British English

virtue

virtue [noun] (GOOD MORALS)

a good moral quality in a person, or the general quality of being morally good

/ˈvɝː.tʃuː/

/ˈvɜː.tʃuː/

Example:

Patience is a virtue.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

virtue

noun
behaviour that shows high moral standards; a good quality or habit:
a life of virtue
He has many virtues.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

virtue

vir‧tue W3 /ˈvɜːtʃuː $ ˈvɜːr-/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: virtu, from Latin virtus 'strength, virtue', from vir 'man']
1. [uncountable] formal moral goodness of character and behaviour OPP vice:
Women have often been used as symbols of virtue.
2. [countable] a particular good quality in someone’s character OPP vice:
Among her many virtues are loyalty, courage, and truthfulness.
3. [uncountable and countable] an advantage that makes something better or more useful than something else
virtue of
Adam Smith believed in the virtues of free trade.
Wilkins is now extolling (=praising very much) the virtues of organic farming.
4. by virtue of something formal by means of, or as a result of something:
She became a British resident by virtue of her marriage.
5. make a virtue of something to get an advantage from a situation that you cannot change, usually a bad one:
She made a virtue of her acting limitations by joking about them.
6. make a virtue of necessity to get an advantage from doing something that you have to do, or to pretend that you are doing it willingly
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ advantage a good feature that something has, which makes it better, more useful etc than other things: The great advantage of digital cameras is that there is no film to process.
▪ benefit a feature of something that has a good effect on people’s lives: Regular exercise has many benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease.
▪ merit a good feature that something has, which you consider when you are deciding whether it is the best choice: The committee will consider the merits of the proposals. | The merits and demerits of (=the good and bad features of)alternative funding systems were widely discussed in the newspapers. | The chairman saw no great merit in this suggestion (=he did not think that it was a good idea).
▪ virtue an advantage that makes you believe that something is a good thing: They believed in the virtues of culture, civilization, and reason. | He’s always extolling the virtues of hard work (=saying that hard work is a good thing).
▪ the good/great/best thing about something especially spoken used when mentioning a good feature of something. This phrase is rather informal and you should not use it in formal essays: The good thing about cycling is that you don’t have to worry about getting stuck in a traffic jam.
▪ the beauty of something is that used when you want to emphasize that something has a very good or useful feature: The beauty of the plan is that it is so simple.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

virtue

vir·tue [virtue virtues] [ˈvɜːtʃuː] [ˈvɜːrtʃuː] noun
1. uncountable (formal) behaviour or attitudes that show high moral standards
• He led a life of virtue.

• She was certainly no paragon of virtue!

2. countable a particular good quality or habit
• Patience is not one of her virtues, I'm afraid.

• As a politician, he always emphasized the virtues of compromise and conciliation.

3. countable, uncountable an attractive or useful quality
Syn: advantage
• The plan has the virtue of simplicity.
• He was extolling the virtues of the Internet.
• They could see no virtue in discussing it further.
more at of easy virtue at easy _adj.
Idioms: by virtue of something ▪ make a virtue of necessity ▪ virtue is its own reward
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French vertu, from Latin virtus ‘valour, merit, moral perfection’, from vir ‘man’.
Example Bank:
• He taught his children to practise/practice the virtues of temperance and chastity.
• He understands the traditional virtue of hard work.
• Her book has the cardinal virtue of simplicity.
• It would have taken a paragon of virtue not to feel jealous.
• Philippe embodies the French virtues of charm and grace.
• She has just one, negative virtue— she never tells lies.
• She was seen as a paragon of domestic virtue.
• The brochure makes a positive virtue of the island's isolated position.
• There is no inherent virtue in having read all the latest books.
• There is, of course. no inherent virtue in moderation.
• a story celebrating the virtues of democracy
• the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity
• women of easy virtue
• He was certainly no paragon of virtue!
• He was convinced of the inherent virtue of hard work.
• He was going on about the virtues of the Internet.
• She led a life of moral virtue.

• a woman of easy virtue

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

virtue / ˈvɜː.tjuː / / ˈvɝː- / noun [ C or U ] (GOOD MORALS)

C2 a good moral quality in a person, or the general quality of being morally good:

Patience is a virtue.

→ Compare vice noun (FAULT)

virtue / ˈvɜː.tjuː / / ˈvɝː- / noun [ C or U ] (ADVANTAGE)

C2 an advantage or good thing:

It always looks odd to see an actress on TV extolling (= praising) the virtues of washing-up liquid.

Would there be any virtue in taking an earlier train?

virtue / ˈvɜː.tjuː / / ˈvɝː- / noun (BECAUSE OF)

by virtue of C2 formal because of; as a result of:

She succeeded by virtue of her tenacity rather than her talent.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

virtue

[vɜ͟ː(r)tʃuː]
virtues
1) N-UNCOUNT Virtue is thinking and doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong.
  Virtue is not confined to the Christian world...
  She could have established her own innocence and virtue easily enough.
  Syn:
  goodness
  Ant:
  vice
2) N-COUNT A virtue is a good quality or way of behaving.
  His virtue is patience...
  Her flaws were as large as her virtues...
  Humility is considered a virtue.
3) N-COUNT The virtue of something is an advantage or benefit that it has, especially in comparison with something else.
  There was no virtue in returning to Calvi the way I had come...
  It's other great virtue, of course, is its hard-wearing quality.
  Syn:
  advantage
4) PHR-PREP You use by virtue of to explain why something happens or is true. [FORMAL]
  The article stuck in my mind by virtue of one detail...
  Mr Olaechea has British residency by virtue of his marriage.
  Syn:
  because of
5) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If you make a virtue of something, you pretend that you did it because you chose to, although in fact you did it because you had to.
  The movie makes a virtue out of its economy.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

virtue

vir·tue /ˈvɚʧu/ noun, pl -tues
1 [noncount] : morally good behavior or character
• I urge you all to lead lives of virtue. [=to live virtuously]
• She says that virtue is its own reward. [=that if you do good things, you do not need to be rewarded with money, fame, etc.]
• His supporters regard him as a model/paragon of virtue. [=as a person who has no moral faults]
2 [count] : a good and moral quality
• Patience is a virtue.
3 [noncount] : the good result that comes from something
• Her parents taught her the virtue of hard work. [=that hard work is important and valuable]
4 [count] : an advantage or benefit
• The restaurant is inexpensive, and it has the added virtue of being close to our house.
• One of the virtues of this job is the flexible hours.
by virtue of : because of (something)
• She has the right to participate by virtue of her status as a former employee.
make a virtue (out) of necessity : to benefit from something that you are forced to do
• When he lost his driver's license, he made a virtue out of necessity and got in shape by riding his bike to work.

American English

British English

virtue and moral good

C1 (Advanced)

noun

dairy

dairy [adjective]

used to refer to cows that are used for producing milk, rather than meat, or to foods that are made from milk, such as cream, butter, and cheese

/ˈder.i/

/ˈdeə.ri/

Example:

dairy products

Oxford Essential Dictionary

dairy

noun (plural dairies)

spelling
Be careful! Don't confuse dairy and diary. You spell dairy with AI.

a place where milk is kept or where milk products like butter and cheese are made

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

dairy

dai‧ry /ˈdeəri $ ˈderi/ BrE AmE noun (plural dairies) [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Origin: dey 'female servant (in a dairy)' (10-19 centuries), from Old English dæge 'maker of bread']
1. a place on a farm where milk is kept and butter and cheese are made
2. a company which sells milk and sometimes makes other things from milk, such as cheese
3. dairy products/produce milk, butter, cheese etc

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

adjective only before noun
1. made from milk

• dairy products/produce

2. connected with the production of milk rather than meat
• the dairy industry
• dairy cattle/farmers
• a dairy cow/farm
Word Origin:

Middle English deierie, from deie ‘dairymaid’ (in Old English dǣge ‘female servant’), of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse deigja, also to dough and to the second element of Old English hlǣfdige (see lady).

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

dairy / ˈdeə.ri / / ˈder.i / adjective

B2 used to refer to cows that are used for producing milk, rather than meat, or to foods that are made from milk, such as cream, butter, and cheese:

dairy cattle

dairy farmers

dairy products

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

dairy

[de͟əri]
dairies
1) N-COUNT A dairy is a shop or company that sells milk and food made from milk, such as butter, cream, and cheese.
2) N-COUNT On a farm, the dairy is the building where milk is kept or where cream, butter, and cheese are made.
3) ADJ: ADJ n Dairy is used to refer to foods such as butter and cheese that are made from milk.
  ...dairy produce.
  ...vitamins found in eggs, meat and dairy products.
4) ADJ: ADJ n Dairy is used to refer to the use of cattle to produce milk rather than meat.
  ...a small vegetable and dairy farm.
  ...the feeding of dairy cows.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

dairy

²dairy adj always used before a noun
1 : made from milk
• dairy products/foods such as cheese and ice cream : relating to foods made from milk
• You'll find yogurt in the dairy section of the grocery store.
2 : of or relating to a type of farming that deals with the production of milk and foods made from milk
• dairy farms/farmers
• dairy cows/cattle [=cows that are raised to produce milk]
• the dairy industry

American English

British English

cattle and similar animals

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

adjective

product

product [noun] (THING MADE)

something that is made to be sold, usually something that is produced by an industrial process or, less commonly, something that is grown or obtained through farming

/ˈprɑː.dʌkt/

/ˈprɒd.ʌkt/

Example:

I'm trying to cut down on dairy products.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

product

noun
something that people make or grow to sell:
The company has just launched a new product.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

product

prod‧uct S1 W1 /ˈprɒdʌkt $ ˈprɑː-/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑produce, ↑producer, ↑product, ↑production, ↑reproduction, ↑productivity; adjective: ↑productive ≠ ↑unproductive, ↑counterproductive, ↑reproductive, ↑reproducible; verb: ↑produce, ↑reproduce; adverb: ↑productively]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: productum, from the past participle of producere; ⇨ ↑produce¹]
1. [uncountable and countable] something that is grown or made in a factory in large quantities, usually in order to be sold
agricultural/dairy/software etc products
consumer products such as VCRs
The London factory assembles the finished product.
He works in marketing and product development.
2. the product of something
a) if someone is the product of a particular background or experience, their character is typical of that background or the result of that experience:
Paula was the product of a sheltered middle-class home.
b) if something is the product of a particular situation, process etc, it is the result of that situation or process:
The report was the product of four years’ hard work.
3. [countable] technical the number you get by multiplying two or more numbers in ↑mathematics
4. [countable] something that is produced through a natural or chemical process:
Hemoglobin is a product of red blood cells.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + product
▪ a commercial product They help firms turn good ideas into commercial products.
▪ a consumer product (=one that is bought by the public) Demand for consumer products has increased.
▪ household products Do you know what chemicals are in household products such as washing powder and paint?
▪ beauty/hair products She doesn’t buy beauty products that have been tested on animals.
▪ dairy/milk products Some people are allergic to dairy products.
▪ meat products meat products like sausages, pies and burgers
▪ the finished product The quality of the finished product is all-important.
■ product + NOUN
▪ product development The money will be used to fund product development.
▪ a product range/line (=the range of things that a company makes and sells) We want to broaden the company’s product line.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ product noun [countable] something that is made or produced in large quantities, usually in order to be sold: consumer products such as mobile phones | dairy products
▪ goods noun [plural] things that are produced in order to be sold, especially for use in the home: They sell furniture and other household goods. | electrical goods | white goods (=large electrical goods used in the home such as washing machines and refrigerators)
▪ commodity noun [countable] formal a type of product or raw material that can be bought and sold – used especially about basic food products, metals, and fuels: The decline in prices for agricultural commodities made the economic situation worse. | All metal was a valuable commodity and was rarely wasted.
▪ merchandise noun [uncountable] formal things that are being sold, especially in shops: Customers are not allowed to handle the merchandise. | Sales of books, videos, and other merchandise have increased.
▪ wares noun [plural] written things that are offered for sale, especially in a market or on the street: In the market, the traders began selling their wares. | Merchants brought their wares from all over the world.
▪ export noun [countable often plural] a product that is sent to a foreign country in order to be sold: US exports rose to $11.935 billion. | At the moment, oil is their biggest export.
▪ import noun [countable often plural] goods that are brought from one country into another to be sold there: The UK clothing industry cannot compete with foreign imports on price.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

product

prod·uct [product products] [ˈprɒdʌkt] [ˈprɑːdʌkt] noun
1. countable, uncountable a thing that is grown or produced, usually for sale
• dairy/meat/pharmaceutical, etc. products
• investment in product development
• to launch a new product on to the market
• (business) We need new product to sell (= a new range of products).

see also end product, gross national product

2. countable a thing produced during a natural, chemical or industrial process
• the products of the reaction

see also by-product, waste product

3. countable ~ of sth a person or thing that is the result of sth

• The child is the product of a broken home.

4. countable, uncountable a cream, jelly or liquid that you put on your hair or skin to make it look better
• This product can be used on wet or dry hair.

• Don't put too much product on your skin.

5. (mathematics) countable a quantity obtained by multiplying one number by another
• The product of 21 and 16 is 336.
Word Origin:
late Middle English (as a mathematical term): from Latin productum ‘something produced’, neuter past participle (used as a noun) of producere ‘bring forth’, from pro- ‘forward’ + ducere ‘to lead’.
Thesaurus:
product noun C, U
• meat/pharmaceutical products
goods • • merchandise • • produce • |economics commodity •
consumer/industrial products/goods/commodities
household products/goods
sell/market/buy/purchase produce/a product/goods/merchandise/a commodity
Collocations:
Business
Running a business
buy/acquire/own/sell a company/firm/franchise
set up/establish/ start/start up/launch a business/company
run/operate a business/company/franchise
head/run a firm/department/team
make/secure/win/block a deal
expand/grow/build the business
boost/increase investment/spending/sales/turnover/earnings/exports/trade
increase/expand production/output/sales
boost/maximize production/productivity/efficiency/income/revenue/profit/profitability
achieve/maintain/sustain growth/profitability
cut/reduce/bring down/lower/slash costs/prices
announce/impose/make cuts/cutbacks
Sales and marketing
break into/enter/capture/dominate the market
gain/grab/take/win/boost/lose market share
find/build/create a market for sth
start/launch an advertising/a marketing campaign
develop/launch/promote a product/website
create/generate demand for your product
attract/get/retain/help customers/clients
drive/generate/boost/increase demand/sales
beat/keep ahead of/out-think/outperform the competition
meet/reach/exceed/miss sales targets
Finance
draw up/set/present/agree/approve a budget
keep to/balance/cut/reduce/slash the budget
be/come in below/under/over/within budget
generate income/revenue/profit/funds/business
fund/finance a campaign/a venture/an expansion/spending/a deficit
provide/raise/allocate capital/funds
attract/encourage investment/investors
recover/recoup costs/losses/an investment
get/obtain/offer sb/grant sb credit/a loan
apply for/raise/secure/arrange/provide finance
Failure
lose business/trade/customers/sales/revenue
accumulate/accrue/incur/run up debts
suffer/sustain enormous/heavy/serious losses
face cuts/a deficit/redundancy/bankruptcy
file for/ (NAmE) enter/avoid/escape bankruptcy
(BrE) go into administration/liquidation
liquidate/wind up a company
survive/weather a recession/downturn
propose/seek/block/oppose a merger
launch/make/accept/defeat a takeover bid
Synonyms:
product
goods • commodity • merchandise • produce
These are all words for things that are produced to be sold.
product • a thing that is produced or grown, usually to be sold: ▪ to create/develop/launch a new product
goods • things that are produced to be sold: ▪ cotton/leather goods ◊ ▪ electrical goods
commodity • (economics) a product or raw material that can be bought and sold, especially between countries: ▪ rice, flour and other basic commodities
merchandise • [U] goods that are bought or sold; things that you can buy that are connected with or advertise a particular event or organization: ▪ official Olympic merchandise
goods or merchandise?
Choose goods if the emphasis is on what the product is made of or what it is for: ▪ leather/household goods. Choose merchandise if the emphasis is less on the product itself and more on its brand or the fact of buying/selling it.
produce • [U] things that have been grown or made, especially things connected with farming: ▪ We sell only fresh local produce.
consumer/industrial products/goods/commodities
household products/goods
farm products/produce
luxury products/goods/commodities
to sell/market a product/goods/a commodity/merchandise/produce
to export a product/goods/a commodity/merchandise
to buy/purchase a product/goods/a commodity/merchandise/produce
Example Bank:
• Ensure you have adequate product descriptions.
• It's hard to find a competing product that is as compelling.
• Ken uses the very best styling products for Jessica's fine hair.
• Like many of his generation, he was a product of Japan's obsession with technology.
• Most companies haven't tested their products on humans yet.
• Our research enables companies to customize and tailor products to suit individual tastes.
• She is president of product management.
• The company is diversifying its product mix to attract new customers.
• The group says it will introduce nine new products before the end of the year.
• They offer a range of niche products online.
• They produce a product that meets the customer's quality requirements.
• They put a lot of time and money into packaging products.
• This new catalogue showcases our product.
• Those who used the products were generally satisfied with the quality.
• We are expanding the product line-up.
• We are introducing premium products to all our clients.
• We are using a lot of outside agencies to help us do product placement.
• We have a good product, but it needs to be marketed better.
• a wide range of beauty products
• agencies giving out promotional products
• an athlete who endorses a product
• an expensive specialty product
• cigarettes and other tobacco products
• everyday household products
• for those still concerned about product safety
• non-toxic cleaning products
• products offered by our insurance companies
• short product life cycles
• the company's flagship product
• the company's new product offerings
• the manufacture of chocolate from cocoa bean to the finished product
• the most successful new product launches of 2003
• the people who create and deliver the products and services
• the right product in the right place at the right time
• We need new product to sell.
• meat/pharmaceutical products

• to create/develop/launch a new product

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

product / ˈprɒd.ʌkt / / ˈprɑː.dʌkt / noun (THING MADE)

B1 [ C or U ] something that is made to be sold, usually something that is produced by an industrial process or, less commonly, something that is grown or obtained through farming:

They do a range of skin-care products.

The product is so good it sells itself.

I'm trying to cut down on dairy products.

→ See also by-product

a/the product of sth a/the result of something:

A figure like that is usually the product of many hours spent in the gym.

She had a very happy childhood, and I guess her confidence is a product of that.

product / ˈprɒd.ʌkt / / ˈprɑː.dʌkt / noun [ C ] specialized (IN MATHEMATICS)

the result you get when two or more numbers are multiplied together:

The product of 6 and 3 is 18.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

product

[prɒ̱dʌkt]

products
1) N-COUNT A product is something that is produced and sold in large quantities, often as a result of a manufacturing process.
  Try to get the best product at the lowest price...
  South Korea's imports of consumer products jumped 33% in this year.
2) N-COUNT: N of n If you say that someone or something is a product of a situation or process, you mean that the situation or process has had a significant effect in making them what they are.
  We are all products of our time...
  The bank is the product of a 1971 merger of two Japanese banks.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

product

prod·uct /ˈprɑːˌdʌkt/ noun, pl -ucts
1 : something that is made or grown to be sold or used

[count]

• dairy/software products
• my favorite skin-care products
• The company's newest product is selling well.

[noncount]

• (technical) The company needs to find a way to sell more product.
- often used before another noun
• product design/development
- see also gross domestic product, gross national product
2 [count] : something that is the result of a process
• The sap used to make maple syrup is a natural product.
• This book is the product of many years of hard work.
• The finished/end product was a beautiful vase.
- see also by-product, waste product
3 [count] : someone or something that is produced or influenced by a particular environment or experience - + of
• People are often products of their surroundings and upbringing.
• Her politeness is a product of good parenting.
• My grandfather was a product of his times. [=my grandfather was like other people who grew up with him]
4 [count] mathematics : the number that is the result of multiplying two or more numbers
• 15 is the product of 3 and 5.

American English

British English

products and producers

B1 (Intermediate)

noun

yogurt

yogurt [noun]

a slightly sour, thick liquid made from milk with bacteria added to it, sometimes eaten plain and sometimes with sugar, fruit, etc. added

/ˈjoʊ.ɡɚt/

/ˈjɒɡ.ət/

Example:

low-fat yogurt

Oxford Essential Dictionary

yogurt

(also yoghurt) noun
a thick liquid food made from milk:
strawberry yogurt
Do you want a yogurt?

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

yogurt

yog‧urt /ˈjɒɡət $ ˈjoʊɡərt/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: Turkish]
another spelling of yoghurt

yoghurt

yog‧hurt BrE AmE, yogurt /ˈjɒɡət $ ˈjoʊɡərt/ noun [uncountable and countable]
a thick liquid food that tastes slightly sour and is made from milk, or an amount of this food:
a pot of strawberry yogurt

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

yogurt

yog·urt [yogurt yogurts] (also yog·hurt, yog·hourt) [ˈjɒɡət] [ˈjoʊɡərt] noun uncountable, countable
a thick white liquid food, made by adding bacteria to milk, served cold and often flavoured with fruit; an amount of this sold in a small pot
• natural yogurt
• There's a yogurt left if you're still hungry.
• a lemon yogurt
See also: yoghurt
Word Origin:

early 17th cent.: from Turkish yoǧurt.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

yogurt ( also yoghurt , yoghourt ) / ˈjɒɡ.ət / / ˈjoʊ.ɡɚt / noun [ C or U ]

A2 a slightly sour, thick liquid made from milk with bacteria added to it, sometimes eaten plain and sometimes with sugar, fruit, etc. added:

natural/plain yogurt

strawberry yogurt

low-fat yogurt

I only had a yogurt (= a container of this) for lunch.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

yogurt

[jɒ̱gə(r)t, AM jo͟ʊ-]
yogurts
also yoghurt
N-VAR
Yogurt is a food in the form of a thick, slightly sour liquid that is made by adding bacteria to milk. A yogurt is a small pot of yogurt.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

yogurt

yo·gurt also Brit yo·ghurt /ˈjoʊgɚt/ noun, pl -gurts [count, noncount] : a food that is made when bacteria is added to milk and that is often flavored and chilled
• blueberry yogurt

American English

British English

dairy products and eggs

A2 (Elementary)

noun

rap

rap [noun] (MUSIC)

a type of popular music with a strong rhythm in which the words are spoken, not sung

/ræp/

Example:

a rap artist /star

Oxford Essential Dictionary

noun

1 a quick knock:
I heard a rap on the door.

2 (music) a type of modern music in which singers speak the words of a song very quickly:
a rap song

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

rap

I. rap¹ /ræp/ BrE AmE noun
[Sense 1: Date: 1900-2000; Origin: Perhaps from repartee]
[Sense 2-7: Date: 1200-1300; Origin: Probably from the sound]
1. MUSIC [uncountable and countable] (also rap music) a type of popular music in which the words of a song are not sung, but spoken in time to music with a steady beat:
a popular rap song
2. KNOCK [countable] a series of quick sharp hits or knocks ⇨ tap:
She was woken by a sharp rap on the door.
3. CRIME [countable] American English informal a statement by the police saying that someone is responsible for a serious crime SYN charge
murder/robbery etc rap
The kid’s been cited twice on drunk-driving raps. ⇨ ↑rap sheet
4. take the rap (for something) to be blamed or punished for a mistake or crime, especially unfairly:
Bo was left to take the rap for Victor’s murder.
5. beat the rap American English informal to avoid being punished for a crime
6. a rap on/over the knuckles
a) informal a punishment or criticism that is not very severe:
The New York Post received an official rap over the knuckles for the way it reported the story.
b) if someone gives a child a rap on the knuckles, they hit them on the back of their hand as a punishment
7. a bum/bad rap especially American English informal unfair treatment or punishment:
Cleveland always gets a bum rap in the press.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

rap

rap [rap raps rapped rapping] noun, verb [ræp] [ræp]

noun
1. countable a quick sharp hit or knock

• There was a sharp rap on the door.

2. uncountable a type of popular music with a fast strong rhythm and words which are spoken fast, not sung

• a rap song/artist

3. countable a rap song

4. countable (NAmE, informal) a criminal conviction (= the fact of being found guilty of a crime)

• a police rap sheet (= a record of the crimes sb has committed)

5. singular (NAmE, informal) an unfair judgement on sth or sb
• He denounced the criticisms as ‘just one bum rap after another.’
• Wolves get a bad rap, says a woman who owns three.
more at beat the rap at beat _v.
Word Origin:
Middle English (originally in the senses ‘severe blow with a weapon’ and ‘deliver a heavy blow’): probably imitative and of Scandinavian origin; compare with Swedish rappa ‘beat, drub’, also with the verb clap and flap.
Culture:
Rap music first became popular in the early 1980s and well-known performers include Snoop (Doggy) Dog, 50 cent, the Beastie Boys and Eminem. There are many styles of rap and it has had important influence on other types of popular music. Some bands combine aspects of jazz and rap music while others, such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers mix it with rock and funk. It is also important to the music of many nu metal bands. One style of the music, gangsta rap, is often criticized for its violent songs.
See also hip hop
.
Example Bank:
• a rap on the knuckles
• one of the biggest artists on the rap scene
• He denounced the criticisms as ‘just one bum rap after another’.
• Wolves get a bad rap, says a woman who owns three.

Idioms: rap on the knuckles ▪ rap somebody on the knuckles ▪ rap somebody's knuckles ▪ take the rap

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

rap / ræp / noun [ U ] (MUSIC)

A2 a type of popular music with a strong rhythm in which the words are spoken, not sung:

a rap artist /star

rap / ræp / noun [ C or U ] mainly US slang (PUNISHMENT)

a statement accusing someone of a crime, or the punishment that someone is given for a crime:

He always said he was jailed on a bum rap (= false accusation) .

The police caught him, but somehow he managed to beat the rap (= escape punishment) .

I'm not going to take the rap for you (= be punished for something you did) .

rap / ræp / noun [ C ] US slang (JUDGMENT)

a judgment or a reaction:

The new show got a bum/bad rap (= was severely criticized) in all the papers.

rap / ræp / noun [ C ] (HIT)

a sudden short noise, especially one made by hitting a hard surface:

There was a series of raps on the window.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

rap

[ræ_p]
raps, rapping, rapped
1) N-UNCOUNT: oft N n Rap is a type of music in which the words are not sung but are spoken in a rapid, rhythmic way.
  For some people, rap - the music of the hip-hop generation - is just so much noise...
  Her favorite music was by Run DMC, a rap group.
2) VERB Someone who raps performs rap music.
  ...the unexpected pleasure of hearing the Kids not only rap but even sing...
  [V about n] New Yorkers rap about parties and clubs, I rap about car chases and guns.
3) N-COUNT A rap is a piece of music performed in rap style, or the words that are used in it.
  Every member contributes to the rap, singing either solo or as part of a rap chorus.
4) VERB If you rap on something or rap it, you hit it with a series of quick blows.
  [V on n] Mary Ann turned and rapped on Simon's door.
  [V n] ...rapping the glass with the knuckles of his right hand...
  [V n on n] A guard raps his stick on a metal hand rail.
N-COUNT: usu N on n
Rap is also a noun. There was a sharp rap on the door.
5) N-COUNT: oft adj N for n/-ing A rap is a statement in a court of law that someone has committed a particular crime, or the punishment for committing it. [AM, INFORMAL]
  You'll be facing a Federal rap for aiding and abetting an escaped convict.
6) N-COUNT: usu sing A rap is an act of criticizing or blaming someone. [JOURNALISM]
  Paul Ringer faces a rap after playing for Penarth on Boxing Day...
  Timeshare companies also come in for a rap as they continue to flout the rules.
7) VERB If you rap someone for something, you criticize or blame them for it. [JOURNALISM]
  [V n for/over n] Water industry chiefs were rapped yesterday for failing their customers...
  [V n for/over n] The minister rapped banks over their treatment of small businesses.
  Syn:
  criticize
8) N-SING: usu with supp The rap about someone or something is their reputation, often a bad reputation which they do not deserve. [AM, INFORMAL]
  The rap against Conn was that he was far too reckless...
  The rap on this guy is that he doesn't really care...
  He said statisticians gave them a bad rap by `lying with figures'.
9) VERB If you rap with someone about something, you talk about it in a relaxed or informal way. [AM, INFORMAL]
  [V about n] Today we are going to rap about relationships. [Also V with n]
10) PHRASE: V inflects If someone in authority raps your knuckles or raps you on the knuckles, they criticize you or blame you for doing something they think is wrong. [JOURNALISM]
  We rap the manufacturers on their knuckles if the toy is shoddy...
  I joined the workers on strike and was rapped over the knuckles...
  Ms Tyson also had her knuckles rapped for doing this.
11) PHRASE: PHR after v If someone in authority gives you a rap on the knuckles, they criticize you or blame you for doing something they think is wrong. [JOURNALISM]
  The remark earned him a rap on the knuckles...
  Britain gave them a diplomatic rap over the knuckles.
12) PHRASE: V inflects If you take the rap, you are blamed or punished for something, especially something that is not your fault or for which other people are equally guilty. [INFORMAL]
  When the client was murdered, his wife took the rap, but did she really do it?
13) PHRASE: V inflects If you beat the rap, you avoid being blamed for something wrong that you have done. [INFORMAL]
  ...their decision to help Minnie beat the murder rap.
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - rap out

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

³rap noun, pl raps
1 [noncount] : a type of music that has words that are spoken with the rhythm instead of being sung
• He listens mostly to rap.
- often used before another noun
• a rap album/artist/group/song
• rap music
2 [count] : a rap song
• He performed a rap.

- compare ¹rap

clam

clam [noun]

a type of sea creature with a shell in two parts that can close together tightly, and a soft body that can be eaten

/klæm/

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

clam

I. clam¹ /klæm/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: clam 'two-part fastener' (14-20 centuries), from Old English clamm 'chain, rope, etc. for tying something up'; from the tight shutting of a clam shell]

1. a ↑shellfish you can eat that has a shell in two parts that open up:
clam chowder (=a type of soup)
2. as happy as a clam American English informal very happy
3. American English informal someone who does not say what they are thinking or feeling
II. clam² BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle clammed, present participle clamming)
clam up phrasal verb
informal to suddenly stop talking, especially when you are nervous or shy:
A sensitive child is likely just to clam up.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

clam

clam [clam clams clammed clamming] [klæm] [klæm]

noun

a shellfish that can be eaten. It has a shell in two parts that can open and close
• clam chowder/soup
• The moment I mentioned the children he closed up like a clam (= became silent and refused to discuss the topic).
Word Origin:
early 16th cent.: apparently from earlier clam ‘a clamp’, from Old English clam, clamm ‘a bond or bondage’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch klemme, German Klemme, also to clamp.

Derived: clam up

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

clam / klæm / noun [ C ]

a type of sea creature with a shell in two parts that can close together tightly, and a soft body that can be eaten

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

clam

[klæ_m]
clams, clamming, clammed
N-COUNT
Clams are a kind of shellfish which can be eaten.
Phrasal Verbs:
- clam up

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹clam /ˈklæm/ noun, pl clams
1 [count] : a type of shellfish that lives in sand or mud, has a light-colored shell with two parts, and is eaten both cooked and raw
• steamed clams
• clam chowder
- see color picture
2 clams [plural] US slang somewhat old-fashioned : dollars
• He won 20 clams [=(more commonly) bucks] playing poker.
(as) happy as a clam US informal : very happy
• She spent the afternoon reading and was as happy as a clam.

squid

squid [noun]

a sea creature with a long body and ten arms situated around the mouth, or this animal eaten as food

/skwɪd/

Oxford Essential Dictionary

squid

noun (plural squid or squids)
a sea animal that we eat, with a soft body and ten long parts (called tentacles)

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

squid

squid /skwɪd/ BrE AmE noun (plural squid or squids) [countable]

a sea creature with a long soft body and ten arms around its mouth

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

squid

squid [squid squids squidded squidding] [skwɪd] [skwɪd] noun countable, uncountable (pl. squid or squids)
a sea creature that has a long soft body, eight arms and two tentacles (= long thin parts like arms) around its mouth, and that is sometimes used for food
Word Origin:

late 16th cent.: of unknown origin.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

squid / skwɪd / noun [ C or U ] ( plural squid )

squid

a sea creature with a long body and ten arms situated around the mouth, or this animal eaten as food

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

squid

[skwɪ̱d]
squids
N-COUNT
(squid can also be used as the plural form.)
A squid is a sea creature with a long soft body and many soft arms called tentacles.
N-UNCOUNT
Squid is pieces of this creature eaten as food. Add the prawns and squid and cook for 2 minutes.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

squid

squid /ˈskwɪd/ noun, pl squid or squids [count] : a sea animal that has a long, thin, soft body and 10 long arms

reggae

reggae [noun]

a type of popular music from Jamaica, with a strong second and fourth beat

/ˈreɡ.eɪ/

Oxford Essential Dictionary

reggae

noun (no plural)
(music) a type of West Indian music

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

reggae

reg‧gae /ˈreɡeɪ/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[Date: 1900-2000; Language: Jamaican English; Origin: rege 'rags']
a kind of popular music originally from Jamaica, with a strong regular beat

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

reggae

reg·gae [reggae reggaes] [ˈreɡeɪ] [ˈreɡeɪ] noun uncountable
a type of popular music with strong rhythms, developed in Jamaica in the 1960s
Word Origin:
perhaps related to Jamaican English rege-rege ‘quarrel, row’.
Culture:

Reggae began in Jamaica in the 1960s and is now well known in Britain, the US and other countries. Reggae songs often have a Rastafarian message, and the musicians often wear their hair in long tight curls called dreadlocks. Famous reggae groups have included Bob Marley and the Wailers, Aswad and Burning Spear.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

reggae / ˈreɡ.eɪ / noun [ U ]

a type of popular music from Jamaica, with a strong second and fourth beat

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

reggae

[re̱geɪ]
N-UNCOUNT: oft N n
Reggae is a kind of West Indian popular music with a very strong beat.
Many people will remember Bob Marley for providing them with their first taste of Reggae music.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

reggae

reg·gae /ˈrɛgeɪ/ noun [noncount] : popular music that is originally from Jamaica and that combines native styles with elements of rock and soul music

live

live [adjective] (AS IT HAPPENS)

(of a performance) broadcast, recorded, or seen while it is happening

/laɪv/

Example:

This evening there will be a live broadcast of the debate.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

live

adjective

1 not dead:
Have you ever touched a real live snake?

2 If a radio or television programme is live, you see or hear it at the same time as it happens:
The match is going out live on TV.

3 with electricity passing through it:
Don't touch that wire – it's live!

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. live² S3 W3 /laɪv/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: verb: ↑live, ↑outlive, ↑relive, ↑liven, ↑up; adjective: ↑live, ↑lively, ↑living, ↑liveable; noun: ↑liveliness, ↑living, ↑livelihood; adverb: ↑live]
[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: alive]
1. LIVING [only before noun] not dead or artificial SYN living OPP dead:
experiments on live animals
Protesters want to stop the export of live sheep and cattle.
the number of live births per 1,000 population
We were so excited to see real live elephants.
2. TV/RADIO a live television or radio programme is seen or heard on television or radio at the same time as it is actually happening OPP prerecorded:
a live radio phone-in show
There will be live TV coverage of tonight’s big match.
3. MUSIC/THEATRE a live performance is one in which the entertainer performs for people who are watching, rather than a film, record etc:
A lot of the bars have live music.
The band will be giving a live concert performance next week.
We’ll be playing you a track from his new live album (=↑album that was recorded from a live performance).
It’s always different when you perform in front of a live audience (=an audience watching a live performance).
4. ELECTRICITY a wire or piece of equipment that is live has electricity flowing through it:
Be careful – those wires are live.
5. BOMBS a live bomb still has the power to explode because it has not been used:
They came across a field of live, unexploded mines.
6. BULLETS live bullets are real ones that are made of metal and can kill people OPP blank:
Troops fired live ammunition to disperse the crowd.
7. ISSUE a live subject or problem is one that still interests or worries people:
Drink-driving is still very much a live issue.
8. live coals pieces of coal that are burning:
She threw the paper onto the live coals.
9. YOGHURT live ↑yoghurt contains ↑bacteria that are still alive
III. live³ /laɪv/ BrE AmE adverb
[Word Family: verb: ↑live, ↑outlive, ↑relive, ↑liven, ↑up; adjective: ↑live, ↑lively, ↑living, ↑liveable; noun: ↑liveliness, ↑living, ↑livelihood; adverb: ↑live]
1. if something is broadcast live, it is broadcast on television or radio as it is actually happening ⇨ prerecorded:
The ceremony will be broadcast live on television.
The match will be shown live by the BBC.
2. if people perform live, they perform in front of people who have come to watch, rather than for a film, record etc:
I love their music, but I’ve never seen them perform live.
The band is playing live in Birmingham tonight.
Their latest CD was recorded live (=recorded at a live performance) in New York.
3. go live when a system or project goes live, people start to use it after it has been planned and discussed for a long time:
Their new information retrieval system went live last month.
a new security project which will go live in October

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

▪ II. live 2 [live lives lived living] adjective, adverb [laɪv] [laɪv]

see also live¹

adjective usually before noun

NOT DEAD
1. living; not dead
• live animals
• the number of live births (= babies born alive)

• We saw a real live rattlesnake!

NOT RECORDED

2. (of a broadcast) sent out while the event is actually happening, not recorded first and broadcast later

• live coverage of the World Cup

3. (of a performance) given or made when people are watching, not recorded
• The club has live music most nights.
• a live recording made at Wembley Arena
• the band's new live album

• It was the first interview I'd done in front of a live audience (= with people watching).

ELECTRICITY

4. (of a wire or device) connected to a source of electrical power

• That terminal is live.

BULLETS/MATCHES

5. still able to explode or light; ready for use

• live ammunition

COALS

6. live coals are burning or are still hot and red

YOGURT

7. live yogurt still contains the bacteria needed to turn milk into yogurt

QUESTION/SUBJECT
8. of interest or importance at the present time

• Pollution is still very much a live issue.

INTERNET

9. (of an electronic link) functioning correctly, so that it is connected to another document or page on the Internet
• Here are some live links to other aviation-related web pages.
Word Origin:
mid 16th cent. alive

Example Bank:
• I can watch the games live on TV.
• This programme comes to you live from the Albert Hall.
• In those days the broadcasts all went out live.
• Is the show live or recorded?
• Later we'll talk live with the former New York police commissioner.
• The CD was recorded live at a concert given last year.
• The band have never played this song live before.
• The game will be televised live this evening.
• The new website is expected to go live in October.
• The show was filmed live at the Arena.
• The show will air live on June 10.
• The trial was carried live on a Chicago radio station.
• This concert comes to you live from Carnegie Hall.
• We'll be reporting live from Beijing.
• Customs officials seized 400 live snakes packed in crates.
• I need to talk to a live person.
• The victim's pockets were full of live ammunition.
• the number of live births

Idioms: go live ▪ live wire

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

live / laɪv / adjective (AS IT HAPPENS)

B1 (of a performance) broadcast, recorded, or seen while it is happening:

This evening there will be a live broadcast of the debate.

a live recording

live / laɪv / adjective [ before noun ] (HAVING LIFE)

having life:

Millions of live animals are shipped around the world each year.

There was a tank of live lobsters in the restaurant.

live / laɪv / adjective (ELECTRICITY)

(of a wire) carrying or charged with electricity:

a live wire

live / laɪv / adjective (ABLE TO EXPLODE)

able to explode:

live rounds of ammunition

live shells

live / laɪv / adjective (BURNING)

(of a fire, coals, or a match) still burning or able to burn:

There are live coals in the fireplace.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

live

I VERB USES

lives, living, lived
(Pronounced [lɪ̱v] in live 1, and [la͟ɪv] in live 2.)
1) VERB If someone lives in a particular place or with a particular person, their home is in that place or with that person.
  [V adv/prep] She has lived here for 10 years...
  [V adv/prep] She always said I ought to live alone...
  [V adv/prep] Where do you live?...
  [V adv/prep] He still lives with his parents.
2) VERB If you say that someone lives in particular circumstances or that they live a particular kind of life, you mean that they are in those circumstances or that they have that kind of life.
  [V adv/prep] We lived quite grandly...
  [V adv/prep] Compared to people living only a few generations ago, we have greater opportunities to have a good time...
  [V n] We can start living a normal life again now.
  [V-ing] ...the local support group for people living with HIV and AIDS.
3) VERB If you say that someone lives for a particular thing, you mean that it is the most important thing in their life.
  [V for n] He lived for his work.
4) VERB To live means to be alive. If someone lives to a particular age, they stay alive until they are that age.
  [V adv] He's got a terrible disease and will not live long...
  [V adv] A perennial is a plant that lives indefinitely...
  [V to-inf] He lived to be 103...
  [V to-inf] My father died nigh on ten years ago, but he lived to see his first grandson...
  [V to n] Matilda was born in northern Italy in 1046 and apparently lived to a ripe old age...
  [V-ing] The blue whale is the largest living thing on the planet...
  [V-ing] Ian was her only living relative.
5) VERB: no cont If people live by doing a particular activity, they get the money, food, or clothing they need by doing that activity.
  [V by -ing/n] ...the last indigenous people to live by hunting...
  [V by -ing/n] These crimes were committed largely by professional criminals who lived by crime.
6) VERB If you live by a particular rule, belief, or ideal, you behave in the way in which it says you should behave.
  [V by n] They live by the principle that we are here to add what we can to life, not to get what we want from it.
7) VERB: no cont If a person or occasion lives in someone's mind or in history, they are remembered for a long time.
  [V with n] The memory of that will live with me for many years to come...
  [V in n] His name will live in history as one of the greatest bowlers of all time...
PHRASAL VERB
Live on means the same as live. Also V P V P in n Lenin lives on in the minds and hearts of millions of people.
8) → See also living
9) PHRASE: Vs inflect, PHR n (emphasis) If you say that someone lives and breathes a particular subject or activity, you are emphasizing that they are extremely enthusiastic about it.
  He has lived and breathed polo since he was seven.
10) PHRASE: have inflects, usu PHR with cl If you tell someone that they haven't lived unless they experience a particular thing, you are telling them that thing is extremely good and should be experienced.
  If you have never been to an opera, you haven't lived...
  You haven't lived until you've used their new micro system.
11) PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR of -ing/n You can use expressions such as to live in fear and to live in terror to indicate that someone is always thinking about an unpleasant or frightening event, because they think that it might happen.
  One in 10 Californians is unemployed and thousands more live in fear of losing their jobs.
12) CONVENTION You say live and let live as a way of saying that you should let other people behave in the way that they want to and not criticize them for behaving differently from you.
13) PHRASE: V inflects If you live it up, you have a very enjoyable and exciting time, for example by going to lots of parties or going out drinking with friends. [INFORMAL]
  There is no reason why you couldn't live it up once in a while.
14) to live hand to mouth → see hand
to live a lie → see lie
to live beyond your means → see means
to live in sin → see sin
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - live down
  - live off
  - live on
  - live off
  - live on
  - live out
  - live through
  - live together
  - live up toII ADJECTIVE USES
♦♦♦
(Pronounced [lɪ̱v] in live 1, and [la͟ɪv] in live 2.)
1) ADJ: ADJ n Live animals or plants are alive, rather than being dead or artificial.
  ...a protest against the company's tests on live animals.
  ...baskets of live chickens.
  Ant:
  dead
2) ADJ A live television or radio programme is one in which an event or performance is broadcast at exactly the same time as it happens, rather than being recorded first.
  Murray was a guest on a live radio show.
  ...we were laughing and gossiping, oblivious to the fact that we were on live TV...
  They watch all the live matches...
  A broadcast of the speech was heard in San Francisco, but it is not known if this was live.
  Ant:
  pre-recorded
ADV: ADV after v
Live is also an adverb. It was broadcast live in 50 countries... We'll be going live to Nottingham later in this bulletin.
3) ADJ: usu ADJ n A live performance is given in front of an audience, rather than being recorded and then broadcast or shown in a film.
  The Rainbow has not hosted live music since the end of 1981...
  A live audience will pose the questions...
  The band was forced to cancel a string of live dates.
  Ant:
  recorded
ADV: ADV after v
Live is also an adverb. Kat Bjelland has been playing live with her new band.
4) ADJ: usu ADJ n A live recording is a recording of a band playing at a concert, rather than in a studio.
  This is my favourite live album of all time...
  The LP features live recordings from the `Great Xpectations' all-day show.
5) ADJ: usu ADJ n A live wire or piece of electrical equipment is directly connected to a source of electricity.
  The plug broke, exposing live wires...
  He warned others about the live electric cables as they climbed to safety.
6) ADJ: usu ADJ n Live bullets are made of metal, rather than rubber or plastic, and are intended to kill people rather than injure them.
  They trained in the jungle using live ammunition.
7) ADJ: usu ADJ n A live bomb or missile is one which has not yet exploded.
  A live bomb had earlier been defused.
8) PHRASE: V inflects If a system, campaign, or other course of action goes live, it starts to be used. [mainly BRIT]
  The new system went live earlier this year...
  The service should go live this summer.
9) PHRASE: PHR n You use real live to say that someone or something is present or exists, when you want to indicate that you think this is exciting and unusual or unexpected. [INFORMAL]
  He had never met a real live admiral...
  She has the best pet of all - a real live tiger.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

²live /ˈlaɪv/ adj
1 a always used before a noun : having life : living or alive
• They object to the use of live animals in scientific experiments.
• a live birth [=a birth of a living child or animal]
b informal : not imaginary : actually existing - used in the phrase real live
• Everyone was excited about seeing a real live celebrity. [=an actual celebrity]
2 a : done in front of an audience : of or involving a play, concert, etc., that is performed in front of people
• a nightclub with live music/entertainment
• The group has just released a live album. [=an album made by recording a performance before an audience]
b : watching a performance as it happens
• a television program filmed before a live (studio) audience
c : broadcast while a performance, event, etc., is happening : not recorded earlier
• a live television/radio program
• She was nervous about being interviewed on live radio.
• The network is providing live coverage of the debate.
3 : carrying an electric current : connected to electric power
• Use caution when you are working near live electrical wires.
• a live microphone
- see also live wire
4 always used before a noun
a : carrying a charge and capable of exploding or being shot
• a live bomb
• live ammunition
• We had thought the guns were loaded with blanks, but the soldiers were actually shooting live bullets.
b : burning without a flame : glowing
• live coals
5 : not yet decided or settled : still causing discussion, disagreement, or concern
• a live issue
• a live controversy
6 US sports : still in play
• The ball is live until it goes out of bounds.
7 Brit of yogurt : containing living bacteria
• We sell live yogurt.

American English

British English

simultaneous and consecutive

B1 (Intermediate)

adjective

talk

talk [noun]

a speech given to a group of people to teach or tell them about a particular subject

/tɑːk/

/tɔːk/

Example:

He gave a talk about/on his visit to America.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

talk

noun

1 when two or more people talk about something:
Dave and I had a long talk about the problem.
The two countries are holding talks to try and end the war.

2 when a person speaks to a group of people:
Professor Wilson gave an interesting talk on Chinese art.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. talk² S1 W1 BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑talk, talks, ↑talker; verb: ↑talk; adjective: ↑talkative]
1. CONVERSATION [countable] a conversation:
After a long talk, we decided on divorce.
John, I’d like to have a talk with you.
talk about
We must have a talk about money.
2. DISCUSSION talks [plural] formal discussions between governments, organizations etc
peace/trade etc talks
The peace talks look promising.
The president held talks with Chinese officials.
talks with
Talks with the rebels have failed.
3. SPEECH [countable] a speech:
an entertaining talk
talk on/about
a talk on local history
give/do/deliver a talk
Dr. Howard will give a talk on herbal medicine.
4. NEWS [uncountable] information or news that people talk about and hear about a lot, but that is not official
talk of
Tickets sold so quickly there’s talk of a second concert.
talk of doing something
the administration’s talk of reducing weapons
talk that
There’s talk that she’s difficult to work with.
just/only talk
It’s just talk. He’ll never do it.
5. TYPE OF CONVERSATION [uncountable] type of conversation:
That’s enough of that kind of talk.
persuasive sales talk
That’s fighting talk (=brave and confident words) from Italy’s manager.
6. be all talk spoken someone who is all talk talks a lot about what they intend to do, but never actually does it
7. be the talk of the town/Paris etc someone who is the talk of the town has done something bad, shocking, exciting etc and everyone is talking about them:
She’s the talk of London’s theatre-goers since her last performance.
8. talk is cheap used to say that you do not believe someone will do what they say
⇨ ↑pep talk, ↑small talk, ⇨ idle talk at ↑idle¹(2), ⇨ pillow talk at ↑pillow¹(3)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ verbs
▪ have a talk I must have a talk with Frank before I leave.
■ adjectives
▪ a long talk I had a long talk with Nora this morning.
▪ a little talk I’m glad we’ve had this little talk.
▪ a serious talk Before she went to college, her father sat her down for a serious talk.
▪ a quiet/private talk She asked if she could have a private talk.
▪ a good talk (=a long talk about important or interesting things) She was upset, but we’ve had a good talk and things are okay now.
▪ a nice talk We all had lunch together and a nice talk.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ have/hold talks He called on the rebels to hold talks with the government.
▪ enter into talks (=start having talks) The Ambassador stated that France was prepared to enter into talks on the issue.
▪ talks begin Talks began in October and Venezuela said it expects an agreement to be signed soon.
▪ talks continue/are underway Talks will continue through the weekend.
▪ talks break down/collapse (=stop because of disagreement) Talks broke down today between the Russian and Japanese delegations.
▪ talks resume/are resumed Talks resumed in Geneva on April 19 after a month’s break.
▪ talks end The talks ended without a settlement being reached.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + talks
▪ peace talks All four Arab delegations walked out of the Middle East peace talks yesterday.
▪ trade talks Trade talks between the EU and the Americans have once again collapsed.
▪ high-level talks (=involving important people) The announcement came after a morning of high-level talks.
▪ budget talks The dollar fell as U.S. budget talks appeared unlikely to produce an agreement.
▪ direct talks The President declared that he was now prepared to enter into direct talks with the rebels.
▪ bilateral talks (=involving two groups or countries) Bilateral talks led to the resumption of diplomatic relations.
▪ round-table talks (=when everyone can discuss things in an equal way) An election law, agreed during round-table talks, gave every voter the right to two votes.
▪ urgent talks The Prime Minister called ministers together for urgent talks.
▪ crisis talks (=talks to stop a situation getting worse or more dangerous) The unions will hold crisis talks with the company in a bid to save jobs.
■ phrases
▪ a round of talks (=a series of talks that is part of a longer process) A third round of talks was held in May.
▪ the breakdown/collapse of talks The collapse of the talks sent shock waves round the world.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

noun

CONVERSATION
1. countable ~ (with sb) (about sth) a conversation or discussion
• I had a long talk with my boss about my career prospects.
• We need to have a serious talk about money matters.
• I had to have a heart-to-heart talk with her.

• She looked worried so we had a talk.

FORMAL DISCUSSIONS

2. talks plural formal discussions between governments or organizations
• arms/pay/peace, etc. talks
• to hold talks
• ~ (between A and B) (on/over sth) Talks between management and workers broke down over the issue of holiday pay.
• High-level talks on arms limitation will reopen next month.
• A further round of talks will be needed if the dispute is to be resolved.

• Union representatives walked out of emergency talks aimed at reaching a pay settlement.

SPEECH

3. countable ~ (on sth) a speech or lecture on a particular subject

• She gave a talk on her visit to China.

WORDS WITHOUT ACTIONS

4. uncountable (informal) words that are spoken, but without the necessary facts or actions to support them
• It's just talk. He'd never carry out his threats.

• Don't pay any attention to her— she's all talk.

STORIES/RUMOURS

5. uncountable ~ (of sth/of doing sth) | ~ (that…) stories that suggest a particular thing might happen in the future
• There was talk in Washington of sending in troops.
• She dismissed the stories of her resignation as newspaper talk.

• There's talk that he's a difficult actor to work with.

TOPIC/WAY OF SPEAKING

6. uncountable (often in compounds) a topic of conversation or a way of speaking
• business talk
• She said it was just girl talk that a man wouldn't understand.
• The book teaches you how to understand Spanish street talk (= slang).
• It was tough talk, coming from a man who had begun the year in a hospital bed.
see also small talk, sweet talk, trash talk
more at fighting talk at fight _v.
Word Origin:
Middle English: frequentative verb from the Germanic base of tale or tell.
Synonyms:
discussion
conversation • dialogue • talk • debate • consultation • chat • gossip
These are all words for an occasion when people talk about sth.
discussion • a detailed conversation about sth that is considered to be important: ▪ Discussions are still taking place between the two leaders.
conversation • a talk, usually a private or informal one, involving two people or a small group; the activity of talking in this way: ▪ a telephone conversation
dialogue • conversations in a book, play or film: ▪ The novel has long descriptions and not much dialogue. A dialogue is also a formal discussion between two groups, especially when they are trying to solve a problem or end a dispute: ▪ The President told waiting reporters there had been a constructive dialogue.
talk • a conversation or discussion, often one about a problem or sth important for the people involved: ▪ I had a long talk with my boss about my career prospects.
debate • a formal discussion of an issue at a public meeting or in a parliament. In a debate two or more speakers express opposing views and then there is often a vote on the issue: ▪ a debate on prison reform
consultation • a formal discussion between groups of people before a decision is made about sth: ▪ There have been extensive consultations between the two countries.
chat • a friendly informal conversation; informal talking. The countable use of chat is especially British English: ▪ I just called in for a chat about the kids.
gossip • a conversation about other people and their private lives: ▪ We had a good gossip about the boss.
a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip about sth
a discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation on sth
in (close) discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation with sb
to have a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip with sb
to hold a discussion/conversation/debate/consultation
Synonyms:
speech
lecture • address • talk • sermon
These are all words for a talk given to an audience.
speech • a formal talk given to an audience: ▪ Several people made speeches at the wedding.
lecture • a talk given to a group of people to tell them about a particular subject, often as part of a university or college course: ▪ a lecture on the Roman army ◊ ▪ a course/series of lectures
address • a formal speech given to an audience: ▪ a televised presidential address
speech or address?
A speech can be given on a public or private occasion; an address is always public: He gave an address at the wedding.
talk • a fairly informal session in which sb tells a group of people about a subject: ▪ She gave an interesting talk on her visit to China.
sermon • a talk on a moral or religious subject, usually given by a religious leader during a service: ▪ to preach a sermon
a long/short speech/lecture/address/talk/sermon
a keynote speech/lecture/address
to write/prepare/give/deliver/hear a(n) speech/lecture/address/talk/sermon
to attend/go to a lecture/talk
Example Bank:
• A further round of talks is expected in March.
• All this talk of the boss resigning is nonsense!
• Did you go to the talk on Peru?
• Don't you get enough shop talk at work?
• For all the talk of bringing their children up the same, the boys ended up never doing any of the cooking.
• For all their talk of equality, the boys ended up not doing any cooking.
• He is currently in talks with two football clubs.
• He was never very good at making small talk with her parents.
• He's all talk. He's too scared to do anything.
• I enjoyed our talk about the old days.
• I need to have a heart-to-heart talk with her.
• I never used baby talk to my little girl.
• I will have to have a little talk with that young lady.
• Let me end my talk with a prediction.
• She gave a very entertaining talk entitled ‘My life and hard times’.
• She gave an illustrated talk on Roman architecture.
• She likes straight talk and hates hypocrites.
• Talk turned to money and tempers began to fray.
• Talks are being held over the political future of the province.
• Talks produced agreement on an end to the occupation.
• Talks were scheduled for Rome the following month.
• The US authorities have increased the war talk.
• The agreement was concluded during talks in Beijing.
• The chairman's boasts about future profits was just cheap talk.
• The delegation arrived for talks with their government.
• The peace talks will take place in Cairo.
• The president's true agenda was hidden in political double talk.
• The talks centred on bilateral trade.
• The talks foundered on the issue of compensation.
• The talks remain deadlocked over spending plans.
• The two governments held secret talks on the nuclear threat.
• The union has broken off talks with the management.
• There has been much public talk about bilingual education.
• There is open talk of a leadership challenge.
• There is ridiculous talk of her breaking the world record soon.
• There was excited talk of emigrating to America.
• We can have some girl talk until Joe gets here.
• What all the fine talk came down to was hard cash.
• You often hear talk of the north-south divide.
• the crusade against dirty talk on TV
• the failure of talks between the two communities
• the latest round of talks aimed at ending the civil war
• the pillow talk of lovers
• Every week the sales reps go to their manager's office for a team talk.
• I found the sales talk very persuasive.
• I had a long talk with my boss about my career prospects.

• She gave an interesting talk on her visit to China.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

talk / tɔːk / / tɑːk / noun

B1 [ C ] a conversation between two people, often about a particular subject:

I asked him to have a talk with his mother about his plan.

B2 [ C ] a speech given to a group of people to teach or tell them about a particular subject:

He gave a talk about/on his visit to America.

talks C2 [ plural ] serious and formal discussions on an important subject, usually intended to produce decisions or agreements:

Talks were held in Madrid about the fuel crisis.

C2 [ U ] the action of talking about what might happen or be true, or the subject people are talking about:

Talk won't get us anywhere.

The talk/Her talk was all about the wedding.

Word partners for talk noun

have a talk ( with sb) • a talk about sth • a long / serious / short talk

Word partners for talks

begin / enter into / have / hold talks • resume / revive / reopen talks • talks take place • talks break down / collapse / fail / stall • talks aimed at doing sth • direct / face-to-face / secret / urgent talks • talks about / on sth • in talks ( with sb)

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

talk

[tɔ͟ːk]

talks, talking, talked
1) VERB When you talk, you use spoken language to express your thoughts, ideas, or feelings.
  He was too distressed to talk...
  A teacher reprimanded a girl for talking in class...
  The boys all began to talk at once...
  Though she can't talk yet, she understands what is going on.
N-UNCOUNT
Talk is also a noun. That's not the kind of talk one usually hears from accountants.
2) V-RECIP If you talk to someone, you have a conversation with them. You can also say that two people talk.
  [pl-n V] We talked and laughed a great deal...
  [V to/with n] I talked to him yesterday...
  A neighbour saw her talking with Craven...
  [pl-n V about n] When she came back, they were talking about American food...
  [V (non-recip)] Can't you see I'm talking? Don't interrupt. [Also V to n about n]
  Syn:
  conversation
N-COUNT
Talk is also a noun. We had a long talk about her father, Tony, who was a friend of mine.
3) V-RECIP If you talk to someone, you tell them about the things that are worrying you. You can also say that two people talk.
  [V to n] Your first step should be to talk to a teacher or school counselor...
  [V to n] There's no one she can talk to, and she's on the verge of collapse...
  [pl-n V] We need to talk alone...
  [V about n (non-recip)] Do ring if you want to talk about it...
  [V (non-recip)] I have to sort some things out. We really needed to talk.
N-COUNT
Talk is also a noun. I think it's time we had a talk.
4) VERB If you talk on or about something, you make an informal speech telling people what you know or think about it.
  [V on/about n] She will talk on the issues she cares passionately about including education and nursery care...
  [V to n] He intends to talk to young people about the dangers of AIDS.
  Syn:
  speak
N-COUNT: oft N on/about n
Talk is also a noun. A guide gives a brief talk on the history of the site... He then set about campaigning, giving talks and fund-raising.
5) N-PLURAL: oft N with/between n, N on/about n Talks are formal discussions intended to produce an agreement, usually between different countries or between employers and employees.
  ...the next round of Middle East peace talks...
  Talks between striking railway workers and the Polish government have broken down...
  They are holding hostages to try to force the authorities into talks on possible amnesties for drugs offences.
  Syn:
  negotiations
6) V-RECIP If one group of people talks to another, or if two groups talk, they have formal discussions in order to do a deal or produce an agreement.
  [V to n about n/-ing] We're talking to some people about opening an office in London...
  [V with/to n] The company talked with many potential investors...
  [pl-n V] It triggered broad speculation that GM and Jaguar might be talking.
7) V-RECIP When different countries or different sides in a dispute talk, or talk to each other, they discuss their differences in order to try and settle the dispute.
  [V to n] The Foreign Minister said he was ready to talk to any country that had no hostile intentions...
  [pl-n V] They are collecting information in preparation for the day when the two sides sit down and talk...
  [V to/with pron-recip] Croats and Serbs still aren't prepared to talk to each other...
  [V (non-recip)] The speed with which the two sides came to the negotiating table shows that they are ready to talk.
  Syn:
  negotiate
8) VERB If people are talking about another person or are talking, they are discussing that person.
  [V about/of n] Everyone is talking about him...
  People will talk, but you have to get on with your life.
  Syn:
  gossip
N-UNCOUNT: usu N about/of n/-ing, N that
Talk is also a noun. There has been a lot of talk about me getting married... There was even talk that charges of fraud would be brought.
9) VERB If someone talks when they are being held by police or soldiers, they reveal important or secret information, usually unwillingly.
  They'll talk, they'll implicate me.
10) VERB: no passive If you talk a particular language or talk with a particular accent, you use that language or have that accent when you speak.
  [V n] You don't sound like a foreigner talking English...
  [V prep/adv] They were amazed that I was talking in an Irish accent.
11) VERB: no passive If you talk something such as politics or sport, you discuss it.
  [V n] The guests were mostly middle-aged men talking business.
12) VERB You can use talk to say what you think of the ideas that someone is expressing. For example, if you say that someone is talking sense, you mean that you think the opinions they are expressing are sensible.
  [V n] You must admit George, you're talking absolute rubbish.
13) VERB: no passive You can say that you are talking a particular thing to draw attention to your topic or to point out a characteristic of what you are discussing. [SPOKEN]
  [V n] We're not talking ax murder here; we're talking poker machines or gambling - things that are misdemeanors in most states...
  [V n] We're talking megabucks this time.
14) N-UNCOUNT If you say that something such as an idea or threat is just talk, or all talk, you mean that it does not mean or matter much, because people are exaggerating about it or do not really intend to do anything about it.
  Has much of this actually been tried here? Or is it just talk?...
  Conditions should be laid down. Otherwise it's all talk.
15) PHRASE: PHR n/-ing (emphasis) You can say talk about before mentioning a particular expression or situation, when you mean that something is a very striking or clear example of that expression or situation. [INFORMAL]
  Took us quite a while to get here, didn't it? Talk about Fate moving in a mysterious way!...
  She threw the cake I'd made on the floor and stood on it. Talk about being humiliated!
16) PHRASE: PHR n/-ing You can use the expression talking of to introduce a new topic that you want to discuss, and to link it to something that has already been mentioned.
  I'll give a prize to the best idea. Talking of good ideas, here's one to break the ice at a wedding party...
  As it says in the Bible, my cup is running over. Talking of which, I must get you a cup of tea.
  Syn:
  speaking of
17) to talk shop → see shop
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - talk around
  - talk back
  - talk down
  - talk down to
  - talk into
  - talk out
  - talk out of
  - talk over
  - talk round
  - talk through
  - talk up

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

talk
²talk noun, pl talks
1 [count] : an occurrence in which one person talks about something with another person : a conversation or discussion - often + about
• After a long talk about our relationship, we decided to get married.
- often + with
• The boss would like to have a talk with you.
- see also pep talk
2 [count] : the act of talking formally about something before a group of people : a speech or lecture - often + on
• He gave a talk on organic farming.
• She is preparing a talk on Christianity in the 21st century.
3 [count] : a formal discussion between two or more groups that are trying to reach an agreement about something - usually plural
• The country refuses to participate in talks on nuclear disarmament.
• a round of trade talks
4 [noncount] : a particular way of speaking
• I will not allow that kind of talk in my house.
• The movie has plenty of action and tough talk.
• street talk [=a way of speaking that is associated with people who live in a poor part of a city]
• straight talk [=speech that is very honest and direct]
- see also shoptalk
5 [noncount]
a : discussion about what might happen
• There has been some talk of further delays. [=some people have been saying that there will/may be further delays]
• I've been hearing talk that she plans to run for president.
b : the act of talking about a subject with another person or group : discussion or conversation
• When they get together, the talk always turns to [=they always talk about] their years together in high school.
6 [noncount] : the things people say about what they want to do or are going to do
• It's not just talk. I'm serious about moving out.
• If we're ever going to solve these problems, we need less talk and more action.
• The town's last mayor was all talk (and no action). [=the mayor talked about doing things but never actually did them]
• Talk is cheap. [=it is easy to say that you will do something] I need to see results.
talk the talk
- see ¹talk
the talk of the town : a person or thing that many people in a town, city, etc., are talking about in an interested or excited way
• Last year at this time no one had ever heard of him, but now he's the talk of the town.
• The new restaurant is the talk of the town.

- see also baby talk, double-talk, pillow talk, small talk

American English

British English

lecturing and addressing

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

noun

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