American English

living room

ˈliving room BrE AmE noun [countable]
the main room in a house where people relax, watch television etc SYN lounge

bathroom

bath‧room S2 W3 /ˈbɑːθrʊm, -ruːm $ ˈbæθ-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
1. a room where there is a bath or ↑shower, a ↑basin, and sometimes a toilet
2. American English a room where there is a toilet:
Where’s the bathroom?
I really need to go to the bathroom (=use a toilet).
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ toilet British English a room with a toilet in it, in someone’s house or in a public place: He locked himself in the toilet. | the public toilets
▪ bathroom a room with a toilet in it, in someone’s house. In British English, bathroom is used especially when you want to be polite. In American English, it is the usual word to use: He asked to use the bathroom.
▪ restroom American English a room in a public place that has one or more toilets in it: She went into the store to use the restroom.
▪ lavatory formal a room with a toilet in it. In American English lavatory is used mainly for toilets in a public building or on a plane. In British English it is used both about public toilets and toilets in people’s houses: public lavatories | He didn’t have time to visit the lavatory.
▪ loo British English informal, john American English informal a room with a toilet in it. Loo is very common in everyday spoken British English: ‘Where’s Chris?’ ‘He’s in the loo.’ | Can I use your loo? | Where’s the john?
▪ bog British English informal a very informal word for a toilet, which is not considered polite: The nearest bog was miles away.
▪ the ladies British English, the ladies’ room American English a public toilet for women: Where’s the ladies? | I need to go to the ladies’ room.
▪ the gents British English, the men’s room American English a public toilet for men: I followed him into the gents. | I’ve got to go to the men’s room. Excuse me.
▪ latrine an outdoor toilet in a camp or military area: The latrines were in a shocking state.
▪ urinal a type of toilet for men that is attached to a wall: He was standing at the urinal.
▪ potty a bowl that babies use as a toilet: Does he need his potty?
▪ commode a chair with a bowl in it, used as a toilet, especially in hospitals and homes for old people: She has to use a commode.
▪ bedpan a container which is used as a toilet, especially in hospitals by people who are too ill or weak to get out of bed: I had to change the bedpans.

apartment

a‧part‧ment S2 W3 /əˈpɑːtmənt $ -ɑːr-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: appartement, from Italian appartamento, from appartare 'to put aside, separate']
1. especially American English a set of rooms on one floor of a large building, where someone lives SYN flat British English:
She lives in a small apartment.
2. [usually plural] a room or set of rooms used by an important person such as a president:
I had never been in the prince’s private apartments before.
the presidential apartments
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + apartment
▪ a one-bedroom/two-bedroom etc apartment (also one-bedroomed/two-bedroomed apartment British English) A tiny one-bedroom apartment was all she could afford.
▪ a studio apartment (=with just one main room, which you use for sleeping, cooking, and eating) Studio apartments can be a good option for those who want a cheap place in a good location.
▪ a first-floor/second-floor etc apartment We had a fourth-floor apartment, and it was difficult going up and down all those stairs.
▪ a basement apartment (=below the level of the ground) a dark basement apartment
▪ a penthouse apartment (=on the top floor of a building) She bought a penthouse apartment in Santa Monica.
▪ a luxury apartment The school has been converted into luxury apartments.
▪ a furnished/unfurnished apartment (=with or without furniture) a luxurious two-bedroomed unfurnished apartment situated in the heart of town
▪ a holiday apartment British English, a vacation apartment American English We rented a holiday apartment on Mallorca.
■ verbs
▪ live in an apartment He lived in a small apartment on the third floor.
▪ buy/rent an apartment Tom rented an apartment at the top of the building.
▪ share an apartment I’m sharing the apartment with a group of friends.
▪ own an apartment My parents own an apartment in Madrid.
▪ move into/out of an apartment (=start living in a new apartment, or leave an apartment in order to live somewhere else) They moved into the apartment last Easter.
■ NOUN + apartment
▪ an apartment building (also an apartment block British English, apartment house American English) a five-storey apartment block | Our apartment building is the last block on the right, opposite the bank.
▪ an apartment complex (=a group of buildings containing apartments)
• • •
THESAURUS
■ an apartment
▪ apartment especially American English, flat British English a set of rooms where someone lives that is part of a house or bigger building. In British English, people usually say flat. Apartment is used about large and expensive flats, or in advertisements: His apartment is on the eighth floor. | In London, I shared a flat with some other students.
▪ condominium (also condo informal) American English one apartment in a building with several apartments, owned by the people who live in them: a 10-unit condominium complex

house
II. house¹ S1 W1 /haʊs/ BrE AmE noun (plural houses /ˈhaʊzəz, ˈhaʊzɪz/)
[Language: Old English; Origin: hus]

1. WHERE SOMEONE LIVES [countable]
a) a building that someone lives in, especially one that has more than one level and is intended to be used by one family:
a four-bedroom house
in a house
every room in the house
at sb’s house
We met at Alison’s house.
Why don’t you all come over to our house for coffee?
move house British English (=leave your house and go to live in another one)
b) the house all the people who live in a house SYN household:
He gets up at six and disturbs the whole house.
2. BUILDING
a) opera/court/movie etc house a large public building used for a particular purpose
b) House British English used in the names of large buildings, especially offices:
the BBC television studios at Broadcasting House
c) hen house/coach house/storehouse etc a building used for a particular purpose
3. GOVERNMENT [countable] a group of people who make the laws of a country:
The president will address both houses of Congress.
the House of Commons/Lords/Representatives/Assembly
the speaker of the house ⇨ ↑Lower House, ↑Upper House
4. COMPANY [countable] a company, especially one involved in a particular area of business:
America’s oldest publishing house
a small independent software house
an auction house
a famous Italian fashion house
5. THEATRE [countable]
a) the part of a theatre, cinema etc where people sit OPP backstage:
The show has been playing to full houses.
The house was half empty.
The house lights went down and the music started.
b) the people who have come to watch a performance SYN audience
full/packed/empty house (=a large or small audience)
The show has been playing to packed houses since it opened.
6. in house if you work in house, you work at the offices of a company or organization, not at home ⇨ ↑in-house
7. put/set/get your (own) house in order used to say that someone should improve the way they behave before criticizing other people
8. bring the house down to make a lot of people laugh, especially when you are acting in a theatre
9. be on the house if drinks or meals are on the house, you do not have to pay for them because they are provided free by the owner of the bar, restaurant etc
10. house wine (also house red/white) ordinary wine that is provided by a restaurant to be drunk with meals:
A glass of house red, please.
11. get on/along like a house on fire British English informal to quickly have a very friendly relationship
12. set up house to start to live in a house, especially with another person:
The two of them set up house in Brighton.
13. keep house to regularly do all the cleaning, cooking etc in a house:
His daughter keeps house for him.
14. SCHOOL [countable] British English in some schools, one of the groups that children of different ages are divided into to compete against each other, for example in sports competitions
15. ROYAL FAMILY [countable] an important family, especially a royal family:
the House of Windsor
16. MUSIC [uncountable] ↑house music
17. house of God/worship literary a church
18. this house formal used to mean the people who are voting in a formal ↑debate when you are stating the proposal that is being discussed ⇨ DOLL’S HOUSE, ⇨ eat somebody out of house and home at ↑eat(10), ⇨ ↑open house, ↑public house, ⇨ (as) safe as houses at ↑safe¹(5)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ live in a house They live in a really big house in Hampstead.
▪ buy a house We bought this house when Liam was just a baby.
▪ rent a house While he was working in London, Ken rented a house in Fulham.
▪ sell a house We decided to sell the house and move back to Seattle.
▪ put your house on the market (=make it available for people to buy) They put the house on the market and began looking for an apartment.
▪ move into/out of a house We’re moving into our new house next week.
▪ build a house They’re building a house on land overlooking Galway Bay.
▪ put up a house (=build a house, especially when it seems very quick) I think they’ve ruined the village by putting up these new houses.
▪ renovate a house (=repair a house so that it is in good condition again) He makes money by renovating old houses and selling them on.
▪ decorate a house (=put paint or wallpaper on the inside walls of a house) If we’re going to decorate the house, let’s get professionals in.
▪ do up a house informal (=decorate it) We’ve been doing up the house bit by bit since we first moved in.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + house
▪ a private house (=one owned by someone) It was a residential neighborhood of private houses.
▪ a rented house (=one owned by someone who rents it to people) She shares a rented house with three other students.
▪ a council house British English (=one owned by a local council that people can rent cheaply) The rent rise is a blow to council house tenants.
▪ a Georgian/Victorian/Edwardian etc house (=a house in Britain that was built during the reign of a particular king or queen ) They live in a lovely old Edwardian house with high ceilings.
■ house + NOUN
▪ house prices House prices have tripled over the last ten years.
▪ a house owner All house owners must pay council tax.
▪ a house purchase A solicitor can help you with the legal aspects of a house purchase.
▪ house hunting (=the activity of looking at houses that you might buy) Have you had any success with your house hunting?
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ house a building that someone lives in, especially one that is intended for one family, person, or couple to live in: Annie and Rick have just bought their first house. | The price of houses is going up all the time.
▪ detached house British English a house that is not joined to another house: a detached four-bedroomed house
▪ semi-detached house British English a house that is joined to another house on one side
▪ terraced house British English, row house American English one of a row of houses that are joined together
▪ townhouse one of a row of houses that are joined together. In British English, townhouse is often used about a large and impressive house in a fashionable area of a city: an 18th-century townhouse in Bath
▪ cottage a small house in the country – used especially about houses in the UK: a little cottage in the country | a thatched cottage (=with a roof made of straw)
▪ bungalow a small house that is all on one level: Bungalows are suitable for many elderly people.
▪ country house a large house in the countryside, especially one that is of historical interest: The hotel was originally an Edwardian country house.
▪ mansion a very large house: the family’s Beverly Hills mansion
▪ mobile home (also trailer American English) a type of house that can be pulled by a large vehicle and moved to another place
▪ ranch house American English a long narrow house that is all on one level: a California ranch house
▪ duplex American English a house that is divided into two separate homes
■ an apartment
▪ apartment especially American English, flat British English a set of rooms where someone lives that is part of a house or bigger building. In British English, people usually say flat. Apartment is used about large and expensive flats, or in advertisements: His apartment is on the eighth floor. | In London, I shared a flat with some other students.
▪ condominium (also condo informal) American English one apartment in a building with several apartments, owned by the people who live in them: a 10-unit condominium complex
■ a group of houses
▪ development a group of new houses or other buildings that are all planned and built together on the same piece of land: The site is to be used for a new housing development.
▪ estate British English an area where a large group of houses have all been built together at the same time: She grew up on a council estate in Leeds.

long

I. long¹ S1 W1 /lɒŋ $ lɒːŋ/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative longer, superlative longest)
[Language: Old English; Origin: long, lang]
1. GREAT LENGTH measuring a great length from one end to the other OPP short:
a long table
long hair
the longest tunnel in the world
He stretched out his long legs.
a long line of people
2. GREAT DISTANCE continuing or travelling a great distance from one place to another OPP short:
a long distance
Springfield is a long way from Chicago.
Liz lives in Cheltenham, which is a long way away.
long journey/walk/flight/drive etc (=a journey etc over a large distance that takes a lot of time)
It’s a long walk to the shops from here.
3. LARGE AMOUNT OF TIME continuing for a large amount of time, or for a larger amount of time than usual OPP short:
a long period of time
a long history of success
He has a long memory.
(for) a long time/while
He’s been gone a long time.
I haven’t been there for a long while.
It took a long time to get everything ready.
She died a long time ago.
long silence/pause/delay etc
There was a long silence before anybody spoke.
She’s recovering from a long illness.
Doctors often work long hours (=work for more time than is usual).
the longest time American English spoken (=a very long time)
It took me the longest time to figure out how to open the windows.
4. PARTICULAR LENGTH/DISTANCE/TIME used to talk or ask about a particular length, distance, or time:
How long is your garden?
How long is the film?
The cable is not quite long enough.
two metres/three miles etc long
The bridge is 140 feet long.
two hours/three days etc long
The speech was twenty minutes long.
5. WRITING containing a lot of words, letters, names, or pages OPP short:
a long novel
a long list
He has a very long name.
He owes money to a list of people as long as your arm (=a very long list).
6. CLOTHING covering all of your arms or legs OPP short:
a long dress
a long-sleeved shirt
7. TIRING/BORING spoken making you feel tired or bored:
It’s been a long day.
8. VOWEL technical a long vowel in a word is pronounced for a longer time than a short vowel with the same sound OPP short
9. how long is a piece of string? British English spoken used when there is no definite answer to a question:
‘How long will it take to finish the project?’ ‘How long is a piece of string?’
10. the long and (the) short of it spoken used when you are telling someone the most important facts about something rather than all the details:
The long and the short of it is that we missed the train.
11. the long arm of somebody/something written the power of someone or something that has authority, especially to catch and punish someone:
He won’t escape the long arm of the law.
12. long face a sad or disappointed expression on someone’s face
13. long in the tooth informal too old – used humorously:
I’m getting a bit long in the tooth for this sort of thing.
14. not long for this world literary likely to die or stop existing soon
15. long on something having a lot of a quality:
He was short on patience, but long on a sense of his own worth.
16. long odds if there are long odds against something happening, it is very unlikely that it will happen
17. in the long run/term used when talking about what will happen at a later time or when something is finished:
All our hard work will be worth it in the long run.
18. long shot someone or something with very little chance of success:
Chelsea are a 20–1 long shot to win the championship.
19. long time no see spoken used humorously to say hello when you have not seen someone for a long time
20. take the long view (of something) to think about the effect that something will have in the future rather than what happens now
21. a long way very much, far, or a great amount or degree:
We’re still a long way from achieving our sales targets.
Psychiatry has come a long way (=developed a lot) since the 1920s.
Your contributions will go a long way towards helping children in need (=will help to reach a goal).
by a long way/shot informal also by a long chalk )British English (=used when something is much better, quicker, cheaper etc)
It was his best performance this year, by a long way.
not by a long way/shot informal also not by a long chalk )British English (=not at all or not nearly)
He had not told Rory everything, not by a long shot.
22. long weekend three or more days, including Saturday and Sunday, when you do not have to go to work or school
⇨ at (long) last at ↑last³(2), ⇨ it’s a long story at ↑story(10), ⇨ cut/make a long story short at ↑story(11), ⇨ a little (of something) goes a long way at ↑little²(5), ⇨ have a long way to go at ↑way¹(19)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ long continuing for a long time: The film was very long. | There has been a long period without rain.
▪ lengthy continuing for a long time, especially longer than you want or expect: Drivers face lengthy delays on all roads out of the city. | Police are going through the lengthy process of re-examining all the evidence. | He faces a lengthy prison sentence.
▪ long-running [only before noun] continuing for a long time - used especially about disputes, campaigns, or shows: He has been involved in a long-running dispute with his neighbour. | The programme is one of the longest-running series on television. | a long-running campaign to prevent the airport from being built
▪ long-lasting continuing for a long time – used especially about effects or relationships: Stress can have long-lasting effects. | While at the school, she made many long-lasting friendships.
▪ protracted formal continuing for a long time, especially an unusually long time: Despite protracted negotiations, they were unable to reach an agreement. | The couple have been involved in a protracted battle for custody of their children.
▪ prolonged continuing for a long time, especially longer than expected, or longer in a way that makes a situation worse: He returned to work after a prolonged absence. | Studies have linked prolonged use of the drug to cancer. | a prolonged period of economic decline
▪ extended [only before noun] continuing for a long time - used especially about visits, trips, breaks etc that last longer than was planned: an extended stay in hospital | He took an extended break from work after his father died. | She didn’t like being away from home for extended periods.
▪ lasting [only before noun] strong enough or great enough to continue for a long time: The negotiations were aimed at achieving a lasting peace. | This affair has done lasting damage to the President’s credibility. | The book left a lasting impression on me.
▪ enduring continuing for a long time – used especially about memories, influences, or feelings of liking someone or something: One of my most enduring memories is of going on holiday to France with my parents. | the enduring appeal of Conan Doyle's stories | his enduring love for Ireland
▪ marathon [only before noun] continuing for a very long time and needing a lot of energy, patience, or determination: It was a marathon session of talks which continued until 3 am. | He arrived after a marathon journey across Europe.
■ too long
▪ long-winded continuing for too long - used about speeches, answers, explanations etc: a very long-winded answer to a simple question | He gave a long-winded speech about the company's vision for the future.
▪ interminable very long and boring: They faced an interminable wait in the departure lounge of the airport. | The journey seemed interminable.
▪ long-drawn-out [only before noun] used about a process that continues for much too long: The news heightened expectations that the long-drawn-out investigation might be coming to a close.

cheap

I. cheap¹ S1 W2 /tʃiːp/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative cheaper, superlative cheapest)
[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: good cheap 'at a good price, cheaply', from cheap 'trade, price' (11-18 centuries), from Old English ceap]
1. LOW PRICE not at all expensive, or lower in price than you expected OPP expensive:
cheap rail fares
the cheapest TV on the market
Property is cheaper in Spain than here.
a cheap shop (=one that sells goods cheaply)
The equipment is relatively cheap and simple to use.
This coat was dirt cheap (= very cheap - an informal expression)
cheap and cheerful British English (=simple and not expensive, but of reasonable quality)
a cheap and cheerful Italian restaurant
2. BAD QUALITY low in price and quality:
Cheap wine gives me a headache.
cheap jewellery
The furniture looked cheap and nasty.
a cheap imitation of the real thing
3. NOT EXPENSIVE TO USE not costing much to use or to employ SYN inexpensive
cheap to run/use/maintain etc
Gas appliances are usually cheaper to run than electric ones.
For the employer, a part-time workforce means a cheap labour supply.
4. NOT DESERVING RESPECT showing a lack of honesty, moral principles, or sincere feelings, so that you do not deserve respect:
She felt cheap and stupid, like a naughty child caught stealing.
You’re lying, aren’t you? You’re so cheap.
His remark was a cheap shot at short people.
another cheap political stunt
It was nothing but a cheap trick (=unkind trick).
5. NOT GENEROUS American English not liking to spend money SYN mean British English:
She’s too cheap to take a cab.
6. cheap thrill excitement that does not take much effort to get:
Bella will sleep with anyone for a cheap thrill.
7. life is cheap used to say that it is not important if people die
8. cheap at the price/at any price British English, cheap at twice the price so good, useful, or desirable that the cost is not important
—cheaply adverb:
a cheaply furnished room
They lived as cheaply as possible.
—cheapness noun [uncountable]:
the relative cheapness of housing
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ cheap costing very little money, or less than you expected: My shoes were really cheap – they only cost £25. | The cheapest way to get to Chicago is to take the bus. | cheap flights
▪ low low prices, rents, and fees do not cost a lot of money. Do not use cheap with these words: Why is the share price so low? | You could get equally good accommodation elsewhere at a lower rent.
▪ inexpensive especially written not expensive – use this especially about things that are of good quality, even though they do not cost a lot: The furniture is inexpensive, but well made. | a simple inexpensive meal | a hotel that offers air-conditioned rooms at relatively inexpensive prices
▪ reasonable a reasonable price seems fair because it is not too high: The restaurant serves good food at reasonable prices. | Only £25 a night? That sounds reasonable.
▪ economical cheap because you do not need to use a lot of money or fuel: an economical car | It is usually more economical to buy in large quantities.
▪ affordable cheap enough for most people to be able to buy or pay for: affordable housing | Single mothers often have trouble finding affordable childcare. | The shop sells designer fashions at affordable prices.
▪ competitive competitive prices and rates are as low as those charged by other shops or companies: I think you’ll find our prices are extremely competitive. | The hotel offers a high standard of service at very competitive rates.
▪ budget [only before noun] budget flights, airlines, hotels etc have specially low prices: You can get a budget flight to Amsterdam for only £19. | a list of budget hotels for under $50 a night | budget accommodation for families with young children
▪ be good/great value to be worth at least the price you pay for it, so that you feel pleased and think you have spent your money well: The meals at Charlie’s Pizza are really good value. | The holiday is great value for money.
▪ be a bargain informal to be extremely cheap: I got this shirt when I was in Indonesia. It was a real bargain.
■ COLLOCATIONS CHECK
▪ low price/cost/rent/fee/charge
▪ reasonable price/cost
▪ economical car/way/method
▪ affordable accommodation/housing/price
▪ competitive price/rate
▪ budget flight/airline/hotel/accommodation

expensive

ex‧pen‧sive S1 W2 /ɪkˈspensɪv/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑expenditure, ↑expense, expenses; verb: ↑expend; adverb: ↑expensively ≠ ↑inexpensively; adjective: ↑expensive ≠ ↑inexpensive]
costing a lot of money OPP cheap:
the most expensive restaurant in town
Petrol is becoming more and more expensive.
Photography is an expensive hobby.
expensive to buy/run/produce/maintain etc
The house was too big and expensive to run.
For low-income families, children’s safety equipment can be prohibitively expensive (=so expensive that most people cannot afford it).
Employing the wrong builder can be a horribly expensive mistake.
Her husband had expensive tastes (=liked expensive things).
—expensively adverb:
She’s always expensively dressed.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adverbs
▪ quite/fairly expensive The food’s quite expensive, but it’s really nice.
▪ rather/pretty expensive (=more expensive than you expect) I think £1000 for a bed is rather expensive.
▪ very/extremely expensive We ate at a very expensive restaurant.
▪ astronomically/phenomenally expensive (=used to emphasize how expensive something is) Some new medical treatments are phenomenally expensive.
▪ hugely expensive (=extremely expensive, especially when you think something is too expensive) The building is hugely expensive to maintain.
▪ ridiculously/outrageously/horrendously expensive (=extremely expensive, in a way that seems shocking) Room service in the hotel was ridiculously expensive.
▪ extortionately expensive (=extremely expensive, in a way that is not fair or reasonable) Houses in some parts of London are extortionately expensive.
▪ prohibitively expensive formal (=too expensive, with the result that most people cannot afford to buy something) HIV medicines are still prohibitively expensive for sufferers in Africa.
■ verbs
▪ look expensive All of her clothes look very expensive.
▪ prove expensive Their decision could prove expensive.
■ nouns
▪ expensive tastes (=a desire to have things that are very expensive) His wife has very expensive tastes and his kids always want the latest things.
▪ an expensive mistake (=a mistake which results in someone having to spend a lot of money) Choosing the wrong builder turned out to be an expensive mistake.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ expensive costing a lot of money: an expensive car | Apartments in the city are very expensive. | An underground train system is expensive to build.
▪ high costing a lot of money.You use high about rents/fees/prices/costs. Don’t use expensive with these words: Rents are very high in this area. | Lawyers charge high fees. | the high cost of living in Japan
▪ dear [not before noun] British English spoken expensive compared to the usual price: £3.50 seems rather dear for a cup of coffee.
▪ pricey /ˈpraɪsi/ informal expensive: The clothes are beautiful but pricey.
▪ costly expensive in a way that wastes money: Upgrading the system would be very costly. | They were anxious to avoid a costly legal battle.
▪ cost a fortune informal to be very expensive: The necklace must have cost a fortune!
▪ exorbitant /ɪɡˈzɔːbətənt, ɪɡˈzɔːbɪtənt $ -ɔːr-/ much too expensive: Some accountants charge exorbitant fees.
▪ astronomical astronomical prices, costs, and fees are extremely high: the astronomical cost of developing a new spacecraft | the astronomical prices which some people had paid for their seats | The cost of living is astronomical.
▪ overpriced too expensive and not worth the price: The DVDs were vastly overpriced.
▪ somebody can’t afford something someone does not have enough money to buy or do something: Most people can’t afford to send their children to private schools.

tight

I. tight¹ S2 W3 /taɪt/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative tighter, superlative tightest)
[Word Family: adverb: ↑tight, ↑tightly; verb: ↑tighten; noun: ↑tightness; adjective: ↑tight]
[Date: 1400-1500; Origin: thight 'closely packed, solid, thick' (14-19 centuries), probably from a Scandinavian language]
1. CLOTHES tight clothes fit your body very closely, especially in a way that is uncomfortable OPP loose:
tight jeans
My shoes were so tight that I could hardly walk.
The jacket is rather a tight fit (=it fits too tightly).
2. PULLED/STRETCHED FIRMLY string, wire, cloth etc that is tight has been pulled or stretched firmly so that it is straight or cannot move:
The bandage must be tight enough to stop the bleeding.
She tied the rope around the post and pulled it tight.
3. ATTACHED FIRMLY a screw, lid etc that is tight is firmly attached and difficult to move:
Check that the screws are tight.
4. HOLDING SOMETHING FIRMLY a tight hold/grip if you keep or have a tight hold on something, you hold it firmly:
His mother kept a tight hold on his hand.
5. STRICT controlling something very strictly or firmly:
The government is keeping tight control on immigration.
keep a tight grip/hold/rein on something (=control it very firmly)
The former dictator still keeps a tight grip on power.
Anna was determined to keep a tight hold on her feelings.
Security is always tight for the opening day of parliament.
run/keep a tight ship (=manage a company, organization etc strictly and effectively)
6. LITTLE MONEY if money is tight, you do not have enough of it
money is tight/things are tight
Money was tight and he needed a job badly.
As you know, I run the magazine on a pretty tight budget.
7. LITTLE TIME if time is tight, it is difficult for you to do everything you need to do in the time available:
Time is tight, and she has another meeting to go to this afternoon.
We should arrive on time, but it’ll be tight.
As usual, his schedule on Saturday was tight (=he had arranged to do several things in a short time).
I'm working to a very tight deadline (=I have to finish a piece of work very quickly).
8. LITTLE SPACE if space is tight, there is only just enough space to fit something into a place
be a tight squeeze/fit
Six in the car will be a tight squeeze.
9. NOT GENEROUS informal not generous, or trying hard to avoid spending money:
Don’t be so tight!
10. CLOSE TOGETHER placed or standing closely together:
The animal’s body was curled up in a tight little ball.
She wore her hair in a tight bun.
11. CLOSE RELATIONSHIP a tight group of people, countries etc have a close relationship with each other SYN tight-knit:
Together, the young film-makers formed a tight group.
the tight bonds that had grown between them
12. BEND/TURN a tight bend or turn is very curved and turns quickly in another direction:
Danny lost control on a tight bend, and the car ran off the road.
13. CHEST/STOMACH/THROAT if your chest, stomach, or throat feels tight, it feels painful and uncomfortable, because you are ill or worried:
Before she went on stage her chest felt tight and her throat hurt.
14. EXPRESSION/SMILE/VOICE a tight expression, smile, or voice shows that you are annoyed or worried SYN tight-lipped:
‘Look, I’m sorry ...,’ she said, forcing a tight smile.
15. DIFFICULT SITUATION in a tight corner/spot informal in a difficult situation:
He’s a good man to have around if ever you’re in a tight corner.
‘Did something go wrong?’ ‘Let’s just say I got into a bit of a tight spot.’
16. PLAY/PERFORMANCE playing a piece of music or giving a performance very exactly and well, without any pauses or mistakes:
The band gave a really tight performance.
a tight, well-rehearsed production
17. GAME/COMPETITION a tight game, competition etc is one in which the teams, players etc play equally well, and it is not easy to win:
The opening quarter of the game was very tight.
18. DRUNK [not before noun] old-fashioned informal drunk
—tightly adverb:
Marie held the baby tightly in her arms.
—tightness noun [uncountable]
⇨ ↑airtight, ↑watertight
• • •
THESAURUS
■ rule/law/system
▪ strict a strict order or rule is one that must be obeyed: There are strict rules about keeping tax records. | He had strict instructions to return the key to me.
▪ tight tight controls or limits are very strict about what is allowed and what is not allowed: The report recommends tighter controls on the advertising of alcohol. | There are tight regulations governing waste disposal.
▪ tough tough laws or rules are very strict: They want tougher laws against drinking and driving. | The federal government is introducing tough new rules on immigration.
▪ harsh harsh punishments or laws are very severe, often too severe: There are harsh penalties for drug trafficking. | The government has brought in harsh measures to combat the rioting taking place in many cities.
▪ stringent controlling what people can do with rules that have very high standards: There are now stringent controls on pollution from all power stations. | stringent new food safety regulations

clean

I. clean¹ S2 W2 /kliːn/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative cleaner, superlative cleanest)
[Word Family: noun: ↑cleaner, ↑cleaning, ↑cleanliness, ↑clean, ↑cleanser; verb: ↑clean, ↑cleanse; adverb: ↑clean, ↑cleanly; adjective: ↑clean ≠ ↑unclean]
[Language: Old English; Origin: clæne]
1. NOT DIRTY without any dirt, marks etc OPP dirty:
Are your hands clean?
clean towels
Make sure you keep the wound clean.
Wipe that sink clean when you’re done.
As usual, she left her room clean and tidy before going to school.
a spotlessly clean kitchen
I want you to get those plates as clean as a whistle.
2. PEOPLE/ANIMALS having a clean appearance and habits:
Cats are naturally clean.
3. ENVIRONMENT containing or producing nothing that is dirty or harmful ⇨ cleanly
clean air/water/energy etc
the Clean Air Act
cleaner fuels
4. FAIR OR LEGAL
a) done in a fair or legal way OPP dirty:
a clean fight
b) showing that you have followed the rules:
a clean driving licence
He’s got a clean record.
c) [not before noun] informal not hiding any weapons or illegal drugs:
They searched him, but he was clean.
d) [not before noun] no longer taking illegal drugs:
Dave’s been clean for two years now.
5. NOT OFFENSIVE talk, jokes, behaviour etc that are clean are not offensive or about sex OPP dirty:
Oh, don’t get mad – it’s just good clean fun!
Keep it clean (=do not offend people with what you say).
clean living (=a way of life which is healthy and moral)
6. come clean informal to finally tell the truth about something you have been hiding
come clean about
The government should come clean about its plans.
7. make a clean breast of it to admit that you have done something wrong so that you no longer feel guilty
8. a clean break
a complete and sudden separation from a person, organization, or situation:
Den left the next day, needing to make a clean break.
9. clean sheet/slate a record of someone’s work, behaviour, performance etc that shows they have not done anything wrong or made any mistakes:
Jed looked forward to starting life again with a clean sheet.
Lewis has kept a clean sheet in every game (=not let the other team score).
10. clean hands if a person, government, organization etc has clean hands, they have done something in a fair or legal way:
Neither side is coming to the negotiating table with completely clean hands.
11. PAPER a piece of paper that is clean has not yet been used SYN fresh
12. SMOOTH having a smooth or regular edge or surface ⇨ cleanly:
a clean cut
Use a clean simple typeface for signs.
13. a clean bill of health a report that says you are healthy or that a machine or building is safe:
Inspectors gave the factory a clean bill of health.
14. a clean sweep
a) a very impressive victory in a competition, election etc
a clean sweep for
All the polls had pointed to a clean sweep for the Democrats.
Hopes that the French would make a clean sweep at the Games were dashed.
b) a complete change in a company or organization, often by removing people
15. TASTE having a fresh pleasant taste:
Add a little lemon juice to give the pasta a cool clean taste.
16. clean copy a piece of writing without mistakes or other marks written on it
17. MOVEMENT a clean movement in sport is skilful and exact:
He steadied his arm, hoping for a clean shot.
—cleanness noun [uncountable]
⇨ ↑clean-cut, ⇨ keep your nose clean at ↑nose¹(9)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ clean clothes He had a shower and changed into clean clothes.
▪ a clean shirt/sheet/towel etc Where are all my clean socks?
▪ clean hands Make sure you have clean hands before you eat.
■ verbs
▪ keep something clean You should always keep your kitchen clean.
▪ wipe something clean (=use a cloth to clean a surface) He started to wipe the blackboard clean.
▪ sweep/scrub something clean (=use a brush to clean something) She quickly swept the floor clean.
▪ leave something clean Please leave the apartment clean when you go.
■ adverbs
▪ spotlessly/scrupulously clean (=very clean) Hospitals must be kept scrupulously clean.
▪ squeaky clean (=completely clean) I like my hair to be squeaky clean.
■ phrases
▪ nice and clean (=clean) Their job is to keep the streets nice and clean.
▪ clean and tidy especially BrE: I insist my children keep their rooms clean and tidy.
▪ neat and clean especially AmE: Her kids were always neat and clean.
▪ clean as a whistle (=very clean) The place was clean as a whistle.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ clean without any dirt or marks: They need clean water to drink. | I don’t have any clean clothes.
▪ pure water or air that is pure does not contain any dirt, pollution, or bacteria: I breathed in the pure mountain air.
▪ sterile /ˈsteraɪl $ -rəl/ completely clean, with no bacteria, and therefore safe for medical or scientific use: Place a sterile bandage on the wound. | sterile needles
▪ spotless completely clean – used mainly about rooms and clothes: Her kitchen is always spotless.
▪ pristine /ˈprɪstiːn/ completely clean and new-looking: He wore a pristine white shirt.
▪ immaculate as clean and tidy as it is possible to be: The soldiers’ uniforms have to be immaculate.
▪ spick and span [not before noun] informal clean and tidy, especially after having just been cleaned: By the end of the day, the whole place was spick and span.