLANTS/ANIMALS ETC [uncountable] (also Nature) everything in the physical world that is not controlled by humans, such as wild plants and animals, earth and rocks, and the weather:
We grew up in the countryside, surrounded by the beauties of nature.
nature conservation
the laws/forces of nature
The inhabitants of the island fight a constant battle against the forces of nature.
in nature
All these materials are found in nature.
Disease is nature’s way of keeping the population down.
2. SB’S CHARACTER [uncountable and countable] someone’s character:
a child with a happy, easy-going nature
sb’s nature
It’s just not in Jane’s nature to lie.
by nature
She was by nature a very affectionate person.
I tried appealing to his better nature (=his feelings of kindness) but he wouldn’t agree to help us.
Of course she’s jealous – it’s only human nature (=the feelings and ways of behaving that all people have).
3. QUALITIES OF SOMETHING [singular, uncountable] the qualities or features that something has
nature of
They asked a lot of questions about the nature of our democracy.
He examined the nature of the relationship between the two communities.
exact/precise/true nature
The exact nature of the problem is not well understood.
different/political/temporary etc in nature
Any government funding would be temporary in nature.
Capitalist society is by its very nature unstable.
4. TYPE [singular] a particular kind of thing
of a personal/political/difficult etc nature
The support being given is of a practical nature.
of this/that nature
I never trouble myself with questions of that nature.
5. in the nature of things according to the natural way things happen:
In the nature of things, there is bound to be the occasional accident.
6. be in the nature of something formal to be similar to a type of thing:
The enquiry will be more in the nature of a public meeting than a formal hearing.
7. against nature not natural, and morally wrong:
They believe that suicide is against nature.
8. let nature take its course to allow events to happen without doing anything to change the results:
The best cure for a cold is to let nature take its course.
9. back to nature a style of living in which people try to live simply and not use modern machines:
city workers who want to get back to nature in their holidays
⇨ be/become second nature (to somebody) at ↑second¹(10), ⇨ the call of nature at ↑call²(12)

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

nature

na·ture [nature natures] [ˈneɪtʃə(r)] [ˈneɪtʃər] noun

PLANTS, ANIMALS
1. (often Nature) uncountable all the plants, animals and things that exist in the universe that are not made by people
• the beauties of nature
• man-made substances not found in nature
• nature conservation You cannot use ‘the nature’ in this meaning: the beauties of the nature. It is often better to use another appropriate word, for example the countryside, the scenery or wildlife
• We stopped to admire the scenery.

• We stopped to admire the nature.

2. (often Nature) uncountable the way that things happen in the physical world when it is not controlled by people
• the forces/laws of nature
• Just let nature take its course.
• Her illness was Nature's way of telling her to do less.

see also Mother Nature

CHARACTER

3. countable, uncountable the usual way that a person or an animal behaves that is part of their character
• It's not in his nature to be unkind.
• She is very sensitive by nature.
• We appealed to his better nature (= his kindness).

see also good nature, human nature, second nature

BASIC QUALITIES

4. singular the basic qualities of a thing
• the changing nature of society
• It's difficult to define the exact nature of the problem.
• My work is very specialized in nature.

• The future by its very nature is uncertain.

TYPE/KIND

5. singular a type or kind of sth
• books of a scientific nature

• Don't worry about things of that nature.

-NATURED

6. (in adjectives) having the type of character or quality mentioned
• a good-natured man
more at the call of nature at call _n., the forces of nature at force _n.
Idioms: against nature ▪ back to nature ▪ in the nature of something ▪ in the nature of things
Word Origin:
Middle English (denoting the physical power of a person): from Old French, from Latin natura ‘birth, nature, quality’, from nat- ‘born’, from the verb nasci.
Thesaurus:
nature noun
1. U
• Take time to appreciate the beauties of nature.
the natural world • • the environment • • the wild • • life • • wildlife • • ecosystem • • habitat •
in nature/the environment/the wild/an ecosystem/a habitat
(a/an/the) marine/terrestrial/aquatic environment/life/wildlife/ecosystem/habitat
protect the natural world/the environment/… life/wildlife/habitats
2. C, U
• It's not in her nature to be unkind.
character • • personality • • temperament • • self • • make-up • |formal disposition • • persona •
by nature/temperament
in sb's nature/character
a violent nature/character/personality/temperament
a generous nature/character/disposition
Which word? Nature is used about sb's normal way of behaving; character is used especially about sb's moral behaviour; personality is used especially about whether sb is confident, shy, etc. with other people.; temperament is mostly used about whether sb normally stays calm, or gets angry, etc.
3. sing.
• It's difficult to define the exact nature of the problem.
character • • essence • • stuff • • spirit •
in nature/character/essence/spirit
the very nature/character/essence/stuff/spirit of sth
preserve/capture/convey/reflect the nature/character/essence of sth
Nature or character? Use nature to talk about the basic qualities of abstract things, such as society or risks; use character to talk about the qualities of buildings, places and other physical things, especially qualities that make a place or thing seem different or special.
Word Family:
nature noun
natural adjective (≠ unnatural)
naturally adverb (≠ unnaturally)
Example Bank:
• Are you aware of the nature of the risks involved?
• Because of the detailed nature of the work, I have to use a very fine brush.
• By its very nature a secret service is not open to public inspection.
• Given the nature of this matter, I am inclined to think it should be managed by you personally.
• He believed in spending half an hour each day to relax and commune with nature.
• He had a vicious side to his nature.
• He has an inquisitive nature.
• He's not by nature an inquisitive person.
• Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.
• His love of nature was expressed through his wildlife paintings.
• His theory provides a remarkable insight into the nature of the British constitution.
• I'm not clear about the exact nature of their relationship.
• It is important to define the nature of the problem.
• It was against his nature to tell lies.
• It's highly unlikely that this mound was produced by nature.
• It's not in his nature to complain.
• It's only human nature to want more money.
• Mother Nature had served up some terrible weather for their cruise.
• Mother Nature's way of dealing with overpopulation
• Nature had endowed her with exceptional vitality.
• People are always taking advantage of her good nature.
• The Buddhist goal is to realize the true nature of the world.
• The gentle lower slopes belie the true nature of the mountain.
• The legal concept of insanity is of a different nature from the medical.
• The method employed will depend on the nature of the task.
• The parties would not reveal the exact nature of the dispute.
• The victim has not been identified because of the sensitive nature of the case.
• Their problems are of an economic nature.
• Their strategy was essentially political in nature.
• There was no point appealing to her better nature.
• They define sexual harassment as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature.
• This new information does not change the nature of our findings.
• We appreciate beauty in nature.
• We built our house in the country because we wanted to get back to nature.
• We built our house in the country because we wanted to get back= be close to nature.
• We can only treat the injury and then let nature take its course.
• We need to understand the true extent and nature of the problem.
• a debate concerning the nature of violence
• matters of a routine nature
• people who live in the country and are close to nature
• the dual nature of man as a physical and spiritual being
• the expressive part of his nature
• the international nature of the business
• the subjective nature of an odour
• the unsatisfactory nature of the meeting
• A lot of nature conservation is about protecting habitats.
• Decisions of this nature often take a long time.
• Don't worry about things of that nature.
• Her illness was Nature's way of telling her to do less.
• His books were mainly of a scientific nature.
• It seemed against the laws of nature that such a creature could even exist.
• It's not in her nature to be unkind.
• My work is very specialized in nature.
• She is very sensitive by nature.
• Take time to appreciate the beauties of nature.
• The forces of nature are constantly reshaping our world.
• The talk addressed the subject of the changing nature of our society.
• We appealed to his better nature.
• What's the nature of his work?

• White phosphorus is so reactive that it is not found in nature.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

nature / ˈneɪ.tʃə r / / -tʃɚ / noun (LIFE)

A2 [ U ] all the animals, plants, rocks, etc. in the world and all the features, forces, and processes that happen or exist independently of people, such as the weather, the sea, mountains, the production of young animals or plants, and growth:

her love of nature

This new technique of artificially growing cells copies what actually happens in nature.

a nature article/book/programme

Nature the force that is responsible for physical life and that is sometimes spoken of as a person:

Feeling tired-out is Nature's way of telling you to rest.

Nature gave these tiny creatures the ability to reproduce quickly when food is abundant.

Word partners for nature (LIFE)

the forces of / laws of nature • a nature lover • be found in nature • in nature • nature conservation

Word partners for nature (TYPE)

the nature of sth • [different/temporary, etc.] in nature • of a [confidential/similar, etc.] nature • the exact / precise / true nature of sth • the changing / complex / political / serious nature of sth • alter / change / reflect the nature of sth

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

nature

[ne͟ɪtʃə(r)]
natures
1) N-UNCOUNT Nature is all the animals, plants, and other things in the world that are not made by people, and all the events and processes that are not caused by people.
→ See also Mother Nature
  The most amazing thing about nature is its infinite variety.
  ...grasses that grow wild in nature.
  ...the ecological balance of nature.
2) N-SING: with supp, oft n N, also by/in N The nature of something is its basic quality or character.
  Mr Sharp would not comment on the nature of the issues being investigated.
  ...the ambitious nature of the programme...
  The protests had been non-political by nature...
  The rise of a major power is both economic and military in nature.
3) N-SING: with poss, also by N Someone's nature is their character, which they show by the way they behave.
→ See also human nature
  Jeya feels that her ambitious nature made her unsuitable for an arranged marriage...
  She trusted people. That was her nature...
  He was by nature affectionate.
4) PHRASE: v-link PHR If you say that something is against nature, you think that it is unnatural.
  All these activities are against nature.
  Syn:
  unnatural
5) PHRASE: PHR after v If you want to get back to nature, you want to return to a simpler way of living.
  She was very anxious to get away from cities and back to nature.
6) PHRASE: N inflects, PHR with cl If you say that something has a particular characteristic by its nature or by its very nature, you mean that things of that type always have that characteristic.
  Peacekeeping, by its nature, makes pre-planning difficult...
  One could argue that smoking, by its very nature, is addictive.
7) PHRASE: PHR after v (politeness) Some people talk about a call of nature when referring politely to the need to go to the toilet.
  I'm afraid I have to answer a call of nature.
8) PHRASE: PHR with cl If you say that something is in the nature of things, you mean that you would expect it to happen in the circumstances mentioned.
  Of course, in the nature of things, and with a lot of drinking going on, people failed to notice...
  Many have already died, and in the nature of things many more will die.
9) PHRASE: PHR n, usu v-link PHR, pron-indef PHR If you say that one thing is in the nature of another, you mean that it is like the other thing.
  There is movement towards, I think, something in the nature of a pluralistic system...
  It was in the nature of a debate rather than an argument.
10) PHRASE: v-link PHR, oft PHR to n If a way of behaving is second nature to you, you do it almost without thinking because it is easy for you or obvious to you.
  Planning ahead had always come as second nature to her...
  It's not easy at first, but it soon becomes second nature.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

nature

na·ture /ˈneɪʧɚ/ noun, pl -tures
1 also Nature [noncount]
a : the physical world and everything in it (such as plants, animals, mountains, oceans, stars, etc.) that is not made by people
• the beauty of nature
• She is a real nature lover. = She really loves nature. [=she loves to spend time outdoors]
• He devoted himself to the study of nature.
• That is a color not found in nature.
• nature photography
• nature conservation
b : the natural forces that control what happens in the world
• the forces of nature
• Hunger is nature's way of telling you to eat.
• Gravity is one of the basic laws of nature.
- see also call of nature, freak of nature, mother nature
2 : the way that a person or animal behaves : the character or personality of a person or animal

[count]

• She has a competitive nature. [=she is competitive]
• The differences in their natures was easy to see.
• an animal with a gentle nature [=a gentle animal]

[noncount]

• The children took advantage of the teacher's good nature. [=the teacher's kindness]
• She's very competitive by nature.
- see also good-natured, human nature, ill-natured, second nature
3 : a basic quality that something has

[count]

- usually singular; often + of
• the nature of steel
• What is the true nature of democracy?
• Because of the fragile nature of the manuscripts [=because the manuscripts are fragile], the museum keeps them behind glass.

[noncount]

• Her writing is humorous in nature. [=her writing has humorous qualities]
4 [singular] : a particular kind of thing
• What is the nature of your problem? [=what kind of problem do you have?]
• papers of a confidential nature [=papers that are confidential]
• His medical condition is not of a serious nature. [=is not serious]
• You'll need to bring a toothbrush, soap, and things of that nature. [=other similar things]
get/go back to nature also return to nature : to spend time living in a simple way without modern machines, electricity, etc.
• They went on a camping trip to get back to nature.
let nature take its course : to allow something to happen without trying to control it
• The injury should heal within a few weeks if you just let nature take its course.

American English

British English

the Earth and outer space - general words

A2 (Elementary)

noun

deaf

deaf [noun]

the deaf people who are unable to hear

/def/

Example:

Many of the TV programmes are broadcast with subtitles for the deaf.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

deaf

adjective
not able to hear anything or not able to hear very well:
My grandma's starting to go deaf.
television subtitles for the deaf (= people who cannot hear)

>> deafness noun (no plural):
In old age she was troubled by deafness.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

deaf

deaf W3 /def/ BrE AmE adjective
[Language: Old English]
1. physically unable to hear anything or unable to hear well ⇨ hearing impaired:
communication between deaf and hearing people
I think Mum’s going a bit deaf.
She’s deaf and dumb (=unable to hear or speak) and communicates using sign language.
Tom was born profoundly deaf (=having great difficulty hearing).
stone deaf/deaf as a post informal (=completely deaf) ⇨ ↑hard of hearing, ↑tone-deaf
2. the deaf [plural] people who are deaf:
a school for the deaf
3. be deaf to something literary to be unwilling to hear or listen to something:
She was deaf to his pleas.
4. turn a deaf ear (to something) to be unwilling to listen to what someone is saying or asking:
The factory owners turned a deaf ear to the demands of the workers.
5. fall on deaf ears if advice or a warning falls on deaf ears, everyone ignores it
—deafness noun [uncountable]

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

deaf

deaf [deaf deafer deafest] [def] [def] adjective (deaf·er, deaf·est)
1. unable to hear anything or unable to hear very well
• to become/go deaf
• She was born deaf.
• partially deaf

see also stone deaf, tone-deaf

2. the deaf noun plural people who cannot hear

• television subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

3. not before noun ~ to sth not willing to listen or pay attention to sth
• He was deaf to my requests for help.
Idioms: deaf as a post ▪ fall on deaf ears ▪ turn a deaf ear
Derived Word: deafness
Word Origin:
Old English dēaf, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch doof and German taub, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek tuphlos ‘blind’.
Example Bank:
• It's no good shouting— he's stone deaf.
• Many of these children are profoundly deaf.
• She remained deaf until she died.
• She spoke loudly because her mother was a little deaf.
• Standing next to the machine all day left her deaf in one ear.
• The committee remained deaf to our suggestions.
• Their child was born deaf.

• helping chronically deaf patients

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

deaf / def / noun [ plural ]

the deaf people who are unable to hear:

Many of the TV programmes are broadcast with subtitles for the deaf.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

deaf

[de̱f]
deafer, deafest
1) ADJ-GRADED Someone who is deaf is unable to hear anything or is unable to hear very well.
  She is now profoundly deaf.
  Derived words:
  deafness N-UNCOUNT Because of her deafness she was hard to make conversation with.
N-PLURAL: the N
The deaf are people who are deaf. Many regular TV programs are captioned for the deaf.
2) ADJ: v-link ADJ to n (disapproval) If you say that someone is deaf to people's requests, arguments, or criticisms, you are criticizing them because they refuse to pay attention to them.
  The provincial assembly were deaf to all pleas for financial help.
  Syn:
  impervious
3) to fall on deaf ears → see ear
to turn a deaf ear → see ear

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

deaf

deaf /ˈdɛf/ adj [more ~; most ~]
1 : not able to hear
• He has been deaf since birth.
• a deaf child
• She's completely/partially deaf in her right ear.
• a disease that caused her to go deaf [=become unable to hear]
• He's going a little deaf so you'll have to speak up.
• (informal) My grandmother's a sweet old lady, but she's as deaf as a post. [=she's very deaf]
- see also tone-deaf
2 : not willing to listen to or consider something - usually + to
• They were deaf to all of our suggestions.
• deaf to reason
fall on deaf ears
- see ¹ear
the deaf : deaf people : people who are not able to hear
• She goes to a school for the deaf.
turn a deaf ear
- see ¹ear
- deaf·ness noun [noncount]
• The disease can cause blindness and deafness.

American English

British English

handicap and the disabled

C1 (Advanced)

noun

blind

blind [noun] (SIGHT)

people who are unable to see

/blaɪnd/

Example:

She trains guide dogs for the blind.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

adjective
not able to see:
My grandad is going blind.
He trains guide dogs for the blind (= people who are not able to see).

>> blindness noun (no plural):
The disease can cause blindness.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

adjective
not able to see:
My grandad is going blind.
He trains guide dogs for the blind (= people who are not able to see).

>> blindness noun (no plural):
The disease can cause blindness.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

noun
1. (NAmE also shade, ˈwindow shade) countable a covering for a window, especially one made of a roll of cloth that is fixed at the top of the window and can be pulled up and down

see also venetian blind

2. singular something people say or do to hide the truth about sth in order to trick other people
Word Origin:
Old English, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German blind.
Example Bank:
• She saw a figure through the blinds.

• Pull up the blinds and let some light in.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

blind / blaɪnd / noun (SIGHT)

the blind C1 [ plural ] people who are unable to see:

She trains guide dogs for the blind.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

blind

[bla͟ɪnd]

blinds, blinding, blinded
1) ADJ Someone who is blind is unable to see because their eyes are damaged.
  I started helping him run the business when he went blind...
  How would you explain colour to a blind person?
  Derived words:
  blindness N-UNCOUNT Early diagnosis and treatment can usually prevent blindness.
N-PLURAL: the N
The blind are people who are blind. He was a teacher of the blind.
2) VERB If something blinds you, it makes you unable to see, either for a short time or permanently.
  [V n] The sun hit the windscreen, momentarily blinding him.
3) ADJ: v-link ADJ, usu ADJ with n If you are blind with something such as tears or a bright light, you are unable to see for a short time because of the tears or light.
  Her mother groped for the back of the chair, her eyes blind with tears.
  Derived words:
  blindly ADV Lettie groped blindly for the glass.
4) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ to n (disapproval) If you say that someone is blind to a fact or a situation, you mean that they ignore it or are unaware of it, although you think that they should take notice of it or be aware of it.
  David's good looks and impeccable manners had always made her blind to his faults...
  All the time I was blind to your suffering.
  Derived words:
  blindness N-UNCOUNT ...blindness in government policy to the very existence of the unemployed.
5) VERB If something blinds you to the real situation, it prevents you from realizing that it exists or from understanding it properly.
  [V n to n] He never allowed his love of Australia to blind him to his countrymen's faults.
6) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n (disapproval) You can describe someone's beliefs or actions as blind when you think that they seem to take no notice of important facts or behave in an unreasonable way.
  ...her blind faith in the wisdom of the Church...
  Lesley yelled at him with blind, hating rage.
7) ADJ: ADJ n A blind corner is one that you cannot see round because something is blocking your view.
  He tried to overtake three cars on a blind corner and crashed head-on into a lorry.
8) ADJ: ADJ n A blind wall or building is one which has no windows or doors.
  I remembered a huddle of stone buildings with blind walls.
9) N-COUNT A blind is a roll of cloth or paper which you can pull down over a window as a covering.
→ See also Venetian blind
10) → See also blinding, blindly, colour blind
11) PHRASE: V inflects (disapproval) If you say that someone is turning a blind eye to something bad or illegal that is happening, you mean that you think they are pretending not to notice that it is happening so that they will not have to do anything about it.
  Teachers are turning a blind eye to pupils smoking at school, a report reveals today...
  I can't turn a blind eye when someone is being robbed.a

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

³blind noun, pl blinds
1 [count] : something that is used to cover a window from the inside of a room especially; : a roll of cloth or plastic that is hung at the top of a window and pulled down over the window - usually plural
• Raise/lower/open/close the blinds.
- see picture at window; see also venetian blind
2 [count] US : a place where hunters hide from animals while they are hunting
• a duck blind [=a place to hide when hunting ducks]
- called also (chiefly Brit) hide,
3 [singular] : something that is used to trick people or to prevent people from noticing a particular thing
• Some say the investigation is a blind to keep the public's attention off the governor.
draw the blinds on
- see ¹draw

American English

British English

handicap and the disabled

C1 (Advanced)

noun

kindness

kindness [noun]

the quality of being kind

/ˈkaɪnd.nəs/

Example:

I can’t thank you enough for your kindness.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

kindness

noun
the quality of being kind:
Thank you for your kindness.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

kindness

kind‧ness /ˈkaɪndnəs, ˈkaɪndnɪs/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: adjective: ↑kind ≠ ↑unkind, ↑kindly; noun: ↑kindness ≠ ↑unkindness; adverb: ↑kindly ≠ ↑unkindly]
1. [uncountable] kind behaviour towards someone:
I can’t thank you enough for your kindness.
REGISTER
In everyday English, when you are thanking people for helping you, the normal phrase to use is Thanks for (all) your help. The phrase Thank you for your kindness sounds very polite and slightly old-fashioned.
2. [countable] a kind action
do somebody a kindness
It would be doing him a kindness to tell him the truth.
⇨ kill somebody with kindness at ↑kill¹(16)

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

kindness

kind·ness [kindness kindnesses] [ˈkaɪndnəs] [ˈkaɪndnəs] noun
1. uncountable the quality of being kind

• to treat sb with kindness and consideration

2. countable a kind act
• I can never repay your many kindnesses to me.
see kill sb/sth with kindness at kill _v., the milk of human kindness at milk _n.
Example Bank:
• I don't deserve your kindness.
• I really appreciate your kindness.
• I tried to think of a way to repay his kindness.
• I went with her out of kindness.
• I'll never forget your kindness to me.
• She has always been kindness itself to me.
• Show your appreciation by little acts of kindness.
• Small kindnesses meant a lot to her.
• They had shown him great kindness.
• They treated us with kindness and courtesy.
• They volunteer out of the kindness of their hearts.
• This unexpected kindness touched her deeply.
• We met with much kindness and help.
• He was overwhelmed by their kindness.

• She wanted to thank him for his kindness.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

kindness / ˈkaɪnd.nəs / noun

B2 [ U ] the quality of being kind:

love and kindness

[ C ] a kind action:

I wanted to thank them for all their kindnesses.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

kindness

[ka͟ɪndnəs]
kindnesses
1) N-UNCOUNT Kindness is the quality of being gentle, caring, and helpful.
We have been treated with such kindness by everybody.
2) N-COUNT A kindness is a helpful or considerate act.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

kindness

kind·ness /ˈkaɪndnəs/ noun, pl -ness·es
1 [noncount] : the quality or state of being kind
• You should treat your elders with kindness and respect. = You should show kindness and respect to your elders.
• They did it out of the kindness of their hearts. [=they did it because they are kind people and not because they wanted something in return]
- see also the milk of human kindness at ¹milk
2 [count] : a kind act
• We thanked her for her many kindnesses.
• You would be doing me a great kindness if you agreed to help.
kill (someone) with kindness
- see ¹kill

American English

British English

kind and thoughtful

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

noun

entrée

entrée [noun] (FOOD)

US the main dish of a meal

UK at very formal meals, a small dish served just before the main part

/ˈɑːn.treɪ/

/ˈɒn.treɪ/

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

entrÃ©e

en‧trée /ˈɒntreɪ $ ˈɑːn-/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1700-1800; Language: French; Origin: ⇨ ↑entry]
1. [countable] the main dish of a meal, or a dish served before the main course – used in restaurants or on formal occasions:
an entrée of roast duck
2. [uncountable and countable] formal the right or freedom to enter a place or to join a social group
entrée to/into
My family name gave me an entrée into upper class Boston society.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

entrée

en·trée [entrée entrées] [ˈɒntreɪ] [ˈɑːntreɪ] noun (from French)

1. countable (in a restaurant or at a formal meal) the main dish of the meal or a dish served before the main course

2. uncountable, countable ~ (into/to sth) (formal) the right or ability to enter a social group or institution

• Her wealth and reputation gave her an entrée into upper-class circles.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

entrée / ˈɒn.treɪ / / ˈɑːn- / noun (FOOD)

[ C ] US the main dish of a meal [ C ] UK at very formal meals, a small dish served just before the main part

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

entrée

[ɒ̱ntreɪ]
entrées
also entree
1) N-COUNT: oft N into n If you have an entrée to a social group, you are accepted and made to feel welcome by them.
She had an entree into the city's cultivated society.
2) N-COUNT At restaurants or formal dinners, the entrée is the main course, or sometimes a dish before the main course.
Dinner features a hot entrée of chicken, veal, or lamb.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

entree

en·trée or en·tree /ˈɑːnˌtreɪ/ noun, pl -trées or -trees
1 [count] : the main dish of a meal especially in a restaurant
• We had steak as an entrée.
2 formal
a [count] : the act or manner of entering something
• She made a graceful entrée [=entrance] into the ballroom.
• His entrée [=entry] into the restaurant business was unexpected.
b [noncount] : the right to enter something
• His family connections have given him entrée [=entry] into the most exclusive clubs in the city.

American English

British English

meals and parts of meals

C1 (Advanced)

noun

men‧u S3 /ˈmenjuː/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: menu 'small, full of details', from Latin minutus; ⇨ ↑minute²]
1. a list of all the kinds of food that are available for a meal, especially in a restaurant:
Could we have the menu, please?
on the menu
Is there any fish on the menu?
a three course set menu (=dishes which you do not choose for yourself)
2. a list of things on a computer screen which you can ask the computer to do:
Select PRINT from the main menu.
pull-down/drop-down menu (=a list of choices which appears when you CLICK ON a place on the screen)
menu-driven (=operated by using a menu)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ read/study the menu Sandy read the menu, but didn’t see anything he wanted to eat.
▪ look at/see the menu (=read the menu) He looked at the menu and decided to have the salad.
▪ plan a menu (=decide what foods will be served) Erika began planning a menu for the dinner party.
▪ choose/order something from the menu He ordered a chicken dish from the menu.
▪ offer a menu The restaurant is offering a three-course menu for New Year’s Eve.
▪ have a good/long/unusual etc menu The new restaurant on Fifth Street has an excellent menu.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + menu
▪ extensive (=with many different dishes on it) The menu is extensive and adventurous.
▪ a dinner/lunch/breakfast menu There is an extensive dinner menu, and seafood is a speciality.
▪ a set/fixed menu (=when the cook decides which dishes will be served to you, rather than you choosing for yourself) Dinner is three courses from a set menu.
▪ an à la carte menu (=a menu listing many separate dishes which you choose from) In the evening there is a full à la carte menu.
▪ a children’s menu I asked the waiter if there was a children’s menu.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

menu [menu menus] [ˈmenjuː] Click to play [ˈmenjuː] noun
1. a list of the food that is available at a restaurant or to be served at a meal
• to ask for/look at the menu

• What's on the menu (= for dinner) tonight?

2. (computing) a list of possible choices that are shown on a computer screen
• a pull-down menu
see also drop-down menu
Word Origin:
mid 19th cent.: from French, detailed list (noun use of menu ‘small, detailed’), from Latin minutus ‘very small’.
Collocations:
Restaurants
Eating out
eat (lunch/dinner)/dine/meet at/in a restaurant
go (out)/take sb (out) for lunch/dinner/a meal
have a meal with sb
make/have a reservation (in/under the name of Yamada)
reserve/ (especially BrE) book a table for six
ask for/request a table for two/a table by the window
In the restaurant
wait to be seated
show sb to their table
sit in the corner/by the window/at the bar/at the counter
hand sb/give sb the menu/wine list
open/read/study/peruse the menu
the restaurant has a three-course set menu/a children's menu/an extensive wine list
taste/sample/try the wine
the waiter takes your order
order/choose/have the soup of the day/one of the specials/the house (BrE) speciality/(especially NAmE) specialty
serve/finish the first course/the starter/the main course/dessert/coffee
complain about the food/the service/your meal
enjoy your meal
Paying
pay/ask for (especially BrE) the bill/(NAmE) the check
pay for/treat sb to dinner/lunch/the meal
service is (not) included
give sb/leave (sb) a tip
Example Bank:
• Chef Nigel Crowther will expand the menu to include several vegetarian options.
• Go to the topic menu in the upper right hand corner.
• Many menus now list ingredients.
• Many restaurants do a very reasonable set menu at lunchtime.
• May we have the menu?
• Passengers are offered a daily choice of menu.
• She completely changes her seasonal menus every few months.
• The chef was chalking the daily specials on the menu board.
• The menu changes daily.
• The restaurant changes its menu every six months.
• What's on the menu this evening?
• You'll find it in the topic menu.
• a menu offering many vegetarian dishes
• a ten-course tasting menu

• buttons that make it easy to navigate the on-screen menu

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

menu / ˈmen.juː / noun [ C ] (FOOD)

A2 a list of the food that you can eat in a restaurant:

The waiter brought the menu and the wine list.

What's on the menu today?

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

[me̱njuː]
menus
1) N-COUNT: usu sing In a restaurant or café, or at a formal meal, the menu is a list of the meals and drinks that are available.
  A waiter offered him the menu...
  Even the most elaborate dishes on the menu were quite low on calories.
2) N-COUNT A menu is the food that you serve at a meal.
  Try out the menu on a few friends...
  The menu is all-important. Every component of every meal should create contrasts.
3) N-COUNT On a computer screen, a menu is a list of choices. Each choice represents something that you can do using the computer.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

menu /ˈmɛnˌjuː/ noun, pl men·us [count]
1 a : a list of the foods that may be ordered at a restaurant
• I'd like to see your lunch menu, please.
• What's good on the menu today?
• There are two chicken dishes under eight dollars listed on the menu.
b : the foods that are served at a meal
• When you're planning a dinner party, the choice of (the/your) menu is very important.
2 : a list of things that you can choose from
• a menu of television programs especially; computers : a list shown on a computer from which you make choices to control what the computer does
• You can save your work by choosing “Save” from the “File” menu.
- see also drop-down menu, pull-down menu

American English

British English

restaurants and cafes

A2 (Elementary)

noun

only child

only child [noun]

a child who has no sisters or brothers

/ˌoʊn.li ˈtʃaɪld/

/ˌəʊn.li ˈtʃaɪld/

Example:

I'm an only child.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

only child

noun (plural only children)
a child who has no brothers or sisters:
I'm an only child.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

only child

ˌonly ˈchild [only child] noun
a child who has no brothers or sisters
• I'm an only child.

• Only children often relate well to adults.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

ˌ only ˈ child noun [ C ] ( plural only children )

a child who has no sisters or brothers

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

only child

only child noun, pl ~ children [count] : a person who never had a brother or sister
• I was an only child.
• As an only child, it was her duty to take care of her aging parents.

twin

twin [noun]

either of two children born to the same mother on the same occasion

/twɪn/

Example:

My sister has twin sons.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

twin

noun

1 one of two people who have the same mother and were born at the same time:
David and John are twins.
I have a twin sister.

2 one of two things that are the same:
a room with twin beds

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

twin

I. twin¹ /twɪn/ BrE AmE noun [countable]

one of two children born at the same time to the same mother:
The twins are now eight months old.
⇨ ↑identical twin, ↑Siamese twin

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

twin

twin [twin twins twinned twinning] noun, verb, adjective [twɪn] [twɪn]

noun
1. one of two children born at the same time to the same mother
• She's expecting twins.

see also conjoined twin, fraternal twin, identical twin, Siamese twin

2. one of two similar things that make a pair
• The plate was one of a pair but I broke its twin.
Word Origin:
late Old English twinn ‘double’, from twi- ‘two’; related to Old Norse tvinnr. Current verb senses date from late Middle English.
Collocations:
Children
Having a baby/child
want a baby/a child/kids
start a family
conceive/be expecting/be going to have a baby/child
miss your period
become/get/ be/find out that you are pregnant
have a baby/a child/kids/a son/a daughter/twins/a family
have a normal/a difficult/an unwanted pregnancy; an easy/a difficult/a home birth
be in/go into/induce labour (especially US) labor
have/suffer/cause a miscarriage
give birth to a child/baby/daughter/son/twins
Parenting
bring up/ (especially NAmE) raise a child/family
care for/ (especially BrE) look after a baby/child/kid
change (BrE) a nappy/(NAmE) a diaper/a baby
feed/breastfeed/bottle-feed a baby
be entitled to/go on maternity/paternity leave
go back/return to work after maternity leave
need/find/get a babysitter/good quality affordable childcare
balance/combine work and childcare/child-rearing/family life
educate/teach/home-school a child/kid
punish/discipline/spoil a child/kid
adopt a baby/child/kid
offer a baby for/put a baby up for adoption
(especially BrE) foster a child/kid
be placed with/be raised by foster parents
Example Bank:
• His long-lost twin was searching for him.
• I was the older twin.
• My sister had twins.
• She had twin girls.
• The twins were separated at birth.
• a pair of identical twins
• adult twins who were raised apart
• an operation to separate conjoined twins

• the plot device of giving a character an evil twin

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

twin / twɪn / noun [ C ]

B1 either of two children born to the same mother on the same occasion:

My sister has twin sons.

a twin sister

one of two very similar things:

The two countries are often regarded as economic twins.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

twin

[twɪ̱n]

twins, twinning, twinned
1) N-COUNT: oft N n If two people are twins, they have the same mother and were born on the same day.
  Sarah was looking after the twins...
  I think there are many positive aspects to being a twin...
  She had a twin brother and a younger brother.
2) ADJ: ADJ n Twin is used to describe a pair of things that look the same and are close together.
  ...the twin spires of the cathedral.
  ...the world's largest twin-engined aircraft.
3) ADJ: ADJ n Twin is used to describe two things or ideas that are similar or connected in some way.
  ...the twin concepts of liberty and equality...
  Nothing was done to save these women from the twin evils of begging or the workhouse.
4) VERB: usu passive When a place or organization in one country is twinned with a place or organization in another country, a special relationship is formally established between them. [BRIT]
  [be V-ed with n] Five Polish banks are to be twinned with counterparts in Western Europe...
  [V-ed] The borough is twinned with Kasel in Germany.
  Derived words:
  twinning N-UNCOUNT The twinning of Leeds and St Mary was formalised at a function held last week.
5) ADJ: ADJ n Twin towns or cities are twinned with each other. [BRIT]
  This led Zagreb's twin town, Mainz, to donate ₤70,000-worth of high-quality equipment.(in AM, use sister cities)
6) → See also identical twin, Siamese twin

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

twin

³twin verb twins; twinned; twin·ning [+ obj]
1 : to bring (two things) together in close association - usually used as (be) twinned
• Research is twinned [=coupled] with technology.
• They will be twinned [=paired] in the pages of history.
• two cultures with a twinned destiny
2 Brit : to form a relationship between (two towns in two countries) - usually used as (be) twinned
• Our town is twinned with a town of roughly the same size in France.

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