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pattern
pattern [verb]
to be designed or made in a way that is copied from something else
US
/ˈpætən/
UK
/ˈpætən/
Example:
The exam system is patterned after the one used in Japan.
to be designed or made in a way that is copied from something else
The exam system is patterned after the one used in Japan.
pattern
noun
1 the way in which something happens or develops:
Her days all seemed to follow the same pattern.
2 shapes and colours on something:
The curtains had a pattern of flowers and leaves.
3 a thing that you copy when you make something:
I bought some material and a pattern to make a new skirt.
II. pattern2 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
1. be patterned on/after something to be designed or made in a way that is copied from something else:
The exam system is patterned after the one used in Japan.
2. literary to form a pattern on something:
Tiny white flowers patterned the ground like confetti.
verb
1. ~ sth to form a regular arrangement of lines or shapes on sth
• Frost patterned the window.
• a landscape patterned by vineyards
2. ~ sth (technical) to cause a particular type of behaviour to develop
• Adult behaviour is often patterned by childhood experiences.
Verb forms:
Word Origin:
Middle English patron ‘something serving as a model’, from Old French from Latin patronus ‘protector of clients, defender’, from pater, patr- ‘father’. The change in sense is from the idea of a patron giving an example to be copied. By 1700 patron ceased to be used of things, and the two forms became differentiated in sense.
pattern
[pæ̱tə(r)n]
patterns
1) N-COUNT: oft the N of n A pattern is the repeated or regular way in which something happens or is done.
All three attacks followed the same pattern...
A change in the pattern of his breathing became apparent.
2) N-COUNT A pattern is an arrangement of lines or shapes, especially a design in which the same shape is repeated at regular intervals over a surface.
...a golden robe embroidered with red and purple thread stitched into a pattern of flames.
3) N-COUNT A pattern is a diagram or shape that you can use as a guide when you are making something such as a model or a piece of clothing.
...cutting out a pattern for trousers...
Send for our free patterns to knit yourself.
...sewing patterns.
pattern
2pattern verb -terns; -terned; -tern·ing [+ obj]
1 : to make or design (something) so that it is similar to something else of the same type - usually used as (be) patterned + on or (US) after
• Her garden is patterned on [=modeled on] one she saw on her travels.
• The new program is patterned after an earlier one.
2 : to decorate or mark (something) with a design : to form a pattern on (something)
• Animals tracks patterned the mud.
pattern yourself on or US pattern yourself after : to try to be like and to behave like (someone you admire)
• When he started his own business, he patterned himself after [=modeled himself after] his father. [=he tried to do the things that his father would do]
a thought or belief about something or someone
What's your opinion about/on the matter?
opinion
noun
what you think about something same meaning view:
In my opinion, she's wrong.
What's your opinion of his work?
He had strong opinions on everything.
opinion
o‧pin‧ion S1 W2 /əˈpɪnjən/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: Latin opinio]
1. [uncountable and countable] your ideas or beliefs about a particular subject
opinion of
What’s your opinion of Cathy?
opinion on
He asked his wife’s opinion on every important decision.
opinion about
The two women had very different opinions about drugs.
in my opinion (=used when giving your opinion)
In my opinion, the law should be changed. ⇨ ↑view1(1)
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say I think ... rather than my opinion is ... or in my opinion .... In questions, people usually ask what do you think? rather than what is your opinion?:
▪ What do you think of Cathy?
2. [countable] judgement or advice from a professional person about something:
When choosing an insurance policy it’s best to get an independent opinion.
My doctor says I need an operation, but I’ve asked for a second opinion (=advice from a second doctor to make sure that the first advice is right).
They took the painting to get an expert opinion (=an opinion from someone who knows a lot).
3. have a high/low/good/bad etc opinion of somebody/something to think that someone or something is very good or very bad:
They have a very high opinion of Paula’s work.
4. be of the opinion (that) to think that something is true:
I was firmly of the opinion that we should not give Jackson any more money.
opinion
opin·ion [opinion opinions] [əˈpɪnjən] [əˈpɪnjən] noun
1. countable your feelings or thoughts about sb/sth, rather than a fact
Syn: view
• ~ (about/of/on sb/sth) We were invited to give our opinions about how the work should be done.
• I've recently changed my opinion of her.
• Everyone had an opinion on the subject.
• ~ (that…) The chairman expressed the opinion that job losses were inevitable.
• He has very strong political opinions.
• In my opinion, it's a very sound investment.
• (formal) It is our opinion that he should resign.
• If you want my opinion, I think you'd be crazy not to accept.
2. uncountable the beliefs or views of a group of people
• legal/medical/political opinion (= the beliefs of people working in the legal, etc. profession)
• There is a difference of opinion (= people disagree) as to the merits of the plan.
• Opinion is divided (= people disagree) on the issue.
• There is a wide body of opinion that supports this proposal.
• Which is the better is a matter of opinion (= people have different opinions about it).
see also public opinion
3. countable advice from a professional person
• They called in a psychologist to give an independent opinion.
• I'd like a second opinion (= advice from another person) before I make a decision.
more at your considered opinion at consider
Idioms: have a good/bad/high/low opinion of somebody ▪ of the opinion that …
Word Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin opinio(n-), from the stem of opinari ‘think, believe’.
Thesaurus:
opinion noun C, U
• In my opinion he should resign.
view • • point of view • • belief • • idea • • feeling • • judgement • • point • • attitude • • stance • • position • • line • • conviction • |formal sentiment •
sb's opinion/view/beliefs/ideas/feelings/judgement/point/conviction/sentiments about sb/sth
sb's opinion/view/ideas/feelings/stance/position/line on sb/sth
have a/an opinion/view/point of view/belief/idea/feeling/attitude/line/conviction
express your opinion/view/point of view/beliefs/ideas/feelings/conviction/sentiments
Language Bank:
according to
Reporting someone's opinion
▪ Photography is, according to ▪ Vidal, the art form of untalented people.
For ▪ Vidal, photography is the art form of untalented people.
▪ His view is that ▪ photography is not art but merely the mechanical reproduction of images.
▪ Smith takes the view that ▪ photography is both an art and a science.
In ▪ Brown's view ▪, photography should be treated as a legitimate art in its own right.
▪ James is of the opinion that ▪ a good painter can always be a good photographer if he or she so decides.
▪ Emerson believed that ▪ a photograph should only reflect what the human eye can see.
Language Banks at argue, opinion
Language Bank:
opinion
Giving your personal opinion
In my opinion ▪, everyone should have some understanding of science.
▪ Everyone should, in my opinion ▪, have some understanding of science.
It seems to me that ▪ many people in this country have a poor understanding of science.
▪ This is, in my view ▪, the result of a failure of the scientific community to get its message across.
▪ Another reason why so many people have such a poor understanding of science is, I believe ▪, the lack of adequate funding for science in schools.
▪ Smith argues that science is separate from culture. My own view is that ▪ science belongs with literature, art, philosophy and religion as an integral part of our culture.
In this writer's opinion ▪, the more the public know about science, the less they will fear and distrust it.
Synonyms at think
Language Banks at according to, argue, impersonal, nevertheless, perhaps
Example Bank:
• ‘Miami is wonderful.’ ‘That's a matter of opinion.’
• Contrary to popular opinion, many adult cats dislike milk.
• Contrary to popular opinion, not all of Hitchcock's movies were great.
• He asked me for my opinion of the course.
• He has a very high opinion of your work.
• He writes an opinion piece in the ‘New York Times’.
• I don't share your opinion of his ability.
• I don't trust her, if you want my honest opinion.
• I formed the opinion that he was not to be trusted.
• If in doubt about your diagnosis, get a second opinion.
• If you want my honest opinion, I think the book is awful.
• In my opinion, golf is a dull sport.
• Opinion among doctors is that the medication is safe.
• Opinions are mixed regarding genetically-modified food.
• Opinions differ as to when this wine should be drunk.
• Prevailing local opinion is against the new road proposals.
• Public opinion is divided on the subject of capital punishment.
• She holds strong opinions on education.
• The bishop spoke without passing any opinion on the scandal.
• The country's government appears disdainful of world opinion.
• The meeting will give people the chance to voice their opinions on the matter.
• This view is supported by a growing body of professional opinion.
• a genuine difference of opinion between the experts
• all shades of political opinion
• attempts to shape public opinion
• in the present climate of opinion
• opinions as to the merits of the plan
• ‘I think she's great.’ ‘Well, that's a matter of opinion’.
• Everyone had a different opinion on the matter.
• I didn't ask for your opinion!
• I think you should keep your opinions to yourself.
• I've recently changed my opinion of her.
• If you want my opinion, I think you'd be crazy to accept the offer.
• In my opinion it's a very sound investment.
• It's our opinion that he should resign.
• Medical opinion differs as to whether the condition has any psychological causes.
• Opinion is divided about whether to join the new currency.
• Public opinion is shifting in favour of change.
• There is a difference of opinion as to the merits of the plan.
• We try to represent all shades of opinion.
• You can always ask for a second opinion if you're not sure.
• You need to be able to distinguish between fact and opinion.
opinion / əˈpɪn.jən / noun
B1 [ C ] a thought or belief about something or someone:
What's your opinion about/on the matter?
People tend to have strong opinions on capital punishment.
He didn't express/give an opinion on the matter.
Who, in your opinion, (= who do you think) is the best football player in the world today?
He's very much of the opinion that alternative medicine is a waste of time.
B2 [ U ] the thoughts or beliefs that a group of people have:
Eventually, the government will have to take notice of public opinion.
There is a diverse range of opinion on the issue.
There was a difference of opinion as to the desirability of the project.
Opinion is divided as to whether the treatment actually works.
Both performances were excellent, it's simply a matter of opinion as to whose was better.
B1 [ C ] a judgment about someone or something:
Her opinion of Adam changed after he'd been so helpful at the wedding.
She has a good/high opinion of his abilities (= thinks he is good) .
I have a rather bad/low/poor opinion of my sister's boyfriend (= I do not like or approve of him) .
He has a very high opinion of himself (= thinks he is very skilled/clever in a way that is annoying) .
B1 [ C ] a judgment made by an expert:
My doctor has referred me to a specialist for a second opinion on the results of my blood test.
Word partners for opinion
have / hold an opinion • express / give / voice an opinion • conflicting / differing / strong opinions • sb's considered / personal opinion • in sb's opinion • sb's opinion about sth • be of the opinion (that)
opinion
[əpɪ̱njən]
opinions
1) N-COUNT: oft poss N, N that Your opinion about something is what you think or believe about it.
I wasn't asking for your opinion, Dick...
He held the opinion that a government should think before introducing a tax...
Most who expressed an opinion spoke favorably of Thomas.
2) N-SING: usu supp N, N of n Your opinion of someone is your judgement of their character or ability.
That improved Mrs Goole's already favourable opinion of him.
Syn:
estimation
3) N-UNCOUNT You can refer to the beliefs or views that people have as opinion.
Some, I suppose, might even be in positions to influence opinion...
There is a broad consensus of opinion about the policies which should be pursued.
4) N-COUNT: usu sing An opinion from an expert is the advice or judgement that they give you in the subject that they know a lot about.
Even if you have had a regular physical check-up recently, you should still seek a medical opinion.
5) → See also public opinion, second opinion
6) PHRASE: PHR with cl You add expressions such as `in my opinion' or `in their opinion' to a statement in order to indicate that it is what you or someone else thinks, and is not necessarily a fact.
The book is, in Henry's opinion, the best book on the subject...
Well he's not making a very good job of it in my opinion.
7) PHRASE: v-link PHR that If someone is of the opinion that something is the case, that is what they believe. [FORMAL]
Frank is of the opinion that the 1934 yacht should have won.
8) a matter of opinion → see matter
opinion
opin·ion /əˈpɪnjən/ noun, pl -ions
1 : a belief, judgment, or way of thinking about something : what someone thinks about a particular thing
[count]
• Why ask (for) my opinion if you have already decided?
• I value your opinion. [=I respect the way you think about things]
• We asked for their opinions about/on the new stadium.
• In my opinion, it's the best car on the market.
• Most of the people surveyed have a high/low opinion of the organization. [=most of the people surveyed think that the organization is good/bad]
• She has enough knowledge of the system to offer an informed opinion [=an opinion based on information] of why it isn't working.
• The meeting will give residents a chance to listen to some expert opinions. [=opinions of experts]
[noncount]
• The owner of the store is often there to offer customers expert opinion. [=an expert's opinion]
• Which one is better is a matter of opinion. [=people have different opinions about which one is better]
• I'm glad that we can have a difference of opinion [=we can disagree] and still be friends.
• The general opinion is that the players are paid too much. [=most people think that the players are paid too much]
• The company has been unsuccessful in its efforts to sway/change public opinion. [=to change what most people think]
• Contrary to popular opinion [=despite what many people think], fame does not always bring happiness.
2 [count] : advice from someone with special knowledge : advice from an expert
• We're still seeking medical opinions [=advice from doctors] on the cause of the pain.
• My doctor says I need surgery, but I'm going to get a second opinion. [=advice from a second doctor to make sure advice from the first doctor is correct]
3 [count] technical : a formal statement by a judge, court, etc., explaining the reasons a decision was made according to laws or rules
• The article discusses two recent Supreme Court opinions.
be of the opinion : to have a specifed opinion or belief
• They are of the opinion [=they think/believe] that the accident was caused by faulty wiring.
the court of public/world opinion
- see 1court
something you say that you know is not true
I told a lie when I said I liked her haircut.
lie
noun
something you say that you know is not true:
She told me a lie.
III. lie3 S3 BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑liar, ↑lie; verb: lie; adjective: lying]
1. [countable] something that you say or write that you know is untrue:
I always know when he’s telling lies.
lie about
I knew that soon she would hear the lies about me.
2. give the lie to something formal to show that something is untrue:
This report gives the lie to the company’s claims.
3. the lie of the land
a) the way that a situation is developing at a particular time:
I'll talk to him and get the lie of the land before we go over.
b) the way an area of land has been formed and the physical features it has
4. (I) tell a lie British English spoken used when you realize that something you have just said is not correct:
It was £25, no, tell a lie, £35.
⇨ live a lie at ↑live1(16)
noun
a statement made by sb knowing that it is not true
• to tell a lie
• The whole story is nothing but a pack of lies.
• a barefaced lie (= a lie that is deliberate and shocking)
see also white lie
more at live a lie at live1, a tissue of lies at tissue
Thesaurus:
lie noun C
• The story is a pack of lies.
story • • nonsense • • fiction • |informal fib • |BrE, informal, disapproving rubbish • |especially AmE, informal, disapproving garbage • |formal fabrication • • falsehood • |law perjury • |taboo, slang, disapproving bullshit •
(a) complete lie/nonsense/fiction/rubbish/garbage/fabrication/falsehood/bullshit
tell (sb) a lie/story/fib/falsehood
believe a lie/a story/that nonsense/a fiction/that rubbish/that garbage/that bullshit
Example Bank:
• He lived a lie for thirty years, ‘married’ to two women.
• He lived a lie for thirty years, pretending to be the faithful husband of two different women living in two different towns.
• He told a big fat lie!
• He told a whopping great lie!
• How could she swallow such a blatant lie?
• That's a downright lie!
• That's a lie— I never said that!
• a web of elaborate lies
• As usual, the party's leaflet is full of barefaced lies.
• I couldn't tell her a lie.
• The whole story is nothing but a pack of lies.
• What's the harm in telling a little white lie?
lie / laɪ / noun [ C ]
B1 something you say that you know is not true:
I told a lie when I said I liked her haircut.
lie
I [la͟ɪ]POSITION OR SITUATION
lies, lying, lay, lain
(Please look at category 11 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.)
1) VERB If you are lying somewhere, you are in a horizontal position and are not standing or sitting.
[V prep/adv] There was a child lying on the ground...
[V adj] The injured man was lying motionless on his back...
[V adj] He lay awake watching her for a long time.
2) VERB If an object lies in a particular place, it is in a flat position in that place.
[V prep/adv] ...a newspaper lying on a nearby couch...
[V adj] Broken glass lay scattered on the carpet.
[V adj] ...a two-page memo lying unread on his desk.
3) VERB If you say that a place lies in a particular position or direction, you mean that it is situated there.
[V prep/adv] The islands lie at the southern end of the Kurile chain.
Syn:
sit
4) V-LINK You can use lie to say that something is or remains in a particular state or condition. For example, if something lies forgotten, it has been and remains forgotten.
[V adj] She turned back to the Bible lying open in her lap...
[V adj] The picture lay hidden in the archives for over 40 years...
[V prep] His country's economy lies in ruins.
Syn:
sit
5) VERB You can use lie to say what position a competitor or team is in during a competition. [mainly BRIT]
[V ord] I was going well and was lying fourth...
[V in n] Blyth Tait is lying in second place.
6) VERB You can talk about where something such as a problem, solution, or fault lies to say what you think it consists of, involves, or is caused by.
[V prep/adv] The problem lay in the large amounts spent on defence...
[V prep/adv] They will only assume that, as a woman, the fault lies with me...
[V prep/adv] He realised his future lay elsewhere...
[V prep/adv] We must be clear about where the responsibility lies.
Syn:
rest
7) VERB You use lie in expressions such as lie ahead, lie in store, and lie in wait when you are talking about what someone is going to experience in the future, especially when it is something unpleasant or difficult.
[V prep/adv] She'd need all her strength and bravery to cope with what lay in store...
[V prep/adv] The President's most serious challenges lie ahead.
8) VERB Lie is used in formal English, especially on gravestones, to say that a dead person is buried in a particular place.
[V prep/adv] The inscription reads: Here lies Catin, the son of Magarus...
[V prep/adv] My father lies in the small cemetery a few miles up this road.
9) VERB If you say that light, clouds, or fog lie somewhere, you mean that they exist there or are spread over the area mentioned. [LITERARY]
[V prep/adv] It had been wet overnight, and a morning mist lay on the field.
10) N-SING: with supp, oft N of n The lie of an object or area is its position or the way that it is arranged.
The actual site of a city is determined by the natural lie of the land.
11) to let sleeping dogs lie → see dog
to lie in state → see state
to take something lying down → see take
Phrasal Verbs:
- lie around
- lie back
- lie behind
- lie downII [la͟ɪ]THINGS THAT ARE NOT TRUE
lies, lying, lied
1) N-COUNT A lie is something that someone says or writes which they know is untrue.
→ See also white lie
`Who else do you work for?' - `No one.' - `That's a lie.'...
I've had enough of your lies...
All the boys told lies about their adventures.
2) VERB If someone is lying, they are saying something which they know is not true.
I know he's lying...
[V about n] If asked, he lies about his age...
[V to n] She lied to her husband so she could meet her lover...
[V-ing] He reportedly called her `a lying little twit'.
Derived words:
lying N-UNCOUNT Lying is something that I will not tolerate.
3) VERB If you say that something lies, you mean that it does not express or represent something accurately.
The camera sometimes lies.
4) → See also lying
5) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If something gives the lie to a statement, claim, or theory, it suggests or proves that it is not true.
This survey gives the lie to the idea that Britain is moving towards economic recovery.
6) PHRASE: V inflects, usu cont If you say that someone is living a lie, you mean that in every part of their life they are hiding the truth about themselves from other people.
My mother never told my father the truth about me. We've been living a lie all this time.
7) CONVENTION People sometimes say `I tell a lie' when they have just made a mistake in something that they are saying and immediately correct it. [BRIT]
It is the first scene of the play chronologically. I tell a lie, it's actually strictly speaking the second scene.
Syn:
sorry
lie
4lie noun, pl lies [count] : something untrue that is said or written to deceive someone
• She told a lie to her parents.
• He has been accused of telling lies about his military record.
• a bold/brazen/barefaced lie
• a complete lie
• The accusations are lies, all lies.
• The claims he has made are nothing but a pack of lies.
• (chiefly Brit) He has woven a tissue of lies [=he has told many lies] about his military record.
- see also white lie
give the lie to formal : to show that (something) is not true
• Her success has given the lie to the notion that women cannot compete with men.
I tell a lie Brit informal
- used to correct something you have just said
• I saw him just yesterday. No, I tell a lie. It was two days ago.
live a lie : to live in a false or deceptive way : to live in a way that does not show who you truly are or what your feelings truly are
• Their friends thought that they had a happy marriage, but they were living a lie. [=their marriage was not happy]
- compare 2lie
the quality of being true
There would seem to be some truth in what she says.
truth
noun (no plural)
being true; what is true:
There is no truth in these rumours.
We need to find out the truth about what happened.
Are you telling me the truth?
truth
truth S1 W2 /truːθ/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: adverb: ↑truly, ↑truthfully ≠ ↑untruthfully, ↑true; noun: ↑truth ≠ ↑untruth, ↑truthfulness; adjective: ↑true ≠ ↑untrue, ↑truthful ≠ ↑untruthful]
[Language: Old English; Origin: treowth 'faithfulness']
1. TRUE FACTS the truth the true facts about something, rather than what is untrue, imagined, or guessed OPP lie, falsehood, untruth:
How do we know you’re telling us the truth?
the truth about
She hoped to find out the truth about her family.
the truth behind
We’ll never know the truth behind what happened.
2. BEING TRUE [uncountable] the state or quality of being true
truth in
There was some truth in the accusations.
grain/element of truth (=small amount of truth)
There wasn’t a grain of truth in what he said.
There was an element of truth (=a small amount of truth) in what he said.
There is no truth in the rumour.
3. IMPORTANT IDEAS [countable usually plural] formal an important fact or idea that is accepted as being true:
The experience has taught us some basic truths.
an unhappy/unpleasant/unwelcome truth (=an unpleasant or disappointing fact)
It is in his interest to hide unhappy truths about his agency’s performance.
4. in truth in fact SYN really:
Early independence leaders were in truth little better than rebels.
5. if (the) truth be known/told used when telling someone the real facts about a situation, or your real opinion:
If the truth be known, I felt a little left out at school.
6. to tell (you) the truth spoken used when giving your personal opinion or admitting something:
To tell the truth, I was frightened to death.
7. nothing could be further from the truth used to say that something is definitely not true
8. the truth will out old-fashioned used to say that even if you try to stop people from knowing something, they will find out in the end
⇨ ↑half-truth, ↑home truth, ⇨ the moment of truth at ↑moment(15)
truth
truth [truth truths] [truːθ] [truːθ] noun (pl. truths [truːðz] ; [truːðz] )
1. the truth singular the true facts about sth, rather than the things that have been invented or guessed
• Do you think she's telling the truth?
• We are determined to get at (= discover) the truth.
• The truth (of the matter) is we can't afford to keep all the staff on.
• I don't think you are telling me the whole truth about what happened.
• The awful truth about his disappearance finally dawned on her.
• It's the gospel truth! (= completely true)
• The sad truth is that, at 72, he is past his prime.
2. uncountable the quality or state of being based on fact
• There is no truth in the rumours.
• There is not a grain of truth in what she says.
• His version of events does contain an element of truth.
Opp: falsity
3. countable a fact that is believed by most people to be true
• universal truths
• She was forced to face up to a few unwelcome truths about her family.
compare untruth
see also half-truth, home truth
more at bend the truth at bend v., economical with the truth at economical, the moment of truth at moment
Idioms: if truth be told ▪ in truth ▪ nothing could be further from the truth ▪ tell the truth ▪ truth is stranger than fiction ▪ truth will out
Word Origin:
Old English trīewth, trēowth ‘faithfulness, constancy’ (see true, -th).
Example Bank:
• Dare anyone deny the truth of what we have said?
• Finally the moment of truth will be upon you.
• He realized the truth in Adam's words.
• He was reminded of his duty to speak the truth when questioned in court.
• He was too fragile to handle the truth.
• His evidence was a blend of smears, half truths and downright lies.
• His explanation has a ring of truth to it.
• I know you think she's mean, but nothing could be further from the truth.
• I'm sure she's telling the truth.
• If the truth be known, I was afraid to tell anyone.
• It still doesn't make sense to me— I don't think he's told us the whole truth.
• It's a good film but contains little historical truth.
• It's time we told him a few home truths about sharing a house.
• Lawyers distorted the truth about the deal.
• Science, like theology, reveals transcendent truths about a changing world.
• She takes everything she reads in the paper as gospel truth.
• She was determined to discover the truth about her boss.
• She would later find out the truth about her husband.
• So now you know the truth.
• The awful truth suddenly dawned on her.
• The journalist protested that he was only trying to get at the truth.
• The police doubt the truth of his statement.
• The sad truth is he never loved her.
• The simple truth is he's lost his job.
• The truth of the matter is we can't afford to keep all the staff on.
• There is no truth in the rumour.
• There may have been a grain of truth in what he said.
• They claim to be the arbiters of sacred truth.
• They were motivated by the pursuit of the truth.
• To tell you the truth, I'm rather dreading his return.
• Towards the end of the letter the cruel truth emerged.
• We are examining the matter to see where the truth lies.
• We hold these truths to be self-evident…
• We're going to try to get the truth out of this boy.
• What's the truth behind all the gossip?
• You've been hiding the truth from me!
• a man on a journey seeking the truth about God and humanity
• finding out the truth about her husband
• in search of the eternal truths of life
• seekers after divine truth
• the deeper truths that often go unspoken
• the hidden truth behind the events of the last four years
• the plain unvarnished truth
• the revealed truth of God
• the shocking truth about heroin addiction among the young
truth / truːθ / noun
B2 [ U ] the quality of being true:
There would seem to be some truth in what she says.
There is no truth in the reports of his resignation.
You cannot question the truth of his alibi.
And yet what he says contains at least a grain of (= a small amount of) truth.
the truth B1 [ S ] the real facts about a situation, event, or person:
But was he telling the truth?
I don't suppose we'll ever know the truth about what happened that day.
To tell (you) the truth (= speaking honestly) I'm quite pleased he's not coming.
in truth formal used to show or emphasize that something is true:
In truth we feared for her safety although we didn't let it be known.
C2 [ C ] formal a fact or principle that is thought to be true by most people:
It would seem to be a general truth that nothing is as straightforward as it at first seems.
The entire system of belief is based on a few simple truths.
Word partners for truth
tell the truth • discover / find out / learn / uncover the truth • confess / reveal the truth • conceal / hide / withhold the truth • the truth comes out / emerges • the truth dawns on sb • the awful / honest / simple / whole truth • an element / grain of truth • the ring of truth • the truth about sb/sth
truth
[tru͟ːθ]
truths
1) N-UNCOUNT The truth about something is all the facts about it, rather than things that are imagined or invented.
Is it possible to separate truth from fiction?...
I must tell you the truth about this business...
The truth of the matter is that we had no other choice...
In the town very few know the whole truth.
...judgements of truth or falsity.
2) N-UNCOUNT: oft N of/in n If you say that there is some truth in a statement or story, you mean that it is true, or at least partly true.
There is no truth in this story...
Is there any truth to the rumors?...
The criticisms have at least an element of truth and validity.
3) N-COUNT A truth is something that is believed to be true.
It is an almost universal truth that the more we are promoted in a job, the less we actually exercise the skills we initially used to perform it.
4) → See also home truth, moment of truth
5) PHRASE: PHR with cl You say in truth in order to indicate that you are giving your honest opinion about something.
In truth, we were both unhappy.
6) PHRASE: PHR with cl You say to tell you the truth or truth to tell in order to indicate that you are telling someone something in an open and honest way, without trying to hide anything.
To tell you the truth, I was afraid to see him...
Truth to tell, John did not want Veronica at his wedding.
Syn:
to be honest
truth
truth /ˈtruːɵ/ noun, pl truths /ˈtruːðz, ˈtruːɵs/
1 the truth : the real facts about something : the things that are true
• Are you telling (me) the truth?
• At some point you have to face the simple/hard/honest/plain/naked truth that we failed.
• Their explanation was simpler but came closer to the truth.
• The article explains the truth about global warming.
• A reporter soon discovered/revealed/uncovered the truth.
• Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
• I know you think I don't care, but nothing could be further from the truth. [=that is absolutely not true]
• The truth of the matter is (that) you failed the exam and it's going to be reflected in your final grade.
• To tell (you) the truth, I liked her first book better than this one. [=I am being honest when I say that I liked her first book better]
• “When was the last time you went to New York?” “To tell you the truth, I don't remember.” [=I have to admit that I don't remember]
• I told her I liked the restaurant but the truth is that the food was pretty bad. = I told her I liked the restaurant but, truth be told/known, the food was pretty bad.
2 [noncount] : the quality or state of being true
• There's no truth in anything he says. [=nothing he says is true]
• I doubt the truth of their accusations. [=I doubt that their accusations are true]
• Her story contains a grain/kernel of truth but also lots of exaggeration.
3 [count] : a statement or idea that is true or accepted as true - usually plural
• Her experience taught her some basic/fundamental/eternal/universal truths about human nature.
• mathematical truths
- see also half-truth, home truth, untruth
bend the truth
- see 1bend
in truth : in fact : actually or really
• She said she was feeling fine, but in truth she was very ill.
moment of truth
- see moment
superlative of bad adjective : of the lowest quality, or the most unpleasant, difficult, or severe:
That was the worst meal I've ever eaten.
adjective, adverb (bad, worse, worst)
the least pleasant or suitable; the least well:
He's the worst player in the team!
That was the worst day of my life.
Everyone played badly, but I played worst of all.
opposite best
worst
I. worst1 /wɜːst $ wɜːrst/ BrE AmE adjective [the superlative of bad]
[Language: Old English; Origin: wierresta, wyrsta]
1. [only before noun] worse than anything or anyone else ⇨ best:
This is the worst recession for fifty years.
My worst fear was that we would run out of food.
What is the worst possible thing that can happen?
2. be your own worst enemy to cause a lot of problems for yourself because of your own behaviour
3. come off worst to lose a fight or argument
worst
worst [worst worsts worsted worsting] adjective, adverb, noun, verb [wɜːst] [wɜːrst]
adjective (superlative of bad)
of the poorest quality or lowest standard; worse than any other person or thing of a similar kind
• It was by far the worst speech he had ever made.
• What's the worst thing that could happen?
• What she said confirmed my worst fears (= proved they were right).
Word Origin:
Old English wierresta, wyrresta (adjective), wierst, wyrst (adverb), of Germanic origin; related to worse.
Idioms: at worst ▪ bring out the worst in somebody ▪ come off worst ▪ do your worst ▪ get the worst of it ▪ if the worst comes to the worst ▪ worst of all worlds ▪ your own worst enemy
worst / wɜːst / / wɝːst / adjective
A2 superlative of bad adjective : of the lowest quality, or the most unpleasant, difficult, or severe:
That was the worst meal I've ever eaten.
"It was the worst moment of my life," she admitted.
He is my worst enemy .
worst
[wɜ͟ː(r)st]
1) Worst is the superlative of bad.
2) Worst is the superlative of badly.
3) N-SING: the N, oft N of n The worst is the most unpleasant or unfavourable thing that could happen or does happen.
Though mine safety has much improved, miners' families still fear the worst...
The country had come through the worst of the recession.
Ant:
best
4) Worst is used to form the superlative of compound adjectives beginning with `bad' and `badly'. For example, the superlative of `badly-affected' is `worst-affected'.
5) PHRASE: PHR with cl You say worst of all to indicate that what you are about to mention is the most unpleasant or has the most disadvantages out of all the things you are mentioning.
The people most closely affected are the passengers who were injured and, worst of all, those who lost relatives.
6) PHRASE: PHR with cl/group You use at worst or at the worst to indicate that you are mentioning the worst thing that might happen in a situation.
At best Nella would be an invalid; at worst she would die...
At the worst he would be there by the following night.
7) PHRASE: n PHR, PHR after v, v-link PHR When someone is at their worst, they are as unpleasant, bad, or unsuccessful as it is possible for them to be.
This was their mother at her worst. Her voice was strident, she was ready to be angry at anyone.
8) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR with cl You use if the worst comes to the worst to say what you might do if a situation develops in the most unfavourable way possible. The form if worst comes to worst is also used, mainly in American English.
If the worst comes to the worst I guess I can always ring Jean...
He was asked whether he would walk out if the worst came to the worst.
9) PHRASE: V inflects If someone does their worst, they do everything unpleasant that they can possibly do. You can say `do your worst' to show someone that you are not frightened of what they may do.
I think it was dangerous to say: look, we've got an army now - do your worst.
1worst /ˈwɚst/ adj superlative form of 1bad
1 a : worse than all others
• This is the worst car I've ever bought.
• In my opinion, it's her worst book.
• It was the worst movie I've ever seen.
• His worst quality is his impatience.
• This has got to be the worst day of my life.
• The worst part of working there is the long commute.
• My worst fears came true.
• I am my own worst critic. [=I criticize my work more harshly than anyone else]
• He lives in the worst area of the city.
b : least skillful, talented, or successful
• He is the worst singer I've ever heard.
• They're the worst team ever.
2 : least appropriate, useful, or helpful
• That is the worst advice I've ever heard.
• I'm having the worst luck today.
• Leaving now is the worst thing you could do.
• He is the worst person to ask for advice.
• You've picked the worst time to come over.
• She called at the worst possible moment.
in the worst way US informal : very much
• I want a new bike in the worst way.
worst of all
- used to refer to the least pleasant or appealing part of something that has many bad parts
• I forgot my backpack, was late for class, and worst of all, I studied the wrong material for the test.
your own worst enemy
- see enemy
to get pleasure from something
I really enjoyed that film/book/concert/party/meal.
enjoy
verb (enjoys, enjoying, enjoyed )
to like something very much:
I enjoy playing football.
Did you enjoy your dinner?
enjoy yourself to be happy; to have a good time:
I really enjoyed myself at the party.
enjoy
en‧joy S1 W1 /ɪnˈdʒɔɪ/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Word Family: verb: ↑enjoy; noun: ↑enjoyment; adverb: ↑enjoyably; adjective: ↑enjoyable]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: enjoir, from Latin gaudere 'to show great happiness']
1. to get pleasure from something:
Sandra enjoys her job in the city.
I enjoyed every minute of it.
enjoy doing something
Young children enjoy helping around the house.
enjoy yourself (=be happy in a particular situation)
Julia was just starting to enjoy herself.
► Enjoy always has an object and is never followed by a preposition or an infinitive with ‘to’: Did you enjoy it (NOT Did you enjoy)? | I enjoyed my trip (NOT I enjoyed to/with my trip). | He enjoys playing football (NOT He enjoys to play football).
2. formal to have a particular ability or advantage:
These workers enjoy a high level of job security.
3. enjoy! spoken used to say that you hope someone gets pleasure from something you give them:
Here’s your steak – enjoy!
enjoy
enjoy [enjoy enjoys enjoyed enjoying] [ɪnˈdʒɔɪ] [ɪnˈdʒɔɪ] verb
1. transitive to get pleasure from sth
• ~ sth We thoroughly enjoyed our time in New York.
• Thanks for a great evening. I really enjoyed it.
• ~ doing sth I enjoy playing tennis and squash.
2. transitive ~ yourself to be happy and get pleasure from what you are doing
• They all enjoyed themselves at the party.
3. transitive ~ sth (formal) to have sth good that is an advantage to you
• People in this country enjoy a high standard of living.
• He's always enjoyed good health.
4. intransitive enjoy! (informal) used to say that you hope sb gets pleasure from sth that you are giving them or recommending to them
• Here's that book I promised you. Enjoy!
enjoy / ɪnˈdʒɔɪ / verb [ T ] (PLEASURE)
A1 to get pleasure from something:
I really enjoyed that film/book/concert/party/meal.
[ + -ing verb ] I want to travel because I enjoy meet ing people and see ing new places.
enjoy yourself A2 to get pleasure from the situation that you are in:
I don't think Marie is enjoying herself very much at school.
Come on, why aren't you dancing? Enjoy yourselves!
enjoy! informal something you say to someone when you have given them something and you want them to enjoy it:
Here are your drinks. Enjoy!
enjoy / ɪnˈdʒɔɪ / verb [ T ] (ADVANTAGE)
C2 to have something good that is an advantage:
Even though he's 86, he enjoys excellent health.
enjoy
[ɪnʤɔ͟ɪ]
enjoys, enjoying, enjoyed
1) VERB If you enjoy something, you find pleasure and satisfaction in doing it or experiencing it.
[V n/-ing] Ross had always enjoyed the company of women...
[V n/-ing] He was a guy who enjoyed life to the full...
[V n/-ing] I enjoyed playing cricket.
2) VERB If you enjoy yourself, you do something that you like doing or you take pleasure in the situation that you are in.
[V pron-refl] I must say I am really enjoying myself at the moment.
3) VERB If you enjoy something such as a right, benefit, or privilege, you have it. [FORMAL]
[V n] The average German will enjoy 40 days' paid holiday this year...
[V n] He enjoys a reputation for honesty.
enjoy
en·joy /ɪnˈʤoɪ/ verb -joys; -joyed; -joy·ing [+ obj]
1 : to take pleasure in (something)
• Did you enjoy [=like] the movie?
• Relax and enjoy the view.
• He always enjoys a good laugh.
• No one enjoys being teased.
✦In speech, enjoy is sometimes used by itself as an informal way of saying that you hope someone will enjoy something.
• Here is your pie. Enjoy! [=enjoy it; enjoy yourself]
2 : to have or experience (something good or helpful)
• She enjoyed great success in her new business.
• The show enjoyed a brief surge of popularity.
• They enjoyed a large income from their investments.
enjoy yourself : to have a good time : to spend time doing something that gives you pleasure
• He really enjoyed himself at the party.
- en·joy·able /ɪnˈʤojəbəl/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• We had an enjoyable time.
- en·joy·ably /ɪnˈʤojəbli/ adv
• The book is enjoyably silly.
extremely or strongly
I'm deeply grateful to you.
deeply
adverb
strongly or completely:
They were deeply disturbed by the accident.
He is sleeping very deeply.
deeply
deep‧ly W3 /ˈdiːpli/ BrE AmE adverb
[Word Family: noun: ↑deep, ↑depth; adjective: ↑deep, deepening; verb: ↑deepen; adverb: ↑deeply]
1. used to emphasize that a belief, feeling, opinion etc is very strong, important, or sincere:
Her lies hurt my father deeply.
She is deeply upset.
He loves her deeply.
Teachers are deeply divided on this issue.
deeply held religious beliefs
2. in a serious, careful way:
Most doctors think deeply about what their patients want.
3. a long way into something
deeply into
John kept sinking more deeply into the mud.
4. breathe deeply to take a large breath of air into your lungs
5. sleep deeply to be in a deep sleep, from which it is hard to wake up
deeply
deep·ly [deeply] [ˈdiːpli] [ˈdiːpli] adverb
1. very; very much
• She is deeply religious.
• They were deeply disturbed by the accident.
• Opinion is deeply divided on this issue.
• deeply rooted customs/ideas
• deeply held beliefs/convictions/views (= that sb feels very strongly)
2. used with some verbs to show that sth is done in a very complete way
• to breathe/sigh/exhale deeply (= using all of the air in your lungs)
• sleep deeply (= in a way that makes it difficult for you to wake up)
• to think deeply (= about all the aspects of sth)
3. to a depth that is quite a long way from the surface of sth
• to drill deeply into the wood
Which Word?:
deep / deeply
The adverbs deep and deeply can both mean ‘a long way down or into something’. Deep can only mean this and is more common than deeply in this sense. It is usually followed by a word like into or below: ▪ We decided to go deeper into the jungle.
Deeply usually means ‘very much’: ▪ deeply in love ◊ ▪ deeply shocked. You can use deep down (but not deeply) to talk about a person’s real nature: ▪ She can seem stern, but deep down she’s a very kind person. ◊ She can seem stern, but deeply she’s a very kind person.
deeply / ˈdiːp.li / adverb
B2 extremely or strongly:
I'm deeply grateful to you.
He found her comments deeply irritating/offensive.
We don't want to get too deeply involved with these people.
After 20 years of marriage, they're still deeply in love.
deeply
deep·ly /ˈdiːpli/ adv [more ~; most ~]
1 : in a way that is very complete, extreme, strongly felt, etc. : in a deep way
• They fell deeply in love.
• The car expenses sent him even more deeply into debt.
• He asked us to think deeply [=to think seriously and for a long time] about the issue, because he felt it was very important.
• I'm deeply [=very, extremely] sorry.
• He came from a deeply religious family.
• They're deeply [=sharply] divided on the issues.
• I thought the movie was deeply moving/disturbing. = I was deeply moved/disturbed by the movie.
• a deeply flawed design
• The senator gave a deeply personal speech last night.
• We are all deeply committed to peace.
• The beliefs are deeply ingrained/embedded/entrenched in American culture.
• deeply held beliefs/values
• deeply felt emotions
• She cares very deeply about/for him.
• These traditions are deeply rooted in the past. = They are rooted deeply in the past.
2 : far into or below the surface of something
• The designs are carved/cut deeply into the wooden chairs.
• deeply buried beneath the snow
- often used figuratively
• You'll have to dig/delve deeply into the library to find that information.
3
✦If you breathe deeply or sigh deeply, you take a large amount of air into your lungs when you breathe or sigh.
4
✦If you are sleeping deeply, you are thoroughly asleep and it is hard to wake you up.
on some occasions but not always or often
Sometimes we take food with us and sometimes we buy food when we're there.
sometimes
adverb
not very often:
He sometimes writes to me.
Sometimes I drive to work and sometimes I go by bus.
sometimes
some‧times S1 W1 /ˈsʌmtaɪmz/ BrE AmE adverb
on some occasions but not always ⇨ occasionally:
I sometimes have to work late.
Sometimes, Grandma would tell us stories about her childhood in Italy.
‘Do you ever wish you were back in Japan?’ ‘Sometimes. Not very often.’
The journey takes an hour, sometimes even longer.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ sometimes on some occasions but not always: Sometimes, I wish I was still living in Tokyo. | He sometimes plays football with my brother.
▪ occasionally (also on occasion written) used about something that only happens a few times. Occasionally is used when something happens more rarely than sometimes: I prefer trousers but I do wear skirts occasionally. | Occasionally, operations have to be cancelled. | On occasion, prisoners were allowed visits from their families.
▪ (every) now and then/again (also from time to time) sometimes but not often or regularly: We still call each other every now and then. | Every now and again, an invention comes along which changes people's lives completely. | Even experienced doctors make mistakes from time to time.
▪ every so often sometimes at fairly regular periods: He looked up from his book every so often. | Every so often, a train whizzed past.
▪ at times if something happens at times, it happens sometimes but is not what usually happens: The job can be frustrating at times. | At times I've wondered whether I made the right decision in moving here.
▪ (every) once in a while sometimes but very rarely: We only see each other every once in a while.
sometimes
some·times [ˈsʌmtaɪmz] [ˈsʌmtaɪmz] adverb
occasionally rather than all of the time
• Sometimes I go by car.
• He sometimes writes to me.
• I like to be on my own sometimes.
Thesaurus:
sometimes [sometimes] adv.
• the cafe where he sometimes has lunch
occasionally • • at times • • from time to time • • now and again/then • • on occasion(s) • • once in a while • • every so often • • off and on/on and off •
appear/wonder sometimes/occasionally/at times/from time to time
happen sometimes/occasionally/at times/from time to time/now and again
think sometimes/at times/from time to time that…
Example Bank:
• It is sometimes difficult to know where to begin.
• It was the cafe where he sometimes had lunch.
• National boundaries have changed, sometimes dramatically, over the last hundred years.
• She sometimes goes away at weekends.
• Sometimes I look at him and wonder what is going on in his mind.
• Sometimes I think we'll never see each other again.
• They played tennis and golf and sometimes went swimming.
sometimes / ˈsʌm.taɪmz / adverb
A1 on some occasions but not always or often:
Sometimes we take food with us and sometimes we buy food when we're there.
Sometimes it's best not to say anything.
sometimes
[sʌ̱mtaɪmz]
ADV: ADV with cl/group, ADV with v
You use sometimes to say that something happens on some occasions rather than all the time.
During the summer, my skin sometimes gets greasy...
Sometimes I think he dislikes me...
You must have noticed how tired he sometimes looks...
Other people's jobs were exactly the same - sometimes good, sometimes bad.
sometimes
some·times /ˈsʌmˌtaɪmz/ adv : at certain times : occasionally
• His jokes are funny, but sometimes he goes too far.
• Sometimes I take the bus to work.
• We all make mistakes sometimes.
• She works nine hours a day, sometimes more than that.
• The word is sometimes used figuratively.a
to stop being involved in a situation because it is difficult to deal with or does not give you any advantages
You can't just walk away from a marriage at the first sign of a problem.
walk away
walk away phrasal verb (see also ↑walk)
1. to leave a bad or difficult situation, instead of trying to make it better
walk away from
You can’t just walk away from 15 years of marriage!
When the business started to have problems, it was very tempting to walk away.
2. to come out of an accident or very bad situation without being harmed:
Miraculously, both drivers walked away without a scratch.
walk away (from somebody)
ˌwalk aˈway (from sb/sth) derived
to leave a difficult situation or relationship, etc. instead of staying and trying to deal with it
• He was tempted to walk away from the problem.
Main entry: walkderived
walk away disapproving (DIFFICULT SITUATION) — phrasal verb with walk / wɔːk / / wɑːk / verb
to stop being involved in a situation because it is difficult to deal with or does not give you any advantages:
You can't just walk away from a marriage at the first sign of a problem.
walk away (ACCIDENT) — phrasal verb with walk / wɔːk / / wɑːk / verb
to escape an accident without being badly hurt:
She overturned the car, but walked away from it without a scratch .
walk away
PHRASAL VERB
If you walk away from a problem or a difficult situation, you do nothing about it or do not face any bad consequences from it.
[V P from n] The most appropriate strategy may simply be to walk away from the problem...
[V P] No one knows you're a part of this. You can just walk away.
walk away [phrasal verb]
1 : to decide not to do or be involved in something
• If you don't like the deal, you can just walk away.
- often + from
• He walked away from a chance to play professional baseball to join the Peace Corps.
• You can't just walk away from your responsibilities!
• She is not one to walk away from a challenge.
2 walk away with (something) informal : to win (something) especially in a easy way
• She walked away with the election.
• He walked away with first place.
• She had the winning ticket and walked away with $50,000!
famous, powerful, or important as one of a particular type
a great politician/leader/artist/man/woman
great
adjective (greater, greatest)
pronunciation
The word great sounds like late.
1 very large:
It's a great pleasure to meet you.
2 important or special:
Einstein was a great scientist.
3 (informal) very; very good:
He knows a great many people.
There's a great big dog in the garden!
They are great friends.
4 (informal) very nice or enjoyable same meaning wonderful:
I had a great weekend.
It's great to see you!
great
I. great1 S1 W1 /ɡreɪt/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative greater, superlative greatest)
[Word Family: noun: ↑greatness, ↑great; adverb: ↑greatly; adjective: ↑great]
[Language: Old English]
1. LARGE [usually before noun] very large in amount or degree:
The movie was a great success.
The news came as possibly the greatest shock of my life.
The paintings cost a great deal (=a lot) of money.
John always takes great care over his work.
It gives me great pleasure (=I am very pleased) to introduce tonight’s speaker.
It’s a great pity that none of his poems survive.
The temptation was too great to resist.
2. EXCELLENT especially spoken
very good SYN wonderful, fantastic:
The weather here is great.
It’s great to be home.
a great day out for all the family
sound/taste/smell/feel etc great
I worked out this morning and I feel great.
You look great in that dress.
great for doing something
Email’s great for keeping in touch.
the great thing about somebody/something (=the very good thing about someone or something)
The great thing about Alex is that he’s always willing to explain things to you.
3. IMPORTANT
a) [usually before noun] important or having a lot of influence:
one of the greatest scientific achievements of our time
What makes a novel truly great?
great historical events
b) used in the title of a person or event that was very important in the past
Peter/Catherine etc the Great
I’m reading a biography of Alexander the Great.
the Great Depression
the Great War old-fashioned (=World War I)
4. GENEROUS very good or generous in a way that people admire:
a great humanitarian gesture
5. EXTREMELY SKILFUL famous for being able to do something extremely well:
Ali was undoubtedly one of the greatest boxers of all time.
a book about the lives of the great composers
6. BIG written very big SYN huge:
A great crowd had gathered.
A great iron stove filled half the room.
7. great big spoken very big:
Get your great big feet off my table!
8. DOING SOMETHING A LOT used to emphasize that someone does something a lot
a great talker/reader/admirer etc
Anthony’s a great talker – sometimes you just can’t get a word in.
Len was a great believer in the power of positive thinking.
be a great one for doing something
She’s a great one for telling stories about her schooldays.
9. to a greater or lesser extent used to emphasize that something is always true, even though it is more true or noticeable in some situations than others:
Most companies operate in conditions that are to a greater or lesser extent competitive.
10. be no great shakes informal to not be very good, interesting, or skilful:
The work’s no great shakes, but at least I’m earning.
11. be going great guns informal to be doing something extremely well:
After a slow start, the Tigers are going great guns.
12. BAD spoken informal used when you are disappointed or annoyed about something:
‘Daniel’s cancelled the party.’ ‘Oh great!’
13. ANIMAL/BIRD/PLANT ETC used in the names of some animals or plants, especially when they are bigger than other animals or plants of the same type:
the Great Crested Grebe
14. the great outdoors informal the countryside, considered as enjoyable and healthy:
He had a taste for adventure and the great outdoors.
15. great minds (think alike) spoken used humorously when you and another person have had the same idea
16. the greater good a general advantage that you can only gain by losing or harming something that is considered less important:
Some wars are fought for the greater good.
17. the great apes the different types of animals that are similar to large monkeys, considered as a group:
Alone of the great apes, the gorilla is not very efficient at using tools.
18. the great divide a situation in which there is a big difference between groups in society, areas of a country etc, for example a big difference between their wealth or attitudes:
The great divide between north and south seems to be as unbridgeable as ever.
19. Greater London/Los Angeles/Manchester etc London, Los Angeles etc and its outer areas
20. huge/enormous great British English spoken used to emphasize how big something is
21. great Scott!/great Heavens! spoken old-fashioned used to express shock or surprise
22. great with child literary very soon to have a baby
—greatness noun [uncountable]:
She was destined for greatness.
great / ɡreɪt / adjective approving (FAMOUS)
B2 famous, powerful, or important as one of a particular type:
a great politician/leader/artist/man/woman
This is one of Rembrandt's greatest paintings.
Who do you think is the greatest modern novelist?
great / ɡreɪt / adjective (BIG)
A2 large in amount, size, or degree:
an enormous great hole
A great crowd had gathered outside the president's palace.
The improvement in water standards over the last 50 years has been very great.
A great many people would agree.
The great majority of (= almost all) people would agree.
formal It gives us great pleasure to announce the engagement of our daughter Maria.
formal It is with great sorrow that I inform you of the death of our director.
I have great sympathy for you.
I spent a great deal of time there.
[ before noun ] used in names, especially to mean large or important:
a Great Dane (= large type of dog)
Catherine the Great
the Great Wall of China
the Great Bear (= group of stars)
great / ɡreɪt / adjective (EXTREME)
B1 extreme:
great success/difficulty
great / ɡreɪt / adjective (GOOD)
A1 informal very good:
a great idea
We had a great time last night at the party.
It 's great to see you after all this time!
"I'll lend you the car if you like." "Great! Thanks a lot!"
"What's your new teacher like?" "Oh, he's great."
"How are you feeling now?" "Great."
informal used to mean that something is very bad:
Oh great ! That's all I need - more bills!
great
[gre͟ɪt]
♦
greater, greatest, greats
1) ADJ-GRADED: ADJ n You use great to describe something that is very large. Great is more formal than big.
The room had a great bay window.
...a great hall as long and high as a church.
2) ADJ-GRADED Great means large in amount or degree.
I'll take great care of it...
Benjamin Britten did not live to a great age.
3) ADJ-GRADED You use great to describe something that is important, famous, or exciting.
...the great cultural achievements of the past...
America can be great again.
Derived words:
greatness N-UNCOUNT A nation must take certain risks to achieve greatness.
4) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n You can describe someone who is successful and famous for their actions, knowledge, or skill as great.
Wes Hall was once one of the West Indies' great cricketers.
...the great George Padmore.
Derived words:
greatness N-UNCOUNT Abraham Lincoln achieved greatness.
5) N-PLURAL: with supp The greats in a particular subject or field of activity are the people who have been most successful or famous in it. [JOURNALISM]
...all the greats of Hollywood.
...cycling's all-time greats.
6) N-PLURAL The greats of popular modern music are records that have been successful and that continue to be popular. [JOURNALISM]
...a medley of rock'n'roll greats.
7) ADJ (approval) If you describe someone or something as great, you approve of them or admire them. [INFORMAL]
Arturo has this great place in Cazadero...
They're a great bunch of guys...
I think she's great.
8) ADJ: feel ADJ If you feel great, you feel very healthy, energetic, and enthusiastic.
I feel just great.
9) ADJ-GRADED (emphasis) You use great in order to emphasize the size or degree of a characteristic or quality.
...a great big Italian wedding.
...her sense of colour and great eye for detail.
10) EXCLAM (feelings) You say great in order to emphasize that you are pleased or enthusiastic about something.
Oh great! That'll be good for Fergus.
11) EXCLAM (feelings) You say great in order to emphasize that you are angry or annoyed about something.
`Oh great,' I thought. `Just what I need.'
12) N-IN-NAMES Great is used as part of the name of a species of plant or animal when there is another species of the same plant or animal which is smaller and has different characteristics.
→ See also greater
...the great bustard.
1great /ˈgreɪt/ adj great·er; -est
1 a : very large in size : very big
• all creatures great and small
- usually used before a noun
• a great beast
• We were surprised by the great size of the auditorium.
• They traveled through a great stretch of wilderness.
• a great cloud of smoke
• A great crowd had formed in the city square.
• the Great Wall of China
• the Great Lakes
• (US) The house has a large great room. [=a large room used for several different purposes]
• (informal) They live in a great big house. [=a very large house]
• (chiefly Brit) a huge/whopping great elephant
b
- used in the names of animals that are larger than similar animals
• the great white shark
• the great horned owl
2 : very large in amount or extent
• The project will require a great amount of time and money.
• He lived to a great age. [=he lived to be very old]
• The show was a great [=big, huge] success.
• It's been a great [=long] while since we last saw them.
• He amassed a great [=large] fortune.
• The building was restored at great expense.
• a great quantity of fish
• He explained in great [=much] detail how they had met.
• These topics need to be discussed in greater [=more] depth and at greater length.
• Our speed/strength/power became greater (and greater) as we went on.
• He made a great deal of money. [=he made a large amount of money]
• Things could be a great deal worse. [=things could be much worse]
• He is supported by the great majority of voters. [=by most voters]
3 a : very strong
• The low cost of these products gives them great appeal.
• There is a very great need for reform.
• They're in no great hurry to finish.
• There is a great demand for his services.
• She takes a great [=considerable] interest in everything her children do.
• an actress of great charm
• with great [=strongly felt] sadness/admiration/love
• Is there any love greater than that between parent and child?
• The whole matter must be treated with great care. [=very carefully]
• His comments are true to a great extent. [=most of his comments are true]
• This new tax affects everyone to a greater or lesser degree/extent. [=to some degree/extent]
b
- used for emphasis before a noun that describes someone
• I've always been a great admirer of his work. [=I have always admired his work very much]
• They are great friends. [=they are very friendly]
• I'm a great believer in the value of patience. [=I believe very much in the value of patience]
c : very important
• This room is only used for great occasions. [=grand occasions, very important and formal occasions]
d : very bad : very extreme or severe
• The storm caused great damage/destruction.
• He was obviously in great pain/discomfort.
• She has suffered a great loss.
• It would be a great mistake to ignore these problems.
• a great disaster/misfortune
• great difficulties
• a very great error
4 : better than good: such as
a : of the highest quality
• great (works of) art/literature
• great music
b : very important and admired
• a great poet/artist
• a great leader/scientist/thinker/woman
• He was a great but flawed man.
• a great discovery/invention
• great achievements
c : very talented or successful
• My brother is a great golfer.
• She's a great judge of character.
• My brother is great at (playing) golf. [=my brother plays golf very well]
• She is great at Chinese cooking.
d informal : very enjoyable, favorable, etc. : excellent
• “How was the movie?” “It was (really) great!”
• It was the greatest.
• The movie got great reviews.
• We are having great weather this summer.
• We had a great time on our vacation.
• a great party/lecture/performance
• an actress with great [=very good-looking] legs
• It's great to see you again. = It's great seeing you again.
• This restaurant is great for a quick meal. = This is a great restaurant for a quick meal.
• The food tastes great!
• Great work, everybody!
• “I've passed the exam!” “That's great!”
- often used in the phrases feel great and look great
• You look great in that hat. = That hat looks great on you.
• Things aren't looking so great at this point.
• He came home early because he wasn't feeling too great. [=he wasn't feeling well]
• I feel great just being with her!
- sometimes used in an ironic way to describe something that is very bad or upsetting
• “I can't find the tickets.” “That's (just) great! What are we supposed to do now?”
• Oh, great. Now I've lost the tickets.
5 always used before a noun : more distant in a family relationship by one generation
• My great aunt/uncle is my father's/mother's aunt/uncle.
- usually used in combination
• My great-grandfather is my grandfather's father.
• My great-great-grandmother is my great-grandfather's mother.
• a gift sent to Great-Uncle Mike
a great one for informal
✦If you are a great one for (doing) something, you do it often or enjoy doing it very much.
• He's a great one for (playing) golf.
• She's a great one for getting other people to do her work.
go great guns
- see 1gun
go to great pains
- see 1pain
great with child old-fashioned + literary : pregnant
no great shakes
- see 2shake
