self-centred

ˌself-ˈcentred BrE AmE British English, self-centered American English adjective
paying so much attention to yourself that you do not notice what is happening to other people SYN selfish
—self-centredness noun [uncountable]

self-confident

ˌself-ˈconfident BrE AmE adjective
sure that you can do things well, that people like you etc OPP shy
—self-confidently adverb
—self-confidence noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ confident sure that you have the ability to do something well or deal with situations successfully: She seemed confident that she would pass. | his calm and confident manner | George was very confident about his abilities as a writer. | Baldwin is confident of victory in this year’s senate race.
▪ self-confident/self-assured confident, and not shy or nervous in social situations: Jess was only 12, but she was very self-confident. | He was very self-assured and spoke without notes. | I eventually became more self-confident as a public speaker. | supremely self-confident: She was supremely self-confident, with the gift of being able to talk on any subject whenever the camera was rolling.
▪ self-possessed adjective confident, calm, and in control of your feelings even in a difficult situation
▪ assertive confident enough to say what you think and want, so that people take notice of you: The course helps women learn how to be more assertive in the workplace.
▪ sure of yourself confident that you are right, even when other people do not agree with you: He sounded so sure of himself that I didn’t bother to argue. | Jenny was younger than her sister but seemed much more sure of herself.
▪ extrovert noun [countable] someone who behaves in a confident way in social situations and likes talking and being with other people: Most actors are natural extroverts. | Jan says her twin babies are completely different: Kelly is a real extrovert while Jessie is quiet and thoughtful. | He’s a total extrovert who will talk to any stranger.

trendy

I. trend‧y¹ /ˈtrendi/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative trendier, superlative trendiest)
influenced by the most fashionable styles and ideas:
a trendy Bay Area restaurant
—trendiness noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ fashionable popular at a particular time: fashionable clothes | It was fashionable to have red hair. | His theories were fashionable in the 1980s.
▪ trendy informal modern and fashionable – often used in a slightly disapproving or joking way: a trendy tie | a trendy restaurant | The area has become very trendy and a lot of artists live there.
▪ stylish adjective fashionable and well-designed in an attractive way: She was wearing a stylish two-piece suit. | The furniture looked very stylish and modern.
▪ cool adjective informal fashionable – used especially when you think someone or something looks good: Michael looked very cool in his dark jacket and sunglasses. | a cool shirt
▪ happening [only before noun] informal adjective a happening place is fashionable and lively: London has always been a happening place.
▪ be in fashion verb phrase to be fashionable at a particular time: The Sixties look is back in fashion.
▪ in adjective informal fashionable at a particular time. In is not used before a noun, except in the phrases below: Pale colours are in. | New York was the in place to be. | Yoga has become the in thing to do.

funky

funk‧y /ˈfʌŋki/ BrE AmE adjective informal
[Date: 1700-1800; Origin: ⇨ ↑funk(3)]
1. modern, fashionable, and interesting:
Add a touch of style with these functional yet funky wall lights.
2. funky music is simple with a strong ↑rhythm that is easy to dance to
3. American English having a bad smell or a dirty appearance

stylish

styl‧ish AC /ˈstaɪlɪʃ/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑style, ↑styling, ↑stylishness, ↑stylist, ↑stylistics, ↑stylization; adjective: ↑stylish, ↑stylistic, ↑stylized; adverb: ↑stylishly, ↑stylistically; verb: ↑style]
attractive in a fashionable way:
a stylish woman in her forties
Jack is quite stylish.
a stylish restaurant in the West End
—stylishly adverb
—stylishness noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ fashionable popular at a particular time: fashionable clothes | It was fashionable to have red hair. | His theories were fashionable in the 1980s.
▪ trendy informal modern and fashionable – often used in a slightly disapproving or joking way: a trendy tie | a trendy restaurant | The area has become very trendy and a lot of artists live there.
▪ stylish adjective fashionable and well-designed in an attractive way: She was wearing a stylish two-piece suit. | The furniture looked very stylish and modern.
▪ cool adjective informal fashionable – used especially when you think someone or something looks good: Michael looked very cool in his dark jacket and sunglasses. | a cool shirt
▪ happening [only before noun] informal adjective a happening place is fashionable and lively: London has always been a happening place.
▪ be in fashion verb phrase to be fashionable at a particular time: The Sixties look is back in fashion.
▪ in adjective informal fashionable at a particular time. In is not used before a noun, except in the phrases below: Pale colours are in. | New York was the in place to be. | Yoga has become the in thing to do.

full

I. full¹ S1 W1 /fʊl/ BrE AmE adjective
[Language: Old English]
1. NO SPACE containing as much or as many things or people as possible, so there is no space left ⇨ empty:
The train was completely full.
Don’t talk with your mouth full.
The class is full, but you can register for next term.
full of
The kitchen was full of smoke.
be crammed/stuffed/packed etc full of something
Ted’s workshop was crammed full of old engines.
half-full/three-quarters full etc
McQuaid filled his glass until it was three-quarters full.
The bath was full to the brim (=completely full) with hot water.
full (up) to bursting British English informal (=completely full)
The filing cabinet was full to bursting.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people often say that a place is packed when it is full of people:
▪ The trains are always packed in the rush hour.
2. INCLUDING EVERYTHING [only before noun] complete and including all parts or details:
Please write your full name and address on the form.
The Health Centre offers a full range of services.
Lotus will not reveal full details until the Motor Show.
The BBC promised a full investigation.
I don’t think he’s telling us the full story (=everything he knows about the matter).
3. HIGHEST AMOUNT/LEVEL [only before noun] the greatest amount or highest level of something that is possible SYN maximum:
rising prosperity and full employment
The charity helps disabled children reach their full potential.
Few customers take full advantage of off-peak fares.
Parker was driving at full speed when he hit the wall.
in full leaf/bloom
The roses were now in full bloom.
4. HAVING A LOT OF SOMETHING be full of something
a) to contain many things of the same kind:
a garden full of flowers
His essay was full of mistakes.
The music papers were full of gossip about the band.
Life’s full of surprises, isn’t it?
b) to feel, express, or show a lot of a particular emotion or quality
full of excitement/energy/hope etc
Lucy was a happy child, always full of life.
He was full of praise for the work of the unit.
c) to talk or think a lot about a particular thing:
She was full of plans for the wedding.
5. FOOD (also full up British English) [not before noun] having eaten so much food that you cannot eat any more:
No more, thanks. I’m full.
6. EMPHASIS [only before noun] used to emphasize an amount, quantity, or rate
three/six etc full days/years/pages etc
We devote five full days a month to training.
His pants rose a full three inches off his shoes.
7. BUSY busy and involving lots of different activities:
Before her illness, Rose enjoyed a full life.
Go to bed. You’ve a full day tomorrow.
8. RANK having or giving all the rights, duties etc that belong to a particular rank or position
full professor/member/colonel etc
Only full members have the right to vote.
a full driving licence
9. be full of yourself to have a high opinion of yourself – used to show disapproval:
My first impression was that he was a bit full of himself.
10. be full of crap/shit/it not polite a rude expression used to say that someone often says things that are wrong or stupid:
Don’t listen to Jerry. He’s full of it.
11. CLOTHES made using a lot of material and fitting loosely:
a dress with a full skirt
12. BODY large and rounded in an attractive way
full figure/face/breasts etc
clothes for the fuller figure
13. TASTE having a strong satisfying taste:
Now you can enjoy Nescafé's fuller flavour in a decaffeinated form. ⇨ ↑full-bodied
14. SOUND pleasantly loud and deep:
the rich full sound of the cello
15. full price not a reduced price:
If you’re over 14, you have to pay full price.
16. in full view of somebody so that all the people in a place can see, especially when this is embarrassing or shocking:
The argument happened on stage in full view of the audience.
17. be in full swing if an event or process is in full swing, it has reached its highest level of activity:
By 8.30, the party was in full swing.
18. full speed/steam ahead doing something with as much energy and effort as possible:
With last season’s misery behind them, it’s full steam ahead for the Bears.
19. be full of beans to be excited and have lots of energy
20. (at) full blast informal as strongly, loudly, or quickly as possible:
The heater was on full blast but I was still cold.
a car stereo playing Wagner at full blast
21. (at) full tilt/pelt moving as fast as possible:
She ran full tilt into his arms.
22. be in full cry if a group of people are in full cry, they are criticizing someone very strongly:
Anyone who’s seen the world’s press in full cry can understand how Diana felt.
23. to the full (also to the fullest American English) in the best or most complete way:
Ed believes in living life to the full.
24. come/go/turn full circle to be in the same situation in which you began, even though there have been changes during the time in between:
Fashion has come full circle and denim is back.
⇨ ↑fully, ⇨ have your hands full at ↑hand¹(29), ⇨ draw yourself up to your full height at ↑draw up(4)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ full containing as much or as many things or people as possible, so there is no space left: The train was nearly full. | The cupboard was full of clothes. | He spilled a full cup of coffee on the carpet.
▪ filled with something full of something – use this about a container when a lot of things have been put into it: The envelopes were filled with cash.
▪ stuffed full of something completely full of something – use this about a container when lots of things have been put into it, often in an untidy way: The case was stuffed full of clothes.
▪ packed completely full of people – use this about a room, train etc: a packed restaurant | The courtroom will be packed with journalists.
▪ bursting (with something) extremely full of something: Her wardrobe was bursting with coats and shoes. | a small garden bursting with fruit and flowers
▪ crammed so full that you cannot fit anyone or anything else in – often used when you think there are too many people or things: In summer, the hotels are crammed with tourists. | The resort’s crammed beaches are uncomfortable in summer.
▪ teeming (with something) /ˈtiːmɪŋ/ full of people, animals etc that are all moving around: The rivers are teeming with fish.
▪ overflowing used about a container that is so full that the liquid or things inside it come out over the top: an overflowing bathtub | The drawers were overflowing with magazines.
▪ overloaded used about a vehicle or a ship which has too many people or things in it: an overloaded fishing boat | The trucks are often grossly overloaded (=far too overloaded).

save

I. save¹ S1 W1 /seɪv/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑save, ↑saver, ↑saving, savings, SAVIOUR/SAVIOR; verb: ↑save]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: salver, from Late Latin salvare, from Latin salvus; ⇨ ↑safe¹]
1. FROM HARM/DANGER [transitive] to make someone or something safe from danger, harm, or destruction ⇨ rescue:
Emergency aid could save millions threatened with starvation.
a new treatment that could save his life
She was determined to save her marriage.
the campaign to save the rain forests
save somebody/something from something
He saved the child from drowning.
2. MONEY [intransitive and transitive] (also save up) to keep money in a bank so that you can use it later, especially when you gradually add more money over a period of time:
He managed to save enough to buy a small house.
So far, I’ve saved about £500.
save for
I’m saving up for a new car. ⇨ ↑saver
3. NOT WASTE [transitive] (also save on something) to use less money, time, energy etc so that you do not waste any OPP waste:
We’ll save a lot of time if we go by car.
Everyone is being encouraged to save energy.
ways to save money on heating bills
energy-saving/time-saving etc
money-saving ideas
4. TO USE LATER [transitive] to keep something so that you can use or enjoy it in the future:
We’ll save the rest of the food and have it later.
save something for something
I had a bottle of champagne which I’d been saving for a special occasion.
5. COLLECT [transitive] (also save something ↔ up) to keep all the objects of a particular kind that you can find, so that you can use them:
I’m saving up vouchers to get a cheap air ticket to the States.
6. HELP TO AVOID [transitive] to help someone by making it unnecessary for them to do something that they do not want to do:
If you lent me £5, it would save me a trip to the bank.
save somebody doing something
I’ll take the shopping home in the car to save you carrying it.
save somebody the trouble/bother (of doing something)
I’ll get a taxi from the station to save you the trouble of coming to collect me.
7. KEEP FOR SOMEBODY [transitive] to stop people from using something so that it is available for someone else:
Will you save me a seat?
save something for somebody
We’ll save some dinner for you if you’re late.
8. COMPUTER [intransitive and transitive] to make a computer keep the work that you have done on it:
Don’t forget to save before you close the file.
Did you save the changes that you made?
9. SPORT [intransitive and transitive] to stop the other team from scoring in a game such as football:
The goalkeeper just managed to save the shot.
10. you saved my life spoken used to thank someone who has helped you out of a difficult situation or solved a problem for you:
Thanks again for the loan – you really saved my life.
11. save sb’s skin/neck/bacon informal to help someone to escape from an extremely difficult or dangerous situation:
He lied in court to save his own skin.
12. save the day to stop things from going badly and make a situation end successfully:
A local businessman saved the day by donating £30,000 to the school.
13. save face to do something that will stop you from looking stupid or feeling embarrassed:
A compromise must be found which will allow both sides in the dispute to save face. ⇨ ↑face-saving
14. saving grace the one good thing that makes someone or something acceptable:
His sense of humour was his only saving grace.
15. somebody can’t do something to save his/her life informal to be completely unable to do something:
He couldn’t draw to save his life!
16. save your breath spoken used to tell someone that it is not worth saying anything, because nothing they say will make any difference to the situation:
I tried to explain, but she told me to save my breath.
17. save somebody from themselves to prevent someone from doing something that they want to do but that you think is harmful
18. RELIGION [intransitive and transitive] in the Christian church, to free someone from the power of evil and bring them into the Christian religion:
Jesus came to save sinners.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ save to gradually collect money by not spending all the money you have, especially when you regularly put some of it in a bank: She doesn’t earn much, but she still manages to save a few dollars each week. | We’re saving for a deposit to buy a house.
▪ set/put aside to regularly save part of the money you earn, especially over a long period of time: You should start setting aside part of your earnings as retirement savings.
▪ scrimp and save to try to save money by spending less on the things you need and by saving what you can, especially when you do not earn very much: My parents scrimped and saved for years to send me to college.
▪ squirrel something away informal to keep something, especially money, in a safe place to be used later: I wanted to surprise her, so I squirreled away a couple of dollars a week to spend on a present.
▪ economize to spend less money by buying only the things that you really need, or by buying cheaper things: Weddings can be expensive, but you can economize by doing some things yourself.

expense

ex‧pense S3 W2 /ɪkˈspens/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑expenditure, ↑expense, expenses; verb: ↑expend; adverb: ↑expensively ≠ ↑inexpensively; adjective: ↑expensive ≠ ↑inexpensive]
1. [uncountable and countable] the amount of money that you spend on something:
He borrowed £150,000 and used the money for legal expenses.
Conference rooms were equipped at great expense.
2. expenses money that you spend on things such as travel and food while you are doing your job, and which your employer then pays to you
on expenses
Can you claim this meal on expenses?
3. at the expense of somebody/something if something is done at the expense of someone or something else, it is only achieved by doing something that could harm the other person or thing:
the growth in short breaks, at the expense of longer package holidays
4. at sb’s expense
a) if you do something at someone’s expense, they pay for you to do it:
Her mansion was refurnished at taxpayers’ expense.
b) if you make jokes at someone’s expense, you laugh about them and make them seem stupid or silly:
Louis kept making jokes at his wife’s expense.
5. all expenses paid having all of your costs for hotels, travel, meals etc paid for by someone else:
The prize is an all-expenses-paid trip to Rio.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + expense
▪ the extra/additional expense Is it worth the extra expense to get a room with a sea view?
▪ an unnecessary expense Paying extra for leather seats seemed like an unnecessary expense.
▪ living expenses (=money that you spend on rent, food, and things such as electricity, gas etc) She receives £80 a week, from which she must pay for all her living expenses.
▪ operating expenses (=money that a company spends on running its business) We must reduce our operating expenses.
▪ legal/medical expenses We had to get a loan to pay for my husband’s medical expenses. | The tenant can incur considerable legal expenses.
▪ household expenses (=money spent looking after a house and the people in it) Unfortunately, household expenses don’t go away just because you’re in hospital or out of work.
▪ funeral expenses (=the cost of arranging a funeral) She had a small insurance policy to cover the funeral expenses.
■ phrases
▪ at great/huge/considerable/vast expense (=used when saying that something costs a lot of money) The tiles were imported at great expense from Italy. | Recently, and at vast expense to the taxpayer, the bridge was rebuilt.
▪ at your own expense (=used when saying that you pay for something yourself) He had copies of the book printed at his own expense.
▪ at (the) public expense (=paid for by the public through taxes) The bridge was built at public expense.
▪ go to the expense of doing something (=do something that costs a lot of money) The council must now decide whether to go to the expense of appealing through the courts.
▪ spare no expense (in doing something) (=spend a lot of money to buy the best things) Her parents spared no expense in arranging the wedding. | Everything has been provided tonight – no expense has been spared!
■ verbs
▪ incur an expense formal (=have to pay for something) Potential buyers incur the expense of a survey and legal fees.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ NOUN + expenses
▪ travel/travelling expenses The company will pay the travelling expenses involved in getting to and from the meeting.
▪ entertainment/business expenses The president receives an unspecified allowance for business and entertainment expenses.
▪ relocation/moving expenses Successful candidates will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes relocation expenses if needed.
■ verbs
▪ pay sb’s expenses They agreed to pay my travel expenses and initial accommodation costs.
▪ claim expenses (=officially ask your employer to pay you back money that you have spent while doing your job) If you have to stay overnight, you will be able to claim any expenses back.
▪ reimburse sb’s expenses (=pay the money someone has spent for business purposes back to them) Your expenses will usually be reimbursed within one month of receiving the claim.

keep/lose track of somebody/somethingto pay attention to someone or something, so that you know where they are or what is happening to them, or to fail to do this It’s difficult to keep track of all the new discoveries in genetics. I just lost all track of time.

means

means S2 W2 /miːnz/ BrE AmE noun (plural means)
1. METHOD [countable] a way of doing or achieving something
means of
For most people, the car is still their main means of transport.
The only means of communication was sign language.
The window was our only means of escape.
Do you have any means of identification?
art as a means of expression
Homework should not be used as a means of controlling children.
I had no means of telling him I would be late.
Brian was prepared to use any means to get what he wanted.
They had entered the country by unlawful means.
the means by which performance is assessed
2. MONEY [plural] the money or income that you have
have the means to do something
I don’t have the means to support a family.
Paying for your children to go to a private school is beyond the means of most people (=too expensive for most people).
Try to live within your means (=only spending what you can afford).
His father was a man of means (=a rich man).
3. by all means! spoken used to mean ‘of course’ when politely allowing someone to do something or agreeing with a suggestion:
‘Can I bring Alan?’ ‘By all means!’
4. by no means/not by any means not at all:
It is by no means certain that the game will take place.
She’s not a bad kid, by any means.
5. by means of something formal using a particular method or system:
The blocks are raised by means of pulleys.
6. a means to an end something that you do only to achieve a result, not because you want to do it or because it is important:
For Geoff, the job was simply a means to an end.
7. the means of production the material, tools, and equipment that are used in the production of goods
⇨ ways and means at ↑way¹(1)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ an effective/efficient means Speed bumps are an effective means of stopping cars from going too fast.
▪ a useful means Local radio is a useful means of advertising.
▪ the only means Then, horses and carts were the only means of transport available.
▪ the best means Is this really the best means of achieving our goal?
▪ an important means Surveys are an important means of gathering information.
▪ lawful/legal means Their protests will continue, but only by legal means.
▪ unlawful/illegal means He was accused of attempting to overthrow the government using unlawful means.
▪ unfair means Anyone trying to use unfair means in an examination will be reported to the University.
■ phrases
▪ a means of transport British English, a means of transportation American English (=a way of travelling, for example using a car, bus, bicycle etc) The tram is an efficient means of transport.
▪ a means of communication (=a way of talking to someone, for example by phone, writing etc) Newspapers are still an important means of communication.
▪ a means of expression (=a way of expressing your feelings or opinions) Music and art are important means of expression.
▪ a means of identification (=an official document that shows who you are) Do you have any means of identification?
▪ the means of production (=factories and equipment used for producing goods - used especially in Marxism) the class of people which owns the means of production
▪ the end justifies the means (=the result you achieve is more important than the way you do it) It’s too bad if people get hurt - the end justifies the means.
▪ a means to an end (=something you do only to achieve a result, not because you want to do it or because it is important) Many of the students saw the course as a means to an end: a way of getting a good job.
▪ (whether) by fair means or foul (=using unfair methods if necessary) They were determined to achieve victory, by fair means or foul.
■ verbs
▪ have no/any/some means of doing something There was no path, and they had no means of knowing where they were.
▪ use any/every means to do something (=use any method or many methods) He will use any means to get what he wants.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ method a way of doing something, especially one that is well known and often used: You can choose whichever method of payment you prefer. | an environmentally friendly method for treating household waste
▪ way a set of actions that you use in order to do something. Way is more informal than method and is used more often in everyday English: What’s the best way to remove wine stains? | a new way of treating the disease | There are lots of ways of cooking mushrooms.
▪ means something that you use to do something or achieve something: Their main means of transport is their car. | E-mail is often the most convenient means of communication. | He looked around for a means of escape. | Education and training are the most efficient means of improving the nation’s economy.
▪ approach a way of dealing with a particular problem or situation, especially a way that has been carefully thought about or planned: Today’s approach to raising children is very different from 40 years ago. | I think we need to try a different approach.
▪ technique a particular way of doing something, for which you need a skill that has to be learned and practised: tips on how to improve your exam technique | More patients are surviving thanks to improved surgical techniques.
▪ tactics methods that you use in order to achieve what you want, especially in a game or competition: There were complaints about police tactics used to clear demonstrators. | The team was discussing tactics for the game.
▪ strategy a set of carefully planned methods for achieving something that is difficult and may take a long time: our sales strategy | a strategy to reduce the level of teenage smoking
▪ mode formal a particular way of doing something: For him, painting is just another mode of expression. | You can choose between several different modes of operation. | the most efficient mode of transportation | Withdrawing a child from class is still the preferred mode of providing extra help to that child.