British English

burn

I. burn¹ S2 W3 /bɜːn $ bɜːrn/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle burnt /bɜːnt $ bɜːrnt/ or burned)
[Word Family: noun: ↑burn, ↑burner; adjective: ↑burning, ↑burnt; verb: ↑burn; adverb: ↑burning]
[Language: Old English; Origin: byrnan 'to burn' and bærnan 'to cause to burn']
1. PRODUCE FLAMES AND HEAT [intransitive]
a) if a fire burns, it produces heat and flames:
There was a fire burning in the fireplace.
An average household candle will burn for about six hours.
b) if something is burning, it is producing flames and being damaged or destroyed by fire:
Parts of the building are still burning.
2. DESTROY SOMETHING WITH FIRE [transitive] to destroy or damage something with fire:
I burnt all his old letters.
Cars were burned and shops were looted during the rioting.
The Grand Hotel had burnt to the ground.
Make sure the iron isn’t too hot or you’ll burn the cloth.
He dropped his cigarette and burnt a hole in the carpet.
3. INJURE/KILL SOMEBODY WITH FIRE [transitive] to hurt yourself or someone else with fire or something hot:
I burned my hand on the oven door.
She was badly burned in a road accident.
Sixteen passengers were burned to death (=died in a fire).
A family of five were burned alive in their home last night (=died in a fire).
Heretics were burnt at the stake (=burnt in a fire as a punishment).
4. SUN [intransitive and transitive] if the sun burns your skin, or if your skin burns, it becomes red and painful from the heat of the sun ⇨ sunburn:
I burn quite easily.
Don’t forget you can still get burnt when you’re swimming or when it’s cloudy.
Her face and neck were quite badly burned.
5. FOOD [intransitive and transitive] to spoil food by cooking it for too long, or to become spoiled in this way:
I’m afraid I’ve burnt the pizza.
burn something to a crisp/cinder
The meat was burned to a crisp.
6. CHEMICALS [transitive] to damage or destroy something by a chemical action:
Quite a lot of household chemicals can burn your skin.
7. FUEL [intransitive and transitive] if you burn a ↑fuel, or if it burns, it is used to produce power, heat, light etc:
The boiler burns oil to produce heat.
greenhouse gases caused by the burning of fossil fuels
8. FAT/ENERGY [transitive] if you burn fat or CALORIES, you use up energy stored in your body by being physically active:
Taking a brisk walk every morning is a great way to burn calories.
a fat-burning exercise
9. LIGHT [intransitive] if a light or lamp burns, it shines or produces light:
A lamp was burning in the kitchen window.
The hall light was still burning.
10. FEEL HOT AND PAINFUL [intransitive and transitive] if a part of your body burns, or if something burns it, it feels unpleasantly hot:
The whisky burned my throat as it went down.
My eyes were burning from the smoke.
11. FACE/CHEEKS [intransitive] if your face or cheeks are burning, they feel hot because you are embarrassed or upset:
I could feel my cheeks burning as I spoke.
12. CD [transitive] if you burn a ↑CD or ↑DVD, you record music, images, or other information onto it using special computer equipment
13. be burning with rage/desire etc to feel a particular emotion very strongly:
She was burning with curiosity.
14. be burning to do something to want to do or find out something very much:
I was burning to know how he had got on in New York.
15. be/get burned informal
a) to be emotionally hurt by someone or something:
Take things slowly – don’t get burned again.
b) to lose a lot of money:
The company got badly burned in the dot.com collapse.
16. burn your fingers/get your fingers burned informal to suffer the unpleasant results of something that you have done:
I tried a dating agency once, but got my fingers badly burnt – I’ll never do it again.
17. burn a hole in your pocket if money burns a hole in your pocket, you want to spend it as soon as you can
18. burn your bridges/boats informal to do something with the result that you will not be able to return to a previous situation again, even if you want to:
I’m really tempted to take up that job offer in Washington, but I don’t want to burn my boats with this company.
19. burn the candle at both ends informal to get very tired by doing things until very late at night and getting up early in the mornings
20. burn the midnight oil informal to work or study until late at night
21. it burns somebody that/how etc American English used to say that something makes someone feel angry or jealous:
It really burns me the way they treat us.
22. GO FAST [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] informal to travel very fast
burn along/up etc
a sports car burning up the motorway
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 3)
■ adverbs
▪ be badly/severely burned His face had been badly burned in the fire.
▪ be burned alive The animals were burned alive when a farm building caught fire.
■ phrases
▪ be burned to death Anyone inside the truck would have been burned to death.
▪ be burned at the stake (=burned in a fire as a punishment) In those days witches were burned at the stake.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to be burning
▪ burn to produce heat and flames: The fire was still burning. | A pile of branches was burning in the yard.
▪ be on fire if a building, car, piece of clothing etc is on fire, it is burning and being damaged: Before long, the neighbouring houses were on fire too.
▪ be alight especially written if something is alight, it is burning: By the time the fire engines got there, the whole building was already alight. | The candle was still alight.
▪ be ablaze especially written if something is ablaze, it is burning with a lot of flames, so that it is seriously damaged: Twelve hours after the bombing raid, many parts of the city were still ablaze. | The two hundred tonnes of straw were now ablaze and firefighters struggled to get the fire under control.
▪ blaze to burn very brightly with a lot of flames and heat: A big log fire was blazing in the fireplace.
▪ smoulder British English, smolder American English /ˈsməʊldə $ ˈsmoʊldər/ to burn slowly and continuously, producing smoke but no flames: A cigarette smouldered in the ashtray. | The fire in the chemical factory was so intense that it was still smouldering a week later.
▪ flicker if a fire or flame flickers, it burns with an unsteady light that appears and disappears quickly: A welcoming fire flickered in the grate. | Inside the shrine candles flicker next to statues of saints.
■ to start burning
▪ catch fire to start burning accidentally: We were worried the house would catch fire. | Two farm workers died when a barn caught fire yesterday.
▪ burst into flames to suddenly start burning and produce a lot of flames that cause serious damage: The plane crashed into the side of the mountain and burst into flames.
▪ ignite /ɪɡˈnaɪt/ technical if a chemical or gas ignites, it starts burning: The compound ignites at 450 degrees Celsius. | Scientists could not explain why the gas had suddenly ignited.
■ to burn something
▪ burn to damage or destroy something with fire or heat: She lit a fire and burned his letters one by one.
▪ set fire to something (also set something on fire) to make something start burning so that it gets damaged: Vandals set fire to an empty warehouse. | Teresa wondered if the burning log might set fire to the curtains. | The Vikings attacked villages along the coast and set them on fire. | Sparks from the fireplace could easily set the curtains on fire.
▪ scorch to damage the surface of something by burning it so that a dark mark is left on it: Having the iron on a very high heat can scorch the fabric. | The heater was left on all night and it scorched the wall.
▪ singe /sɪndʒ/ to damage hair, wool, paper etc by burning it slightly so that the ends or edges are burnt: The flames were hot enough to singe your eyebrows.
▪ scald to burn your skin with very hot liquid or steam: The coffee was so hot it nearly scalded his tongue. | It’s easy to knock a pan off the stove and scald yourself. | He was scalded by steam escaping from the broken pipe.
▪ ignite technical to make something start to burn, especially something that burns easily such as a gas or chemical: The gas is ignited by an electrical spark. | It appears he threw away a lit cigarette which ignited the petrol spilt on the ground.
■ to make something stop burning
▪ put out to make something such as a fire, cigarette, or candle stop burning: It took firefighters four hours to put out the blaze. | She threw sand on the fire to put it out. | I put out my cigarette and went back into the house.
▪ extinguish /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/ formal to make something such as a fire, cigarette, or candle stop burning: He managed to extinguish the flames with his coat. | Customers who smoke will be asked to extinguish their cigarettes or leave the premises.
▪ blow out to make a flame or fire stop burning by blowing on it: He blew out the candle and went to sleep. | The wind blew out the fire.
burn away phrasal verb
if something burns away or is burned away, it is destroyed by fire
burn something ↔ away
All her hair had been burnt away.
burn down phrasal verb
1. if a building burns down or is burned down, it is destroyed by fire:
She was worried that the house might burn down while they were away.
burn something ↔ down
The old town hall was burnt down in the 1970s.
2. if a fire burns down, the flames become weaker and it produces less heat
burn something ↔ off phrasal verb
1. to remove something by burning it:
You can use a blowlamp to burn off the old paint.
2. to use energy that is stored in your body by doing physical exercise:
I decided to go for a run to try and burn off a few calories.
burn out phrasal verb
1. if a fire burns out or burns itself out, it stops burning because there is no coal, wood etc left:
He left the fire to burn itself out.
2. be burnt out if a building or vehicle is burnt out, the inside of it is destroyed by fire:
The hotel was completely burnt out. Only the walls remained.
We passed several burnt out cars.
3. burn something ↔ out to remove something by burning it:
The cancer cells are burnt out using a laser beam.
4. to work so hard over a period of time that you become unable to continue working because you are tired, ill, or unable to think of any new ideas:
It’s a high-pressure job and you could burn out young.
be/get burnt out
He was almost burnt out by the time he was 21.
burn yourself out
She’s in danger of burning herself out. ⇨ ↑burnout(1)
5. if an engine or electric wire burns out or is burnt out, it stops working because it has been damaged by getting too hot:
The plugs are wired so that if one burns out, the others will still start the engine.
burn something ↔ out
I think you’ve burnt out one of the gaskets.
6. if a ↑rocket or ↑jet burns out, it stops working because all its ↑fuel has been used ⇨ ↑burnout(2)
burn up phrasal verb
1. if something burns up or is burnt up, it is completely destroyed by fire or heat:
The satellite will burn up as it re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere.
burn something ↔ up
Most of the woodland has now been burnt up.
2. burn something ↔ up informal to use a lot of something in a careless way:
Most household appliances burn up loads of electricity.
He just burns up money!
3. be burning up spoken if someone is burning up, they are very hot, usually because they are ill:
Feel his forehead – he’s burning up.
4. burn somebody up American English informal to make someone very angry:
The way he treats her really burns me up.
5. burn something ↔ up to use energy that is stored in your body, by being physically active:
As we get older, our body becomes less efficient at burning up calories.

blinding

blind‧ing /ˈblaɪndɪŋ/ BrE AmE adjective
1. [usually before noun] so bright or strong that you cannot see properly
blinding flash/light/glare etc
the desert with its strange twisted plants and its blinding light
blinding rain/snow/heat etc
I struggled back to the hut through blinding rain.
2. blinding headache a very bad ↑headache
3. blinding realization/clarity/revelation etc a sudden realization, clear understanding, or new idea about something:
It was then that she realised, with blinding clarity, that she loved him.
Suddenly, I had a blinding flash of inspiration.
4. British English spoken informal very good and enjoyable:
It’s a blinding album.

accept

ac‧cept S1 W1 /əkˈsept/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: adjective: ↑acceptable ≠ ↑unacceptable, ↑accepted; verb: ↑accept; noun: ↑acceptance; adverb: ↑acceptably ≠ ↑unacceptably]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: accepter, from Latin acceptare, from accipere 'to receive', from ad- 'to' + capere 'to take']
1. GIFT/OFFER/INVITATION [intransitive and transitive] to take something that someone offers you, or to agree to do something that someone asks you to do OPP refuse:
Rick accepted her offer of coffee.
He accepted the invitation to stay with us.
His school reports said that he is always ready to accept a challenge (=agree to do something difficult).
Please accept this small gift.
They offered me a job and I accepted.
accept something from somebody
He accepted a glass of water from Helen.
He readily accepted her invitation (=accepted it quickly).
REGISTER
In everyday English, when talking about accepting a job, accepting responsibility or blame, or accepting a method of payment, people usually use take:
▪ They offered me the job and I accepted. ➔ They offered me the job and I took it.
When talking about accepting an offer, people often say take someone up on their offer:
▪ He decided to take her up on her offer.
2. SITUATION/PROBLEM ETC [transitive] to decide that there is nothing you can do to change a difficult and unpleasant situation or fact and continue with your normal life:
He’s not going to change, and you just have to accept it.
accept that
We have to accept that this is not an ideal world.
You need to accept the fact that most of your problems are caused by jealousy.
3. THINK SOMEBODY/SOMETHING IS GOOD ENOUGH [transitive] to decide that someone has the necessary skill or intelligence for a particular job, course etc or that a piece of work is good enough OPP reject:
Students accepted by Stanford Law School had very high scores on the LSAT.
accept somebody/something as something
They have accepted him as the representative of the company.
accept somebody/something for something
Random House accepted the book for publication.
4. BECOME PART OF A GROUP [transitive] to allow someone to become part of a group, society, or organization, and to treat them in the same way as the other members OPP reject
accept somebody as something
The children gradually began to accept her as one of the family.
accept somebody into something
It often takes years for immigrants to be accepted into the host community.
5. AGREE TO TAKE/DEAL WITH SOMETHING [transitive] to agree to take or deal with something that someone gives you, or to say that it is suitable or good enough:
The government has accepted the resignation of a senior army commander.
Please accept my sincere apologies.
Sorry, we don’t accept traveller’s cheques.
6. SUGGESTION/ADVICE [transitive] to decide to do what someone suggests or advises you should do:
Be prepared to accept the advice of members of staff.
7. BELIEVE AN EXPLANATION/STATEMENT [transitive] to agree that what someone says is right or true OPP reject:
She has accepted your explanation as to why you didn’t attend the meeting.
8. accept responsibility/blame for something to admit that you were responsible for something bad that happened:
The University will not accept responsibility for items lost or stolen.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ accept an offer In the end I had to accept his offer of £4,500.
▪ accept an invitation Are you going to accept their invitation to the wedding?
▪ accept help Don’t be afraid to accept help if you need it.
▪ accept aid Egypt gratefully accepted American economic aid.
▪ accept assistance They were ready to accept French military assistance.
▪ accept a challenge To protect the environment we must accept some difficult challenges.
▪ accept an award Miller accepted the award for best comedy show.
▪ accept an opportunity I wish that I’d accepted the opportunity to retire when it was offered.
▪ accept a gift/present Accepting presents from him made her feel uncomfortable.
▪ accept a job She was desperate for money so she accepted the job.
▪ accept a lift British English, accept a ride American English I had been taught not to accept lifts from strangers.
▪ accept a bribe The president’s family and friends accepted massive bribes in exchange for official favours.
■ adverbs
▪ gladly/willingly/readily accept She invited him for a drink and he gladly accepted.
▪ gratefully accept He gratefully accepted Athena’s help.
▪ graciously accept She accepted her gift graciously.

afraid

a‧fraid S1 W2 /əˈfreɪd/ BrE AmE adjective [not before noun]
[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: Past participle of affray 'to frighten' (14-19 centuries), from Old French affreer; ⇨ ↑affray]
1. frightened because you think that you may get hurt or that something bad may happen SYN scared:
There’s no need to be afraid.
afraid of (doing) something
kids who are afraid of the dark
He was afraid of being caught by the police.
afraid to do something
Zoe was half afraid (=a little afraid) to go back in the house.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people often say scared rather than afraid:
▪ I’m scared of heights.
2. worried about what might happen, or that something bad will happen
afraid (that)
He was afraid that the other kids would laugh at him.
afraid of (doing) something
I didn’t tell her because I was afraid of upsetting her.
The government was afraid of a public outcry.
afraid to do something
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
3. afraid for somebody/something worried that something bad may happen to a particular person or thing:
Her father looked ill and she was suddenly afraid for him.
Many of us were afraid for our jobs.
4. I’m afraid spoken used to politely tell someone something that may annoy, upset, or disappoint them:
That’s the most we can offer you, I’m afraid.
I’m afraid (that)
I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong address.
‘Is she very ill?’ ‘I’m afraid so (=yes).’
‘Did you see him?’ ‘I’m afraid not (=no).’
• • •
GRAMMAR
Afraid to do something means 'unwilling to do something, because you are frightened or worried':
▪ They are afraid to express their political views.
Afraid of doing something can also mean this:
▪ When I was a child, I was afraid of going to sleep.
However, it more often means 'frightened or worried that something might happen as a result of your action':
▪ They were afraid of damaging their careers.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ frightened feeling worried because you might get hurt or because something bad might happen: I was too frightened to say anything. | Many animals are frightened of fireworks. | Frightened residents called the police as the gang started throwing bricks.
▪ scared [not before noun] especially spoken frightened. Scared is less formal than frightened and is the usual word to use in everyday English: I’m scared of dogs. | Old people are too scared to go out of their homes.
▪ afraid [not before noun] frightened. Afraid sounds more formal than frightened or scared: Children are often afraid of the dark. | I was afraid that I might say the wrong thing.
▪ alarmed frightened and worried that something bad might happen: She was alarmed at the thought of performing in front of an audience. | Alarmed passengers spotted fuel leaking from the plane.
▪ fearful formal frightened that something bad might happen: They are fearful of another terrorist attack. | He was fearful that he might make another mistake. | a fearful panic

excited

ex‧cit‧ed /ɪkˈsaɪtəd, ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: adjective: ↑excitable, ↑excited, ↑exciting ≠ ↑unexciting, ↑excitable; noun: ↑excitement, ↑excitability; adverb: ↑excitedly, ↑excitingly; verb: ↑excite]
1. happy, interested, or hopeful because something good has happened or will happen:
Steve flies home tomorrow – we’re all really excited.
excited about
Maria’s starting to get pretty excited about the wedding.
excited by/at
We’re all excited by the prospect of a party.
excited to do something
Michelle sounded excited to hear from him.
excited (that)
I’m so excited that we’re going to New York.
The food was nothing to get excited about (=not very good or special).
excited crowds of shoppers
2. very nervous and upset about something so that you cannot relax
excited about
There’s no point getting excited about it. We can’t change things.
3. feeling sexual desire
—excitedly adverb:
People had gathered and were talking excitedly.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ excited feeling happy, especially about something good that has happened or is going to happen: He’s excited about his new job. | The kids always get excited on their birthday. | An excited crowd watched their team win 3–0. | When we get home, the dogs are always excited to see us. | Doctors are very excited by the discovery.
▪ thrilled /θrɪld/ [not before noun] very excited and pleased: She was thrilled to hear that you were in London. | I was thrilled when they told me that I’d got a place on the course.
▪ exhilarated /ɪɡˈzɪləreɪtəd, ɪɡˈzɪləreɪtɪd/ [not before noun] very excited and full of energy, especially because you are experiencing something new or something that involves risks: She felt exhilarated by her new freedom. | The climb left him feeling exhilarated.
▪ look forward to something to feel excited about something good that is going to happen and to think about it a lot: The kids are looking forward to their vacation – they’ve never been to California before. | She’s really looking forward to meeting him.
▪ can’t wait to do something especially spoken to be very excited about something good that is going to happen: I can’t wait to see him again.
▪ on the edge of your seat extremely excited and interested when you are watching a film, game etc, because you do not know what is going to happen next: I was on the edge of my seat throughout the movie. | The game kept fans on the edge of their seats.
▪ on tenterhooks /ˈtentəhʊks $ -ər-/ very excited and nervous because you are waiting to find out what has happened: Don’t keep us on tenterhooks! Did you pass your test?
▪ rapturous [usually before noun] especially written rapturous behaviour shows that a large group of people are extremely excited and pleased: They received a rapturous welcome. | He came on the stage to rapturous applause (=everyone was clapping and cheering).

opportunity

op‧por‧tu‧ni‧ty S1 W1 /ˌɒpəˈtjuːnəti, ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪti $ ˌɑːpərˈtuː-/ BrE AmE noun (plural opportunities)
1. [uncountable and countable] a chance to do something or an occasion when it is easy for you to do something
opportunity to do something
a rare opportunity to see inside this historic building
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all.
opportunity for
Games and songs provide an opportunity for classroom interaction.
2. [countable] a chance to get a job or improve your situation at work:
There are fewer opportunities for new graduates this year. ⇨ equal opportunities at ↑equal¹(2)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ have opportunity I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel.
▪ take/use opportunity (=do something you have a chance to do) Several employees took the opportunity to retire early.
▪ seize/grasp an opportunity (=do something very eagerly when you have the chance) She saw an opportunity to speak to him, and seized it.
▪ miss/lose an opportunity (=not do something you have a chance to do) Dwyer never missed an opportunity to criticize her.
▪ give somebody opportunity The children should be given the opportunity to make their own choices.
▪ get an opportunity I decided to go, as I might never get this opportunity again.
▪ provide/present/open up an opportunity The course also provides an opportunity to study Japanese.
▪ an opportunity comes (along/up) We had outgrown our house when the opportunity came up to buy one with more land.
▪ an opportunity arises Perhaps she would explain later, if the opportunity arose.
■ adjectives
▪ a good/great/wonderful etc opportunity It's a great opportunity to try new things.
▪ the ideal/perfect opportunity I'd been wanting to try sailing, and this seemed like the ideal opportunity.
▪ a golden opportunity (=a very good opportunity) The council has missed a golden opportunity to improve the town centre.
▪ a rare/unique opportunity a unique opportunity to stay in a real castle
▪ a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (=a very good opportunity that you will only get once) For many athletes, the Olympics are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
▪ a wasted/lost/missed opportunity (=one you do not use) Many people see the failed talks as a missed opportunity for peace.
▪ ample opportunity/plenty of opportunity (=a number of chances to do something) There will be ample opportunity for shopping.
▪ limited/little opportunity (=not many chances) They had little opportunity to discuss the issue beforehand.
■ nouns
▪ a photo opportunity (=a chance to take a good photograph, especially of a particular person) Parents will always look for good photo opportunities at their kid's graduation ceremony.
■ phrases
▪ at the first/earliest opportunity (=as soon as possible) He decided to leave school at the earliest opportunity.
▪ at every (possible) opportunity (=whenever possible) She went to the museum at every opportunity.
▪ a window of opportunity (=a time when you can do something) The other team started making mistakes, but we didn't take advantage of this window of opportunity.
▪ a land of opportunity (=a country where people have a lot of good opportunities) America was then seen as a land of opportunity.
▪ the opportunity of a lifetime (=a very good opportunity that you will only get once) The winner of the contest got the opportunity of a lifetime – the chance to work with a top fashion designer.

selfless

self‧less /ˈselfləs/ BrE AmE adjective
caring about other people more than about yourself – used to show approval:
selfless devotion to their work

toenail

toe‧nail /ˈtəʊneɪl $ ˈtoʊ-/ noun [countable]
  the hard part that covers the top of each of your toes

toe

I. toe¹ S3 /təʊ $ toʊ/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Language: Old English; Origin: ta]
1. one of the five movable parts at the end of your foot ⇨ finger:
He stubbed his toe (=hurt it by kicking it against something) on a rock.
big toe (=the largest of your toes)

the part of a shoe or sock that covers the front part of your foot
3. tread on sb’s toes British English, step on sb’s toes American English to offend someone, especially by becoming involved in something that they are responsible for
4. keep somebody on their toes to make sure that someone is ready for anything that might happen:
They do random checks to keep workers on their toes.
5. make sb’s toes curl to make someone feel very embarrassed or uncomfortable
6. touch your toes to bend downwards so that your hands touch your toes, without bending your knees
7. put/dip a toe in the water to try a little of something or try an activity for a short time to see if you like it
⇨ from head to toe at ↑head¹(1), ⇨ from top to toe at ↑top¹(22)