British English

simple

simple [adjective] (EASY)

easy to understand or do; not difficult

/ˈsɪm.pəl/

آسان‌، غير پيچيده‌، سهل

Example:

a simple examination

يك‌ امتحان‌ آسان‌

Oxford Essential Dictionary

simple

adjective (simpler, simplest)

1 easy to do or understand:
This dictionary is written in simple English.
'How do you open this?' 'I'll show you – it's simple.'
opposite difficult

2 without a lot of different parts or extra things same meaning plain:
She wore a simple black dress.
a simple meal

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

simple

sim‧ple S1 W1 /ˈsɪmpəl/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative simpler, superlative simplest)
[Word Family: noun: ↑simplicity, ↑simplification, ↑simpleton; adverb: ↑simply, ↑simplistically; adjective: ↑simple, ↑simplistic; verb: ↑simplify]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: 'plain, uncomplicated', from Latin simplus, from sim- 'one' + -plus 'multiplied by']
1. EASY not difficult or complicated to do or understand:
a simple but effective solution to the problem
There is no simple answer to this question.
I’m sure there’s a perfectly simple explanation.
simple to use/make/operate etc
Modern cameras are very simple to use.
relatively/fairly/quite etc simple
There are relatively simple exercises to build strength.
We want to keep the costumes as simple as possible.
We can’t pay people any more money until the company is more profitable. I’m afraid it’s as simple as that.
2. PLAIN made in a plain style, without a lot of decoration or unnecessary things added:
She dressed with simple elegance.
simple but delicious food
a building constructed in a simple classic style
3. ONLY [usually before noun] used to emphasize that only one thing is involved:
Completing the race is not just a simple matter of physical fitness.
The simple fact is, he’s not very good at his job.
Their motive was greed, pure and simple.
4. NOT HAVING MANY PARTS made or built of only a few parts, and not having a complicated structure:
It’s a very simple machine.
They evolved from simple life forms that existed millions of years ago.
5. ORDINARY honest and ordinary and not special in any way:
Joe was just a simple farmer.
6. GRAMMAR technical simple tenses are not formed with an ↑auxiliary such as ‘have’ or ‘be’
7. the simple life life without too many possessions or modern machines, usually in the countryside
8. STUPID [not before noun] someone who is simple is not very intelligent:
I’m afraid Luke’s a bit simple.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adverbs
▪ very/extremely/incredibly simple I came up with a very simple answer to this problem.
▪ relatively/fairly/quite simple The rules are quite simple.
▪ deceptively simple (=seeming simple, but in fact complicated or difficult) It’s a deceptively simple idea, but it’s very difficult to put into practice.
▪ perfectly simple Well? It’s a perfectly simple question.
■ phrases
▪ simple to use/make/operate etc The machine is very simple to use.
▪ simple but effective Any child’s behaviour can be improved by this simple but effective technique.
▪ keep something simple Keep your explanation as simple as possible.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

simple

sim·ple [simple simpler simplest] [ˈsɪmpl] [ˈsɪmpl] adjective (sim·pler, sim·plest) You can also use more simple and most simple.

EASY
1. not complicated; easy to understand or do
Syn: easy
• a simple solution
• The answer is really quite simple.
• This machine is very simple to use.
• We lost because we played badly. It's as simple as that.

• Give the necessary information but keep it simple.

BASIC/PLAIN

2. basic or plain without anything extra or unnecessary
• simple but elegant clothes
• We had a simple meal of soup and bread.
• The accommodation is simple but spacious.
• simple pleasures, like reading and walking

Opp: fancy

FOR EMPHASIS

3. used before a noun to emphasize that it is exactly that and nothing else
• Nobody wanted to believe the simple truth.
• It was a matter of simple survival.
• It's nothing to worry about— just a simple headache.

• I had to do it for the simple reason that (= because) I couldn't trust anyone else.

WITH FEW PARTS

4. usually before noun consisting of only a few parts; not complicated in structure
• simple forms of life, for example amoebas
• a simple machine

• (grammar) a simple sentence (= one with only one verb)

ORDINARY

5. only before noun (of a person) ordinary; not special

• I'm a simple country girl.

NOT INTELLIGENT

6. not usually before noun (of a person) not very intelligent; not mentally normal

• He's not mad— just a little simple.

GRAMMAR

7. used to describe the present or past tense of a verb that is formed without using an auxiliary verb, as in She loves him (= the simple present tense) or He arrived late (= the simple past tense)
see also simply, see pure and simple at pure
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French, from Latin simplus.
Thesaurus:
simple adj.
1.
• The machine is simple to use.
easy • • straightforward • • uncomplicated • • plain sailing • |written undemanding •
Opp: complicated
simple/easy/straightforward/plain sailing for sb
simple/easy/straightforward/plain sailing to do sth
a/an simple/easy/straightforward matter/decision/test/question
There's no simple/easy/straightforward answer.
Simple or easy? Easy means ‘not difficult’: an easy test/task is one that causes you no difficulties because you have the ability to do it. Simple means ‘not complicated’: a simple task is one that needs only very few, basic actions and does not usually depend on people's abilities.
2. (especially written, usually approving)
• a simple meal of soup and bread
plain • |especially written bare • • austere •
Opp: fancy
a simple/plain/austere design
a simple/plain/bare interior
3. only before noun
• The simple fact is I can't afford it.
plain • • bare • • bald • |formal unequivocal • |often approving honest • • straightforward • |especially written, usually disapproving stark •
the simple/plain/bare/unequivocal/honest/stark truth
a/an simple/plain/bare/unequivocal/stark fact
a/an simple/plain/bare/unequivocal/honest/straightforward/stark statement
a/an simple/plain/unequivocal/honest/straightforward answer
Simple or plain? Simple is used with more collocations and structures than plain. Expressions with simple often suggest impatience with other people's behaviour
• No one wanted to believe the simple truth.
4. usually before noun
• They were simple country people.
unremarkable • |often approving plain • |disapproving ordinary • |often disapproving average •
a/an simple/unremarkable/plain/ordinary/average person
simple/plain ignorance/common sense
Simple or plain? Simple is used more about people and plain about qualities. When used about people simple tells you how other people see sb; plain tells you more about how sb sees him/herself.
Synonyms:
plain
simple • stark • bare • unequivocal
These words all describe statements, often about sth unpleasant, that are very clear, not trying to hide anything, and not using more words than necessary.
plain • used for talking about a fact that other people may not like to hear; honest and direct in way that other people may not like: ▪ The plain fact is that nobody really knows.
simple • [only before noun] used for talking about a fact that other people may not like to hear; very obvious and not complicated by anything else: ▪ The simple truth is that we just can't afford it.
plain or simple?
When it is being used to emphasize facts that other people may not like to hear, plain is usually used in the expression the plain fact/truth is that… Simple can be used in this way too, but it can also be used in a wider variety of structures and collocations (such as reason and matter): ▪ The problem was due to the simple fact that… ◊ The problem was due to the plain fact that… ◊ for the plain reason that… ◊ It's a plain matter of… Expressions with simple often suggest impatience with other people's behaviour.
stark • (rather formal) used for describing an unpleasant fact or difference that is very obvious: ▪ The stark truth is that there is not enough money left.
The simple/plain truth may be sth that some people do not want to hear, but it may be good for them to hear it anyway. The stark truth is sth particularly unpleasant and has no good side to it at all.
bare • [only before noun] the most basic or simple, with nothing extra: ▪ She gave me only the bare facts of the case.
unequivocal • (formal) expressing your opinion or intention very clearly and firmly: ▪ The reply was an unequivocal ‘no’.
the plain/simple/stark/bare/unequivocal truth
a(n) plain/simple/stark/bare/unequivocal fact/statement
a(n) plain/simple/unequivocal answer
Example Bank:
• I found the work fairly simple.
• Is all this technology making our lives simpler?
• It is a brilliantly simple idea.
• The engine design is elegantly simple.
• The golden rule when creating your design is: keep it simple.
• The logic of the plan was devastatingly simple.
• Their approach is refreshingly simple and direct.
• This seemingly simple task ended up taking hours.
• When creating your design, keep it simple.
• a deceptively simple technique
• Give the necessary information but keep it simple.
• I had to do it for the simple reason that I couldn't trust anyone else.
• I used a very simple method to obtain the answer.
• In some cases his argument is based on simple ignorance.
• It's a simple matter of giving them enough to eat.
• It's quite a simple machine.
• The best gowns are simple and elegant.
• The poem describes simple young soldiers in the Civil War.
• The simple truth is that we just can't afford it.
• There is nothing simple about this movie, and nothing simple about the man who made it.
• These proposals are no more than simple common sense.
• They were simple country people.
• This machine is simple to use.
• We lost because we played badly. It's as simple as that.

• a simple sentence

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

simple / ˈsɪm.pl̩ / adjective (EASY)

A2 easy to understand or do; not difficult:

The instructions were written in simple English.

It 's simple to find our house.

I want an explanation, but keep/make it simple.

simple / ˈsɪm.pl̩ / adjective [ before noun ] (IMPORTANT)

B2 used to describe the one important fact, truth, etc.:

We didn't go swimming for the simple reason that the water was too cold.

simple / ˈsɪm.pl̩ / adjective (PLAIN)

B1 without decoration; plain:

I like simple food better than fancy dishes.

simple / ˈsɪm.pl̩ / adjective [ before noun ] (ONE PART)

B1 having or made of only one or a few parts:

A hammer is a simple tool.

Simple forms of life have only one cell.

simple / ˈsɪm.pl̩ / adjective usually approving (NATURAL)

ordinary; traditional or natural rather than modern and complicated:

He was just a simple fisherman.

simple / ˈsɪm.pl̩ / adjective (FOOLISH)

describes a person who does not have a normal level of intelligence:

He's a bit simple, I'm afraid.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

simple

[sɪ̱mp(ə)l]
♦♦
simpler, simplest
1) ADJ-GRADED If you describe something as simple, you mean that it is not complicated, and is therefore easy to understand.
  ...simple pictures and diagrams.
  ...pages of simple advice on filling in your tax form...
  Buddhist ethics are simple but its practices are very complex to a western mind.
  Syn:
  uncomplicated, straightforward
  Ant:
  complicated
  Derived words:
  simply ADV-GRADED ADV with v When applying for a visa extension state simply and clearly the reasons why you need an extension.
2) ADJ-GRADED If you describe people or things as simple, you mean that they have all the basic or necessary things they require, but nothing extra.
  The Holy Family Church was closed and the parish now celebrates mass in this simple side chapel...
  He ate a simple dinner of rice and beans.
  ...the simple pleasures of childhood...
  He lives a very simple life for a man who has become incredibly rich...
  Nothing is simpler than a cool white shirt.
  Syn:
  basic
  Derived words:
  simply ADV-GRADED ADV after v The living room is furnished simply with white wicker furniture and blue-and-white fabrics... He dressed simply and led a quiet family life.
3) ADJ-GRADED If a problem is simple or if its solution is simple, the problem can be solved easily.
  Some puzzles look difficult but once the solution is known are actually quite simple...
  The answer is simple...
  I cut my purchases dramatically by the simple expedient of destroying my credit cards.
4) ADJ-GRADED: oft ADJ to-inf A simple task is easy to do.
  The job itself had been simple enough...
  The simplest way to install a shower is to fit one over the bath.
  Syn:
  easy
  Derived words:
  simply ADV-GRADED ADV with v Simply dial the number and tell us your area.
5) ADJ-GRADED If you say that someone is simple, you mean that they are not very intelligent and have difficulty learning things.
  He was simple as a child.
6) ADJ: ADJ n (emphasis) You use simple to emphasize that the thing you are referring to is the only important or relevant reason for something.
  His refusal to talk was simple stubbornness.
  Syn:
  plain
7) ADJ In grammar, simple tenses are ones which are formed without an auxiliary verb `be', for example `I dressed and went for a walk' and `This tastes nice'. Simple verb groups are used especially to refer to completed actions, regular actions, and situations. Compare continuous.
8) ADJ In English grammar, a simple sentence consists of one main clause. Compare compound, complex.
9) → See also simply

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

simple

sim·ple /ˈsɪmpəl/ adj sim·pler; -plest [or more ~; most ~]
1 : not hard to understand or do
• a simple task
• The solution to the problem was relatively simple.
• The answer is really quite simple.
• a simple [=straightforward] explanation
• a simple recipe
• There are three simple steps/rules to follow.
• The camera is simple to use.
• The directions seem simple enough. [=seem fairly simple]
• Just press the button. It is as simple as that. = Just press the button. It is that simple.
• Don't go into too much detail in the report. Just keep it simple and to the point.
2 : having few parts : not complex or fancy
• The engine has a simple [=basic] design.
• a simple machine
• The melody is very simple.
• She wore a simple [=plain, unadorned] black dress.
• We don't want to spend a lot of money on the party, so we're keeping it simple. [=we're not having an extravagant party]
3 always used before a noun : not special or unusual : ordinary
• simple folks
• I'm a simple farmer just trying to make a living.
• He enjoys the simple pleasure of spending time with his wife and kids after work.
• Relaxing on the beach and watching the sunset is one of life's simple pleasures.
4 always used before a noun : complete and total - used for emphasis
• I watch what I eat, but the simple truth is that I can't resist chocolate.
• The simple fact is that he did not study for the exam.
• I don't want to go for the simple reason that [=because] I'm very tired.
5 grammar of a sentence : having only one main clause and no additional clauses
• “Last summer was unusually hot” is a simple sentence.
6 old-fashioned : not very intelligent
• a mentally simple man
• She looked at me as if I were simple.
pure and simple
- see pure
the simple life
✦If you live the simple life, you do not own many things or use many modern machines and you usually live in the countryside.
• He lives in a small cabin and enjoys the simple life.

American English

British English

easiness and simplicity

A2 (Elementary)

simple

adjective

money

Coins or notes that are used to buy things, or the amount of these that one person has

/ˈmʌn.i/

پول

Example:

I counted the money carefully.

من پول را به دقت شمردم.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

money

noun (no plural)

pronunciation
The word money sounds like funny.

what you use when you buy or sell something:
How much money did you spend?
This jacket cost a lot of money.
The film made a lot of money.

word building
Money consists of coins (small round metal things) and notes (pieces of paper). This is called cash: I haven't got much cash. Can I pay by cheque? The coins that you have in your purse are called change: Have you got any change for the phone? The money somebody gives you in a shop if you pay too much is also called change: Here's your change.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

money

mon‧ey S1 W1 /ˈmʌni/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: moneie, from Latin moneta 'mint, money', from Moneta, name given to Juno, the goddess in whose temple the ancient Romans produced money]
1. what you earn by working and can use to buy things. Money can be in the form of notes and coins or cheques, and can be kept in a bank:
Don’t spend all your money on the first day of your holiday!
The repairs will cost quite a lot of money.
2. money in the form of coins or notes that you can carry around with you SYN cash:
You’ll find some money in my purse.
I didn’t have any money on me (=I was not carrying any money).
Swiss/Japanese/Turkish etc money
Don’t forget to get some Swiss money before you leave.
We can change some money at the airport (=change it into the money of another country).
3. someone’s wealth, including all the property and other things they own:
The family made their money in the woollen trade.
He had lost all his money gambling.
4. the money informal the amount of money that you earn for doing a job:
It sounds quite an interesting job, but I don’t know what the money’s like yet.
You have to work long hours and the money’s terrible!
5. pay good money for something spoken to spend a lot of money on something:
Don’t let the children jump around on the sofa. I paid good money for that.
6. put/pump/pour money into something to give money to a company or business so that it will become successful and you will earn money from it in the future:
No one’s going to put money into the company while the market is so unstable.
7. there’s money (to be made) in something spoken used to say that you can earn a lot of money from doing a particular job or type of business:
There’s a lot of money in sport these days.
Teaching can be very rewarding, but there’s no money in it.
8. I’m not made of money spoken used to say that you cannot afford something when someone asks you to pay for it.
9. have money to burn to have more money than you need, so that you spend it on unnecessary things:
Unless you’ve got money to burn, these expensive guitars are probably not for you.
10. get your money’s worth to get something worth the price that you paid:
At that price, you want to make sure you get your money’s worth.
11. be in the money informal to have a lot of money suddenly, or when you did not expect to
12. money is no object informal used to say that someone can spend as much money as they want to on something
13. for my money spoken used when giving your opinion about something to emphasize that you believe it strongly:
For my money, he’s one of the best TV comedians ever.
14. put (your) money on something to risk money on the result of a race or competition
15. I’d put (my) money on something spoken used to say that you feel sure that something will happen
16. my money’s on somebody/something (also the smart money’s on somebody/something) spoken used to say that you feel sure someone will win a race or competition, or that something will happen
17. money for old rope British English spoken money that you earn very easily by doing a job that is not difficult
18. put your money where your mouth is informal to show by your actions that you really believe what you say
19. money talks spoken used to say that people with money have power and can get what they want
20. be (right) on the money American English spoken to be completely correct or right:
You were right on the money when you said that he would have to resign.
21. marry (into) money to marry someone whose family is rich
⇨ ↑monies, ↑blood money, ↑hush money, ⇨ give somebody a (good) run for their money at ↑run²(11), ⇨ have a (good) run for your money at ↑run²(12), ⇨ throw money at something at ↑throw¹(19)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ have money I didn’t have enough money to pay for it.
▪ make/earn money She makes a little money by babysitting.
▪ spend money (on something) More money should be spent on training.
▪ cost money/cost a lot of money Good food doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.
▪ save money (=use less money) Companies fired workers to save money.
▪ make money (=make a profit) The farm was beginning to make money at last.
▪ lose money (=not make a profit, so that you then have less money) The movie didn’t attract audiences and lost money for the studio.
▪ pay money (for something) Has he paid the money he owes you?
▪ lend somebody money My dad lent me money to buy a car.
▪ borrow money They arranged to borrow money from the bank to buy a house.
▪ owe somebody money He owes me money.
▪ waste money (on something) Don’t waste your money on a computer that doesn’t have enough memory.
▪ raise money (=do something to get money for a charity, school etc) The Christmas fair raises money for the school.
▪ save up money She had saved up enough money to buy a car.
▪ give somebody their money back (also refund sb’s money) (=give money back to a customer) We regret that we are unable to refund money on tickets.
▪ money goes on something (=is spent on something) All the money went on doctor’s bills.
▪ money comes in (=is earned and received) Rob wasn’t working for a while, so we had less money coming in.
▪ money comes from something (=used to say how someone makes their money) All of Dawson’s money came from drugs.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + money
▪ good money (=a lot of money) Preston earns good money as a lawyer.
▪ big money informal (=a very large amount of money) Basketball players make big money.
▪ easy money (=money that you earn easily) For many, selling drugs seems like easy money.
▪ spending money (=an amount of money that you can spend on anything you want) We had £500 spending money saved for our holiday.
▪ pocket money/spending money British English (=a small amount of money that parents regularly give their children) How much pocket money do you get?
▪ government/taxpayers'/public money More taxpayer’s money should be spent on the railways.
■ phrases
▪ a sum of money (also an amount of money) £10,000 seemed a huge sum of money to me.
▪ be a waste of money Fancy clothes for a baby are a waste of money.
▪ be value for money British English (=used when saying that something is worth the amount of money you pay for it) The holiday was excellent value for money.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say 'gain money'. Say make money.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ money what you use to buy things, in the form of notes or coins: He spent all his money on computer equipment.
▪ cash money in the form of coins and notes: I didn’t have any cash with me.
▪ currency the money used in a particular country: The dollar gained in value against other currencies. | a single European currency
▪ change money in the form of coins of low value: Do you have any small change? | a pocketful of loose change
▪ note British English, bill American English a piece of paper money: a £20 note | a $5 bill
▪ coin a flat round piece of metal used as money: She put some coins in the parking meter. | He took a coin out of his pocket.
▪ a ten-pence/50-cent etc piece a coin worth a particular amount

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

money

money [money moneys monies] [ˈmʌni] [ˈmʌni] noun

1. uncountable what you earn by working or selling things, and use to buy things
• to borrow/save/spend/earn money
• How much money is there in my account?
• The money is much better in my new job.
• If the item is not satisfactory, you will get your money back.
• We'll need to raise more money (= collect or borrow it) next year.
• Can you lend me some money until tomorrow?

• Be careful with that — it cost a lot of money.

2. uncountable coins or paper notes
• I counted the money carefully.
• Where can I change my money into dollars?

see also funny money, paper money, ready money

3. uncountable a person's wealth including their property
• He lost all his money.

• The family made their money in the 18th century.

4. moneys or monies plural (law or old use) sums of money
• a statement of all monies paid into your account You will find other compounds ending in money at their place in the alphabet.
more at the best that money can buy at best _n., careful with money at careful, coining money at coin _v., see the colour of sb's money at colour _n., easy money at easy _adj., a fool and his money are soon parted at fool _n., it/money doesn't grow on trees at grow, a licence to print money at licence _n., not for love or/nor money at love _n., marry money at marry, expense, money, etc. is no object at object, pay good money for sthyou pays your money and you takes your choice at pay _v., pots of money at pot _n., be rolling in money/it at roll _v., give sb a (good) run for their money at run _n., time is money at time _n.
Idioms: for my money ▪ get your money's worth ▪ good money ▪ have money to burn ▪ in the money ▪ made of money ▪ make money ▪ make money hand over fist ▪ money for jam rope ▪ money is no object ▪ money talks ▪ on the money ▪ put money into something ▪ put your money on somebody ▪ put your money where your mouth is ▪ throw good money after bad ▪ throw money at something ▪ throw your money about
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French moneie, from Latin moneta ‘mint, money’, originally a title of the goddess Juno, in whose temple in Rome money was minted.
Culture:
money
The US dollar is made up of 100 cents. The Department of the Treasury prints bills (= paper money) in various denominations (= values): $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. US bills are all the same size, whatever their value, and measure about 2×6 inches/6.5×15.5 centimetres. All are green and are sometimes called greenbacks. On the front, each has a picture of a famous American. The dollar bill, for instance, shows George Washington, the first US president. An informal name for dollars is bucks, because in the early period of US history people traded the skins of bucks (= deer) and prices would sometimes be given as a number of buckskins. Buck refers to the dollar itself, and not to the bill. So although you can say ‘He earns 500 bucks a week’, you have to say ‘If I give you four quarters could you give me a dollar bill?’
The Treasury also makes US coins: pennies which are worth.01 of a dollar, nickels (.05), dimes (.10) and quarters (.25). There are also half dollars (.50) and silver dollars but these are not often seen. Pennies have a dark brown colour; all the other coins have a silver appearance.
When you write an amount in figures the dollar sign ($) goes to the left of the amount and a decimal point (.) is placed between the dollars and the cents (= hundredths of a dollar). If the amount is less than one dollar, the cent sign (¢) is put after the numbers. So you write $5, $5.62 and 62¢.
Britain’s currency is the pound sterling, written as £ before a figure. A pound consists of 100 pence, written as p with figures. Pound coins are round and gold-coloured. They have the Queen’s head on one side and one of four designs, English, Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish, on the other. The £2 coin is silver-coloured with a gold edge. Coins of lower value are the silver-coloured 50p, 20p, 10p and 5p pieces, and the copper-coloured 2p and 1p pieces. All are round, except for the 50p and 20p pieces which have seven curved sides. Coins are made at the Royal Mint. Paper notes (not bills), which have the Queen’s head on one side and a famous person, e.g. Charles Dickens, on the other, are worth £5, £10, £20 or £50.
A pound is informally called a quid, a £5 note is a fiver, a £10 note is a tenner. Scottish banknotes have their own designs. They can be used anywhere in Britain, though shops can legally refuse to accept them. To prevent people forging (= making their own) paper money, designs are complicated and difficult to copy. To check that a note is genuine, a shop assistant may hold it up to the light to see if it has a narrow silver thread running through it.
The decimal system now in use in Britain replaced the old pounds, shilling and pence, or LSD system in 1971. Formerly British money was in pounds, shillings and pence. There were 12 pence or pennies in a shilling, and 20 shillings in a pound. The old coins included the farthing (= a quarter of a penny) and the half-crown (= two shillings and sixpence). There were notes for 10 shillings, £1 and £5.
Gold guinea coins were used in the 18th century and were worth 21 shillings. Until 1971 prices were often set in guineas instead of pounds for luxury items, such as antiques and jewellery, for the fees of doctors, lawyers, etc, and at auctions, though the guinea coin had long since gone out of circulation. Some racehorses are still auctioned in guineas.
On 1 January 1999 the euro system was introduced in 11 countries of the European Union. Britain chose not to be part of this first group and no date was fixed for Britain to start using the euro. However, many British businesses have euro bank accounts so as to be able to pay for goods and be paid in euros and many shops in Britain accept payment in euros.
Thesaurus:
money noun
1. U
• The hospital is raising money for a new kidney machine.
funds • • finance • • capital • • means • |informal cash •
government/public money/funds/finance/capital/cash
have/lack the money/funds/finance/capital/means/cash (to do sth)
be short of money/funds/capital/cash
2. U
• I counted the money carefully.
cash • • change •
draw out/get out/take out/withdraw money/cash
ready money/cash (= money that you have available to spend immediately)
Money or cash? If it is important to contrast money in the form of coins and notes with money in other forms, use cash:
• Payments can be made by cheque or in cash.
¤ Payments can be made by cheque or in money.
3. U
• He lost all his money on the stock market in 2008.
wealth • • fortune • |often approving prosperity • |sometimes disapproving affluence • |literary riches •
have/possess/accumulate/acquire/inherit money/wealth/a fortune/riches
bring money/wealth/prosperity/affluence/riches
make money/a fortune (on/out of sth)
Collocations:
Finance
Income
earn money/cash/(informal) a fortune
make money/a fortune/(informal) a killing on the stock market
acquire/inherit/amass wealth/a fortune
build up funds/savings
get/receive/leave (sb) an inheritance/a legacy
live on a low wage/a fixed income/a pension
get/receive/draw/collect a pension
depend/be dependent on (BrE) benefits/(NAmE) welfare/social security
Expenditure
spend money/your savings/(informal) a fortune on…
invest/put your savings in…
throw away/waste/ (informal) shell out money on…
lose your money/inheritance/pension
use up/ (informal) wipe out all your savings
pay (in) cash
use/pay by a credit/debit card
pay by/make out a/write sb a/accept a (BrE) cheque/(US) check
change/exchange money/currency (BrE) traveller's cheques/(US) traveler's checks
give/pay/leave (sb) a deposit
Banks
have/hold/open/close/freeze a bank account/an account
credit/debit/pay sth into/take money out of your account
deposit money/funds in your account
withdraw money/cash/£30 from an ATM, etc.
(formal) make a deposit/withdrawal
find/go to/use (especially NAmE) an ATM/(BrE) a cash machine/dispenser
be in credit/in debit/in the black/in the red/overdrawn
Personal finance
manage/handle/plan/run/ (especially BrE) sort out your finances
plan/manage/work out/stick to a budget
offer/extend credit (to sb)
arrange/take out a loan/an overdraft
pay back/repay money/a loan/a debt
pay for sth in (especially BrE) instalments/(NAmE usually) installments
Financial difficulties
get into debt/financial difficulties
be short of/ (informal) be strapped for cash
run out of/owe money
face/get/ (informal) be landed with a bill for £…
can't afford the cost of…/payments/rent
fall behind with/ (especially NAmE) fall behind on the mortgage/repayments/rent
incur/run up/accumulate debts
tackle/reduce/settle your debts
Synonyms:
money
cash • change
These are all words for money in the form of coins or paper notes.
money • money in the form of coins or paper notes: ▪ I counted the money carefully. ◊ ▪ Where can I change my money into dollars? ◊ ▪ paper money ▪ ▪ (= money that is made of paper, not coins)
cash • money in the form of coins or paper notes: ▪ How much cash do you have on you? ◊ ▪ Payments can be made by cheque or ▪ in cash ▪.
money or cash?
If it is important to contrast money in the form of coins and notes and money in other forms, use cash: ▪ How much money/cash do you have on you? ◊ Payments can be made by cheque or in money. ◊ Customers are offered a discount if they pay money.
change • the money that you get back when you have paid for sth giving more money than the amount it costs; coins rather than paper money: ▪ The ticket machine doesn't give change. ◊ ▪ I don't have any ▪ small change ▪ ▪ (= coins of low value) ▪.
to draw out/get out/take out/withdraw money/cash
ready money/cash (= money that you have available to spend immediately)
Example Bank:
• All his money went on women.
• All their money was tied up in long-term investments.
• All these improvements will cost money.
• Did your parents give you pocket money when you were little?
• Government officials were siphoning off money for personal gain.
• Half the money raised was donated to charity.
• He contributed $180 000 in soft money= unregulated political donationsto the party committee.
• He felt sorry for her and took some money off her bill.
• He hoped the plan would bring in quite a bit of money.
• He made a fortune dealing on the money markets.
• He managed to persuade his friend to put up the money for the venture.
• He sank most of his money into his struggling business.
• He spent their rent money on beer.
• He squandered his money on gambling and drink.
• He started stealing as a way of making easy money.
• He stopped at the betting shop to put money on a horse.
• He thinks he can make friends by throwing his money around.
• He was charged with laundering money.
• He'll do anything for money!
• He's going to leave. I'd bet money on it.
• His prediction was right on the money.
• How much money did he earn last year?
• I don't have any money left.
• I don't know how much spending money to take on holiday.
• I don't know where all the money goes!
• I don't think they'll accept French money on the plane.
• I need to pay this money in today.
• I pay my money into the bank as soon as I get paid.
• I spent all the money on clothes.
• I'll have to get some more money from somewhere.
• I'll pay the money back next week, I promise.
• Investors were pouring money into Internet start-ups.
• Is this a good way to spend taxpayers' money?
• Money for the extension to the gallery came from the sale of old exhibits.
• Most of the money went to pay for food.
• Most of the money went to pay for the food and drink.
• She gave him $5 lunch money.
• She had two children to support and no money coming in.
• She lost a lot of money at the casino.
• She stashed the money away in the bank.
• Some of this money was funneled to secret CIA programs.
• Some people were in the street collecting money for charity.
• That painting is worth a lot of money.
• The Senate recognized the need to put more money in the pockets of dairy farmers.
• The boat trip lasts three hours, so you certainly get your money's worth.
• The bookmaker was quite happy to take his money.
• The collection box was full of coins and paper money.
• The company paid hush money to the victims to keep them quiet.
• The friends pooled their money to buy tickets.
• The hotel gives value for money.
• The manager was unwilling to refund my money.
• The money was transferred into an offshore bank account.
• The new airport terminal was built with oil money.
• The quality of public health care depends on the amount of money allocated to it.
• The smart money is on Brazil to win.
• The solution to inflation lies in the control of the money supply.
• The stallholders bank their money at the end of the day.
• The stores were very happy to take his money.
• There is big money in golf for the top players.
• These cars cost a lot of money.
• They demanded $1 million in ransom money.
• They owe lots of people money.
• They sensibly invested their prize money rather than spending it.
• They tend to throw money at problems without trying to work out the best solution.
• This money has been earmarked for public projects.
• We changed our money into dollars at the airport.
• We ran out of money and had to come home early.
• We're trying to set some money aside for a new car.
• Whenever I have a little extra money, I buy clothes.
• Where's the money for the milk?
• You could consider hiring a professional money manager.
• You might get some money off the price if it's an old model.
• an old miser who hoarded his money
• the best car that money can buy
• the large sums of money we handle in this store
• He hoped the project would make money.
• He lost all his money in the 1929 stock market crash.
• He returned the new TV to the store and got his money back.
• It has often been said that money is the root of all evil.

• The money is great in my new job.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

money / ˈmʌn.i / noun [ U ]

A1 coins or notes that are used to buy things, or the amount of these that one person has:

"How much money have you got on you?" "£10 in notes and a few coins."

We invested the money in a high-interest bank account.

I wanted to buy it but it cost too much money (= was too expensive) .

We spent so much money redecorating the house that we didn't have any left over for a holiday.

You can't pay in English money. You'll have to change some money (= buy some foreign money) at the bank.

How much money do you earn ?

He enjoyed acting but he wasn't making (= earning) much money.

Her investments haven't made (= produced as profit) much money this year.

They made their money (= became rich) in the fashion business.

He tried to persuade me to put money into the company (= invest in the company) .

We need to raise (= collect) money for a new school pool from the parents.

Try to save (= keep) some money for your holiday.

We're saving (= not spending as much) money by using volunteers.

I didn't like the job, but the money (= amount of pay) was good.

Money is tight/short (= we haven't got much money) at the moment.

I had some very expensive dental treatment recently, but it was money well spent - it'll save me problems in the future.

money in sth If you say that there is money in something, you mean that the activity will produce a profit:

There's money in sport these days.

There's money in it for you.

Word partners for money

earn / make / raise money • invest / pay / spend money • cost money • save money • borrow / lend / owe money • put money into sth • an amount / sum of money • a waste of money

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

money

/mʌni/
(monies, or moneys)

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.

1.
Money is the coins or bank notes that you use to buy things, or the sum that you have in a bank account.
A lot of the money that you pay at the cinema goes back to the film distributors...
Players should be allowed to earn money from advertising...
...discounts and money saving offers.
N-UNCOUNT

2.
Monies is used to refer to several separate sums of money that form part of a larger amount that is received or spent. (FORMAL)
We drew up a schedule of payments for the rest of the monies owed.
N-PLURAL

3.
see also blood money, pocket money

4.
If you say that someone has money to burn, you mean that they have more money than they need or that they spend their money on things that you think are unnecessary.
He was a high-earning broker with money to burn.
PHRASE: V inflects

5.
If you are in the money, you have a lot of money to spend. (INFORMAL)
If you are one of the lucky callers chosen to play, you could be in the money.
PHRASE: usu v-link PHR

6.
If you make money, you obtain money by earning it or by making a profit.
...the only bit of the firm that consistently made money.
PHRASE: V inflects

7.
If you say that you want someone to put their money where their mouth is, you want them to spend money to improve a bad situation, instead of just talking about improving it.
The government might be obliged to put its money where its mouth is to prove its commitment.
PHRASE: V inflects

8.
If you say that the smart money is on a particular person or thing, you mean that people who know a lot about it think that this person will be successful, or this thing will happen. (JOURNALISM)
With England not playing, the smart money was on the Germans...
PHRASE

9.
If you say that money talks, you mean that if someone has a lot of money, they also have a lot of power.
The formula in Hollywood is simple–money talks.
PHRASE

10.
If you say that someone is throwing money at a problem, you are critical of them for trying to improve it by spending money on it, instead of doing more thoughtful and practical things to improve it.
The Australian government’s answer to the problem has been to throw money at it.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n [disapproval]

11.
If you say that someone is throwing good money after bad, you are critical of them for trying to improve a bad situation by spending more money on it, instead of doing more thoughtful or practical things to improve it.
Further heavy intervention would be throwing good money after bad.
PHRASE: V inflects [disapproval]

12.
If you get your money’s worth, you get something which is worth the money that it costs or the effort you have put in.
The fans get their money’s worth.
PHRASE: PHR after v

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

money

mon·ey /ˈmʌni/ noun, pl mon·ies or mon·eys /ˈmʌniz/
1 [noncount] : something (such as coins or bills) used as a way to pay for goods and services and to pay people for their work
• Dinner cost a lot of money last night. = We were charged a lot of money for dinner last night.
• a sum of money
• That painting must be worth a lot of money.
• She's been making a lot of money in her new job. = (informal) She's been making big/good money in her new job.
• He earned some money last summer as a musician.
• We're trying to save enough money for a new car.
• The town is raising money for the elementary school.
• Friends would always ask her for money.
• It's an interesting idea, but there's no money in it: it'll never sell.
• The club made money [=earned money; made a profit] by selling advertisements in the newsletter.
• She knew she could make money [=earn a profit] on the deal. = She knew there was money to be made from/on the deal.
• When they take a vacation, money is no object. [=they are not concerned about the price of things] They always stay at the most expensive places.
- see also blood money, funny money, hush money, old money, paper money, pocket money, seed money, soft money, spending money smart money at ¹smart
2 [noncount] : a person's wealth : the money that a person has
• He made his money in the insurance business.
• He lost his money on foolish investments. = He threw all his money away on foolish investments.
• They decided to put all their money in the stock market.
• We didn't have much money when I was growing up.
• She comes from money. [=her family is rich]
• She married into money. [=she married a wealthy man]
- see also marry money at marry
3 monies or moneys [plural] formal : amounts of money
• Most of the project is being paid for by federal monies.
• All monies received will be deposited in a special account.
a run for your money
- see ²run
for love or/nor money
- see ¹love
for my money informal : in my opinion
• This book is, for my money, her best novel yet. [=I think this is her best novel yet]
• For my money, nothing beats a juicy peach on a hot summer day.
in the money
1 US : among the top three finishers in a race (such as a horse race)
• Whatever horse I bet on, it never finishes in the money.
2 informal : having lots of money
• They struggled for many years but now they're in the money.
made of money informal : having a lot of money : rich
• Do I look like I'm made of money?
• Stop asking your father for a bigger allowance. He's not made of money, you know!
money for jam or money for old rope Brit informal : money that is easily earned or gotten : easy money
money talks
- used to say that money has a strong influence on people's actions and decisions
• In politics, money talks. [=people and companies with a lot of money have a powerful influence in politics]
money to burn informal : a large amount of money to spend
• expensive cars for people with money to burn
on the money US informal : exactly right or accurate
• His prediction that it would rain was (right) on the money.
put (your) money on : to bet on (something or someone)
• Everyone there put their money on the underdog.
- often used to say that you feel very sure that something is true, will happen, etc.
• “Do you think he'll win?” “I'd put money on it.”
• It's going to rain tomorrow. I'd put money on it.
put your money where your mouth is informal : to give or spend money or take some action in order to do or support something that you have been talking about
• It's time for the mayor to put his money where his mouth is and increase funding for schools.
throw money around : to spend money in a foolish or careless way
• He really throws (his) money around.
throw money at : to try to solve (a problem) by spending a large amount of money on it without giving enough thought to exactly what should be done
• The flaws in our school system will never be fixed as long as the government continues to just throw money at the problem.
time is money
- used to say that a person's time is as valuable as money;
your money's worth : as much as you deserve because of the money you paid or the effort you made
• His new movie gives his fans their money's worth. [=his new movie is good and is worth the money that his fans pay to see it]
• The people who showed up for the concert certainly got their money's worth.
• He insisted on staying until the end of the show so that he could get his money's worth.

American English

British English

savings - interest and capital

A1 (Basic)

noun

career

The job or series of jobs that you do during your working life, especially if you continue to get better jobs and earn more money

/kəˈrɪr/

/kəˈrɪər/

پیشه، حرفه

Example:

My career as a teacher started forty years ago.

كار من‌ به‌ عنوان‌ معلم‌ چهل‌ سال‌ پيش‌ آغاز شد.‏

Oxford Essential Dictionary

career

noun
a job that you learn to do and then do for many years:
He is considering a career in teaching.
His career was always more important to him than his family.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

career

I. ca‧reer¹ S2 W2 /kəˈrɪə $ -ˈrɪr/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: carrière, from Old Provençal carriera 'street', from Latin carrus; ⇨ ↑car]
1. a job or profession that you have been trained for, and which you do for a long period of your life
career in
a career in journalism
a teaching career
He realized that his acting career was over.
career development/advancement/progression etc
Career prospects within the company are excellent.
a physiotherapist who wanted to make a dramatic career change by becoming an author
Nurses want an improved career structure (=better opportunities to move upwards in their jobs).
2. career soldier/teacher etc someone who intends to be a soldier, teacher etc for most of their life, not just for a particular period of time:
a career diplomat
3. the period of time in your life that you spend doing a particular activity:
She had not had a very impressive school career up till then.
My career as an English teacher didn’t last long.
Beating the defending champion has to be the highlight of my career.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ a successful career David had had a successful career in banking.
▪ a distinguished/brilliant career (=very successful) She retired last year after a distinguished career as a barrister.
▪ a glittering career (=very successful, especially in sport or acting) Winning the gold medal was the highlight of her glittering career.
▪ a promising career (=likely to be successful) She gave up a promising career in advertising in order to look after her children.
▪ a political/medical/military etc career The scandal ruined his political career.
▪ a teaching/acting/sporting career Her acting career lasted for more than 50 years.
▪ a professional career You have to be outstanding to have a professional career in music.
▪ sb’s chosen career His parents encouraged him in his chosen career as a scientist.
■ verbs
▪ have a career All my sons had careers in education.
▪ make a career It isn’t easy to make a career in journalism.
▪ pursue a career (=try to make a successful career) She left teaching to pursue a career as a psychologist.
▪ begin/start out on/start a career Jacobson started his banking career in 1990.
▪ launch/embark on a career (=start one) Rita went to New York where she launched her dancing career.
▪ build a career (=make it develop) She built her literary career by writing about crime.
▪ change career People may change careers as many as seven times in their lives.
▪ revive/resurrect your career (=make it successful again) The singer is seeking to revive his pop career.
▪ sb’s career takes off (=starts to be successful) His career took off and he started making a lot of money.
■ career + NOUN
▪ career development/advancement/progression A good job offers a programme of training and career development.
▪ career opportunities Students often know little about the career opportunities available to them.
▪ career prospects (=opportunities to get a good job or a better position) Good computer skills will improve your career prospects.
▪ a career path (=a way of making a career) There’s no fixed career path for becoming an actor.
▪ a career structure (=a system for making progress in a career) Teaching offers a clear career structure.
▪ the career ladder (=the way to higher positions in a career) Having children can disturb your progress up the career ladder.
▪ a career change/move After ten years in the job, I realized that I needed to make a career change.
▪ a career woman (=one whose job is very important to her) Career women tend to marry later.
▪ careers advice/guidance Most universities offer professional careers advice.
▪ a careers officer (=someone who gives careers advice) If you’re not sure what to do, why don’t you talk to a careers officer?
■ phrases
▪ a career in journalism/politics/teaching etc At the age of 15, he knew he wanted a career in politics.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ job noun [countable] the regular paid work that you do for an employer: a full-time job | John got a job in a car factory.
▪ work noun [uncountable] activities that you are paid for doing – used either when you work for an employer or when you work in your own business: I started work when I was 18. | He graduated from college last year and is still looking for work.
▪ profession noun [countable] a job for which you need special education and training: There are now a lot more women in the legal profession. | Many teachers are leaving the profession.
▪ occupation noun [countable] formal a job, or a type of job – often used on official documents: Please give your name, age, and occupation. | a traditionally male occupation
▪ career noun [countable] the work you do or plan to do for most of your life: I’m interested in a career in journalism.
▪ position noun [countable] formal a particular job within an organization: I am writing to apply for the position of technical assistant. | We regret that the position has already been filled. | Please state the position which you are applying for.
▪ post noun [countable] formal a job, especially an important one in a large organization: She has held the post of managing director for two years. | He applied for the post of Senior Manager.
▪ vacancy/opening noun [countable] a job that is available for someone to do: The hospital has been unable to fill the vacancy. | There are very few openings in scientific research.
▪ appointment noun [countable] an important job which someone is asked to do: He took an appointment as US trade ambassador in Geneva.
▪ posting noun [countable] a situation in which someone is sent somewhere to do a job for a period of time by the organization they work for: This was his first posting outside the UK. | an overseas posting | His next posting took him to the Ministry of Defence.
▪ trade noun [countable] a job that involves using your hands, and for which you need special training: Most of the men had worked in skilled trades such as carpentry and printing.
▪ employment noun [uncountable] the fact of having a job: The factory will provide employment for local people. | She was offered employment in the sales office.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

career

car·eer [career careers careered careering] noun, verb [kəˈrɪə(r)] [kəˈrɪr]

noun
1. the series of jobs that a person has in a particular area of work, usually involving more responsibility as time passes
• a career in politics
• a teaching career
• What made you decide on a career as a vet?
• She has been concentrating on her career.
• a change of career
• That will be a good career move (= something that will help your career).
• a career soldier/diplomat (= a professional one)

• (BrE) a careers adviser/officer (= a person whose job is to give people advice and information about jobs)

2. the period of time that you spend in your life working or doing a particular thing
• She started her career as an English teacher.
• He is playing the best tennis of his career.
• My school career was not very impressive.
Word Origin:
mid 16th cent. (denoting a road or racecourse): from French carrière, from Italian carriera, based on Latin carrus ‘wheeled vehicle’.
Thesaurus:
career noun
1. C
• a career in journalism
profession • • occupation • • vocation • • work • • employment • • job •
have/pursue (a/an) career/profession/occupation/vocation/work/employment
find (a/an) career/occupation/vocation/work/employment/job
go back/return to (a/an) career/profession/work/employment/job
2. C
• the best tennis of his career
life • • lifetime •
in/of/during sb's career/life/lifetime
sb's school career/life
a career/life/lifetime of doing sth
Collocations:
Jobs
Getting a job
look for work
look for/apply for/go for a job
get/pick up/complete/fill out/ (BrE) fill in an application (form)
send/email your (BrE) CV/(NAmE) résumé/application/application form/covering letter
be called for/have/attend an interview
offer sb a job/work/employment/promotion
find/get/land a job
employ/ (especially NAmE) hire/recruit/ (especially BrE) take on staff/workers/trainees
recruit/appoint a manager
Doing a job
arrive at/get to/leave work/the office/the factory
start/finish work/your shift
do/put in/work overtime
have/gain/get/lack/need experience/qualifications
do/get/have/receive training
learn/pick up/improve/develop (your) skills
cope with/manage/share/spread the workload
improve your/achieve a better work-life balance
have (no) job satisfaction/job security
Building a career
have a job/work/a career/a vocation
find/follow/pursue/ (especially NAmE) live (out) your vocation
enter/go into/join a profession
choose/embark on/start/begin/pursue a career
change jobs/profession/career
be/ (both especially BrE) work/go freelance
do/take on temp work/freelance work
do/be engaged in/be involved in voluntary work
Leaving your job
leave/ (especially NAmE) quit/resign from your job
give up work/your job/your career
hand in your notice/resignation
plan to/be due to retire in June/next year, etc.
take early retirement
Synonyms:
work
employment • career • profession • occupation • trade
These are all words for the work that sb does in return for payment, especially over a long period of time.
work • the job that sb does, especially in order to earn money: ▪ It's very difficult to find work at the moment.
employment • (rather formal) work, especially when it is done to earn money; the state of being employed or the situation in which people have work: ▪ Only half the people here are in paid employment.
career • the job or series of jobs that sb has in a particular area of work, usually involving more responsibility as time passes: ▪ He had a very distinguished career in the Foreign Office.
profession • a type of job that needs special training or skill, especially one that needs a high level of education: ▪ He hopes to enter the medical profession.
The profession is all the people who work in a particular profession: ▪ the legal profession. The professions are the traditional jobs that need a high level of education and training, such as being a doctor or lawyer.
occupation • (rather formal) a job or profession: ▪ Please state your name, age, and occupation.
trade • a job, especially one that involves working with your hands and requires special training and skills: ▪ Carpentry is a highly skilled trade.
in/out of work/employment
(a) full-time/part-time work/employment/career/occupation
permanent/temporary work/employment
(a) well-paid work/employment/profession/occupation
(a) low-paid work/employment/occupation
to look for/seek/find work/employment/a career/an occupation
to get/obtain/give sb/offer sb/create/generate/provide work/employment
Example Bank:
• He did a film for Hollywood to boost his flagging career.
• He had a distinguished career as a diplomat.
• He has had a somewhat chequered career.
• He made a good career for himself in football.
• Her stage career spans sixty years.
• His performance as Al in the movie was a career high.
• She achieved a lot in her chosen career.
• She had a long and prolific career as a director.
• She has spent her entire career in education.
• She pursued a successful career in medicine.
• She started her working career as a waitress.
• She was at the peak of her career when she injured herself.
• She won many awards during her acting career.
• The movie revived his flagging career.
• The profession has no clear career structure.
• a brilliant career with the Royal Ballet
• a car crash which wrecked his career
• a career break to have children
• a career in computers
• a move higher up the career ladder
• a smart career move
• the album that launched his recording career
• the first golfer to surpass $2 million in career earnings
• young actors just starting out on their careers
• After a brief career in journalism, she trained to be a teacher.
• Career women often find they do more than their fair share of domestic work.
• He had a very distinguished career in the Foreign Office.
• His career spanned four decades.
• I didn't think it was a very good career move.
• I never wanted a military career.
• It's time for a career change.
• John began his career as a psychiatric nurse.
• Kelly's career took off when she was spotted at a talent contest.
• She was on the first step of the career ladder.
• Students can get free careers advice between 6.30 and 8.30 each evening.
• The course focuses on your career development.
• a career soldier/diplomat

• career advice

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

career / kəˈrɪə r / / -ˈrɪr / noun [ C ]

B1 the job or series of jobs that you do during your working life, especially if you continue to get better jobs and earn more money:

He's hoping for a career in the police force/ as a police officer.

When he retires he will be able to look back over a brilliant career (= a working life which has been very successful) .

It helps if you can move a few rungs up the career ladder before taking time off to have a baby.

I took this new job because I felt that the career prospects were much better.

Elaine has become a real career woman/girl (= is interested in and spends most of her time on her job) .

Judith is very career -minded/-oriented (= gives a lot of attention to her job) .

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

career

/kərɪə(r)/
(careers, careering, careered)

Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.

1.
A career is the job or profession that someone does for a long period of their life.
She is now concentrating on a career as a fashion designer...
...a career in journalism.
...a political career.
N-COUNT

2.
Your career is the part of your life that you spend working.
During his career, he wrote more than fifty plays...
She began her career as a teacher.
N-COUNT

3.
Careers advice or guidance in British English, or career advice or guidance in American English, consists of information about different jobs and help with deciding what kind of job you want to do.
Get hold of the company list from your careers advisory service.
ADJ: ADJ n

4.
If a person or vehicle careers somewhere, they move fast and in an uncontrolled way.
His car careered into a river...
He went careering off down the track.
= hurtle
VERB: oft cont, V prep/adv, V prep/adv

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹ca·reer /kəˈriɚ/ noun, pl -reers [count]
1 : a job or profession that someone does for a long time
• I want to make teaching my career. = I want to have a career as a teacher. [=I want to be a teacher]
• She hopes to pursue a career in medicine.
- often used before another noun
• He was a career diplomat/soldier. [=he was a diplomat/soldier for all or most of his working life]
2 : a period of time spent in a job or profession
• My career as a waitress lasted one day.
• During his long career in advertising he won numerous awards and honors.

American English

British English

jobs - careers and professions

B1 (Intermediate)

noun

retire

To leave your job or stop working because of old age or ill health

/rɪˈtaɪr/

/rɪˈtaɪər/

بازنشسته شدن

Example:

I retired at the age of 64.

من‌ در سن‌ 4‏6‏ سالگى‌ بازنشسته‌ شدم‌.‏

Oxford Essential Dictionary

retire

verb (retires, retiring, retired )
to stop working because you are a certain age:
My grandfather retired when he was 65.

>> retired adjective:
a retired teacher

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

retire

re‧tire S2 W3 /rɪˈtaɪə $ -ˈtaɪr/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑retiree, ↑retirement; adjective: ↑retired, ↑retiring; verb: ↑retire]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Old French; Origin: tirer 'to pull']
1. WORK
a) [intransitive] to stop working, usually because you have reached a certain age:
Most people retire at 65.
He was forced to retire early because of poor health.
retire from
I retired from teaching three years ago.
her decision to retire from her position as librarian of the law society
Her drink problem has forced her to retire from public life.
retire as
He retired as a GP last year.
b) [transitive usually passive] to ask someone to stop doing their job, usually because of ill health:
He became ill and was retired early.
2. QUIET PLACE [intransitive] formal to go away to a quiet place
retire to
I retired to my room to think.
3. JURY [intransitive] when a ↑jury in a law court retires, they go away to consider whether someone is guilty or not
4. GAME/RACE [intransitive] to stop competing in a game or race because you are losing or injured:
He had to retire with a neck injury in the second half.
5. BED [intransitive] literary to go to bed
6. ARMY [intransitive] to move back from a battle after being defeated
• • •
THESAURUS
■ leave your job
▪ leave: I left my last job because the salary was so low. | Why don’t you just leave?
▪ quit to leave your job permanently because you are not happy with it: After enduring months of harassment, Mrs Collins decided to quit her job. | I’ve told them I’m quitting.
▪ resign to officially announce that you have decided to leave your job: The company director was forced to resign over the scandal.
▪ hand in your notice/resignation to write an official letter to your employer saying that you are going to leave your job on a particular date: You have to hand in your notice at least four weeks before you leave.
▪ retire to leave your job in order to stop working permanently, usually because you have reached the age when most people stop working: After forty years of working for the bank, Karl retired in May. | He had to retire because of ill health.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

retire

re·tire [retire retires retired retiring] [rɪˈtaɪə(r)] [rɪˈtaɪər] verb

FROM JOB
1. intransitive, transitive to stop doing your job, especially because you have reached a particular age or because you are ill/sick; to tell sb they must stop doing their job
• ~ (from sth) She was forced to retire early from teaching because of ill health.
• He is retiring next year after 30 years with the company.
• The company's official retiring age is 65.
• ~ to sth My dream is to retire to a villa in France.
• ~ as sth He has no plans to retire as editor of the magazine.

• ~ sb She was retired on medical grounds.

IN SPORT

2. intransitive to stop competing during a game, race, etc, usually because you are injured
• ~ (from sth) She fell badly, spraining her ankle, and had to retire.

• + adj. He retired hurt in the first five minutes of the game.

FROM/TO A PLACE

3. intransitive (formal) to leave a place, especially to go somewhere quieter or more private
• The jury retired to consider the evidence.

• ~ to sth After dinner he likes to retire to his study.

OF ARMY

4. intransitive (formal) to move back from a battle in order to organize your soldiers in a different way

GO TO BED
5. intransitive (literary) to go to bed

• I retired late that evening.

IN BASEBALL

6. transitive ~ sb to make a player or team have to stop their turn at batting
• He retired twelve batters in a row.

Word Origin:
mid 16th cent. (in the sense ‘withdraw to a place of safety or seclusion’): from French retirer, from re- ‘back’ + tirer ‘draw’.
Thesaurus:
retire verb I
• He retired after 23 years with the company.
leave • • resign • • step down • • stand down • • give/hand in your notice • |informal quit • |AmE business depart •
Opp: stay on
retire/resign/step down/stand down from a post/position
retire/resign/step down/stand down/quit/depart as director/chief executive, etc.
retire from/leave/resign from/step down from/stand down from/quit/depart a post/position
Example Bank:
• As for me, I am quite ready to retire.
• He is hoping to retire early on medical grounds.
• He recently retired as CEO of the company.
• He recently retired as head teacher of their school.
• He was medically retired at the age of 55.
• I'm hoping to retire in about five years.
• In a few years, I'll be eligible to retire.
• Most employees retire at 60.
• Mr McNeil is due to retire later this month.
• She recently retired from teaching.
• She retired from the bank last year.
• She simply couldn't afford to retire at sixty.
• She's on course to retire quite comfortably by the time she's 55.
• a newly retired couple
• he officially retired from the day-to-day operations of his company.
• She has decided to retire from international tennis.

• The company's official retiring age is 65.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

retire / rɪˈtaɪə r / / -ˈtaɪr / verb (STOP WORKING)

B1 [ I ] to leave your job or stop working because of old age or ill health:

Since retiring from the company, she has done voluntary work for a charity.

He is due to retire as chief executive next year.

[ I ] to stop taking part in a race or competition because of illness or injury:

She retired from the competition after pulling a leg muscle.

[ T often passive ] If an employer retires an employee, they make that person leave their job, usually at a time when they are near to the age at which they would normally stop working, or because they are ill:

Following the merger, he was retired with a generous pension.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

/rɪtaɪə(r)/
(retires, retiring, retired)

Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.

1.
When older people retire, they leave their job and usually stop working completely.
At the age when most people retire, he is ready to face a new career...
In 1974 he retired from the museum.
VERB: V, V from n

2.
When a sports player retires from their sport, they stop playing in competitions. When they retire from a race or a match, they stop competing in it.
I have decided to retire from Formula One racing at the end of the season...
VERB: V from n

3.
If you retire to another room or place, you go there. (FORMAL)
Eisenhower left the White House and retired to his farm in Gettysburg.
VERB: V to n

4.
When a jury in a court of law retires, the members of it leave the court in order to decide whether someone is guilty or innocent.
The jury will retire to consider its verdict today.
VERB: V

5.
When you retire, you go to bed. (FORMAL)
She retires early most nights, exhausted...
Some time after midnight, he retired to bed.
VERB: V, V to n

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

retire

re·tire /rɪˈtajɚ/ verb -tires; -tired; -tir·ing
1 a [no obj] : to stop a job or career because you have reached the age when you are not allowed to work anymore or do not need or want to work anymore
• I want to be healthy when I retire.
• She plans to retire (from her job) in two years.
• We plan to retire in/to Florida. = We plan to retire and move to Florida.
• The boxer retired undefeated.
b [+ obj] : to cause (someone, such as a military officer) to end a job or career - usually used as (be) retired
• The general was retired with honors.
2 [no obj] : to stop playing in a game, competition, etc., especially because of injury
• She had to retire during the first set because of a muscle strain.
3 [+ obj] : to take (something) out of use, service, or production
• The Navy is retiring the old battleship.
• The manufacturer plans to retire that car model in a few years.
• The team is retiring his jersey number in honor of his great career.
4 [no obj] formal : to move to a different place
• He retired to the library to study.
• Shall we retire to the parlor?
5 [no obj] literary : to go to bed
• She retired for the night.
6 [no obj] formal : to move away from action or danger : retreat
• The army was forced to retire from the battlefield.
7 [+ obj] baseball : to cause (a batter) to be out
• The pitcher retired seven batters in a row.
• She was retired on a fly ball to center field.
• He struck out Jones to retire the side. [=to end the inning by getting the final out]

American English

British English

retiring and resigning from work

B1 (Intermediate)

verb

lead

to live a particular type of life

lead a busy, normal, quiet, etc. life

/liːd/

{زندگی و ...} گذراندن

Example:

He leads a hard life.

او زندگى‌ سختى‌ را مى‌گذراند.‏

Oxford Essential Dictionary

verb (leads, leading, led /, has led)

pronunciation
The word lead usually sounds like feed or need. However, when it means a soft grey metal or the part inside a pencil, it sounds like red or said.

1 to take a person or an animal somewhere by going with them or in front of them:
He led me to the classroom.

2 to go to a place:
This path leads to the river.

3 to make something happen:
Smoking can lead to heart disease.

4 to have a particular type of life:
They lead a very busy life.

5 to be the first or the best, for example in a race or game:
Who's leading in the race?

6 to control a group of people:
The team was led by Gwen Hollis.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

lead

I. lead¹ S1 W1 /liːd/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle led /led/)
[Word Family: noun: lead, ↑leader, ↑leadership; adjective: lead, ↑leading; verb: ↑lead]
[Language: Old English; Origin: lædan]
1. TAKE SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE [intransitive and transitive] to take someone somewhere by going in front of them while they follow, or by pulling them gently
lead somebody to/into etc something
A nurse took her arm and led her to a chair.
The horses were led to safety.
lead somebody away/down etc
She was led away from the courtroom in tears.
The manager led the way through the office.
2. GO IN FRONT [intransitive and transitive] to go in front of a line of people or vehicles:
A firetruck was leading the parade.
3. BE IN CHARGE [intransitive and transitive] to be in charge of an organization, country, or team, or a group of people who are trying to do something:
He has led the party for over twenty years.
Some people say she is too old to lead the country (=be in charge of its government).
Beckham led his team to victory.
lead an investigation/inquiry/campaign
The investigation will be led by Inspector Scarfe.
They are leading a campaign to warn teenagers about the dangers of drug abuse.
lead a revolt/rebellion/coup etc
The rebellion was led by the King’s brother.
lead an attack/assault
Nelson preferred to lead the attack himself from the front.
a man who was born to lead
a communist-led strike
4. CAUSE SOMETHING TO HAPPEN [intransitive and transitive] to cause something to happen or cause someone to do something
lead to
the events that led to the start of the First World War
A degree in English could lead to a career in journalism.
lead somebody into something
Her trusting nature often led her into trouble.
lead somebody to do something
What led him to kill his wife?
lead to somebody doing something
His actions could lead to him losing his job.
5. CAUSE SOMEBODY TO BELIEVE SOMETHING [transitive] to make someone believe something, especially something that is not true
lead somebody to believe/expect/understand something
He had led everyone to believe that his family was very wealthy.
The hotel was terrible, and not at all what we had been led to expect.
Our research led us to the conclusion that the present system is unfair.
6. INFLUENCE [transitive] to influence someone to make them do something that is wrong
lead somebody into something
His brother led him into a life of crime.
He’s not a bad boy. He’s just easily led (=it is easy for other people to persuade him to do things that he should not do).
7. BE MORE SUCCESSFUL [transitive] to be more successful than other people, companies, or countries in a particular activity
lead the world/market/pack/field
US companies lead the world in biotechnology.
lead the way (=be the first to do something, and show other people how to do it)
The Swedes have led the way in data protection. ⇨ ↑leading¹(1)
8. BE WINNING [intransitive and transitive] to be winning a game, competition etc OPP lose:
At half-time, Brazil led 1–0.
With 15 laps to go, Schumacher led the race.
The polls showed Clinton leading Bush 55 percent to 34 percent.
lead by ten points/two goals etc
Nadal was leading by two sets.
9. PATH/DOOR ETC [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] used to say where a path, wire etc goes or what place is on the other side of a door
lead to/towards
The path led down to a small lake.
lead from/out of
the major artery leading from the heart
lead into
the door leading into the hallway
lead somebody to/into something
The riverside path leads visitors to a small chapel.
10. LIFE [transitive] if you lead a particular kind of life, that is what your life is like
lead a normal/quiet/busy etc life
If the operation succeeds, Carly will be able to lead a normal life.
He has led a charmed life (=been very fortunate).
lead a life of luxury/poverty etc
lead the life of a ...
She now leads the life of a recluse.
lead a double life (=deceive people by keeping different parts of your life separate and not letting anyone know the whole truth)
Joe had been leading a double life, seeing an ex-model while his wife believed he was on business.
They lead a nomadic existence.
11. DISCUSSION ETC [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to control the way a discussion, conversation etc develops:
I tried to lead the conversation back to the subject of money.
12. lead somebody up the garden path informal to deliberately deceive someone
13. lead somebody astray
a) to encourage someone to do bad or immoral things which they would not normally do
b) to make someone believe something that is not true
14. lead nowhere/not lead anywhere to not produce any useful result:
So far police investigations seem to have led nowhere.
15. lead by example to show the people you are in charge of what you want them to do by doing it yourself:
The best managers lead by example.
16. lead somebody by the nose to influence someone so much that you can completely control everything that they do:
Politicians think they can easily lead people by the nose.
17. this/that leads (me) to something used to introduce a new subject that is connected to the previous one:
That leads me to my final point. Where are we going to get the money?
18. somebody has their own life to lead used to say that someone wants to be able to live their life independently, without having to do things that other people want them to do
19. lead somebody a merry old dance/a right old dance British English to cause a lot of problems or worries for someone
20. market-led/export-led etc most influenced by the market, by ↑exports etc:
an export-led economic recovery
21. lead the eye if a picture, view etc leads the eye in a particular direction, it makes you look in that direction:
marble columns that lead the eye upward
22. CARD GAME [intransitive and transitive] to play a particular card as your first card in one part of a card game
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ lead to take a person or animal somewhere by going in front of them while they follow, or by pulling them gently: Rachel led Jo into the kitchen. | She was leading a horse, which seemed to have a bad leg.
▪ take to take someone somewhere with you when you have the transport, know the way, are paying etc: I took her to see a film. | Matt’s taking me in his car.
▪ guide to take someone through or to a place you know, showing them the way: Ali guided us through the streets to his house on the edge of the town.
▪ show to take someone to a place such as a table in a restaurant or a hotel room and leave them there: A waitress showed us to our table. | We were shown to our seats near the front of the theatre.
▪ point to show someone which direction to go using your hand or a sign: The sign back there pointed this way.
▪ escort to take someone somewhere, protecting them, guarding them, or showing them the way: He was escorted from the court by police. | The President’s car will be escorted by a military convoy.
▪ usher to show someone the way to a room or building nearby, usually as part of your job: His housekeeper ushered us into the living room.
▪ shepherd to carefully take someone somewhere – used especially about a group of people: The police shepherded thousands of people to safety in the cathedral.
▪ direct formal to tell someone where to go or how to get somewhere: He directed us to a cafe a few blocks away. | Can you direct me to the station?
lead off phrasal verb
1. to start a meeting, discussion, performance etc by saying or doing something:
I’d like to lead off by thanking Rick for coming.
lead off with
The French team led off with two quick goals in the first five minutes.
lead something ↔ off
Hal led the evening off with some folk songs.
2. lead off (something) if a road, room etc leads off a place, you can go directly from that place along that road, into that room etc
lead off from something
He pointed down a street leading off from the square.
a large room, with doors leading off it in all directions
3. to be the first player to try to hit the ball in an ↑inning (=period of play) in a game of baseball
lead somebody on phrasal verb
to deceive someone, especially to make them think you love them:
He thought she loved him, but in fact she was just leading him on.
lead on to something (also lead onto something) phrasal verb especially British English
to cause something to develop or become possible at a later time:
Alan Turing’s work led onto the development of modern computers.
lead with something phrasal verb
1. if a newspaper or television programme leads with a particular story, that story is the main one:
The Washington Post leads with the latest news from Israel.
2. to use a particular hand to begin an attack in ↑boxing, or a particular foot to begin a dance:
Adam led with his left and punched his opponent on the jaw.
lead up to something phrasal verb [not in passive]
1. if a series of events or a period of time leads up to an event, it comes before it or causes it:
the weeks that led up to her death
the events leading up to his dismissal
2. to gradually introduce an embarrassing, upsetting, or surprising subject into a conversation:
She had already guessed what he was leading up to.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

lead

▪ I. lead 1 [lead leads led leading] verb, noun [liːd] [liːd]

see also lead²

verb (led, led [led] ; [led] )

SHOW THE WAY
1. intransitive, transitive to go with or in front of a person or an animal to show the way or to make them go in the right direction
Syn: guide
• If you lead, I'll follow.
• ~ sb/sth + adv./prep. He led us out into the grounds.
• The receptionist led the way to the boardroom.
• She led the horse back into the stable.

• (figurative) I tried to lead the discussion back to the main issue.

CONNECT TWO THINGS

2. intransitive ~ from/to sth (to/from sth) to connect one object or place to another
• the pipe leading from the top of the water tank

• The wire led to a speaker.

OF ROAD/PATH/DOOR

3. intransitive, transitive to go in a particular direction or to a particular place
• + adv./prep. A path led up the hill.
• Which door leads to the yard?

• ~ sb + adv./prep. The track led us through a wood.

CAUSE

4. intransitive ~ to sth to have sth as a result
Syn: result in
• Eating too much sugar can lead to health problems.

• A reward was offered for information leading to an arrest.

5. transitive to be the reason why sb does or thinks sth
• ~ sb (to sth) What led you to this conclusion?
• He's too easily led (= easily persuaded to do or think sth).
• ~ sb to do sth This has led scientists to speculate on the existence of other galaxies.

• The situation is far worse than we had been led to believe.

LIFE

6. transitive ~ sth to have a particular type of life

• to lead a quiet life/a life of luxury/a miserable existence

BE BEST/FIRST

7. transitive, intransitive to be the best at sth; to be in first place
• ~ (sb/sth) (in sth) The department led the world in cancer research.
• We lead the way in space technology.

• ~ (sb/sth) by sth The champion is leading (her nearest rival) by 18 seconds.

BE IN CONTROL

8. transitive, intransitive ~ (sth) to be in control of sth; to be the leader of sth
• to lead an expedition
• to lead a discussion

• Who will lead the party in the next election?

IN CARD GAMES

9. intransitive, transitive to play first; to play sth as your first card
• It's your turn to lead.
• ~ sth to lead the ten of clubs
Syn: mislead, see the blind leading the blind at blind _adj., you can lead/take a horse to water, but you can't make it drink at horse _n., lead/live the life of Riley at life, one thing leads to another at thing
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
Old English lǣdan Germanic Dutch leiden German leiten load lode

Thesaurus:
lead verb
1. T, I
• The survivors were led to safety.
take • • escort • • show • • walk • • guide • • usher • |formal accompany •
Opp: follow
lead/take/escort/show/walk/guide/usher/accompany sb to/out of/into sth
lead/take/escort/walk/guide/usher/accompany sb there/somewhere
lead/take/escort/show/walk/guide sb round/around
lead/show the way
2. I, T (always used with an adverb or preposition)
• A path leads to the beach.
go • • continue • • reach • • stretch • • extend •
lead/go/continue/reach/stretch/extend beyond/across sth
lead/go/continue/reach/stretch/extend from sth to sth
3. T
• What led you to this conclusion?
prompt • • make • • motivate • |formal induce • • predispose •
lead/predispose sb to sth
lead/prompt/motivate/induce/predispose sb to do sth
make sb do sth
4. I, T
• The champion is leading by 18 seconds.
• They lead the world in cancer research.
be ahead of sb • • leave sb/sth behind • • get ahead • • overtake • • pass • |written, especially business outpace •
Opp: trail
lead/be ahead of sb/leave sb behind/get ahead/overtake in sth
lead/be ahead of sb/overtake a rival
5. T, I
• He led an expedition to the North Pole.
head • • chair • • captain • |formal preside • |especially journalism spearhead •
lead/head/captain a team
lead/head a (political) party/the government
lead/head/chair/preside over a/an commission/committee/inquiry
Head or lead? A person who heads sth has the official position of being the head of it. A person who leads sth may also have an official position, but the verb lead emphasizes their leadership qualities. An individual usually heads sth, but a group of people can lead sth.
Language Bank:
cause
X causes Y
▪ Childhood obesity can cause ▪ / lead to ▪ long-term health problems.
▪ Changes in lifestyle and diet over the last twenty years have caused ▪ / led to ▪ / resulted in ▪ a sharp increase in childhood obesity.
▪ Several factors, including changes in diet and lifestyle, have contributed to ▪ the increase in childhood obesity.
▪ Research suggests that fast food and soft drinks directly contribute to ▪ childhood obesity.
▪ Genetics, lifestyle and diet are ▪ all important factors ▪ in cases of childhood obesity.
▪ Even small changes in lifestyle and diet can bring about ▪ significant weight loss.
Language Banks at because of, consequently, therefore
Synonyms:
take
lead • escort • drive • show • walk • guide • usher • direct
These words all mean to go with sb from one place to another.
take • to go with sb from one place to another, for example in order to show them sth or to show them the way to a place: ▪ It's too far to walk— I'll take you by car.
lead • to go with or go in front of sb in order to show them the way or to make them go in the right direction: ▪ Firefighters led the survivors to safety.
escort • to go with sb in order to protect or guard them or to show them the way: ▪ The president arrived, escorted by twelve bodyguards.
drive • to take sb somewhere in a car, taxi, etc: ▪ My mother drove us to the airport.
show • to take sb to a particular place, in the right direction, or along the correct route: ▪ The attendant showed us to our seats.
walk • to go somewhere with sb on foot, especially in order to make sure that they get there safely; to take an animal, especially a dog, for a walk or make an animal walk somewhere: ▪ He always walked her home. ◊ ▪ Have you walked the dog yet today?
guide • to show sb the way to a place, often by going with them; to show sb a place that you know well: ▪ She guided us through the busy streets. ◊ ▪ We were guided around the museums.
usher • (rather formal) to politely take or show sb where they should go, especially within a building: ▪ She ushered her guests to their seats.
direct • (rather formal) to tell or show sb how to get somewhere or where to go: ▪ A young woman directed them to the station.
to take/lead/escort/drive/show/walk/guide/usher/direct sb to/out of/into sth
to take/lead/escort/drive/show/walk/guide sb around/round
to take/lead/escort/drive/walk sb home
to take/lead/escort/guide sb to safety
to lead/show the way
Example Bank:
• ‘Lead on!’ said Arnold.
• An old track led back through the wood.
• Business success does not automatically lead to financial success.
• Discussion of a client's tax affairs will lead naturally into consideration of investment options.
• Five people helping to lead a convoy of aid are feared dead.
• I tried to lead as normal a life as possible.
• Industrialization inevitably led to the expansion of the urban working class.
• Let me lead the way.
• Often there are discoveries which lead nowhere.
• She led them along a dark corridor to a small room.
• Some children are easily led.
• Such actions would most likely lead to the decline of rural communities.
• Sugar and fat can easily lead to obesity.
• Sugar and fat can more easily lead to obesity than some other foods.
• The carbon tax might well lead to a doubling of prices for fossil fuels.
• The gardens lead directly onto a beach.
• The glass doors lead out onto a rooftop garden.
• The use of soft drugs does not necessarily lead to a progression to hard drugs.
• These measures in turn led to an increased opportunity for independent music production.
• Worrying about your weight is more likely to lead to comforting yourself with a piece of chocolate.
• Worrying about your weight is more likely to lead to low self-esteem.
• You lead the way and we'll follow.
• a path leading from the village to the old church
• the events that led eventually to war
• Detective Inspector Adrian Eakins, who is leading the hunt for the killer, has called a press conference.
• Disconnect the pipe leading from the top of the water tank.
• Firefighters led the survivors to safety.
• He led the first expedition to the North Pole.
• He led the race for eight laps until his engine blew.
• If you lead, I'll follow.
• She is leading her nearest rival by 18 seconds.
• The campaign for the ban had been led by Greenpeace and the World Wide Fund for Nature.
• The firm's solid construction standards still lead the field.
• The project is run by a team of experts led by Andrew Hall.
• The situation is far worse than we had been led to believe.
• This has led scientists to speculate on the existence life on other planets.
• Top management should be seen to lead by example.
• What we found leads us to suspect that more people may be involved.
• Who will lead the party into the next election?
Idioms: lead from the front ▪ lead nowhere ▪ lead somebody a dance ▪ lead somebody by the nose ▪ lead somebody up the garden path

Derived: lead off ▪ lead off something ▪ lead somebody on ▪ lead something off ▪ lead up to something ▪ lead with something

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

lead / liːd / verb [ I or T ] ( led , led / led / ) (CONTROL)

B2 to control a group of people, a country, or a situation:

I think we've chosen the right person to lead the expedition.

I've asked Gemma to lead the discussion.

Who will be leading the inquiry into the accident?

lead / liːd / verb [ I or T ] ( led , led / led / ) (BE WINNING)

B2 (especially in sport or other competitions) to be in front, to be first, or to be winning:

After 30 minutes the challengers were leading by two goals.

With two laps to go Ngomo led by less than two seconds.

The Lions are leading the Hawks 28–9.

lead / liːd / verb [ T ] ( led , led / led / ) (INFLUENCE)

C2 to cause someone to do something, especially something bad:

[ + to infinitive ] The brochure led me to believe that the price included home delivery.

It's worrying that such a prominent politician is so easily led.

He was a weak man, led astray by ambition.

lead / liːd / verb ( led , led / led / ) (SHOW WAY)

B1 [ I ] to show the way to a group of people, animals, vehicles, etc. by going in front of them:

I don't know the way, so you'd better lead.

If you lead in the jeep, we'll follow behind on the horses.

[ T ] To lead a group of moving people or vehicles is to walk or drive in front of them:

The local youth band will lead the parade this weekend.

A large black hearse led the funeral procession.

B1 [ T usually + adv/prep ] to take someone somewhere, by going with them:

She led them down the hall.

The waiter led us to our table.

Our guide led us through the mountains.

B1 [ T usually + adv/prep ] to take hold of a person or an animal, or of something fastened to them, and take them somewhere:

She took the child by the hand and led him upstairs to bed.

He led the horse out of the stable.

lead the way to show the way by going in front:

You've been there before - why don't you lead the way?

to make more progress than other people in the development of something:

The company has been leading the way in network applications for several years.

lead / liːd / verb [ I or T , usually + adv/prep ] ( led , led / led / ) (DIRECTION)

B2 (especially of roads, paths, doors, signs, information, etc.) to go in a particular direction or have a particular result, or to allow or cause this:

There's a track that leads directly to the reservoir.

The French windows lead out onto a wide, shady terrace.

A narrow trail of blood led directly into the cave.

This information led the police to a house near the harbour.

lead / liːd / verb ( led , led / led / ) (LIVE)

lead a busy, normal, quiet, etc. life B2 to live a particular type of life:

He was able to lead a normal life, despite the illness.

We certainly don't lead a life of luxury but we're not poor either.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

lead

I BEING AHEAD OR TAKING SOMEONE SOMEWHERE
♦
leads, leading, led
(Pronounced [li͟ːd] in lead 1, and [le̱d] in lead 2.)
1) VERB If you lead a group of moving people, you walk or ride in front of them.
  [V n] John Major and the Duke of Edinburgh led the mourners...
  [V n prep/adv] He walks with a stick but still leads his soldiers into battle...
  Tom was leading, a rifle slung over his back.
2) VERB If you lead someone to a particular place or thing, you take them there.
  [V n prep/adv] He took Dickon by the hand to lead him into the house...
  [V n prep/adv] She confessed to the killing and led police to his remains...
  [V n] Leading the horse, Evandar walked to the door.
3) VERB If a road, gate, or door leads somewhere, you can get there by following the road or going through the gate or door.
  [V prep/adv] ...the doors that led to the yard.
  [V prep/adv] ...a short roadway leading to the car park...
  [V prep/adv] Hundreds of people are said to have blocked a main highway leading north.
4) VERB If you are leading at a particular point in a race or competition, you are winning at that point.
  He's leading in the presidential race...
  [V by amount] So far Fischer leads by five wins to two...
  [V n] Aston Villa last led the League in March 1990.
5) N-SING: the N, oft in/into the N If you have the lead or are in the lead in a race or competition, you are winning.
  England took the lead after 31 minutes with a goal by Peter Nail...
  Labour are still in the lead in the opinion polls.
6) N-SING: with supp, oft N over n Someone's lead over a competitor at a particular point in a race or competition is the distance, amount of time, or number of points by which they are ahead of them.
  ...a commanding lead for the opposition is clearly emerging throughout the country.
  His goal gave Forest a two-goal lead against Southampton...
  Sainz now has a lead of 28 points.
7) VERB If one company or country leads others in a particular activity such as scientific research or business, it is more successful or advanced than they are in that activity.
  [V n] When it comes to pop music we not only lead Europe, we lead the world.
  [V n in n] ...foodstores such as Marks & Spencer, which led the market in microwavable meals.
8) VERB If you lead a group of people, an organization, or an activity, you are in control or in charge of the people or the activity.
  [V n] He led the country between 1949 and 1984...
  [V n] Mr Mendes was leading a campaign to save Brazil's rainforest from exploitation.
9) N-COUNT: usu supp N If you give a lead, you do something new or develop new ideas or methods that other people consider to be a good example or model to follow.
  ...the need for the president to give a moral lead...
  The American and Japanese navies took the lead in the development of naval aviation...
  Over the next 150 years, many others followed his lead.
10) VERB You can use lead when you are saying what kind of life someone has. For example, if you lead a busy life, your life is busy.
  [V n] She led a normal, happy life with her sister and brother...
  [V n] Most of the women in here are not people who have led a life of crime.
11) VERB If something leads to a situation or event, usually an unpleasant one, it begins a process which causes that situation or event to happen.
  [V to n] Ethnic tensions among the republics could lead to civil war...
  [V to n] He warned yesterday that a pay rise for teachers would lead to job cuts.
12) VERB If something leads you to do something, it influences or affects you in such a way that you do it.
  [V n to-inf] His abhorrence of racism led him to write The Algiers Motel Incident...
  [V n to-inf] What was it ultimately that led you to leave Sarajevo for Zagreb?
13) VERB If you say that someone or something led you to think something, you mean that they caused you to think it, although it was not true or did not happen.
  [V n to-inf] Mother had led me to believe the new baby was a kind of present for me...
  [V n to-inf] It was not as straightforward as we were led to believe.
14) VERB If you lead a conversation or discussion, you control the way that it develops so that you can introduce a particular subject.
  [V n adv/prep] After a while I led the conversation around to her job...
  [V n] He planned to lead the conversation and keep Matt from changing the subject.
15) VERB You can say that one point or topic in a discussion or piece of writing leads you to another in order to introduce a new point or topic that is linked with the previous one.
  [V n to n] Well, I think that leads me to the real point.
  Syn:
  bring
16) N-COUNT A lead is a piece of information or an idea which may help people to discover the facts in a situation where many facts are not known, for example in the investigation of a crime or in a scientific experiment.
  The inquiry team is also following up possible leads after receiving 400 calls from the public.
17) N-COUNT The lead in a play, film, or show is the most important part in it. The person who plays this part can also be called the lead.
  Nina Ananiashvili and Alexei Fadeyechev from the Bolshoi Ballet dance the leads...
  The leads are Jack Hawkins and Glynis Johns.
18) N-COUNT A dog's lead is a long, thin chain or piece of leather which you attach to the dog's collar so that you can control the dog. [mainly BRIT]
  An older man came out with a little dog on a lead.
  Syn:
  leash(in AM, use leash)
19) N-COUNT A lead in a piece of equipment is a piece of wire covered in plastic which supplies electricity to the equipment or carries it from one part of the equipment to another.
20) N-SING: oft N n The lead story or lead in a newspaper or on the television or radio news is the most important story.
  The Turkish situation makes the lead in tomorrow's Guardian...
  Cossiga's reaction is the lead story in the Italian press.
21) → See also leading, -led
to lead someone astray → see astray
one thing led to another → see thing
to lead the way → see way
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - lead off
  - lead on
  - lead on to
  - lead up toII SUBSTANCES
leads
(Pronounced [li͟ːd] in lead 1, and [le̱d] in lead 2.)
1) N-UNCOUNT Lead is a soft, grey, heavy metal.
  ...drinking water supplied by old-fashioned lead pipes.
2) N-UNCOUNT Lead is sometimes used to refer to bullets. [INFORMAL]
  Eventually Bogart pumps him full of lead.
  Syn:
  bullets
3) N-COUNT The lead in a pencil is the centre part of it which makes a mark on paper.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹lead /ˈliːd/ verb leads; led /ˈlɛd/; lead·ing
1 a : to guide someone to a place especially by going in front

[no obj]

• You lead and we'll follow right behind you.

[+ obj]

• He led [=took] me into a room in the back of the house.
• You lead us and we'll follow right behind you.
- often + to
• The teacher led the child by the hand to his seat. = The teacher took the child's hand and led him to his seat.
• Our hostess led us to the dinner table.
- often used as (be) led
• The passengers were led onto/aboard the ship by the steward.
• The prisoner was led off to jail [=was taken to jail] in handcuffs.
- often used figuratively
• I gradually led the interview around/back to the subject of his failed marriage.
• He says that he will follow the evidence wherever it leads (him).
• This leads me to my next point, which is that the building needs a new roof.
• The painting's composition leads the/your eye to the figures in the foreground. [=causes you to look at the figures in the foreground]
b [+ obj] : to go or be at the front part of (something)
• The veterans will lead a parade down Main Street.
• lead a march
2 [no obj] : to lie or go in a specified direction
• The path leads uphill.
• This road doesn't lead to the village as we thought it did.
• a set of stairs that leads down to the basement
• There was a path leading (off) from the meadow into the woods.
- often used figuratively
• She realized that their relationship would never lead to marriage.
• The investigation into the murder was leading nowhere. [=the investigation was not solving the crime]
3 : to guide the actions of a person or group : to be in charge of a person, group, activity, etc.

[no obj]

• We need to elect someone who can lead.
• bosses who lead by example [=who show employees how they should act by acting that way themselves]

[+ obj]

• She leads her employees by setting a good example for them.
• She led a successful boycott of the store.
• lead an expedition
• A visiting professor will be leading the seminar.
• lead [=direct] an orchestra
• She led the children in a song. [=she sang a song and the children sang with her]
4 [+ obj] : to cause (a person, group, etc.) to do something or to follow some course of action
• Her interest in art led her into the field of art history.
- usually followed by to or to + verb
• His volunteer work in the hospital led him to a career in nursing. = His volunteer work in the hospital led [=inspired] him to become a nurse.
• Her experience with cancer led her to consider writing a book on the subject.
• The evidence leads me to believe [=makes me believe] that this disease is curable.
• We've been led to believe that the labels on food items disclose all ingredients, but it's becoming clear that this is not the case.
• I had been led to expect that someone would meet me at the airport, but no one came.
• He led me to understand [=he told me or caused me to think] that the deadline was January 7.
5 : to be first, best, or ahead in a race or competition

[no obj]

• the team that is currently leading in the pennant race
• At the end of the fourth inning, the Red Sox led by two runs.

[+ obj]

• lead a race
• They led their opponents by 20 points at the end of the third quarter.
• the team that is leading the league [=the team that is in first place]
• a batter who leads the league in home runs [=who has hit more home runs than any other batter]
• a runner who is leading the pack/field [=a runner who is ahead of the group of other runners]
- often used figuratively
• Their company leads the world [=is the most successful company in the world] in developing new technology to assist people with disabilities.
6 [+ obj] : to go through (life) in a certain way : to have (a specified kind of life)
• They chose to lead [=live] a quiet life.
• He leads a peaceful existence.
• It turned out that he had been leading a double life. [=deceiving people about his life, not telling the whole truth about his life]
• He has always led a charmed life. [=he has always been lucky]
• She needs to lead her own life. [=she needs to make her own decisions about her life]
7 : to begin play in a card game with (a certain card or kind of card)

[+ obj]

• lead trumps
• led a spade

[no obj]

• lead with a spade
8 [no obj] : to guide a dance partner through the steps of a dance
• I don't know this dance, so I'd prefer it if you lead.
9 [+ obj] law : to ask (a witness) a question in a way that suggests what the answer should be : to ask (a witness) a leading question
• The judge ruled that the lawyer was leading the witness.
lead off [phrasal verb] lead off or lead (something) off or lead off (something)
1 : to start something (such as an activity or performance) in a specified way
• She led off [=started, kicked off] the presentation with a brief overview of the project.
• She led off [=began] with a brief overview of the project.
2 baseball : to be the first batter in an inning
• He led off with a walk. [=he was the first batter in his team's half of the inning and he was walked]
• He led off the inning with a home run.
- see also leadoff
lead on [phrasal verb] lead (someone) on : to cause (someone) to wrongly continue believing or doing something
• She was devastated when she found out that he didn't really love her, and had only been leading her on. [=he had been leading her to believe that he loved her]
lead someone a merry chase US or Brit lead someone a (merry) dance old-fashioned : to cause a series of troubles or worries for (someone)
• He led me a merry chase before I finally got him to agree to a meeting.
lead someone (around) by the nose
- see ¹nose
lead someone down/up the garden path informal : to deceive someone : to cause someone to go, think, or proceed wrongly
• He believes the average consumer is being led down the garden path by the promises in advertisements.
lead the way : to be the first person to go somewhere
• You lead the way, and we'll follow.
- often used figuratively
• Their company led the way in developing this technology. [=was the first to have success developing the technology]
lead to [phrasal verb] lead to (something) : to result in (something)
• a course of study leading to a degree in agriculture
• Her investigations ultimately led to the discovery of the missing documents.
• His volunteer work in the hospital led to a career in nursing. = His volunteer work in the hospital led to him becoming a nurse.
- see also ¹lead 1a, 4 (above)
lead up to [phrasal verb] lead up to (something)
1 : to occur in the time that comes before (something)
• Many voters were still undecided in the days leading up to [=approaching] the election.
2 : to come before and help to cause (something)
• There was a series of errors leading up to the accident.
3 : to come before and help to introduce (something)
• a chapter leading up to the main topic of the book
• I had no idea what he was leading up to when he started talking about his father.
lead with [phrasal verb] lead with (something)
1 : to begin something (such as a story or speech) with (something specified)
• The newspaper story led [=opened, began] with a long report on the funeral.
2 : to begin a series of punches in boxing with (a punch thrown by a specified hand)
• The champion led with a left to the body, followed up quickly with a right to the jaw.
the blind leading the blind
- see ¹blind

American English

British English

life and living

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

lead

verb

the cradle of sth

the place where something started

مهد، خاستگاه‌

Example:

a cradle of civilization

مهد تمدن‌

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

the cradle of something formal the place where something important began:
Athens is often regarded as the cradle of democracy.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

usually singular ~ of sth the place where sth important began

• Greece, the cradle of Western civilization

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

the cradle of sth literary

the place where something started:

Fossil records indicate that Africa was the cradle of early human evolution.

the cradle of civilization

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

4) N-COUNT: usu sing, the N of n A place that is referred to as the cradle of something is the place where it began.

Mali is the cradle of some of Africa's richest civilizations.
...New York, the cradle of capitalism.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

2 formal : the place where something begins - usually singular; usually + of
• the cradle of civilization/liberty

calm

peaceful, quiet, and without worry

/kɑːm/

آرام، متین

Example:

The sea is calm tonight.

امشب‌ دريا آرام‌ است‌.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

adjective (calmer, calmest)

pronunciation
The word calm sounds like arm, because we don't say the letter l in this word.

1 quiet, and not excited or afraid:
Try to keep calm – there's no danger.

2 without big waves:
a calm sea

3 without much wind:
calm weather

>> calmly adverb:
He spoke calmly about the accident.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

calm

I. calm¹ S3 W3 /kɑːm $ kɑːm, kɑːlm/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative calmer, superlative calmest)
[Word Family: noun: ↑calm, ↑calmness; verb: ↑calm; adverb: ↑calmly; adjective: ↑calm]
1. relaxed and quiet, not angry, nervous, or upset:
Glen was calm and composed at the funeral.
remain/stay/keep calm
I tried to stay calm and just ignore him.
2. if a place, period of time, or situation is calm, there is less activity, trouble etc than there sometimes is, or than there has been recently:
The financial markets are calm at the moment.
The streets are calm again after last night’s disturbances.
3. a sea, lake etc that is calm is smooth or has only gentle waves:
The seas were dead calm.
—calmly adverb
—calmness noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ calm not getting angry, nervous, or upset, even in a difficult situation: We’ll talk about this later when you’re feeling calmer. | Everyone praised Douglas for the calm way in which he handled the situation.
▪ relaxed not worried about anything, especially so that people feel comfortable: Looking relaxed and confident, the president answered questions from the press. | There was a relaxed atmosphere.
▪ chilled-out (also chilled) informal very relaxed and not worried – used especially by young people: I’m much more chilled-out about the whole thing this year.
▪ laid-back informal someone who is laid-back is always relaxed and never seems to get worried or annoyed about anything: I like his laid-back attitude to life. | My parents are pretty laid-back and don’t mind me staying out late.
▪ mellow informal relaxed, friendly, and happy, especially after drinking alcohol: After a few drinks, everyone was pretty mellow.
▪ cool informal staying calm and not showing your emotions, especially when other people are getting excited or angry: He is the kind of player who always manages to stay cool, even under pressure. | She was as cool as a cucumber (=very cool).
▪ keep your head to manage to stay calm and behave in a sensible way in a difficult or frightening situation: In this job you need to be good at keeping your head in a crisis.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

calm

calm [calm calms calmed calming calmer calmest] adjective, verb, noun [kɑːm] [kɑːm]

adjective (calm·er, calm·est)
1. not excited, nervous or upset
• It is important to keep calm in an emergency.
• Try to remain calm.
• Her voice was surprisingly calm.

• The city is calm again (= free from trouble and fighting) after yesterday's riots.

2. (of the sea) without large waves

3. (of the weather) without wind
• a calm, cloudless day
Word Origin:
late Middle English: via one of the Romance languages from Greek kauma ‘heat (of the day)’.
Thesaurus:
calm adj.
• Keep calm in an emergency.
cool • • relaxed • • placid • • composed • • controlled • • unperturbed • • unfazed • • easy-going • • patient • |informal laid-back • |sometimes disapproving casual •
Opp: agitated, Opp: excitable
calm/cool/easy-going/patient/laid-back/casual about sth
a/an calm/cool/relaxed/controlled/easy-going/laid-back/casual manner
a calm/cool/relaxed/placid/controlled voice
Calm, cool or relaxed? Relaxed describes how you feel about sth. Cool is used more to describe how sb behaves: they don't let their feelings affect their behaviour. Calm can describe feelings or behaviour.
Thesaurus:
calm noun
1. U, sing.
• in the calm of the evening
peace • • quiet • • hush • • silence • |especially BrE tranquillity • |AmE usually tranquility •
absolute/total/relative calm/peace/quiet/silence/tranquillity
a sudden calm/quiet/hush/silence
break the calm/peace/quiet/silence
2. U, sing.
• The police appealed for calm.
peace • • order •
an uneasy calm/peace
relative/comparative calm/peace
calm/peace/order prevails
Example Bank:
• Her voice was firm and perfectly calm.
• I may have appeared calm but I certainly didn't feel it.
• Keep the patient calm.
• She seemed pretty calm about it.
• Sit down and keep calm!
• The pain had receded and he felt curiously calm.
• The pilot urged the passengers to remain calm.
• The sea was dead calm.
• The voice sounded outwardly calm.
• You seem remarkably calm.
• flat calm conditions
• He spoke in a reassuringly calm voice.
• She handled the situation with calm assurance.
• Strangely, she felt quite calm about it.
• The city is calm again after yesterday's riots.
• The golden rule of first aid is to stay calm.
• The oars dipped in the calm water.
• The talks took place in a calm and serious atmosphere.
Idiom: calm before the storm
Derived Words: calmly ▪ calmness

Derived: calm down ▪ calm somebody down

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

calm / kɑːm / adjective

B1 peaceful, quiet, and without worry:

He has a very calm manner.

Now keep calm everyone, the police are on their way.

without hurried movement or noise:

After a night of fighting, the streets are now calm.

B1 describes weather when there is no wind, or the sea or a lake when it is still and has no waves

calmly / ˈkɑːm.li / adverb

B2 in a quiet or relaxed way:

She reacted surprisingly calmly to the news of his death.

calmness / ˈkɑːm.nəs / noun [ U ]

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

calm

[kɑ͟ːm]
♦♦♦
calmer, calmest, calms, calming, calmed
1) ADJ-GRADED A calm person does not show or feel any worry, anger, or excitement.
  She is usually a calm and diplomatic woman...
  Try to keep calm and just tell me what happened...
  She sighed, then continued in a soft, calm voice...
  Diane felt very calm and unafraid as she saw him off the next morning.
  Derived words:
  calmly ADV-GRADED usu ADV with v, also ADV adj Alan looked at him and said calmly, `I don't believe you.'... Hungary, by contrast, has so far reacted calmly to events in Yugoslavia.
  calmness N-UNCOUNT All those things gave him a feeling of security and calmness.
N-UNCOUNT: also a N
Calm is also a noun. He felt a sudden sense of calm, of contentment.
2) VERB If you calm someone, you do something to make them feel less angry, worried, or excited.
  [V n] The ruling party's veterans know how to calm their critics...
  [V n] Tranquilliser drugs were used to calm the deportees...
  [V n] She was breathing quickly and tried to calm herself...
  [V n] A business lunch helps calm her nerves.
  Derived words:
  calming ADJ-GRADED ...a fresh, cool fragrance which produces a very calming effect on the mind.
3) N-UNCOUNT Calm is used to refer to a quiet, still, or peaceful atmosphere in a place.
  The house projects an atmosphere of neoclassical calm and order.
  ...the rural calm of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  Syn:
  peace
4) ADJ-GRADED: usu v-link ADJ If someone says that a place is calm, they mean that it is free from fighting or public disorder, when trouble has recently occurred there or had been expected. [JOURNALISM]
  The city of Sarajevo appears relatively calm today.
  Syn:
  peaceful
N-UNCOUNT: also a N
Calm is also a noun. Community and church leaders have appealed for calm and no retaliation... An uneasy calm is reported to be prevailing in the area.
5) VERB To calm a situation means to reduce the amount of trouble, violence, or panic there is.
  [V n] Officials hoped admitting fewer foreigners would calm the situation...
  [V n] Mr Beazer tried to calm the protests by promising to keep the company's base in Pittsburgh.
6) ADJ-GRADED If the sea or a lake is calm, the water is not moving very much and there are no big waves.
  ...as we slid into the calm waters of Cowes Harbour.
  Syn:
  still
  Ant:
  rough
7) ADJ-GRADED Calm weather is pleasant weather with little or no wind.
  Tuesday was a fine, clear and calm day.
8) N-COUNT: usu supp N In sailing, a flat calm or a dead calm is a condition of the sea or the weather in which there is very little wind or movement of the water. [TECHNICAL]
  ...during flat calms when the water is crystal clear...
  We had the whole gamut of wind from a dead calm to a force 10 gale.
9) VERB When the sea calms, it becomes still because the wind stops blowing strongly. When the wind calms, it stops blowing strongly.
  Dawn came, the sea calmed but the cold was as bitter as ever.
10) VERB To calm a pain or an itch means to reduce it or get rid of it.
  [V n] ...more traditional methods of soothing the skin and calming the itch.
  Syn:
  soothe
11) PHRASE You can use the calm before the storm to refer to a quiet period in which there is little or no activity, before a period in which there is a lot of trouble or intense activity.
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - calm down

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹calm /ˈkɑːm/ adj calm·er; -est
1 : not angry, upset, excited, etc.
• The teacher asked us to remain/stay calm after the fire alarm went off.
• The capital city was calm despite rumors of a possible terrorist attack. [=people in the city behaved in the usual way; there was not a lot of excited or fearful activity in the city]
• Let's try to have a calm discussion about your grades.
• My brother is always calm, cool, and collected. [=he never gets very upset]
2
- used to describe weather that is not windy, stormy, etc.
• a calm day
• They're predicting calm winds today.
• a calm sea [=a sea that has no waves or only very small waves]
- calm·ly adv [more ~; most ~]
• The coach calmly told her players what to do next.
- calm·ness noun [noncount]
• I suddenly had a great feeling of calmness.

fold

a line or mark where paper, cloth, etc. was or is folded

/foʊld/

/fəʊld/

تا، چين‌

Example:

the folds of her skirt

چين‌هاى دامن‌ او

Oxford Essential Dictionary

fold

noun
a line that is made when you bend cloth or paper

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. fold² BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Word Family: verb: ↑fold, ↑unfold; noun: ↑fold, ↑folder; adjective: folded, ↑folding]
[Sense 1,2,5: Date: 1200-1300; Origin: ⇨ ↑fold¹]
[Sense 3,4: Language: Old English; Origin: falod]
1. LINE a line made in paper or material when you fold one part of it over another:
Bend back the card and cut along the fold.
2. SKIN/MATERIAL [usually plural] the folds in material, skin etc are the loose parts that hang over other parts of it:
Her dress hung in soft folds.
3. the fold the group of people that you belong to and share the same beliefs and ideas as
return to/come back into the fold
The Church will welcome him back into the fold.
stray from/leave the fold
a former advocate of free market economics who had strayed from the fold
4. SHEEP a small area of a field surrounded by a wall or fence where sheep are kept for safety SYN pen ⇨ corral
5. ROCK technical a bend in layers of rock, caused by underground movements in the earth

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

noun
1. countable a part of sth, especially cloth, that is folded or hangs as if it had been folded
• the folds of her dress

• loose folds of skin

2. countable a mark or line made by folding sth, or showing where sth should be folded

• Why is the place I want to find always on the fold of the map?

3. countable an area in a field surrounded by a fence or wall where sheep are kept for safety

4. the fold singular a group of people with whom you feel you belong or who share the same ideas or beliefs
• He called on former Republican voters to return to the fold.

• She was determined to draw Matthew back into the family fold.

5. countable (geology) a curve or bend in the line of the layers of rock in the earth's crust

6. countable (BrE) a hollow place among hills or mountains
Word Origin:
v. and n. senses 1 to 2 n. senses 5 to 6 Old English falden fealden Germanic Dutch vouwen German falten
n. senses 3 to 4 Old English fald Germanic Dutch vaalt

Thesaurus:
fold noun C
• The fabric fell in soft folds.
• Why is the place I want to find always on the fold of the map?
wrinkle • • crease • • line •
a fold/crease in sth
a wrinkle/line on sth
a neat fold/crease
Fold or wrinkle? Fold is used more about fabric; wrinkle is used more about skin. Folds in fabric are tidy but wrinkles are unwanted. Wrinkles in skin are thin lines; folds are fatter and usually occur because sb is overweight.
Example Bank:
• His father finally accepted him back into the family fold.
• It was a solitary spot in a fold between two hills.
• She hid the note in a fold in her robe.
• The country is now firmly back in the international fold.
• The fabric fell in soft folds.
• The indigenous people were brought into the Catholic fold.
• The troops were hidden by the deep folds of the ground.
• a fold in the land
• billowing folds of clouds
• opposing viewpoints within the Anglican fold
• the heavy folds of his cloak
• the loose folds of flesh under her chin

• The child hid his face in the folds of his mother's skirt.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

fold / fəʊld / / foʊld / noun [ C ] (BEND)

a line or mark where paper, cloth, etc. was or is folded:

Make a fold across the centre of the card.

specialized a bend in a layer of rock under the Earth's surface caused by movement there

fold / fəʊld / / foʊld / noun [ C ] (SHELTER)

a small area of a field surrounded by a fence where sheep can be put for shelter for the night the fold your home or an organization where you feel you belong:

Her children are all away at college now, but they always return to the fold in the holidays.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

fold

[fo͟ʊld]
♦♦♦
folds, folding, folded
1) VERB If you fold something such as a piece of paper or cloth, you bend it so that one part covers another part, often pressing the edge so that it stays in place.
  [V n] He folded the paper carefully...
  [V n prep/adv] Fold the omelette in half...
  [V n prep/adv] Fold the blanket back.
  [V-ed] ...a folded towel.
2) N-COUNT A fold in a piece of paper or cloth is a bend that you make in it when you put one part of it over another part and press the edge.
  Make another fold and turn the ends together.
  Syn:
  crease
3) N-COUNT: usu pl The folds in a piece of cloth are the curved shapes which are formed when it is not hanging or lying flat.
  The priest fumbled in the folds of his gown.
4) V-ERG If a piece of furniture or equipment folds or if you can fold it, you can make it smaller by bending or closing parts of it.
  [V adv/prep] The back of the bench folds forward to make a table...
  [V adj] This portable seat folds flat for easy storage...
  [V n] Check if you can fold the buggy without having to remove the raincover.
  [V-ing] ...a folding beach chair. [Also V n adj]
PHR-V-ERG
Fold up means the same as fold. V P When not in use it folds up out of the way... V n P Fold the ironing board up so that it is flat.
5) VERB If you fold your arms or hands, you bring them together and cross or link them, for example over your chest.
  [V n] Meer folded his arms over his chest and turned his head away...
  [V n] Mrs Ringrose sat down and folded her hands in her lap.
6) VERB If a business or organization folds, it is unsuccessful and has to close. [mainly BRIT]
  But as other shops fold, the march of the superstores continues...
  2,500 small businesses were folding each week.
7) N-SING: the/poss N, usu the supp N When someone joins an organization or group, you can say that they have come into the fold. When they leave the organization or group, you can say that they leave the fold.
  The EC brought Spain, Greece and Portugal into the fold...
  He might find it difficult to return to the family fold even when he realizes his mistake.
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - fold in
  - fold into
  - fold up

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

²fold noun, pl folds [count]
1 : a line or mark made by bending one part of something over another part and pressing at the bent edge : a line or mark made by folding something : crease
• the fold in a newspaper
2 : a part of something (such as cloth or skin) that lies or hangs over another part
• hidden in the folds of the curtain
• the folds of her dress
• He had folds of flab around his middle.
3 : the act of folding something
• She made a paper airplane by using a simple series of folds.
4 technical : a bend produced in a rock layer by pressure

- compare ³fold

fold

³fold noun, pl folds
1 [count] : an enclosed area for sheep
2 the fold : a group of people who have a shared faith or interest
• His former colleagues would be glad to welcome him back into the fold.

- compare ²fold

American English

British English

the style - appearance - and make-up of clothes

B1 (Intermediate)

fold

noun

fold

to bend something, especially paper or cloth, so that one part of it lies on the other part, or to be able to be bent in this way

/foʊld/

/fəʊld/

تاكردن‌ يا شدن‌، تازدن‌

Example:

to fold a sheet of paper.

صفحه‌ى كاغذ را تاكردن‌

Oxford Essential Dictionary

verb (folds, folding, folded) (also fold up)

1 to bend something so that one part is on top of another part:
I folded the letter and put it in the envelope.
Fold up your clothes.
opposite unfold

2 to be able to be made smaller in order to be carried or stored more easily:
a folding chair
This table folds up flat.

fold your arms If you fold your arms, you cross them in front of your chest:
She folded her arms and waited.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

fold

I. fold¹ W3 /fəʊld $ foʊld/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: verb: ↑fold, ↑unfold; noun: ↑fold, ↑folder; adjective: folded, ↑folding]
[Language: Old English; Origin: fealdan]
1. BEND [transitive] to bend a piece of paper, cloth etc by laying or pressing one part over another:
Fold the paper along the dotted line.
It’ll fit in if you fold it in half.
fold something over/under/down etc
Spoon the filling onto the dough, fold it over, and press down the edges.
2. SMALLER/NEATER [transitive] (also fold up) to fold something several times so that it makes a small neat shape ⇨ unfold:
I wish you kids would fold up your clothes!
He folded the map neatly.
3. FURNITURE ETC [intransitive and transitive] if something such as a piece of furniture folds, or you fold it, you make it smaller or move it to a different position by bending it:
The chairs fold flat for storage.
fold (something) away/up/down etc
a useful little bed that folds away when you don’t need it
Can you fold the shutters back? ⇨ ↑folding
4. fold your arms to bend your arms so that they rest together against your body:
George stood silently with his arms folded.
5. BUSINESS [intransitive] (also fold up) if an organization folds, it closes because it does not have enough money to continue
6. COVER [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to cover something, especially by wrapping it in material or putting your hand over it
fold something in something
a silver dagger folded in a piece of white cloth
7. fold somebody in your arms literary to hold someone closely by putting your arms around them
fold something ↔ in (also fold something into something) phrasal verb
to gently mix another substance into a mixture when you are preparing food:
Next, fold in the sugar.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fold

fold [fold folds folded folding] verb, noun [fəʊld] [foʊld]

verb
1. transitive to bend sth, especially paper or cloth, so that one part lies on top of another part
• ~ sth (up) He folded the map up and put it in his pocket.
• First, fold the paper in half/in two.
• ~ sth (back, down, over, etc.) The blankets had been folded down.
• a pile of neatly folded clothes
• The bird folded its wings.
Opp: unfold

see also fold-up

2. transitive, intransitive to bend sth so that it becomes smaller or flatter and can be stored or carried more easily; to bend or be able to bend in this way
• ~ sth (away/down/up) The bed can be folded away during the day.
• ~ (away/up) The table folds up when not in use.
• (figurative) When she heard the news, her legs just folded under her (= she fell).

• + adj. The ironing board folds flat for easy storage.

3. transitive to wrap sth around sb/sth
• ~ A in B She gently folded the baby in a blanket.

• ~ B round/over A She folded a blanket around the baby.

4. intransitive (of a company, a play, etc.) to close because it is not successful
• The new musical folded after only twenty performances.
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
v. and n. senses 1 to 2 n. senses 5 to 6 Old English falden fealden Germanic Dutch vouwen German falten
n. senses 3 to 4 Old English fald Germanic Dutch vaalt

Example Bank:
• He carefully folded the typed sheets and replaced them in the envelope.
• Her hands lay gently folded in her lap.
• I folded up the clothes and put them away.
• She folded the clothes into a neat bundle.
• She folded the piece of paper in half.
• First, fold the paper in half.
• He walked in carrying a pile of neatly folded clothes.
• Her fan club has folded.
• His business folded and his wife left him.
• The musical folded after 16 performances.
• When she heard the news, her legs just folded under her.
Idioms: above the fold ▪ fold somebody in your arms ▪ fold your arms ▪ fold your hands

Derived: fold something in ▪ fold something into something

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

fold / fəʊld / / foʊld / verb (BEND)

B1 [ I or T ] to bend something, especially paper or cloth, so that one part of it lies on the other part, or to be able to be bent in this way:

I folded the letter (in half) and put it in an envelope.

He had a neatly folded handkerchief in his jacket pocket.

Will you help me to fold ( up ) the sheets?

The table folds up when not in use.

[ T ] to wrap:

She folded her baby in a blanket.

He folded his arms around her.

fold your arms to bring your arms close to your chest and hold them together

See picture body positions 2

[ T ] to move a part of your body into a position where it is close to your body:

She sat with her legs folded under her.

fold / fəʊld / / foʊld / verb [ I ] (FAIL)

(of a business) to close because of failure:

Many small businesses fold within the first year.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

fold

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹fold /ˈfoʊld/ verb folds; fold·ed; fold·ing
1 : to bend one part of (something) over or against another part

[+ obj]

• He folded the paper in half and then unfolded it again.
• Fold the flaps open/shut.
• He folded the blanket and laid it at the foot of the bed.
• She folded over the edge of the fabric to make a hem.
• a piece of paper folded into the shape of a bird

[no obj]

• The paper folded easily.
• The map folds neatly/flat so you can fit it in a pocket.
2 : to reduce the length or size of something (such as a piece of furniture) by moving parts of it so that they lie close together

[+ obj]

• We folded (up) the lawn chair and put it in the trunk.

[no obj]

• The lawn chair folded (up) easily.
• The bed folds (away) into a space in the wall.
3 [+ obj]
a : to put your arm or hand over your other arm or hand in a way that keeps them together
• She folded [=crossed] her arms across her chest.
• She folded her hands on her lap.
• He folded his arms around her.
• hands folded in prayer
b : to bend (a leg, a knee, an elbow, etc.)
• He sat with his legs folded under him.
4 [+ obj] literary : to put your arms around (someone) : embrace
• She folded him in her arms.
5 [+ obj] : to add (a food ingredient) to a mixture by gently and repeatedly lifting one part over another
• Fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture.
6 [no obj] : to fail completely : collapse
• The business folded.
7 [no obj] : to accept defeat in a card game (such as poker) by removing your cards from the game
• Realizing that she probably wasn't bluffing, he decided to fold.

American English

British English

making things more or less smooth or straight

B1 (Intermediate)

fold

verb

nothing

Not anything

/ˈnʌθ.ɪŋ/

هیچ، هیچی

Example:

She said nothing

او هیچ چیز نگفت.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

nothing

pronoun
not anything; no thing:
There's nothing in this bottle – it's empty.
I've finished all my work and I've got nothing to do.
Don't leave the baby there with nothing on (= not wearing any clothes) – he'll get cold.

be or have nothing to do with somebody or something to have no connection with somebody or something:
That question has nothing to do with what we're discussing.
Keep out of this – it's nothing to do with you.

for nothing

1 for no money same meaning free:
You can have these books for nothing. I don't want them.

2 without a good result:
I went to the station for nothing – she wasn't on the train.

nothing but only:
He eats nothing but salad.

nothing like not the same as somebody or something in any way:
He's nothing like his brother.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

nothing

I. noth‧ing¹ S1 W1 /ˈnʌθɪŋ/ BrE AmE pronoun
[Language: Old English; Origin: nan thing, nathing 'no thing']
1. not anything or no thing:
Nothing ever happens in this town.
There’s nothing in this box.
There was nothing else the doctors could do.
He had nothing more to say.
We know nothing about her family.
I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.
I promised to say nothing about it to anyone.
We’ve heard nothing from her for weeks.
There’s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
‘Do you know much about business?’ ‘Nothing at all.’
She had eaten virtually nothing at supper.
There’s nothing wrong with the data.
There’s nothing new about this.
A brief search was made but they found nothing untoward.
2. nothing but only:
She’d had nothing but bad luck.
3. have nothing against somebody/something if you have nothing against someone or something, they do not annoy or offend you:
I have nothing against him personally.
4. something which is considered unimportant, not interesting, or not worth worrying about:
‘What have you been doing?’ ‘Nothing. Just sitting here.’
There’s nothing on television tonight.
‘What did you do last weekend?’ ‘Oh, nothing much.’
Politics meant nothing (=was not important) to me for years.
The meal was nothing special (=it was not unusual or interesting) – just fish with a cheese sauce.
5. especially American English zero SYN nil British English:
We beat them ten to nothing.
6. have/be nothing to do with somebody/something if you have nothing to do with someone or something, or if someone or something has nothing to do with you, you are not involved or connected with it:
He said that he had nothing to do with the decision.
As I said, it’s nothing to do with me.
That’s got nothing to do with you.
I want nothing to do with (=do not want to be involved) the whole thing.
My staff had nothing whatsoever to do with this.
7. for nothing
a) without paying for something or being paid for something:
Why pay a plumber when my brother will do it for nothing?
b) if you do something for nothing, you make an effort but do not get the result you want:
We went all that way for nothing.
8. no money or payment at all:
This service will cost you nothing.
When a car has done that many miles, it’s worth nothing.
9. there’s nothing like something used to say that something is very good:
There’s nothing like a long hot bath after a day’s climbing.
10. there’s nothing in/to something used to say that what people are saying about someone or something is not true:
It seems there’s nothing in the rumours that she’s pregnant.
11. if nothing else used to emphasize one good quality or feature that someone or something has, while suggesting that it might be the only good one:
If nothing else, the report points out the need for better math education.
12. come to nothing if a plan or action comes to nothing, it does not continue or does not achieve anything
13. be nothing if not something used to emphasize a particular quality that someone or something has:
You’ve got to admit – he’s nothing if not persistent.
14. nothing doing spoken used to refuse to do something
15. (there’s) nothing to it spoken used to say that something is easy to do:
Anyone can use a computer. There’s nothing to it!
16. it was nothing/think nothing of it spoken used when someone has thanked you a lot for something you have done for them:
‘Thank you so much.’ ‘Oh, it was nothing.’
17. nothing of the sort/kind spoken used to say strongly or angrily that something is not true or will not happen:
‘I’ll pay.’ ‘You’ll do nothing of the sort!’
18. have nothing on somebody informal if someone has nothing on you, they are not better than you at something:
She’s got nothing on you when it comes to writing.
19. there’s nothing for it but to do something British English used when there is only one thing you can do in a particular situation:
There was nothing for it but to go back the way we came.
⇨ sweet nothings at ↑sweet¹(13), ⇨ to say nothing of at ↑say¹(46), ⇨ nothing on earth at ↑earth¹(9)
• • •
GRAMMAR
Do not use nothing with another negative word (eg 'not'). Use anything:
▪ I could not find anything suitable (NOT I could not find nothing suitable).

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

nothing

noth·ing [nothing nothings] [ˈnʌθɪŋ] [ˈnʌθɪŋ] pronoun
1. not anything; no single thing
• There was nothing in her bag.
• There's nothing you can do to help.
• The doctor said there was nothing wrong with me.
• Nothing else matters to him apart from his job.
• It cost us nothing to go in.

• (BrE) He's five foot nothing (= exactly five feet tall).

2. something that is not at all important or interesting
• ‘What's that in your pocket?’ ‘Oh, nothing.’
• We did nothing at the weekend.
more at all or nothing at all _det., stop at nothing at stop _v., sweet nothings at sweet _adj.
Idioms: for nothing ▪ have nothing on somebody ▪ not for nothing ▪ nothing but ▪ nothing if not ▪ nothing less than ▪ nothing like ▪ nothing much ▪ nothing to do with somebody ▪ nothing to it ▪ nothing to somebody ▪ there is nothing for it ▪ there is nothing in something ▪ there's nothing like something
Word Origin:

Old English nān thing (see no, thing).

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

nothing / ˈnʌθ.ɪŋ / pronoun

A2 not anything:

There's nothing in the drawer - I took everything out.

Nothing I could say would cheer her up.

I have nothing new to tell you.

There's nothing else (= no other thing) we can do to help.

There's nothing much (= not very much) to do in our village.

The story was nothing but (= only) lies.

US The score is Yankees three, Red Sox nothing (= no points) .

be/have nothing to do with sb/sth B2 to have no connection or influence with someone or something:

We are nothing to do with the firm that has the offices next door.

In the evening he likes to read books and articles that have/are nothing to do with his work.

be/mean nothing to have no importance or value:

Money is nothing to him.

be/have nothing to do with sb B2 to be a matter or subject that someone has no good reason to know about or be involved with:

I wish he wouldn't offer advice on my marriage - it's nothing to do with him.

for nothing free or without paying:

I got this picture for nothing from a friend.

B2 with no good result or for no purpose:

He queued for two hours and (all) for nothing - there were no seats left.

Let us make sure that these brave men did not die for nothing.

nothing on no clothes on your body:

She sleeps with nothing on.

I couldn't come to the door - I had nothing on!

no arrangements for a stated period:

I've looked in her diary and she has nothing on on Tuesday afternoon.

There's nothing on next Friday - we could hold the meeting then.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

nothing

/nʌθɪŋ/
(nothings)

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.

1.
Nothing means not a single thing, or not a single part of something.
I’ve done nothing much since coffee time...
Mr Pearson said he knew nothing of his wife’s daytime habits...
He was dressed in jeans and nothing else...
There is nothing wrong with the car.
PRON

2.
You use nothing to indicate that something or someone is not important or significant.
Because he had always had money it meant nothing to him...
While the increase in homicides is alarming, it is nothing compared to what is to come in the rest of the decade...
She kept bursting into tears over nothing at work...
Do our years together mean nothing?
PRON
•
Nothing is also a noun.
It is the picture itself that is the problem; so small, so dull. It’s a nothing, really...
N-COUNT: usu sing

3.
If you say that something cost nothing or is worth nothing, you are indicating that it cost or is worth a surprisingly small amount of money.
The furniture was threadbare; he’d obviously picked it up for nothing...
Homes in this corner of Mantua that once went for $350,000 are now worth nothing.
PRON

4.
You use nothing before an adjective or ‘to’-infinitive to say that something or someone does not have the quality indicated.
Around the lake the countryside generally is nothing special...
There was nothing remarkable about him...
All kids her age do silly things; it’s nothing to worry about.
PRON: PRON adj, PRON to-inf

5.
You can use nothing before ‘so’ and an adjective or adverb, or before a comparative, to emphasize how strong or great a particular quality is.
Youngsters learn nothing so fast as how to beat the system...
I consider nothing more important in my life than songwriting...
There’s nothing better than a good cup of hot coffee.
PRON: PRON so adj/adv, PRON compar [emphasis]

6.
You can use all or nothing to say that either something must be done fully and completely or else it cannot be done at all.
Either he went through with this thing or he did not; it was all or nothing.
PHRASE: v-link PHR

7.
If you say that something is better than nothing, you mean that it is not what is required, but that it is better to have that thing than to have nothing at all.
After all, 15 minutes of exercise is better than nothing.
PHRASE: v-link PHR

8.
You use nothing but in front of a noun, an infinitive without ‘to’, or an ‘-ing’ form to mean ‘only’.
All that money brought nothing but sadness and misery and tragedy...
It did nothing but make us ridiculous...
They care for nothing but fighting.
PHRASE: PHR n/inf/-ing

9.
If you say that there is nothing for it but to take a particular action, you mean that it is the only possible course of action that you can take, even though it might be unpleasant. (BRIT)
Much depends on which individual ingredients you choose. There is nothing for it but to taste and to experiment for yourself...
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR but to-inf, PHR but n

10.
You use nothing if not in front of an adjective to indicate that someone or something clearly has a lot of the particular quality mentioned.
Professor Fish has been nothing if not professional...
PHRASE: v-link PHR adj [emphasis]

11.
People sometimes say ‘It’s nothing’ as a polite response after someone has thanked them for something they have done.
‘Thank you for the wonderful dinner.’—‘It’s nothing,’ Sarah said...
‘I’ll be on my way. I can’t thank you enough, Alan.’—‘It was nothing, but take care.’
= don’t mention it
CONVENTION [formulae]

12.
If you say about a story or report that there is nothing in it or nothing to it, you mean that it is untrue.
It’s all rubbish and superstition, and there’s nothing in it.
PHRASE: there v-link PHR

13.
If you say about an activity that there is nothing to it or nothing in it, you mean that it is extremely easy.
This device has a gripper that electrically twists off the jar top. Nothing to it...
If you’ve shied away from making pancakes in the past, don’t be put off–there’s really nothing in it!
PHRASE: there v-link PHR

14.
If you say about a contest or competition that there is nothing in it, you mean that two or more of the competitors are level and have an equal chance of winning.
PHRASE: there v-link PHR

15.
Nothing of the sort is used when strongly contradicting something that has just been said.
‘We’re going to talk this over in my office.’—‘We’re going to do nothing of the sort.’...
Mrs Adamson said that she was extremely sorry, in tones that made it clear that she was nothing of the sort.
PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR [emphasis]

16.
nothing to write home about: see home
to say nothing of: see say
nothing short of: see short
to stop at nothing: see stop
to think nothing of: see think

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹noth·ing /ˈnʌɵɪŋ/ pronoun
1 : not anything : not a thing
• There's nothing in my hands.
• She knows nothing of/about our plans.
• You have nothing to worry about.
• “What are you doing?” “Nothing (much).”
• There's nothing fun to do around here.
• I have nothing against them. [=I do not dislike or resent them]
• We'll accept nothing less than a full refund. [=we will only accept a full refund]
• It costs nothing for the first month. [=you do not have to pay anything for the first month]
• The phone call was nothing more than a sales pitch. [=it was just a sales pitch and not anything else]
• They live on practically nothing. [=no money]
• This has nothing to do with you. [=it does not involve you in any way]
• There's nothing else [=no more] to say.
• If nothing else, you should send him a card. [=you should at least send him a card]
• I've had next to nothing to eat. [=I have had very little to eat]
• He could make nothing of the coded message. [=he could not understand the coded message at all]
• We discussed plans for a new project, but nothing came of them. [=we did not do anything about what we discussed]
• He left nothing to chance. [=he planned for every possibility]
• The food leaves nothing to be desired. [=the food is excellent]
• Their children lack/want for nothing. [=their children have everything they need]
• Why should they help? There's nothing in it for them. [=they will not gain anything for themselves by helping]
• It looks like nothing so much as a big stick. [=it looks very much like a big stick]
• Those kids are nothing but trouble. [=they are always causing trouble]
• He is nothing if not persistent. [=he is extremely persistent]
• “I'm quitting school.” “You'll do nothing of the sort!” [=you will not do that; I will not allow you to do that]
• She'll stop at nothing [=she will do anything] to get what she wants.
• She finished up in nothing flat. [=in no time at all; very quickly]
- see also good-for-nothing
2 : someone or something that has no interest, value, or importance
• Money is nothing to them. [=they do not care at all about money]
• You think that's bad? It's nothing compared to what I went through.
• Don't get all upset over nothing.
• “Thanks for your help.” “It was nothing.” [=it was no trouble]
• Your opinion means nothing to me.
• “Are you hurt?” “Don't worry. It's nothing.”
• All our work came to nothing. = All our work resulted in nothing.
• He's nothing to me now. [=I don't care about him at all now]
double or nothing
- see ³double
have nothing on
- see have
here goes nothing
- see ¹here
nothing daunted
- see daunt
nothing doing informal
- used as a forceful way of saying “no” to a question or suggestion
• He asked her to lend him the money, but she said nothing doing. [=she said that she would definitely not lend him the money]
• “Why don't you try it?” “Nothing doing.” [=no way; definitely not]
nothing else for it or Brit nothing for it old-fashioned
- used to say that something must be done because there is no other choice
• By the time we discovered the mistake, there was nothing else for it but to start over.
• We don't want to sell the house, but there is nothing else for it (but to sell).
nothing in/to
✦If you say that there is nothing in/to something, you mean that it is not true at all.
• There's nothing to the story/claim.
• There is nothing in the rumor.
nothing like
1
- used to say that something is very enjoyable or satisfying
• There's nothing like a cool swim on a hot day.
2 Brit informal : not nearly
• The report is nothing like thorough enough.
nothing to it
- used to say that something is very easy to do
• There's really nothing to it once you know how.

American English

British English

something - anything - nothing - everything

A2 (Elementary)

pronoun

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