American English

difference

difference [noun] (NOT THE SAME)

the way in which two or more things which you are comparing are not the same

/ˈdɪf.ɚ.əns/

/ˈdɪf.ər.əns/

Example:

What's the difference between an ape and a monkey?

noun
the way that one thing is not the same as another thing:
What's the difference between this computer and that cheaper one?
What's the difference in price between these two bikes?
Sarah looks exactly like her sister – I can't tell the difference between them.

make a difference to change or have an effect on somebody or something:
Marriage made a big difference to her life.

make no difference, not make any difference to not change anything; to not be important:
It makes no difference to us if the baby is a girl or a boy.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

difference

dif‧fe‧rence S1 W1 /ˈdɪfərəns/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: verb: ↑differ, ↑differentiate; noun: ↑difference, ↑differentiation; adverb: ↑differently; adjective: ↑different]
1. [uncountable and countable] a way in which two or more people or things are not like each other OPP similarity
difference between
There’s a big difference between knowing that something is true, and being able to prove it.
There is very little difference between the parties on green issues.
Do children know the difference between right and wrong?
difference in
Researchers found a number of important differences in the way boys and girls learn.
There’s a world of difference (=there’s a very big difference) between being alone and being lonely.
2. [singular, uncountable] the amount by which one thing is greater or smaller than another
difference in age/size etc
There’s not much difference in price.
There’s a five-hour time difference between London and New York. ⇨ split the difference at ↑split¹(9)
3. make a/the difference to have an important effect or influence on something or someone:
Whatever she did, it made no difference.
make a/the difference to
One more person wouldn’t make any difference to the arrangements.
make a/the difference between
It could make the difference between missing your train and getting to work on time.
Having a good teacher has made all the difference for Alex (=had an important influence).
4. it makes no difference to somebody used to say that it does not matter to someone which thing happens, is chosen etc:
Morning or afternoon. It makes no difference to me.
5. our/your/their differences disagreements:
We’ve had our differences in the past.
settle/resolve your differences (=agree not to argue any more)
6. difference of opinion a slight disagreement:
There have been some differences of opinion as to exactly how the money should be spent.
7. with a difference informal used to describe something which is interesting or unusual, especially in a good way:
an adventure holiday with a difference

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

difference

dif·fer·ence [difference differences] [ˈdɪfrəns] [ˈdɪfrəns] noun
1. countable, uncountable ~ (between A and B) | ~ (in sth) the way in which two people or things are not like each other; the way in which sb/sth has changed
• There are no significant differences between the education systems of the two countries.
• He was studying the complex similarities and differences between humans and animals.
• There's no difference in the results.
• I can never tell the difference (= distinguish) between the twins
• She noticed a marked difference in the children on her second visit.
• There's a world of difference between liking someone and loving them.
• What a difference! You look great with your hair like that.

Opp: similarity

2. singular, uncountable ~ (in sth) (between A and B) the amount that sth is greater or smaller than sth else
• There's not much difference in price between the two computers.
• There's an age difference of six years between the boys (= one is six years older than the other).
• I'll lend you £500 and you'll have to find the difference (= the rest of the money that you need).

• We measured the difference in temperature.

3. countable a disagreement between people
• We have our differences, but she's still my sister.
• Why don't you settle your differences and be friends again?
• There was a difference of opinion over who had won.
more at bury your differences at bury, sink your differences at sink _v., split the difference at split _v., a/the world of difference at world
Idioms: make a/no/some difference ▪ make all the difference ▪ same difference ▪ with a difference
Word Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin differentia ‘difference’, from different- ‘carrying away’, from the verb differre, from dis- ‘from, away’ + ferre ‘bring, carry’.
Thesaurus:
difference noun C, U
• There are significant differences between the two systems.
contrast • • variation • • distinction • |formal disparity • • variance • • divergence • |technical imbalance •
Opp: similarity
a difference/contrast/variation/distinction/disparity/variance/divergence/imbalance between A and B
a difference/contrast/variation/disparity/variance/divergence/imbalance in sth
show a difference/contrast/variation/distinction/disparity/variance/divergence/imbalance
see/be aware of/look at a difference/contrast/variation/distinction
Language Bank:
contrast
Highlighting differences
▪ This survey highlights a number of differences in ▪ the way that teenage boys and girls in the UK spend their free time.
One of the main differences between ▪ the girls and ▪ the boys who took part in the research was the way in which they use the Internet.
Unlike ▪ the girls, who use the Internet mainly to keep in touch with friends, the boys questioned in this survey tend to use the Internet for playing computer games.
▪ The girls differ from ▪ the boys in that ▪ they tend to spend more time keeping in touch with friends on the telephone or on social networking websites.
Compared to ▪ the boys, the girls spend much more time chatting to friends on the telephone.
▪ On average the girls spend four hours a week chatting to friends on the phone. In contrast ▪, very few of the boys spend more than five minutes a day talking to their friends in this way.
▪ The boys prefer competitive sports and computer games, whereas ▪ / while ▪ the girls seem to enjoy more cooperative activities, such as shopping with friends.
▪ When the girls go shopping, they mainly buy clothes and cosmetics. The boys, on the other hand ▪, tend to purchase computer games or gadgets.
Language Banks at generally, illustrate, proportion, similarly, surprising
Example Bank:
• A small number of additional jobs can make a crucial difference to economic conditions.
• Although the talks were generally successful, differences remain between the groups.
• Can you spot the difference between these two photos?
• Differences may arise when the young people do not have the same expectations as their parents.
• He didn't have enough money, but his aunt agreed to make up the difference.
• He sold the car for more than he'd paid and pocketed the difference.
• He was very aware of his difference from the other children.
• I found very little difference in price.
• I noticed a real difference in his attitude.
• I wanted to leave early and Ian wanted to leave late, so we split the difference and left at noon.
• If you decide on the more expensive model, you can bring this one back and pay the difference.
• If you want a holiday with a difference, come to Iceland.
• It's difficult to tell the difference between butterflies and moths.
• Just five minutes' exercise a day could make all the difference.
• Like any married couple, we have our differences.
• One tiny mistake when you're climbing could mean the difference between life and death.
• Only an expert would know the difference between the male and the female.
• Our different attitudes to life reflect the differences in our backgrounds.
• She and Luke had a difference of opinion over how much money they should spend.
• The difference in price is not very significant.
• The difference lies in the way the fruit is prepared.
• The difference with this information service is that it's free.
• The differences in size arise from the amount of sunshine each plant gets.
• The extra money will make a lot of difference to us.
• The new central heating has made an enormous difference to the house.
• The questionnaire showed vast differences in what kind of product people want.
• The study explores the differences between the way girls and boys talk.
• There are few important policy differences among the main parties.
• There is a striking difference between eastern and western Europe.
• There is one key difference with the earlier version of the software.
• There were some differences as to how to deal with the crisis.
• There's a big difference between reading about skiing and doing it yourself.
• There's all the difference in the world between choosing to do something and being forced to do it.
• There's not much difference between baseball and softball.
• These talks aim to resolve the outstanding differences between the two sides.
• They have had some minor differences, but in general they get on well together.
• We found no significant difference between the two groups.
• We should be focusing on what we have in common rather than emphasizing our differences.
• We're going to get the two sides together to see if they can't settle their differences.
• What difference does it make if he doesn't have a car?
• What's the time difference between London and Tokyo?
• a crucial difference of emphasis
• I can never tell the difference between the twins.
• I'll lend you £500 and you'll have to find the difference.
• There's a world of difference between liking someone and loving them.
• There's an age difference of six years between the two boys.
• There's not much difference in price between the two computers.
• We have our differences, but she's still my sister.
• What a difference! You look great with your hair like that

• Why don't you settle your differences and be friends again?

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

difference / ˈdɪf. ə r. ə ns / / -ɚ- / noun (NOT THE SAME)

A2 [ C or U ] the way in which two or more things which you are comparing are not the same:

What's the difference between an ape and a monkey?

Is there any significant difference in quality between these two items?

make a (big) difference B2 ( also make all the difference ) to improve a situation (a lot):

Exercise can make a big difference to your state of health.

Putting up some new wallpaper has made all the difference to the place.

not make any difference B2 ( also not make the slightest difference ) to not change a situation in any way:

You can ask him again if you like, but it won't make any difference - he'll still say no.

It makes no difference wh ere you put the aerial, the TV picture's still lousy.

with a difference describes something unusual, and more interesting or better than other things of the same type:

Try new Cremetti - the ice cream with a difference.

Word partners for difference

know / tell the difference • a big / important / major / vast difference • a basic / fundamental difference • a marked / obvious difference • a slight / subtle difference • a difference in sth • a difference between [two things]

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

difference

[dɪ̱frəns]
♦♦
differences
1) N-COUNT: usu N prep The difference between two things is the way in which they are unlike each other.
  That is the fundamental difference between the two societies...
  There is no difference between the sexes.
  ...the vast difference in size...
  We do have social problems here. The difference is the people know each other and try to help each other.
2) N-SING A difference between two quantities is the amount by which one quantity is less than the other.
  The difference is 8532.
3) N-COUNT: usu pl, oft poss N If people have their differences about something, they disagree about it.
  The two communities are learning how to resolve their differences.
4) PHRASE: V inflects If something makes a difference or makes a lot of difference, it affects you and helps you in what you are doing. If something makes no difference, it does not have any effect on what you are doing.
  Where you live can make such a difference to the way you feel...
  Exercise makes all the difference...
  It is sad to see him go but it won't make any difference to the way we conduct our affairs.
5) PHRASE: V inflects If you split the difference with someone, you agree on an amount or price which is halfway between two suggested amounts or prices.
  Shall we split the difference and say $7,500?
6) PHRASE: n PHR If you describe a job or holiday, for example, as a job with a difference or a holiday with a difference, you mean that the job or holiday is very interesting and unusual. [INFORMAL]
  When she starts work on Monday it will be in a job with a difference - she'll be her own boss.
  ...a politician with a difference.
7) PHRASE: difference inflects If there is a difference of opinion between two or more people or groups, they disagree about something.
  Was there a difference of opinion over what to do with the Nobel Prize money?

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

difference

dif·fer·ence /ˈdɪfrəns/ noun, pl -enc·es
1 : the quality that makes one person or thing unlike another

[noncount]

• She knows the difference between right and wrong.
• There's no difference between the two houses. They look exactly the same.

[singular]

• There's a striking difference in the sisters' looks. [=they look very different from each other]
✦To tell the difference between two people or things is to see how they are unlike each other.
• It's hard to tell the difference [=distinguish] between one action movie and another.
• The new version is supposed to be much better than the old one, but I can't tell the difference (between them).
2 [count] : something that people do not agree about : a disagreement in opinion
• They've always had their differences. [=they have always disagreed about some things]
• The debate gave them a chance to air their differences. [=to discuss the things that they disagree about]
• We need to find a way to resolve/settle our differences. [=to stop disagreeing, arguing, etc.]
• There seems to be a difference of opinion [=people disagree] about what we should do next.
• They divorced because of irreconcilable differences. [=serious disagreements that they were not able to settle]
3 [count] : the degree or amount by which things differ
• There's a big difference in price.
• There's a 15-year age difference between her oldest and youngest children. [=her oldest child is fifteen years older than her youngest child]
make a difference
1 : to cause a change : to be important in some way
• Cost can make a difference in deciding on a college.
• “When would you like to leave?” “It makes no difference (to me).” [=it doesn't matter to me; I don't care]
• The weather didn't make any difference in our plans. [=didn't change our plans]
• It would make a lot of difference if you came.
• Your help made a big difference.
• It makes very little difference. [=it matters very little]
• The size of the engine can make all the difference. [=can be very important; can matter most]
• It may not matter to you, but it makes all the difference in the world to me. = It makes a world of difference to me. [=it matters very much to me]
2 : to do something that is important : to do something that helps people or makes the world a better place
• She says that she got into politics because she wanted to make a difference.
same difference chiefly US informal
- used to say that two things are not really different in any important way
• “They lost 100 games last year.” “Actually, they only lost 96 games.” “Same difference. The point is, they were awful.”
split the difference
- see ¹split
what's the difference?
1
- used to ask how one thing is different from another
• “I like this one a lot more than that one.” “Why? What's the difference (between them)?”
2 or what difference does it/that make?
- used to ask why something is important or to suggest that something is not important
• What's the difference whether I go or not?
• What difference does it make [=what does it matter] if I go with you?

American English

British English

different and difference

A2 (Elementary)

noun

desire

desire [verb] (WANT)

to want something, especially strongly

/dɪˈzaɪr/

/dɪˈzaɪər/

Example:

I desire only to be left in peace.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. desire² BrE AmE verb [transitive not in progressive]
[Word Family: noun: ↑desirability, ↑desire; adjective: ↑desirable ≠ ↑undesirable, ↑desired ≠ UNDESIRED; verb: ↑desire; adverb: ↑desirably]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: desirer, from Latin desiderare, from sidus 'star' (perhaps from the idea of 'wishing on a star')]
1. formal to want something very much:
The hotel has everything you could possibly desire.
desire to do something
He desired to return to Mexico.
Add lemon juice if desired.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say want rather than desire, although the meaning of desire is stronger than want:
▪ You can have anything you want.
▪ I wanted to meet her.
2. literary to want to have sex with someone
—desired adjective:
His remarks had the desired effect.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

verb (not used in the progressive tenses)
1. (formal) to want sth; to wish for sth
• ~ sth We all desire health and happiness.
• The house had everything you could desire.
• The dessert can be topped with cream, if desired (= if you like).
• The medicine did not achieve the desired effect.

• ~ (sb/sth) to do sth Fewer people desire to live in the north of the country.

2. ~ sb to be sexually attracted to sb
• He still desired her.
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French desir (noun), desirer (verb), from Latin desiderare, perhaps from de- ‘down’ + sidus, sider- ‘star’.
Thesaurus:
desire verb T (not used in the progressive tenses) (formal)
• The house had everything you could desire.
want • • wish • • like • |formal, especially spoken would like sth • |informal, especially spoken feel like sth • |BrE, informal, especially spoken fancy •
sb desires/wants/wishes/likes/would like to do sth
sb really desires/wants/wishes/would like/feels like/fancies sth
Example Bank:
• A home of her own was something she had always very much desired.
• Most countries sincerely desired peace.
• He still desired her, and she him.
• The dessert can be topped with cream, if desired.

• The medicine did not achieve the desired effect.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

desire / dɪˈzaɪə r / / -ˈzaɪr / verb [ T not continuous ] formal (WANT)

C1 to want something, especially strongly:

I desire only to be left in peace.

The hotel had everything you could possibly desire.

What does her Ladyship desire me to do/desire of me?

[ + to infinitive ] The president desires to meet the new prime minister.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

desire

[dɪza͟ɪ͟ə(r)]
♦♦
desires, desiring, desired
1) N-COUNT: oft N to-inf, N for n A desire is a strong wish to do or have something.
  I had a strong desire to help and care for people...
  They seem to have lost their desire for life.
2) VERB: no cont If you desire something, you want it. [FORMAL]
  [V n] She had remarried and desired a child with her new husband...
  [V to-inf] But Fred was bored and desired to go home...
  [V n to-inf] He desired me to inform her that he had made his peace with God.
  Derived words:
  desired ADJ-GRADED ADJ n You may find that just threatening this course of action will produce the desired effect... His warnings have provoked the desired response.
3) N-UNCOUNT Desire for someone is a strong feeling of wanting to have sex with them.
  Teenage sex, for instance, may come not out of genuine desire but from a need to get love.
4) VERB: no cont If you desire someone, you want to have sex with them.
  [V n] It never occurred to him that she might not desire him.
5) PHRASE If desired is used in instructions in written English to indicate that someone can choose to take the course of action mentioned.
  Additional courses may be taken if desired...
  Transfer this sauce to a separate saucepan, if desired.
6) PHRASE: Ns inflect, usu poss PHR If you say that someone or something is your heart's desire, you mean that you want that person or thing very much. [LITERARY]
  He was extremely devious in his efforts to achieve his heart's desire.
7) PHRASE: V inflects (disapproval) If you say that something leaves a lot to be desired, you mean that it is not as good as it should be.
  The selection of TV programmes, especially at the weekend, leaves a lot to be desired...
  Food seems to have been available, even if the quality left much to be desired...
  It is just possible that the accuracy of the information provided might leave something to be desired.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹de·sire /dɪˈzajɚ/ verb not used in progressive tenses -sires; -sired; -sir·ing [+ obj]
1 somewhat formal : to want or wish for (something) : to feel desire for (something)
• Many people desire wealth.
• He desired her approval more than anything.
• The apartment has modern amenities, a great location—everything you could desire.
• Those desiring [=looking for] a more relaxed atmosphere will prefer the pub in the restaurant's lower level.
- sometimes followed by to + verb
• I have always desired [=wanted] to go to France.
2 : to want to have sex with (someone)
• She knew that men still desired her.
3 formal : to express a wish for (something)
• The committee desires [=requests] an immediate answer.
leave much to be desired or leave a lot to be desired or leave a great deal to be desired
- used to say that something is not very good at all or is not close to being good enough
• Your work leaves much to be desired.
• Although her education left much to be desired, she was an extremely intelligent person.
• The working conditions here leave a lot to be desired.

never

never [adverb]

not at any time or not on any occasion

/ˈnev.ɚ/

/ˈnev.ər/

Example:

We've never been to Australia.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

never

adverb
not at any time; not ever:
She never works on Saturdays.
I've never been to America.
I will never forget you.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

never

nev‧er S1 W1 /ˈnevə $ -ər/ BrE AmE adverb
[Language: Old English; Origin: næfre, from ne- 'not' + æfre 'ever']
1. not at any time, or not once:
He’s never been to Australia.
I’m never going back there again, not as long as I live.
It is never too late to give up smoking.
never had/did/was etc
Never had she been so confused.
never ever (=used to emphasize what you are saying)
I’ll never ever forgive him for leaving me.
Never again (=never after a particular time) would he return to Naples.
never in all my life (=used to emphasize how bad something was)
Never in all my life have I felt so humiliated.
never for one moment (=used to emphasize that you never thought something)
She had never for one moment imagined that it could happen to her.
somebody/something has never been known to do something (=used to say that something is strange because it has never happened before)
Max had never been known to leave home without telling anyone.
GRAMMAR
Do not use another negative word (eg 'not') with never. If you use 'not', use ever:
▪ She might never forgive you OR She might not ever forgive you (NOT She might not never forgive you).
2. you never know spoken used to say that something which seems unlikely may happen:
Try it! You never know, you might be lucky.
3. I never knew (that) spoken used to mean that you did not know something until now:
I never knew you played the guitar!
4. never so much as used to emphasize that someone did not do something, especially when this seems surprising:
I do everything for him, and he’s never so much as made me a cup of coffee.
5. that would/will never do spoken used to say that you would not want something to happen:
Someone might discover our secret and that would never do.
6. never! British English spoken used when you are very surprised by something:
‘They’re getting married next month.’ ‘Never!’
He’s never going to cycle all the way to Manchester!
Well I never! I wouldn’t have thought she was that old!
7. (no) I never! British English spoken used to say that you did not do something bad that someone has said you did. Many teachers think this is not correct English:
‘You cheated, didn’t you?’ ‘No, I never.’
8. never say never informal used to say that you should not say that you will never do something, because there is always a small possibility that you might do it
9. never say die used to encourage someone not to give up
10. never fear spoken old-fashioned used to tell someone not to worry:
She’ll be back, never fear.
⇨ never the twain shall meet at ↑twain(2)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ never not at any time, or not once: Ali had never seen snow before. | I’ll never forget that day.
▪ never ever spoken used to emphasize that you mean never: Do you promise never ever to tell anyone else about this?
▪ not once used to emphasize that you are surprised or annoyed because someone never did something: She’s never said thank you – not once. | Jo hasn’t emailed me once in six months.
▪ not/never for a moment used to emphasize that you never had a particular thought or idea: ‘Did you ever suspect he was cheating on you?’ ‘No, not for a moment.’ | Not for one moment did she think it was a trap.
▪ not/never in a million years spoken used to say that it is completely impossible that something could ever happen: Dad will never agree to that – not in a million years!
▪ at no time formal used to emphasize that something never happened: At no time did anyone suggest that the drug was dangerous. | At no time were the prisoners mistreated.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

never

never adverb, exclamation [ˈnevə(r)] [ˈnevər]

adverb
1. not at any time; not on any occasion
• You never help me.
• He has never been abroad.
• ‘Would you vote for him?’ ‘Never.’
• ‘I work for a company called Orion Technology.’ ‘Never heard of them.’
• Never in all my life have I seen such a horrible thing.

• Never ever tell anyone your password.

2. used to emphasize a negative statement instead of ‘not’
• I never knew (= didn't know until now) you had a twin sister.
• I never realized just how easy it is.
• (especially BrE) Someone might find out, and that would never do (= that is not acceptable).
• He never so much as smiled (= did not smile even once).
• (especially BrE) ‘I told my boss exactly what I thought of her.’ ‘You never did!’ (= ‘Surely you didn't!’)
• (BrE, slang) ‘You took my bike.’ ‘No, I never.’
• (old-fashioned or humorous) Never fear (= Do not worry), everything will be all right.
Word Origin:
Old English nǣfre, from ne ‘not’ + ǣfre ‘ever’.

Idioms: Well, I never! ▪ on the never-never

exclamation (informal)
used to show that you are very surprised about sth because you do not believe it is possible
• ‘I got the job.’ ‘Never!’
see never mind at mind _v.
Word Origin:

[never] Old English nǣfre, from ne ‘not’ + ǣfre ‘ever’.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

never / ˈnev.ə r / / -ɚ / adverb

A1 not at any time or not on any occasion:

We've never been to Australia.

I've never heard anything so ridiculous.

Let us never forget those who gave their lives for their country.

Wars never solve anything.

He threatened to shoot, but I never thought (= did not think) he would.

I never realized you knew my brother.

It's never too late to start eating a healthy diet.

UK informal "He's never 61! (= it's difficult to believe he's 61!) He looks so young."

UK not standard "You stole my drink!" "No, I never (= I didn't) ."

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

never

[ne̱və(r)]
♦
1) ADV-NEG: ADV before v, ADV group/to-inf Never means at no time in the past or at no time in the future.
  I have never lost the weight I put on in my teens...
  Never had he been so free of worry...
  That was a mistake. We'll never do it again...
  Never say that. Never, do you hear?...
  He was never really healthy...
  This is never to happen again.
2) ADV-NEG: ADV before v, ADV group/to-inf Never means `not in any circumstances at all'.
  I would never do anything to hurt him...
  Even if you are desperate to get married, never let it show...
  Divorce is never easy for children...
  The golden rule is never to clean a valuable coin.
3) PHRASE: PHR before v, be PHR group (emphasis) Never ever is an emphatic way of saying `never'.
  I never, ever sit around thinking, `What shall I do next?'...
  He's vowed never ever to talk about anything personal in public, ever again.
4) ADV-NEG Never is used to refer to the past and means `not'.
  He never achieved anything...
  He waited until all the luggage was cleared, but Paula's never appeared...
  I never knew the lad...
  I'd never have dreamt of doing such a thing.
5) EXCLAM (feelings) You say `never!' to indicate how surprised or shocked you are by something that someone has just said. [SPOKEN]
6) EXCLAM (feelings) You say `Well, I never' to indicate that you are very surprised about something that you have just seen or found out. [OLD-FASHIONED, SPOKEN]
  `What were you up to there?' - `I was head of the information department.' - `Well I never!'
7) PHRASE: oft it PHR to-inf If you say that something will never do or would never do, you are saying, often humorously, that you think it is not appropriate or not suitable in some way.
  It would never do to have Henry there in her apartment...
  I don't think it is an example of bad writing myself, otherwise I'd be agreeing with Leavis, and that would never do.
8) never fear → see fear
never mind → see mind

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

never

nev·er /ˈnɛvɚ/ adv
1 : not ever : not at any time
• I will never shop at that store again.
• I have never seen that happen before.
• That man has never heard of you.
• We will never forget what we saw.
• You never know what you'll find at a flea market.
• I never meant to hurt you.
• She never really said that.
• There is never enough time to finish our work.
• Never in my whole life have I been so offended!
• A resume without a cover letter will never do. [=will never be considered acceptable]
• Never again will I buy a car from that dealer. = I will never again buy a car from that dealer.
• I gave him my business for years and never for one moment did I suspect that he was a criminal.
- opposite always
2 chiefly Brit
a
- used to express surprise, doubt, or disbelief
• “He's won the lottery.” “Never!”
• “They're getting married.” “Well, I never! [=I am very surprised or shocked to hear that they're getting married]”
b
- used to say that you did not do something
• “You stole my CD.” “Me? Never.”
never ever
- see ever
never fear
- used to tell someone not to worry or be afraid
• Never fear, I think I have a solution.
never mind, never you mind
- see ²mind
never say die
- see ¹die
never say never
- used to say that you should not say that you will never do something because you might change your mind later
• “Would you ever go there again?” “Well, (I'll) never say never, but I'm certainly not planning to go there anytime soon!”
never so much as
- used to say that someone did not do something that was expected or should have been done
• She never so much as thanked me [=she did not even thank me] for my help.
never the wiser
- see ¹wise

pocket

pocket [noun] (BAG)

a small bag for carrying things in, made of cloth and sewn into the inside or onto the outside of a piece of clothing

/ˈpɑː.kɪt/

/ˈpɒk.ɪt/

Example:

He took some coins from/out of his pocket.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

pocket

noun
the part of a piece of clothing that you can put things in:
I put the key in my pocket.

pick somebody's pocket to steal money from somebody's pocket or bag

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

pocket

I. pock‧et¹ S2 W2 /ˈpɒkət, ˈpɒkɪt $ ˈpɑː-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old North French; Origin: pokete, from poke 'bag']
1. IN CLOTHES a type of small bag in or on a coat, trousers etc that you can put money, keys etc in:
Luke came in with his hands in his pockets.
jacket/trouser etc pocket
The keys are in my trouser pocket.
pocket of
the inside pocket of his jacket
The policeman told me to turn out my pockets (=take everything out of them).
2. MONEY the amount of money that you have to spend:
There are eight hotels, with a price range to suit every pocket.
from/out of/into your own pocket
Dan had to pay for the repairs out of his own pocket.
He was accused of diverting some of the firm’s money into his own pocket.
The deepening recession has hit people’s pockets.
For investors with deep pockets (=a lot of money), the Berlin property market is attractive.
3. SMALL CONTAINER a small bag or piece of material fastened to something so that you can put things into it:
Please read the air safety card in the pocket of the seat in front.
4. SMALL AREA/AMOUNT a small area or amount of something that is different from what surrounds it
pocket of
In some parts, there are still pockets of violence and unrest.
pockets of air inside the hull of the ship
5. be in sb’s pocket to be controlled or strongly influenced by someone in authority, and willing to do whatever they want:
The judge was in the defense lawyer’s pocket.
6. have something in your pocket to be certain to win something such as a competition or an election:
The Democrats had the election in their pocket.
7. out of pocket especially British English informal if you are out of pocket, you have less money than you should have, especially as a result of making a mistake or being unlucky:
If he loses the deal, he’ll be badly out of pocket.
8. be/live in each other’s pockets British English informal if two people are in each other’s pockets, they are together too much
9.
GAME a small net on a ↑pool, ↑snooker, or ↑billiard table, which you try to hit balls into ⇨ ↑air pocket, ⇨ burn a hole in your pocket at ↑burn¹(17), ⇨ line your own pockets at ↑line²(4), ⇨ pick sb’s pocket at ↑pick¹(14)

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

pocket / ˈpɒk.ɪt / / ˈpɑː.kɪt / noun [ C ] (BAG)

pocket

A2 a small bag for carrying things in, made of cloth and sewn into the inside or onto the outside of a piece of clothing:

a jacket/trouser/coat pocket

a hip/breast pocket

She thrust her hands deep in/into her pockets.

He took some coins from/out of his pocket.

B1 a container, usually made of cloth, that is sewn into or onto a bag or fixed to a seat or door in a vehicle:

Sarah put her maps in the outside pocket of her rucksack.

The safety instructions are in the pocket of the seat in front of you.

one of several holes around the edge of a billiard or snooker table, into which balls are hit C2 informal the amount of money that someone has for spending:

You need deep pockets (= a lot of money) if you're involved in a long law suit.

I paid for my ticket out of my own pocket (= with my own money) , but I can claim the cost of it back from my employer.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

pocket

[pɒ̱kɪt]
♦♦♦
pockets, pocketing, pocketed
1) N-COUNT: oft poss N, n N A pocket is a kind of small bag which forms part of a piece of clothing, and which is used for carrying small things such as money or a handkerchief.
  He took his flashlight from his jacket pocket and switched it on...
  The man stood with his hands in his pockets.
2) N-COUNT You can use pocket in a lot of different ways to refer to money that people have, get, or spend. For example, if someone gives or pays a lot of money, you can say that they dig deep into their pocket. If you approve of something because it is very cheap to buy, you can say that it suits people's pockets.
  When you come to choosing a dining table, it really is worth digging deep into your pocket for the best you can afford.
  ...ladies' fashions to suit all shapes, sizes and pockets...
  You would be buying a piece of history as well as a boat, if you put your hand in your pocket for this one...
  We don't believe that they have the economic reforms in place which would justify putting huge sums of Western money into their pockets.
3) ADJ: ADJ n You use pocket to describe something that is small enough to fit into a pocket, often something that is a smaller version of a larger item.
  ...a pocket calculator.
  ...my pocket edition of the Oxford English Dictionary.
4) N-COUNT: usu N of n A pocket of something is a small area where something is happening, or a small area which has a particular quality, and which is different from the other areas around it.
  Trapped in a pocket of air, they had only 40 minutes before the tide flooded the chamber...
  The newly established government controls the bulk of the city apart from a few pockets of resistance.
5) VERB If someone who is in possession of something valuable such as a sum of money pockets it, they steal it or take it for themselves, even though it does not belong to them.
  [V n] Dishonest importers would be able to pocket the VAT collected from customers.
6) VERB If you say that someone pockets something such as a prize or sum of money, you mean that they win or obtain it, often without needing to make much effort or in a way that seems unfair. [JOURNALISM]
  [V n] He pocketed more money from this tournament than in his entire three years as a professional.
7) VERB If someone pockets something, they put it in their pocket, for example because they want to steal it or hide it.
  [V n] Anthony snatched his letters and pocketed them...
  [V n] He pocketed a wallet containing ₤40 cash from the bedside of a dead man.
8) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that some money is burning a hole in someone's pocket, you mean that they want to spend it as soon as possible.
  It's Saturday, you're down the high street and you've got a few quid burning a hole in your pocket.
9) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR (disapproval) If you say that someone is in someone else's pocket, you disapprove of the fact that the first person is willing to do whatever the second person tells them, for example out of weakness or in return for money.
  The board of directors must surely have been in Johnstone's pocket.
10) PHRASE: V inflects (disapproval) If you say that someone is lining their own or someone else's pockets, you disapprove of them because they are making money dishonestly or unfairly.
  It is estimated that 5,000 bank staff could be lining their own pockets from customer accounts.
  ...a government that ignores the needs of the majority in order to line the pockets of the favoured few.
11) PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v If you are out of pocket, you have less money than you should have or than you intended, for example because you have spent too much or because of a mistake.
→ See also out-of-pocket
  They were well out of pocket - they had spent far more in Hollywood than he had earned...
  Statements with errors could still be going out, but customers who notify us will not be left out of pocket.
12) PHRASE: V and N inflect If someone picks your pocket, they steal something from your pocket, usually without you noticing.
  They were more in danger of having their pockets picked than being shot at.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹pock·et /ˈpɑːkət/ noun, pl -ets [count]
1 : a usually small cloth bag that is sewn into a piece of clothing, a larger bag, etc., and that is open at the top or side so that you can put things into it
• He keeps his gloves in his coat pocket.
• She was standing there with her hands in her pockets.
• a hip/breast/shirt pocket
• I have a hole in my pocket.
• Her pocket was full of change/coins.
• The security guard asked us to empty our pockets. [=to take out everything in our pockets]
- see color picture
2 : the amount of money that someone has available to spend
• We're looking for investors with pockets that are deep enough to pay for the project. [=investors with enough money to pay for the project]
• There are items in our store that suit every pocket. [=that everyone can afford to buy]
• The governor paid for the event out of his own pocket. [=with his own money rather than the state's money]
• The mayor diverted city funds into his own pockets. [=he took money that belonged to the city]
- see also deep pockets
3 : a small bag or container that is attached to something and used to hold things
• There are pockets on the back of each car seat.
• The tickets are in the zippered pocket on the front of the suitcase.
4 : a small area or group that is different from the larger area or group it is in or near - usually + of
• Military forces have encountered a few pockets of resistance.
5 pool and billiards : a bag or cup that you hit the ball into at the corner or side of a pool table or billiard table
• He knocked the ball into the corner/side pocket.
6 : air pocket
be/live in each other's pockets Brit informal : to be too close to someone or spend too much time with someone
in someone's pocket or in the pocket of someone disapproving : under someone's control or influence
• The judge in the case was in the senator's pocket. [=was controlled by the senator]
• researchers/scientists who are in the pocket of pharmaceutical companies
in your pocket informal
✦If you have something in your pocket, you are certain to win or get it.
• The interview went really well. I thought I had the job in my pocket.
• She knew that she had the game/match in her pocket. [=she knew she would win the game]
line your pockets
- see ³line
out of pocket chiefly Brit informal : having less money because of something that has happened
• The lawsuit has left company shareholders $30 million out of pocket.
- see also out-of-pocket
pick pockets
- see ¹pick

nephew

nephew [noun]

a son of your sister or brother, or a son of the sister or brother of your husband or wife

/ˈnef.juː/

Example:

I am planning a 25th birthday party for my nephew.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

nephew

noun
the son of your brother or sister

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

nephew

neph‧ew /ˈnefjuː, ˈnev- $ ˈnef-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: neveu, from Latin nepos 'grandson, nephew']
the son of your brother or sister, or the son of your husband’s or wife’s brother or sister ⇨ niece, uncle, aunt

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

nephew

nephew [nephew nephews] [ˈnefjuː] [ˈnefjuː] [ˈnevjuː] [ˈnevjuː] noun
the son of your brother or sister; the son of your husband's or wife's brother or sister
compare niece
Word Origin:

Middle English: from Old French neveu, from Latin nepos ‘grandson, nephew’, from an Indo-European root shared by Dutch neef and German Neffe.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

nephew / ˈnef.juː / / ˈnev- / noun [ C ]

B1 a son of your sister or brother, or a son of the sister or brother of your husband or wife

→ Compare niece

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

nephew

[ne̱fjuː, ne̱v-]
nephews
N-COUNT: oft poss N
Someone's nephew is the son of their sister or brother.
I am planning a 25th birthday party for my nephew.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

nephew

neph·ew /ˈnɛfju/ noun, pl -ews [count] : a son of your brother or sister - compare niece

American English

British English

family relations in general

noun

niece

niece [noun]

a daughter of your brother or sister, or a daughter of your husband's or wife's brother or sister

/niːs/

Example:

If he's my uncle, then I'm his niece.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

niece

noun
the daughter of your brother or sister Look at nephew.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

niece

niece /niːs/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: Late Latin neptia 'granddaughter, niece']
the daughter of your brother or sister, or the daughter of your wife’s or husband’s brother or sister ⇨ nephew, aunt, uncle

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

niece

niece [niece nieces] [niːs] [niːs] noun
the daughter of your brother or sister; the daughter of your husband's or wife's brother or sister
compare nephew
Word Origin:

Middle English: from Old French, based on Latin neptis ‘granddaughter’, feminine of nepos ‘nephew, grandson’, from an Indo-European root shared by Dutch nicht, German Nichte.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

niece / niːs / noun [ C ]

B1 a daughter of your brother or sister, or a daughter of your husband's or wife's brother or sister

→ Compare nephew

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

niece

[ni͟ːs]
nieces
N-COUNT: oft poss N
Someone's niece is the daughter of their sister or brother.
...his niece from America, the daughter of his eldest sister.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

niece

niece /ˈniːs/ noun, pl niec·es [count] : a daughter of your brother or sister
• If he's my uncle, then I'm his niece.
- compare nephew

American English

British English

family relations in general

B1 (Intermediate)

noun

cousin

cousin [noun]

a child of a person's aunt or uncle, or, more generally, a distant (= not close) relation

/ˈkʌz.ən/

Example:

My brother's wife and I both had babies around the same time, so the cousins are very close in age.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

cousin

noun
the child of your aunt or uncle You use the same word for both male and female cousins.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

cousin

cous‧in S2 /ˈkʌzən/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: cosin, from Latin consobrinus, from com- ( ⇨ COM-) + sobrinus 'cousin on the mother's side' (from soror 'sister')]
1. the child of your ↑uncle or ↑aunt ⇨ ↑first cousin, ↑kissing cousin, SECOND COUSIN
2. something that has the same origins as something else
cousin of/to
a drug that is a chemical cousin to amphetamines
close/distant cousin
The Alaskan brown bear is a close cousin of the grizzly bear.
3. someone or something that is similar to someone or something else:
His avant-garde music, sometime cousin to jazz, had limited appeal.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

cousin

cousin [cousin cousins] [ˈkʌzn] [ˈkʌzn] noun
1. (also ˌfirst ˈcousin) a child of your aunt or uncle
• She's my cousin.
• We're cousins.

see also country cousin, second cousin

2. a person who is in your wider family but who is not closely related to you

• He's a distant cousin of mine.

3. usually plural a way of describing people from another country who are similar in some way to people in your own country

• our American cousins

4. usually plural a way of describing things that are similar or related in some way
• Asian elephants are smaller than their African cousins.
See also: first cousin
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French cosin, from Latin consobrinus ‘mother's sister's child’, from con- ‘with’ + sobrinus ‘second cousin’ (from soror ‘sister’).
Example Bank:
• Completely out of the blue, she got a letter from her long-lost cousin in New York.
• I have a new baby cousin.
• She's my first cousin once removed.
• These pigs are close cousins of the wild hog.

• the popular idea that creativity and madness are kissing cousins

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

cousin / ˈkʌz. ə n / noun [ C ]

A2 ( also first cousin ) a child of a person's aunt or uncle, or, more generally, a distant (= not close) relation:

My brother's wife and I both had babies around the same time, so the cousins are very close in age.

Many of our distant cousins, whom we hadn't seen for years, came to my sister's wedding.

a member of a group of people with similar origins:

We Americans owe a great deal to our European cousins.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

cousin

[kʌ̱z(ə)n]
♦♦
cousins
1) N-COUNT: oft with poss Your cousin is the child of your uncle or aunt.
→ See also second cousin
  My cousin Mark helped me...
  We are cousins.
  Syn:
  first cousin
2) N-COUNT If you refer to two things or groups of people as cousins, you mean that they are equivalents or that there is a connection between them.
→ See also country cousin
  Whereas West Germans drink wine, their Eastern cousins prefer Schnapps...
  The average European kitchen is smaller than its American cousin.
  ...misanthropy and its cousin racism.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

cousin

cous·in /ˈkʌzən/ noun, pl -ins [count]
1 a : a child of your uncle or aunt - called also first cousin,
- see also second cousin
b : a person who is related to you but not in a close or direct way
• Everyone came to the wedding, including a distant cousin no one had heard from in years.
- see also kissing cousin
2 : a person who is from another country but whose culture is similar to your own
• our English cousins
3 : something that is similar or related to something else
• The cricket is a cousin of the grasshopper.
• hurricanes and their cousins, typhoons

American English

British English

family relations in general

A2 (Elementary)

noun

aunt

aunt [noun]

the sister of someone's father or mother, or the wife of someone's uncle or aunt

/ænt/

/ɑːnt/

Example:

I have an aunt in Australia.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

aunt

noun (also informal) auntie, aunty )

pronunciation
The word aunt sounds like plant.

the sister of your mother or father, or the wife of your uncle:
Aunt Mary

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

aunt

aunt S3 W3 /ɑːnt $ ænt/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: ante, from Latin amita]
the sister of your father or mother, or the wife of your father’s or mother’s brother:
Aunt Mary

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

aunt

aunt [aunt aunts] [ɑːnt] [ænt] noun
1. the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
• Aunt Alice

• My aunt lives in Canada.

2. (informal) used by children, with a first name, to address a woman who is a friend of their parents
see also agony aunt
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French ante, from Latin amita.
Example Bank:

• Great Aunt Emily

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

aunt / ɑːnt / / ænt / noun [ C ] ( informal auntie , aunty )

A2 the sister of someone's father or mother, or the wife of someone's uncle or aunt:

I have an aunt in Australia.

This is my Aunt Camille.

[ as form of address ] Do you want some tea, Aunt Alice?

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

aunt

[ɑ͟ːnt, æ̱nt]
♦♦
aunts
N-FAMILY; N-TITLE
Someone's aunt is the sister of their mother or father, or the wife of their uncle.
→ See also agony aunt
She wrote to her aunt in America...
It was a present from Aunt Vera.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

aunt

aunt /ˈænt, ˈɑːnt/ noun, pl aunts [count] : the sister of your father or mother or the wife of your uncle
• He has three aunts and two uncles.
• This is my Aunt Mary.

American English

British English

family relations in general

A2 (Elementary)

noun

uncle

uncle [noun]

the brother of someone's mother or father, or the husband of someone's aunt or uncle

/ˈʌŋ.kəl/

Example:

I've got several uncles and aunts.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

uncle

noun
the brother of your mother or father, or the husband of your aunt:
Uncle Paul

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

uncle

un‧cle S2 W3 /ˈʌŋkəl/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin avunculus 'mother's brother']
1. the brother of your mother or father, or the husband of your aunt ⇨ aunt:
I went to stay with my uncle and aunt for a few days.
Uncle Philip
I was very excited about becoming an uncle (=your sister or your brother’s wife has a child).
2. used by children, in front of a first name, to address or refer to a man who is a close friend of their parents
3. say uncle American English spoken used by children to tell someone to admit they have been defeated

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

uncle

uncle [uncle uncles] [ˈʌŋkl] [ˈʌŋkl] noun
1. the brother of your mother or father; the husband of your aunt
• Uncle Ian
• I'm going to visit my uncle.

• I've just become an uncle (= because your brother/sister has had a baby).

2. used by children, with a first name, to address a man who is a close friend of their parents
see Bob's your uncle at Bob
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French oncle, from late Latin aunculus, alteration of Latin avunculus ‘maternal uncle’, diminutive of avus ‘grandfather’.
Example Bank:
• He looks so much like his late uncle.
• The boss smiled at us all like a benevolent uncle.

• the fortune left to her by her dead uncle

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

uncle / ˈʌŋ.kl̩ / noun [ C ]

A2 the brother of someone's mother or father, or the husband of someone's aunt or uncle:

I've got several uncles and aunts.

We invited my Uncle Steve round.

[ as form of address ] Did you bring me a present, Uncle Jack?

Indian English any male adult that you know who is older than you:

John Uncle

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

uncle

[ʌ̱ŋk(ə)l]
♦♦
uncles
N-FAMILY; N-TITLE
Someone's uncle is the brother of their mother or father, or the husband of their aunt.
  My uncle was the mayor of Memphis...
  A telegram from Uncle Fred arrived...
  Uncle, pa wants to see you.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

uncle

un·cle /ˈʌŋkəl/ noun, pl un·cles
1 [count] : the brother of your father or mother or the husband of your aunt
• I have three uncles and two aunts.
• My Uncle David is visiting next week.
2 US informal
- used as a word that you say when you are being hurt in a fight to show that you admit being defeated and do not want to continue fighting
• He was forced to cry/say uncle. [=forced to surrender]
and Bob's your uncle
- see bob

American English

British English

family relations in general

A2 (Elementary)

noun

happiness

happiness [noun]

the feeling of being happy

/ˈhæp.i.nəs/

Example:

It was only later in life that she found happiness and peace of mind

Oxford Essential Dictionary

happiness

noun (no plural)
the feeling of being happy

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

happiness

hap‧pi‧ness /ˈhæpinəs, ˈhæpinɪs/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑happiness ≠ ↑unhappiness; adverb: ↑happily ≠ ↑unhappily; adjective: ↑happy ≠ ↑unhappy]
the state of being happy:
Juliet’s eyes shone with happiness.
We want our children to have the best possible chance of happiness.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

happiness

hap·pi·ness [happiness happinesses] [ˈhæpinəs] ; [ˈhæpinəs] noun uncountable

• to find true happiness

• Her eyes shone with happiness.

• Their grandchildren are a constant source of happiness.

Main entry: happy_derived

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

happiness / ˈhæp.i.nəs / noun [ U ]

B1 the feeling of being happy:

It was only later in life that she found happiness and peace of mind.

formal Will you join me in wishing the bride and groom every happiness?

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

happiness

hap·pi·ness /ˈhæpinəs/ noun, pl -ness·es
1 [noncount] : the state of being happy : joy
• They made a toast to long life and happiness.
• They found happiness together.
2 [count] somewhat formal : an experience that makes you happy
• I wish them every happiness. [=I hope that they will be very happy

American English

British English

pleasure and happiness

B1 (Intermediate)

noun

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American English

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