American English

fe‧ver /ˈfiːvə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 900-1000; Language: Latin; Origin: febris]
1. [uncountable and countable] an illness or a medical condition in which you have a very high temperature:
Andy has a fever and won’t be coming into work today.
I woke up this morning with a fever and an upset stomach.
She’s running a fever (=has a fever).
a high/low/slight fever
The usual symptoms are a pink rash with a slight fever. ⇨ ↑hay fever, ↑scarlet fever, ↑yellow fever, ↑glandular fever, ↑rheumatic fever
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually use fever to talk about a very high temperature. If someone's temperature is just high, they say that someone has a temperature rather than has a fever:
▪ He stayed home from school because he had a temperature.
2. [singular] a situation in which many people feel very excited or feel very strongly about something
fever of
a fever of excitement on Wall Street
election/carnival etc fever (=great interest or excitement about a particular activity or event)
Soccer fever has been sweeping the nation as they prepare for the World Cup.
3. (at) fever pitch British English if people’s feelings are at fever pitch, they are extremely excited:
The nation was at fever pitch in the days leading up to the election.
After a night of rioting, tensions in the city reached fever pitch.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fever

fever [fever fevers fevered fevering] [ˈfiːvə(r)] [ˈfiːvər] noun
1. countable, uncountable a medical condition in which a person has a temperature that is higher than normal
• He has a high fever.
• Aspirin should help reduce the fever.

compare temperature

2. countable, uncountable (old-fashioned) (used mainly in compounds) a particular type of disease in which sb has a high temperature
• She caught a fever on her travels in Africa, and died.

see also glandular fever, hay fever, rheumatic fever, scarlet fever, yellow fever

3. singular ~ (of sth) a state of nervous excitement

• He waited for her arrival in a fever of impatience.

4. uncountable (especially in compounds) great interest or excitement about sth
• election fever
• World Cup fever has gripped the country.
Word Origin:
Old English fēfor, from Latin febris; reinforced in Middle English by Old French fievre, also from febris.
Collocations:
Illnesses
Becoming ill
catch a cold/an infectious disease/the flu/(BrE) flu/pneumonia/a virus/(informal) a bug
get (BrE) ill/(NAmE) sick/a disease/AIDS/breast cancer/a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu/a migraine
come down with a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu
contract a deadly disease/a serious illness/HIV/AIDS
be infected with a virus/a parasite/HIV
develop cancer/diabetes/a rash/an ulcer/symptoms of hepatitis
have a heart attack/a stroke
provoke/trigger/produce an allergic reaction
block/burst/rupture a blood vessel
damage/sever a nerve/an artery/a tendon
Being ill
feel (BrE) ill/sick/nauseous/queasy
be running (BrE) a temperature/(NAmE) a fever
have a head cold/diabetes/heart disease/lung cancer/a headache/(BrE) a high temperature/(NAmE) a fever
suffer from asthma/malnutrition/frequent headaches/bouts of depression/a mental disorder
be laid up with/ (BrE) be in bed with a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu/a migraine
nurse a cold/a headache/a hangover
battle/fight cancer/depression/addiction/alcoholism
Treatments
examine a patient
diagnose a condition/disease/disorder
be diagnosed with cancer/diabetes/schizophrenia
prescribe/be given/be on/take drugs/medicine/medication/pills/painkillers/antibiotics
treat sb for cancer/depression/shock
have/undergo an examination/an operation/surgery/a kidney transplant/therapy/chemotherapy/treatment for cancer
have/be given an injection/(BrE) a flu jab/(NAmE) a flu shot/a blood transfusion/a scan/an X-ray
cure a disease/an ailment/cancer/a headache/a patient
prevent the spread of disease/further outbreaks/damage to the lungs
be vaccinated against the flu/(BrE) flu/the measles/(BrE) measles/polio/smallpox
enhance/boost/confer/build immunity to a disease
Example Bank:
• Election fever suddenly gripped the nation.
• He put his hand to my forehead as if I was running a fever.
• He suffered from recurrent bouts of fever.
• He was in bed with a fever.
• Inflammation is frequently accompanied by fever.
• James has come down with a fever.
• She had a very high fever.
• She was in a fever of anxiety about him.

• drugs which can help to bring down the fever

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

fever / ˈfiː.və r / / -vɚ / noun [ C or U ] (ILLNESS)

B1 a medical condition in which the body temperature is higher than usual and the heart beats very fast:

He's got a headache and a slight fever.

fever / ˈfiː.və r / / -vɚ / noun [ U ] (EXCITEMENT)

C2 a state of great excitement:

The whole country seems to be in the grip of football fever.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

fever

/fi:və(r)/
(fevers)

1.
If you have a fever when you are ill, your body temperature is higher than usual and your heart beats faster.
My Uncle Jim had a high fever...
Symptoms of the disease include fever and weight loss.
N-VAR
see also hay fever, rheumatic fever, scarlet fever

2.
A fever is extreme excitement or nervousness about something.
Angie waited in a fever of excitement.
= frenzy

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

fever
fe·ver /ˈfiːvɚ/ noun, pl -vers
1 a : a body temperature that is higher than normal

[count]

• He has had a fever for two days. = He has been running a fever for two days.

[noncount]
• The symptoms of the disease include headache and fever.
b [count] : a disease that causes an increase in body temperature
• She caught a fever.
- see also hay fever, rheumatic fever, scarlet fever, yellow fever
2 [singular]
a : a state of excited emotion or activity
• We waited in a fever of anticipation.
• He had us all in a fever with worry.
- see also cabin fever, spring fever
b : a state of great enthusiasm or interest
• Every fall the town develops football fever. [=the town becomes very excited about football]

cold

cold [noun] (ILLNESS)

/koʊld/

/kəʊld/

Example:

She caught a cold at school.

A common infection, especially in the nose and throat, that often causes a cough, a slight fever, and sometimes some pain in the muscles

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

She caught a cold at school.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Level:

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

cold

noun

1 (no plural) cold weather:
Don't go out in the cold.

2 (plural colds) a common illness of the nose and throat. When you have a cold, you often cannot breathe through your nose and your throat hurts:
I've got a cold.
Come in out of the rain, or you'll catch a cold

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. cold² BrE AmE noun
1. [countable] a common illness that makes it difficult to breathe through your nose and often makes your throat hurt:
I’ve got a bad cold.
Keep your feet dry so you don’t catch a cold. ⇨ ↑common cold
2. [uncountable] (also the cold) a low temperature or cold weather:
I was shivering with cold.
Don’t go out in the cold without your coat!
you’ll catch your death of cold British English (=used to warn someone that they may become very ill if they do not keep themselves warm in cold weather)
3. come in from the cold to become accepted or recognized, especially by a powerful group of people
4. leave somebody out in the cold informal to not include someone in an activity:
He chose to favour us one at a time and the others were left out in the cold.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ have (got) a cold She’s staying at home today because she’s got a cold.
▪ be getting a cold (=be starting to have a cold) I think I might be getting a cold.
▪ catch a cold (=start to have one) I caught a cold and had to miss the match.
▪ come down with a cold (also go down with a cold British English) informal (=catch one) A lot of people go down with colds at this time of year.
▪ be suffering from a cold formal (=have one) He was suffering from a cold and not his usual energetic self.
▪ suffer from colds formal (=have colds) Some people suffer from more colds than others.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + cold
▪ a bad cold If you have a bad cold, just stay in bed.
▪ a nasty cold (also a heavy cold British English) (=a bad one) He sounded as if he had a heavy cold.
▪ a streaming cold British English (=in which a lot of liquid comes from your nose) You shouldn’t go to work if you’ve got a streaming cold.
▪ a slight cold It’s only a slight cold – I’ll be fine tomorrow.
▪ a chest cold (=affecting your chest) He’s coughing all the time with a bad chest cold.
▪ a head cold (=affecting your nose and head) A bad head cold can sometimes feel like flu.
▪ the common cold formal There are hundreds of viruses that cause the common cold.
III. cold³ BrE AmE adverb
1. American English suddenly and completely:
Paul stopped cold. ‘What was that noise?’
2. out cold informal unconscious:
He drank until he was out cold.
You were knocked out cold (=hit on the head so that you became unconscious).
3. without preparation:
I can’t just get up there and make a speech cold!

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

noun

LOW TEMPERATURE
1. uncountable a lack of heat or warmth; a low temperature, especially in the atmosphere
• He shivered with cold.
• Don't stand outside in the cold.
• She doesn't seem to feel the cold.

• You'll catch your death of cold (= used to warn sb they could become ill if they do not keep warm in cold weather).

ILLNESS

2. countable (also less frequent the ˌcommon ˈcold) a common illness that affects the nose and/or throat, making you cough, sneeze, etc
• I've got a cold.
• a bad/heavy/slight cold
• to catch a cold
more at catch your death (of cold) at catch _v.
Word Origin:
Old English cald, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch koud and German kalt, also to Latin gelu ‘frost’.
Collocations:
Illnesses
Becoming ill
catch a cold/an infectious disease/the flu/(BrE) flu/pneumonia/a virus/(informal) a bug
get (BrE) ill/(NAmE) sick/a disease/AIDS/breast cancer/a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu/a migraine
come down with a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu
contract a deadly disease/a serious illness/HIV/AIDS
be infected with a virus/a parasite/HIV
develop cancer/diabetes/a rash/an ulcer/symptoms of hepatitis
have a heart attack/a stroke
provoke/trigger/produce an allergic reaction
block/burst/rupture a blood vessel
damage/sever a nerve/an artery/a tendon
Being ill
feel (BrE) ill/sick/nauseous/queasy
be running (BrE) a temperature/(NAmE) a fever
have a head cold/diabetes/heart disease/lung cancer/a headache/(BrE) a high temperature/(NAmE) a fever
suffer from asthma/malnutrition/frequent headaches/bouts of depression/a mental disorder
be laid up with/ (BrE) be in bed with a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu/a migraine
nurse a cold/a headache/a hangover
battle/fight cancer/depression/addiction/alcoholism
Treatments
examine a patient
diagnose a condition/disease/disorder
be diagnosed with cancer/diabetes/schizophrenia
prescribe/be given/be on/take drugs/medicine/medication/pills/painkillers/antibiotics
treat sb for cancer/depression/shock
have/undergo an examination/an operation/surgery/a kidney transplant/therapy/chemotherapy/treatment for cancer
have/be given an injection/(BrE) a flu jab/(NAmE) a flu shot/a blood transfusion/a scan/an X-ray
cure a disease/an ailment/cancer/a headache/a patient
prevent the spread of disease/further outbreaks/damage to the lungs
be vaccinated against the flu/(BrE) flu/the measles/(BrE) measles/polio/smallpox
enhance/boost/confer/build immunity to a disease
Example Bank:
• He stood out in the cold and waited.
• He took cold, developed pneumonia, and that was the end of him.
• I don't feel the cold as badly as many people.
• I must have caught a cold on the bus.
• If you stay out in the rain you'll catch cold!
• Jim stayed at home because he was nursing a cold.
• Millions of ordinary workers feel left out in the cold by the shift to digital technology.
• My hands were blue with cold.
• She won her match despite suffering from a heavy cold.
• The house has double glazing to keep out the cold.
• We were well wrapped up against the cold.
• When the coalition was formed the Liberals were left out in the cold.
• When will they find a cure for the common cold?
• Don't stand outside in the cold.

• She doesn't seem to feel the cold.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

cold / kəʊld / / koʊld / noun [ C ] (ILLNESS)

A2 a common infection, especially in the nose and throat, that often causes a cough, a slight fever, and sometimes some pain in the muscles:

I've got a cold.

She caught a cold at school.

UK informal Don't come near me - I've got a stinking/streaming cold (= extremely bad cold) .

cold / kəʊld / / koʊld / noun [ S or U ] (LOW TEMPERATURE)

B1 cold weather or temperatures:

Don't stand out there in the cold, come in here and get warm.

Old people tend to feel the cold (= feel uncomfortable in cold temperatures) more than the young.

My feet were numb with cold.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

cold

/koʊld/
(colder, coldest, colds)

Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.

1.
Something that is cold has a very low temperature or a lower temperature than is normal or acceptable.
Rinse the vegetables under cold running water...
He likes his tea neither too hot nor too cold...
Your dinner’s getting cold.
≠ hot, warm
ADJ
• cold‧ness
She complained about the coldness of his hands.
≠ warmth
N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp

2.
If it is cold, or if a place is cold, the temperature of the air is very low.
It was bitterly cold...
The house is cold because I can’t afford to turn the heat on...
This is the coldest winter I can remember.
≠ hot, warm
ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ
• cold‧ness
Within quarter of an hour the coldness of the night had gone.
N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp

3.
Cold weather or low temperatures can be referred to as the cold.
He must have come inside to get out of the cold...
His feet were blue with cold.
≠ heat
N-UNCOUNT: also the N

4.
If you are cold, your body is at an unpleasantly low temperature.
I was freezing cold...
I’m hungry, I’m cold and I’ve nowhere to sleep.
ADJ: usu v-link ADJ

5.
Cold food, such as salad or meat that has been cooked and cooled, is not intended to be eaten hot.
A wide variety of hot and cold snacks will be available.
...cold meats.
≠ hot
ADJ: usu ADJ n

6.
Cold colours or cold light give an impression of coldness.
Generally, warm colours advance in painting and cold colours recede.
...the cold blue light from a streetlamp.
≠ warm
ADJ

7.
A cold person does not show much emotion, especially affection, and therefore seems unfriendly and unsympathetic. If someone’s voice is cold, they speak in an unfriendly unsympathetic way.
What a cold, unfeeling woman she was...
‘Send her away,’ Eve said in a cold, hard voice.
≠ warm
ADJ [disapproval]
• cold‧ly
‘I’ll see you in the morning,’ Hugh said coldly.
ADV
• cold‧ness
His coldness angered her.
N-UNCOUNT

8.
A cold trail or scent is one which is old and therefore difficult to follow.
He could follow a cold trail over hard ground and even over stones.
≠ fresh
ADJ

9.
If you have a cold, you have a mild, very common illness which makes you sneeze a lot and gives you a sore throat or a cough.
N-COUNT

10.
see also common cold

11.
If you catch cold, or catch a cold, you become ill with a cold.
Let’s dry our hair so we don’t catch cold.
PHRASE: V inflects

12.
If something leaves you cold, it fails to excite or interest you.
Lawrence is one of those writers who either excite you enormously or leave you cold.
PHRASE: V inflects

13.
If someone is out cold, they are unconscious or sleeping very heavily.
She was out cold but still breathing.
PHRASE: v-link PHR

14.
in cold blood: see blood
to get cold feet: see foot
to blow hot and cold: see hot
to pour cold water on something: see water

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

²cold noun, pl colds
1 [noncount] : a cold condition
• I mind cold more than heat.
• They died of exposure to cold.
• She was shivering with cold. [=because she was cold]
2 the cold : cold weather
• The cold really sets in around late November and doesn't let up until April.
• I stood there shivering in the cold.
• He waited outside for her in the bitter cold.
• Come in out of the cold.
3 [count] : a common illness that affects the nose, throat, and eyes and that usually causes coughing, sneezing, etc.
• It's not the flu, it's just a cold.
• He got/caught a cold. = He came down with a cold. = (Brit) He went down with a cold.
• the common cold
- often used before another noun
• the cold virus
• cold symptoms/remedies
- see also head cold
blue with cold, blue from the cold
- see ¹blue
come in from the cold : to become part of a group or of normal society again after you have been outside it
• a former spy who has come in from the cold
leave (someone) out in the cold : to leave (someone) in a bad position : to not give (someone) the rights or advantages that are given to others
• The changes benefit management but leave the workers out in the cold.

backache

backache [noun]

/ˈbæk.eɪk/

Example:

She often suffers from backache.

A pain in your back

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

She often suffers from backache.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Problems with bones - joints and teeth

Level:

B1 (Intermediate)

Region:

American English

British English

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

backache

back‧ache /ˈbækeɪk/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
a pain in your back

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

backache

back·ache [backache backaches] [ˈbækeɪk] [ˈbækeɪk] noun uncountable, countable
a continuous pain in the back: (BrE) to have backache/a backache

• (NAmE) to have a backache

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

backache / ˈbæk.eɪk / noun [ C or U ]

B1 a pain in your back:

Gardening gives me such backache.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

backache

/bækeɪk/
(backaches)

Backache is a dull pain in your back.

N-VAR

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

backache

back·ache /ˈbækˌeɪk/ noun, pl -aches : pain in the back

[count]

• She has/gets frequent backaches.

[noncount]

• a patient suffering from backache
• (Brit) She has/gets frequent backache.

toothache

toothache [noun]

/ˈtuːθ.eɪk/

Example:

I've got terrible toothache.

Pain caused by something being wrong with one of your teeth

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

I've got terrible toothache.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Problems with bones - joints and teeth

Level:

A2 (Elementary)

Region:

American English

British English

Oxford Essential Dictionary

toothache

noun (no plural)
a pain in your tooth:
I've got toothache.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

toothache

tooth‧ache /ˈtuːθ-eɪk/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
a pain in a tooth:
I’ve got toothache.
I had terrible toothache all last night.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

toothache

tooth·ache [toothache toothaches] [ˈtuːθeɪk] [ˈtuːθeɪk] noun uncountable, countable, usually singular
a pain in your teeth or in one tooth: (BrE) I've got toothache.

• (NAmE, BrE) I've got a toothache.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

toothache / ˈtuːθ.eɪk / noun [ C or U ]

A2 pain caused by something being wrong with one of your teeth:

I've got terrible toothache.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

toothache

/tu:θeɪk/

Toothache is pain in one of your teeth.

N-UNCOUNT

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

toothache

tooth·ache /ˈtuːɵˌeɪk/ noun, pl -aches : pain in or near a tooth

[count]

• He has a toothache.

[noncount]

• (Brit) He's got toothache.

earache

earache [noun]

/ˈɪr.eɪk/

/ˈɪə.reɪk/

Example:

I’ve got terrible earache and a sore throat.

A pain in the inside part of your ear

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

I’ve got terrible earache and a sore throat.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Level:

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

earache

noun (no plural)
pain inside your ear:
I've got earache.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

earache

ear‧ache /ˈɪəreɪk $ ˈɪr-/ BrE AmE noun [singular, uncountable]
a pain inside your ear:
I’ve got terrible earache and a sore throat.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

earache

ear·ache [earache earaches] [ˈɪəreɪk] [ˈɪreɪk] noun uncountable, countable
pain inside the ear

• to have (an) earache

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

earache / ˈɪə.reɪk / / ˈɪr.eɪk / noun [ C or U ]

B1 a pain in the inside part of your ear

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

earache

/ɪəreɪk/
(earaches)

Earache is a pain in the inside part of your ear.

N-VAR

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

earache

ear·ache /iɚˌeɪk/ noun, pl -aches : an ache or pain in the ear

[count]

• He has/gets frequent earaches.

[noncount]

(chiefly Brit)
• He has/gets frequent earache.

stomachache

stomach ache [noun]

/ˈstʌm·ək ˌeɪk/

Example:

I ate too much food and got a severe stomach ache.

Pain in your stomach

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

I ate too much food and got a severe stomach ache.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Level:

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

stomach ache

noun (no plural)
a pain in your stomach:
I've got stomach ache.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

stomachache

stom‧ach‧ache /ˈstʌmək-eɪk/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
pain in your stomach or near your stomach
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ stomachache pain in your stomach or near your stomach: He said he had a stomachache and didn't want to go to school. | I've got bad stomachache.
▪ indigestion pain or uncomfortable feelings that you get when your stomach cannot break down food that you have eaten: She frequently suffered from indigestion. | If I eat onions, they give me indigestion.
▪ food poisoning a stomach illness caused by eating food that contains harmful bacteria, so that you vomit: I got food poisoning while I was on holiday and had to spend the day in bed. | Two of the customers has to be taken to hospital with suspected food poisoning.
▪ nausea the feeling that you have when you think you are going to vomit: A feeling of nausea suddenly came over me.
▪ constipation the condition of having difficulty in getting rid of solid waste from your body: Do you suffer from constipation?
▪ diarrhoea British English, diarrhea American English an illness in which waste from the bowels is watery and comes out often: The main symptoms are diarrhoea and vomiting. | Some dairy products can cause diarrhoea.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

stomach ache

ˈstomach ache [stomach ache] noun countable, uncountable

pain in or near your stomach

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

ˈ stomach ˌ ache noun [ C or U ]

A2 pain in your stomach:

I ate too much and got a terrible stomach ache.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

stomach ache

also stomachache
(stomach aches)

If you have a stomach-ache, you have a pain in your stomach.

N-VAR

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

stomachache
stom·ach·ache /ˈstʌməkˌeɪk/ noun, pl -aches : pain in or near your stomach

[count]
• Eating too much food will give you a stomachache.

[noncount]
• Side effects include gas, bloating, and stomachache.

headache

headache [noun] (PAIN)

/ˈhed.eɪk/

Example:

that trip was nothing but a long headache

A pain you feel inside your head

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

I've got a severe headache.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

headaches and dizziness

Level:

A2 (Elementary)

Region:

American English

British English

Oxford Essential Dictionary

headache

noun
a pain in your head:
I've got a headache.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

headache

head‧ache /ˈhedeɪk/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
1. a pain in your head:
If you have a headache, you should take some aspirin.
2. informal a problem that is difficult or annoying to deal with:
Security is a big headache for airline operators.
—headachy adjective:
a headachy feeling
• • •
GRAMMAR
Headache is a countable noun:
▪ I had a headache (NOT I had headache).
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ bad/terrible/severe I’ve got a really bad headache.
▪ a splitting headache (=a very bad headache) The next day he woke up with a splitting headache.
▪ a throbbing/pounding/blinding headache (=a very bad headache) He had a throbbing headache, behind his nose and his eyes.
▪ a slight headache (also a bit of a headache spoken) (=one that is not very serious ) I’d rather stay at home – I’ve got a bit of a headache.
■ verbs
▪ have a headache (also have got a headache spoken) She’s not coming – she says she’s got a headache.
▪ get headaches/suffer from headaches (=regularly have a headache) He often gets headaches at school.
▪ give somebody a headache The music was starting to give him a headache.
▪ cause headaches The drug can cause headaches.
▪ complain of a headache (=say that you have a headache) Your child may complain of headaches or problems seeing the blackboard.
▪ a headache goes away (=it stops) I'd like to lie down for a bit to make my headache go away,
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say 'a strong/heavy headache'. Say a bad headache.
Do not say 'a little headache'. Say a slight headache or a bit of a headache.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ headache a pain in your head: Looking at a computer for a long time can give you a headache.
▪ hangover a headache and feeling of sickness that you get the day after you have drunk too much alcohol: The next day I had a terrible hangover.
▪ migraine /ˈmiːɡreɪn, ˈmaɪ- $ ˈmaɪ-/ a very bad headache, which makes you feel sick and have difficulty seeing: He has suffered from migraines all his life.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

headache

head·ache [headache headaches] [ˈhedeɪk] [ˈhedeɪk] noun
1. a continuous pain in the head
• to suffer from headaches
• Red wine gives me a headache.
• I have a splitting headache (= a very bad one).

• a tension headache

2. (informal) a person or thing that causes worry or trouble
• The real headache will be getting the bank to lend you the money.
Collocations:
Illnesses
Becoming ill
catch a cold/an infectious disease/the flu/(BrE) flu/pneumonia/a virus/(informal) a bug
get (BrE) ill/(NAmE) sick/a disease/AIDS/breast cancer/a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu/a migraine
come down with a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu
contract a deadly disease/a serious illness/HIV/AIDS
be infected with a virus/a parasite/HIV
develop cancer/diabetes/a rash/an ulcer/symptoms of hepatitis
have a heart attack/a stroke
provoke/trigger/produce an allergic reaction
block/burst/rupture a blood vessel
damage/sever a nerve/an artery/a tendon
Being ill
feel (BrE) ill/sick/nauseous/queasy
be running (BrE) a temperature/(NAmE) a fever
have a head cold/diabetes/heart disease/lung cancer/a headache/(BrE) a high temperature/(NAmE) a fever
suffer from asthma/malnutrition/frequent headaches/bouts of depression/a mental disorder
be laid up with/ (BrE) be in bed with a cold/the flu/(BrE) flu/a migraine
nurse a cold/a headache/a hangover
battle/fight cancer/depression/addiction/alcoholism
Treatments
examine a patient
diagnose a condition/disease/disorder
be diagnosed with cancer/diabetes/schizophrenia
prescribe/be given/be on/take drugs/medicine/medication/pills/painkillers/antibiotics
treat sb for cancer/depression/shock
have/undergo an examination/an operation/surgery/a kidney transplant/therapy/chemotherapy/treatment for cancer
have/be given an injection/(BrE) a flu jab/(NAmE) a flu shot/a blood transfusion/a scan/an X-ray
cure a disease/an ailment/cancer/a headache/a patient
prevent the spread of disease/further outbreaks/damage to the lungs
be vaccinated against the flu/(BrE) flu/the measles/(BrE) measles/polio/smallpox
enhance/boost/confer/build immunity to a disease
Example Bank:
• He developed a severe migraine headache.
• I have a splitting headache.
• I've got a splitting headache.
• She had left the party early, pleading a headache.
• The workers had complained of headaches and nausea.
• These regulations have created major headaches for many businesses.
• Uneven cash flow proved to be a major headache for the company.

• We all get headaches from time to time.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

headache / ˈhed.eɪk / noun [ C ] (PAIN)

A2 a pain you feel inside your head:

I've got a splitting (= severe) headache.

headache / ˈhed.eɪk / noun [ C ] (DIFFICULTY)

something that causes you great difficulty and worry:

Finding a babysitter for Saturday evening will be a major headache.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

headache

• a tension headache

• We all get headaches from time to time.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

headache
head·ache /ˈhɛdˌeɪk/ noun, pl -aches
1 : an ache or pain in the head

[count]
• I'm starting to get a headache.

[noncount]
• The symptoms include fever and headache.
- see also splitting headache
2 [count] : a difficult or annoying situation or problem
• The city's biggest headache is traffic.
• Managing your finances can be a real headache.
- head·achy /ˈhɛdˌeɪki/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• I was feeling tired and headachy.

arm

arm [noun] (BODY PART)

/ɑːrm/

/ɑːm/

Example:

He was carrying a heavy load on his right shoulder.

Either of the two long parts of the upper body that are fixed to the shoulders and have the hands at the end

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

He had a tattoo on his left arm.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Level:

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

arm

noun
the part of your body from your shoulder to your hand:
Put your arms in the air.
He was carrying a book under his arm.

arm in arm with your arm holding another person's arm:
The two friends walked arm in arm.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

arm

I. arm¹ S1 W1 /ɑːm $ ɑːrm/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Sense 1, 3-4, 6-13: Language: Old English; Origin: earm]
[Sense 2,5,14: Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: armes (plural), from Latin arma]
1. BODY one of the two long parts of your body between your shoulders and your hands:
Dave has a broken arm.
left/right arm
He had a tattoo on his left arm.
Tim’s mother put her arms around him.
Pat was carrying a box under his arm.
He had a pile of books in his arms.
They walked along the beach arm in arm (=with their arms bent around each other’s).
take somebody by the arm (=lead someone somewhere by holding their arm)
She took him by the arm and pushed him out of the door.
take somebody in your arms (=gently hold someone with your arms)
Gerry took Fiona in his arms and kissed her.
cross/fold your arms (=bend your arms so that they are resting on top of each other against your body)
He folded his arms and leaned back in his chair.
The old lady rushed to greet him, arms outstretched.
2. WEAPONS arms [plural] weapons used for fighting wars:
Sales of arms to the Middle East have dramatically increased.
nuclear arms
the arms trade
an arms dealer
The government is cutting arms expenditure.
The United Nations will lift its arms embargo against the country.
take up arms (against somebody) (=get weapons and fight)
Boys as young as 13 are taking up arms to defend the city.
He appealed for the rebels to lay down their arms (=stop fighting).
under arms (=with weapons and ready to fight)
All available forces are under arms. ⇨ small arms at ↑small¹(15)
3.
FURNITURE the part of a chair, ↑sofa etc that you rest your arms on
4. CLOTHING the part of a piece of clothing that covers your arm SYN sleeve
5. be up in arms to be very angry and ready to argue or fight:
Residents are up in arms about plans for a new road along the beach.
6. with open arms if you do something with open arms, you show that you are happy to see someone or eager to accept an idea, plan etc:
We welcomed Henry’s offer with open arms.
My new in-laws accepted me with open arms.
7. somebody would give their right arm to do something used to say that someone would be willing to do anything to get or do something because they want it very much:
I’d give my right arm to be 21 again.
8. hold something at arm’s length to hold something away from your body
9. keep/hold somebody at arm’s length to avoid developing a relationship with someone:
Petra keeps all men at arm’s length to avoid getting hurt.
10. as long as your arm informal a list or written document that is as long as your arm is very long:
I’ve got a list of things to do as long as your arm.
11. PART OF GROUP a part of a large group that is responsible for a particular type of activity:
the political arm of a terrorist organization
Epson America is the US marketing arm of a Japanese company.
12. OBJECT/MACHINE a long part of an object or piece of equipment:
the arm of a record player
There is a 15-foot arm supporting the antenna.
13. on sb’s arm old-fashioned if a man has a woman on his arm, she is walking beside him holding his arm
14. DESIGN arms [plural] a set of pictures or patterns, usually painted on a ↑shield, that is used as the special sign of a family, town, university etc SYN coat of arms
⇨ arms akimbo at ↑akimbo(1), ⇨ babe in arms at ↑babe(1), ⇨ brothers in arms at ↑brother¹(6), ⇨ cost an arm and a leg at ↑cost²(1), ⇨ fold somebody/something in your arms at ↑fold¹(7), ⇨ twist sb’s arm at ↑twist¹(9)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ sb’s left/right arm She broke her left arm in a riding accident.
▪ broken/fractured He was taken to hospital with a broken arm.
▪ strong a muscular man with strong arms
▪ bare (=not covered by clothes) She wore no stockings and her arms were bare.
■ verbs
▪ wave your arms (=to attract attention) The man was waving his arms and shouting something.
▪ raise your arm Stand with your feet apart and your arms raised above your head.
▪ fold/cross your arms (=bend both arms in front of your body) He folded his arms across his chest and waited.
▪ stretch/hold out your arms I dreamt I saw my mother again with her arms stretched out towards me.
▪ grab sb’s arm (=take hold of it with a sudden violent movement) ‘Wait’, he cried, grabbing her arm.
▪ put/wrap your arms around somebody I put my arms around Bobby and gave him a hug.
▪ take/hold somebody in your arms (=gently put your arms around someone you love) He took her in his arms and kissed her.
▪ take somebody by the arm (=lead someone somewhere holding their arm) ‘It’s this way’ he said, taking me by the arm.
■ phrases
▪ arm in arm (=with your arm linked to someone else’s arm) There were several young couples, walking arm in arm.
▪ with arms akimbo (=with your hands on your hips so that your elbows point away from your body) Anna stood with arms akimbo, ready to challenge me.
▪ with outstretched arms Manuel came forward with outstretched arms to welcome Magda.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

arm

arm [arm arms armed arming] noun, verb [ɑːm] [ɑːrm]

noun

see also arms

PART OF BODY
1. either of the two long parts that stick out from the top of the body and connect the shoulders to the hands
• He escaped with only a broken arm.
• She threw her arms around his neck.
• The officer grabbed him by the arm (= grabbed his arm).
• She touched him gently on the arm.
• He held the dirty rag at arm's length (= as far away from his body as possible).
• They walked along arm in arm (= with the arm of one person linked with the arm of the other).
• She cradled the child in her arms.
• They fell asleep in each other's arms (= holding each other).
• He was carrying a number of files under his arm (= between his arm and his body).
• He walked in with a tall blonde on his arm (= next to him and holding his arm).

OF CLOTHING

2. the part of a piece of clothing that covers the arm
Syn: sleeve

• The arms will need shortening.

OF CHAIR

3. the part of a chair, etc. on which you rest your arms

• She perched on the arm of his chair.

OF MACHINERY

4. a long narrow part of an object or a piece of machinery, especially one that moves

• a robotic arm

OF WATER/LAND

5. a long narrow piece of water or land that is joined to a larger area

• A small bridge spans the arm of the river.

OF ORGANIZATION

6. usually singular ~ (of sth) a section of a large organization that deals with one particular activity
Syn: wing
• the research arm of the company
more at (with) arms akimbo at akimbo, a babe in arms at babe, bear arms at bear _v., chance your arm at chance _v., fold sb in your armsfold your arms at fold _v., as long as your armthe long arm of sth at long _adj., with open arms at open _adj., give your right arm for sth/to do sth at right _adj., a shot in the arm at shot _n., twist sb's arm at twist _v.
Word Origin:
n. Old English arm earm Germanic Dutch arm German Arm
v. Middle English Old French armer Latin armare arma ‘armour, arms’

Collocations:
Physical appearance
A person may be described as having:
Eyes
(bright) blue/green/(dark/light) brown/hazel eyes
deep-set/sunken/bulging/protruding eyes
small/beady/sparkling/twinkling/(informal) shifty eyes
piercing/penetrating/steely eyes
bloodshot/watery/puffy eyes
bushy/thick/dark/raised/arched eyebrows
long/dark/thick/curly/false eyelashes/lashes
Face
a flat/bulbous/pointed/sharp/snub nose
a straight/a hooked/a Roman/(formal) an aquiline nose
full/thick/thin/pouty lips
dry/chapped/cracked lips
flushed/rosy/red/ruddy/pale cheeks
soft/chubby/sunken cheeks
white/perfect/crooked/protruding teeth
a large/high/broad/wide/sloping forehead
a strong/weak/pointed/double chin
a long/full/bushy/wispy/goatee beard
a long/thin/bushy/droopy/handlebar/pencil moustache/ (especially US) mustache
Hair and skin
pale/fair/olive/dark/tanned skin
dry/oily/smooth/rough/leathery/wrinkled skin
a dark/pale/light/sallow/ruddy/olive/swarthy/clear complexion
deep/fine/little/facial wrinkles
blonde/blond/fair/(light/dark) brown/(jet-)black/auburn/red/(BrE) ginger/grey hair
straight/curly/wavy/frizzy/spiky hair
thick/thin/fine/bushy/thinning hair
dyed/bleached/soft/silky/dry/greasy/shiny hair
long/short/shoulder-length/cropped hair
a bald/balding/shaved head
a receding hairline
a bald patch/spot
a side/centre/(US) center (BrE) parting/ (NAmE) part
Body
a long/short/thick/slender/(disapproving) scrawny neck
broad/narrow/sloping/rounded/hunched shoulders
a bare/broad/muscular/small/large chest
a flat/swollen/bulging stomach
a small/tiny/narrow/slim/slender/28-inch waist
big/wide/narrow/slim hips
a straight/bent/arched/broad/hairy back
thin/slender/muscular arms
big/large/small/manicured/calloused/gloved hands
long/short/fat/slender/delicate/bony fingers
long/muscular/hairy/shapely/(both informal, often disapproving) skinny/spindly legs
muscular/chubby/(informal, disapproving) flabby thighs
big/little/small/dainty/wide/narrow/bare feet
a good/a slim/a slender/an hourglass figure
be of slim/medium/average/large/athletic/stocky build
Example Bank:
• He held out his arms with a broad smile.
• He held the dirty rag at arm's length.
• He placed a comforting arm around her shoulder.
• He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
• He put an arm around her shoulders.
• He ran towards her and flung his arms around her.
• He stood there with crossed arms, looking angry.
• He used his good arm to support his weight.
• He walked in with a tall blonde on his arm.
• He was running forward, waving his arms.
• Her arms tightened convulsively around the child.
• Her arms were resting on the table.
• His arm hung awkwardly against his side.
• His arms clutched his stomach.
• His arms slid around her.
• I have a sore arm, so I'm afraid I can't help you.
• Kris collapsed into her mother's waiting arms.
• Lucy felt the warm sun on her bare arms.
• She carried the dog under one arm.
• She ducked his flailing arms.
• She folded her arms and stared at him.
• She lay curled up in the crook of his arm.
• She moved closer to her father and took his arm.
• She stood looking at him with arms akimbo.
• The child lay in its mother's arms.
• The couple linked arms and set off along the beach.
• The figure in the boat raised an arm.
• The officer grabbed him by the arm.
• They fell asleep in each other's arms.
• They walked along arm in arm
• They're sure to welcome you with open arms.
• the muscles of the upper arm
• The bank plans to sell part of its US finance arm.
• The report was published by the research arm of the Department of Transport.

Idioms: keep somebody at arm's length ▪ pay an arm and a leg

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

arm / ɑːm / / ɑːrm / noun (BODY PART)

arm in arm

A1 [ C ] either of the two long parts of the upper body that are fixed to the shoulders and have the hands at the end:

My arms ache from carrying this bag.

She put/threw her arms round me and gave me a hug.

He took/held her in his arms (= held her closely) .

Bill arrived at the party with his new girlfriend on his arm (= her hand resting on his arm) .

See picture arm

See picture body

C2 [ C ] The arm of a piece of clothing or furniture is a part of it that you put your arm in or on:

the arm of a jacket

the arm of a chair

See picture arm

arm in arm C2 When two people are arm in arm, they both have one arm bent at the elbow and passing around and supporting, or being supported by, the arm of the other person:

We walked arm in arm along the river bank.

arm / ɑːm / / ɑːrm / noun (BODY PART)

arm in arm

A1 [ C ] either of the two long parts of the upper body that are fixed to the shoulders and have the hands at the end:

My arms ache from carrying this bag.

She put/threw her arms round me and gave me a hug.

He took/held her in his arms (= held her closely) .

Bill arrived at the party with his new girlfriend on his arm (= her hand resting on his arm) .

See picture arm

See picture body

C2 [ C ] The arm of a piece of clothing or furniture is a part of it that you put your arm in or on:

the arm of a jacket

the arm of a chair

See picture arm

arm in arm C2 When two people are arm in arm, they both have one arm bent at the elbow and passing around and supporting, or being supported by, the arm of the other person:

We walked arm in arm along the river bank.

arm / ɑːm / / ɑːrm / noun [ C ] (OF LAND/WATER)

An arm of land or water is a long, thin part of it that is joined to a larger area.

arm / ɑːm / / ɑːrm / noun [ C ] (OF ORGANIZATION)

An arm of an organization is a part of it that is responsible for a particular activity or place:

The British company is one arm of a large multinational.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

arm

I. PART OF YOUR BODY OR OF SOMETHING ELSE

/ɑ:(r)m/

(arms)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
Your arms are the two long parts of your body that are attached to your shoulders and that have your hands at the end.
She stretched her arms out...
He had a large parcel under his left arm.
N-COUNT
2.
The arm of a piece of clothing is the part of it that covers your arm.
= sleeve
N-COUNT
3.
The arm of a chair is the part on which you rest your arm when you are sitting down.
N-COUNT
4.
An arm of an object is a long thin part of it that sticks out from the main part.
...the lever arm of the machine.
...the arms of the doctor’s spectacles.
N-COUNT: usu N of n
5.
An arm of land or water is a long thin area of it that is joined to a broader area.
At the end of the other arm of Cardigan Bay is Bardsey Island.
N-COUNT: usu N of n
6.
An arm of an organization is a section of it that operates in a particular country or that deals with a particular activity.
Millicom Holdings is the British arm of an American company.
= wing
N-COUNT: usu sing, usu N of n
7.
If two people are walking arm in arm, they are walking together with their arms linked.
He walked from the court arm in arm with his wife.
PHRASE: usu v PHR, oft PHR with n
8.
If you say that something costs an arm and a leg, you mean that it is very expensive. (INFORMAL)
A week at a health farm can cost an arm and a leg.
PHRASE: PHR after v
9.
If you hold something at arm’s length, you hold it away from your body with your arm straight.
He struck a match, and held it at arm’s length.
PHRASE: usu PHR after v
10.
If you keep someone at arm’s length, you avoid becoming too friendly or involved with them.
She had always kept his family at arm’s length.
PHRASE: V inflects
11.
If you welcome some action or change with open arms, you are very pleased about it. If you welcome a person with open arms, you are very pleased about their arrival.
They would no doubt welcome the action with open arms...
PHRASE: PHR after v [approval]
12.
If you twist someone’s arm, you persuade them to do something. (INFORMAL)
She had twisted his arm to get him to invite her.
PHRASE: V and N inflect

II. WEAPONS

/ɑ:(r)m/

(arms, arming, armed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
Arms are weapons, especially bombs and guns. (FORMAL)
The IRA had extensive supplies of arms.
...arms control.
N-PLURAL: oft N n
2.
If you arm someone with a weapon, you provide them with a weapon.
She’d been so terrified that she had armed herself with a loaded rifle...
Arming the police doesn’t deter crime.
VERB: V n with n, V n
3.
If you arm someone with something that will be useful in a particular situation, you provide them with it.
She thought that if she armed herself with all the knowledge she could gather she could handle anything...
VERB: V n with n
4.
The arms of a city or of a noble family are its coat of arms. Arms is often used in the names of British pubs.
...china painted with the arms of Philippe V.
...his local pub, the Abercorn Arms.
N-PLURAL
5.
see also armed, -armed, coat of arms, comrade-in-arms, small arms
6.
A person’s right to bear arms is their right to own and use guns, as a means of defence.
PHRASE: V inflects
7.
If soldiers lay down their arms, they stop fighting and give up their weapons. (OLD-FASHIONED)
PHRASE: V inflects
8.
If one group or country takes up arms against another, they prepare to attack and fight them.
They threatened to take up arms against the government if their demands were not met.
PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR against n
9.
If people are up in arms about something, they are very angry about it and are protesting strongly against it.
Environmental groups are up in arms about plans to sink an oil well close to Hadrian’s Wall.
PHRASE: usu v-link PHR

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

²arm noun, pl arms
1 [count] : a gun or other weapon that is used especially in a war - usually plural
• The government was selling arms to other countries.
• the right of individuals to carry/bear arms [=firearms]
- often used before another noun
• an arms agreement/deal
• arms shipments
• The United Nations lifted the arms embargo against the country.
- see also arms race, firearm, small arms
2 arms [plural] : coat of arms
• the royal arms of Portugal
call to arms
✦A call to arms is a request or command to become ready to fight.
• The government issued a call to arms. The phrase is also used for something that tries to make people fight for a cause.
• Her book is a political call to arms.
in arms
✦If someone is your brother/sister/comrade in arms, that person has helped you fight an enemy especially in a war.
• He and I were brothers in arms. [=we fought in a war together]
lay down your arms : to put down your weapons and stop fighting
• The soldiers refused to lay down their arms.
present arms military
- used as a command to hold your rifle so that it points straight up in front of you as a sign of respect;
take up arms : to pick up weapons and become ready to fight
• They took up arms to defend their city.
• The rebels are taking up arms against their own government.
under arms : serving in the military
• the number of Americans now under arms around the world
up in arms : angry and ready to fight or argue
• Voters were up in arms over the new taxes.

- compare ¹arm

¹arm /ˈɑɚm/ noun, pl arms [count]
1 : either one of the two long body parts that join the top of your body at the shoulder and that end at the hand or wrist
• He has big, strong, muscular arms.
• She broke her left arm. = Her left arm was/got broken.
• He hurt his throwing/pitching arm [=the arm that he uses to throw/pitch a ball] in the last game.
• She put/threw her arms around him. [=she hugged him]
• She had a newspaper tucked under her arm.
• He was carrying a bag of groceries in each arm.
• He gave/offered his arm to her, and she took it. [=she held onto his arm]
• She grabbed my arm. = She grabbed me by the arm.
• He was standing there with his arms crossed/folded.
• She stood with her arms outstretched. = She stood with her arms wide open.
• She sat cradling the baby in her arms.
• I've known her since she was a babe in arms. [=a baby who is too young to walk and has to be held]
• He took her in/into his arms [=he embraced her] and kissed her passionately.
• She found him in the arms of [=being embraced by] another woman.
• He showed up at the party with a young woman on his arm. [=holding his arm]
• He took her (by the) arm and they walked in to dinner.
- see picture at human
2 : the part of a piece of clothing (such as a shirt or coat) that covers the arm : sleeve
• The jacket's arms are too tight. = The jacket is too tight in the arms.
3 : a part of a piece of furniture (such as a chair or couch) that gives support for a person's arm
• the arm of the sofa
- see also ¹armchair
4 a : a long thin piece that is connected to the main part of a machine, structure, etc., and that looks or moves like a human arm
• the robot's mechanical arm
• the machine's robotic arm
• the arm of the record player
b : a long and narrow area of water
• an arm of the sea
5 : the part of a group or organization that performs a specific job or function - usually singular
• the organization's political arm [=the part of the organization that deals with politics]
• It is the most powerful arm [=division] of the organization.
• the military arm of the government
6 US sports : a person's ability to throw a ball - usually singular
• Their pitcher's got a great arm.
• a strong/weak arm
an arm and a leg informal : a very large amount of money
• It's a reliable car, and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. [=it isn't too expensive]
arm in arm : next to each other with the arm of one person linked at the elbow to the arm of another person
• an elderly couple walking down the street arm in arm
a shot in the arm
- see ¹shot
as long as someone's arm
- see ¹long
at arm's length : from a distance that is the length of a person's arm
• It's best to view the painting at arm's length.
• holding a candle at arm's length
✦To keep someone or something at arm's length is to avoid being very close to or friendly with someone or something.
• Since going to college, he has kept his old friends at arm's length.
• They no longer trust her and are keeping her at arm's length.
• The government has kept the group at arm's length until now.
chance your arm
- see ²chance
give your right arm
- see ¹give
the long arm of the law : the ability of the police to find and catch people who commit crimes
• The long arm of the law finally caught up with him [=the police caught him] 30 years later.
• So far, she's been able to escape the long arm of the law.
twist someone's arm
- see ¹twist
with open arms : in a very kind and friendly way
• We were welcomed back with open arms.

neck

neck [noun] (BODY PART)

/nek/

Example:

Camels have long necks.

The part of the body that joins the head to the shoulders

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

Camels have long necks.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Level:

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

neck

noun

1 the part of your body between your shoulders and your head:
Helen wore a thick scarf round her neck.

2 the part of a piece of clothing that goes round your neck:
The neck's too tight.

3 the thin part at the top of a bottle

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

neck

I. neck¹ S2 W2 /nek/ BrE AmE noun
[Language: Old English; Origin: hnecca]
1. PART OF THE BODY [countable] the part of your body that joins your head to your shoulders, or the same part of an animal or bird
around sb’s neck
Jean wore a string of pearls around her neck.
Mike rubbed the back of his neck.
You have a lot of tension in your neck muscles.
He patted his horse’s neck.
She had a mass of golden hair, which she wore in a coil at the nape (=back) of her neck.
The dog picked up the puppy and carried it by the scruff (=back) of the neck into the house.
2. CLOTHING [countable] the part of a piece of clothing that goes around your neck
neck of
The neck of his shirt was open.
The sweater has a round neck and long sleeves.
V-necked/open-necked etc
a navy V-necked sweater ⇨ ↑crew neck, ↑polo neck, ↑scoop neck, ↑turtleneck, ↑V-neck
3. NARROW PART [countable] the narrow part of something, usually at the top
neck of
Lara put the cork back in the neck of the bottle.
a crack in the neck of the violin
4. be up to your neck in something
a) to be very busy with something:
She’s up to her neck in work.
b) to be in a difficult situation that is hard to escape from:
Jim’s up to his neck in debt.
5. neck and neck (with somebody) informal if two competitors or groups are neck and neck in a competition or race, they are level with each other:
Opinion polls show the two main parties are running neck and neck.
6. in this/sb’s neck of the woods informal in a particular area or part of the country:
I haven’t been in this neck of the woods for years.
7. get it in the neck British English spoken to be punished or criticized:
If we don’t make some changes we’ll all get it in the neck.
8. by a neck informal if a race, especially a horse race, is won by a neck, the winner is only a very short distance in front:
Our horse won by a neck.
9. ATTITUDE [uncountable] (also brass neck) British English informal a confident attitude that makes you able to do unreasonable or shocking things without feeling embarrassed SYN nerve, cheek:
I don't know how they have the neck to charge that much!
10. LAND [countable] a narrow piece of land that comes out of a wider part:
a neck of land between a lake and the sea
11. (hang) around your neck if something hangs around your neck, it keeps causing you problems ⇨ be breathing down sb’s neck at ↑breathe(5), ⇨ I’ll wring sb’s neck at ↑wring(6), ⇨ pain in the neck at ↑pain¹(3), ⇨ risk your neck at ↑risk²(1), ⇨ save sb’s neck at ↑save¹(11), ⇨ stick your neck out at ↑stick out(3)

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

neck

neck [neck necks necked necking] noun, verb [nek] [nek]

noun

1. countable the part of the body between the head and the shoulders
• He tied a scarf around his neck.
• I woke up with a stiff neck.
• Giraffes have very long necks.
• She craned (= stretched) her neck to get a better view.
• He broke his neck in the fall.
• Somebody's going to break their neck (= injure themselves) on these steps.

2. countable the part of a piece of clothing that fits around the neck
• What neck size do you take?

see also crew neck, polo neck, turtleneck, V-neck

3. -necked (in adjectives) having the type of neck mentioned
• a round-necked sweater

see also open-necked, stiff-necked

4. countable ~ (of sth) a long narrow part of sth
• the neck of a bottle

• a neck of land

5. uncountable ~ (of sth) the neck of an animal, cooked and eaten
• neck of lamb
see also bottleneck, redneck, roughneck
more at put/lay your head/neck on the block at block _n., brass neck/nerve at brass, breathe down sb's neck at breathe, a millstone round your/sb's neck at millstone, a pain in the neck at pain _n., risk your neck at risk _v., save sb's bacon/necksave your (own) skin/hide/neck at save _v., by the scruff of the/your neck at scruff, stick your neck out at stick _v., wring sb's neck at wring
Word Origin:
Old English hnecca ‘back of the neck’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch nek ‘neck’ and German Nacken ‘nape’.
Collocations:
Physical appearance
A person may be described as having:
Eyes
(bright) blue/green/(dark/light) brown/hazel eyes
deep-set/sunken/bulging/protruding eyes
small/beady/sparkling/twinkling/(informal) shifty eyes
piercing/penetrating/steely eyes
bloodshot/watery/puffy eyes
bushy/thick/dark/raised/arched eyebrows
long/dark/thick/curly/false eyelashes/lashes
Face
a flat/bulbous/pointed/sharp/snub nose
a straight/a hooked/a Roman/(formal) an aquiline nose
full/thick/thin/pouty lips
dry/chapped/cracked lips
flushed/rosy/red/ruddy/pale cheeks
soft/chubby/sunken cheeks
white/perfect/crooked/protruding teeth
a large/high/broad/wide/sloping forehead
a strong/weak/pointed/double chin
a long/full/bushy/wispy/goatee beard
a long/thin/bushy/droopy/handlebar/pencil moustache/ (especially US) mustache
Hair and skin
pale/fair/olive/dark/tanned skin
dry/oily/smooth/rough/leathery/wrinkled skin
a dark/pale/light/sallow/ruddy/olive/swarthy/clear complexion
deep/fine/little/facial wrinkles
blonde/blond/fair/(light/dark) brown/(jet-)black/auburn/red/(BrE) ginger/grey hair
straight/curly/wavy/frizzy/spiky hair
thick/thin/fine/bushy/thinning hair
dyed/bleached/soft/silky/dry/greasy/shiny hair
long/short/shoulder-length/cropped hair
a bald/balding/shaved head
a receding hairline
a bald patch/spot
a side/centre/(US) center (BrE) parting/ (NAmE) part
Body
a long/short/thick/slender/(disapproving) scrawny neck
broad/narrow/sloping/rounded/hunched shoulders
a bare/broad/muscular/small/large chest
a flat/swollen/bulging stomach
a small/tiny/narrow/slim/slender/28-inch waist
big/wide/narrow/slim hips
a straight/bent/arched/broad/hairy back
thin/slender/muscular arms
big/large/small/manicured/calloused/gloved hands
long/short/fat/slender/delicate/bony fingers
long/muscular/hairy/shapely/(both informal, often disapproving) skinny/spindly legs
muscular/chubby/(informal, disapproving) flabby thighs
big/little/small/dainty/wide/narrow/bare feet
a good/a slim/a slender/an hourglass figure
be of slim/medium/average/large/athletic/stocky build
Example Bank:
• He was wearing a black V-neck sweater.
• He wore a casual shirt with an open neck.
• He's out to save his own political neck.
• I craned my neck to see what was happening at the front.
• I craned my neck to see what was happening at the head of the queue.
• I cricked my neck playing tennis and now I can't turn round properly.
• I had a crick in my neck from staring up at the sky so long.
• I keep the key on a string around my neck.
• I'm not going to risk my neck playing rugby with you!
• She's been wearing a neck brace since her car crash.
• The cat picked up her kitten by the scruff of its neck.
• The hairs on the back of my neck prickled with fear.
• The veins in his neck stood out like knotted rope.
• When he was late again I wanted to wring his neck.
• the narrow neck of land between the lake and the sea

Idioms: by a neck ▪ get it in the neck ▪ neck and neck ▪ neck of the woods ▪ up to your neck in something

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

neck / nek / noun [ C ] (BODY PART)

A2 the part of the body that joins the head to the shoulders:

He had the thickest neck I'd ever seen.

She wore a gold chain around her neck.

See picture neck

See picture body

C2 the part of a piece of clothing that goes around a person's neck:

This sweater's too tight at the neck.

He wasn't wearing a tie and his shirt was open at the neck.

a low-neck dress

See picture neck

neck / nek / noun [ C ] (TOP PART)

part of a hollow object that is at the top and is narrower than the part below it:

the neck of a bottle/guitar

→ See also bottleneck , halterneck , redneck , roughneck , turtleneck

See picture neck

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

neck

/nek/
(necks, necking, necked)

Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.

1.
Your neck is the part of your body which joins your head to the rest of your body.
She threw her arms round his neck and hugged him warmly...
He was short and stocky, and had a thick neck.
N-COUNT: usu poss N

2.
The neck of an article of clothing such as a shirt, dress, or sweater is the part which surrounds your neck.
...the low, ruffled neck of her blouse...
He wore a blue shirt open at the neck.
N-COUNT: usu sing

3.
The neck of something such as a bottle or a guitar is the long narrow part at one end of it.
Catherine gripped the broken neck of the bottle.
N-COUNT: usu the N of n

4.
If two people are necking, they are kissing each other in a sexual way. (INFORMAL)
They sat talking and necking in the car for another ten minutes...
I found myself behind a curtain, necking with my best friend’s wife.
= snog
V-RECIP: usu cont, pl-n V, V with n, also V n (non-recip)

5.
If you say that someone is breathing down your neck, you mean that they are watching you very closely and checking everything you do.
Most farmers have bank managers breathing down their necks.
PHRASE: V and N inflect

6.
In a competition, especially an election, if two or more competitors are neck and neck, they are level with each other and have an equal chance of winning.
The latest polls indicate that the two main parties are neck and neck...
The party is running neck-and-neck with Labour.
PHRASE: usu v-link PHR, oft PHR with n

7.
If you say that someone is risking their neck, you mean they are doing something very dangerous, often in order to achieve something.
I won’t have him risking his neck on that motorcycle.
PHRASE: V and N inflect

8.
If you stick your neck out, you bravely say or do something that might be criticized or might turn out to be wrong. (INFORMAL)
During my political life I’ve earned myself a reputation as someone who’ll stick his neck out, a bit of a rebel.
PHRASE: V and N inflect

9.
If you say that someone is in some sort of trouble or criminal activity up to their neck, you mean that they are deeply involved in it. (INFORMAL)
He is probably up to his neck in debt.
PHRASE: N inflects

10.
Someone or something that is from your neck of the woods is from the same part of the country as you are. (INFORMAL)
It’s so good to see you. What brings you to this neck of the woods?
PHRASE: usu in PHR

11.
to have a millstone round your neck: see millstone
the scruff of your neck: see scruff

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹neck /ˈnɛk/ noun, pl necks [count]
1 : the part of the body between the head and the shoulders
• She craned/stretched her neck to see what was going on.
• A giraffe is an animal with a very long neck.
• He broke his neck in the accident.
• Stop jumping on the bed. You're going to break your neck. [=you're going to hurt yourself]
- see picture at human
2 : the part of a piece of clothing that fits around your neck
• He likes T-shirts with round necks.
- see also crew neck, polo neck, scoop neck, turtleneck, v-neck
3 : a long and narrow part of something : a part that is shaped like a neck
• He grabbed the neck of the bottle.
• a neck of land [=a narrow stretch of land]
• a guitar's neck
breathe down someone's neck
- see breathe
dead from the neck up
- see ¹dead
get it in the neck Brit informal : to be severely punished or criticized
• He really got it in the neck for not finishing the job on time.
neck and neck : extremely close together in a race or contest
• The two candidates for president were neck and neck in the election.
• The two horses were running neck and neck to the finish line.
neck of the woods informal : the place or area where someone lives
• He's from my neck of the woods. [=he's from the area where I live]
• How is the weather in your neck of the woods?
risk your neck : to do something that puts you in danger of serious injury or death
• I would never risk my neck on a sport like skydiving.
• News reporters often risk their necks by working in war zones.
save someone's neck
- see ¹save
stick your neck out : to do or say something you think is important even though it may have bad results
• He's not afraid to stick his neck out to help people he thinks are being mistreated.
• I respect my boss because she will stick her neck out against unfair policies.
up to your neck in : deeply involved in or affected by (something)
• She's up to her neck in work. [=she's very busy]
• He's up to his neck in debt.
wring someone's neck

ankle

ankle [noun] (BODY PART)

/ˈæŋ.kəl/

Example:

Parvin fell and sprained her ankle.

The joint (= place where two bones are connected) between the foot and the leg, or the thin part of the leg just above the foot

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

Parvin fell and sprained her ankle.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Level:

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

ankle

noun
the part of your leg where it joins your foot

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

ankle

an‧kle /ˈæŋkəl/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Language: Old English; Origin: ancleow]
1. the joint between your foot and your leg
break/twist/sprain your ankle
Janet slipped on the stairs and twisted her ankle.
slender ankles
2. ankle socks/boots socks or boots that only come up to your ankle

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

ankle

ankle [ankle ankles] [ˈæŋkl] [ˈæŋkl] noun
the joint connecting the foot to the leg
• to sprain/break your ankle
• My ankles have swollen.
• We found ourselves ankle-deep in water (= the water came up to our ankles).
• ankle boots (= that cover the ankle)

Word Origin:
Old English ancleow, of Germanic origin; superseded in Middle English by forms from Old Norse; related to Dutch enkel and German Enkel, from an Indo-European root shared by the noun angle.
Example Bank:
• I had a broken ankle.
• She has long legs and slender ankles.

• We waded through the river, ankle deep in mud.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

ankle / ˈæŋ.kl̩ / noun [ C ]

B1 the joint (= place where two bones are connected) between the foot and the leg, or the thin part of the leg just above the foot:

I fell over and sprained/twisted my ankle.

See picture foot

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

ankle

/æŋk(ə)l/
(ankles)

Your ankle is the joint where your foot joins your leg.
John twisted his ankle badly.

N-COUNT: usu poss N

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

ankle

an·kle /ˈæŋkəl/ noun, pl an·kles [count] : the joint where the foot joins the leg
• I hurt/twisted/sprained/broke my ankle.
• ankle boots [=boots that cover only the foot and ankle]

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