British English

ruthless

ruthless [adjective]

not thinking or worrying about any pain caused to others; cruel

/ˈruːθ.ləs.li/

Example:

Some people believe that to succeed in this world you have to be ruthless.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

ruthless

ruth‧less /ˈruːθləs/ BrE AmE adjective
[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: ruth 'pity' (12-19 centuries), from rue]
1. so determined to get what you want that you do not care if you have to hurt other people in order to do it:
a ruthless dictator
They have shown a ruthless disregard for basic human rights.
2. determined and firm when making unpleasant decisions:
He ran the company with ruthless efficiency.
Throw away clothes you don’t wear – be ruthless.
—ruthlessly adverb:
The uprising was ruthlessly suppressed.
—ruthlessness noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ determined if you are determined to do something, you have decided that you are definitely going to do it, and you will not let anything stop you. Determined is also used about someone’s character, when they usually behave in this way: I was determined to be a doctor. | She’s a very determined woman.
▪ stubborn determined not to change what you are doing, especially when other people think you are behaving in an unreasonable way. Stubborn is often used when you disapprove of someone. It is also sometimes used when you admire them: I wish you would stop being so stubborn! | Churchill’s stubborn refusal to surrender
▪ single-minded someone who is single-minded works very hard in order to achieve one particular thing, and thinks that everything else is much less important: During a war, a leader must be single-minded and, if necessary, ruthless. | her single-minded pursuit of power
▪ tough /tʌf/ determined to succeed, even if a situation is difficult or frightening: In competitive sports, it is as important to be mentally tough as it is to be physically fit. | Gorelick is known as a tough manager.
▪ firm showing by your behaviour that you are determined not to change your mind, especially when you are telling someone what to do: What this country needs is firm leadership. | You have to be firm with young children.
▪ feisty determined and full of energy, and not afraid to say what you think and argue with people - used especially when you admire this person. Feisty is often used about women: In the film she plays a feisty young woman who is smarter than all the men put together. | a feisty kid with a mind of his own | the city’s feisty mayor
▪ headstrong determined to do what you want, without listening to other people’s advice or thinking about the results of your actions - used especially about young people: Her sister was headstrong and impulsive, and made a point of going out whenever and wherever she liked.
▪ resolute formal doing something in a very determined way because you have very strong beliefs, aims etc: the soldiers’ resolute defence of the town
▪ tenacious formal determined and refusing to give up: McTaggart was seen by many in the environment movement as a tenacious hero. | his tenacious grip on power
▪ dogged [only before noun] dogged behaviour shows that you are very determined and that you will not give up - used especially in the following phrases: dogged determination/persistence/resistance/refusal: The team played with dogged determination. | his dogged refusal to admit defeat | the dogged persistence of the defenders
▪ persistent continuing to do something, although this is difficult, or other people warn you not to do it: If you want to get a job, you have to be persistent. Don’t give up.
▪ strong-willed always very determined to do what you want to do, even if other people think it is not a good idea to do it: She has always been a strong-willed child.
▪ ruthless /ˈruːθləs/ someone who is ruthless is so determined to get what they want, that they do not care if they harm other people: a ruthless dictator | He was ruthless in his ambition.
▪ mean business to be determined to do something and show other people that you are determined to do it, even if it involves harming someone: The one-day strike proved that the union meant business.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

ruthless

ruth·less [ˈruːθləs] [ˈruːθləs] adjective (disapproving)
(of people or their behaviour) hard and cruel; determined to get what you want and not caring if you hurt other people
• a ruthless dictator
• The way she behaved towards him was utterly ruthless.
• He has a ruthless determination to succeed.
• We'll have to be ruthless if we want to make this company more efficient.
Derived Words: ruthlessly ▪ ruthlessness
Word Origin:
Middle English: from ruth ‘feeling of pity, distress or grief’ + -less.
Thesaurus:
ruthless [ruthless ruthlessly ruthlessness] adj. (usually disapproving)
• He's a violent, ruthless man who will stop at nothing.
cruel • • hard • • callous • • heartless • • coldblooded • • brutal • |especially written merciless •
Opp: merciful, Opp: compassionate
a ruthless/cruel/hard/callous/heartless man/woman
a ruthless/coldblooded/merciless attack
Example Bank:
• She was pretty ruthless about sacking people.
• He's a violent, ruthless man who will stop at nothing.
• Like all great survivors, she has a ruthless streak.
• She was ruthless about chucking out weaklings.
• The way she behaved to him was utterly ruthless.

• We'll have to be ruthless if we want to make this company more efficient.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

ruthless / ˈruːθ.ləs / adjective

C2 not thinking or worrying about any pain caused to others; cruel:

ruthless ambition

a ruthless dictator

Some people believe that to succeed in this world you have to be ruthless.

ruthlessly / -li / adverb

She ruthlessly pursued her ambition, letting nothing get in her way.

ruthlessness / -nəs / noun [ U ]

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

ruthless

[ru͟ːθləs]
1) ADJ-GRADED: oft ADJ in n (disapproval) If you say that someone is ruthless, you mean that you disapprove of them because they are very harsh or cruel, and will do anything that is necessary to achieve what they want.
  The President was ruthless in dealing with any hint of internal political dissent.
  ...an invasion by a ruthless totalitarian power...
  The late newspaper tycoon is condemned for his ruthless treatment of employees.
  Syn:
  merciless, callous
  Derived words:
  ruthlessly ADV-GRADED ADV with v The Party has ruthlessly crushed any sign of organised opposition.
  ruthlessness N-UNCOUNT ...a powerful political figure with a reputation for ruthlessness.
2) ADJ-GRADED: oft ADJ in n A ruthless action or activity is done forcefully and thoroughly, without much concern for its effects on other people.
  Her lawyers have been ruthless in thrashing out a divorce settlement...
  Successfully merging two banks requires a fast and ruthless attack on costs.
  Derived words:
  ruthlessly ADV-GRADED Ghislaine showed signs of turning into the ruthlessly efficient woman her father wanted her to be.
  ruthlessness N-UNCOUNT ...a woman with a brain and business acumen and a certain healthy ruthlessness.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

ruthless

ruth·less /ˈruːɵləs/ adj [more ~; most ~] : having no pity : cruel or merciless
• a ruthless killer
• The journalist was ruthless in his criticism.
- ruth·less·ly adv
• The slaves were ruthlessly abused by their owners.
- ruth·less·ness noun [noncount]

American English

British English

unkind - cruel and unfeeling

C2 (Proficient)

adjective

sacred

sacred [adjective]

considered to be holy and deserving respect, especially because of a connection with a god

/ˈseɪ.krɪd/

Example:

This area is sacred to the Apaches.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

sacred

adjective
with a special religious meaning:
A church is a sacred building.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

sacred

sa‧cred /ˈseɪkrəd, ˈseɪkrɪd/ adjective
[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: Past participle of sacre 'to make holy' (13-17 centuries), from Old French sacrer, from Latin sacrare, from sacer 'holy']
1. relating to a god or religion:
a sacred vow
the miraculous powers of sacred relics
Certain animals were considered sacred.
sacred to
The land is sacred to these tribesmen.
2. very important or greatly respected:
Human life is sacred.
Frontiers which have held for over forty years are no longer sacred.
sacred to
Few things were sacred to Henry, but local history was one of them.
He had no respect for everything I held sacred.
3. is nothing sacred? spoken used to express shock when something you think is valuable or important is being changed or harmed

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

sacred

sac·red [ˈseɪkrɪd] [ˈseɪkrɪd] adjective
1. connected with God or a god; considered to be holy
• a sacred image/shrine/temple
• sacred music

• Cows are sacred to Hindus.

2. very important and treated with great respect
Syn: sacrosanct
• Human life must always be sacred.
• For journalists nothing is sacred (= they write about anything).
• Some companies offer five-year plans but there is nothing sacred about this length of time (= it can be changed).
Derived Word: sacredness
Word Origin:
[sacred sacredness] late Middle English: past participle of archaic sacre ‘consecrate’, from Old French sacrer, from Latin sacrare, from sacer, sacr- ‘holy’.
Example Bank:
• The place was sacred to the Apaches.
• the feeling that all life should be held sacred

• a sacred image/grove

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

sacred / ˈseɪ.krɪd / adjective

C1 considered to be holy and deserving respect, especially because of a connection with a god:

sacred relics/temples

This area is sacred to the Apaches.

C1 connected with religion:

sacred music/writings

C2 considered too important to be changed:

His daily routine is absolutely sacred to him.

humorous The cricketers wore blue, not their usual white - is nothing sacred?

sacredness / -nəs / noun [ U ]

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

sacred

[se͟ɪkrɪd]
1) ADJ-GRADED Something that is sacred is believed to be holy and to have a special connection with God.
  The owl is sacred for many Californian Indian people.
  ...shrines and sacred places.
  Ant:
  profane, secular
  Derived words:
  sacredness N-UNCOUNT oft the N of n ...the sacredness of the site.
2) ADJ: ADJ n Something connected with religion or used in religious ceremonies is described as sacred.
  ...sacred art.
  ...sacred songs or music.
3) ADJ-GRADED You can describe something as sacred when it is regarded as too important to be changed or interfered with.
  My memories are sacred...
  He said the unity of the country was sacred.
  Syn:
  sacrosanct
  Derived words:
  sacredness N-UNCOUNT ...the sacredness of his given word.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

sacred

Function: adjective

1
Synonyms: HOLY 1, blessed, consecrated, hallowed, sanctified, unprofane
Related Words: sacramental; angelic, godly, saintly; cherished
Contrasted Words: lay, secular, temporal; earthly; unhallowed
Antonyms: profane
2 dedicated to or hallowed by association with a deity ＜sacred songs＞
Synonyms: numinous, spiritual; compare HOLY 1
Related Words: hallowed, sanctified
3 protected (as by law, custom, or human respect) against abuse ＜a fund sacred to charity＞
Synonyms: inviolable, inviolate, sacrosanct
Related Words: defended, guarded, protected, shielded; immune, untouchable

attack

attack [verb] (HURT)

to try to hurt or defeat using violence

/əˈtæk/

Example:

He was attacked and seriously injured by a gang of youths.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

attack

verb (attacks, attacking, attacked )
to start fighting or hurting somebody or something:
The army attacked the town.
The old man was attacked and his money was stolen.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. attack² S3 W2 BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑attack, ↑counterattack, ↑attacker; verb: ↑attack, ↑counterattack; adjective: attacking, counterattacking]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: attaquer, from Old Italian attaccare 'to attach', from stacca 'sharp post']
1. USE VIOLENCE [intransitive and transitive] to deliberately use violence to hurt a person or damage a place:
She was attacked while walking home late at night.
His shop was attacked by a gang of youths.
Snakes will only attack if you disturb them.
attack somebody/something with something
He needed 200 stitches after being attacked with a broken bottle.
2. IN A WAR [intransitive and transitive] to start using guns, bombs etc against an enemy in a war:
Army tanks attacked a village near the capital on Sunday.
3. CRITICIZE [transitive] to criticize someone or something very strongly:
Last year Dr Travis publicly attacked the idea that abortion should be available on demand.
attack somebody for (doing) something
Newspapers attacked the government for failing to cut taxes.
strongly/bitterly/savagely etc attack somebody/something
4. DAMAGE [transitive] if something such as a disease, insect, or chemical attacks something, it damages it:
a cruel disease that attacks the brain and nervous system
5. BEGIN DOING [transitive] to begin to do something in a determined and eager way:
She immediately set about attacking the problem.
Martin attacked his meal (=started eating) with vigour.
6. SPORT [intransitive and transitive] to move forward and try to score ↑goals or win points ⇨ defend:
Brazil began to attack more in the second half of the match.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to attack a person
▪ attack to use violence against someone and try to hurt them: She was attacked by a man with a baseball bat. | Police dogs are trained to attack.
▪ ambush /ˈæmbʊʃ/ if a group of people ambush someone, they hide and wait for them and then attack them: The judge was ambushed by gunmen as he drove to work at the courthouse.
▪ mug to attack someone and take money from them in a public place such as a street: He was mugged on his way home from school.
▪ stab to attack someone with a knife: The victim had been stabbed in the neck.
▪ assault to attack and hurt someone – used especially when talking about this as a criminal ↑offence: He assaulted a flight attendant who refused to serve him more drinks.
▪ be set upon by somebody/something written to be attacked by a group of people: He died outside his home after being set upon by a gang of youths.
▪ turn on to suddenly change your behaviour and attack the person you are with, when they do not expect this: The dog suddenly turned on him, sinking its teeth into his arm.
■ to attack a place
▪ attack to use weapons to try to damage or take control of a place: The village was attacked by enemy warplanes. | We will attack at dawn.
▪ invade to enter a country and try to get control of it using force: The Romans invaded Britain 2,000 years ago.
▪ storm to suddenly attack a city or building that is well defended by getting inside it and taking control: Elite troops stormed the building and rescued the hostages.
▪ besiege /bɪˈsiːdʒ/ to surround a city or building with soldiers in order to stop the people inside from getting out or from receiving supplies: In April 655, Osman’s palace was besieged by rebels.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

attack / əˈtæk / verb [ I or T ] (HURT)

B1 to try to hurt or defeat using violence:

He was attacked and seriously injured by a gang of youths.

Army forces have been attacking the town since dawn.

Most wild animals won't attack unless they are provoked.

→ Compare defend (PROTECT)

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

attack

[ətæ̱k]
attacks, attacking, attacked
1) VERB To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence.
  [V n] Fifty civilians in Masawa were killed when government planes attacked the town...
  [V n] He bundled the old lady into her hallway and brutally attacked her...
  While Haig and Foch argued, the Germans attacked...
  [V-ing] The infantry would use hit and run tactics to slow attacking forces.
N-VAR: usu with supp
Attack is also a noun. ...a campaign of air attacks on strategic targets... Refugees had come under attack from federal troops.
2) VERB If you attack a person, belief, idea, or act, you criticize them strongly.
  [V n] He publicly attacked the people who've been calling for secret ballot nominations...
  [V n for -ing] A newspaper ran an editorial attacking him for being a showman. [Also V n as n/adj]
N-VAR: usu with supp
Attack is also a noun. The role of the state as a prime mover in planning social change has been under attack... The committee yesterday launched a scathing attack on British business for failing to invest.
3) VERB If something such as a disease, a chemical, or an insect attacks something, it harms or spoils it.
  [V n] The virus seems to have attacked his throat...
  [V n] Several key crops failed when they were attacked by pests.
N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl
Attack is also a noun. The virus can actually destroy those white blood cells, leaving the body wide open to attack from other infections.
4) VERB If you attack a job or a problem, you start to deal with it in an energetic way.
  [V n] Any attempt to attack the budget problem is going to have to in some way deal with those issues.
5) VERB In games such as soccer, when one team attacks the opponent's goal, they try to score a goal.
  [V n] Now the US is controlling the ball and attacking the opponent's goal...
  The goal was just reward for Villa's decision to attack constantly in the second half.
  Derived words:
  attacking ADJ-GRADED ADJ n Manchester City will play a more attacking style of football.
N-COUNT
Attack is also a noun. Lee was at the hub of some incisive attacks in the second half.
6) N-COUNT: with supp An attack of an illness is a short period in which you suffer badly from it.
  It had brought on an attack of asthma.
7) → See also counter-attack, heart attack

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

attack

³attack adj always used before a noun : designed for or used in a military attack
• an attack helicopter/submarine
• The bombers were in attack formation.

American English

British English

attacking and invading

B1 (Intermediate)

verb

church

church [noun] (BUILDING)

a building for Christian religious activities

Example:

The town has four churches.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

church

noun (plural churches)
a building where Christians go to speak to God (to pray):
They go to church every Sunday.

grammar
When we talk about going to a ceremony (a service) in a church we say in church, to church or at church without 'a' or 'the': Was Mr Poole at church today? We use a or the to talk about the building: the church where we got married • a historic church.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

church

church S1 W1 /tʃɜːtʃ $ tʃɜːrtʃ/ noun
[Language: Old English; Origin: cirice, from Late Greek kyriakon, from Greek kyriakos 'of the lord', from kyrios 'lord, master']
1. [countable] a building where Christians go to worship ⇒ cathedral:
a short church service
church bells
2. [uncountable] the religious ceremonies in a church:
Mrs Dobson invited us to dinner after church.
My parents go to church every Sunday.
at church
We didn’t see you at church this morning.
3. [countable] (also Church) one of the separate groups within the Christian religion:
the Catholic Church
4. [singular, uncountable] the institution of the Christian religion, and all the priests and other ministers who are part of it:
the church’s attitude towards marriage
separation of church and state

COLLOCATIONS

ADJECTIVES/NOUN + church

▪ the local church (=the one in a particular area, or near where you live) The local church dates from the 12th century.
▪ a parish church British English (=the main Christian church in a particular area) This is the parish church for three villages near here.
▪ a country/town church an attractive country church surrounded by trees
▪ a (Roman) Catholic church I followed the crowds to the Roman Catholic church for Mass.

verbs

▪ go to church (also attend church formal) (=go to a regular religious ceremony in a church) Do you go to church?
▪ marry/get married in a church I’d like to get married in a church.

church + NOUN

▪ a church service (=a religious ceremony in a church) There’s a church service at 10:30 every Sunday morning.
▪ a church hall (=a large room in a church) The dance was held in the church hall.
▪ church music church music for small choirs
▪ church bells I could hear the church bells ringing.
▪ a church tower I looked at the clock on the church tower.
▪ a church spire/steeple (=a church tower with a pointed top) The tall church spires could be seen from far away.
▪ the church choir (=a group of people who lead the singing in a church) Steve’s a member of the local church choir.
▪ a church wedding (=in a church) She wants to have a church wedding.

THESAURUS (for Meaning 3)

religious group

▪ church one of the different groups within the Christian religion – used especially in names: The Roman Catholic church is expanding. | members of the Church of England
▪ denomination a religious group that has slightly different beliefs from other groups who belong to the same religion: Our staff come from churches of all denominations. | Several denominations have developed among Jews.
▪ sect a religious group that has separated from a larger group: He is a leader in the powerful Ansar Sunni Muslim sect.
▪ cult an extreme religious group that is not part of an established religion: Members of the cult all committed suicide on the same day.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

church

church [church churches churched churching] [tʃɜːtʃ] [tʃɜːrtʃ] noun
1. countable a building where Christians go to worship
• a church tower
• The procession moved into the church.

• church services

2. uncountable a service or services in a church
• How often do you go to church?
• (BrE) They're at church (= attending a church service).
• (NAmE) They're in church.

• Church is at 9 o'clock.

3. Church countable a particular group of Christians
• the Anglican Church
• the Catholic Church
• the Free Churches

see also denomination

4. (the) Church singular the ministers of the Christian religion; the institution of the Christian religion
• The Church has a duty to condemn violence.
• the conflict between Church and State
• to go into the Church (= to become a Christian minister)
see a broad church at broad _adj.
Word Origin:
Old English cir(i)ce, cyr(i)ce, related to Dutch kerk and German Kirche, based on medieval Greek kurikon, from Greek kuriakon (dōma) ‘Lord's (house)’, from kurios ‘master or lord’. Compare with kirk.
Culture:
churches and cathedrals
In Britain churches are landmarks in every town and village. Their tower or spire (= a cone-shaped structure on top of a small tower) can often be seen from far away. Churches are used for worship by the Church of England, Roman Catholics and other groups, while some Nonconformist Churches use chapels or halls. The church and church hall, a building used for meetings and Sunday School, were formerly the centre of the community. Now, far fewer people attend church and this has resulted in some churches being closed or used for other purposes such as housing.
Cathedrals may belong to either the Church of England or the Roman Catholic Church. Many cathedrals were built as part of a monastery, for example Durham was started in the 11th century by Benedictine monks. Some of these cathedrals are called minsters, e.g. York Minster, and they were originally centres for teaching Christianity. St Chad’s in Birmingham dates from the middle of the 19th century and was the first Roman Catholic cathedral built in England since the Reformation. A cathedral is the headquarters of a bishop or archbishop. Canterbury Cathedral is the headquarters of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is head of the Church of England.
Many people visit churches and cathedrals to admire their architecture. In Britain churches are usually built of stone, with a tower or spire at the west end. Bells are placed high up in the tower and rung by long ropes before services. In villages the church is approached through a gate, sometimes a lychgate (= a gate with a roof over it), which leads into the churchyard where people are buried. The main entrance is usually on the south side. The church porch has a noticeboard and often a seat in it. Cathedrals are large churches, usually built in the shape of a long cross with a central tower. Older cathedrals are often in a quiet grassy cathedral close.
The earliest stone churches date from the Anglo-Saxon period (6th-11th centuries). Norman churches, from the 11th and 12th centuries, are massive structures. Rounded arches over doorways and windows are a distinctive feature of Norman architecture. Examples of Norman cathedrals are those at Durham and Ely.
The English Gothic style of the 13th-15th centuries is characterized by pointed arches and increasingly ornate designs for the vault. Windows were tall and narrow in the Early English period (13th century), and later, in the Decorated period, had tracery (= lace-like patterns) at the top. In the Perpendicular period (15th century), they were greatly increased in size and filled with stained glass (= small pieces of coloured glass in a lead frame) showing pictures of saints. Ceilings with elaborate fan vaults (= curved strips of stone spreading out from a point, with patterns between them) are supported by flying buttresses that lean at an angle from the wall and form an arch. Salisbury Cathedral is a characteristic Early English building. Exeter Cathedral dates mainly from the Decorated period and Gloucester Cathedral with its fan vaults is typical of the Perpendicular period.
Some later buildings, such as St Paul's Cathedral designed by Christopher Wren, are more like classical temples, with a central dome and spire added. Wren and James Gibbs, designer of St Martin-in-the-Fields, influenced architects in America: Christ Church in Philadelphia is a copy of St Martin. But the modern Coventry Cathedral, designed by Basil Spence in the 1950s, is a hall-like church with narrow stained-glass windows.
In the US the earliest churches were one-room buildings made of wood that were used also as schools. Most communities now have several churches in varying styles. Some are made of stone in order to look like old English churches, some are small, plain buildings made of brick or wood, and others are modern buildings with glass walls. Storefront churches are found in shopping streets and look like shops/stores.
Collocations:
Religion
Being religious
believe in God/Christ/Allah/free will/predestination/heaven and hell/an afterlife/reincarnation
be/become a believer/an atheist/an agnostic/a Christian/Muslim/Hindu/Buddhist, etc.
convert to/practise/ (especially US) practice a religion/Buddhism/Catholicism/Christianity/Islam/Judaism, etc.
go to church/(NAmE) temple (= the synagogue)
go to the local church/mosque/synagogue/gurdwara
belong to a church/a religious community
join/enter the church/a convent/a monastery/a religious sect/the clergy/the priesthood
praise/worship/obey/serve/glorify God
Celebrations and ritual
attend/hold/conduct/lead a service
perform a ceremony/a rite/a ritual/a baptism/the Hajj/a mitzvah
carry out/perform a sacred/burial/funeral/fertility/purification rite
go on/make a pilgrimage
celebrate Christmas/Easter/Eid/Ramadan/Hanukkah/Passover/Diwali
observe/break the Sabbath/a fast/Ramadan
deliver/preach/hear a sermon
lead/address the congregation
say/recite a prayer/blessing
Religious texts and ideas
preach/proclaim/spread the word of God/the Gospel/the message of Islam
study/follow the dharma/the teachings of Buddha
read/study/understand/interpret scripture/the Bible/the Koran/the gospel/the Torah
be based on/derive from divine revelation
commit/consider sth heresy/sacrilege
Religious belief and experience
seek/find/gain enlightenment/wisdom
strengthen/lose your faith
keep/practise/practice/abandon the faith
save/purify/lose your soul
obey/follow/keep/break/violate a commandment/Islamic law/Jewish law
be/accept/do God's will
receive/experience divine grace
achieve/attain enlightenment/salvation/nirvana
undergo a conversion/rebirth/reincarnation
hear/answer a prayer
commit/confess/forgive a sin
do/perform penance
Grammar Point:
school
When a school is being referred to as an institution, you do not need to use the: ▪ When do the children finish school? When you are talking about a particular building, the is used: ▪ I’ll meet you outside the school. Prison, jail, court, and church work in the same way: ▪ Her husband spent three years in prison.
note at college, hospital
Example Bank:
• Do you go to church?
• He left the Church after a loss of faith.
• He loves all the high church traditions— incense and processions and vestments.
• He served the church for over sixty years.
• He went into the Church when he was 23.
• He went into the Church= became a priest when he was 23.
• Linda joined the local Methodist church.
• Mrs Parsons wasn't at church this Sunday.
• She was actively involved in church groups.
• The Catholic church teaches that life begins at conception.
• The church is dedicated to St Paul.
• The church was consecrated in 1250.
• The early Church believed miracles were proof of who Jesus was.
• There's an interesting organ in the church.
• They're at church.
• We decided not to get married in church.
• a chamber concert at our local church
• a church youth group

• Church is at 9 o'clock.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

church / tʃɜːtʃ / / tʃɝːtʃ / noun [ C ] (BUILDING)

A2 a building for Christian religious activities:

The town has four churches.

a church spire/tower

a church hall (= a building belonging to a church, with a large room for meetings)

church / tʃɜːtʃ / / tʃɝːtʃ / noun (ORGANIZATION)

[ C or U ] an official Christian religious organization:

All the local churches were represented at the memorial service.

He went on a walking trip with some of his friends from church.

[ U ] an occasion when this organization meets as a group of people:

I'll see her after church.

They go to church every Sunday.

church services

the Church [ S ] Christian religious organizations:

Some people think the Church shouldn't interfere in politics.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

church

[tʃɜ͟ː(r)tʃ]

churches
1) N-VAR A church is a building in which Christians worship. You usually refer to this place as church when you are talking about the time that people spend there.
  ...one of Britain's most historic churches.
  ...St Helen's Church...
  I didn't see you in church on Sunday.
2) N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft adj N, N of n A Church is one of the groups of people within the Christian religion, for example Catholics or Methodists, that have their own beliefs, clergy, and forms of worship.
  ...co-operation with the Catholic Church...
  Church leaders said he was welcome to return.
  ...the separation of church and state.
3) PHRASE: oft v-link PHR You can refer to an organization, group, or area of activity as a broad church when it includes a wide range of opinions, beliefs, or styles.
  The party has responded by trying to become a broad church that appeals to devout pensioners, Munich punks and aerospace engineers...
  It rapidly became apparent that rock'n'roll was a very broad church indeed.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

church

church /ˈʧɚʧ/ noun, pl church·es
1 a [count] : a building that is used for Christian religious services
• This is the oldest church in town.
• They would like to be married in a church.
- often used before another noun
• church bells/weddings/services
b [noncount] : religious services held in a church
• They go to church [=attend church services] every Sunday.
• I didn't see you at/in church last Sunday.
2 or Church [count] : a particular Christian group
• He is a member of the Catholic/Baptist/Anglican Church.
• What church do you belong to?
3 [noncount] : the Christian religion seen as an organization : the institution of the Christian religion
• the church's attitude toward divorce
• the separation of church and state

American English

British English

religious buildings and places

A2 (Elementary)

understand

understand [verb] (REALIZE)

formal to know or realize something because you have been told it

/ˌʌn.dɚˈstænd/

/ˌʌn.dəˈstænd/

Example:

I understand (that) you are interested in borrowing some money from us.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

understand

verb (understands, understanding, understood /, has understood)

1 to know what something means or why something happens:
I didn't understand what the teacher said.
He doesn't understand Spanish.
I don't understand why you're so angry.

2 to know something because somebody has told you about it same meaning believe:
I understand that the plane from Geneva will be late.

make yourself understood to make people understand you:
My German isn't very good but I can usually make myself understood.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

understand

un‧der‧stand S1 W1 /ˌʌndəˈstænd $ -ər-/ verb (past tense and past participle understood /-ˈstʊd/) [not in progressive]
[Word Family: adjective: understandable, understanding, misunderstood; verb: understand ≠ misunderstand; noun: understanding ≠ misunderstanding; adverb: understandably]
[Language: Old English; Origin: understandan, from under + standan 'to stand']
1. MEANING [intransitive and transitive] to know the meaning of what someone is telling you, or the language that they speak ⇒ misunderstood:
She doesn’t understand English.
I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Can you explain that again?
The woman had a strong accent, and I couldn’t understand what she was saying.
make yourself understood (=make what you say clear to other people, especially when speaking a foreign language)
I’m not very good at German, but I can make myself understood. ⇒ see Thesaurus box on P. 1916
2. FACT/IDEA [intransitive and transitive] to know or realize how a fact, process, situation etc works, especially through learning or experience:
I don’t really understand the political situation in Northern Ireland.
understand how/why/where etc
You don’t need to understand how computers work to be able to use them.
How the drug works isn’t fully understood.
understand (that)
I understand that this treatment may not work.
3. PERSON/FEELINGS [intransitive and transitive] to realize how someone feels and why they behave the way they do, and to be sympathetic:
My parents just don’t understand me.
Just tell him how you feel – I’m sure he’ll understand.
understand how/what etc
I understand how you feel, but I think you’re overreacting.
(can) understand somebody doing something
I can understand her wanting to live alone and be independent.
4. BELIEVE/THINK [transitive] to believe or think that something is true because you have heard it or read it
understand (that)
‘I understand that he was 62 when he died,’ McLeish said.
it is understood (that)
It is understood that the Queen approves of her nephew’s romance.
be understood to be (doing) something
Dillons is understood to be reorganising the company’s management structure.
5. give somebody to understand (that) formal to make someone believe that something is true, going to happen etc, without telling them this directly:
I was given to understand that the property was in good condition.
6. be understood (that) formal if something is understood, everyone knows it, or has agreed to it, and there is no need to discuss it:
From childhood it was understood that your parents would choose your husband.
7. understand something to be/mean something to accept something as having a particular meaning:
In this document, ‘children’ is understood to mean people under 14.
8. do you understand? spoken used when you are telling someone what they should or should not do, especially when you are angry with them:
Never speak to me like that again! Do you understand?
• • •

THESAURUS

▪ understand to know the meaning of something, or the reasons for something: I understand what you’re saying. | Doctors are beginning to understand what causes the disease.
▪ see especially spoken to understand something, especially the truth about a situation or the reasons for something: I can see why you don’t like him. | Do you see what I mean? | Oh, I see!
▪ get informal to understand a joke, what someone says, the reasons why something is true etc: She didn’t seem to get the joke. | Do you get me? | He explained the math homework twice, but I still don’t get it. | I still don’t get why she left.
▪ comprehend formal to understand something, or understand why something is important: The dream was easy to describe, but difficult to comprehend. | They had failed to comprehend the significance of the problem.
▪ know what somebody means spoken to understand what someone is telling you, or what a situation is like, especially because you have some experience or knowledge about this: ‘It can be really hard to give up smoking.’ ‘I know exactly what you mean.’ | We now know what the scientists meant when they warned about global warming.
▪ follow to understand something such as an explanation or story as you hear it, read it etc: The plot is hard to follow. | His instructions were easy to follow.

to understand something difficult

▪ grasp to completely understand an idea or a fact, especially a complicated one: Some of his theories can be rather difficult for the ordinary reader to grasp. | I don’t think Stuart really grasped the point I was making.
▪ fathom /ˈfæðəm/ formal to understand what something means or the reasons for something, after thinking carefully about it: She looked at him, puzzled, trying to fathom the reasons for his actions.
▪ make sense of something to understand something that is not easy to understand, especially by thinking about it: People are still trying to make sense of the news.
▪ can’t make head nor tail of something spoken used when something seems impossible to understand: I can’t make head nor tail of his plays, and I’m not sure that anyone else can either.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

understand

under·stand [understand understands understood understanding] [ˌʌndəˈstænd] [ˌʌndərˈstænd] verb (under·stood, under·stood [ˌʌndəˈstʊd] ; [ˌʌndərˈstʊd] )(not used in the progressive tenses)

MEANING
1. transitive, intransitive to know or realize the meaning of words, a language, what sb says, etc
• ~ (sth) Can you understand French?
• Do you understand the instructions?
• She didn't understand the form she was signing.
• I'm not sure that I understand. Go over it again.
• I don't want you doing that again. Do you understand?

• ~ what… I don't understand what he's saying.

HOW STH WORKS/HAPPENS
2. transitive, intransitive to know or realize how or why sth happens, how it works or why it is important
• ~ (sth) Doctors still don't understand much about the disease.
• No one is answering the phone— I can't understand it.
• ~ why, what, etc… I could never understand why she was fired.
• They're too young to understand what is happening.
• ~ sb/sth doing sth I just can't understand him taking the money.
• (formal) I just can't understand his taking the money.

• ~ that… He was the first to understand that we live in a knowledge economy.

KNOW SB
3. transitive, intransitive to know sb's character, how they feel and why they behave in the way they do
• ~ sb Nobody understands me.
• He doesn't understand women at all.
• We understand each other, even if we don't always agree.
• ~ what, how, etc… They understand what I have been through.
• I understand how hard things have been for you.
• ~ (that…) I quite understand that you need some time alone.
• If you want to leave early, I'm sure he'll understand.

• ~ sb doing sth I quite understand you needing some time alone.

THINK/BELIEVE
4. transitive (formal) to think or believe that sth is true because you have been told that it is
• ~ (that)… I understand (that) you wish to see the manager.
• Am I to understand that you refuse?
• ~ sb/sth to be/have sth The Prime Minister is understood to have been extremely angry about the report.

• it is understood that… It is understood that the band are working on their next album.

BE AGREED
5. transitive it is understood that… to agree sth with sb without it needing to be said

• I thought it was understood that my expenses would be paid.

MISSING WORD
6. transitive, usually passive ~ sth to realize that a word in a phrase or sentence is not expressed and to supply it in your mind
• In the sentence ‘I can't drive’, the object ‘a car’ is understood.
more at give sb to believe/understand at give _v.
Idiom: make yourself understood
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
Old English understandan (see under-, stand).
Word Family:
understand verb (≠ misunderstand)
understandable adjective
misunderstood adjective
understanding adjective noun (≠ misunderstanding)
Synonyms:
understand
see • get • follow • grasp • comprehend
These words all mean to know or realize sth, for example why sth happens, how sth works or what sth means.
understand • to know or realize the meaning of words, a language, what sb says, etc; to know or realize how or why sth happens, how it works or why it is important: ▪ I don't understand the instructions. ◊ ▪ Doctors still don't understand much about the disease.
see • to understand what is happening, what sb is saying, how sth works or how important sth is: ▪ ‘It opens like this.’ ‘Oh, ▪ I see ▪.’ ◊ ▪ Oh yes, ▪ I see what you mean ▪.
get • (informal) to understand a joke, what sb is trying to tell you, or a situation that they are trying to describe: ▪ She didn't get the joke. ◊ ▪ I don't get you.
follow • to understand an explanation, a story or the meaning of sth: ▪ Sorry— I don't quite follow. ◊ ▪ The plot is almost impossible to follow.
grasp • to come to understand a fact, an idea or how to do sth: ▪ They failed to grasp the importance of his words.
understand or grasp?
You can use understand or grasp for the action of realizing the meaning or importance of sth for the first time: ▪ It's a difficult concept for children to understand/grasp. Only understand can be used to talk about languages, words or writing: I don't grasp French/the instructions.
comprehend • (often used in negative statements) (formal) to understand a fact, idea or reason: ▪ The concept of infinity is almost impossible for the human mind to comprehend.
to understand/see/get/follow/grasp/comprehend what/why/how…
to understand/see/grasp/comprehend that…
to understand/see/get/grasp the point/idea (of sth)
to be easy/difficult/hard to understand/see/follow/grasp/comprehend
to fully understand/see/grasp/comprehend sth
Example Bank:
• Her behaviour wounded him in a way he did not really understand.
• I can't understand what all the fuss is about.
• I could barely understand a word of his story.
• I don't claim to understand it.
• I finally understood what she meant.
• I fully understand the reason for your decision.
• If I've understood you correctly…
• It is difficult to understand why he reacted in that way.
• Only specialists can hope to understand them.
• She intuitively understood his need to be alone.
• She realized that she had never properly understood him.
• She soon learnt to understand English.
• The effects of these chemicals on the body are still poorly understood.
• The girl understands immediately and promises to be more careful.
• The reasons for this decision are not easily understood.
• These beliefs are best understood as a form of escapism.
• These categories help us to better understand our readers.
• They won't necessarily understand the pros and cons of the matter.
• We came to understand why certain things happened in certain ways.
• We understand little about this disease.
• What is generally understood by ‘democracy’?
• a complex topic which I only partially understand
• a woman struggling to understand an incomprehensible situation
• Do you understand French?
• Doctors still don't understand much about the disease.
• He couldn't understand what she was saying.
• He doesn't understand women at all.
• I don't understand the instructions.
• I don't want you doing that again. Do you understand?
• I just can't understand him taking the money.
• If you want to leave early, I'm sure he'll understand.
• It's understood that the band are already working on their next album.
• She said she didn't understand the form she was signing.
• She understood that this was her last chance.
• The disease is still not fully understood.
• The prime minister is understood to have been extremely angry about the report.

• We understand each other, even if we don't always agree.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

understand / ˌʌn.dəˈstænd / / -dɚ- / verb ( understood , understood ) (REALIZE)

C1 [ T ] formal to know or realize something because you have been told it:

[ + (that) ] I understand (that) you are interested in borrowing some money from us.

[ + that ] The Director had given her to understand (= told her) that she would be promoted.

[ + obj + to infinitive ] A secret buyer is understood to have paid £1 million for the three pictures (= there is unofficial news that this has happened) .

[ I or T ] formal used when making certain that someone knows what you mean and that they will do as you want:

I don't want you to see that boy again. Understand?/Do you understand?/Is that understood?

it is understood formal used to refer to something such as a rule that everyone knows and accepts:

In the library it is understood that loud talking is not permissible.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

understand

[ʌ̱ndə(r)stæ̱nd]

understands, understanding, understood
1) VERB: no cont If you understand someone or understand what they are saying, you know what they mean.
  [V n] I think you heard and also understand me...
  [V n] Rusty nodded as though she understood the old woman...
  [V wh] I don't understand what you are talking about...
  [make pron-refl V-ed] He was speaking poor English, trying to make himself understood.
2) VERB: no cont If you understand a language, you know what someone is saying when they are speaking that language.
  [V n] I couldn't read or understand a word of Yiddish, so I asked him to translate.
3) VERB: no cont To understand someone means to know how they feel and why they behave in the way that they do.
  [V n] It would be nice to have someone who really understood me, a friend...
  [V n] Trish had not exactly understood his feelings...
  [V wh] She understands why I get tired and grumpy.
4) VERB: no cont You say that you understand something when you know why or how it happens.
  [V wh] They are too young to understand what is going on...
  [V wh] She didn't understand why the TV was kept out of reach of the patients...
  [V n] In the effort to understand AIDS, attention is moving from the virus to the immune system.
5) VERB: no cont If you understand that something is the case, you think it is true because you have heard or read that it is. You can say that something is understood to be the case to mean that people generally think it is true.
  [V that] We understand that she's in the studio recording her second album...
  [V that] I understand you've heard about David...
  [V it] As I understand it, you came round the corner by the cricket field and there was the man in the road...
  [be V-ed to-inf] The management is understood to be very unwilling to agree to this request...
  [it be V-ed that/to-inf] It is understood that the veteran reporter had a heart attack.
6) PHRASE: give inflects, usu PHR that If someone is given to understand that something is the case, it is communicated to them that it is the case, usually without them being told directly.
  I am given to understand that he was swearing throughout the game at our fans.
7) CONVENTION You can use understand in expressions like do you understand? or is that understood? after you have told someone what you want, to make sure that they have understood you and will obey you.
  You do not hit my grandchildren, do you understand?...
  I don't need it, understand?...
  I don't want to hear another word about it. Is that understood, Emma?

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

understand

un·der·stand /ˌʌndɚˈstænd/ verb -stands; -stood /-ˈstʊd/ ; -stand·ing
1 : to know the meaning of (something, such as the words that someone is saying or a language) : comprehend

[+ obj]
• Do you understand English?
• “Did you understand what he said?” “Not a word (of it).”
• I can't understand a word you're saying.
• I don't understand these directions.
• I didn't understand what you told me. = I didn't understand you.
• If I understand you correctly [=if I understand what you are saying correctly], this needs to be changed.

[no obj]
• I want you to stay away from her. Do you understand?
• The work has to be finished today. Understand? [=do you understand what I am telling you?]
2 [+ obj] : to know how (something) works or happens
• They understand local politics.
• I don't understand how this is supposed to work.
• He doesn't really understand the situation.
• You should read the book in order to understand more about the subject.
• I can't understand why she would do such a thing.
• She's beginning to understand what's going on.
• You have to understand that I had no other choice.
• We still don't fully understand the causes of the disease. = The causes of the disease are still not fully understood.
3 a [+ obj] : to know how (someone) thinks, feels, or behaves
• I understand [=know] him well enough to know that he won't want to go.
• She understands children.
• At first we didn't get along, but I think we understand each other now.
b : to feel sympathy for someone's feelings or situation

[+ obj]
• She had a similar experience, so she understands what I'm going through.
• I can understand your/you feeling annoyed. [=I think you have good reason for feeling annoyed]

[no obj]
• They will understand if you need some time off.
• My cousin doesn't understand about these things.
4 [+ obj]
a : to think or believe (something)
• She was given to understand [=she was led to believe] that the job was hers.
- used to say what you believe to be true based on what you have heard, read, etc.
• I understand that they will arrive today.
• As I understand it, this has been a problem for several years.
• I understand that some doctors disagree.
• He understood that he would be paid for the work.
b
- used to say that something is agreed to or accepted and does not need to be discussed; usually used as (be) understood
• It's understood that more time will be needed. [=we all know/accept that more time will be needed]
• He believed it was understood [=believed that everyone had agreed] that he would be paid for the work.
5 [+ obj] : to think that (something) has a particular meaning : interpret
• I understood the letter to be a refusal.
6 [+ obj]
- used to say that a word or phrase is thought of as having been said even though it is not actually said; usually used as (be) understood
• When people say “they're engaged,” the phrase “to be married” is understood. [=“they're engaged” is understood to mean “they're engaged to be married”]
make yourself understood
- see ¹make

American English

British English

understanding and comprehending

C1 (Advanced)

verb

divorced

divorced [adjective] (people)

married in the past but not now married

/dɪˈvɔːrst/

/dɪˈvɔːst/

Example:

They got divorced after only six months of marriage.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

divorced

di‧vorced /dəˈvɔːst, dɪˈvɔːst $ -ɔːrst/ adjective
[Word Family: noun: divorcé, divorcee; verb: divorce; adjective: divorced]
1. no longer married to your wife or husband:
Are you married, single, or divorced?
a divorced woman
divorced from
Anne is divorced from Simon’s father.
My parents are getting divorced.
2. separate from and not connected in any way to an idea, subject etc
divorced from
His ideas are completely divorced from reality.

THESAURUS

▪ married having a husband or wife: How long have you been married? | a married couple
▪ single not married: Chris is 45 and still single. | single mothers
▪ engaged having formally agreed to marry someone in the future: Jane and Pete have just got engaged. | engaged couples
▪ live together to share a home and have a sexual relationship, but not be married: More and more couples are choosing to live together rather than get married.
▪ separated no longer living with your husband or wife because of problems in your marriage: I think Joan and Brian are separated now.
▪ divorced no longer married because you have legally ended your marriage: My parents got divorced when I was 10. | divorced men
▪ widowed no longer married because your husband or wife has died: He’s a widowed father of two.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

divorced

di·vorced [dɪˈvɔːst] [dɪˈvɔːrst] adjective
1. no longer married
• Many divorced men remarry and have second families.
• My parents are divorced.

• Are they going to get divorced?

2. ~ from sth (formal) appearing not to be affected by sth; separate from sth
• He seems completely divorced from reality.
Thesaurus:
divorced [divorced] adj.
• My parents are divorced.
separated • |formal estranged •
Opp: married
be divorced/separated/estranged from sb
a divorced/separated man/woman/parent/mother/father/couple
Collocations:
Marriage and divorce
Romance
fall/be (madly/deeply/hopelessly) in love (with sb)
be/believe in/fall in love at first sight
be/find true love/the love of your life
suffer (from) (the pains/pangs of) unrequited love
have/feel/show/express great/deep/genuine affection for sb/sth
meet/marry your husband/wife/partner/fiancé/fiancée/boyfriend/girlfriend
have/go on a (blind) date
be going out with/ (especially NAmE) dating a guy/girl/boy/man/woman
move in with/live with your boyfriend/girlfriend/partner
Weddings
get/be engaged/married/divorced
arrange/plan a wedding
have a big wedding/a honeymoon/a happy marriage
have/enter into an arranged marriage
call off/cancel/postpone your wedding
invite sb to/go to/attend a wedding/a wedding ceremony/a wedding reception
conduct/perform a wedding ceremony
exchange rings/wedding vows/marriage vows
congratulate/toast/raise a glass to the happy couple
be/go on honeymoon (with your wife/husband)
celebrate your first (wedding) anniversary
Separation and divorce
be unfaithful to/ (informal) cheat on your husband/wife/partner/fiancé/fiancée/boyfriend/girlfriend
have an affair (with sb)
break off/end an engagement/a relationship
break up with/split up with/ (informal) dump your boyfriend/girlfriend
separate from/be separated from/leave/divorce your husband/wife
annul/dissolve a marriage
apply for/ask for/go through/get a divorce
get/gain/be awarded/have/lose custody of the children
pay alimony/child support (to your ex-wife/husband)
Example Bank:

• Many divorced people remarry and have second families.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

divorced / dɪˈvɔːst / / -ˈvɔːrst / adjective (PEOPLE)

B1 married in the past but not now married:

She's divorced.

They got divorced after only six months of marriage.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

divorced

[dɪvɔ͟ː(r)st]
1) ADJ: oft ADJ from n Someone who is divorced from their former husband or wife has separated from them and is no longer legally married to them.
  Princess Margaret is divorced from Lord Snowdon...
  He is divorced, with a young son.
2) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ from n If you say that one thing is divorced from another, you mean that the two things are very different and separate from each other.
  ...speculative theories divorced from political reality.
  Syn:
  unconnected
3) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ from n If you say that someone is divorced from a situation, you mean that they act as if they are not affected by it in any way.
  This just shows how divorced from reality she's become.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

divorce

²divorce verb -vorces; -vorced; -vorc·ing
1 : to legally end your marriage with (your husband or wife)

[+ obj]

• After years of unhappiness, she decided to divorce him.

[no obj]

• They both agreed it was best to divorce.
2 [+ obj] formal : to make or keep (something) separate
• Their constitution divorces church and state.
- often + from
• The organization hasn't yet fully divorced itself from its troubled past.
- divorced adj
• They're getting divorced.
• He's been divorced since 2003.
• a divorced man = a man who is divorced
• a theory that is completely divorced from reality [=a wrong theory that shows no connection to reality]

American English

British English

ending relationships and divorce

B1 (Intermediate)

adjective

single

single [adjective] (NOT MARRIED)

not married, or not having a romantic relationship with someone

/ˈsɪŋ.ɡəl/

Example:

He's been single for so long now, I don't think he'll ever marry.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

adjective

1 only one:
He gave her a single red rose.

2 a word that makes 'every' stronger:
You answered every single question correctly.

3 not married:
Are you married or single?

4 for one person:
I would like to book a single room, please.
a single bed
Look at double.

5 (British) for a journey to a place, but not back again:
How much is a single ticket to London, please?
Look at return.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

adjective

ONE
1. only before noun only one
• He sent her a single red rose.
• a single-sex school (= for boys only or for girls only)
• All these jobs can now be done by one single machine.
• I couldn't understand a single word she said!
• the European single currency, the euro

• (BrE) a single honours degree (= for which you study only one subject)

FOR EMPHASIS

2. only before noun used to emphasize that you are referring to one particular person or thing on its own
• Unemployment is the single most important factor in the growing crime rates.

• We eat rice every single day.

NOT MARRIED

3. (of a person) not married or having a romantic relationship with sb
• The apartments are ideal for single people living alone.
• Are you still single?

see also single parent

FOR ONE PERSON

4. only before noun intended to be used by only one person
• a single bed/room
• a single sheet (= large enough for a single bed)

compare double _adj.(³)

TICKET

5. only before noun (BrE) (also one-way NAmE, BrE) a single ticket, etc. can be used for travelling to a place but not back again
• a single ticket
• How much is the single fare to Glasgow?
compare return _n.(⁷)
see (in) Indian/single file at file _n., at a (single) glance at glance _n.
Word Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin singulus, related to simplus ‘simple’.
Thesaurus:
single adj.
1. only before noun
• What is the single most important factor here?
individual • • particular • • specific • • separate • • distinct •
a/an single/individual/particular/specific/separate/distinct category/region
a single/particular/specific/separate event/incident/occasion
a single/particular/specific/distinct objective/purpose
2.
• The apartments are ideal for single people living alone.
unmarried • • divorced • • widowed • • separated • |especially BrE, especially written lone •
Opp: married
a single/unmarried/divorced/widowed/separated/lone man/woman/parent/mother/father
Example Bank:
• Marriage breakdown is common and there are a large number of single-parent families.
• Unemployment is the single most important factor in the rising crime rates.
• We eat rice every single day.

Derived: single somebody out

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

single / ˈsɪŋ.ɡl̩ / adjective (NOT MARRIED)

A2 not married, or not having a romantic relationship with someone:

a single woman/man/person

He's been single for so long now, I don't think he'll ever marry.

The number of single-parent families dependent on the state has risen enormously in recent years.

single / ˈsɪŋ.ɡl̩ / adjective [ before noun ] (ONE)

B2 one only:

He knocked his opponent down with a single blow.

Not a single person offered to help her.

You haven't been listening to a single word I've been saying.

→ Compare double adjective

single / ˈsɪŋ.ɡl̩ / adjective [ before noun ] (SEPARATE)

B1 considered on its own and separate from other things:

Patience is the single most important quality needed for this job.

She lost every single thing when her house burned down.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

single

[sɪ̱ŋg(ə)l]

singles, singling, singled
1) ADJ: ADJ n (emphasis) You use single to emphasize that you are referring to one thing, and no more than one thing.
  A single shot rang out...
  Over six hundred people were wounded in a single day...
  She hadn't uttered a single word.
2) ADJ: det ADJ (emphasis) You use single to indicate that you are considering something on its own and separately from other things like it.
  Every single house in town had been damaged...
  The Middle East is the world's single most important source of oil.
3) ADJ Someone who is single is not married. You can also use single to describe someone who does not have a girlfriend or boyfriend.
  Is it difficult being a single mother?...
  I now have to face the rest of my life as a single person...
  Gay men are now eligible to become foster parents whether they are single or have partners.
4) ADJ: usu ADJ n A single room is a room intended for one person to stay or live in.
  A single room at the Astir Hotel costs ₤56 a night.
N-COUNT
Single is also a noun. It's ₤65 for a single, ₤98 for a double and ₤120 for an entire suite.
5) ADJ: ADJ n A single bed is wide enough for one person to sleep in.
6) ADJ: usu ADJ n A single ticket is a ticket for a journey from one place to another but not back again. [BRIT]
  The price of a single ticket is thirty-nine pounds.
  Ant:
  return
N-COUNT
Single is also a noun. ...a Club Class single to Los Angeles. (in AM, use one-way)
7) N-COUNT A single is a small record which has one short song on each side. You can also refer to the main song on a small record as a single.
  Kids today don't buy singles...
  The collection includes all the band's British and American hit singles.
8) N-UNCOUNT Singles is a game of tennis or badminton in which one player plays another. The plural singles can be used to refer to one or more of these matches.
  Boris Becker of West Germany won the men's singles...
  She is equally at home on the singles or doubles court.
  Ant:
  doubles
9) N-COUNT In cricket, a single is a hit from which one run is scored. In baseball, a single is a hit by which a batter reaches first base.
10) → See also single-
in single file → see file
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - single out

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹sin·gle /ˈsɪŋgəl/ adj
1 always used before a noun : not having or including another : only one
• They lost by a single point. [=they lost by one point]
• A single shoe was found.
• It costs $10 for a single glass of wine!
• a single serving of carrots
• He earns $2,000 in a single week.
• There is a single [=uniform] standard for men and women.
- sometimes used to emphasize the largeness or importance of something
• The fingerprint turned out to be the single most important piece of evidence.
• Tobacco is the single greatest/largest/biggest industry in the state.
• Drunk driving is the greatest/largest/biggest single killer of high school students.
- sometimes used in negative statements to emphasize that there is a complete lack of something
• Not a single cookie was left.
• Not a single sound was heard.
• I could not hear a single word of what he said.
• We didn't get a single reply.
2 : not married or not having a serious romantic relationship with someone
• a club for single [=unattached, unmarried] people
• Are you single?
• a single parent/mother/father [=a mother or father who takes care of a child alone]
3
- used for emphasis after words like any, each, every, etc.
• He has more home runs than any other single player. [=than any other player]
• These laws apply to each single citizen.
• I drink milk every single day.
• She can't watch him every single minute.
4 always used before a noun : made for one person to use
• I stayed in a single room.
• I slept in a single bed. [=(US) twin bed]
5 Brit : one-way
• a single ticket
• How much is the single fare?

sister-in-law

sister-in-law [noun]

the wife of your brother or sister, or the sister of your husband or wife, or the wife of the brother or sister of your husband or wife

/ˈsɪs.tɚ.ɪn.lɑː/

/ˈsɪs.tə.rɪn.lɔː/

Oxford Essential Dictionary

sister-in-law

noun (plural sisters-in-law)

1 the sister of your wife or husband

2 the wife of your brother

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

sister-in-law

ˈsister-in-ˌlaw BrE AmE noun (plural sisters-in-law) [countable]
1. the sister of your husband or wife
2. your brother’s wife
3. the wife of the brother of your husband or wife

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

sister-in-law

ˈsister-in-law [sister-in-law sisters-in-law] noun (pl. sisters-in-law)
the sister of your husband or wife; your brother's wife; the wife of your husband or wife's brother

compare brother-in-law

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

sister-in-law

sisters-in-law
N-COUNT: oft poss N
Someone's sister-in-law is the sister of their husband or wife, or the woman who is married to their brother.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

sister-in-law

sis·ter–in–law /ˈsɪstɚrənˌlɑː/ noun, pl sis·ters–in–law /ˈsɪstɚzənˌlɑ/ [count]
1 : the sister of your husband or wife
2 : the wife of your brother

American English

British English

non-blood relations

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

noun

brother-in-law

brother-in-law [noun]

the husband of your sister or brother, or the brother of your husband or wife, or the man who is married to the sister or brother of your wife or husband

/ˈbrʌð.ɚ.ɪn.lɑː/

/ˈbrʌð.ə.rɪn.lɔː/

Oxford Essential Dictionary

brother-in-law

noun (plural brothers-in-law)

1 the brother of your wife or husband

2 the husband of your sister
Look at sister-in-law.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

brother-in-law

ˈbrother-in-law BrE AmE noun (plural brothers-in-law) [countable]
1. the brother of your husband or wife
2. the husband of your sister
3. the husband of your husband or wife’s sister
⇨ sister-in-law

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

brother-in-law

ˈbrother-in-law [brother-in-law brothers-in-law] (pl. brothers-in-law) noun
the brother of your husband or wife; your sister's husband; the husband of your husband or wife's sister

compare sister-in-law

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

ˈ brother-in-law / ˈbrʌð.ə.rɪn.lɔː / / -ɚ.ɪn.lɑː / noun [ C ] ( plural brothers-in-law )

B2 the husband of your sister or brother, or the brother of your husband or wife, or the man who is married to the sister or brother of your wife or husband

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

brother-in-law

brothers-in-law
N-COUNT: usu poss N
Someone's brother-in-law is the brother of their husband or wife, or the man who is married to their sister.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

brother-in-law

broth·er–in–law /ˈbrʌðɚrənˌlɑː/ noun, pl broth·ers–in–law /ˈbrʌðɚzənˌlɑː/ [count]
1 : the brother of your husband or wife
2 : the husband of your sister

American English

British English

non-blood relations

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

noun

attend

attend [verb] (BE PRESENT)

to go to an event, place, etc

/əˈtend/

Example:

Over two hundred people attended the funeral.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

attend

verb (attends, attending, attended)
to go to or be present at a place where something is happening:
Did you attend the meeting?

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

attend

at‧tend S2 W2 /əˈtend/ BrE AmE verb formal
[Word Family: noun: ↑attention, ↑attendant, ↑attentiveness ≠ ↑inattentiveness; verb: ↑attend; adverb: ↑attentively ≠ ↑inattentively; adjective: ↑attentive ≠ ↑inattentive]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: atendre, from Latin attendere, from ad- 'to' + tendere 'to stretch']
1. [intransitive and transitive] to go to an event such as a meeting or a class:
Only 12 people attended the meeting.
Please let us know if you are unable to attend.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say go (to) or come (to) instead of attend:
▪ I didn’t go to the parents’ meeting.
▪ Please let us know if you can’t come.
2. [intransitive and transitive] to go regularly to a school, church etc:
I am the first child in my family to attend college.
3. [transitive] formal to happen or exist at the same time as something:
the peculiar atmosphere which attends such an event
4. [transitive usually passive] to look after someone, especially because they are ill:
On his deathbed the General was attended by several doctors.
attend to somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to deal with business or personal matters:
I may be late – I have got one or two things to attend to.
2. to help a customer in a shop or a restaurant SYN serve

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

attend

at·tend [attend attends attended attending] [əˈtend] [əˈtend] verb
1. intransitive, transitive (rather formal) to be present at an event
• We'd like as many people as possible to attend.
• ~ sth The meeting was attended by 90% of shareholders.

• to attend a wedding/funeral

2. transitive ~ sth (formal) to go regularly to a place
• Our children attend the same school.

• How many people attend church every Sunday?

3. intransitive ~ (to sb/sth) (formal) to pay attention to what sb is saying or to what you are doing

• She hadn't been attending during the lesson.

4. transitive ~ sth (formal) to happen at the same time as sth

• She dislikes the loss of privacy that attends TV celebrity.

5. transitive ~ sb (formal) to be with sb and help them
• The President was attended by several members of his staff.
Derived: attend to somebody

Word Origin:
Middle English (in the sense ‘apply one's mind or energies to’): from Old French atendre, from Latin attendere, from ad- ‘to’ + tendere ‘stretch’.
Thesaurus:
attend verb
1. T, I (formal)
• Over 600 people attended the conference.
come • • go • • come along • • make it • • get •
come/go/come along/make it/get to sth
attend/come to/go to/come along to/make it to/get to a meeting/party
2. T (formal)
• The children attended the local school.
go to sth •
attend/go to school/college/a clinic/church/the mosque
regularly/occasionally attend/go to sth
Example Bank:
• He was invited to attend a seminar in Paris.
• Her lectures were generally rather sparsely attended.
• The event was well attended.
• to attend church regularly.
• He regularly attends the local mosque.
• Over 600 people attended the conference.
• Several members were unable to attend.
• She attended the college one day a week.
• She flew home to attend her father's funeral.
• She hadn't been attending during the lesson.
• The Senator was invited to attend, but he declined.
• The children attended the local school.
• The lecture was attended by most of the faculty.

• The patients all attend the clinic monthly.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

attend / əˈtend / verb (BE PRESENT)

B1 [ I or T ] to go to an event, place, etc.:

Over two hundred people attended the funeral.

The meeting is on the fifth and we're hoping everyone will attend.

→ See also well attended

B1 [ T ] to go officially and usually regularly to a place:

Which school do your children attend?

I attended the classes/seminars/lectures for a month or two.

attend / əˈtend / verb [ I ] formal (NOTICE)

to give attention to what someone is saying:

I'm afraid I wasn't attending to what was being said.

attend / əˈtend / verb [ T ] (PROVIDE HELP)

to provide a service to someone, especially as part of your job:

The queen was attended by her ladies-in-waiting.

attend / əˈtend / verb [ T ] formal (RESULT FROM)

to happen as a result of, and at the same time as:

the publicity that attends a career in television

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

attend

[əte̱nd]

attends, attending, attended
1) VERB If you attend a meeting or other event, you are present at it.
  [V n] Thousands of people attended the funeral...
  [V n] The meeting will be attended by finance ministers from many countries...
  We want the maximum number of people to attend to help us cover our costs.
2) VERB If you attend an institution such as a school, college, or church, you go there regularly.
  [V n] They attended college together at the University of Pennsylvania. [Also V]
3) VERB If you attend to something, you deal with it. If you attend to someone who is hurt or injured, you care for them.
  [V to n] The staff will helpfully attend to your needs...
  [V to n] There are more pressing matters to be attended to today...
  [V to n] The main thing is to attend to the injured.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

attend

at·tend /əˈtɛnd/ verb -tends; -tend·ed; -tend·ing
1 a : to go to and be present at (an event, meeting, etc.)

[+ obj]

• My husband and I will both attend the banquet.
• How many people attended the baseball game?
• He won't be attending the conference.

[no obj]

• How many people will be attending?
• One hundred people attended.
b [+ obj] : to regularly go to (classes, church services, etc.)
• She attends a school in the city.
• He'll be attending the university in the fall.
• I am the first child in my family to attend college.
• We attend the same church.
2 [+ obj]
a : to help or care for (someone, such as a patient)
• Each nurse attends 15 patients.
b : to assist with (a birth)
• A midwife attended the birth.
- see also attending
3 [+ obj] formal : to go with or be with (someone) as a helper or adviser
• ministers who attend the king
• She's attended by several assistants.
attend to [phrasal verb] attend to (someone or something)
1 : to deal with (something)
• Please excuse me. I must attend to some business. = Please excuse me. I've got some business I must attend to.
2 : to give needed help or attention to (someone or something)
• Volunteers attend to the park for the summer.
• The hotel staff attended to my every need.
• Please make sure that the guests are attended to.

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