British English

funny

fun‧ny S1 W3 /ˈfʌni/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative funnier, superlative funniest)
[Date: 1700-1800; Origin: fun]
1. AMUSING making you laugh
funny story/joke/film etc
Do you remember any funny stories about work?
hilariously/hysterically/wickedly funny
a wickedly funny scene from the film
the funniest man in Britain
If this is your idea of a joke, I don’t find it at all funny.
Luckily, when I explained the situation, he saw the funny side (=recognized that it was partly funny).
His laughter stopped her mid-sentence. ‘What’s so funny?’ she demanded.
It’s not funny (=don’t laugh), Paul; poor Teresa was nearly in tears.
► Do not use funny to mean ‘enjoyable’. Use fun: The picnic was really fun.
2. STRANGE unusual, strange, or difficult to explain:
I had a funny feeling something was going to happen.
What’s that funny smell?
It’s funny how you remember the words of songs, even ones you don’t really like.
It’s funny (that)
It’s funny that the kids are so quiet.
That’s funny. I was sure I had $5 in my purse, but it’s not there now.
People tell me I ran the greatest race of my life, but the funny thing is I can’t remember much about it.
It’s a funny old world (=strange or unusual things happen in life).
3. DISHONEST appearing to be illegal, dishonest, or wrong:
There’s something funny going on here.
Remember, Marvin, no funny business while we’re out.
4. a funny look if you give someone a funny look, you look at them in a way that shows you think they are behaving strangely:
I hunkered down, ignoring the funny looks from passers-by.
5. ILL feeling slightly ill:
I always feel funny after a long car ride.
6. CRAZY British English informal slightly crazy:
After his wife died he went a bit funny.
7. go funny informal if a machine, piece of equipment etc goes funny, it stops working properly:
I just turned it on and the screen went all funny.
8. very funny! spoken used when someone is laughing at you or playing a trick and you do not think it is amusing:
Very funny! Who’s hidden my car keys?
9. I’m not being funny (but) British English spoken used when you are serious or do not want to offend someone:
I’m not being funny, but we haven’t got much time.
10. funny little something used to describe something you like because it is small, unusual, or interesting:
The town centre is crammed with funny little shops.
his funny little grin
11. funny peculiar or funny ha-ha? British English, funny weird/strange or funny ha-ha? American English used when someone has described something as funny and you want to know whether they mean it is strange or amusing:
‘Tim’s a funny guy.’ ‘Funny weird or funny ha-ha?’
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ funny making you laugh: John told me a really funny joke. | She’s very talented and funny.
▪ amusing especially written funny and enjoyable. Amusing is more formal than funny. It is often used when something is a little funny and makes you smile, rather than laugh: an amusing anecdote | He found the whole incident rather amusing.
▪ humorous intended to be funny – used about stories, films, articles etc that have situations that are a little funny: humorous stories | The movie is meant to be humorous.
▪ witty using words in a funny and clever way: witty remarks | How witty!
▪ hilarious /hɪˈleəriəs $ -ˈler-/ (also hysterical informal) extremely funny: The children thought it was hilarious. | The movie has some hilarious scenes. | It was hysterical! You should have seen his face!
▪ comical funny in a strange or silly way – often used when something is not intended to be funny: It was quite comical watching him trying to dance. | her own comical attempts at painting
▪ comic [only before noun] a comic film, play, novel etc is intended to be funny: a comic drama
▪ light-hearted done for amusement or enjoyment, and not intended to be serious: The programme is a light-hearted look at recent political events.
▪ comedy noun [countable] a film, play, or television programme that is intended to be funny: a comedy by Shakespeare | She has appeared in several television comedies. | a new comedy series on Channel 4

generous

gen‧e‧rous W3 /ˈdʒenərəs/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑generosity; adverb: ↑generously; adjective: ↑generous]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: généreux, from Latin generosus 'born into a high rank', from genus; ⇨ ↑genus]
1. someone who is generous is willing to give money, spend time etc, in order to help people or give them pleasure OPP mean
generous to
She’s always very generous to the kids.
generous with
Jim is very generous with his time.
it/that is generous (of somebody)
It was generous of them to ask Anna along.
generous offer/support/donation etc
my employer’s generous offer to pay the bill
2. larger or more than the usual size or amount OPP measly:
a generous glass of wine
generous amount/helping/measure etc
a generous helping of pasta
He had a well-shaped generous mouth.
3. sympathetic in the way you deal with people, and tending to see the good qualities in someone or something OPP mean:
She was generous enough to overlook my little mistake.
—generously adverb:
Please give generously to the refugee fund.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ kind someone who is kind tries to help people and make them happy or comfortable, and shows that they care about them: They were very kind to us and let us stay in their house as long as we liked. | a kind old lady | a kind thing to say
▪ nice especially spoken friendly and kind. Nice is very common in everyday spoken English and is often used instead of kind: Everyone has been so nice to me. | It’s nice of you to invite me here. | He seems such a nice man.
▪ generous kind because you give people money, presents etc: ‘I’ll pay for the meal.’ ‘That’s very generous of you.’ | a generous gift
▪ considerate thinking about other people’s feelings, and careful not to do anything that will upset them: Our neighbours are very considerate and always keep their TV turned down. | a considerate driver | He’s always very polite and considerate to his guests.
▪ thoughtful thinking of things you can do to make other people happy or feel good – used especially when someone does something such as giving someone a present or helping someone: It was thoughtful of you to send him a card. | Some thoughtful person had taken her bag to the lost property office.
▪ caring kind and wanting to help and look after people: She’s lucky to have such a loving and caring husband. | The British are well-known for their caring attitude toward animals.
▪ sympathetic saying kind things to someone who has problems and behaving in a way that shows you care about them: My boss was very sympathetic and said I should take some time off work. | She gave him a sympathetic smile.
▪ good kind and showing that you want to help – used especially in the following phrases: It was good of you to come and see me. | She’s always been very good to us.
▪ sweet informal very kind – used especially when you like someone very much, or you are very pleased because of something they have done: I was given the flowers by a sweet little old lady who lived next door. | It’s sweet of you to ask. | a sweet thing to say
▪ kind-hearted/warm-hearted especially written having a kind and friendly character, which makes other people like you: He was a wonderful father, kind-hearted and always laughing. | The town is full of warm-hearted, helpful people.
▪ benevolent formal kind and wanting to help people – often used about someone who is important or who people respect: a benevolent ruler | They believe in the existence of a benevolent God who will save mankind. | He listened politely, like some benevolent uncle.

hard-working

ˌhard-ˈworking BrE AmE adjective
working with a lot of effort SYN industrious:
a hard-working teacher
 

serious

se‧ri‧ous S1 W1 /ˈsɪəriəs $ ˈsɪr-/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑seriousness; adverb: ↑seriously; adjective: ↑serious]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: sérieux, from Late Latin seriosus, from Latin serius]
1. SITUATION/PROBLEM a serious situation, problem, accident etc is extremely bad or dangerous:
the serious problem of unemployment
Luckily, the damage was not serious.
Serious crimes have increased dramatically.
serious injury/illness/accident etc
a serious accident on the freeway
Oil spills pose a serious threat to marine life.
The president was in serious trouble. ⇨ see Thesaurus box on P. 1590
2. IMPORTANT important and needing a lot of thought or attention:
This is a very serious matter.
the serious business of earning a living
Be quiet, Jim. This is serious.
3. NOT JOKING OR PRETENDING if someone is serious about something they say or plan to do, they really mean it and are not joking or pretending:
His voice suddenly became more serious.
a serious article
serious about
Is she serious about giving up her job?
deadly/dead serious (=definitely not joking)
She sounded dead serious.
Marry Frank? You can’t be serious!
4. CAREFUL serious attention/consideration/thought careful and thorough attention etc:
I’ll give your suggestion serious consideration.
5. QUIET/SENSIBLE someone who is serious is very quiet and sensible, and does not laugh and joke much:
a serious student
6. WORRIED/UNHAPPY slightly worried or unhappy:
You look serious. What’s wrong?
7. ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP a serious romantic relationship is likely to continue for a long time:
It’s serious – they’ve been seeing each other for six months.
serious about
Are you really serious about her?
serious boyfriend/girlfriend
8. SPORT/ACTIVITY [only before noun] very interested in an activity or subject, and spending a lot of time doing it:
He’s become a serious golfer since he retired.
Chris is a serious photographer.
9. VERY GOOD [only before noun] informal very good and often expensive:
He’s got a serious car!
10. LARGE AMOUNT [only before noun] informal used to emphasize that you are talking about a large amount of something:
In industry, you can earn serious money.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ a serious problem Vandalism is a serious problem in the area.
▪ a serious injury/illness The driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
▪ a serious accident He is recovering from a serious accident.
▪ serious damage The explosion sparked a fire which caused serious damage to their flat.
▪ a serious threat In the developed world, over-consumption is now a serious threat to health.
▪ a serious crime/offence Kidnapping is a serious crime.
▪ serious trouble The economy was in serious trouble.
▪ serious consequences Neglecting to make a proper will can have serious consequences.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ very bad
▪ serious very bad – used about problems, accidents, illnesses, or crimes: Violent crime is a serious problem in and around the capital. | The boy was taken to hospital with serious head injuries. | Fortunately, the damage to the car was not serious.
▪ severe very serious – used about problems, injuries, and illnesses: He suffered severe injuries in a car crash. | The problem became so severe that they had to bring water in from other countries. | severe epilepsy
▪ grave used about a situation that is very serious and worrying, especially because it is dangerous or seems likely to get worse: A thick fog descended and I knew that we were in grave danger. | The situation is grave – war now seems inevitable.
▪ acute used about an illness, problem, or situation that has become very serious or dangerous, and needs to be dealt with quickly: She was taken to the hospital suffering from acute appendicitis. | In San Diego, the shortage of skilled workers is acute.
▪ desperate used about a situation or problem that is very serious or dangerous, especially because a lot of people need urgent help: The situation is desperate – people here need aid before the harsh winter sets in. | The hospital is full of people in desperate need of medical attention.
▪ critical used about a situation that is very serious and dangerous and might get worse suddenly: In 1991, the food supply situation became critical. | Eight people were killed and four are still in a critical condition.
▪ life-threatening used about a situation, illness, or condition in which someone could die: Her child had a potentially life-threatening illness. | The situation was not life-threatening, but it was very worrying.
▪ be a matter of life and death spoken to be extremely serious – used when a situation is very urgent or important: For people living with HIV, getting the right treatment is literally a matter of life and death.
■ not joking
▪ serious not joking or laughing, or not pretending: His voice sounded serious. | They seem to be serious about their relationship.
▪ solemn very serious because of an important or sad occasion or ceremony: My father looked solemn, the way grown-ups look at funerals. | The judge read the verdict in a solemn voice.
▪ grave written quiet and very serious – used especially about the way people look when something important or worrying happens: She consulted Doctor Staples and returned looking grave. | He listened with a grave expression on his face.
▪ sombre British English (also somber American English) /ˈsɒmbə $ ˈsɑːmbər/ written sad, quiet, or serious because something unpleasant or worrying has happened or is going to happen: They sat in sombre silence. | The meeting began in a sombre mood.
▪ earnest very serious and sincere – often used about someone who is young and not very experienced: He was a rather earnest-looking young man. | ‘That’s wrong,’ she said, her voice sounding very earnest.

shy

I. shy¹ /ʃaɪ/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative shyer, superlative shyest)
[Word Family: verb: ↑shy; noun: ↑shyness; adverb: ↑shyly; adjective: ↑shy]
[Language: Old English; Origin: sceoh]
1. nervous and embarrassed about meeting and speaking to other people, especially people you do not know:
He was a quiet shy man.
shy with
She was very shy with strangers.
a shy smile
As a teenager, I was painfully shy (=extremely shy).
shy to do something
He was too shy to come and sit by me in class.
go all shy British English (=to suddenly become very shy)
Oh, have you gone all shy, Jenny?
2. somebody is not shy about (doing) something used to emphasize that someone is very willing to do something or get involved with something:
John has strong opinions and he’s not shy about sharing them.
3. unwilling to do something or get involved in something
be shy about/of (doing) something
Employees are urged not to be shy about reporting incidents of sexual harassment.
4. be shy (of something) especially American English to have less than a particular amount of something:
The Democrats are three votes shy of a majority.
Jessica died Monday. She was one week shy of her 13th birthday.
5. used to say that someone does not like something and therefore tries to avoid it:
Although publicity-shy, he recently agreed to be interviewed. ⇨ ↑camera-shy, ↑work-shy
6. shy animals get frightened easily and are unwilling to come near people SYN timid:
Deer are shy creatures.
—shyly adverb:
He grinned shyly.
—shyness noun [uncountable]:
I overcame my shyness.
⇨ fight shy of (doing) something at ↑fight¹(22), ⇨ once bitten, twice shy at ↑bite¹(14)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ bashful shy and not willing to say very much
▪ self-conscious worried and embarrassed about what you look like or what other people think of you
▪ timid not brave or confident
▪ reserved not liking to express your emotions or talk about your problems
▪ introverted thinking a lot about your own interests, problems etc, and not liking to be with other people
▪ withdrawn quiet and not wanting to talk to other people, especially because you are unhappy
▪ antisocial not liking to meet people and talk to them
▪ retiring formal not wanting to be with other people

talkative

talk‧a‧tive /ˈtɔːkətɪv $ ˈtɒːk-/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑talk, talks, ↑talker; verb: ↑talk; adjective: ↑talkative]
someone who is talkative talks a lot OPP quiet
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ talkative a talkative person likes to talk a lot – also used about people’s moods: He’s very talkative with his friends and family. | Benjamin was in a talkative mood.
▪ chatty liking to talk a lot in a friendly way – a rather informal use: I like her – she’s always cheerful and chatty. | The chatty girl on the phone answered most of my questions.
▪ articulate able to talk easily and effectively about things, especially difficult subjects: All the applicants we interviewed were intelligent and articulate. | These were articulate people, well able to deal with the press and media.
▪ eloquent able to express your ideas and opinions well – used especially about people who speak in public and are able to influence people: an eloquent public speaker
▪ garrulous formal talking a lot, especially about unimportant things: A garrulous old man was sitting near me in the bar. | He became more garrulous as the evening went on.
▪ you can’t shut him/her up informal used to say humorously that someone talks all the time: You can’t shut him up so I never get any work done when he’s here.
▪ chatterbox informal someone, especially a child, who talks a lot : Cathy’s a real chatterbox.

windy

wind‧y S3 /ˈwɪndi/ BrE AmE (comparative windier, superlative windiest) adjective
1. if it is windy, there is a lot of wind:
It’s too windy for a picnic.
a cold, windy day
a windy hillside
2. windy talk is full of words that sound impressive but do not mean much:
politicians’ windy generalizations
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ windy if it is windy, there is a lot of wind: It's too windy for a picnic. | a windy day in October
▪ blustery blustery weather is very windy, with sudden strong winds: a cold and blustery day
▪ breezy if the weather is breezy, the wind blows fairly strongly: a sunny but breezy day in springtime
▪ blowy informal windy: It's a bit blowy out there. | The day was grey and cold and blowy.
▪ stormy if the weather is stormy, there are strong winds, heavy rain, and dark clouds: The sky was starting to look stormy. | a period of stormy weather
▪ windswept a windswept place is often windy because there are not many trees or buildings to protect it: The beach was cold and windswept. | Thousands of the birds live on the windswept islands off the north coast of Scotland.

full

I. full¹ S1 W1 /fʊl/ BrE AmE adjective
[Language: Old English]
1. NO SPACE containing as much or as many things or people as possible, so there is no space left ⇨ empty:
The train was completely full.
Don’t talk with your mouth full.
The class is full, but you can register for next term.
full of
The kitchen was full of smoke.
be crammed/stuffed/packed etc full of something
Ted’s workshop was crammed full of old engines.
half-full/three-quarters full etc
McQuaid filled his glass until it was three-quarters full.
The bath was full to the brim (=completely full) with hot water.
full (up) to bursting British English informal (=completely full)
The filing cabinet was full to bursting.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people often say that a place is packed when it is full of people:
▪ The trains are always packed in the rush hour.
2. INCLUDING EVERYTHING [only before noun] complete and including all parts or details:
Please write your full name and address on the form.
The Health Centre offers a full range of services.
Lotus will not reveal full details until the Motor Show.
The BBC promised a full investigation.
I don’t think he’s telling us the full story (=everything he knows about the matter).
3. HIGHEST AMOUNT/LEVEL [only before noun] the greatest amount or highest level of something that is possible SYN maximum:
rising prosperity and full employment
The charity helps disabled children reach their full potential.
Few customers take full advantage of off-peak fares.
Parker was driving at full speed when he hit the wall.
in full leaf/bloom
The roses were now in full bloom.
4. HAVING A LOT OF SOMETHING be full of something
a) to contain many things of the same kind:
a garden full of flowers
His essay was full of mistakes.
The music papers were full of gossip about the band.
Life’s full of surprises, isn’t it?
b) to feel, express, or show a lot of a particular emotion or quality
full of excitement/energy/hope etc
Lucy was a happy child, always full of life.
He was full of praise for the work of the unit.
c) to talk or think a lot about a particular thing:
She was full of plans for the wedding.
5. FOOD (also full up British English) [not before noun] having eaten so much food that you cannot eat any more:
No more, thanks. I’m full.
6. EMPHASIS [only before noun] used to emphasize an amount, quantity, or rate
three/six etc full days/years/pages etc
We devote five full days a month to training.
His pants rose a full three inches off his shoes.
7. BUSY busy and involving lots of different activities:
Before her illness, Rose enjoyed a full life.
Go to bed. You’ve a full day tomorrow.
8. RANK having or giving all the rights, duties etc that belong to a particular rank or position
full professor/member/colonel etc
Only full members have the right to vote.
a full driving licence
9. be full of yourself to have a high opinion of yourself – used to show disapproval:
My first impression was that he was a bit full of himself.
10. be full of crap/shit/it not polite a rude expression used to say that someone often says things that are wrong or stupid:
Don’t listen to Jerry. He’s full of it.
11. CLOTHES made using a lot of material and fitting loosely:
a dress with a full skirt
12. BODY large and rounded in an attractive way
full figure/face/breasts etc
clothes for the fuller figure
13. TASTE having a strong satisfying taste:
Now you can enjoy Nescafé's fuller flavour in a decaffeinated form. ⇨ ↑full-bodied
14. SOUND pleasantly loud and deep:
the rich full sound of the cello
15. full price not a reduced price:
If you’re over 14, you have to pay full price.
16. in full view of somebody so that all the people in a place can see, especially when this is embarrassing or shocking:
The argument happened on stage in full view of the audience.
17. be in full swing if an event or process is in full swing, it has reached its highest level of activity:
By 8.30, the party was in full swing.
18. full speed/steam ahead doing something with as much energy and effort as possible:
With last season’s misery behind them, it’s full steam ahead for the Bears.
19. be full of beans to be excited and have lots of energy
20. (at) full blast informal as strongly, loudly, or quickly as possible:
The heater was on full blast but I was still cold.
a car stereo playing Wagner at full blast
21. (at) full tilt/pelt moving as fast as possible:
She ran full tilt into his arms.
22. be in full cry if a group of people are in full cry, they are criticizing someone very strongly:
Anyone who’s seen the world’s press in full cry can understand how Diana felt.
23. to the full (also to the fullest American English) in the best or most complete way:
Ed believes in living life to the full.
24. come/go/turn full circle to be in the same situation in which you began, even though there have been changes during the time in between:
Fashion has come full circle and denim is back.
⇨ ↑fully, ⇨ have your hands full at ↑hand¹(29), ⇨ draw yourself up to your full height at ↑draw up(4)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ full containing as much or as many things or people as possible, so there is no space left: The train was nearly full. | The cupboard was full of clothes. | He spilled a full cup of coffee on the carpet.
▪ filled with something full of something – use this about a container when a lot of things have been put into it: The envelopes were filled with cash.
▪ stuffed full of something completely full of something – use this about a container when lots of things have been put into it, often in an untidy way: The case was stuffed full of clothes.
▪ packed completely full of people – use this about a room, train etc: a packed restaurant | The courtroom will be packed with journalists.
▪ bursting (with something) extremely full of something: Her wardrobe was bursting with coats and shoes. | a small garden bursting with fruit and flowers
▪ crammed so full that you cannot fit anyone or anything else in – often used when you think there are too many people or things: In summer, the hotels are crammed with tourists. | The resort’s crammed beaches are uncomfortable in summer.
▪ teeming (with something) /ˈtiːmɪŋ/ full of people, animals etc that are all moving around: The rivers are teeming with fish.
▪ overflowing used about a container that is so full that the liquid or things inside it come out over the top: an overflowing bathtub | The drawers were overflowing with magazines.
▪ overloaded used about a vehicle or a ship which has too many people or things in it: an overloaded fishing boat | The trucks are often grossly overloaded (=far too overloaded).

busy

I. bus‧y¹ S1 W2 /ˈbɪzi/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative busier, superlative busiest)
[Language: Old English; Origin: bisig]
1. PERSON if you are busy, you are working hard and have a lot of things to do:
She’s busy now – can you phone later?
a busy mother of four
busy with
Mr Haynes is busy with a customer at the moment.
busy doing something
Rachel’s busy studying for her exams.
There were lots of activities to keep the kids busy.
2. TIME a busy period of time is full of work or other activities:
December is the busiest time of year for shops.
a busy day
He took time out of his busy schedule to visit us.
3. PLACE a busy place is very full of people or vehicles and movement:
We live on a very busy road.
4.TELEPHONE especially American English if a telephone you are calling is busy, it makes a repeated sound to tell you that the person you are calling is talking on their telephone SYN engaged British English:
I called Sonya, but her line was busy.
I keep getting a busy signal.
5. PATTERN a pattern or design that is busy is too full of small details – used to show disapproval
• • •
THESAURUS
■ person
▪ busy if you are busy, you have a lot of things you need to do: Sorry I haven’t called you, but I’ve been really busy. | a busy housewife | Angela was becoming more and more unhappy, but her husband was too busy to notice. | Not now Stephen, I’m busy. | Alex is busy studying for his exams.
▪ rushed/run off your feet [not before noun] especially British English spoken very busy and in a hurry, because you have too many things to do: We’ve been absolutely rushed off our feet getting ready for our son’s birthday party.
▪ snowed under [not before noun] especially British English so busy that you can hardly deal with all the work you have to do: I can’t stop for lunch today – I’m completely snowed under. | We’ve been snowed under with applications for the job.
▪ up to your ears/neck in something [not before noun] informal extremely busy because you have a lot of work to deal with: Teachers say they are up to their ears in paperwork and don’t have enough time for teaching.
▪ tied up [not before noun] busy in your job, so that you cannot do anything else: I’m sorry, but he’s tied up at the moment. Could you call back later? | I can’t see you tomorrow: I’m tied up all day.
▪ have a lot to do especially spoken to have to do a lot of things, so that you need to hurry or work hard: Let’s get started – we have a lot to do.
▪ have a lot on British English, have a lot going on American English especially spoken to be busy, especially because you have arranged to do a lot of things during a particular period: I’ve got a lot on this weekend. | He says he’ll try and see you as soon as possible, but he has a lot going on this afternoon.
■ time
▪ busy use this about times when you have a lot of things you need to do: We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow. | July and August are our busiest times.
▪ hectic a hectic time or situation is extremely busy, so that you are always in a hurry and often feel excited or worried: It was really hectic at work today. | The band had a hectic recording schedule.
▪ the rush hour the time in the morning and evening when a lot of people are travelling to or from work: The buses are so crowded during the rush hour you never get a seat. | In most British cities the rush hour does not start until about 8 o'clock.