British English

healthy

healthy [adjective] (HEALTH)

strong and well

/ˈhel.θi/

Example:

She's a normal healthy child.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

healthy

adjective (healthier, healthiest)

1 well; not often ill:
healthy children

2 helping to make or keep you well:
healthy food
opposite unhealthy

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

healthy

health‧y S3 W3 /ˈhelθi/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative healthier, superlative healthiest)
[Word Family: noun: ↑health, ↑healthiness; adverb: ↑healthily ≠ ↑unhealthily; adjective: ↑healthy ≠ ↑unhealthy]
1. PERSON/ANIMAL/PLANT physically strong and not likely to become ill or weak:
a healthy baby boy
I’ve always been perfectly healthy until now.
2. GOOD FOR YOUR BODY good for your body:
a healthy lifestyle
a healthy diet
the importance of healthy eating
3. SHOWING GOOD HEALTH showing that you are healthy:
Her face had a healthy glow.
All of our kids have healthy appetites (=they like to eat a lot).
4. BEHAVIOUR/ATTITUDE used to describe an attitude, feeling, or behaviour that is natural, normal, and sensible:
I don’t think it’s healthy for her to spend so much time alone.
healthy respect/disrespect/scepticism etc
a healthy disrespect for silly regulations
5. COMPANY/RELATIONSHIP ETC a healthy company, society, relationship, ↑economy etc is working effectively and successfully:
a healthy economy with a well-trained workforce
6. AMOUNT large and showing that someone is successful – used about amounts of money:
a healthy profit
a healthy bank balance
—healthily adverb
—healthiness noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ healthy having good health: A good diet keeps you healthy. | They tested the drug on healthy volunteers.
▪ well used especially when describing or asking about how someone feels or looks: I don’t feel well. | How was James – did he look well?
▪ fine spoken used in a reply to a question about your health, or when talking about someone else’s health. Use fine only in replies, not in questions or statements: ‘Hi, Tom, how are you?’ ‘Fine, thanks.’ | She had a bad cold, but she’s fine now.
▪ all right/OK spoken not ill or injured. These expressions are very commonly used in everyday spoken English: You look pale – are you feeling all right? | He’s had an accident but he’s OK.
▪ better less ill than you were, or no longer ill: I’m feeling a lot better now. | Don’t come back to school until you’re better.
▪ fit healthy, especially because you exercise regularly: She keeps fit by cycling everywhere. | Police officers have to be physically fit and have good eyesight.
▪ in (good) shape healthy and fit: Jogging keeps me in pretty good shape.
▪ robust literary healthy and strong, and not likely to become ill: He had a robust constitution (=a strong and healthy body). | robust plants | a robust girl, wearing a thick woollen sweater
▪ be/look a picture of health to look very healthy: She looked a picture of health as she posed for the cameras.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

healthy

healthy [healthy healthier healthiest] [ˈhelθi] [ˈhelθi] adjective (health·ier, healthi·est)
1. having good health and not likely to become ill/sick
• a healthy child/animal/tree
• Keep healthy by eating well and exercising regularly.

Opp: unhealthy

2. usually before noun good for your health
• a healthy diet/climate/lifestyle

Opp: unhealthy

3. usually before noun showing that you are in good health
• to have a healthy appetite

• a shampoo that keeps hair looking healthy

4. normal and sensible
• The child showed a healthy curiosity.
• She has a healthy respect for her rival's talents.
• It's not healthy the way she clings to the past.

Opp: unhealthy

5. successful and working well
• a healthy economy

• Your car doesn't sound very healthy.

6. usually before noun large and showing success
• a healthy bank balance
• a healthy profit
Derived Words: healthily ▪ healthiness
Thesaurus:
healthy adj.
1.
• Keep healthy with good food and exercise.
strong • |especially BrE fit • |especially spoken well • • fine •
Opp: sickly, Opp: unhealthy
feel/look healthy/strong/fit/well/fine
keep (sb) healthy/fit/well
fit and healthy/strong/well
2. usually before noun
• Many people are adopting a healthy lifestyle.
good • • nutritious • • nourishing •
Opp: unhealthy
a healthy/good/nutritious/nourishing meal/diet
healthy/good/nutritious/nourishing food
Synonyms:
well
all right • OK • fine • healthy • strong • fit
These words all describe sb who is not ill and is in good health.
well • [not usually before noun] (rather informal) in good health: ▪ I'm not feeling very well. ◊ ▪ Is he well enough to travel?
Well is used especially to talk about your own health, to ask sb about their health or to make a comment on it.
all right • [not before noun] (rather informal) not feeling ill; not injured: ▪ Are you feeling all right?
OK • [not before noun] (informal) not feeling ill; not injured: ▪ She says she's OK now, and will be back at work tomorrow.
all right or ok?
These words are slightly less positive than the other words in this group. They are both used in spoken English to talk about not actually being ill or injured, rather than being positively in good health. Both are rather informal but OK is slightly more informal than all right.
fine • [not before noun] (not used in negative statements) (rather informal) completely well: ▪ ‘How are you?’ ‘Fine, thanks.’
Fine is used especially to talk about your health, especially when sb asks you how you are. It is also used to talk about sb's health when you are talking to sb else. Unlike well it is not often used to ask sb about their health or make a comment on it: Are you keeping fine?
healthy • in good health and not likely to become ill: ▪ Keep healthy by exercising regularly.
strong • in good health and not suffering from an illness: ▪ After a few weeks she was feeling stronger.
Strong is often used to talk about becoming healthy again after an illness.
fit • (especially BrE) in good physical health, especially because you take regular physical exercise: ▪ I go swimming every day in order to keep fit.
all right/OK/fit for sth
all right/OK/fit to do sth
to feel/look well/all right/OK/fine/healthy/strong/fit
to keep (sb) well/healthy/fit
perfectly well/all right/OK/fine/healthy/fit
physically well/healthy/strong/fit
Example Bank:
• Her good diet had kept her healthy.
• She looked pale, but otherwise healthy.
• The economy is extremely healthy at the moment.
• The rare disorder strikes apparently healthy boys between the ages of five and twelve.
• Their lifestyle is quite healthy.
• We have a very healthy diet.
• Working in the open air has made him very healthy.
• You look disgustingly healthy! How do you manage it?
• a new diet which is considered much healthier than previous ones
• He says he's ill, but he looks perfectly healthy to me.
• Here are ten tips for a healthy heart.
• I feel much healthier since I gave up smoking.
• Keep healthy by eating well and exercising regularly.
• Many people today are adopting a healthy lifestyle.
• More public awareness of healthy eating has made us think more about our diet.
• She gave birth to a healthy boy.

• The condition can affect otherwise healthy adults.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

healthy / ˈhel.θi / adjective (HEALTH)

A2 strong and well:

She's a normal healthy child.

He looks healthy enough.

showing that you are strong and well:

The walk had given her a healthy glow.

a healthy appetite

A2 good for your health:

a healthy diet

a good healthy walk

healthily / -θɪ.li / adverb

Eat healthily (= eat foods that are good for you) and take plenty of exercise.

healthy / ˈhel.θi / adjective (SUCCESSFUL)

C2 successful and strong:

a healthy economy

healthily / -θɪ.li / adverb

Eat healthily (= eat foods that are good for you) and take plenty of exercise.

healthy / ˈhel.θi / adjective (NORMAL)

normal and showing good judgment:

a healthy disrespect for authority

healthily / -θɪ.li / adverb

Eat healthily (= eat foods that are good for you) and take plenty of exercise.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

healthy

[he̱lθi]
♦♦♦
healthier, healthiest
1) ADJ-GRADED Someone who is healthy is well and is not suffering from any illness.
  Most of us need to lead more balanced lives to be healthy and happy...
  She had a normal pregnancy and delivered a healthy child.
  Derived words:
  healthily [he̱lθɪli] ADV-GRADED usu ADV after v What I really want is to live healthily for as long as possible.
2) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n If a feature or quality that you have is healthy, it makes you look well or shows that you are well.
  ...the glow of healthy skin.
  ...young adults with healthy appetites.
3) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n Something that is healthy is good for your health.
  ...a great healthy outdoor pursuit.
  ...a healthy diet.
4) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n A healthy organization or system is successful.
  ...an economically healthy socialist state.
5) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n A healthy amount of something is a large amount that shows success.
  He predicts a continuation of healthy profits in the current financial year.
  ...a healthy bank account.
  Syn:
  substantial
6) ADJ-GRADED: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf If you have a healthy attitude about something, you show good sense.
  She has a refreshingly healthy attitude to work...
  It's very healthy to be afraid when there's something to be afraid of.
  Derived words:
  healthily ADV ADV adj I had never seen bombing on such a scale, and I was healthily apprehensive.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

healthy

healthy /ˈhɛlɵi/ adj health·i·er; -est [also more ~; most ~]
1 a : having good health : not sick or injured : well
• healthy babies
• tips for staying healthy
b : showing good health
• a healthy complexion
• He has a healthy [=hearty, large] appetite.
2 : good for your health : healthful
• a healthy lifestyle/diet
• healthy living
• Those foods aren't healthy (for you). = It's not healthy (for you) to eat those foods.
3 : doing well : successful or growing
• a healthy economy
• The company is financially healthy.
4 : large in size or amount
• A healthy number of her poems were published in the magazine.
• She has a healthy bank account.
• This line of work requires a healthy dose of self-discipline.
• His business earns a healthy profit.
5 : sensible or natural
• The students have a healthy curiosity about the world.
• a healthy respect for dangerous animals
- health·i·ly /ˈhɛlɵəli/ adv
• living healthily
• healthily active people
- health·i·ness /ˈhɛlɵinəs/ noun [noncount]
- healthy adv informal
• He eats healthy.
• She lives healthy by exercising and eating right.

starving

starving [adjective] (NOT FOOD)

dying because of not having enough food

/ˈstɑːr.vɪŋ/

/ˈstɑː.vɪŋ/

Example:

The cats were neglected and starving.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

starve

starve S3 /stɑːv $ stɑːrv/ BrE AmE verb
[Language: Old English; Origin: steorfan 'to die']
1. [intransitive] to suffer or die because you do not have enough to eat:
Thousands of people will starve if food doesn’t reach the city.
pictures of starving children
They’ll either die from the cold or starve to death (=die from lack of food).
2. [transitive] to prevent someone from having enough food to live:
The poor dog looked like it had been starved.
3. be starving (also be starved American English) to be very hungry:
You must be starving!
starve somebody/something of something (also starve somebody/something for something American English) phrasal verb [usually passive]
to not give something that is needed:
The schools are starved of funding.
The poor kid’s just starved for attention.
starve somebody ↔ out phrasal verb
to force someone to leave a place by preventing them from getting food:
If we can’t blast them out, we’ll starve them out!

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

(be) starving (for something)

be ˈstarving (for sth) idiom
(also be ˈstarved especially in NAmE) (informal) to feel very hungry
• When's the food coming? I'm starving!

Main entry: starve_idiom

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

starving / ˈstɑː.vɪŋ / / ˈstɑːr- / adjective (NO FOOD)

B2 dying because of not having enough food:

The cats were neglected and starving.

B2 informal very hungry:

Isn't lunch ready yet? I'm starving.

starving / ˈstɑː.vɪŋ / / ˈstɑːr- / adjective [ after verb ] Scottish English or Northern English (COLD)

extremely cold:

Could you put the heating on? I'm starving!

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

starving

[stɑ͟ː(r)vɪŋ]
ADJ: v-link ADJ
If you say that you are starving, you mean that you are very hungry. [INFORMAL]
Apart from anything else I was starving.
Syn:
ravenous

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

starve

starve /ˈstɑɚv/ verb starves; starved; starv·ing
1 [no obj] : to suffer or die from lack of food : to suffer extreme hunger
• Without food they would starve.
• They left him to starve out in the desert.
• Those people are starving.
• providing food for starving children
• The famine caused many to starve to death. [=to die from lack of food]
2 [+ obj] : to cause (a person or animal) to suffer or die because of lack of food
• They tried to starve their enemies into submission.
• It was clear that the dog had been starved.
• You don't have to starve yourself to lose weight.
3 a [no obj] chiefly US : to want or need something very much - usually used as (be) starving for
• Those children are starving for attention. [=they badly need to be given more attention]
• After being alone for so long, I was starving for conversation.
• a government program that is starving for funds
b [+ obj] : to not give (someone or something) enough of something that is wanted or needed
• Those children have been starved of attention. [=they have not been given enough attention]
• (chiefly US) Those children are starved for attention. [=they badly need to be given more attention]
- sometimes used in combination
• a cash-starved company
be starving or be starved chiefly US informal : to be very hungry
• I skipped lunch, so by dinnertime I was starving.
• When are we eating? I'm starved!

American English

British English

hungry and thirsty

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

adjective

perfect

perfect [adjective] (WITHOUT FAULT)

complete and correct in every way, of the best possible type or without fault

/ˈpɝː.fekt/

/ˈpɜː.fekt/

Example:

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Oxford Essential Dictionary

perfect

adjective

1 so good that it cannot be better; with nothing wrong:
Her English is perfect.
It's perfect weather for a picnic.

2 made from 'has', 'have' or 'had' and the past participle of a verb:
perfect tenses

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

perfect

I. per‧fect¹ S2 W2 /ˈpɜːfɪkt $ ˈpɜːr-/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑perfection ≠ ↑imperfection, ↑perfectionist, ↑perfectionism, ↑perfectibility; adjective: ↑perfect ≠ ↑imperfect, ↑perfectible, ↑perfectionist; verb: ↑perfect; adverb: ↑perfectly ≠ ↑imperfectly]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: parfit, from Latin perfectus, past participle of perficere 'to do completely, finish']
1. not having any mistakes, faults, or damage OPP imperfect:
His English was perfect.
The car was in perfect condition.
You’re very lucky to have perfect teeth.
a perfect performance
In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need an army.
2. as good as possible, or the best of its kind:
The weather was perfect the whole week.
a perfect example of Gothic architecture
The clothes were a perfect fit.
a perfect solution to the problem
Ronnie was in perfect health.
perfect timing (=used when something happens at exactly the right time)
Good, you’re home. Perfect timing – dinner’s on the table.
3. exactly what is needed for a particular purpose, situation, or person SYN ideal:
That’s perfect! Just the way I wanted it to look.
Crusty bread is the perfect accompaniment to this soup.
perfect for
The land is perfect for sheep farming.
perfect way/place/time etc to do something
She thought she’d found the perfect place to live.
perfect day/place/person etc for something
a perfect day for a picnic
the perfect actor for the part
4. nobody’s perfect spoken said when you are answering someone who has criticized you or someone else:
So I made a mistake! Nobody’s perfect.
5. have a perfect right to do something used to emphasize that it is reasonable for someone to do something:
He has a perfect right to know what’s happening.
6. perfect stranger/fool/angel etc used to emphasize that someone has a particular quality completely SYN complete, total:
I felt a perfect idiot.
⇨ ↑perfectly, ⇨ practice makes perfect at ↑practice(9), ⇨ ↑present perfect, ↑past perfect
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 1, 2 & 3)
■ adverbs
▪ absolutely perfect His sight is absolutely perfect.
▪ quite perfect written (=absolutely perfect) The old bottle was very dark blue and quite perfect.
▪ almost/nearly/near perfect His collection included an almost perfect skeleton of an armadillo. | Her performance was near perfect.
▪ less than perfect (=not perfect) So many excellent writers, for example Byron and Keats, were less than perfect spellers.
▪ far from perfect (=not at all perfect) The weather conditions were far from perfect.
▪ technically perfect The system was technically perfect.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ without anything wrong
▪ perfect used about something that is very good in every way, and could not be better: We had a wonderful vacation - the weather was perfect. | The meal was absolutely perfect. | She has perfect teeth.
▪ flawless/faultless without any mistakes or faults: His English was flawless. | a faultless performance
▪ impeccable so good that you cannot find anything wrong with it – used especially about someone’s behaviour, taste, or experience: The food was excellent and the service impeccable. | a man of impeccable manners, charm, and sensibility | her mother's impeccable taste in clothing | The commission was composed of economists with impeccable credentials (=very impressive qualifications and experience, which are impossible to criticize).
▪ unspoiled (also unspoilt British English) an unspoiled area has not been changed or had ugly buildings, roads etc built on it: a beautiful area of unspoiled countryside
■ most suitable
▪ perfect completely suitable for something or someone: It’s the perfect place to relax after a hard day at work. | It was a perfect day for going to the beach. | I think she would be perfect for him.
▪ ideal very suitable and exactly what you want – often used about someone or something that you imagine, but which does not really exist: What would be your ideal job? | She still hasn’t found her ideal man. | It is the ideal place for a vacation.
▪ just right especially spoken very good or suitable in every way: The weather was just right for a day at the beach. | The dress is just right for you.
▪ be just the thing/person informal to be exactly what is needed or wanted: Cold lemonade is just the thing on a hot day. | He’s just the person for the job.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

perfect

per·fect [perfect perfects perfected perfecting] adjective, verb, noun

adjective [ˈpɜːfɪkt] ; [ˈpɜːrfɪkt]
1. having everything that is necessary; complete and without faults or weaknesses
• in perfect condition
• a perfect set of teeth

• Well I'm sorry— but nobody's perfect (= used when sb has criticized you).

2. completely correct; exact and accurate
• She speaks perfect English.
• a perfect copy/fit/match
• What perfect timing!

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

perfect / ˈpɜː.fekt / / ˈpɝː- / adjective (WITHOUT FAULT)

A2 complete and correct in every way, of the best possible type or without fault:

a perfect day

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

This church is a perfect example of medieval architecture.

You have a perfect English accent.

The car is five years old but is in almost perfect condition.

She thought at last she'd found the perfect man.

C2 used to emphasize a noun:

It makes perfect sense.

a perfect stranger

B1 exactly right for someone or something:

You'd be perfect for the job.

The weather's just perfect for swimming.

perfect / ˈpɜː.fekt / / ˈpɝː- / adjective specialized (PAST TENSE)

of or relating to a verb indicating a completed action:

the present perfect tense

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

perfect

♦♦
perfects, perfecting, perfected
(The adjective is pronounced [pɜ͟ː(r)fɪkt]. The verb is pronounced [pə(r)fe̱kt].)
1) ADJ-GRADED Something that is perfect is as good as it could possibly be.
practice makes perfect → see practice
  He spoke perfect English...
  Hiring a nanny has turned out to be the perfect solution...
  It's a perfect example of a house reflecting the person who lives there...
  Nobody is perfect.
2) ADJ-GRADED: oft ADJ for n (emphasis) If you say that something is perfect for a particular person, thing, or activity, you are emphasizing that it is very suitable for them or for that activity.
  Carpet tiles are perfect for kitchens because they're easy to take up and wash...
  So this could be the perfect time to buy a home.
  Syn:
  ideal
3) ADJ If an object or surface is perfect, it does not have any marks on it, or does not have any lumps, hollows, or cracks in it.
  Use only clean, Grade A, perfect eggs.
  ...their perfect white teeth.
  Syn:
  flawless
4) ADJ: ADJ n (emphasis) You can use perfect to give emphasis to the noun following it.
  She was a perfect fool...
  Some people are always coming up to perfect strangers and asking them what they do...
  What he had said to her made perfect sense.
  Syn:
  complete
5) VERB If you perfect something, you improve it so that it becomes as good as it can possibly be.
  [V n] We perfected a hand-signal system so that he could keep me informed of hazards...
  [V n] I removed the fibroid tumours, using the techniques that I have perfected.
  [V n] ...girls who needed to perfect their English.
6) ADJ: ADJ n The perfect tenses of a verb are the ones used to talk about things that happened or began before a particular time, as in `He's already left' and `They had always liked her'. The present perfect tense is sometimes called the perfect tense.
→ See also future, present perfect, past perfect

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹per·fect /ˈpɚfɪkt/ adj
1 [more ~; most ~]
a : having no mistakes or flaws
• a perfect [=flawless] diamond
• Your teeth are perfect.
• The car is in perfect [=mint] condition.
• The performance was perfect.
• I'm not perfect [=I make mistakes], but at least I can admit when I'm wrong.
• He thought he had committed the perfect crime. [=a crime that is done so carefully that the criminal will never be caught]
• Yes, you made a mistake, but it's okay; nobody's perfect. [=everyone makes mistakes]
• Students who have perfect attendance [=who have been present at every class] will get 10 extra points.
• If you want to be a good writer, you should write every day. Remember, practice makes perfect. [=you become better at something if you practice it often]
- see also picture-perfect
b : completely correct or accurate
• She spoke perfect English.
• He drew a perfect circle.
• a perfect replica
c : having all the qualities you want in that kind of person, situation, etc.
• She's a perfect baby. She hardly cries and she sleeps through the night.
• His behavior is a perfect example of what not to do.
• In a perfect world [=in the best possible situation], there would be no need for weapons.
2 [more ~; most ~] : exactly right for a particular purpose, situation, or person
• This is a perfect time/place/day to have a wedding.
• Going to the museum was a perfect way to spend a rainy day.
• “Is that a big enough piece of pie?” “Yes, it's perfect, thanks.”
• You have perfect timing. [=your timing is exactly right; you are present, ready, etc., at exactly the right time] I just took dinner out of the oven.
- often + for
• I found the perfect [=ideal] gift for you.
• They are a perfect match for each other.
• That picture is perfect for this room.
• The weather was perfect for a day at the beach.
3 always used before a noun : complete and total - used for emphasis
• a perfect stranger/fool/angel/gentleman
• You have a perfect right to be angry.
• My cat and dog live together in perfect harmony.

American English

British English

perfect and faultless

A2 (Elementary)

adjective

recognize

recognize [noun] (KNOW)

to know someone or something because you have seen, heard, or experienced them before

/ˈrek.əɡ.naɪz/

Example:

I hadn't seen her for 20 years, but I recognized her immediately.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

recognize

verb (recognizes, recognizing, recognized )

1 to know again somebody or something that you have seen or heard before:
I didn't recognize you without your glasses.

2 to know that something is true:
They recognize that there is a problem.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

recognize

rec‧og‧nize S1 W1 BrE AmE (also recognise British English) /ˈrekəɡnaɪz, ˈrekən-/ verb [transitive]
[Word Family: verb: ↑recognize; noun: ↑recognition; adverb: ↑recognizably; adjective: ↑recognizable ≠ ↑unrecognizable]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old French; Origin: reconoistre, from Latin recognoscere, from cognoscere 'to know']
1. [not in progressive] to know who someone is or what something is, because you have seen, heard, experienced, or learned about them in the past:
I didn’t recognize you in your uniform.
It was malaria, but Dr Lee hadn’t recognized the symptoms.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people often say that they know (that) it is someone or something rather than say they recognize them:
▪ I knew it was her by the hat she was wearing.
2. to officially accept that an organization, government, document etc has legal or official authority:
British medical qualifications are recognized in Canada.
recognize something as something
The World Health Organization has recognized alcoholism as a disease since 1951.
3. to accept or admit that something is true
recognize (that)
One must recognise that homesickness is natural.
recognize what/how/who etc
It is important to recognize how little we know about this disease.
4. [usually in passive] if something is recognized by people, they realize that it is important or very good:
Alexander tried to get his work recognized by the medical profession.
be recognized as something
Lawrence’s novel was eventually recognized as a work of genius.
a recognized authority on Roman pottery
5. to officially and publicly thank someone for something they have done, by giving them a special honour:
He was recognized for having saved many lives.
—recognizable /ˈrekəɡnaɪzəbəl, -kən- ˌrekəɡˈnaɪ-/ adjective:
His face was instantly recognizable.
—recognizably adverb
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ recognize to know who someone is or what something is, especially because you have seen or heard them before: I hadn’t seen her for ten years, but I recognized her immediately. | Do you recognize this song?
▪ identify to recognize someone or something and say who or what they are: As they came closer, I was able to identify two of the group. | It’s delicious but I can’t quite identify the taste.
▪ distinguish to recognize and understand the difference between two or more things or people: By this age, kids can usually distinguish between right and wrong. | It’s often difficult to distinguish identical twins from each other.
▪ make something/somebody out to be able to see or hear something or someone – used when it is very difficult to do this: In the distance, I could just make out the outline of an island. | He whispered something but I couldn’t make out what it was.
▪ discern /dɪˈsɜːn $ -ɜːrn/ formal to notice or understand something by looking carefully or thinking about it carefully: I thought I discerned a faint gleam of hope in his eyes. | A number of differences can be discerned in the data for the three countries.
▪ know to recognize someone or something. Know is often used in everyday English instead of recognize: How do you know that it is real gold? | I know him from somewhere. | I can’t remember his name, but I know his face.
▪ can tell to be able to recognize someone or something: I could tell that it was him by his voice. | Can you tell that it’s not real leather? | It’s difficult to be able to tell them apart (=to recognize that they are different).

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

recognize

rec·og·nize (BrE also -ise) [recognize recognizes recognized recognizing] [ˈrekəɡnaɪz] [ˈrekəɡnaɪz] verb

(not used in the progressive tenses)

1. to know who sb is or what sth is when you see or hear them, because you have seen or heard them or it before
• ~ sb/sth I recognized him as soon as he came in the room.
• Do you recognize this tune?

• ~ sb/sth by/from sth I recognized her by her red hair.

2. to admit or to be aware that sth exists or is true
Syn: acknowledge
• ~ sth They recognized the need to take the problem seriously.
• ~ sth as sth Drugs were not recognized as a problem then.
• ~ how, what, etc… Nobody recognized how urgent the situation was.
• ~ that… We recognized that the task was not straightforward.
• it is recognized that… It was recognized that this solution could only be temporary.

• ~ sb/sth to be/have sth Drugs were not recognized to be a problem then.

3. to accept and approve of sb/sth officially
• ~ sb/sth (as sth) recognized qualifications
• The UK has refused to recognize the new regime.

• be recognized to be/have sth He is recognized to be their natural leader.

4. be recognized (as sth) to be thought of as very good or important by people in general
• The book is now recognized as a classic.

• She's a recognized authority on the subject.

5. ~ sb/sth to give sb official thanks for sth that they have done or achieved
• His services to the state were recognized with the award of a knighthood.
See also: -ise
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
late Middle English (earliest attested as a term in Scots law): from Old French reconniss-, stem of reconnaistre, from Latin recognoscere ‘know again, recall to mind’, from re- ‘again’ + cognoscere ‘learn’.
Thesaurus:
recognize (BrE also -ise) verb
1. T (not used in the progressive tenses)
• I recognized him by the way he walked.
know • • identify • • place • • pick sb/sth out • • make sb/sth out • |formal discern •
recognize/know/identify sb/sth by sth
recognize/identify sb/sth as sb/sth
recognize/know/identify/make out/discern who/what/how…
Recognize or know? Know is used especially to talk about sounds, or when sb recognizes the quality or opportunity that sb/sth represents, as in the phrase sb knows a…when they see one:
• I know that voice/laugh/tune!
• He knows a lady when he sees one.
Recognize can also be used in this way but sounds slightly more formal. Know is not usually used to talk about people:
• I recognized him as soon as he came in.
¤ I knew him as soon as he came in.
2. T (not used in the progressive tenses)
• The directors recognize that there is a serious problem.
admit • • acknowledge • • grant • • concede • • confess •
recognize/admit/acknowledge/grant/concede/confess that…
It is/was (generally) recognized/admitted/acknowledged/granted/conceded that…
you must recognize/admit/acknowledge/grant/concede/confess sth
3. T (not used in the progressive tenses)
• These qualifications are internationally recognized.
approve • • confirm • • ratify • • certify • |formal validate •
recognize/approve/confirm/ratify/certify/validate sth as sth
recognize/approve/validate a course
officially recognize/approve/confirm/ratify sth
Example Bank:
• All rivers should be officially recognized as public rights of way.
• Criminal law implicitly recognizes a difference between animals and property.
• Do any US states currently recognize gay marriage?
• He readily recognizes the influence of Freud on his thinking.
• He recognized the man as one of the police officers.
• I immediately recognized the building.
• I recognized them from a television show.
• I vaguely recognized his voice, but couldn't think of his name.
• It's important to recognize that obesity isn't necessarily caused by overeating.
• She recognized the song correctly.
• Stella hardly recognized her brother.
• The 1970s are rightly recognized as a golden era of Hollywood film-making.
• The Medway estuary is recognized internationally as a conservation area.
• The company had been slow to recognize the opportunities available to it.
• The company should publicly recognize its mistake.
• The court explicitly recognized the group's right to exist.
• The estuary is recognized internationally as an important area for wildlife.
• The government has belatedly recognized the danger to health of passive smoking.
• The law clearly recognizes that a company is separate from those who invest in it.
• The strength of this argument is being increasingly recognized.
• They fully recognize the need to proceed carefully.
• This is the only species of flamingo in the region, easily recognized by its pink plumage.
• This issue must be recognized as a priority for the next administration.
• You learn to recognize the calls of different birds.
• I recognized him by the way he walked.
• The qualifications are internationally recognized.

• We barely recognized her— she had changed so much in ten years.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

recognize ( UK usually recognise ) / ˈrek.əɡ.naɪz / verb [ T ] (KNOW)

B1 to know someone or something because you have seen, heard, or experienced them before:

I hadn't seen her for 20 years, but I recognized her immediately.

Do you recognize this song?

Doctors are trained to recognize the symptoms of different diseases.

recognize ( UK usually recognise ) / ˈrek.əɡ.naɪz / verb (ACCEPT)

B2 [ T ] to accept that something is legal, true, or important:

The international community has refused to recognize (= officially accept the existence of) the newly independent nation state.

[ + (that) ] He sadly recognized (that) he would die childless.

You must recognize the seriousness of the problems we are facing.

C1 [ T often passive ] If a person's achievements are recognized, official approval is shown for them:

The prime minister recognized her services to her country by awarding her an MBE.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

recognize

[re̱kəgnaɪz]
♦♦
recognizes, recognizing, recognized
(in BRIT, also use recognise)
1) VERB: no cont If you recognize someone or something, you know who that person is or what that thing is.
  [V n] The receptionist recognized him at once...
  [V n] He did not think she could recognize his car in the snow...
  [V n as n] A man I easily recognized as Luke's father sat with a newspaper on his lap.
2) VERB: no cont If someone says that they recognize something, they acknowledge that it exists or that it is true.
  [V n] I recognize my own shortcomings...
  [V that] Well, of course I recognize that evil exists.
  Syn:
  accept
3) VERB If people or organizations recognize something as valid, they officially accept it or approve of it.
  [V n as n] Most doctors appear to recognize homeopathy as a legitimate form of medicine...
  [V n] France is on the point of recognizing the independence of the Baltic States.
  [V-ed] ...a nationally recognized expert on psychology. [Also V that]
  Syn:
  accept
4) VERB When people recognize the work that someone has done, they show their appreciation of it, often by giving that person an award of some kind.
  [V n as n] The RAF recognized him as an outstandingly able engineer...
  [V n] He had the insight to recognize their talents...
  [V n] Nichols was recognized by the Hall of Fame in 1949.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

recognize

rec·og·nize also Brit rec·og·nise /ˈrɛkɪgˌnaɪz/ verb -niz·es; -nized; -niz·ing [+ obj]
1 not used in progressive tenses : to know and remember (someone or something) because of previous knowledge or experience
• I didn't recognize you at first with your new haircut.
• I can always recognize him from far away by/from the way he walks.
• They recognized the odor at once.
2 : to accept or be aware that (something) is true or exists
• It's important to recognize [=be aware of] your own faults.
• They started talking and quickly recognized [=realized] how much they had in common.
3 : to accept and approve of (something) as having legal or official authority
• The U.S. government has now recognized the newly formed country.
• They refused to recognize the treaty.
4 : to think of (someone or something) as being something specified
• The institute is an internationally recognized authority on eye surgery.
• Walt Whitman is recognized as one of America's great poets.
5 : to publicly give special attention or notice to (someone or something)
• They recognized her years of service with a special award.
• We want to find an appropriate way to recognize his achievements.
- rec·og·niz·able also Brit rec·og·nis·able /ˈrɛkɪgˌnaɪzəbəl/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• She has one of the most recognizable faces in the movie industry.
• The bird is easily recognizable because of its bright red feathers.
- rec·og·niz·ably also Brit rec·og·nis·ably /ˈrɛkɪgˌnaɪzəbli/ adv
• recognizably different versions

spirit

spirit [noun] (WAY OF FEELING)

a particular way of thinking, feeling, or behaving, especially a way that is typical of a particular group of people, an activity, a time, or a place

/ˈspɪr.ət/

/ˈspɪr.ɪt/

Example:

The players have a very strong team spirit (= loyalty to each other) .

Oxford Essential Dictionary

spirit

noun

1 the part of a person that is not the body. Some people think that your spirit does not die when your body dies.

2 spirits (plural) strong alcoholic drinks such as whisky

3 spirits (plural) the way that a person feels:
She's in high spirits (= happy) today.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

spirit

I. spir‧it¹ S2 W2 /ˈspɪrət, ˈspɪrɪt/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Anglo-French; Origin: Latin spiritus 'breath, spirit']
1. CHARACTER [singular, uncountable] the qualities that make someone live the way they do, and make them different from other people
in spirit
I’m 85, but I still feel young in spirit.
independent/proud/free etc spirit (=a person with a particular type of character)
She is a strong and independent spirit. ⇨ kindred spirit at ↑kindred²(1)
2. HAPPY/SAD spirits [plural] the way someone feels at a particular time, for example if they are happy or sad ⇨ mood
be in good/high spirits (=be excited and happy)
Cooper was still in high spirits after winning the race.
His spirits were so low (=he was so sad) that he refused to answer his phone.
raise/lift sb’s spirits (=make someone happier)
The warm morning sun lifted our spirits.
She wrote poetry while she was in the hospital to keep her spirits up (=keep happy).
sb’s spirits rise/lift/sink (=they become more or less happy)
My spirits sank when I saw the mess they’d left.
3. SOUL [countable] the part of someone that you cannot see, that consists of the qualities that make up their character, which many people believe continues to live after the person has died ⇨ soul:
Although Laurie is dead, I can feel his spirit with me.
4. NO BODY [countable] a creature without a physical body that some people believe exists, such as an ↑angel or a dead person, who has returned to this world and has strange or magical powers ⇨ ghost:
an evil spirit
5. DETERMINATION [uncountable] courage, energy, and determination – used to show approval:
Sandra is small, but she makes up for it with great spirit.
a young team with strong fighting spirit
When they took away his freedom, they broke his spirit (=made him lose his courage).
6. ATTITUDE [singular, uncountable] the attitude that you have towards something or while you are doing something:
You’ve got to approach this meeting in the right spirit.
spirit of
the spirit of cooperation between the two sides
7. team/community/public etc spirit a strong feeling of belonging to a particular group and wanting to help them
8. TYPICAL QUALITIES [countable usually singular] the set of ideas, beliefs, feelings etc that are typical of a particular period in history, a place, or a group of people
spirit of
Tourism has not destroyed the spirit of Bali.
the spirit of the age/times
His beliefs conflicted with the spirit of the age.
9. in spirit if you say you will be somewhere in spirit or with someone in spirit, you will not be with them but will be thinking about them:
I can’t come to your wedding, but I’ll be there in spirit.
10. get/enter into the spirit (of something) to start to feel as happy, excited etc as the people around you:
Judith couldn’t really enter into the spirit of the occasion.
11. INTENTION [uncountable] the meaning or qualities that someone intended something to have, especially the meaning that a law or rule was intended to have:
Thoreau believed that his actions were in the spirit of American institutions.
Miller’s actions may not be actually illegal, but they have violated the spirit of the law. ⇨ the letter of the law at ↑letter¹(4)
12. the Spirit the ↑Holy Spirit
13. DRINK [countable usually plural]
a) especially British English a strong alcoholic drink such as ↑whisky or ↑brandy
b) British English liquid such as alcohol, used for cleaning
14. that’s the spirit spoken used to express approval of someone’s behaviour or attitude
15. when/as the spirit moves you when you feel that you want to do something
16. the spirit is willing (but the flesh is weak) used when saying that you want to do something, but you are too tired or do not feel strong enough – often used humorously
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ adjectives
▪ high/good (=used when saying that someone is happy and excited) The players were all in high spirits.
▪ low/flagging (=used when saying that someone is sad) She was tired and her spirits were low.
■ verbs
▪ lift/raise/revive sb’s spirits (=make them feel happier) A brisk walk helped to lift my spirits.
▪ keep sb’s spirits up (=keep them feeling happy) He wrote home often, trying to keep his family’s spirits up.
▪ dampen sb’s spirits (=make them feel less happy) They refused to let the rain dampen their spirits.
▪ sb’s spirits rise/lift/soar (=they start feeling happier) Her spirits rose as they left the ugliness of London behind.
▪ sb’s spirits sink (=they start feeling less happy) His spirits sank at the prospect.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ ghost the spirit of a dead person that some people think they can feel or see in a place: His ghost is believed to haunt the house.
▪ spirit a creature without a physical body, such as an angel or ghost: evil spirits | the spirit world
▪ apparition an image of a dead person that someone sees suddenly for a short time: He claimed to have seen an apparition in the church.
▪ poltergeist a ghost that people cannot see, which throws things or moves things around: The house was haunted by a poltergeist that makes things move around all by themselves, sometimes quite big things like beds or wardrobes.
▪ spook informal a ghost: I’m not scared of spooks.
▪ phantom literary a frightening and unclear image of a dead person: They had seen phantoms gliding on the surface of the water.
▪ spectre British English, specter American English literary a ghost, especially a frightening one: She had looked like a spectre. | The following night, the spectre appeared again.
II. spirit² BrE AmE verb
spirit somebody/something away/off phrasal verb written
to take someone or something away quickly and secretly:
After his speech, Jackson was spirited away through a back door.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

spirit

spirit [spirit spirits spirited spiriting] noun, verb [ˈspɪrɪt] [ˈspɪrɪt]

noun

MIND/FEELINGS/CHARACTER
1. uncountable, countable the part of a person that includes their mind, feelings and character rather than their body

• the power of the human spirit to overcome difficulties

2. spirits plural a person's feelings or state of mind
• to be in high/low spirits
• You must try and keep your spirits up (= stay cheerful).

• My spirits sank at the prospect of starting all over again.

3. countable (always with an adjective) a person of the type mentioned
• a brave spirit
• kindred spirits (= people who like the same things as you)

see also free spirit

COURAGE/DETERMINATION

4. uncountable courage, determination or energy
• Show a little fighting spirit.
• Although the team lost, they played with tremendous spirit.

• They took away his freedom and broke his spirit.

LOYAL FEELINGS

5. uncountable, singular loyal feelings towards a group, team or society
• There's not much community spirit around here.

see also team spirit

ATTITUDE

6. singular a state of mind or mood; an attitude
• We approached the situation in the wrong spirit.
• ‘OK, I'll try’. ‘ That's the spirit (= the right attitude).’
• The party went well because everyone entered into the spirit of things.

see also party spirit

TYPICAL QUALITY

7. singular the typical or most important quality or mood of sth

• The exhibition captures the spirit of the age/times.

REAL MEANING

8. uncountable the real or intended meaning or purpose of sth

• Obey the spirit, not the letter (= the narrow meaning of the words) of the law.

SOUL

9. countable the soul thought of as separate from the body and believed to live on after death; a ghost
• He is dead, but his spirit lives on.
• It was believed that people could be possessed by evil spirits.

see also Holy Spirit

IMAGINARY CREATURE

10. countable (old-fashioned) an imaginary creature with magic powers, for example, a fairy or an elf

ALCOHOL
11. countable, usually plural (especially BrE) a strong alcoholic drink

• I don't drink whisky or brandy or any other spirits.

12. uncountable a special type of alcohol used in industry or medicine
see also methylated spirit, surgical spirit, white spirit
more at fighting spirit at fight _v., raise sb's spirits at raise _v.
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French, from Latin spiritus ‘breath, spirit’, from spirare ‘breathe’.
Thesaurus:
spirit noun
1. C
• He is dead, but his spirit lives on.
soul • • mind • • the/your subconscious • |psychology ego •
human spirit/soul/mind
Soul or spirit? Spirit is a more positive word than soul. We talk about lost/tormented/troubled souls but the power of the human spirit.
2. spirits pl.
• She was tired and in low spirits.
morale • • mood • • frame of mind •
in (a) (good/better, etc.) spirits/mood/frame of mind
sb's spirits are/morale is high/low
lift/raise sb's spirits/morale
3. U (approving)
• Show some fighting spirit.
determination • • perseverance • • persistence • • purpose • |formal resolve • • tenacity •
great spirit/determination/perseverance/persistence/purpose/resolve/tenacity
show (your) spirit/determination/persistence/resolve/tenacity
have spirit/determination/perseverance/persistence/purpose/tenacity
4. C
• possessed by evil spirits
ghost • |especially written apparition •
see a/an spirit/ghost/apparition
a/an spirit/ghost/apparition haunts sb
a spirit/ghost appears
Example Bank:
• Both sides have come together in a spirit of goodwill.
• He found kindred spirits in the peace movement.
• He sang with great spirit.
• He's got the right spirit!
• I was just getting to the spirit of things when the party suddenly ended.
• I will be with you in spirit.
• I'm trying to get in the spirit of the holiday season.
• It is a testimony to the triumph of the human spirit.
• Make a donation to the charity if the spirit moves you.
• Many people believe the spirit lives on after death.
• My mother was in excellent spirits.
• My spirit guide cares for me and protects me.
• Owls were believed to be restless spirits who had returned to earth.
• She embodies the spirit of revolution.
• She exudes a warmth and generosity of spirit.
• She has plenty of fighting spirit.
• She isn't in the best of spirits today.
• She slept with a cross under the pillow to ward off evil spirits.
• She was a guiding spirit in primary education.
• That song really captures the spirit of the times.
• The movie is true to the spirit of the book.
• The referee should try to obey the spirit as well as the letter of the law.
• They are all working together in a spirit of cooperation.
• They brought the spirit of carnival to their concerts.
• They have the right spirit!
• They tortured him until he was broken in spirit.
• We sang songs to keep our spirits up.
• a single measure of spirits
• a spirit of adventure
• an edict that violates the spirit of the Geneva Convention
• healing for body, mind and spirit
• the indomitable American spirit
• A standard measure of spirits is 25ml.
• He felt a kind of lightness in his spirit as the sun came up.
• His poetry summed up the spirit of the age.
• I don't drink whisky or brandy or any other spirits.
• It seemed to fit in with the spirit of the festival.
• It was believed that people could be possessed by evil spirits.
• Show a little fighting spirit.
• The exhibition captures the spirit of the Swinging Sixties.
• You are underestimating the power of the human spirit to overcome difficulties.

Idioms: as the spirit moves you ▪ in spirit ▪ spirit is willing

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

spirit / ˈspɪr.ɪt / noun (WAY OF FEELING)

B2 [ S or U ] a particular way of thinking, feeling, or behaving, especially a way that is typical of a particular group of people, an activity, a time, or a place:

The players have a very strong team spirit (= loyalty to each other) .

As rock musicians in the 1960s, they were very much part of the spirit of the age/times .

We acted in a spirit of cooperation.

spirits B2 [ plural ] the way a person is feeling:

I've been in high/low spirits (= feeling happy/sad) lately.

Her spirits lifted/rose (= she felt happier) as she read the letter.

The negative reply dashed his spirits (= made him unhappy) .

the spirit of a law, rule, etc. the principle that a law, rule, etc. was created to make stronger, rather than the particular things it says you must or must not do:

They followed neither the spirit nor the letter of the law.

enter/get into the spirit to show enthusiasm and enjoyment:

They went to the tennis club a few times but never really got into the spirit of it.

that's the spirit used to approve or encourage someone's positive attitude (= way of thinking) or action:

"Come on, we can win this game." "That's the spirit."

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

spirit

[spɪ̱rɪt]
♦♦
spirits, spiriting, spirited
1) N-SING Your spirit is the part of you that is not physical and that consists of your character and feelings.
→ See also kindred spirit
  The human spirit is virtually indestructible...
  Marian retains a restless, youthful spirit, in search of new horizons.
  Syn:
  soul
2) N-COUNT: usu poss N A person's spirit is the non-physical part of them that is believed to remain alive after their death.
  His spirit has left him and all that remains is the shell of his body.
  Syn:
  soul
3) N-COUNT A spirit is a ghost or supernatural being.
→ See also Holy Spirit
  In the Middle Ages branches were hung outside country houses as a protection against evil spirits.
  Syn:
  ghost
4) N-UNCOUNT Spirit is the courage and determination that helps people to survive in difficult times and to keep their way of life and their beliefs.
  She was a very brave girl and everyone who knew her admired her spirit.
5) N-UNCOUNT Spirit is the liveliness and energy that someone shows in what they do.
  They played with spirit.
6) N-SING The spirit in which you do something is the attitude you have when you are doing it.
  Their problem can only be solved in a spirit of compromise...
  They approached the talks in a conciliatory spirit.
7) N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp, oft n N A particular kind of spirit is the feeling of loyalty to a group that is shared by the people who belong to the group.
  There is a great sense of team spirit among the British Olympic squad...
  The president has appealed to the Brazilian people for patriotism and community spirit.
8) N-SING A particular kind of spirit is the set of ideas, beliefs, and aims that are held by a group of people.
  ...the real spirit of the Labour movement.
9) N-SING: the N of n The spirit of something such as a law or an agreement is the way that it was intended to be interpreted or applied.
  The requirement for work permits violates the spirit of the 1950 treaty.
10) N-COUNT: usu adj N You can refer to a person as a particular kind of spirit if they show a certain characteristic or if they show a lot of enthusiasm in what they are doing.
  I like to think of myself as a free spirit...
  He was the founder and guiding spirit of New York's Shakespeare Festival.
11) N-PLURAL Your spirits are your feelings at a particular time, especially feelings of happiness or unhappiness.
  At supper, everyone was in high spirits...
  A bit of exercise will help lift his spirits.
12) VERB If someone or something is spirited away, or if they are spirited out of somewhere, they are taken from a place quickly and secretly without anyone noticing. [WRITTEN]
  [be V-ed away] He was spirited away and probably murdered...
  [V n away] His parents had spirited him away to the country...
  [be V-ed prep/adv] It is possible that he has been spirited out of the country.
13) N-PLURAL Spirits are strong alcoholic drinks such as whisky and gin.
14) N-UNCOUNT Spirit or spirits is an alcoholic liquid that is used as a fuel, for cleaning things, or for other purposes. There are many kinds of spirit.
→ See also methylated spirits, surgical spirit
15) PHRASE: V inflects If you enter into the spirit of something, you take part in it in an enthusiastic way.
16) PHRASE: PHR with cl If you say you are somewhere in spirit or with someone in spirit, you mean that although you are not with them, you feel as though you are with them because you are thinking about them a lot.
  In spirit I was with you here.
17) PHRASE: adj PHR You use in spirit when you are talking about someone's true nature.
  They seemed close in spirit to those first independent-minded Turkish women who took professions...
  It is independent in spirit.
18) PHRASE The spirit of the age or the spirit of the times is the set of ideas, beliefs, and aims that is typical of people in a particular period in history.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹spir·it /ˈspirət/ noun, pl -its
1 a : the force within a person that is believed to give the body life, energy, and power

[count]

• the spirits of my ancestors
• Some religions believe that the same spirit is reincarnated many times in different bodies.

[noncount]

• Yoga is very healthy for both body and spirit.
• I'm sorry I can't make it to your wedding, but I'll be there in spirit. [=I will be thinking about you]
b [count] : the inner quality or nature of a person
• He still has a curious and youthful spirit. [=he is still a curious and youthful person]
• We will all miss her generous spirit.
2 [count] : a person
• My father was a proud spirit.
• They are kindred spirits. [=people with similar interests or concerns]
- see also free spirit
3 a [count] : ghost
• evil spirits
b the Spirit : holy spirit
4 a : a desire or determination to do something

[count]

• His many disappointments never broke his spirit. [=never took away his desire to succeed]
• He has a strong fighting spirit.

[noncount]

• She's a good athlete with a lot of skill and spirit.
b [noncount] : enthusiastic loyalty
• The students showed their school spirit by having a rally to support the football team.
5 [singular]
a : the attitude or feeling that a person has about a particular job, activity, etc.
• He didn't approach the work in/with the right spirit.
b : a shared attitude or feeling that relates to a particular time, place, activity, etc. - often + of
• the spirit of the times
• a new spirit of cooperation
• the spirit of competition
• We all got/entered into the spirit of the holidays.
• You'd have more fun if you'd just relax and get into the spirit of things.
6 spirits [plural] : feelings of happiness or unhappiness
• Spirits were low [=people were unhappy] after our team lost again.
• We need to do something to lift your spirits. [=to make you feel better/happier]
• It's hard work, but try to keep your spirits up. [=keep a happy and positive attitude]
• We were all in high spirits [=happy, cheerful] after the game.
• She was in low spirits. [=she was unhappy]
• He's still in the hospital, but he's in good spirits. [=happy and positive]
- see also high-spirited, low-spirited
7 [noncount] : the real meaning or intention of something (such as a law)
• They seem to be more concerned with obeying the letter of the law than with understanding the spirit of the law. [=what was intended by the law when it was written]
8 spirits [plural] : strong alcoholic drinks : liquor
• The store sells wines and spirits.
as/when the spirit moves you : when you feel like it : when the time is right
• I'll write when the spirit moves me.
moving spirit
- see moving
that's the spirit informal
- used to express approval of someone's attitude
• “I know I can do it if I keep trying.” “Yeah, that's the spirit!” [=that's the right attitude to have]
the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
- used to say that you want to do something but you cannot because you do not have the strength or energy; often used humorously
• I try to get up early and exercise, though sometimes the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

- see also surgical spirit, white spirit

American English

British English

feelings - general words

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

noun

English translation unavailable for option.

priority

priority [noun]

something that is very important and must be dealt with before other things

/praɪˈɔːr.ə.t̬i/

/praɪˈɒr.ə.ti/

Example:

The management did not seem to consider office safety to be a priority.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

priority

noun

1 (plural priorities) something that you think is more important than other things and that you must do first:
Education is a top priority.

2 (no plural) being more important than somebody or something or coming before somebody or something else:
We give priority to families with small children.
Emergency cases take priority over other patients in hospital.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

priority

I. pri‧or‧i‧ty¹ S2 W2 AC /praɪˈɒrəti, praɪˈɒrɪti $ -ˈɔːr-/ BrE AmE noun (plural priorities)
[Word Family: noun: ↑priority, ↑prioritization; verb: ↑prioritize]
1. [uncountable and countable] the thing that you think is most important and that needs attention before anything else:
The club’s priority is to win the League.
first/top/main priority
The children are our first priority.
After several burglaries in the area, security is now a high priority (=very important and needing attention soon).
With so little money available, repairs must remain a low priority (=not important and not needing attention soon).
The customer is high on our list of priorities.
List your tasks in order of priority (=most important first).
2. [uncountable] the right to be given attention first and before other people or things
priority over
Buses should have priority over other road users.
A young person who has finished the course will be given priority over one who has not.
I want to start work on the garden but the house must take priority.
3. get your priorities right (also get your priorities straight American English) to know what is most important and needs attention first:
We need to get our priorities right.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ adjectives
▪ a high priority (=very important) Right now, the environment is a high priority.
▪ an urgent priority He sees these negotiations as an urgent priority.
▪ a low priority (=not very important) At that time, architecture was a low priority.
▪ the top/main/number one priority Controlling spending is his top priority.
▪ the first priority The first priority for most unemployed people is obtaining a job.
▪ the overriding priority (=the most important one) The reduction of inflation must be the Government’s overriding priority.
▪ sb’s immediate priority (=which must be dealt with immediately) Their immediate priority was to find somewhere to sleep that night.
■ phrases
▪ a list/set of priorities Marriage isn’t very high on my list of priorities.
▪ in order of priority (=with the most important first) They asked voters to list issues in order of priority.
■ verbs
▪ set priorities (=decide what the priorities are) With any new project, it's important to set priorities.
▪ sort out your priorities (=decide which things are the most important as a way of dealing with a situation) If you’ve got a lot of things to do, sort out your priorities.
▪ make something a priority Lisa had a job, but she'd always made her family the priority.
▪ sb’s priorities change As you get older, your priorities may change.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ have priority Couples may have to decide whose career has priority.
▪ get priority The breakdown services say that women on their own get priority.
▪ take priority (=become the most important thing) Winning the war took priority over everything else.
▪ give priority to somebody/something The hospital always gives priority to emergency cases.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

priority

priority /praɪˈɒr.ɪ.ti/ US /-ˈɔːr.ə.ţi/
noun [C or U]
something that is very important and must be dealt with before other things:
The management did not seem to consider office safety to be a priority.
My first/top priority is to find somewhere to live.
You have to learn to get your priorities right/straight (= decide which are the most important jobs or problems and deal with them first).
Mending the lights is a priority task (= more important than other jobs).
Banks normally give priority to large businesses when deciding on loans (= They deal with them first because they consider them most important).
Official business requirements obviously take/have priority over personal requests (= Official business matters will be dealt with first).

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

priority / praɪˈɒr.ɪ.ti / / -ˈɔːr.ə.t̬i / noun [ C or U ]

B2 something that is very important and must be dealt with before other things:

The management did not seem to consider office safety to be a priority.

My first/top priority is to find somewhere to live.

You have to learn to get your priorities right/straight (= decide which are the most important jobs or problems and deal with them first) .

Mending the lights is a priority task (= more important than other jobs) .

Banks normally give priority to large businesses when deciding on loans (= they deal with them first because they consider them most important) .

Official business requirements obviously take/have priority over personal requests (= official business matters will be dealt with first) .

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

priority

[praɪɒ̱rɪti, AM -ɔ͟ːr-]
♦♦♦
priorities
1) N-COUNT If something is a priority, it is the most important thing you have to do or deal with, or must be done or dealt with before everything else you have to do.
  Being a parent is her first priority...
  The government's priority is to build more power plants...
  Getting your priorities in order is a good way to not waste energy on meaningless pursuits.
2) PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR to n If you give priority to something or someone, you treat them as more important than anything or anyone else.
  The school will give priority to science, maths and modern languages...
  The proposals deserve support as they give priority to the needs of children.
  Syn:
  give precedence
3) PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR over n If something takes priority or has priority over other things, it is regarded as being more important than them and is dealt with first.
  The fight against inflation took priority over measures to combat the deepening recession...
  I disagree with the premise that economic development has priority over the environment.
  Syn:
  take precedence

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

priority

pri·or·i·ty /praɪˈorəti/ noun, pl -ties
1 [count] : something that is more important than other things and that needs to be done or dealt with first
• Reorganizing the sales force will be a top priority for the new president.
• Getting the work done on time is a priority for me.
• Exercising is not very high on her list of priorities. [=it's not among the things she thinks are important]
2 priorities [plural] US : the things that someone cares about and thinks are important
• He has terrible priorities. [=he doesn't care about the things that are truly important]
• You need to get your priorities straight and go back to school. [=you need to realize that going back to school is the most important thing for you to do]
• She decided to go to the party instead of studying? Where are her priorities?
3 [noncount] : the condition of being more important than something or someone else and therefore coming or being dealt with first
• These problems are important and should be given priority (over others). [=they should be dealt with first]
• I know you want to buy a new stereo, but right now, saving for college has to take priority.
• Health concerns should have priority over comfort. [=health concerns are more important than comfort]

American English

British English

order and sequence

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

noun

English translation unavailable for fragility.

fragile

fragile [adjective]

easily damaged, broken, or harmed

/ˈfrædʒ.əl/

/ˈfrædʒ.aɪl/

Example:

Be careful with that vase - it's very fragile.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

fragile

fra‧gile /ˈfrædʒaɪl $ -dʒəl/ BrE AmE adjective
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: fragilis; ⇨ ↑frail]
1. easily broken or damaged OPP strong:
Be careful with that vase – it’s very fragile.
fragile bones
2. a fragile situation is one that is weak or uncertain, and likely to become worse under pressure OPP strong:
the country’s fragile economy
Relations between the two countries are in a fragile state.
the party’s fragile unity
3. fragile health a weak physical condition because of illness
4. thin and delicate:
fragile beauty
5. British English if someone feels fragile they feel ill, especially because they have drunk too much alcohol
—fragility /frəˈdʒɪləti, frəˈdʒɪlɪti/ noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ fragile easily broken or damaged: The documents are old and very fragile. | a fragile glass case | The seventeenth century wall hangings are extemely fragile.
▪ delicate easily damaged – used especially about things that are made from thin material and look attractive: a delicate gold necklace | The plant has delicate blue flowers. | delicate fabrics
▪ brittle brittle hair, nails, bones etc have a hard surface, but they break easily, especially because they are not in good condition: As you get older, your bones become more brittle. | a special shampoo for dry and brittle hair
▪ breakable breakable objects must be handled carefully because they will break easily: Put breakable objects out of the reach of children. | breakable ornaments
▪ flimsy made of thin material that tears easily, or badly-made and likely to break easily: a flimsy cotton shirt | a flimsy wooden table
▪ frail especially literary not strong and therefore easy to break, damage, or hurt: The young trees are frail and need to be protected from the wind. | a frail little fishing boat | a frail old lady

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fragile

fra·gile [ˈfrædʒaɪl] [ˈfrædʒl] adjective
1. easily broken or damaged
• fragile china/glass/bones

• Be careful not to drop it; it's very fragile.

2. weak and uncertain; easily destroyed or spoilt
• a fragile alliance/ceasefire/relationship
• The economy remains extremely fragile.

• In her job she was used to dealing with actors' fragile egos.

3. delicate and often beautiful
• fragile beauty

• The woman's fragile face broke into a smile.

4. not strong and likely to become ill/sick
• Her father is now 86 and in fragile health.
• (BrE, informal) I'm feeling a bit fragile after last night (= not well, perhaps because of drinking too much alcohol).
Derived Word: fragility
Word Origin:
late 15th cent. (in the sense ‘morally weak’): from Latin fragilis, from frangere ‘to break’. The sense ‘liable to break’ dates from the mid 16th cent.
Thesaurus:
fragile [fragile fragility] adj.
• It's fragile, so don't drop it.
delicate • • brittle •
Opp: robust
fragile/delicate/brittle bones/glass
fragile/delicate china
(a) fragile/delicate thread
the fragile/delicate ecology
Fragile or delicate? Delicate fabrics, like silk, need special care
• Use a cool wash for delicate fabrics.
Fragile fabrics need even more care, usually because they are very old.
Example Bank:
• Be careful not to drop it, it's very fragile.

• fragile habitats threatened by pollution

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

fragile / ˈfrædʒ.aɪl / / ˈfrædʒ. ə l / adjective

C2 easily damaged, broken, or harmed:

Be careful with that vase - it's very fragile.

The assassination could do serious damage to the fragile peace agreement that was signed last month.

I felt rather fragile (= weak) for a few days after the operation.

humorous No breakfast for me, thanks - I'm feeling rather fragile (= ill, upset, or tired) after last night's party.

fragility / frəˈdʒɪl.ɪ.ti / / -t̬i / noun [ U ]

The collapse of the bank is an ominous reminder of the fragility of the world's banking system.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

fragile

[fræ̱ʤaɪl, AM -ʤ(ə)l]
1) ADJ-GRADED If you describe a situation as fragile, you mean that it is weak or uncertain, and unlikely to be able to resist strong pressure or attack. [JOURNALISM]
  The fragile economies of several southern African nations could be irreparably damaged...
  The Prime Minister's fragile government was on the brink of collapse...
  His overall condition remained fragile.
  Syn:
  unstable
  Derived words:
  fragility [frəʤɪ̱lɪti] N-UNCOUNT oft N of n By mid-1988 there were clear indications of the extreme fragility of the Right-wing coalition.
2) ADJ-GRADED Something that is fragile is easily broken or damaged.
  He leaned back in his fragile chair.
  Ant:
  sturdy
  Derived words:
  fragility N-UNCOUNT oft N of n Older drivers are more likely to be seriously injured because of the fragility of their bones.
3) ADJ-GRADED Something that is fragile is very delicate or fine in appearance.
  The haircut emphasised her fragile beauty.
  Syn:
  delicate
4) ADJ-GRADED: usu v-link ADJ If someone feels fragile, they feel weak, for example because they are ill or have drunk too much alcohol.
  He felt irritated and strangely fragile, as if he were recovering from a severe bout of flu.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

fragile

frag·ile /ˈfræʤəl, ˈfræˌʤajəl/ adj [more ~; most ~] : easily broken or damaged
• the flower's fragile petals
• Her health has always been very fragile.
• fragile bones
• an artist with a fragile ego
• He is in an emotionally fragile state. : very delicate
• her fragile beauty : not strong
• The two countries have formed a fragile coalition.
• a fragile cease-fire
- fra·gil·i·ty /frəˈʤɪləti/ noun [noncount]
• the fragility of her health

American English

British English

fragile and breakable

C2 (Proficient)

adjective

wilt

wilt [verb]

(of a plant) to become weak and begin to bend towards the ground, or (of a person) to become weaker, tired, or less confident

/wɪlt/

Example:

Cut flowers will soon wilt without water.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

wilt

I. wilt¹ /wɪlt/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive]
1. if a plant wilts, it bends over because it is too dry or old ⇨ droop
2. informal to feel weak or tired, especially because you are too hot
II. wilt² BrE AmE verb old use
thou wilt you will

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

wilt

wilt [wilt wilts wilted wilting] [wɪlt] [wɪlt] verb
1. intransitive, transitive ~ (sth) if a plant or flower wilts, or sth wilts it, it bends towards the ground because of the heat or a lack of water

Syn: droop

2. intransitive (informal) to become weak or tired or less confident
Syn: flag
• The spectators were wilting visibly in the hot sun.

• He was wilting under the pressure of work.

3. thou wilt (old use) used to mean ‘you will’, when talking to one person
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
senses 1 to 2 late 17th cent. (originally dialect): perhaps an alteration of dialect welk ‘lose freshness’, of Low German origin.
Example Bank:
• By half-time, the team was wilting under the pressure.
• Some of the leaves were beginning to wilt.
• The passengers were visibly wilting with the heat and movement of the bus.

• The plants will wilt in direct sunlight.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

wilt / wɪlt / verb [ I ]

wilt

(of a plant) to become weak and begin to bend towards the ground, or (of a person) to become weaker, tired, or less confident:

Cut flowers will soon wilt without water.

After only an hour's walking they were beginning to wilt in the heat.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

wilt

[wɪ̱lt]
wilts, wilting, wilted
1) VERB If a plant wilts, it gradually bends downwards and becomes weak because it needs more water or is dying.
  The roses wilted the day after she bought them...
  [V-ed] Remove any damaged or wilted leaves.
2) VERB If someone wilts, they become weak or tired, or lose confidence.
  She soon wilted in the morning heat...
  The government wilted in the face of such powerful pressure.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹wilt /ˈwɪlt/ verb wilts; wilt·ed; wilt·ing
1 of a plant : to bend over because of not having enough water

[no obj]

• The roses were wilting.

[+ obj]

• The hot weather wilted the plants.
2 [no obj]
a : to become weak and tired especially because of hot weather
• The crowd wilted in the heat.
b : to lose energy, confidence, effectiveness, etc.
• He wilted under the pressure.

American English

British English

becoming and making less strong

C1 (Advanced)

verb

Search form

British English

Pages