British English

soup

soup [noun]

a usually hot, liquid food made from vegetables, meat, or fish

/suːp/

Example:

Would you like a bowl of soup?

Oxford Essential Dictionary

soup

noun (no plural)

pronunciation
The word soup sounds like loop.

liquid food that you make by cooking things like vegetables or meat in water:
tomato soup

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

soup

I. soup¹ S3 /suːp/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: soupe 'piece of bread dipped in liquid, soup']
1. cooked liquid food, often containing small pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables:
homemade tomato soup
2. be in the soup informal to be in trouble
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + soup
▪ chicken/tomato etc soup We both had chicken soup.
▪ hot They serve hot soup from mobile kitchens.
▪ thick Lunch consisted of a thick vegetable soup.
▪ creamy A rich creamy potato soup starts the meal.
▪ homemade Homemade soup can be had for $2.50 a bowl.
▪ canned (also tinned British English) She heated up some tinned soup.
■ phrases
▪ a bowl of soup Could I have a bowl of soup?
▪ a cup/mug of soup He got a cup of soup from the machine.
▪ a can of soup (also a tin of soup British English) I opened a can of mushroom soup.
■ soup + NOUN
▪ a soup bowl/plate Russell pushed his empty soup bowl away.
▪ a soup spoon (=a spoon with a rounder part that you eat from than an ordinary spoon)
▪ a soup tureen (=a large bowl with a lid, from which soup is served) She lifted the lid of the soup tureen.
■ verbs
▪ eat/drink soup We chatted as we ate our spinach soup.
▪ ladle soup out/into a bowl (=serve it using a large spoon) Ladle the soup into warm bowls and garnish with

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

soup

soup [soup soups souped souping] noun, verb [suːp] [suːp]

noun

uncountable, countable
a liquid food made by boiling meat, vegetables, etc. in water, often eaten as the first course of a meal
• a bowl of soup
• chicken soup
• (BrE) tinned/packet soups
• (NAmE) canned/packaged soups
• a soup spoon/plate
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French soupe ‘sop, broth (poured on slices of bread)’, from late Latin suppa, of Germanic origin.
Example Bank:
• Don't slurp your soup!
• He ladled out three bowls of soup.
• Warhol's paintings of Campbell's soup cans
• We had a cold cucumber soup as a starter.
• an alphabet soup of other government agencies= used to say that their names consist of complicated abbreviations
• hearty vegetable soup
• the Chinese delicacy of shark fin soup
• the emergence of life from the primordial soup on the Earth
Idioms: from soup to nuts ▪ in the soup

Derived: soup something up

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

soup / suːp / noun [ C or U ]

A1 a usually hot, liquid food made from vegetables, meat, or fish:

chicken/oxtail/fish/tomato soup

Would you like a bowl of soup?

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

soup

[su͟ːp]
soups, souping, souped
1) N-MASS: usu supp N Soup is liquid food made by boiling meat, fish, or vegetables in water.
  ...home-made chicken soup.
2) PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR If you say that someone is in the soup, you mean they are in trouble. [JOURNALISM, INFORMAL]
  She has a knack of landing herself right in the soup.
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - soup up

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹soup /ˈsuːp/ noun, pl soups : a food made by cooking vegetables, meat, or fish in a large amount of liquid

[count]

• a delicious chicken soup

[noncount]

• a bowl of soup
• a soup spoon
- see also pea soup
in the soup informal + old-fashioned : in a bad situation : in trouble
• That stunt landed her in the soup.
soup to nuts US informal
1 : covering every detail or part of something
• The book provides a soup to nuts look at the current political scene.
2 from soup to nuts : in every detail or part
• The entire procedure from soup to nuts is changing.

fruit

fruit [noun] (PLANT PART)

the soft part containing seeds that is produced by a plant. Many types of fruit are sweet and can be eaten

/fruːt/

Example:

Apricots are the one fruit I don't like.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

fruit

noun

pronunciation
The word fruit sounds like boot.

The part of a plant or tree that holds the seeds. Oranges and apples are types of fruit.

grammar
Be careful! We do not usually say 'a fruit'. We say 'a piece of fruit' or 'some fruit ': Would you like a piece of fruit? • 'Would you like some fruit?' 'Yes please – I'll have a pear.'

word building
There are many different types of fruit. Here are some of them: apple, banana, date, lemon, mango, strawberry. Do you know any others?

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

fruit

I. fruit¹ S2 W3 /fruːt/ BrE AmE noun (plural fruit or fruits)
[Word Family: noun: ↑fruit, ↑fruition, ↑fruiterer; adjective: ↑fruitful ≠ ↑fruitless, ↑fruity; verb: ↑fruit; adverb: ↑fruitfully ≠ ↑fruitlessly]
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin fructus, from frui 'to enjoy, have the use of']
1. [uncountable and countable] something that grows on a plant, tree, or bush, can be eaten as a food, contains seeds or a stone, and is usually sweet:
Try to eat plenty of fresh fruit.
fruit and vegetables
a glass of fruit juice
a large garden with fruit trees ⇨ ↑dried fruit, ↑soft fruit
GRAMMAR
Fruit is usually uncountable:
▪ Fruit is inexpensive here. It is used as a countable noun mainly to refer to one or more types of fruit:
▪ oranges and other citrus fruits
2. [uncountable and countable] technical the part of a plant, bush, or tree that contains the seeds
3. the fruit(s) of something the good results that you have from something, after you have worked very hard:
I’m looking forward to retirement and having time to enjoy the fruits of my labour (=the results of my hard work).
4. in fruit technical trees, plants etc that are in fruit are producing their fruit
5. the fruits of the earth literary all the natural things that the earth produces, such as fruit, vegetables, or minerals
⇨ bear fruit at ↑bear¹(9)
II. fruit² BrE AmE verb [intransitive] technical
[Word Family: noun: ↑fruit, ↑fruition, ↑fruiterer; adjective: ↑fruitful ≠ ↑fruitless, ↑fruity; verb: ↑fruit; adverb: ↑fruitfully ≠ ↑fruitlessly]
if a tree or a plant fruits, it produces fruit

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fruit

fruit [fruit fruits fruited fruiting] noun, verb [fruːt] [fruːt]

noun

1. countable, uncountable the part of a plant that consists of one or more seeds and flesh, can be eaten as food and usually tastes sweet
• tropical fruits, such as bananas and pineapples
• Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
• a piece of fruit (= an apple, an orange, etc.)
• fruit juice
• fruit trees
compare vegetable

see also dried fruit, first fruit, soft fruit

2. countable (technical) a part of a plant or tree that is formed after the flowers have died and in which seeds develop

3. countable, usually plural (literary) all the natural things that the earth produces

4. countable (offensive) an offensive word for a homosexual man
more at bear fruit at bear _v., forbidden fruit at forbidden
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French, from Latin fructus ‘enjoyment of produce, harvest’, from frui ‘enjoy’, related to fruges ‘fruits of the earth’, plural (and most common form) of frux, frug- ‘fruit’.
Example Bank:
• Finish the meal with a piece of fresh fruit.
• He was now reaping the fruits of all his hard work.
• The crab apple bears a small, bitter fruit.
• Their work left them enough time to enjoy the fruits of their success.
• citrus fruits such as limes and lemons
• five daily portions of fruit and vegetables
• the first fruits of the government's health campaign

Idiom: fruit of something

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fruit / fruːt / noun (PLANT PART)

A1 [ C or U ] the soft part containing seeds that is produced by a plant. Many types of fruit are sweet and can be eaten:

Apricots are the one fruit I don't like.

Oranges, apples, pears, and bananas are all types of fruit.

Would you like some fruit for dessert?

The cherry tree in our garden is in fruit (= it has fruit growing on it) .

I like exotic fruit, like mangoes and papayas.

How many pieces of fresh fruit do you eat in a day?

fruit trees

He runs a fruit and vegetable stall in the market.

→ Compare vegetable

See picture fruit 1

See picture fruit 2

[ C ] specialized the part of any plant that holds the seeds

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

fruit

[fru͟ːt]

fruits, fruiting, fruited
(The plural form is usually fruit, but can also be fruits.)
1) N-VAR Fruit or a fruit is something which grows on a tree or bush and which contains seeds or a stone covered by a substance that you can eat.
  Fresh fruit and vegetables provide fibre and vitamins.
  ...bananas and other tropical fruits...
  Try to eat at least one piece of fruit a day.
2) VERB If a plant fruits, it produces fruit.
  The scientists will study the variety of trees and observe which are fruiting.
3) N-COUNT: usu the N of n The fruits or the fruit of someone's work or activity are the good things that result from it.
  The team have really worked hard and Mansell is enjoying the fruits of that labour...
  The findings are the fruit of more than three years research.
4) → See also dried fruit, forbidden fruit, kiwi fruit, passion fruit
5) PHRASE: V inflects If the effort that you put into something or a particular way of doing something bears fruit, it is successful and produces good results.
  Eleanor's work among the women will, I trust, bear fruit...
  He was naturally disappointed when the talks failed to bear fruit.
6) PHRASE: oft PHR of n The first fruits or the first fruit of a project or activity are its earliest results or profits.
  This project is one of the first fruits of commercial co-operation between the two countries.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹fruit /ˈfruːt/ noun, pl fruits
1 a : a usually sweet food (such as a blueberry, orange, or apple) that grows on a tree or bush

[count]

• apples, oranges, and other fruits

[noncount]

• a bowl/piece of fruit
- often used before another noun
• fruit salad [=a mixture of fruits cut into small pieces]
• fruit juice
• a fruit tree [=a tree that bears fruit]
- see color picture
- see also forbidden fruit
b [count] technical : the part of a plant that has the seeds in it (such as the pod of a pea, a nut, a grain, or a berry)
2 [count] : a result or reward that comes from some action or activity - usually plural
• They're finally able to enjoy the fruits of their labors.
• We hope that we'll be able to share in the fruits of victory.
3 [count] : something that exists naturally in the world and is useful to people - usually plural
• We need to remember that the fruits of the earth belong to us all.
bear fruit
- see ²bear
the fruit of someone's loins
- see loin

American English

British English

fruits and seeds and their parts

A1 (Basic)

noun

vegetable

vegetable [noun] (FOOD)

a plant, root, seed, or pod that is used as food, especially in dishes that are not sweet

/ˈvedʒ.tə.bəl/

Example:

The potato is the most popular vegetable in Britain.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

vegetable

noun
a plant or part of a plant that we eat:
The students grow vegetables such as cabbages, beans and carrots.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

vegetable

I. vege‧ta‧ble¹ S3 W3 /ˈvedʒtəbəl/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Medieval Latin; Origin: vegetabilis 'growing', from vegetare 'to grow', from Latin vegere 'to cause to act, excite']
1. a plant that is eaten raw or cooked, such as a ↑cabbage, a ↑carrot, or ↑peas:
fresh fruit and vegetables
organic methods of growing vegetables
vegetable soup
a neat vegetable garden
Vitamin A is found in liver and green vegetables.
salad vegetables (=vegetables such as ↑lettuce or ↑tomatoes eaten raw)
GRAMMAR
Vegetable is a countable noun, not an uncountable noun:
▪ They grew their own vegetables (NOT their own vegetable).
2. not polite an offensive word for someone who is alive but who cannot talk or move because their brain is damaged
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + vegetable
▪ fresh Fresh vegetables taste best immediately after they've been picked.
▪ raw Some vegetables are better eaten raw.
▪ organic (=grown without using chemicals) Most supermarkets sell organic fruit and vegetables.
▪ tinned/canned Do canned vegetables have as many vitamins as fresh ones?
▪ frozen packets of frozen vegetables
▪ green vegetables Eat plenty of green vegetables.
▪ leafy vegetables Leafy vegetables contain iron, which is good for the blood.
▪ root vegetables (=vegetables whose roots you eat, such as carrots) Excellent soups can be made from root vegetables.
▪ a salad vegetable (=a vegetable that is eaten raw in a salad) You can buy ready-prepared salad vegetables.
▪ baby vegetables (=vegetables that have not grown to their full size) Baby vegetables, especially carrots and corn, appeal to youngsters.
■ vegetable + NOUN
▪ vegetable soup I think I'll have the vegetable soup.
▪ vegetable stock (=a liquid in which vegetables have been cooked) Gently cook the mushrooms and onions in the vegetable stock.
▪ vegetable oil She uses vegetable oil instead of lard.
▪ a vegetable garden/patch/plot Anna was digging in the vegetable garden.
■ verbs
▪ grow vegetables If we had a garden, we could grow our own vegetables.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

vegetable

vege·table [vegetable vegetables] [ˈvedʒtəbl] [ˈvedʒtəbl] noun

1. (also informal veg·gie especially in NAmE) a plant or part of a plant that is eaten as food. Potatoes, beans and onions are all vegetables
• green vegetables (= for example cabbage )
• root vegetables (= for example carrots )
• a salad of raw vegetables
• a vegetable garden/patch/plot
• vegetable matter (= plants in general)

compare animal, fruit, mineral

2. (BrE also cab·bage) a person who is physically alive but not capable of much mental or physical activity, for example because of an accident or illness

• Severe brain damage turned him into a vegetable.

3. a person who has a boring life
• Since losing my job I've been a vegetable.
See also: cabbage ▪ veggie
Word Origin:
late Middle English (in the sense ‘growing as a plant’): from Old French, or from late Latin vegetabilis ‘animating’, from Latin vegetare, from vegetus ‘active’, from vegere ‘be active’. The current sense dates from the late 16th cent.
Example Bank:
• The children don't eat enough green vegetables.
• They grow all their own vegetables.

• a salad of crisp, raw vegetables

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

vegetable / ˈvedʒ.tə.bl̩ / noun [ C ] ( US informal veggie ) (FOOD)

A1 a plant, root, seed, or pod that is used as food, especially in dishes that are not sweet:

fresh/frozen vegetables

vegetable soup/stew/curry

fruit and vegetables

The potato is the most popular vegetable in Britain.

In the winter we tend to eat more root vegetables, such as carrots and parsnips.

Raw vegetables contain more potassium than cooked ones.

a vegetable knife

→ Compare fruit noun (PLANT PART)

See picture vegetables 1

See picture vegetables 2

vegetable / ˈvedʒ.tə.bl̩ / noun (PERSON)

[ C ] informal a person who does not do anything or has no interest in doing anything:

Sitting at home all day in front of the TV slowly turned her into a vegetable.

[ C ] offensive a person who is unable to think or move correctly because of severe brain damage

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

vegetable

[ve̱ʤtəb(ə)l]

vegetables
1) N-COUNT Vegetables are plants such as cabbages, potatoes, and onions which you can cook and eat.
  A good general diet should include plenty of fresh vegetables.
  ...traditional Caribbean fruit and vegetables.
  ...vegetable soup.
2) ADJ: usu ADJ n Vegetable matter comes from plants. [FORMAL]
  ...compounds, of animal, vegetable or mineral origin.
  ...decayed vegetable matter.
3) N-COUNT: usu sing If someone refers to a brain-damaged person as a vegetable, they mean that the person cannot move, think, or speak. [INFORMAL, OFFENSIVE]
  Syn:
  cabbage

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

vegetable

veg·e·ta·ble /ˈvɛʤtəbəl/ noun, pl -ta·bles [count]
1 : a plant or plant part that is eaten as food
• The doctor said I should eat more fruits and vegetables.
• a bowl of vegetable soup
• a vegetable garden
• vegetable oil
- see color picture
- see also root vegetable
2 sometimes offensive : a person who is unable to talk, move, etc., because of severe brain damage
• The accident had left him a vegetable.
- called also (Brit, informal) cabbage,

English translation unavailable for main course.

receive

receive [verb] (GET)

to get or be given something

/rɪˈsiːv/

Example:

Did you receive my letter?

Oxford Essential Dictionary

receive

verb (receives, receiving, received ) (formal)

spelling
Remember! When the sound is , there is a spelling rule: I before E, except after C, so you spell receive with EI (not IE).

to get or accept something that somebody has given or sent to you same meaning get:
Did you receive my letter?

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

receive

re‧ceive S1 W1 /rɪˈsiːv/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Word Family: noun: ↑receipt, receipts, ↑receiver, ↑reception, ↑receivership, ↑receiving, ↑receptionist, ↑receptor; adjective: ↑receptive ≠ UNRECEPTIVE, ↑received; verb: ↑receive]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old North French; Origin: receivre, from Latin recipere, from capere 'to take']
1. BE GIVEN SOMETHING to be given something SYN get:
All the children will receive a small gift.
receive something from somebody
She received an honorary degree from Harvard.
receive attention/affection/support
She received no support from her parents.
receive payment/money/a pension etc
They will be entitled to receive unemployment benefit.
receive a prize/award/gift etc
He went up to receive his award from the mayor.
receive education/training
16 to 18-year-olds receiving full-time education
Lee received 324 votes (=324 people voted for him).
REGISTER
Receive is a rather formal word, which is used especially in written English. In everyday English, people usually use get.
▪ What did you get for your birthday?
▪ She got a degree from York University.
2. BE SENT SOMETHING formal to get a letter, message, or telephone call, or something which someone has sent you
receive something from somebody
He received a letter from his insurance company.
If you would like to receive further information, return the attached form.
We have received numerous complaints about the noise.
3. TREATMENT formal if you receive a particular type of medical treatment, it is done to you:
He received hospital treatment for a cut over his eye.
4. REACTION TO SOMETHING [usually passive] to react in a particular way to a suggestion, idea, performance etc ⇨ reception:
The film was well received by critics (=they said it was good).
He received the news in silence.
5. be on/at the receiving end (of something) to be the person who is affected by someone else’s actions, usually in an unpleasant way:
She found herself on the receiving end of racist abuse.
6. receive an injury/blow formal to be injured or hit
7. PEOPLE formal to officially accept someone as a guest or member of a group
receive guests/visitors
She isn’t well enough to receive visitors yet.
receive somebody into something
She was later received into the Church.
8. BY RADIO
a) if a radio or television receives radio waves or other signals, it makes them become sounds or pictures
b) to be able to hear a radio message that someone is sending:
Receiving you loud and clear!'

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

receive / rɪˈsiːv / verb [ T ] (GET)

A2 to get or be given something:

Did you receive my letter?

I received a phone call from your mother.

They received a visit from the police.

She died after receiving a blow to the head.

Members of Parliament received a 4.2 percent pay increase this year.

(of a radio or television) to change a signal into sounds and pictures

→ See also reception (RADIO/TELEVISION)

to be able to hear someone's voice when they are communicating with you by radio:

I'm receiving you loud and clear .

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

receive

[rɪsi͟ːv]

receives, receiving, received
1) VERB When you receive something, you get it after someone gives it to you or sends it to you.
  [V n] They will receive their awards at a ceremony in Stockholm...
  [V n] I received your letter of November 7.
  Syn:
  get
2) VERB You can use receive to say that certain kinds of thing happen to someone. For example if they are injured, you can say that they received an injury.
  [V n] He received more of the blame than anyone when the plan failed to work...
  [V n] She was suffering from whiplash injuries received in a car crash.
3) VERB When you receive a visitor or a guest, you greet them.
  [V n] The following evening the duchess was again receiving guests...
  [V n] The shop assistant received me indifferently while leaning on a counter.
4) VERB: usu passive If you say that something is received in a particular way, you mean that people react to it in that way.
  [be V-ed prep/adv] The resolution had been received with great disappointment within the PLO...
  [be V-ed with adv] The proposals have been well received by many deputies.
5) VERB When a radio or television receives signals that are being transmitted, it picks them up and converts them into sound or pictures.
  [V n] The reception was a little faint but clear enough for him to receive the signal. [Also V]
6) VERB If someone receives stolen goods, they buy or are given things that have been stolen [mainly BRIT, LEGAL]
  [V n] He went to prison for receiving stolen scrap iron...
  [V n] He received the shoes when stolen, and then passed them on to the men who would sell them.
  Syn:
  fence(in AM, use handle)
7) PHRASE If you are on the receiving end or at the receiving end of something unpleasant, you are the person that it happens to.
  You saw hate in their eyes and you were on the receiving end of that hate...
  Bullying can indeed be distressing and frightening for those at the receiving end.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

receive

re·ceive /rɪˈsiːv/ verb -ceives; -ceived; -ceiv·ing
1 [+ obj] : to get or be given (something)
• You will be charged a late fee if the electric company does not receive your payment on time.
• I received a letter/call from her yesterday.
• You will receive a discount if you spend over $100.
• This spring he'll receive [=be awarded] his PhD in physics.
2 [+ obj] : to react to (something) in a specified way
• She received the news of his death with remarkable calmness.
- often used as (be) received
• Her new book was well/poorly received by the critics. [=the critics liked/disliked her new book]
• The results of the study were received with considerable skepticism.
3 [+ obj] formal : to welcome (someone) in usually a formal way
• The ambassador received [=greeted] his guests as they arrived at the party.
4 [+ obj] : to accept (someone) as a member of an organization, church, etc. - + into
• She was received into the church/university.
5 [+ obj]
a : to suffer (an injury)
• He received [=got] a broken nose when he slipped and fell on the ice.
b : to be given (a punishment)
• She received a heavy sentence from the judge.
6 [+ obj] : to experience or take (a medical treatment)
• He receives an injection once a week to treat his allergies.
• Only one of the patients receiving the new treatment is experiencing bad side effects.
• He received a kidney transplant.
7 [+ obj]
a : to get (signals that are sent to a television, radio, etc.)
• We were unable to receive the broadcast.
• A satellite receives the signals and then sends them back to earth.
b : to be able to hear (someone who is talking to you on a radio)
• I'm receiving you loud and clear.
8 American football : to be the player or team to which the ball is kicked when play begins

[no obj]

• They won the coin toss and chose to receive.

[+ obj]

• They chose to receive the kickoff.
9 [+ obj] law : to buy or take (goods that have been stolen) illegally
• He was found guilty of receiving stolen goods.
on/at the receiving end
✦If you are on/at the receiving end of something bad or unpleasant, you are the person it is directed at.
• It's not often that I find myself on the receiving end of such insults.

American English

British English

getting

getting - receiving and accepting

A2 (Elementary)

verb

nature

nature [noun] (LIFE)

all the animals, plants, rocks, etc. in the world and all the features, forces, and processes that happen or exist independently of people, such as the weather, the sea, mountains, the production of young animals or plants, and growth

/ˈneɪ.tʃɚ/

/ˈneɪ.tʃər/

Example:

This new technique of artificially growing cells copies what actually happens in nature.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

nature

noun

1 (no plural) all the plants, animals, etc. in the world and all the things that happen in it that are not made or caused by people:
the beauty of nature

2 (plural natures) the way a person or thing is:
Our cat has a very friendly nature.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

nature

na‧ture S1 W1 /ˈneɪtʃə $ -tʃər/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑nature, ↑naturalist, ↑naturalism, ↑naturalization, ↑naturalness, the supernatural, ↑natural, ↑naturist, ↑naturism; adverb: ↑naturally ≠ ↑unnaturally, ↑naturalistically, ↑supernaturally; adjective: ↑natural ≠ ↑unnatural, ↑supernatural, ↑naturalistic; verb: ↑naturalize]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: French; Origin: Latin natura, from natus; ⇨ ↑nation]
1. PLANTS/ANIMALS ETC [uncountable] (also Nature) everything in the physical world that is not controlled by humans, such as wild plants and animals, earth and rocks, and the weather:
We grew up in the countryside, surrounded by the beauties of nature.
nature conservation
the laws/forces of nature
The inhabitants of the island fight a constant battle against the forces of nature.
in nature
All these materials are found in nature.
Disease is nature’s way of keeping the population down.
2. SB’S CHARACTER [uncountable and countable] someone’s character:
a child with a happy, easy-going nature
sb’s nature
It’s just not in Jane’s nature to lie.
by nature
She was by nature a very affectionate person.
I tried appealing to his better nature (=his feelings of kindness) but he wouldn’t agree to help us.
Of course she’s jealous – it’s only human nature (=the feelings and ways of behaving that all people have).
3. QUALITIES OF SOMETHING [singular, uncountable] the qualities or features that something has
nature of
They asked a lot of questions about the nature of our democracy.
He examined the nature of the relationship between the two communities.
exact/precise/true nature
The exact nature of the problem is not well understood.
different/political/temporary etc in nature
Any government funding would be temporary in nature.
Capitalist society is by its very nature unstable.
4. TYPE [singular] a particular kind of thing
of a personal/political/difficult etc nature
The support being given is of a practical nature.
of this/that nature
I never trouble myself with questions of that nature.
5. in the nature of things according to the natural way things happen:
In the nature of things, there is bound to be the occasional accident.
6. be in the nature of something formal to be similar to a type of thing:
The enquiry will be more in the nature of a public meeting than a formal hearing.
7. against nature not natural, and morally wrong:
They believe that suicide is against nature.
8. let nature take its course to allow events to happen without doing anything to change the results:
The best cure for a cold is to let nature take its course.
9. back to nature a style of living in which people try to live simply and not use modern machines:
city workers who want to get back to nature in their holidays
⇨ be/become second nature (to somebody) at ↑second¹(10), ⇨ the call of nature at ↑call²(12)

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

nature

na·ture [nature natures] [ˈneɪtʃə(r)] [ˈneɪtʃər] noun

PLANTS, ANIMALS
1. (often Nature) uncountable all the plants, animals and things that exist in the universe that are not made by people
• the beauties of nature
• man-made substances not found in nature
• nature conservation You cannot use ‘the nature’ in this meaning: the beauties of the nature. It is often better to use another appropriate word, for example the countryside, the scenery or wildlife
• We stopped to admire the scenery.

• We stopped to admire the nature.

2. (often Nature) uncountable the way that things happen in the physical world when it is not controlled by people
• the forces/laws of nature
• Just let nature take its course.
• Her illness was Nature's way of telling her to do less.

see also Mother Nature

CHARACTER

3. countable, uncountable the usual way that a person or an animal behaves that is part of their character
• It's not in his nature to be unkind.
• She is very sensitive by nature.
• We appealed to his better nature (= his kindness).

see also good nature, human nature, second nature

BASIC QUALITIES

4. singular the basic qualities of a thing
• the changing nature of society
• It's difficult to define the exact nature of the problem.
• My work is very specialized in nature.

• The future by its very nature is uncertain.

TYPE/KIND

5. singular a type or kind of sth
• books of a scientific nature

• Don't worry about things of that nature.

-NATURED

6. (in adjectives) having the type of character or quality mentioned
• a good-natured man
more at the call of nature at call _n., the forces of nature at force _n.
Idioms: against nature ▪ back to nature ▪ in the nature of something ▪ in the nature of things
Word Origin:
Middle English (denoting the physical power of a person): from Old French, from Latin natura ‘birth, nature, quality’, from nat- ‘born’, from the verb nasci.
Thesaurus:
nature noun
1. U
• Take time to appreciate the beauties of nature.
the natural world • • the environment • • the wild • • life • • wildlife • • ecosystem • • habitat •
in nature/the environment/the wild/an ecosystem/a habitat
(a/an/the) marine/terrestrial/aquatic environment/life/wildlife/ecosystem/habitat
protect the natural world/the environment/… life/wildlife/habitats
2. C, U
• It's not in her nature to be unkind.
character • • personality • • temperament • • self • • make-up • |formal disposition • • persona •
by nature/temperament
in sb's nature/character
a violent nature/character/personality/temperament
a generous nature/character/disposition
Which word? Nature is used about sb's normal way of behaving; character is used especially about sb's moral behaviour; personality is used especially about whether sb is confident, shy, etc. with other people.; temperament is mostly used about whether sb normally stays calm, or gets angry, etc.
3. sing.
• It's difficult to define the exact nature of the problem.
character • • essence • • stuff • • spirit •
in nature/character/essence/spirit
the very nature/character/essence/stuff/spirit of sth
preserve/capture/convey/reflect the nature/character/essence of sth
Nature or character? Use nature to talk about the basic qualities of abstract things, such as society or risks; use character to talk about the qualities of buildings, places and other physical things, especially qualities that make a place or thing seem different or special.
Word Family:
nature noun
natural adjective (≠ unnatural)
naturally adverb (≠ unnaturally)
Example Bank:
• Are you aware of the nature of the risks involved?
• Because of the detailed nature of the work, I have to use a very fine brush.
• By its very nature a secret service is not open to public inspection.
• Given the nature of this matter, I am inclined to think it should be managed by you personally.
• He believed in spending half an hour each day to relax and commune with nature.
• He had a vicious side to his nature.
• He has an inquisitive nature.
• He's not by nature an inquisitive person.
• Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.
• His love of nature was expressed through his wildlife paintings.
• His theory provides a remarkable insight into the nature of the British constitution.
• I'm not clear about the exact nature of their relationship.
• It is important to define the nature of the problem.
• It was against his nature to tell lies.
• It's highly unlikely that this mound was produced by nature.
• It's not in his nature to complain.
• It's only human nature to want more money.
• Mother Nature had served up some terrible weather for their cruise.
• Mother Nature's way of dealing with overpopulation
• Nature had endowed her with exceptional vitality.
• People are always taking advantage of her good nature.
• The Buddhist goal is to realize the true nature of the world.
• The gentle lower slopes belie the true nature of the mountain.
• The legal concept of insanity is of a different nature from the medical.
• The method employed will depend on the nature of the task.
• The parties would not reveal the exact nature of the dispute.
• The victim has not been identified because of the sensitive nature of the case.
• Their problems are of an economic nature.
• Their strategy was essentially political in nature.
• There was no point appealing to her better nature.
• They define sexual harassment as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature.
• This new information does not change the nature of our findings.
• We appreciate beauty in nature.
• We built our house in the country because we wanted to get back to nature.
• We built our house in the country because we wanted to get back= be close to nature.
• We can only treat the injury and then let nature take its course.
• We need to understand the true extent and nature of the problem.
• a debate concerning the nature of violence
• matters of a routine nature
• people who live in the country and are close to nature
• the dual nature of man as a physical and spiritual being
• the expressive part of his nature
• the international nature of the business
• the subjective nature of an odour
• the unsatisfactory nature of the meeting
• A lot of nature conservation is about protecting habitats.
• Decisions of this nature often take a long time.
• Don't worry about things of that nature.
• Her illness was Nature's way of telling her to do less.
• His books were mainly of a scientific nature.
• It seemed against the laws of nature that such a creature could even exist.
• It's not in her nature to be unkind.
• My work is very specialized in nature.
• She is very sensitive by nature.
• Take time to appreciate the beauties of nature.
• The forces of nature are constantly reshaping our world.
• The talk addressed the subject of the changing nature of our society.
• We appealed to his better nature.
• What's the nature of his work?

• White phosphorus is so reactive that it is not found in nature.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

nature / ˈneɪ.tʃə r / / -tʃɚ / noun (LIFE)

A2 [ U ] all the animals, plants, rocks, etc. in the world and all the features, forces, and processes that happen or exist independently of people, such as the weather, the sea, mountains, the production of young animals or plants, and growth:

her love of nature

This new technique of artificially growing cells copies what actually happens in nature.

a nature article/book/programme

Nature the force that is responsible for physical life and that is sometimes spoken of as a person:

Feeling tired-out is Nature's way of telling you to rest.

Nature gave these tiny creatures the ability to reproduce quickly when food is abundant.

Word partners for nature (LIFE)

the forces of / laws of nature • a nature lover • be found in nature • in nature • nature conservation

Word partners for nature (TYPE)

the nature of sth • [different/temporary, etc.] in nature • of a [confidential/similar, etc.] nature • the exact / precise / true nature of sth • the changing / complex / political / serious nature of sth • alter / change / reflect the nature of sth

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

nature

[ne͟ɪtʃə(r)]
natures
1) N-UNCOUNT Nature is all the animals, plants, and other things in the world that are not made by people, and all the events and processes that are not caused by people.
→ See also Mother Nature
  The most amazing thing about nature is its infinite variety.
  ...grasses that grow wild in nature.
  ...the ecological balance of nature.
2) N-SING: with supp, oft n N, also by/in N The nature of something is its basic quality or character.
  Mr Sharp would not comment on the nature of the issues being investigated.
  ...the ambitious nature of the programme...
  The protests had been non-political by nature...
  The rise of a major power is both economic and military in nature.
3) N-SING: with poss, also by N Someone's nature is their character, which they show by the way they behave.
→ See also human nature
  Jeya feels that her ambitious nature made her unsuitable for an arranged marriage...
  She trusted people. That was her nature...
  He was by nature affectionate.
4) PHRASE: v-link PHR If you say that something is against nature, you think that it is unnatural.
  All these activities are against nature.
  Syn:
  unnatural
5) PHRASE: PHR after v If you want to get back to nature, you want to return to a simpler way of living.
  She was very anxious to get away from cities and back to nature.
6) PHRASE: N inflects, PHR with cl If you say that something has a particular characteristic by its nature or by its very nature, you mean that things of that type always have that characteristic.
  Peacekeeping, by its nature, makes pre-planning difficult...
  One could argue that smoking, by its very nature, is addictive.
7) PHRASE: PHR after v (politeness) Some people talk about a call of nature when referring politely to the need to go to the toilet.
  I'm afraid I have to answer a call of nature.
8) PHRASE: PHR with cl If you say that something is in the nature of things, you mean that you would expect it to happen in the circumstances mentioned.
  Of course, in the nature of things, and with a lot of drinking going on, people failed to notice...
  Many have already died, and in the nature of things many more will die.
9) PHRASE: PHR n, usu v-link PHR, pron-indef PHR If you say that one thing is in the nature of another, you mean that it is like the other thing.
  There is movement towards, I think, something in the nature of a pluralistic system...
  It was in the nature of a debate rather than an argument.
10) PHRASE: v-link PHR, oft PHR to n If a way of behaving is second nature to you, you do it almost without thinking because it is easy for you or obvious to you.
  Planning ahead had always come as second nature to her...
  It's not easy at first, but it soon becomes second nature.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

nature

na·ture /ˈneɪʧɚ/ noun, pl -tures
1 also Nature [noncount]
a : the physical world and everything in it (such as plants, animals, mountains, oceans, stars, etc.) that is not made by people
• the beauty of nature
• She is a real nature lover. = She really loves nature. [=she loves to spend time outdoors]
• He devoted himself to the study of nature.
• That is a color not found in nature.
• nature photography
• nature conservation
b : the natural forces that control what happens in the world
• the forces of nature
• Hunger is nature's way of telling you to eat.
• Gravity is one of the basic laws of nature.
- see also call of nature, freak of nature, mother nature
2 : the way that a person or animal behaves : the character or personality of a person or animal

[count]

• She has a competitive nature. [=she is competitive]
• The differences in their natures was easy to see.
• an animal with a gentle nature [=a gentle animal]

[noncount]

• The children took advantage of the teacher's good nature. [=the teacher's kindness]
• She's very competitive by nature.
- see also good-natured, human nature, ill-natured, second nature
3 : a basic quality that something has

[count]

- usually singular; often + of
• the nature of steel
• What is the true nature of democracy?
• Because of the fragile nature of the manuscripts [=because the manuscripts are fragile], the museum keeps them behind glass.

[noncount]

• Her writing is humorous in nature. [=her writing has humorous qualities]
4 [singular] : a particular kind of thing
• What is the nature of your problem? [=what kind of problem do you have?]
• papers of a confidential nature [=papers that are confidential]
• His medical condition is not of a serious nature. [=is not serious]
• You'll need to bring a toothbrush, soap, and things of that nature. [=other similar things]
get/go back to nature also return to nature : to spend time living in a simple way without modern machines, electricity, etc.
• They went on a camping trip to get back to nature.
let nature take its course : to allow something to happen without trying to control it
• The injury should heal within a few weeks if you just let nature take its course.

American English

British English

the Earth and outer space - general words

A2 (Elementary)

noun

look

look [verb] (SEARCH)

to try to find something or someone

/lʊk/

Example:

I'm looking for my keys.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

verb (looks, looking, looked )

1 to turn your eyes towards somebody or something and try to see them:
Look at this picture.
You should look both ways before you cross the road.
Look at the note at see.

2 to seem to be; to appear:
You look tired.
It looks as if it's going to rain.

3 You say look to make somebody listen to you:
Look, I know you're busy, but I need your help.

look after somebody or something to take care of somebody or something:
Can you look after my cat when I'm on holiday?

look for somebody or something to try to find somebody or something:
I'm looking for my keys.

look forward to something to wait for something with pleasure:
I'm looking forward to seeing you again.

look into something to study or try to find out something:
We will look into the problem.

look like somebody or something

1 to seem to be something:
That looks like a good film.

2 words that you use to ask about somebody's appearance:
'What does he look like?' 'He's tall with dark hair.'

3 to have the same appearance as somebody or something:
She looks like her mother.

look out! be careful:
Look out! There's a car coming!

look out for somebody or something to pay attention and try to see or find somebody or something:
Look out for thieves!

look round something to visit a place:
We looked round the museum.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

look

I. look¹ S1 W1 /lʊk/ BrE AmE verb
[Language: Old English; Origin: locian]
1. SEE [intransitive] to turn your eyes towards something, so that you can see it:
We sneaked out while Jessie’s mom wasn’t looking.
If you look carefully you can see that the painting represents a human figure.
Gina covered her eyes, afraid to look.
look at
‘It’s time we left,’ Ian said, looking at his watch.
The men all turned to look at her as she entered the room.
look away/over/down etc
Dad looked up from his paper and smiled.
‘We can’t go out in this weather,’ said Bob, looking out of the window.
2. SEARCH [intransitive] to try to find something:
I looked everywhere but Jimmy was nowhere to be found.
look for
Could you help me look for my contact lens?
If you’re looking for a bargain, try the local market.
look in/under/between etc
Try looking under the bed.
3. SEEM [linking verb] to seem:
From the way things look at the moment, the Republicans are unlikely to win this election.
look good/bad etc
The future’s looking good.
it looks as if/as though/like (=it seems likely that)
It looks as if it might rain later.
It looks like they won’t be needing us any more.
You made me look really stupid in front of all my friends!
4. APPEARANCE [linking verb] to have a particular appearance:
How do I look?
look tired/happy/sad etc
You look tired. You should go to bed.
look as if/as though/like
He looked as if he hadn’t washed for a week.
What did the man look like?
My sister doesn’t look anything like me. ⇨ look like a million dollars at ↑million(4)
5. look daggers at somebody informal to look at someone with a very angry expression on your face
6. look somebody up and down to look at someone carefully from their head to their feet, as if you were forming an opinion about them
7. look somebody in the eye to look directly at someone when you are speaking to them, especially to show that you are not afraid of them or that you are telling the truth:
Owen didn’t dare look his father in the eye.
8. look down your nose at somebody/something to behave as if you think that someone or something is not good enough for you:
He looks down his nose at anyone foreign.
9. look the other way to ignore something bad that is happening and not try to stop it:
Prison guards looked the other way as the man was attacked by fellow prisoners.
10. look no further used to say that something you are offering is exactly what someone has been trying to find:
Want a quiet country retreat for your weekend break? Then look no further!
11. FACE A DIRECTION [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a building looks in a particular direction, it faces that direction:
The cabin looks east, so we get the morning sun.
12. look before you leap used to say that it is sensible to think about the possible dangers or difficulties of something before doing it
13. be looking to do something informal to be planning or expecting to do something:
We’re looking to buy a new car early next year.
• • •
SPOKEN PHRASES
14. look
a) used to tell someone to look at something that you think is interesting, surprising etc:
Look! There’s a fox!
b) used to get someone’s attention so that you can suggest something or tell them something:
Look. Why don’t you think about it and give me your answer tomorrow?
Look, I’ve had enough of this. I’m going home.
15. look out! used to warn someone that they are in danger SYN watch out:
Look out! There’s a car coming.
16. look at that! used to tell someone to look at something that you think is interesting, bad etc:
Look at that! What a horrible mess!
17. look who’s here! used when someone arrives unexpectedly:
Well, look who’s here! It’s Jill and Paul!
18. don’t look now used to say that you have seen someone but do not want them to know you have noticed them:
Oh no! Don’t look now but here comes Tony.
19. look what you’re doing/look where you’re going etc used to tell someone to be careful:
Look where you’re putting your feet! There’s mud all over the carpet!
20. look what you’ve done! used to angrily tell someone to look at the result of a mistake they have made or something bad they have done:
Look what you’ve done – my jacket’s ruined!
21. look here old-fashioned used to get someone’s attention in order to tell them something, especially when you are annoyed with them:
Look here, you can’t say things like that to me!
22. (I’m) just looking used when you are in a shop, to say that you are only looking at things, but do not intend to buy anything now:
‘Can I help you?’ ‘No, thanks. I’m just looking.’ ⇨ look kindly on somebody/something at ↑kindly¹(3)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ look to turn your eyes towards someone or something, so that you can see them: You should never look directly at the sun. | After a while, he turned and looked at me.
▪ have/take a look especially spoken to look at something quickly, especially in order to find or check something: I’ll have a look in my desk. | Take a look at this!
▪ glance to look at someone or something for a short time and then look quickly away: Damien glanced nervously at his watch.
▪ peek/peep (also take a peek/peep) to look quickly at something. Used especially when you are not supposed to look, or when you are looking through a small gap: The door was open so he peeked inside. | Katy peeped at her birthday present on the table.
▪ peer to look very carefully, especially because you cannot see well: Kenji was peering at the screen.
▪ glare to look at someone in an angry way: She glared at me as I got up to leave.
▪ stare to look at someone or something for a long time without moving your eyes: It’s rude to stare. | She stared straight into the camera.
▪ gaze to look at someone or something for a long time, often without realizing that you are doing it: She gazed out of the window. | He lay on his bed gazing at the ceiling.
▪ gape to look at someone or something for a long time, usually with your mouth open, because you are very shocked or surprised: People gaped at him with wide-open mouths.
▪ regard formal to look at someone or something, especially in a particular way: He regarded her steadily.
look after somebody/something phrasal verb especially British English
1. to take care of someone by helping them, giving them what they need, or keeping them safe SYN take care of:
Don’t worry, I’ll look after the kids tomorrow.
Susan looked after us very well. She’s an excellent cook.
You could tell that the horse had been well looked after.
2. to be responsible for dealing with something SYN take care of:
I’m leaving you here to look after the business until I get back.
3. look after yourself especially British English spoken used when you are saying goodbye to someone in a friendly way
4. can look after yourself to not need anyone else to take care of you:
Don’t worry about Maisie – she can look after herself.
look ahead phrasal verb
to think about and plan for what might happen in the future:
Looking ahead, we must expect radical changes to be made in our system of government.
look around (also look round British English) phrasal verb
1. to try to find something
look around for
Jason’s going to start looking around for a new job.
2. look around/round (something) to look at what is in a place such as a building, shop, town etc, especially when you are walking:
Do we have to pay to look around the castle?
Let’s look round the shops.
look at somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to turn your eyes towards someone or something, so that you can see them:
The twins looked at each other and smiled.
2. to read something quickly in order to form an opinion of it:
I really can’t comment on the report – I haven’t had time to look at it yet.
3. to examine something and try to find out what is wrong with it:
You should get the doctor to look at that cut.
Can you look at my car? There’s a strange noise coming from the front wheel.
4. to study and think about something, especially in order to decide what to do:
We need to look very carefully at ways of improving our efficiency.
5. look at somebody/something spoken used to mention someone or something as an example:
You don’t have to be smart to be good at music – look at Gary.
6. to think about something in a particular way SYN see:
I’d like to be friends again, but Richard doesn’t look at it that way.
7. not much to look at informal if someone or something is not much to look at, they are not attractive
look back phrasal verb
1. to think about something that happened in the past
look back on/to
When I look back on those days I realize I was desperately unhappy.
Looking back on it, I still can’t figure out what went wrong.
2. never look back to become more and more successful, especially after a particular success:
After winning the scholarship he never looked back.
look down on something/somebody phrasal verb
to think that you are better than someone else, for example because you are more successful, or of a higher social class than they are:
Mr Garcia looks down on anyone who hasn’t had a college education.
look for somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to try to find something that you have lost, or someone who is not where they should be SYN search for:
I’m looking for Steve – have you seen him?
Detectives are still looking for the escaped prisoner. ⇨ ↑search²(1)
2. be looking for somebody/something to be trying to find a particular kind of thing or person:
I’m sorry, we’re really looking for someone with no family commitments.
be (just) what/who you are looking for
‘Salubrious’! That’s just the word I was looking for.
3. be looking for trouble informal to be behaving in a way that makes it likely that problems or violence will happen:
They walked into a bar looking for trouble.
look forward to something phrasal verb
to be excited and pleased about something that is going to happen:
I’m really looking forward to our vacation.
look forward to doing something
My mother says she’s looking forward to meeting you.
look in phrasal verb informal
to make a short visit to someone, while you are going somewhere else, especially if they are ill or need help SYN drop in, call in
look in on
I promised to look in on Dad and see if he’s feeling any better.
look into something phrasal verb
to try to find out the truth about a problem, crime etc in order to solve it SYN investigate:
Police are looking into the disappearance of two children.
look on phrasal verb
1. to watch something happening, without being involved in it or trying to stop it ⇨ onlooker:
Only one man tried to help us, the rest just looked on in silence.
2. look on somebody/something (also look upon somebody/something) to consider someone or something in a particular way, or as a particular thing
look on as
I look on him as a good friend.
look on with
Strangers to the village are looked upon with a mixture of fear and suspicion.
look something ↔ out phrasal verb
to search for and find a particular thing among your possessions:
I’ll look out some of my old books for you.
look out for somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to pay attention to what is happening around you, so that you will notice a particular person or thing if you see them ⇨ lookout:
Look out for your Aunt while you’re at the station.
He’s looking out for a nice apartment downtown.
2. to try to make sure that someone is treated well:
My older brother always looked out for me when we were kids.
look out for yourself/number one (=think only of the advantages you can get for yourself)
look something/somebody ↔ over phrasal verb
to examine something or someone quickly, without paying much attention to detail:
Do you have a few minutes to look these samples over?
look round phrasal verb British English
to ↑look around
look through somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to look for something among a pile of papers, in a drawer, in someone’s pockets etc SYN go through:
I’ve looked through all my papers but I still can’t find the contract.
2. to not notice or pretend to not notice someone you know, even though you see them
look straight/right through somebody
I saw Fiona in the street yesterday and she looked straight through me.
look to somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to depend on someone to provide help, advice etc
look to somebody/something for
We look to you for support.
look to somebody to do something
They’re looking to the new manager to make the company profitable.
2. to pay attention to something, especially in order to improve it:
We must look to our defences.
look up phrasal verb
1. if a situation is looking up, it is improving SYN improve, get better:
Now the summer’s here things are looking up!
2. look something ↔ up if you look up information in a book, on a computer etc, you try to find it there:
Look the word up in your dictionary.
I’ll just look up the train times.
3. look somebody ↔ up to visit someone you know, especially when you are in the place where they live for a different reason:
Don’t forget to look me up when you come to Atlanta.
look up to somebody phrasal verb
to admire or respect someone:
I’ve always looked up to Bill for his courage and determination.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

look

look [look looks looked looking] verb, noun, exclamation [lʊk] [lʊk]

verb

USE EYES
1. intransitive to turn your eyes in a particular direction
• If you look carefully you can just see our house from here.
• ~ (at sb/sth) She looked at me and smiled.
• ‘Has the mail come yet?’ ‘I'll look and see.’
• Look! I'm sure that's Brad Pitt!
• Don't look now, but there's someone staring at you!

see also forward-looking

SEARCH

2. intransitive to try to find sb/sth
• I can't find my book— I've looked everywhere.
• ~ for sb/sth Where have you been? We've been looking for you.
• Are you still looking for a job?

• We're looking for someone with experience for this post.

PAY ATTENTION

3. intransitive, transitive to pay attention to sth
• ~ (at sth) Look at the time! We're going to be late.

• ~ where, what, etc… Can't you look where you're going?

APPEAR/SEEM

4. linking verb to seem; to appear
• + adj. to look pale/happy/tired
• That book looks interesting.
• ~ (to sb) like sb/sth That looks like an interesting book.
• + noun That looks an interesting book.
• You made me look a complete fool!

see also good-looking

5. intransitive (not usually used in the progressive tenses) to have a similar appearance to sb/sth; to have an appearance that suggests that sth is true or will happen
• ~ (to sb) like sb/sth That photograph doesn't look like her at all.
• It looks like rain (= it looks as if it's going to rain).
• ~ (to sb) as if…/as though… You look as though you slept badly.
• They don't look like they're trying to win. In spoken English people often use like instead of as if or as though in this meaning, especially in NAmE

• You look like you slept badly. This is not considered correct in written BrE.

6. intransitive to seem likely
• ~ (to sb) as if…/as though… It doesn't look as if we'll be moving after all.

• ~ (to sb) like… (informal) It doesn't look like we'll be moving after all. This use of like instead of as if or as though is not considered correct in written BrE.

FACE

7. intransitive + adv./prep. to face a particular direction
• The house looks east.

• The hotel looks out over the harbour.

Rem: Most idioms containing look are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example look daggers at sb is at dagger.
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
Old English lōcian (verb), of West Germanic origin; related to German dialect lugen.
Thesaurus:
look verb
1. I
• She looked at me and smiled.
watch • • see • • glance • • stare • • peer • • glare • |informal check sth out • |formal view • • observe • • regard • • contemplate • |especially written gaze •
look/glance/stare/peer/glare/gaze at sb/sth
look/watch for sb/sth
look/watch/stare at/view/observe/regard/contemplate (sb/sth) with amazement/surprise/disapproval, etc
2. I
• Are you still looking for a job?
search • • hunt • • scout • |formal seek • |written forage • • cast about/around for sth •
look/search/hunt/scout/seek/forage for sth
look/search/hunt/scout/forage around (for sth)
look/search/hunt through sth
look for/search for/seek/cast around for a/an alternative/way
look/search/hunt for clues
3. linking verb (not usually used in the progressive tenses)
• You look tired.
seem • • appear • • sound • • feel •
look/seem/appear/sound/feel odd/OK/nice, etc.
look/seem/sound/feel like sth
look/seem/sound/feel as if/as though …
look/seem/appear to be sth
Synonyms:
look
glance • gaze • stare • glimpse • glare
These are all words for an act of looking, when you turn your eyes in a particular direction.
look • an act of looking at sb/sth: ▪ Here, have a look at this.
glance • a quick look: ▪ She stole a glance at her watch.
gaze • a long steady look at sb/sth: ▪ She felt embarrassed under his steady gaze.
stare • a long look at sb/sth, especially in a way that is unfriendly or that shows surprise: ▪ She gave the officer a blank stare and shrugged her shoulders.
glimpse • a look at sb/sth for a very short time, when you do not see the person or thing completely: ▪ He caught a glimpse of her in the crowd.
glare • a long angry look at sb/sth: ▪ She fixed her questioner with a hostile glare.
a look/glance at sb/sth
a penetrating/piercing look/glance/gaze/stare
a long look/glance/stare
a brief look/glance/glimpse
to have/get/take a look/glance/glimpse
to avoid sb's glance/gaze/stare
Synonyms:
look
watch • see • view • observe
These words all mean to turn your eyes in a particular direction.
look • to turn your eyes in a particular direction: ▪ If you look carefully you can just see our house from here. ◊ ▪ She ▪ looked at ▪ me and smiled.
watch • to look at sb/sth for a time, paying attention to what happens: ▪ to watch television ◊ ▪ Watch what I do, then you try.
see • to watch a game, television programme, performance, etc: ▪ In the evening we went to see a movie.
view • (formal) to look at sth, especially when you look carefully; to watch television, a film/movie, etc: ▪ People came from all over the world to view her work.
watch, see or view?
You can see/view a film/movie/programme but you cannot: see/view television. View is more formal than see and is used especially in business contexts.
observe • (formal) to watch sb/sth carefully, especially to learn more about them or it: ▪ The patients were observed over a period of several months.
to look/watch for sb/sth
to watch/observe what/who/how…
to look/watch/view/observe (sb/sth) with amazement/surprise/disapproval, etc.
to watch/see/view a film/movie/show/programme
to watch/see a match/game/fight
to look (at sb/sth)/watch (sb/sth)/observe sb/sth carefully/closely
Which Word?:
take care of / look after / care for
You can take care of or, especially in BrE, look after someone who is very young, very old, or sick, or something that needs keeping in good condition: ▪ We’ve asked my mother to take care of/look after the kids while we’re away. ◊ ▪ You can borrow my camera if you promise to take care of/look after it.
In more formal language you can also care for someone: ▪ She does some voluntary work, caring for the elderly, but care for is more commonly used to mean ‘like’: ▪ I don’t really care for spicy food.
Example Bank:
• It doesn't look as if we'll be moving after all.
• It looks like rain.
• That photograph doesn't look like her at all.
• You look tired.
• ‘It's beautiful!’ ‘Oh! Let me look!’
• He looked longingly at the food on the table.
• He turned to look as she came down the stairs.
• He was looking studiously down to avoid meeting her eyes.
• I looked up angrily at my brother.
• I'll look and see if I've got any sugar in the cupboard.
• It looks to me as if the company is in real trouble.
• Look at the machine quite carefully before you buy it.
• Now is the time to look again at these arguments.
• She looked around helplessly.
• She looked over to where the others were chatting.
• She looked towards the door.
• She looked up at me sharply when I said that.
• The kitchen looks onto the garden.
• The room looks north.
• The room looks out over the sea.
• What are you looking at?
• an animal that looked like a large hedgehog
• ‘Has the mail come yet?’ ‘I'll look and see.’
• Don't look now, but there's someone staring at you!
• He inspected the room, looking for any possible clues.
• I can't find my book— I've looked everywhere.
• I looked in the mirror to see if my tie was straight.
• I was just about to come looking for you.
• I'm looking for an apartment on the east side of the city.
• I've spent my whole life looking for an answer to that question!
• Look carefully for signs of damp.
• Look! I'm sure that's Brad Pitt!
• We're looking around for a house in this area.
• We're looking for someone with experience for this position.
Idioms: if looks could kill … ▪ just looking ▪ look at somebody ▪ look bad ▪ look good ▪ look here ▪ look how ▪ look somebody up and down ▪ look yourself ▪ looking to do something ▪ not look back ▪ not look good ▪ not much to look at

Derived: look after yourself ▪ look ahead ▪ look at something ▪ look back ▪ look down on somebody ▪ look for something ▪ look forward to something ▪ look in ▪ look into something ▪ look on ▪ look on somebody as somebody ▪ look on somebody with something ▪ look out ▪ look out for somebody ▪ look round ▪ look round for something ▪ look somebody up ▪ look something out ▪ look something over ▪ look something up ▪ look through somebody ▪ look through something ▪ look to somebody for something ▪ look to somebody to do something ▪ look to something ▪ look up ▪ look up to somebody

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

look / lʊk / verb [ I ] (SEARCH)

A1 to try to find something or someone:

I'm looking for my keys.

I've looked everywhere but I can't find my glasses.

Have you looked in the dictionary?

I looked down the list but couldn't see his name.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

look

I [l'ʊk]USING YOUR EYES OR YOUR MIND

looks, looking, looked
(Please look at category 19 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.)
1) VERB If you look in a particular direction, you direct your eyes in that direction, especially so that you can see what is there or see what something is like.
  [V prep/adv] I looked down the hallway to room number nine...
  [V prep/adv] She turned to look at him...
  [V prep/adv] He looked away, apparently enraged...
  If you look, you'll see what was a lake.
N-SING
Look is also a noun. Lucille took a last look in the mirror... Assisi has a couple of churches that are worth a look if you have time.
2) VERB If you look at a book, newspaper, or magazine, you read it fairly quickly or read part of it.
  [V at n] You've just got to look at the last bit of Act Three.
N-SING: oft N at n
Look is also a noun. A quick look at Monday's British newspapers shows that there's plenty of interest in foreign news.
3) VERB If someone, especially an expert, looks at something, they examine it, and then deal with it or say how it should be dealt with.
  [V at n] Can you look at my back? I think something's wrong. [Also V]
N-SING: usu N at n
Look is also a noun. The car has not been running very well and a mechanic had to come over to have a look at it.
4) VERB If you look at someone in a particular way, you look at them with your expression showing what you are feeling or thinking.
  [V at n adv/prep] She looked at him earnestly. `You don't mind?'
N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft adj N, N of n
Look is also a noun. He gave her a blank look, as if he had no idea who she was... Sally spun round, a feigned look of surprise on her face.
5) VERB If you look for something, for example something that you have lost, you try to find it.
  [V for n] I'm looking for a child. I believe your husband can help me find her...
  [V for n] I had gone to Maine looking for a place to work...
  [V prep/adv for n] I looked everywhere for ideas...
  [V prep/adv] Have you looked on the piano?
  Syn:
  search
N-SING
Look is also a noun. Go and have another look.
6) VERB If you are looking for something such as the solution to a problem or a new method, you want it and are trying to obtain it or think of it.
  [V for n] The working group will be looking for practical solutions to the problems faced by doctors...
  [V for n] He's looking for a way out from this conflict.
  Syn:
  seek
7) VERB If you look at a subject, problem, or situation, you think about it or study it, so that you know all about it and can perhaps consider what should be done in relation to it.
  [V at n] Next term we'll be looking at the Second World War period...
  [V at n] Anne Holker looks at the pros and cons of making changes to your property...
  [V at n] He visited Florida a few years ago looking at the potential of the area to stage a big match.
  Syn:
  examine, consider
N-SING: oft N at n
Look is also a noun. A close look at the statistics reveals a troubling picture.
8) VERB If you look at a person, situation, or subject from a particular point of view, you judge them or consider them from that point of view.
  [V at n prep/adv] Brian had learned to look at her with new respect...
  [V at n prep/adv] It depends how you look at it.
9) CONVENTION You say look when you want someone to pay attention to you because you are going to say something important.
  Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it...
  Now, look, here is how things stand.
10) VERB: only imper You can use look to draw attention to a particular situation, person, or thing, for example because you find it very surprising, significant, or annoying.
  [V at n] Hey, look at the time! We'll talk about it tonight. All right?...
  [V at n] I mean, look at how many people watch television and how few read books...
  [V wh] Look what a mess you've made of your life.
11) VERB If something such as a building or window looks somewhere, it has a view of a particular place.
  [V prep] The castle looks over private parkland...
  [V prep] Each front door looks across a narrow alley to the front door opposite.
PHRASAL VERB
Look out means the same as look. V P prep Nine windows looked out over the sculpture gardens... V P prep We sit on the terrace, which looks out on the sea.
12) VERB If you are looking to do something, you are aiming to do it.
  [V to-inf] We're not looking to make a fortune.
  [V to-inf] ...young mums looking to get fit after having kids.
13) PHRASE If you say that someone did something and then never looked back, you mean that they were very successful from that time on. [mainly BRIT]
  I went freelance when my son Adam was born, and have never looked back.
14) PHRASE: V inflects If you look someone in the eye or look them in the face, you look straight at their eyes in a bold and open way, for example in order to make them realize that you are telling the truth.
  He could not look her in the eye.
15) PHRASE: V inflects (disapproval) If you say that someone looks the other way, you are critical of them because they pay no attention to something unpleasant that is happening, when they should be dealing with it properly.
  Judges and politicians routinely looked the other way while people were tortured or killed by police.
16) CONVENTION (feelings) You say look here when you are going to say something important to someone, especially when you are angry at what they have done or said.
  Now look here, Tim, there really is no need for that kind of reaction.
17) EXCLAM If you say or shout `look out!' to someone, you are warning them that they are in danger.
  `Look out!' somebody shouted, as the truck started to roll toward the sea.
18) PHRASE: V inflects If someone looks you up and down, they direct their eyes from your head to your feet, in a rude and superior way and often as though they disapprove of you.
  The sales assistant looked me up and down and told me not to try the dress on because she didn't think I would get into it.
19) to look down your nose at someone → see nose
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - look after
  - look ahead
  - look around
  - look back
  - look down on
  - look forward to
  - look in
  - look into
  - look on
  - look on
  - look upon
  - look out
  - look out for
  - look over
  - look round
  - look through
  - look to
  - look up
  - look upon
  - look up toII [l'ʊk]APPEARANCE
♦
looks, looking, looked
1) V-LINK You use look when describing the appearance of a person or thing or the impression that they give.
  [V adj] Sheila was looking miserable...
  [V adj] I shall use the money to make my home look lovely...
  [V adj] You don't look 15 years old...
  [V n] He does not look the most reliable of animals...
  [V like n] They look like stars to the naked eye...
  [V like/as if] He looked as if he was going to smile...
  [V to-inf] Everybody in the club looked to be fourteen years old.
  Derived words:
  -looking COMB in ADJ-GRADED She was a very peculiar-looking woman.
2) N-SING: with supp If someone or something has a particular look, they have a particular appearance or expression.
  She had the look of someone deserted and betrayed...
  When he came to decorate the kitchen, Kenneth opted for a friendly rustic look...
  To soften a formal look, Caroline recommends ethnic blouses.
  Syn:
  appearance
3) N-PLURAL When you refer to someone's looks, you are referring to how beautiful or ugly they are, especially how beautiful they are.
  I never chose people just because of their looks.
  ...a young woman with wholesome good looks.
4) V-LINK You use look when indicating what you think will happen in the future or how a situation seems to you.
  [V adj] He had lots of time to think about the future, and it didn't look good...
  [V adj] Britain looks set to send a major force of over 100 tanks and supporting equipment...
  [it V like/as if] So far it looks like Warner Brothers' gamble is paying off...
  [V like -ing/n] The Europeans had hoped to win, and, indeed, had looked like winning...
  [V to-inf] The team had stormed into a two-goal lead and looked to be cruising to a third round place.
5) PHRASE You use expressions such as by the look of him and by the looks of it when you want to indicate that you are giving an opinion based on the appearance of someone or something.
  He was not a well man by the look of him...
  By the look of things, Mr Stone and company will stay busy.
6) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If you don't like the look of something or someone, you feel that they may be dangerous or cause problems.
  I don't like the look of those clouds.
7) PHRASE: V inflects If you ask what someone or something looks like, you are asking for a description of them.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹look /ˈlʊk/ verb looks; looked; look·ing
1 always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] : to direct your eyes in a particular direction
• He looked straight ahead and kept walking.
• When you take a walk, look around you.
• She smiled at me and then looked away.
• He looked back the way he had come.
• Look both ways before you cross the street.
• When I finally reached the top I was afraid to look down.
• She looked from one person to the next.
• Look in the mirror/box.
• They looked off into the distance.
• He was looking over his shoulder.
- often + at
• She looked longingly at the photograph.
• “What are you looking at?” “I'm looking at this flower.”
• looking at the stars through a telescope = looking through a telescope at the stars
- see also look around (below), look at (below) look over your shoulder at ¹shoulder
2 a [linking verb] : to seem to be something especially because of appearance
• He looks angry.
• Her new haircut makes her look young/younger.
• That cake looks delicious.
• “How does the situation look (to you) now?” “It looks pretty bad/good.”
• It looks dangerous/unlikely.
• a kind-looking woman = a woman who looks kind
• The child looked to be about seven years old.
• The once-famous star looks to be heading into obscurity.
• The year ahead looks to be a profitable one. [=it appears likely to be profitable; I/we expect it to be profitable]
- often used in the phrases look as if, look as though, and look like
• It looks like it will be hard work.
• It looks like it will rain/snow. = It looks like rain/snow.
• It looks to me like they're all the same. = It looks like they're all the same to me. = They look like they're all the same to me.
• It looked as though he was feeling ill. = He looked as though he was feeling ill.
• It looks like she's going to win the tournament again this year. = She looks like she's going to win the tournament again this year. = (Brit) She looks like winning the tournament again this year. [=she seems likely to win the tournament again this year]
• He looks like a nice man. = (Brit) He looks a nice man. [=he seems/appears to be a nice man]
- see also look like (below)
b [+ obj] : to have an appearance that is suitable for (something)
• She looks her age. [=her appearance shows her age]
• an actor who really looks the part [=whose appearance matches the appearance the character is supposed to have]
3 [no obj] : to try to find something or someone
• “I don't know where my keys are.” “Try looking in the drawer.”
• I've looked high and low. = I've looked everywhere. = I've looked all over.
• “I still haven't found my keys.” “Well, keep looking.”
• “I'm still trying to find my keys.” “Well, look no further—here they are.”
- see also look for (below)
4 [no obj] : to pay attention by directing your eyes at something
• You can see many wonderful things in nature if you take the time to stop and look.
• The store clerk asked if I needed any help, but I told him I was just looking. [=I was looking at the things being sold in the store but did not plan to buy anything specific]
5 [no obj]
a
- used to direct someone's attention to something or someone
• Look! Over there! Is that a hawk?
• Look! There he is!
- often + at
• Look at those mountains. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?
• Just look at the time! I had no idea it was that late!
- often used in phrases like look where, look what, etc.
• Look what I found.
• Look who's here.
• Look how easy it is to do this.
b
- used in phrases like look where, look what, etc., to warn someone or to express anger or disappointment
• Look where you're going. You almost walked into that pole.
• Look what you did! You broke it.
• Now look what you've done. It's broken.
c
- used to introduce a statement when you want someone to notice what you are saying
• Look, this just isn't going to work.
• Look here, you need to start behaving more responsibly.
6 [+ obj]
a : to want or try to do something - followed by to + verb
• a company looking to become a leader in the industry
• We're looking to create something new.
b : to expect something - followed by to + verb
• We look to have a good year. = We are looking to have a good year.
7 [no obj] : to have a specified direction : to point or face in a specified direction
• The house looks east.
• The hotel looks toward the sea.
don't look now
- used in speech before a statement to tell someone to be aware of something without looking
• Don't look now, but they're coming our way.
• Don't look now, but I think we're being followed.
look after [phrasal verb] look after (someone or something) : to take care of (someone or something)
• They hired a babysitter to look after the children.
• I can look after myself.
• He looks after his aging parents.
• They asked a friend to look after their house while they were away.
look a gift horse in the mouth
- see ¹horse
look ahead [phrasal verb] : to think about what will happen in the future
• The past year has been successful and, looking ahead, we expect to do even better in the coming months.
- often + to
• Looking ahead to next year, we expect to be even more successful.
look around or Brit look round [phrasal verb]
1 look around/round or look around/round (a place) : to go through a place in order to see what is there : to explore a place
• We arrived early at the theater and spent a few minutes looking around.
• The kids looked around the shops while we unpacked.
2 look around/round for (something) : to search for (something)
• I looked around for my keys but I couldn't find them anywhere.
• He is looking around for a new car.
- see also ¹look 1 (above)
look at [phrasal verb]
1 look at (someone or something)
a : to think about or consider (something or someone)
• Just look at how successful she's been.
• The company is looking at the possibility of moving to a larger office.
• I just haven't looked at him as (being) a potential roommate.
• The way I look at [=see] it, you're wrong.
• Some people are looking at her as a possible candidate for mayor.
• You can make changes in your life. Just look at Tim. [=consider that Tim has made changes to realize that you can also make changes]
b : to examine or study (someone or something)
• You should have a doctor look at that bruise.
• I had the veterinarian look at my cat.
2 look at (something)
a : to have (something bad or unpleasant) as a problem or possibility
• If you're found guilty, you could be looking at [=facing] five years in prison.
b : to read (something or part of something)
• I haven't looked at [=read] the newspaper today.
• Did you look at that fax yet?
- see also ¹look 1, 5a (above)
look back [phrasal verb] : to think about something in the past
• Looking back to/at last season, I can see why they didn't win the pennant.
• I look back at/on that time with a lot of pride. [=I feel proud when I think about that time]
✦If you make an important change in your life and never look back, you never return to the way you had been before, and your life is very different from that time onward.
• After college, she moved to New York, got a job on Wall Street, and never looked back.
look before you leap : to think or learn about the possible bad results of an action before doing it
• If you're planning to invest in your friend's company, I advise you to look before you leap.
look daggers at
- see dagger
look down on [phrasal verb] look down on (someone or something) : to think of or treat (someone or something) as unimportant or not worthy of respect
• The family was looked down on for being different.
• The other children looked down on me because my parents were poor.
look down your nose at : to think of or treat (someone or something) as unimportant or not worthy of respect
• She looked down her nose at her neighbors.
• writers who look down their noses at popular culture
look for [phrasal verb] look for (something or someone)
1 : to try to find (someone or something) : to search for (someone or something)
• We had to wait while he looked for his keys.
• I've looked everywhere for my keys but I still can't find them.
• She's looking for a new job.
• look for a word in the dictionary
• The police continue to look for the escaped prisoners.
• His taste is—what's the word I'm looking for?—I know, “eclectic.”
- see also ¹look 3 (above)
2 : to expect (something or someone)
• We're looking for better days in the future.
• Don't bother looking for me anytime too soon.
- often followed by to + verb
• You can look for me to arrive around noon.
• Economists are looking for the economy to improve in the next few months.
3 look for trouble informal : to act in a way that could cause violence or problems
• I could tell that he was looking for trouble as soon as he came in.
look forward to [phrasal verb] look forward to (something) : to expect (something) with pleasure
• They're looking forward to their vacation.
• He felt he had nothing to look forward to in his life.
• She's looking forward to meeting new friends.
look in on [phrasal verb] look in on (someone) : to make a brief social visit to (someone)
• I plan to look in on [=drop in on, call on] some old friends when I'm in town.
look into [phrasal verb] look into (something) : to try to get information about (something)
• Is there a problem? I could look into it.
• Investigators are looking into the cause of the accident.
look like : to have an appearance that is very similar to (someone or something) : to resemble (someone or something)
• You look just like your mother! [=you resemble your mother very closely]
• That powdered sugar looks like snow.
- see also ¹look 2a (above)
look like a million dollars/bucks
- see million
look lively
- see lively
look on/upon [phrasal verb]
1 look on : to watch something as it happens without becoming involved
• A crowd of people looked on [=stood by] helplessly as the house burned to the ground.
2 look on/upon (someone or something) : to think of or consider (someone or something) in a specified way - + as or with
• I've always looked on her as a friend. [=considered her to be a friend]
• They looked on reading as an escape from the troubles of life.
• He looked upon his son's accomplishments with pride.
look out [phrasal verb]
1
- used to tell someone to be aware of something dangerous
• Look out [=watch out]—one of the steps is missing!
2 look (something) out or look out (something) Brit : to succeed in finding (something)
• It may take me a while to look out [=hunt down] his phone number for you.
look out for [phrasal verb]
1 look out for (something) : to be aware of and try to avoid (something dangerous or unwanted)
• In the winter, drivers need to look out for icy patches on the roads.
• In buying a home, there are many potential problems (that) you should look out for.
• Look out for [=watch out for] that pothole!
2 look out for (someone or something) : to take care of or protect (someone or something)
• I can look out for myself.
• She is supposed to be looking out for our interests.
✦If you look out for number one, you only think about yourself and do what helps you most.
• We don't want a senator who's (only/always) looking out for number one.
look over [phrasal verb] look (something) over or look over (something) : to read or examine (something) usually in a quick or hurried way
• She looked over the plans on her way out of the office.
• He looked over his shopping list as he entered the store.
• look a proposal over
look sharp
- see ²sharp
look (someone) in the eye also look (someone) in the face : to look directly at (someone who is also looking at you)
• I wasn't afraid to look him (right) in the eye and tell him just what I thought of him!
look the other way : to ignore something that should be noticed or dealt with : to turn your attention away from something
• We can't just look the other way while these violations of basic human rights continue to occur.
• Residents of the neighborhood accuse police of looking the other way as drug dealers become more active there.
look through [phrasal verb]
1 look through (something)
a : to read or briefly examine some of the pages of (a book, magazine, etc.)
• She was looking [=leafing] through a magazine as she waited in the doctor's office.
• look through the pages of a magazine
b : to look at the different parts of (a collection or group of things)
• I looked through [=went through] all his letters.
2 look through (someone) : to pretend not to see or recognize (someone) in a rude or unfriendly way
• We used to be best friends but when she passed me on the street yesterday she looked (right/straight) through me without even saying hello!
look to [phrasal verb]
1 look to (something) : to think about or examine (something) : to direct your attention to (something)
• They look to the future with ever-increasing hope.
- usually + for
• We can look to the past for help in figuring out how to deal with this problem.
• look to nature for inspiration
2 look to (someone) : to need (someone) to do something for or give something to you : to depend or rely on (someone)
• They look to me to fix the problem.
• Many parents look to their children to help them navigate the Internet.
- often + for
• Many parents look to their children for help in navigating the Internet.
• She looked to her friends for help.
• They look to you for advice.
look up [phrasal verb]
1 : to get better : improve
• The economy is looking up.
• Things started to look up for me when I got the promotion.
2 look (something) up or look up (something) : to search for (something) in a reference book, on the Internet, etc.
• If you don't know what a word means, you should look it up (in the dictionary).
• look up a telephone number
• look up an article in the encyclopedia
3 look (someone) up or look up (someone) : to call or go to see (someone) when you are in the area where that person lives
• I told them to look me up if they came to town.
look up to [phrasal verb] look up to (someone) : to respect and admire (someone)
• I've always looked up to my older brother.
• The kids really look up to their coach.
Look what the cat dragged in!
- see cat
look your best
- see ³best
not much to look at informal : not physically attractive
• The restaurant isn't much to look at, but the food is good.
• The dog isn't much to look at, but he's a great hunting dog.

limit

limit [verb] (MEANING)

to control something so that it is not greater than a particular amount, number, or level

/ˈlɪm.ɪt/

Example:

I've been asked to limit my speech to ten minutes maximum.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

limit

verb (limits, limiting, limited)
to do or have no more than a certain amount or number:
There are only 100 seats, so we must limit the number of tickets we sell.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. limit² S3 W2 BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑limit, ↑limitation, ↑delimitation; adjective: ↑limited ≠ ↑unlimited, ↑limiting, ↑limitless; verb: ↑limit, ↑delimit]
1. [transitive] to stop an amount or number from increasing beyond a particular point:
a decision to limit imports of foreign cars
limit something to something
Seating is limited to 500.
2. [transitive] to stop someone from doing what they want or from developing and improving beyond a particular point:
A lack of formal education will limit your job opportunities.
limit yourself to something
I limit myself to two cups of coffee a day.
3. be limited to something to exist or happen only in a particular place, group, or area of activity:
The damage was limited to the roof.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

verb
1. ~ sth (to sth) to stop sth from increasing beyond a particular amount or level
Syn: restrict
• measures to limit carbon dioxide emissions from cars

• The amount of money you have to spend will limit your choice.

2. ~ yourself/sb (to sth) to restrict or reduce the amount of sth that you or sb can have or use
• Families are limited to four free tickets each.
• I've limited myself to 1 000 calories a day to try and lose weight.
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Latin limes, limit- ‘boundary, frontier’. The verb is from Latin limitare, from limes.
Thesaurus:
limit verb
1. T
• This diet limits your calories to 1 000 a day.
restrict • • control • • curb • • check • • rein sth in • • hold/keep sth in check • |especially BrE cap • |written contain • • suppress •
be limited/restricted to sth
limit/restrict/control/curb/check/rein in/cap spending
limit/restrict/control the size/number/extent/amount of sth
Limit or restrict? Limit is used both about controlling what people can do and also about controlling the effects of sth; restrict is used more often about controlling what people can do:
• to limit carbon dioxide emissions
¤ to restrict carbon dioxide emissions
2. T, often passive
• Free tickets are limited to three per family.
restrict • • confine sb/sth to sth • |formal constrain •
limit/restrict/confine sb/sth to sth
limit/restrict/confine yourself to sth
Example Bank:
• As a scientist I refuse to limit myself to these barriers.
• Rigid job descriptions can serve to limit productivity.
• The change in the law was designed to limit the scope for corruption.
• These regulations effectively limit our available strategic choices.
• They are working to limit oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
• Calorie intake is strictly limited to 1 000 a day.
• Campaign spending was limited to a maximum of $500 000.
• Such agreements seek to limit the liability of air carriers.
• There are no regulations which limit the hours which ships' crews work.
• There is no evidence that the restrictions have limited the effectiveness of the advertising.
• They introduced measures to limit carbon dioxide emissions from cars.

• I've limited myself to 1 000 calories a day to try and lose weight.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

limit / ˈlɪm.ɪt / verb [ T ]

B2 to control something so that it is not greater than a particular amount, number, or level:

I've been asked to limit my speech to ten minutes maximum.

Having so little money to spend on an apartment does limit you in your choice.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

limit

[lɪ̱mɪt]
limits, limiting, limited
1) N-COUNT: usu sing, usu with supp A limit is the greatest amount, extent, or degree of something that is possible.
  Her love for him was being tested to its limits...
  There is no limit to how much fresh fruit you can eat in a day...
  Firefighters are being stretched to the limit as fire sweeps through the drought-stricken state.
2) N-COUNT: usu with supp A limit of a particular kind is the largest or smallest amount of something such as time or money that is allowed because of a rule, law, or decision.
  The three month time limit will be up in mid-June...
  The economic affairs minister announced limits on petrol sales.
3) N-COUNT: with supp The limit of an area is its boundary or edge.
  ...the city limits of Baghdad.
4) N-PLURAL: usu N of n The limits of a situation are the facts involved in it which make only some actions or results possible.
  She has to work within the limits of a fairly tight budget...
  He outlined the limits of British power.
  Syn:
  confines
5) VERB If you limit something, you prevent it from becoming greater than a particular amount or degree.
  [V n] He limited payments on the country's foreign debt...
  [V n to n] The view was that the economy would grow by 2.25 per cent. This would limit unemployment to around 2.5 million.
  Syn:
  restrict
6) VERB If you limit yourself to something, or if someone or something limits you, the number of things that you have or do is reduced.
  [V pron-refl to n/-ing] It is now accepted that men should limit themselves to 20 units of alcohol a week...
  [V n to n/-ing] Voters cut councillors' pay and limited them to one staff member each. [Also V pron-refl]
  Derived words:
  limiting ADJ-GRADED The conditions laid down to me were not too limiting.
7) VERB: usu passive If something is limited to a particular place or group of people, it exists only in that place, or is had or done only by that group.
  [be V-ed to n/-ing] The protests were not limited to New York...
  [be V-ed to n/-ing] Entry to this prize draw is limited to UK residents.
8) → See also age limit, limited
9) PHRASE: v-link PHR, oft PHR to n If an area or a place is off limits, you are not allowed to go there.
  A one-mile area around the wreck is still off limits...
  These establishments are off limits to ordinary citizens.
  Syn:
  out of bounds
10) PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v If you say that something is off limits, you mean that you are not allowed to do it.
  Smoking was off limits everywhere.
11) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If someone is over the limit, they have drunk more alcohol than they are legally allowed to when driving a vehicle. [BRIT]
  If police breathalyse me and find I am over the limit I face a long ban and a crippling fine...
  He was found to be three times over the limit.
12) PHRASE: V inflects If you say the sky is the limit, you mean that there is nothing to prevent someone or something from being very successful.
  They have found that, in terms of both salary and career success, the sky is the limit.
13) PHRASE: PHR with cl If you add within limits to a statement, you mean that it is true or applies only when talking about reasonable or normal situations.
  In the circumstances we'll tell you what we can, within limits, of course, and in confidence.
  Syn:
  within reason

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

limit

²limit verb -its; -it·ed; -it·ing [+ obj]
1 : to stop or prevent an increase in (something)
• We need to find ways to limit expenses. : to keep (something) from becoming greater
• He tried to limit the damage to his reputation by blaming other people.
• A factor limiting our country's economic performance is its lack of resources.
• His political enemies have tried to limit [=restrict] his power.
2 : to prevent (something) from being larger, longer, more, etc. : to place a limit on the size or extent of (something)
• The hospital limits [=restricts] visits to 30 minutes.
• Our lack of money limits our options.
- often used (be) limited to
• Visits are limited to 30 minutes. [=visits must not be longer than 30 minutes]
• The damage from the fire was limited to the rear of the building. [=only the rear of the building was damaged by the fire]
3 : to stop (someone) from having or doing more : to place a limit on (someone)
• Our lack of money limits [=restricts] us to fewer options.
• Because of our lack of money, we have to limit ourselves to fewer options.
- often used as (be) limited to
• Guests are limited to visits of no longer than 30 minutes.
• We are limited to fewer options by our lack of money.

American English

British English

limiting and restricting

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

verb

deaf

deaf [noun]

the deaf people who are unable to hear

/def/

Example:

Many of the TV programmes are broadcast with subtitles for the deaf.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

deaf

adjective
not able to hear anything or not able to hear very well:
My grandma's starting to go deaf.
television subtitles for the deaf (= people who cannot hear)

>> deafness noun (no plural):
In old age she was troubled by deafness.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

deaf

deaf W3 /def/ BrE AmE adjective
[Language: Old English]
1. physically unable to hear anything or unable to hear well ⇨ hearing impaired:
communication between deaf and hearing people
I think Mum’s going a bit deaf.
She’s deaf and dumb (=unable to hear or speak) and communicates using sign language.
Tom was born profoundly deaf (=having great difficulty hearing).
stone deaf/deaf as a post informal (=completely deaf) ⇨ ↑hard of hearing, ↑tone-deaf
2. the deaf [plural] people who are deaf:
a school for the deaf
3. be deaf to something literary to be unwilling to hear or listen to something:
She was deaf to his pleas.
4. turn a deaf ear (to something) to be unwilling to listen to what someone is saying or asking:
The factory owners turned a deaf ear to the demands of the workers.
5. fall on deaf ears if advice or a warning falls on deaf ears, everyone ignores it
—deafness noun [uncountable]

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

deaf

deaf [deaf deafer deafest] [def] [def] adjective (deaf·er, deaf·est)
1. unable to hear anything or unable to hear very well
• to become/go deaf
• She was born deaf.
• partially deaf

see also stone deaf, tone-deaf

2. the deaf noun plural people who cannot hear

• television subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

3. not before noun ~ to sth not willing to listen or pay attention to sth
• He was deaf to my requests for help.
Idioms: deaf as a post ▪ fall on deaf ears ▪ turn a deaf ear
Derived Word: deafness
Word Origin:
Old English dēaf, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch doof and German taub, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek tuphlos ‘blind’.
Example Bank:
• It's no good shouting— he's stone deaf.
• Many of these children are profoundly deaf.
• She remained deaf until she died.
• She spoke loudly because her mother was a little deaf.
• Standing next to the machine all day left her deaf in one ear.
• The committee remained deaf to our suggestions.
• Their child was born deaf.

• helping chronically deaf patients

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

deaf / def / noun [ plural ]

the deaf people who are unable to hear:

Many of the TV programmes are broadcast with subtitles for the deaf.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

deaf

[de̱f]
deafer, deafest
1) ADJ-GRADED Someone who is deaf is unable to hear anything or is unable to hear very well.
  She is now profoundly deaf.
  Derived words:
  deafness N-UNCOUNT Because of her deafness she was hard to make conversation with.
N-PLURAL: the N
The deaf are people who are deaf. Many regular TV programs are captioned for the deaf.
2) ADJ: v-link ADJ to n (disapproval) If you say that someone is deaf to people's requests, arguments, or criticisms, you are criticizing them because they refuse to pay attention to them.
  The provincial assembly were deaf to all pleas for financial help.
  Syn:
  impervious
3) to fall on deaf ears → see ear
to turn a deaf ear → see ear

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

deaf

deaf /ˈdɛf/ adj [more ~; most ~]
1 : not able to hear
• He has been deaf since birth.
• a deaf child
• She's completely/partially deaf in her right ear.
• a disease that caused her to go deaf [=become unable to hear]
• He's going a little deaf so you'll have to speak up.
• (informal) My grandmother's a sweet old lady, but she's as deaf as a post. [=she's very deaf]
- see also tone-deaf
2 : not willing to listen to or consider something - usually + to
• They were deaf to all of our suggestions.
• deaf to reason
fall on deaf ears
- see ¹ear
the deaf : deaf people : people who are not able to hear
• She goes to a school for the deaf.
turn a deaf ear
- see ¹ear
- deaf·ness noun [noncount]
• The disease can cause blindness and deafness.

American English

British English

handicap and the disabled

C1 (Advanced)

noun

blind

blind [noun] (SIGHT)

people who are unable to see

/blaɪnd/

Example:

She trains guide dogs for the blind.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

adjective
not able to see:
My grandad is going blind.
He trains guide dogs for the blind (= people who are not able to see).

>> blindness noun (no plural):
The disease can cause blindness.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

adjective
not able to see:
My grandad is going blind.
He trains guide dogs for the blind (= people who are not able to see).

>> blindness noun (no plural):
The disease can cause blindness.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

noun
1. (NAmE also shade, ˈwindow shade) countable a covering for a window, especially one made of a roll of cloth that is fixed at the top of the window and can be pulled up and down

see also venetian blind

2. singular something people say or do to hide the truth about sth in order to trick other people
Word Origin:
Old English, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German blind.
Example Bank:
• She saw a figure through the blinds.

• Pull up the blinds and let some light in.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

blind / blaɪnd / noun (SIGHT)

the blind C1 [ plural ] people who are unable to see:

She trains guide dogs for the blind.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

blind

[bla͟ɪnd]

blinds, blinding, blinded
1) ADJ Someone who is blind is unable to see because their eyes are damaged.
  I started helping him run the business when he went blind...
  How would you explain colour to a blind person?
  Derived words:
  blindness N-UNCOUNT Early diagnosis and treatment can usually prevent blindness.
N-PLURAL: the N
The blind are people who are blind. He was a teacher of the blind.
2) VERB If something blinds you, it makes you unable to see, either for a short time or permanently.
  [V n] The sun hit the windscreen, momentarily blinding him.
3) ADJ: v-link ADJ, usu ADJ with n If you are blind with something such as tears or a bright light, you are unable to see for a short time because of the tears or light.
  Her mother groped for the back of the chair, her eyes blind with tears.
  Derived words:
  blindly ADV Lettie groped blindly for the glass.
4) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ to n (disapproval) If you say that someone is blind to a fact or a situation, you mean that they ignore it or are unaware of it, although you think that they should take notice of it or be aware of it.
  David's good looks and impeccable manners had always made her blind to his faults...
  All the time I was blind to your suffering.
  Derived words:
  blindness N-UNCOUNT ...blindness in government policy to the very existence of the unemployed.
5) VERB If something blinds you to the real situation, it prevents you from realizing that it exists or from understanding it properly.
  [V n to n] He never allowed his love of Australia to blind him to his countrymen's faults.
6) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n (disapproval) You can describe someone's beliefs or actions as blind when you think that they seem to take no notice of important facts or behave in an unreasonable way.
  ...her blind faith in the wisdom of the Church...
  Lesley yelled at him with blind, hating rage.
7) ADJ: ADJ n A blind corner is one that you cannot see round because something is blocking your view.
  He tried to overtake three cars on a blind corner and crashed head-on into a lorry.
8) ADJ: ADJ n A blind wall or building is one which has no windows or doors.
  I remembered a huddle of stone buildings with blind walls.
9) N-COUNT A blind is a roll of cloth or paper which you can pull down over a window as a covering.
→ See also Venetian blind
10) → See also blinding, blindly, colour blind
11) PHRASE: V inflects (disapproval) If you say that someone is turning a blind eye to something bad or illegal that is happening, you mean that you think they are pretending not to notice that it is happening so that they will not have to do anything about it.
  Teachers are turning a blind eye to pupils smoking at school, a report reveals today...
  I can't turn a blind eye when someone is being robbed.a

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

³blind noun, pl blinds
1 [count] : something that is used to cover a window from the inside of a room especially; : a roll of cloth or plastic that is hung at the top of a window and pulled down over the window - usually plural
• Raise/lower/open/close the blinds.
- see picture at window; see also venetian blind
2 [count] US : a place where hunters hide from animals while they are hunting
• a duck blind [=a place to hide when hunting ducks]
- called also (chiefly Brit) hide,
3 [singular] : something that is used to trick people or to prevent people from noticing a particular thing
• Some say the investigation is a blind to keep the public's attention off the governor.
draw the blinds on
- see ¹draw

American English

British English

handicap and the disabled

C1 (Advanced)

noun

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