British English

care

care [verb] (WORRY)

to think that something is important and to feel interested in it or upset about it

US /ker/ 
UK /keər/ 
Example: 

She's never cared very much about her appearance.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

care

 verb (cares, caring, cared )
to think that somebody or something is important:
The only thing he cares about is money.
I don't care who wins – I'm not interested in football.

speaking
It is not polite to say I don't care, Who cares? or I couldn't care less. You can say I don't mind instead: Would you like tea or coffee? – I don't mind.

care for somebody to do the things for somebody that they need:
After the accident, her parents cared for her until she was better.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. care2 S1 W2 BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[Word Family: noun: ↑care, ↑carer; adjective: ↑careful ≠ ↑careless, ↑caring ≠ UNCARING; verb: ↑care; adverb: ↑carefully ≠ ↑carelessly]
1. to think that something is important, so that you are interested in it, worried about it etc
care about
The only thing he seems to care about is money.
care what/how/whether etc
She didn’t care what her father thought.
‘He looked angry.’ ‘I don’t care!’
2. to be concerned about what happens to someone, because you like or love them ⇨ caring
care about
I care about him and hate to see him hurt like this.
She felt that nobody cared.
3. who cares? spoken used to say that something does not worry or upset you because it is not important:
It’s rather old and scruffy, but who cares?
4. see if I care! spoken used when you are angry or upset, to say that you do not care about what someone will do:
Go with William, then – see if I care!
5. somebody couldn’t care less spoken used to say that someone does not care at all about something:
I really couldn’t care less what you think!
6. what does somebody care? spoken used to say that someone does not care at all about something:
What do I care? It’s your responsibility now!
7. as if I cared! spoken used to say that something is not important to you at all:
As if I cared whether he comes with us or not!
8. for all somebody cares spoken used when you are angry that someone does not seem concerned about someone or something:
We could be starving for all they care!
9. not care to do something old-fashioned to not like doing something:
She doesn’t care to spend much time with her relatives.
I wouldn’t care to meet him in a dark alley!
I’ve experienced more reorganizations than I care to remember (=a lot of them).
10. any ... you care to name/mention any thing of a particular kind:
Virtually any piece of equipment you care to name can be hired these days.
11. would you care to do something? spoken formal used to ask someone politely whether they want to do something:
Would you care to join us for dinner?
• • •
THESAURUS
take care of somebody (also look after somebody especially British English) to make sure a child or an old or sick person is safe and has the things they need: I have to look after my little brother. | Taking care of a baby is hard work. | She is taking care of her grandmother while her grandfather is in hospital.
care for somebody to take care of someone. Care for somebody is less common and more formal than take care of/look after somebody: He was cared for by a team of nurses. | Caring for an elderly relative can be very rewarding.
nurse to look after someone who is ill: He nursed his wife through a long illness. | The monks nursed him back to health (=looked after him until he was well again).
babysit to look after children in the evening while their parents go out somewhere: I’ll ask Jane to babysit on Wednesday night. | He used to babysit for Mary when she worked nights.
mind British English to look after a child while their parents are not there, especially for a short time: Will you mind the baby while I go to the shop?
care for somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to look after someone who is not able to look after themselves SYN take care of:
He thanked the nurses who had cared for him.
The children are well cared for.
2. to do things that keep something in good condition:
Instructions on caring for your new sofa are included.
3. would you care for something? spoken formal used to ask someone politely if they would like something:
Would you care for another drink?
4. not care for somebody/something formal to not like someone or something:
I don’t much care for his parents.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

verb (not used in the progressive tenses)
1. intransitive, transitive to feel that sth is important and worth worrying about
I don't care (= I will not be upset) if I never see him again!
He threatened to fire me, as if I cared!
~ about sth She cares deeply about environmental issues.
~ what/whether, etc. I don't care what he thinks.

~ that… She doesn't seem to care that he's been married four times before.

2. intransitive ~ (about sb) to like or love sb and worry about what happens to them
• He genuinely cares about his employees.

• They care an awful lot about each other.

3. transitive ~ to do sth to make the effort to do sth
I've done this job more times than I care to remember.
more at not care/give a damn at  damn  n., not care/give a fig at  fig  n., not care/give a hootnot care/give two hoots at  hoot  n., not care/give tuppence for sb/sth at  tuppence 
Verb forms:

 
Word Origin:
Old English caru (noun), carian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Old High German chara ‘grief, lament’, charon ‘grieve’, and Old Norse kǫr ‘sickbed’.  
Thesaurus:
care verb I
I don't care what he thinks!
mind|especially BrE, informal, spoken be bothered
care/mind/be bothered about sth
care/mind/be bothered that…
not care/mind/be bothered what people think
Care or mind? Mind is used in polite questions and answers. When answering a question I don't mind is polite; I don't care is very rude.  
Word Family:
care noun verb
careful adjective (≠ careless)
carefully adverb (≠ carelessly)
caring adjective (≠ uncaring) 
More About:
offers and invitations
Would you like…? is the most usual polite question form for offers and invitations, especially in BrE: Would you like a cup of coffee?
Do you want…? is less formal and more direct. It is more common in NAmE than in BrE: We’re going to a club tonight. Do you want to come with us?
Would you care…? is very formal and now sounds old-fashioned. 
Synonyms:
love
like be fond of sb adore be devoted to sb care for sb dote on sb
These words all mean to have feelings of love or affection for sb.
loveto have strong feelings of affection for sb: I love you.
liketo find sb pleasant and enjoy being with them: She's nice. I like her.
be fond of sbto feel affection for sb, especially sb you have known for a long time: I've always been very fond of your mother.
adoreto love sb very much: It's obvious that she adores him.
be devoted to sbto love sb very much and be loyal to them: They are devoted to their children.
care for sbto love sb, especially in a way that is based on strong affection or a feeling of wanting to protect them, rather than sex: He cared for her more than she realized.
Care for sb is often used when sb has not told anyone about their feelings or is just starting to be aware of them. It is also used when sb wishes that sb loved them, or doubts that sb does: If he really cared for you, he wouldn't behave like that.
dote on sbto feel and show great love for sb, ignoring their faults: He dotes on his children.
to really love/like/adore/care for/dote on sb
to be really/genuinely fond of/devoted to sb
to love/like/care for sb very much  
Example Bank:
He hardly cares what he does any more.
He really cares about the environment.
I don't know which she chose, nor do I greatly care.
I'm past caring what he does.
No one actually cared what I thought.
The information is there for anyone who cares enough to find it.
You genuinely care for him, don't you?
He genuinely cares about his customers.
He threatened to leave me, as if I cared!
I don't care what he thinks!
I don't care if I never see him again!
• She cares passionately about environmental issues.

• She doesn't seem to care that he's been married four times before.

See also: in care of somebody

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

care / keə r /   / ker / verb [ I ] (WORRY)

B1 to think that something is important and to feel interested in it or upset about it:

She's never cared very much about her appearance.

[ + question word ] I really don't care wh ether we go out or not.

I don't care how much it costs, just buy it.

"Was Lorna happy about the arrangements?" "I don't know and I don't care."

Your parents are only doing this because they care about (= love) you.

I couldn't care less C1 informal used to emphasize rudely that you are not interested in or worried about something or someone:

"Mike's really fed up about it." "I couldn't care less."

for all I care informal used to say that you are not interested in or worried about what someone else is doing:

You can go to the match with Paula, for all I care.

as if I care informal used to say that you are not interested in or worried about something that has happened or that someone has said:

He said he didn't approve of what I'd done, as if I cared.

who cares? B2 informal used to emphasize rudely that you do not think something is important:

"It looks as if we are going to lose." "Who cares?".

 

care / keə r /   / ker / verb [ I ] formal (WANT)

used in polite offers and suggestions:

Would you care for a drink?

[ + to infinitive ] Would you care to join us for dinner?

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

care

[ke͟ə(r)]
 
 cares, caring, cared
 1) VERB: no cont If you care about something, you feel that it is important and are concerned about it.
  [V about n] ...a company that cares about the environment.
  [V wh] ...young men who did not care whether they lived or died...
  Does anybody know we're here, does anybody care?
 2) VERB: no cont (approval) If you care for someone, you feel a lot of affection for them.
  [V for/about n] He wanted me to know that he still cared for me.
  [V for/about n] ...people who are your friends, who care about you. [Also V]
  Derived words:
  caring N-UNCOUNT ...the `feminine' traits of caring and compassion.
 3) VERB If you care for someone or something, you look after them and keep them in a good state or condition.
  [V for n] They hired a nurse to care for her.
  [V for n] ...these distinctive cars, lovingly cared for by private owners.
  [V-ed] ...well-cared-for homes.
  Syn:
  look after
  Ant:
  neglect
 N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp
 Care is also a noun. Most of the staff specialise in the care of children. ...sensitive teeth which need special care... She denied the murder of four children who were in her care.
 4) N-UNCOUNT: oft in N Children who are in care are looked after by the state because their parents are dead or unable to look after them properly. [BRIT]
  ...a home for children in care...
  She was taken into care as a baby.
 5) VERB: no cont, with brd-neg If you say that you do not care for something or someone, you mean that you do not like them. [OLD-FASHIONED]
  [V for n] She had met both sons and did not care for either.
 6) VERB: no cont If you say that someone does something when they care to do it, you mean that they do it, although they should do it more willingly or more often.
  [V to-inf] The woman tells anyone who cares to listen that she's going through hell...
  [V to-inf] Experts reveal only as much as they care to.
  Syn:
  choose
 7) VERB: no cont (politeness) You can ask someone if they would care for something or if they would care to do something as a polite way of asking if they would like to have or do something.
  [V for n] Would you care for some orange juice?...
  [V to-inf] He said he was off to the beach and would we care to join him.
  Syn:
  like
 8) N-UNCOUNT: oft with N If you do something with care, you give careful attention to it because you do not want to make any mistakes or cause any damage.
  Condoms are an effective method of birth control if used with care...
  We'd taken enormous care in choosing the location.
  Syn:
  carefully
 9) N-COUNT Your cares are your worries, anxieties, or fears.
  Lean back in a hot bath and forget all the cares of the day...
  Johnson seemed without a care in the world.
  Syn:
  worries
 10) → See also caring, after-care, day care, intensive care
 11) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR with cl (emphasis) You can use for all I care to emphasize that it does not matter at all to you what someone does.
  You can go right now for all I care.
 12) PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR about n (emphasis) If you say that you couldn't care less about someone or something, you are emphasizing that you are not interested in them or worried about them. In American English, you can also say that you could care less, with the same meaning.
  I couldn't care less about the bloody woman...
  Personally, I couldn't have cared less whether the ice-cream came from Italy or England...
  I used to be proud working for them; now I could care less. I'm just out here for the money...
  Personally, I could care less whether the Giants come or not.
 13) PHRASE: PHR n If someone sends you a letter or parcel care of a particular person or place, they send it to that person or place, and it is then passed on to you. In American English, you can also say in care of.
  Please write to me care of the publishers...
  I addressed their letters in care of the bars and clubs where I'd known them.
 14) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If you take care of someone or something, you look after them and prevent them from being harmed or damaged.
  There was no one else to take care of their children...
  You have to learn to take care of your possessions.
  Syn:
  look after
 15) CONVENTION (formulae) You can say `Take care' when saying goodbye to someone.
 16) PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR to-inf If you take care to do something, you make sure that you do it.
  Foley followed Albert through the gate, taking care to close the latch.
 17) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n To take care of a problem, task, or situation means to deal with it.
  They leave it to the system to try and take care of the problem...
  `Do you need clean sheets?' `No. Mrs. May took care of that.'
  Syn:
  deal with
 18) PHRASE: oft PHR about n (emphasis) You can say `Who cares?' to emphasize that something does not matter to you at all.
  Who cares about some stupid vacation...
  `But we might ruin the stove.' - `Who cares?'

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

care

2care verb cares; cared; car·ing
1 : to feel interest in something : to be interested in or concerned about something

[no obj]

• He doesn't care if he gets fired.
- often + about
• I don't care about your little problems.
• He cares deeply about religion.

[+ obj]

• I care what happens to her.
2 [no obj] : to feel affection for someone
• On Valentine's Day, send her flowers to show that you care.
• I didn't know you cared.
3 [no obj] somewhat formal : to want to do something or to be something
• I wouldn't care [=like] to have to make that decision.
• I wouldn't care to be in your shoes right now.
• I'm going for a walk. Would you care to join me?
• He'll show the photos to anyone who cares to see them.
• More factors influenced her decision than she cares to admit.
as if I cared informal
- used in angry speech to say that you do not care at all about something
• “She says she doesn't want to talk to you.” “As if I cared!”
care a damn
- see 3damn
care for [phrasal verb]
1 care for (someone or something) : to do the things that are needed to help and protect (a person or animal) : to look after (someone or something)
• She cares for [=takes care of] elderly patients.
• Who is caring for your son while you are at work?
• I cared for his cat while he was away.
2 care for (someone) : to feel affection for (someone)
• He sent flowers to show that he cares for you.
• I got the feeling he never really cared for me.
3 care for (something) somewhat formal
a : to like or enjoy (something) - often used in negative statements
• I don't care for [=like] jelly beans.
• He doesn't care for sports.
• I don't care for your tone of voice.
b : to want (something)
• Would you care for some pie?
• I don't care for any more coffee.
could/couldn't care less informal
✦If you could care less (US) or couldn't care less, you are not at all concerned about or interested in something.
• I could care less what happens. [=I don't care what happens]
• He says he couldn't care less if he gets fired.
for all (someone) cares informal
- used to say that someone does not care at all about something
For all I care, he can leave today. [=I don't care if he leaves today]
• She could quit the whole thing, for all he cares.
see if I care informal
- used in angry speech to say that you do not care at all about something
• Go ahead and call her. See if I care!
what does (someone) care? informal
- used to say that you do not think someone should have any interest in something
• “She said we should go.” “Well, what does she care?”
who cares? informal
- used to stress that something is not important.
• He can't carry a tune, but who cares? He's having fun and that's what matters.
Who cares what she says? [=what she says is not important]

diamond

diamond [noun] (STONE)

a transparent, extremely hard precious stone that is used in jewellery , and in industry for cutting hard things

US /ˈdaɪ.ə.mənd/ 
UK /ˈdaɪə.mənd/ 
Example: 

a diamond ring/necklace

Oxford Essential Dictionary

diamond

 noun

1 a hard stone that looks like clear glass and is very expensive:
The ring has a large diamond in it.
a diamond necklace

2 the shape below

3 diamonds (plural) the group of playing cards (called a suit) that have red (shape below) shapes on them:
the eight of diamonds

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

diamond

diamond S3 /ˈdaɪəmənd/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: diamant 'hard metal, diamond', from Greek adamas; ⇨ ↑adamant]
1. [uncountable and countable] a clear, very hard valuable stone, used in jewellery and in industry:
a diamond engagement ring
2. [countable] a shape with four straight but sloping sides of equal length, with one point facing directly up and the other directly down:
Cut the cookie dough into diamonds.
3.
a) diamonds one of the four ↑suits (=types of cards) in a set of playing cards, which has the design of a red diamond shape on it
two/queen etc of diamonds
the ace of diamonds
b) [countable] a card from this suit:
You have to play a diamond.
4. [countable]
a) the area in a baseball field that is within the diamond shape formed by the four ↑bases
b) the whole playing field used in baseball
• • •
THESAURUS
■ places where people do sport
field (also pitch British English) a large area of ground, usually covered with grass, where team sports are played: A few kids were playing on the football field. | a hockey field
stadium a large sports field with seats all around it for people to watch team sports or track and field competitions: The atmosphere in the Olympic Stadium was amazing. | a football stadium
ground British English a sports field and the seats and buildings around it, belonging to a particular football, rugby, or cricket team: I met my friends inside the ground.
ballpark/park American English a stadium where baseball is played: Busch Stadium is one of the newest ballparks in Major League.
court an area with lines painted on the ground, for tennis, badminton, basketball, or volleyball: The hotel has four tennis courts and a volleyball court.
diamond the area in a baseball field that is within the shape formed by the four bases. The diamond can also be the whole field: The pitcher stands in the middle of the diamond. | There’s a playground, a picnic area, and a baseball diamond.
track a circular path with lines on it, for running on: In the relay, each runner runs once around the track.
gym a room with machines which you can use to do exercises: He spends an hour in the gym every day.
pool/swimming pool a place where you can swim: He jumped into the deep end of the pool. | I’ll meet you outside the swimming pool.
sports centre British English, sports center American English a building where you can play many types of indoor sports: Why not do exercise classes at your local sports centre?
health club a small sports centre, where you pay to be a member: How much does it cost to join a health club?

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

diamond

dia·mond [diamond diamonds]   [ˈdaɪəmənd]    [ˈdaɪəmənd]  noun
1. uncountable, countable a clear precious stone of pure carbon, the hardest substance known. Diamonds are used in jewellery and also in industry, especially for cutting glass
a ring with a diamond in it
a diamond ring/necklace
She was wearing her diamonds (= jewellery with diamonds in it).
• The lights shone like diamonds.

see also  rough diamond

 

2. countable a shape with four straight sides of equal length and with angles that are not right angles

3. diamonds plural, uncountable one of the four suits (= sets) in a pack of cards. The cards are marked with red diamond shapes
• the ten of diamonds

• Diamonds are/is trumps.

4. countable a card of this suit

• You must play a diamond if you have one.

5. countable (in baseball) the space inside the lines that connect the four bases; also used to mean the whole baseball field 
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French diamant, from medieval Latin diamas, diamant-, variant of Latin adamans from Greek adamas, adamant-, ‘untameable, invincible’ (later used to denote the hardest metal or stone, hence diamond), from a- ‘not’ + daman ‘to tame’.  
Example Bank:
• an old woman dripping with diamonds

• earrings encrusted with diamonds

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

diamond / ˈdaɪə.mənd / noun (STONE)

B2 [ C or U ] a transparent, extremely hard precious stone that is used in jewellery , and in industry for cutting hard things:

The tiara was set with diamonds and rubies.

a diamond ring/necklace

He had worked in the diamond mines of South Africa.

diamond-tipped saw blades

See picture diamond

diamonds [ plural noun ] jewellery made from diamonds:

Shall I wear the diamonds or the pearls with this dress?

 

diamond / ˈdaɪə.mənd / noun (SHAPE)

B2 [ C or U ] a shape with four straight sides of equal length, forming two opposite angles that are wide and two that are narrow:

Joe's socks had diamond patterns on them.

See picture diamond

[ C ] the square part of a field on which baseball is played, surrounded by the four bases, or the whole field on which the game is played

See picture diamond

 

diamond / ˈdaɪə.mənd / noun (CARDS)

diamonds [ plural or U ] one of the four suits in playing cards, shown by one or more red symbols in the shape of a diamond:

the six/jack of diamonds

[ C ] a playing card from the suit of diamonds:

She played a diamond.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

diamond

[da͟ɪ͟əmənd]
 diamonds
 1) N-VAR A diamond is a hard, bright, precious stone which is clear and colourless. Diamonds are used in jewellery and for cutting very hard substances.
  ...a pair of diamond earrings.
  ...a sphere made of diamond without impurity or flaw.
 2) N-PLURAL Diamonds are jewellery such as necklaces and rings which have diamonds set into them.
  Nicole loves wearing her diamonds, even with jeans and a white T-shirt.
 3) N-COUNT A diamond is a shape with four straight sides of equal length where the opposite angles are the same, but none of the angles is equal to 90°.
  ...forming his hands into the shape of a diamond.
 4) N-UNCOUNT-COLL Diamonds is one of the four suits of cards in a pack of playing cards. Each card in the suit is marked with one or more red symbols in the shape of a diamond.
  He drew the seven of diamonds.
 N-COUNT
 A diamond is a playing card of this suit.
 5) N-COUNT In baseball, the diamond is the diamond-shaped area of the playing field between the four bases.

 

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1di·a·mond /ˈdaɪmənd/ noun, pl -monds
1 : a very hard usually colorless stone that is a form of carbon and is used especially in jewelry

[count]

• a necklace studded with diamonds and rubies
• Her husband gave her a diamond [=a diamond ring] for her birthday.

[noncount]

• The ruby was surrounded by a ring of diamond.
- often used before another noun
• a diamond mine/ring
- see color picture 
2 [count] : a shape that is formed by four equal straight lines and that has two opposite angles that are smaller than a right angle and two opposite angles that are larger than a right angle
• The children cut the fabric into diamonds.
- compare square
3 a [count] : a playing card that is marked with a red diamond shape
• one heart, two diamonds, and two clubs
- see picture at playing card
b diamonds [plural] : the suit in a deck of playing cards that is marked by red diamond shapes
• He played the queen of diamonds.
- compare club, heart, spade
4 [count]
a : the part of a baseball field that includes the area within and around the three bases and home plate : infield
• The infielders warmed up by throwing the ball around the diamond.
b : the entire playing field in baseball
• It's sad to see the town's old baseball diamond deserted.

realize

realize [verb] (BECOME AWARE)

to understand a situation, sometimes suddenly

US /ˈriː.ə.laɪz/ 
UK /ˈrɪə.laɪz/ 
Example: 

They didn't realize the danger they were in.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

realize

 verb (realizes, realizing, realized )
to understand or know something:
When I got home, I realized that I had lost my key.
I didn't realize you were American.

>> realization noun (no plural):
the sudden realization of what he had done

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

realize

realize S1 W1 BrE AmE (also realise British English) /ˈrɪəlaɪz/ verb [transitive not usually in progressive]
[Word Family: noun: ↑realism, ↑realist, ↑reality, ↑unreality, ↑realization; adverb: ↑real, ↑really, ↑realistically ≠ ↑unrealistically; adjective: ↑real, ↑unreal, ↑realistic ≠ ↑unrealistic; verb: ↑realize]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: réaliser, from Old French real; ⇨ ↑real1]
1. UNDERSTAND to know and understand something, or suddenly begin to understand it
realize (that)
I suddenly realized that the boy was crying.
Do you realize you’re an hour late?
realize who/what/how etc
I’m sorry, I didn’t realize who you were.
It took us a while to realize the extent of the tragedy.
It was only later that I realized my mistake.
► Do not say that you ‘realize about/of something’. Say that you realize something.
2. ACHIEVE formal to achieve something that you were hoping to achieve:
She never realized her ambition of winning an Olympic gold medal.
a young singer who has not yet realized her full potential (=achieved as much as she can achieve)
3. sb’s worst fears were realized used to say that the thing that you were most afraid of has actually happened:
His worst fears were realized when he heard that Chris had been arrested.
4. MONEY
a) formal to obtain or earn an amount of money:
The campaign realized $5000.
We realized a small profit on the sale of the house.
b) realize an asset technical to change something that you own into money by selling it
• • •
THESAURUS
realize to begin to understand, notice, or know something that you did not understand etc before: I hadn’t realized that Ben was his brother. | She suddenly realized who the man in the photograph was.
become aware to gradually realize that something is happening or is true, over a period of time: He slowly became aware that he was not alone | People are becoming more aware of the harmful effects of cars on the environment.
dawn on somebody if something dawns on you, you realize it for the first time – often used in the phrase it dawned on somebody: It dawned on me that he could be lying. | It only dawned on her that she was in danger when she saw rescue workers running away from the building. | He thought about the dream for a long time before its meaning began to dawn on him.
sink in if something sinks in, you begin to realize its full meaning or importance, especially gradually: It took a few minutes for the doctor’s words to sink in. | The reality of what I had done slowly began to sink in.
hit if a fact hits you, you suddenly understand it and how important it is: It hit me one day that he didn’t care. He’d talk when I phoned him, but he’d never call me.
strike if an idea or thought strikes you, you suddenly think of it: It suddenly struck her what a risk she was taking. | A thought has just struck me - there must be other people with the same problem.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

realize

real·ize (BrE also -ise) [realize realizes realized realizing]   [ˈriːəlaɪz]    [ˈrɪəlaɪz]    [ˈriːəlaɪz]  verb

 

BE/BECOME AWARE
1. transitive, intransitive (not used in the progressive tenses) to understand or become aware of a particular fact or situation
~ (that)… I didn't realize (that) you were so unhappy.
The moment I saw her, I realized something was wrong.
~ how, what, etc… I don't think you realize how important this is to her.
~ (sth) I hope you realize the seriousness of this crime.
Only later did she realize her mistake.
The situation was more complicated than they had at first realized.
• They managed to leave without any of us realizing.

it is realized that… There was a cheer when it was realized that everyone was safely back.  

 

ACHIEVE STH

2. transitive ~ sth to achieve sth important that you very much want to do
• She never realized her ambition of becoming a professional singer.

• We try to help all students realize their full potential (= be as successful as they are able to be).  

 

HAPPEN

3. transitive, usually passive ~ sth if sb's fears are realized, the things that they are afraid will happen, do happen

• His worst fears were realized when he saw that the door had been forced open.  

 

SELL

4. transitive ~ your assets (formal) to sell things that you own, for example property, in order to get the money that you need for sth

Syn:  convert

5. transitive ~ sth (formal) (of goods, etc.) to be sold for a particular amount of money
Syn:  make

• The paintings realized $2 million at auction.  

 

MAKE STH REAL

6. transitive ~ sth (formal) to produce sth that can be seen or heard, based on written information or instructions
The stage designs have been beautifully realized.
See also: -ise
Verb forms:

 
Word Origin:
early 17th cent.: from real, on the pattern of French réaliser.  
Thesaurus:
realize (BrE also -ise) verb T (not used in the progressive tenses)
I didn't realize you were so unhappy.
knowappreciate
realize/know/appreciate that…
realize/know/appreciate what/how/why…
begin/come to realize/know/appreciate sth
Realize or know? To realize sth means to become or be aware of it. To know sth is to be aware of it: know can mean ‘become aware’ if it happens in a single moment; however, if the process of becoming aware takes any time use realize:
The moment I walked in the room I realized/knew something was wrong.
I soon/quickly/gradually realized my mistake.
 ¤ I soon/quickly/gradually knew my mistake.  
Example Bank:
I never realized how much it meant to you.
I realized for the first time how difficult this would be.
She dimly realized that she was trembling.
The experience made me realize that people did care.
They are constantly learning, without even realizing it.
We are constantly using historic buildings, without even realizing it.
You don't seem to realize the seriousness of the situation.
As soon as/The moment I walked in the room I knew/realized something was wrong.
Do you fully realize the seriousness of this crime?
I began to realize why the people seemed wary of us.
I didn't realize (that) you were so unhappy.
I don't think you realize how important this is to her.
I soon/quickly/gradually/slowly realized what he meant.
She soon realized her mistake.
Suddenly/All of a sudden/At once I knew/realized what he meant.
The paintings realized $2 million at auction.
• There was a cheer when it was realized that everyone had got back safely.

• We make assumptions all the time without realizing it.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

realize ( UK usually realise ) / ˈrɪə.laɪz /   / ˈriː.ə- / verb [ I or T ] (BECOME AWARE)

B1 to understand a situation, sometimes suddenly:

They didn't realize the danger they were in.

[ + (that) ] "Do you realize (that) this is the third time you've forgotten?" she said angrily.

[ + question word ] I realize how difficult it's going to be, but we must try.

As he watched the TV drama, he suddenly realized (that) he'd seen it before.

"You're standing on my foot." "Sorry, I didn't realize."
 

realize ( UK usually realise ) / ˈrɪə.laɪz /   / ˈriː.ə- / verb (ACHIEVE)

C1 [ T ] to achieve something you were hoping for:

Lots of money, a luxury house, a fast car - Danny had realized all his ambitions by the age of 25.

sb's worst fears are realized [ T ] used for saying that something that someone was worrying about really happened:

Ten years later her worst fears were realized.

 

realize ( UK usually realise ) / ˈrɪə.laɪz /   / ˈriː.ə- / verb (MONEY)

specialized to be sold for a particular amount of money:

The paintings are expected to realize £500,000 each.

realize assets legal to sell property in order to get some money:

He had to realize all his assets to pay off his debts.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

realize

[ri͟ːəlaɪz]
 
 realizes, realizing, realized
 (in BRIT, also use realise)
 1) VERB If you realize that something is true, you become aware of that fact or understand it.
  [V that] As soon as we realised something was wrong, we moved the children away...
  [V wh] People don't realize how serious this recession has actually been...
  [V n] Once they realised their mistake the phone was reconnected again...
  `That's my brother.' - `Oh, I hadn't realized.'
  Derived words:
  realization [ri͟ːəlaɪze͟ɪʃ(ə)n] plural N-VAR usu N that, N of n There is now a growing realisation that things cannot go on like this for much longer... He nearly cried out at the sudden realization of how much Randall looked like him.
 2) VERB: usu passive If your hopes, desires, or fears are realized, the things that you hope for, desire, or fear actually happen.
  [be V-ed] Straightaway our worst fears were realised...
  [be V-ed] Those are our hopes; we are starting this clinical trial to investigate whether those hopes will be realised.
  Derived words:
  realization N-UNCOUNT oft the N of n In Kravis's venomous tone he recognized the realization of his worst fears.
 3) VERB When someone realizes a design or an idea, they make or organize something based on that design or idea. [FORMAL]
  [V n] Various textile techniques will be explored to realise design possibilities...
  [V n] The kaleidoscopic quality of the book is brilliantly realised on stage.
 4) VERB If someone or something realizes their potential, they do everything they are capable of doing, because they have been given the opportunity to do so.
  [V n] The support systems to enable women to realize their potential at work are seriously inadequate...
  [V n] I think probably that the laser has not realised the potential that was expected of it in that domain.
  Syn:
  achieve
 5) VERB If something realizes a particular amount of money when it is sold, that amount of money is paid for it. [TECHNICAL]
  [V n] A selection of correspondence from P G Wodehouse realised ₤1,232.
  Syn:
  make, raise
  Derived words:
  realization N-VAR I have taken this course solely to assist the realisation of my assets for the benefit of all my creditors.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

realize

re·al·ize also Brit re·al·ise /ˈriːjəˌlaɪz/ verb -iz·es; -ized; -iz·ing [+ obj]
1 : to understand or become aware of (something)
• They did not realize the risk/danger that was involved.
• He finally realized the scope of the problem.
• I realize (that) this is an unusual situation.
• She realizes how much things have changed.
• Do you realize how difficult that stunt is?
• You just have to realize that you can't always get what you want.
• She slowly realized what he was trying to say.
2 : to cause (something) to become real - usually used as (be) realized
• Our worst fears have been realized. [=the things that we most feared have actually happened]
3 formal : to achieve (something, such as a goal, dream, etc.)
• He realized a lifelong dream/goal by winning an Olympic medal.
• He finally realized his ambition to start his own business.
• She hasn't yet realized her potential as a golfer. [=she hasn't become as good as she can be]
4 formal : to earn or get (money) by sale or effort
• We can realize a profit by selling the stock.
• The furniture of the estate realized $10,000 at the auction.

special

special [noun] (NOT USUAL)

not ordinary or usual

US /ˈspeʃ.əl/ 
UK /ˈspeʃ.əl/ 
Example: 

The car has a number of special safety features.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

special

 adjective

1 not usual or ordinary; important for a reason:
It's my birthday today so we are having a special dinner.

2 for a particular person or thing:
He goes to a special school for deaf children.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

special

I. special1 S1 W1 /ˈspeʃəl/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑special, ↑specialist, SPECIALITY/SPECIALTY, ↑specialization, ↑specialism; adjective: ↑special, ↑specialized; verb: ↑specialize; adverb: ↑specially]
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: especial, from Latin specialis 'particular', from species; ⇨ ↑species]
1. not ordinary or usual, but different in some way and often better or more important:
a special place in the classroom for reading
No one receives special treatment.
Maria’s special recipe for apple pie
The good china was used only on special occasions.
Each village has its own special charm.
anything/something/nothing special
Are you doing anything special for Christmas?
2. particularly important to someone and deserving attention, love etc:
a party with a few special friends
a teacher who made every child feel special
Her second son had a special place in her heart.
3. [only before noun] a special position or job has a particular purpose or aim, and continues only until that purpose or aim is achieved:
Mitchell acted as a special envoy in the Northern Ireland peace talks.
4. [only before noun] more than usual SYN particular:
Pay special attention to how you clean the wound.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

special

spe·cial [special specials] adjective, noun   [ˈspeʃl]    [ˈspeʃl] 

 

adjective
1. usually before noun not ordinary or usual; different from what is normal
Syn:  exceptional
The school will only allow this in special circumstances.
Some of the officials have special privileges.
There is something special about this place.

• This type of wood needs special treatment.

2. more important than others; deserving or getting more attention than usual
What are your special interests?
She's a very special friend.
• Our special guest on next week's show will be…

• Don't lose it — it's special.

3. organized or intended for a particular purpose
a special event
• These teachers need special training.

• Dr Pearce is the special adviser on environmental issues.

4. used by or intended for one particular person or group of people
• She has a special way of smiling.

• He sent a special message to the men.

5. only before noun better or more than usual
As an only child she got special attention.
Please take special care of it.
compare  especial  
Word Origin:
Middle English: shortening of Old French especial ‘especial’ or Latin specialis, from species ‘appearance’, from specere ‘to look’.  
Thesaurus:
special adj.
1. usually before noun
Journalists were given no special privileges.
exceptionalparticular|formal extraordinary
Opp: ordinary
a special/an exceptional case/situation
special/exceptional circumstances
of special/particular concern/importance/interest
2.
She has a special way of smiling.
uniquedistinctivepeculiaridiosyncratic|usually approving individual
sth special/unique/distinctive/individual about sth
a/an special/unique/distinctive/peculiar/idiosyncratic/individual style/character
sb/sth's special/unique/distinctive/peculiar brand of sth 
Example Bank:
He was usually to be found in the cafe at his own special table by the window.
In special circumstances candidates without these qualifications may be considered.
It's the author's special way of paying homage to an earlier poet.
Journalists were given no special privileges.
Police advised residents to take special precautions because of the increase in burglaries.
The President ended with a special message for the people of Texas.
The choreographer created a special style of dance for each character.
The director received a special ovation from the actors.
The directors have their own special pension fund.
The merger was approved at a special meeting of shareholders.
The oil industry was treated as a special case.
The speaker paid special tribute to the founder of the organization.
• There really is something special about the place.

Idiom: on special 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

special / ˈspeʃ. ə l / adjective (NOT USUAL)

A2 not ordinary or usual:

The car has a number of special safety features.

Is there anything special that you'd like to do today?

Passengers should tell the airline in advance if they have any special dietary needs.

I don't expect special treatment - I just want to be treated fairly.

Full details of the election results will be published in a special edition of tomorrow's newspaper.

I have a suit for special occasions .

There's a special offer on peaches ( UK also peaches are on special offer ) (= they are being sold at a reduced price) this week.

A2 especially great or important, or having a quality that most similar things or people do not have:

Could I ask you a special favour?

I'm cooking something special for her birthday.

 

special / ˈspeʃ. ə l / adjective [ before noun ] (PARTICULAR)

B1 having a particular purpose:

Firefighters use special breathing equipment in smoky buildings.

Some of the children have special educational needs.

You need special tyres on your car for snow.

She works as a special adviser to the president.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

special

[spe̱ʃ(ə)l]
 
 specials
 1) ADJ-GRADED Someone or something that is special is better or more important than other people or things.
  You're very special to me, darling...
  There are strong arguments for holidays at Easter and Christmas because these are special occasions...
  Just to see him was something special...
  My special guest will be comedian Ben Elton.
  Ant:
  ordinary
 2) ADJ: ADJ n Special means different from normal.
  In special cases, a husband can deduct the travel expenses of his wife who accompanies him on a business trip...
  So you didn't notice anything special about him?...
  There is nothing worse than trying to relax and eat a special meal only to find clouds of cigarette smoke drifting over you.
  ...`Little Scarlet' strawberry jam, made from a special variety of strawberry.
  Ant:
  normal
 3) ADJ: ADJ n You use special to describe someone who is officially appointed or who has a particular position specially created for them.
  Due to his wife's illness, he returned to the State Department as special adviser to the President...
  Frank Deford is a special correspondent for Newsweek magazine.
 4) ADJ: ADJ n Special institutions are for people who have serious physical or mental problems.
  Police are still searching for a convicted rapist, who escaped from Broadmoor special hospital yesterday.
 5) ADJ: ADJ n You use special to describe something that relates to one particular person, group, or place.
  Every anxious person will have his or her own special problems or fears.
  ...it requires a very special brand of courage to fight dictators.
  Syn:
  unique
 6) N-COUNT A special is a product, programme, or meal which is not normally available, or which is made for a particular purpose.
  ...complaints about the BBC's Hallowee̱n special, `Ghostwatch'...
  Grocery stores have to offer enough specials to bring people into the store.
  ...talk shows and news specials.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1spe·cial /ˈspɛʃəl/ adj
1 [more ~; most ~] : different from what is normal or usual
• This is a special case and I want you to handle it personally.
• Only under special circumstances will you be allowed to retake the test.
• Is there any special [=particular] reason why you're not coming? especially; : unusual in a good way : better or more important than others
• Your many years of service put you in a special category.
• Why should you receive any special treatment?
• It takes a special quality to do what he did.
• This is a very special occasion.
• Are you doing anything special over the holidays?
• The movie was nothing special. [=was not particularly good]
• We have a special guest tonight—the mayor.
2 [more ~; most ~] : especially important or loved
• a special friend
• No one is more special to me than my wife.
• He always made her feel special.
• He holds a special place in her heart.
3 always used before a noun
a : more than is usual
• Pay special attention to the last paragraph.
• Take special care on the way down the stairs.
• They showed special concern for the children.
• The report places special emphasis on new technology.
b : additional or extra
• a special edition of a newspaper
• He won't tell us the special ingredient in his salad dressing.
• This camera has a special feature that lets you take panoramic views.
4 always used before a noun : relating to or intended for a particular purpose
• a special diet
• He was on special assignment for the government.
special election coverage
• I was given special orders not to let you in.
• To clean the oven, I had to wear special gloves. [=a particular kind of glove]
• Do you have any special instructions for the babysitter?
• a special correspondent/prosecutor

memory

memory [noun] (EVENT REMEMBERED)

omething that you remember from the past

US /ˈmem.ər.i/ 
UK /ˈmem.ər.i/ 
Example: 

I have vivid memories of that evening.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

memory

 noun (plural memories)

1 the ability to remember things:
Ruth's got a very good memory – she never forgets people's names.

2 something that you remember:
I have very happy memories of that holiday.

3 the part of a computer that holds information

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

memory

memory S2 W1 /ˈmeməri/ BrE AmE noun (plural memories)
[Word Family: noun: ↑memorial, ↑memory, ↑memo, ↑memoir, ↑memorabilia, ↑memorandum; adjective: ↑memorable, ↑memorial, ↑immemorial; verb: ↑memorize, ↑memorialize; adverb: ↑memorably]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: memorie, from Latin memoria, from memor 'remembering']
1. ABILITY TO REMEMBER [uncountable and countable] someone’s ability to remember things, places, experiences etc
memory for
She has a terrible memory for names.
from memory
The pianist played the whole piece from memory.
in your memory
The image has remained in my memory ever since.
2. SOMETHING YOU REMEMBER [countable usually plural] something that you remember from the past about a person, place, or experience
memory of
She talked about her memories of the war.
He has lots of happy memories of his stay in Japan.
When I saw the pictures, the memories came flooding back (=I suddenly had many memories about something).
3. COMPUTER
a) [countable] the part of a computer where information can be stored:
The data is stored in the computer’s memory.
b) [uncountable] the amount of space that can be used for storing information on a computer:
128 Mb of memory
Personal computers now have much increased memory capacity.
4. in/within memory during the time that people can remember:
the worst floods in living memory (=since the earliest time that people now alive can remember)
It’s certainly the best England team in recent memory.
The disaster was within the memory of many men still working at the station.
5. in memory of somebody if something is done or made in memory of someone, it is done to remember them and remind other people of them after they have died:
a statue in memory of those who died in the war
She set up a charitable fund in her father’s memory.
6. sb’s memory the way you remember someone who has died:
She died over 40 years ago but her memory lives on (=people still remember her).
to sb’s memory
There’s a bench to his memory in the local park.
7. a walk/trip down memory lane when you spend some time remembering the past:
She returned to her old school yesterday for a trip down memory lane.
8. sb’s memory is playing tricks on them spoken used to say that someone is remembering things wrongly:
My memory must be playing tricks on me; I’m sure I put that book on the desk.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ adjectives
good/excellent I wish my memory was as good as yours.
bad/poor/terrible A student with a poor memory may struggle in school.
short-term memory (=your ability to remember things that you have just seen, heard, or done) The drug can damage your short-term memory.
long-term memory (=your ability to remember things that happened a long time ago) Most people's long-term memory is limited.
visual memory (=your ability to remember things you have seen) Poor spellers often have a weak visual memory.
a photographic memory (=the ability to remember every detail of things that you have seen) Unless you have a photographic memory, you forget half of what you read as soon as you close the book.
■ verbs
remain/stay/stick in your memory (=be remembered for a long time) That day will remain in my memory forever.
refresh/jog your memory (=help someone to remember something) Perhaps this photograph will refresh your memory?
lose your memory (=become unable to remember things that happened in the past) The blow on the head caused him to lose his memory.
commit something to memory formal (=make yourself remember something) I've already committed his name to memory.
■ phrases
have a short memory (=if you have a short memory, you soon forget things) Voters have short memories.
have a long memory (=if you have a long memory, you remember things for a long time) He has a long memory for people who have let him down.
have a memory like a sieve (=forget things very easily) I'm sorry, I have a memory like a sieve. I forgot you were coming today!
loss of memory/memory loss (=when you cannot remember things) The condition can cause dizziness and memory loss.
a lapse of memory/a memory lapse (=when you cannot remember something for a short time) The alcohol seemed to make him suffer lapses of memory.
if my memory serves (me correctly/right) (=used to say that you are almost certain you have remembered something correctly) If my memory serves me correctly, Johnson was also there.
something is etched in your memory (=it is impossible to forget) The date was etched in my memory.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + memory
good/bad etc memories He left school with good memories of his time there.
happy/unhappy memories Many people have unhappy memories of being forced to play team sports.
fond memories (=about someone or something you like) She had fond memories of her aunt and uncle.
a painful memory (=very upsetting) He sobbed as he relived the painful memory.
a vivid memory (=very clear and detailed) I have vivid memories of that summer.
a clear memory I have a clear memory of the first time I met David.
a dim/distant memory (=not clear, from a long time ago) He had only dim memories of his father, who had died when he was four.
a vague memory (=not clear) I have a vague memory of visiting them when I was small.
a childhood memory Going to the farm brought back happy childhood memories.
somebody's earliest memory My earliest memory is of being bitten by a dog.
an abiding/enduring/lasting memory (=that you will always have) The children's abiding memory of their father is of his patience and gentleness.
■ verbs
have a/have no memory of something (=remember/not remember something) She had no memory of the accident.
relive a memory (=talk about past events so you remember them again) Seeing her again was an excuse to relive old memories.
bring back memories (also rekindle/revive memories formal) (=make you remember something) For many older people, the film brought back memories of the war.
memories come flooding back (=you suddenly remember things clearly) Evelyn hugged her daughter, as memories came flooding back to her.
a memory fades (=becomes less clear and accurate) Write down how you felt before the memory fades.
■ phrases
a place is full of memories (=makes you remember things that happened there) My old home is full of unhappy memories.
be haunted by the memory of something (=be unable to forget something unhappy) He is haunted by memories of his unhappy childhood.
shudder/wince at the memory of something (=be upset by remembering something) She shuddered at the memory of her parents fighting.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

memory

mem·ory [memory memories]   [ˈmeməri]    [ˈmeməri]  (pl. mem·ories) noun

ABILITY TO REMEMBER
1. countable, uncountable ~ (for sth) your ability to remember things
I have a bad memory for names.
People have short memories (= they soon forget).
He had a long memory for people who had disappointed him.
She can recite the whole poem from memory.
He suffered loss of memory for weeks after the accident.
Are you sure? Memory can play tricks on you.
I quickly committed the number of the car to memory (= learned and remembered it).

• The drugs had a severe effect on her short-term memory.

2. uncountable the period of time that sb is able to remember events
There hasn't been peace in the country in/within my memory.
• It was the worst storm in recent memory.

• This hasn't happened in living memory (= nobody alive now can remember it happening).  

 

STH YOU REMEMBER

3. countable a thought of sth that you remember from the past
Syn:  recollection
childhood memories
I have vivid memories of my grandparents.
• What is your earliest memory?

• The photos bring back lots of good memories.

4. uncountable (formal) what is remembered about sb after they have died
Her memory lives on (= we still remember her).

• Their behaviour insults the memory of those who died for this country.  

 

COMPUTING

5. countable, uncountable the part of a computer where information is stored; the amount of space in a computer for storing information
Have you got enough memory available to run the program?
see also  RAM 
more at be etched on your heart/memory/mind at  etch, jog sb's memory at  jog  v., refresh your/sb's memory at  refresh, have a memory/mind like a sieve at  sieve  n.
Idioms: if memory serves me well/correctly  in memory of somebody  the memory of somebody  
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French memorie, from Latin memoria, from memor ‘mindful, remembering’.  
Thesaurus:
memory noun C, U
I have a bad memory for names.
happy memories of childhood
recallremniscencemind|formal recollectionremembrance
a memory/remniscence/recollection of sb/sth
in memory/remembrance of sb/sth
a vague/vivid/clear memory/recollection

have a …memory/recall/recollection

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

memory / ˈmem. ə r.i /   / -ɚ- / noun [ C ] (EVENT REMEMBERED)

B1 something that you remember from the past:

I have vivid memories of that evening.

That tune really brings back memories (= makes me remember past events) .

School is just a dim/distant memory for me now (= something I cannot remember very well) .

Word partners for memory (ABILITY TO REMEMBER)

have a bad / good memory • have a long / short memory • have a selective memory • lose your memory • sth fades from memory • sth lingers in / remains in the memory • memory impairment / loss • a memory lapse

Word partners for memory (EVENT REMEMBERED)

bad / bitter / painful / unhappy memories • fond / good / happy memories • a clear / vivid memory • a hazy / vague memory • a childhood memory • sth brings back / rekindles / revives memories • memories come flooding back • a memory of sth
 

memory / ˈmem. ə r.i /   / -ɚ- / noun [ C or U ] (ABILITY TO REMEMBER)

B1 the ability to remember information, experiences, and people:

a good/bad memory

After the accident he suffered from loss of memory/memory loss .

She has an excellent memory for names (= she can remember names easily) .

Word partners for memory (ABILITY TO REMEMBER)

have a bad / good memory • have a long / short memory • have a selective memory • lose your memory • sth fades from memory • sth lingers in / remains in the memory • memory impairment / loss • a memory lapse

Word partners for memory (EVENT REMEMBERED)

bad / bitter / painful / unhappy memories • fond / good / happy memories • a clear / vivid memory • a hazy / vague memory • a childhood memory • sth brings back / rekindles / revives memories • memories come flooding back • a memory of sth

 

memory / ˈmem. ə r.i /   / -ɚ- / noun [ C usually singular , U ] (COMPUTER)

A2 the part of a computer in which information or programs are stored either permanently or temporarily, or the amount of space available on it for storing information:

My computer has a gigabyte of memory.

Word partners for memory (ABILITY TO REMEMBER)

have a bad / good memory • have a long / short memory • have a selective memory • lose your memory • sth fades from memory • sth lingers in / remains in the memory • memory impairment / loss • a memory lapse

Word partners for memory (EVENT REMEMBERED)

bad / bitter / painful / unhappy memories • fond / good / happy memories • a clear / vivid memory • a hazy / vague memory • a childhood memory • sth brings back / rekindles / revives memories • memories come flooding back • a memory of sth

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

memory

[me̱məri]
 memories
 1) N-VAR: oft poss N Your memory is your ability to remember things.
  All the details of the meeting are fresh in my memory...
  He'd a good memory for faces, and he was sure he hadn't seen her before...
  But locals with long memories thought this was fair revenge for the injustice of 1961...
  Two major areas in which mentally retarded children require help are memory and attention.
 2) N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n A memory is something that you remember from the past.
  She cannot bear to watch the film because of the bad memories it brings back...
  Her earliest memory is of singing at the age of four to wounded soldiers...
  He had happy memories of his father.
 3) N-COUNT A computer's memory is the part of the computer where information is stored, especially for a short time before it is transferred to disks or magnetic tapes. [TECHNICAL]
  The data are stored in the computer's memory.
 4) N-SING: usu with poss, also in N of n If you talk about the memory of someone who has died, especially someone who was loved or respected, you are referring to the thoughts, actions, and ceremonies by which they are remembered.
  She remained devoted to his memory...
  The congress opened with a minute's silence in memory of those who died in the struggle.
 5) PHRASE: PHR after v If you do something from memory, for example speak the words of a poem or play a piece of music, you do it without looking at it, because you know it very well.
  Many members of the church sang from memory...
  Children write down the word, cover it up and then try to spell it from memory.
 6) PHRASE: n/adj PHR, usu with adj-superl/brd-neg (emphasis) If you say that something is, for example, the best, worst, or first thing of its kind in living memory, you are emphasizing that it is the only thing of that kind that people can remember.
  The floods are the worst in living memory...
  No-one in living memory has come back from that place alive.
 7) PHRASE: V inflects If you lose your memory, you forget things that you used to know.
  His illness caused him to lose his memory.
 8) commit something to memorysee commit

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

memory

mem·o·ry /ˈmɛməri/ noun, pl -ries
1 : the power or process of remembering what has been learned

[count]

• He began to lose his memory as he grew older.
• He has an excellent memory for faces. [=he is very good at remembering faces]
• Those people have long memories. [=they remember things that happened long ago]
• She has a short memory. [=she forgets things quickly]
• Dad has a selective memory: he remembers the times he was right and forgets the times he was wrong.

[noncount]

• They claim that these pills can improve (the) memory.
• short-term/long-term memory
• He committed the speech to memory. [=he memorized the speech]
If memory serves (me rightly/correctly), his name is John. [=if I remember accurately, his name is John]
- see also photographic memory
2 a [count] : something that is remembered
• We have pleasant memories of the trip.
• trying to repress bitter/painful memories
• childhood memories
• His name evokes memories of a happier time.
• That time is just a dim/faint memory to me now.
b [noncount] : the things learned and kept in the mind
• The happiness of those times is still vivid in my memory.
• Her name has faded from memory.
• I seem to have very little memory of that time in my life.
• Her name has faded from my memory. [=I cannot remember her name]
• That tragic day has become part of our collective memory. [=it is something that we all remember]
• He has no memory of what happened. [=he does not remember what happened]
• I can't remember exactly how much it costs. Could you refresh my memory? [=remind me]
• The sudden shock jogged his memory and everything came flooding back into his mind.
3 [count] : the things that are remembered about a person who has died
• Even though he is no longer with us, his memory lives on. [=we still remember him]
4 : the period of time that a person can remember

[count]

- usually singular
• These events occurred within their memory. [=occurred during the time that they can remember]

[noncount]

• These events occurred within living memory.
• The harbor froze over for the first time in (modern/recent) memory.
5 [noncount] computers
a : capacity for storing information
• a computer with 512MB of memory
• The computer needs more memory.
b : the part of a computer in which information is stored
• information stored in memory
- see also random-access memory
from memory : without reading or looking at notes
• She delivered the speech (entirely) from memory.
• He played the entire piece from memory.
• She can recite from memory the capitals of all the states of the U.S.
in memory of or in someone's memory : made or done to honor someone who has died
• The monument is in memory of the soldiers who died in battle on this field.
• He donated the painting in his wife's memory.
memory lane
✦If you take a stroll/trip/walk (etc.) down memory lane, you think or talk about pleasant things from the past.
• We took a stroll down memory lane, talking about our time at school together.

lucky

lucky [adjective]

having good things happen to you by chance

US /ˈlʌk.i/ 
UK /ˈlʌk.i/ 
Example: 

"I'm going on holiday." "Lucky you!"

Oxford Essential Dictionary

lucky

 adjective (luckier, luckiest)

1 having good luck:
She is lucky to be alive after the accident.
 opposite unlucky

2 bringing success or good luck:
My lucky number is 3.
 opposite unlucky

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

lucky

lucky S2 W3 /ˈlʌki/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative luckier, superlative luckiest)
[Word Family: adjective: ↑lucky ≠ ↑unlucky, ↑luckless; noun: ↑luck; adverb: ↑luckily ≠ ↑unluckily]
1. having good luck SYN fortunate OPP unlucky
be lucky to do/be something
The children were lucky to survive the fire which destroyed their home.
lucky enough to do something
those of us lucky enough to own our own homes
lucky if
I’ll be lucky if I get any of my money back.
lucky (that)
I was tremendously lucky that I didn’t die in the accident.
lucky with
We’ve been very lucky with the weather.
count/consider/think yourself lucky
Count yourself lucky you’ve got a husband like Jack.
get lucky (=be lucky on a particular occasion)
You might get lucky and find a bargain.
2. resulting from good luck:
I didn’t really know your name – it was just a lucky guess.
A middle-aged woman had a lucky escape when a tree crashed down onto her car.
it is lucky (that)
It’s lucky that no-one was hurt.
3. bringing good luck:
a lucky charm
4. lucky you/me etc spoken used to say that someone is fortunate to be able to do something:
‘My husband’s a rich man, and devoted to me.’ ‘Lucky you.’
5. be sb’s lucky day spoken used to say that something good and often unexpected will happen to someone:
We’re going to win. I just know it’s our lucky day
6. you’ll/you’d be lucky! spoken used to tell someone that what they want probably will not happen:
‘£50 should be enough.’ ‘You’ll be lucky!’
7. I/you should be so lucky! spoken used to tell someone that what they want is not likely to happen, especially because it is unreasonable:
You want three weeks holiday? You should be so lucky!
strike it lucky at ↑strike1(19), ⇨ thank your lucky stars at ↑thank(3), ⇨ third time lucky at ↑third1(2)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
feel lucky I feel so incredibly lucky to have had that experience.
get lucky informal (=be lucky) They’re not a great team - they just got lucky.
count/consider/think yourself lucky (=believe that you are lucky in a particular situation) You should count yourself lucky you weren’t seriously hurt.
strike (it) lucky informal (=be lucky) I applied for twenty jobs before I struck lucky.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

lucky

lucky [lucky luckier luckiest]   [ˈlʌki]    [ˈlʌki]  adjective (luck·ier, lucki·est)
1. having good luck
Syn:  fortunate
~ (to do sth) His friend was killed and he knows he is lucky to be alive.
She was lucky enough to be chosen for the team.
~ (that…) You were lucky (that) you spotted the danger in time.
You can think yourself lucky you didn't get mugged.
She counted herself lucky that she still had a job.
Mark is one of the lucky ones — he at least has somewhere to sleep.

• the lucky winners

2. ~ (for sb) (that…) being the result of good luck
It was lucky for us that we were able to go.
• That was the luckiest escape of my life.

• a lucky guess

3. bringing good luck
a lucky charm
more at strike (it) lucky at  strike  v., thank your lucky stars at  thank, third time lucky at  third
Idioms: lucky you/me  you should be so lucky  you'll be lucky
Derived Word: luckily  
Thesaurus:
lucky adj.
1.
Sam knew he was lucky to be alive.
fortunatein luck
Opp: unlucky
lucky/fortunate that…
lucky/fortunate to do sth
feel/consider yourself/count yourself/think yourself lucky/fortunate
2.
It was lucky for us that he didn't see us.
fortunatehappytimely
Opp: unlucky
lucky/fortunate/timely for sb/sth
lucky/fortunate/timely that…
a lucky/fortunate/happy coincidence/chance  
Example Bank:
It was lucky for you that no one saw you.
She hopes that some day she'll get lucky and win the jackpot.
She is incredibly lucky to be alive.
That was just plain lucky.
We certainly struck it lucky with the weather.
We've been pretty lucky so far.
A lucky find on the edge of the Cotswolds is helping archaeologists discover what life was like in Roman Britain.
• I didn't know he was there— it was just a lucky guess.

• It was lucky for us that he didn't see us.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

lucky / ˈlʌk.i / adjective

A2 having good things happen to you by chance:

"I'm going on holiday." "Lucky you!"

The lucky winner will be able to choose from three different holidays.

[ + to infinitive ] They're lucky to have such a nice office to work in.

He's lucky that he wasn't fired.

It sounds as if you had a lucky escape (= by good chance you were able to avoid something dangerous or unpleasant) .

We'll be lucky if we get there by midnight at this rate (= we might get there by midnight or it might be later) .

B1 bringing good luck:

a lucky charm

Six is my lucky number.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

lucky

[lʌ̱ki]
 luckier, luckiest
 1) ADJ-GRADED: oft ADJ to-inf You say that someone is lucky when they have something that is very desirable or when they are in a very desirable situation.
  I am luckier than most. I have a job...
  I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth...
  He is incredibly lucky to be alive...
  Those who are lucky enough to be wealthy have a duty to give to the hungry.
  Syn:
  fortunate
 2) ADJ-GRADED Someone who is lucky seems to always have good luck.
  Some people are born lucky aren't they?...
  He had always been lucky at cards.
 3) ADJ-GRADED If you describe an action or experience as lucky, you mean that it was good or successful, and that it happened by chance and not as a result of planning or preparation.
  They admit they are now desperate for a lucky break...
  He was lucky that it was only a can of beer that knocked him on the head.
 4) ADJ: usu ADJ n A lucky object is something that people believe helps them to be successful.
  He did not have on his other lucky charm, a pair of green socks.
 5) → See also happy-go-lucky
 6) PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR if, PHR to-inf If you say that someone will be lucky to do or get something, you mean that they are very unlikely to do or get it, and will definitely not do or get any more than that.
  You'll be lucky if you get any breakfast...
  Those remaining in work will be lucky to get the smallest of pay increases...
  You'll be lucky to have change out of ₤750.
 7) PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR to-inf/that If you say that someone can count themselves lucky, you mean that the situation they are in or the thing that has happened to them is better than it might have been or than they might have expected.
  She counted herself lucky to get a job in one of Edinburgh's department stores...
  At the end of two days, you may count yourself lucky that you don't have to live here.
 8) CONVENTION You can use lucky in expressions such as `Lucky you' and `Lucky devil' when you are slightly jealous of someone else's good luck or success, or surprised at it. [INFORMAL]
  `The thing about Mr Kemp is that he always treats me like a lady.' - `Lucky old you.'
 9) PHRASE: V inflects If you strike lucky or strike it lucky, you have some good luck. [mainly BRIT, INFORMAL]
  You may strike lucky and find a sympathetic and helpful clerk, but, there again, you might not.
 10) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If you say that it is third time lucky for someone, you mean that they have tried to do a particular thing twice before and that this time they will succeed.
  I've had two runners-up medals with Monaco and AC Milan, but I hope it will be third time lucky and I get a winners' medal with Rangers.
 11) to thank one's lucky starssee star

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

lucky

lucky /ˈlʌki/ adj luck·i·er; -est
1 : having good luck : fortunate
• We're lucky that things turned out as well as they did.
• You're lucky to have a choice. = You're lucky that you have a choice.
• I feel lucky to be alive.
• I count/consider myself lucky to know you.
• Aren't you the lucky one! [=you are a lucky person]
• “I managed to get a ticket!” “Lucky you! They were all sold out by the time I got there.”
• Tickets were available only for the lucky few.
• The lucky winner will be given a brand new car.
• I know you'll enjoy the show if you're lucky enough to get a ticket.
• Congratulations on getting the job, you lucky dog/devil.
• (chiefly US) He's a lucky stiff. [=he's very lucky]
• He was always lucky in love. [=he was always lucky in his romantic relationships]
2 : producing a good result by chance : resulting from good luck
• He scored a goal on a lucky shot.
• Their meeting was a lucky accident.
• We got a lucky break.
• It was a lucky coincidence that we were both there at the same time.
• a lucky find/guess
• It's lucky for us that the weather is so good. = We're lucky that the weather is so good.
• a lucky coin/charm
• This must be your lucky day. [=a day when something good happens because of good luck]
• You should thank your lucky stars [=you should be very grateful] that you have a friend like her.
get lucky
1 : to have good luck : to succeed because of good luck
• We thought all the tickets might have already been sold, but we got lucky—there were still a few left when we arrived.
2 informal : to succeed in finding or getting someone to have sex with you
• He's hoping to get lucky tonight.
third time lucky
- see 1third

reality

reality [noun]

the state of things as they are, rather than as they are imagined to be

US /riˈæl.ə.t̬i/ 
UK /riˈæl.ə.ti/ 
Example: 

He escaped from reality by going to the cinema every afternoon.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

reality

 noun (no plural)
the way that something really is, not how you would like it to be:
I enjoyed my holiday, but now it's back to reality.
She looked very confident but in reality she was extremely nervous.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

reality

reality S2 W2 /riˈæləti, riˈælɪti/ BrE AmE noun (plural realities)
[Word Family: noun: ↑realism, ↑realist, ↑reality, ↑unreality, ↑realization; adverb: ↑real, ↑really, ↑realistically ≠ ↑unrealistically; adjective: ↑real, ↑unreal, ↑realistic ≠ ↑unrealistic; verb: ↑realize]
1. [uncountable and countable] what actually happens or is true, not what is imagined or thought:
the distinction between fantasy and reality
TV is used as an escape from reality.
I think the government has lost touch with reality (=no longer understands what is real or true).
political realities
harsh/grim/stark reality
Millions of people live with the harsh realities of unemployment.
the reality is that
The reality is that young people will not go into teaching until salaries are higher.
The paperless office may one day become a reality.
2. in reality used to say that something is different from what people think:
In reality, violent crimes are still extremely rare.
3. [uncountable] the fact that something exists or is happening:
She had never accepted the reality of her pregnancy.
⇨ ↑virtual reality
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
the harsh/grim/stark reality (=conditions that are really very bad) We want to protect our children from the harsh reality of our violent world.
political/social/economic realities He's ignoring political realities.
■ verbs
face reality (=accept it) It's painful, but you have to face reality.
confront a reality (=consider or deal with it) They had to confront some unpleasant realities about themselves.
ignore a reality They are ignoring the reality of Arab politics.
wake up to reality (=realize what is happening or real) Well, they need to wake up to reality.
lose touch with reality (=no longer know about ordinary things or what is possible) If all you have is the show-business world, you kind of lose touch with reality.
escape from reality The programmes help viewers escape from reality.
bring somebody back to reality (=make them realize what is happening around them or true) She was brought back to reality by the pain in her ankle.
become a reality (=really happen, after being hoped for, feared, etc by someone) Last June, her longed-for baby finally became a reality.
reflect reality (=match or show what is really happening or true) Do these novels accurately reflect contemporary reality?
bear no relation to reality (=not match what is really happening or true) His vision of European politics bears no relation to reality.
be divorced from reality (=not connected in any way to what is really happening) His ideas are completely divorced from reality.
■ phrases
a dose of reality (=an experience of what things are really like) I got my first dose of reality when I reported to work at my new job.
somebody's grasp of reality (=their understanding of reality) They portrayed her as a sick woman with only a tenuous grasp of reality.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

reality

real·ity [reality realities]   [riˈæləti]    [riˈæləti]  noun (pl. real·ities)
1. uncountable the true situation and the problems that actually exist in life, in contrast to how you would like life to be
She refuses to face reality.
You're out of touch with reality.
• The reality is that there is not enough money to pay for this project.

• They seemed to have the perfect marriage but the reality was very different.

2. countable a thing that is actually experienced or seen, in contrast to what people might imagine
the harsh realities of life
This decision reflects the realities of the political situation.
• The paperless office is still far from being a reality.

• Will time travel ever become a reality?

3. uncountable ~ television/TV/shows/series/contestants television/shows, etc. that use real people (not actors) in real situations, presented as entertainment
a reality TV star
the reality show ‘Big Brother’
see also  virtual reality
Idiom: in reality  
Word Origin:
late 15th cent.: via French from medieval Latin realitas, from late Latin realis ‘relating to things’, from Latin res ‘thing’.  
Thesaurus:
reality noun U
Outwardly she seemed confident but in reality was very nervous.
factthe truthreal lifethe real world
Opp: fantasy
in reality/fact/real life/the real world
face/accept/ignore reality/the fact/the truth 
Example Bank:
He has a rather tenuous grasp of reality.
He has no illusions about the underlying reality of army life.
Her parents always tried to shield her from the realities of the world.
I don't think he understands the reality of the situation.
I don't think you have quite grasped the realities of our situation!
It's our task to make the proposals a reality.
It's time for a reality check: are these goals really achievable?
Most comedy relies on distorting reality.
Most people's ideas of the disease do not have much to do with the reality.
One day her dream will become a reality.
Painters at the time were largely concerned with reproducing external reality.
She will have to face reality sooner or later.
The director creates a believable, gritty reality.
The media portray her as happy and successful, but in reality she has a difficult life.
The movie portrays a kind of alternate reality.
The novel describes the harsh realities of racism and life on the road.
They are out of touch with the realities of modern warfare.
We were faced with the awful reality of having nowhere to live.
a book that captures the reality of life during wartime
the harsh economic realities of life as a student
the practical realities of running a children's home
the use of virtual reality in computer games
• She refuses to face reality.

• You're out of touch with reality.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

reality / riˈæl.ɪ.ti /   / -ə.t̬i / noun

B2 [ S or U ] the state of things as they are, rather than as they are imagined to be:

The reality of the situation is that unless we find some new funding soon, the youth centre will have to close.

He escaped from reality by going to the cinema every afternoon.

He seemed very young, but he was in reality (= in fact) older than all of us.

B2 [ C ] a fact:

The book confronts the harsh social and political realities of the world today.

Her childhood ambition became a reality (= happened in fact) when she was made a judge.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

reality

[riæ̱lɪti]
 ♦♦
 realities

 1) N-UNCOUNT You use reality to refer to real things or the real nature of things rather than imagined, invented, or theoretical ideas.
 → See also virtual reality
  Fiction and reality were increasingly blurred...
  Psychiatrists become too caught up in their theories to deal adequately with reality.
  Ant:
  fiction
 2) N-COUNT: usu the N of n The reality of a situation is the truth about it, especially when it is unpleasant or difficult to deal with.
  ...the harsh reality of top international competition...
  Other psychoanalysts do accept the reality of child sexual abuse.
 3) N-SING You say that something has become a reality when it actually exists or is actually happening.
  ...the whole procedure that made this book become a reality...
  The reality is that they are poor.
 4) PHRASE: PHR with cl You can use in reality to introduce a statement about the real nature of something, when it contrasts with something incorrect that has just been described.
  He came across as streetwise, but in reality he was not.
  Syn:
  in fact

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1re·al·i·ty /riˈæləti/ noun, pl -ties
1 [noncount] : the true situation that exists : the real situation
• He refused to face/accept reality. [=the truth]
• the difference between fiction/fantasy and reality
• She's out of touch with reality. [=she does not know what is really true]
• The reality is that we can't afford to buy a house.
• He used television as an escape from reality.
2 [count] : something that actually exists or happens : a real event, occurrence, situation, etc.
• The movie shows the harsh/grim/stark realities of war. [=the things that really happen in a war]
• Her dream of competing in the Olympics became a reality. [=she competed in the Olympics, as she had dreamed of doing]
• They made the plan a reality.
- see also virtual reality
in reality : in truth - used to stress that something is true or real especially when it is different from what was believed or expected
• They talked as if they had accomplished a lot, but in reality they did very little.
In reality, she was 15 years younger than she looked.

posse

posse [noun]

a group of people who have come together for the same purpose

US /ˈpɑː.si/ 
UK /ˈpɒs.i/ 
Example: 

The disgraced minister walked swiftly from the car to his house pursued by a whole posse of reporters.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

posse

posse /ˈpɒsi $ ˈpɑːsi/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: posse comitatus 'power of the county']
1. informal a group of the same kind of people
posse of
I was surrounded by a posse of photographers.
2. a group of men gathered together by a ↑sheriff (=local law officer) in the US in past times to help catch a criminal
3. American English informal
a) someone’s group of friends – used especially by young people
b) a group of friends from a particular place who share an interest in ↑rap, HIP-HOP, or ↑house music SYN massive British English

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

posse

posse [posse posses]   [ˈpɒsi]    [ˈpɑːsi]  noun
1. (informal) a group of people who are similar in some way, or who spend time together

• a little posse of helpers

 

2. (in the US in the past) a group of people who were brought together by a sheriff (= an officer of the law) in order to help him catch a criminal

3. (informal) a group of young men involved in crime connected with drugs 
Word Origin:
mid 17th cent.: from medieval Latin, literally power, from Latin posse ‘be able’.  
Example Bank:
• He was sat at a corner table and surrounded by a posse of attentive waiters.

• She arrived at the theatre followed by the usual press posse.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

posse / ˈpɒs.i /   / ˈpɑː.si / noun [ C , + sing/pl verb ]

a group of people who have come together for the same purpose:

The disgraced minister walked swiftly from the car to his house pursued by a whole posse of reporters.

in the past, a group of men in the US who were brought together to catch a criminal:

The sheriff rounded up a posse and went after the bank robbers.

slang a group of friends:

I was hanging with my posse.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

posse

[pɒ̱si]
 posses
 1) N-COUNT: N of n A posse of people is a group of people with the same job or purpose. [INFORMAL]
  He refused to engage in conversation with a posse of reporters when leaving Belmont...
  A posse of Marsh's friends persuaded them that this was a bad idea.
  Syn:
  group
 2) N-COUNT In former times, in the United States, a posse was a group of men who were brought together by the local law officer to help him chase and capture a criminal.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

posse

pos·se /ˈpɑːsi/ noun, pl -ses [count]
1 : a group of people who were gathered together by a sheriff in the past to help search for a criminal
• The sheriff and his posse rode out to look for the bandits.
2 informal : a group of people who are together for a particular purpose - often + of
• A posse of reporters greeted the coach.
3 informal : a group of friends : gang
• I went to the game with my posse.
• The movie star and his posse [=(more formally) entourage] were seen at the new restaurant.

media

media [noun] (NEWSPAPER)

the internet, newspapers, magazines, television, etc., considered as a group

US /ˈmiː.di.ə/ 
UK /ˈmiː.di.ə/ 
Example: 

the local/national media

Oxford Essential Dictionary

media

 noun (no plural)

the media television, radio and newspapers:
The media always takes a great interest in the royal family.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

media

media S2 W2 AC /ˈmiːdiə/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1900-2000; Origin: Plural of ↑medium2]
1. the media all the organizations, such as television, radio, and newspapers, that provide news and information for the public, or the people who do this work:
The scandal was widely reported in the national media.
The role of the news media in forming public opinion is very important.
The 11-day trial generated intense media interest.
A great deal of media hype surrounded the release of the group’s latest CD.
There will be another war somewhere else and the whole international media circus will move on.
GRAMMAR
People sometimes use a singular verb after media but it is better to use a plural verb:
▪ The media were widely distrusted.
2. the plural of ↑medium ⇨ ↑mass media, ↑multimedia
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + media
the national/local media The case received enormous publicity in the national media.
the news media Does the news media have a role in forming public opinion?
the mass media (=television, newspapers etc, which are seen by many people) The mass media has helped to call attention to environmental issues.
the mainstream/popular media (=television, newspapers etc, that most people are able to see or read) Few of these events were reported in the mainstream media.
■ media + NOUN
media attention/coverage/interest etc The tragedy received worldwide media attention.
a media campaign (=when something is deliberately reported or advertised in the media a lot) a media campaign aimed at reducing drunk driving
a media blitz (=when something is deliberately reported or advertised in the media a lot, in a small amount of time) The candidate’s media blitz has certainly raised his profile in the election.
media hype (=when the media give something too much attention and try to make it seem more important or better than it really is) the media hype surrounding the match against France
a media circus (=a disapproving phrase for all the people from the media who report events, and all the attention they give to these events) There is likely to be a media circus outside the courtroom.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

media

media AW [media mediae]   [ˈmiːdiə]    [ˈmiːdiə]  noun
1. the media uncountable + singular or plural verb the main ways that large numbers of people receive information and entertainment, that is television, radio, newspapers and the Internet
the news/broadcasting/national media
The trial was fully reported in the media.
The media was/were accused of influencing the final decision.
Any event attended by the actor received widespread media coverage.
• He became a media star for his part in the protests.

see also  mass media, new media

2. pl. of  medium  
Thesaurus:
the
media noun sing.+ sing./pl. v.
The media was accused of influencing the decision.
the presscoveragereportingjournalism|formal reportage
in/by the media/press
(the) mainstream media/press/coverage/reporting/journalism
the national/local/free/foreign media/press 
Example Bank:
Music has been turned into a series of media events.
One story has dominated the media this week.
She's very different from her media image.
Some blame the media for propagating negative stereotypes.
The company is anxious to play down the media hype.
The event was widely covered by the mass media.
The local media reported rioting across the country.
The two gangsters were media darlings in the 60s.
Their PR officer handles TV, radio, and print media interviews.
There is a perception that the government controls the media.
There was a lot of media coverage of the wedding.
They believe that the media is biased against them.
• They broadcast streaming media to PCs.

• propaganda through the media

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

media / ˈmiː.di.ə / noun (NEWSPAPERS)

the media B2 [ S , + sing/pl verb ] the internet, newspapers, magazines, television, etc., considered as a group:

the local/national media

media attention/coverage/hype/reports

The issue has been much discussed in the media.

→  See also multimedia

 

media / ˈmiː.di.ə / noun (MEDIUM)

plural of medium noun (METHOD)

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

media

[mi͟ːdiə]
 ♦♦
 1) N-SING-COLL: the N You can refer to television, radio, newspapers, and magazines as the media.
 → See also mass media, multimedia
  It is hard work and not a glamorous job as portrayed by the media...
  They are wondering whether bias in the news media contributed to the president's defeat...
  Media coverage of cycling in July was pretty impressive.
 2) Media is a plural of medium.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

media
 

2me·dia /ˈmiːdijə/ noun [plural]
1 : the radio stations, television stations, and newspapers through which information is communicated to the public : mass media
• The event attracted a lot of attention from the media. = The event attracted a lot of media attention.
• the news media
- sometimes used with a singular verb
• He feels that the media is ignoring this important issue.
2 chiefly US : people who work as news reporters, publishers, and broadcasters : members of the media
• The event attracted a lot of media.
• a large crowd of media

social media

social media [noun]

websites and computer programs that allow people to communicate and share information on the internet using a computer or mobile phone

US /ˌsoʊ.ʃəl ˈmiː.di.ə/ 
UK /ˌsəʊ.ʃəl ˈmiː.di.ə/ 
Example: 

Companies are increasingly making use of social media in order to market their goods.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

social ˈmedia 
BrE  ; NAmE  
[uncountable, plural]
websites and software programs used for social networking Companies need to invest in social media to make it work for them.
 social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter 
Social media are changing the way people communicate, work, and shop.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

ˌ social ˈ media noun [ U or plural ]

websites and computer programs that allow people to communicate and share information on the internet using a computer or mobile phone :

Companies are increasingly making use of social media in order to market their goods.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

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