A2 (Elementary)

fish‧ing S3 /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/ noun [uncountable]
[Word Family: noun: fish, fishing, fishery; verb: fish; adverb: fishily; adjective: fishy]
1. the sport or business of catching fish:
   • Fishing is one of his hobbies.
   • Terry’s going fishing at Lake Arrowhead next weekend.
  deep sea/freshwater/saltwater fishing
  salmon/trout/bass etc fishing ⇨ flyfishing
2. be on a fishing expedition American English informal to try to find out secret information by asking a lot of questions about different things

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fishing

fish·ing [ˈfɪʃɪŋ] [ˈfɪʃɪŋ] noun uncountable

the sport or business of catching fish

• They often go fishing.

• deep-sea fishing

• a fishing boat

• fishing grounds

• We enjoyed a day's fishing by the river.

Culture:

field sports [field sports fishing]

The main field sports are hunting, shooting and fishing. They are often also called blood sports because they involve killing animals. In Britain all three sports were traditionally associated with the upper classes, although today they all, especially fishing, attract a much wider group of people.

Fox-hunting, usually called just ‘hunting’ in Britain, was until recently the most common form of hunting. A pack of specially trained dogs (called foxhounds) chase after and kill a fox while a group of people follow on horseback, traditionally wearing pink (= red jackets) and blowing horns. Fox-hunting was once a popular subject for painting and some English country pubs display sets of prints. Fox-hunting, together with stag-hunting (= the hunting of male deer), hare coursing, in which greyhounds chase after a hare (= a type of rabbit) are now illegal, as are other blood sports such as badger-baiting and cockfighting.

The ban on hunting was an important political issue in Britain. Many people believe hunting is cruel and should be stopped, but some people living in the country see the ban as an attack on their way of life. The ban finally came into effect in 2005. Organizations opposed to hunting with dogs include the League Against Cruel Sports and the RSPCA ( Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). The main organization in favour is the Countryside Alliance.

Shooting game birds, such as pheasant and grouse, is a sport mainly of the upper and middle classes. Grouse shooting begins each year on 12 August, the Glorious Twelfth, and takes place mainly in Scotland. The hunters often employ beaters to drive the birds towards their guns. Those who object to shooting at live birds for sport do clay pigeon shooting (= shooting at clay discs fired into the air).

Fishing, often called angling, is a very popular sport and there are many angling clubs. Three main types of angling take place: fly-fishing, coarse fishing and sea fishing. Fly-fishing, which is expensive, is fishing for salmon, trout and other fish in fast-flowing rivers, using specially disguised hooks. Coarse fishing in rivers and lakes for fish other than salmon and trout, most of which are thrown back after being caught, is more widely popular. On the coast people may fish with a rod and line from a boat or from the shore.

The US probably has more hunting organizations than any other country. This is mainly because of two strong traditions: the Constitution gives all Americans the right to own guns, and Americans have always hunted animals for food. The first Europeans who settled America hunted deer, bear, foxes, turkeys and ducks to survive, and many Americans still eat what they shoot. For these reasons, hunting is a sport for all classes and many people own hunting rifles. Americans do not use the name field sports. Instead they say outdoor sports or, because that can include camping, walking and boating, simply hunting and fishing. Bird hunting is often used instead of shooting, because that can also mean shooting at targets made of wood.

Many other Americans are against hunting, but animal rights groups have little power against organizations like the National Rifle Association, which has more than 4 million members, and other politically active groups that support hunting and fishing. Conservation organizations like the Colorado Wildlife Coalition also use their influence to protect the rights of people to hunt and fish.

The first US hunting club, the Gloucester Fox Hunting Club, was established in 1766 in Philadelphia. Fox-hunting now only takes place in a few eastern states where it is associated with the upper class and has little opposition. Americans generally hunt deer, elk, bear, antelope, mountain lion, raccoon and wild birds. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is in charge of fishing and hunting laws. States have their own wildlife departments and sometimes both national and state permission is needed to hunt.

Fishing is the most popular outdoor sport in America. Freshwater (= river) fish caught in the US include trout, bass and salmon. Saltwater (= sea) fish include flounder, mackerel, shark, snapper and tuna.

Example Bank:

• Ecuador announced a ban on fishing for shrimp.

• Fishing rights are held by the local angling club.

• He goes fishing every weekend.

• Just below that bridge is a good fishing spot.

• One of his hobbies was fly-fishing.

• She has been big game fishing off the coast of Kenya.

• The two countries have signed a new fishing agreement.

• This stretch of the river is renowned for its good fishing.

• You need a fishing licence to fish in the lake.

• controls on fishing activity

• the rich fishing grounds off the coast of Namibia

fish

fish [fish fishes fished fishing] noun, verb [fɪʃ] [fɪʃ]

noun (pl. fish or fishes) Fish is the usual plural form. The older form, fishes, can be used to refer to different kinds of fish.

1. countable a creature that lives in water, breathes through gills, and uses fins and a tail for swimming

• They caught several fish.

• tropical/marine/freshwater fish

• shoals (= groups) of fish

• a fish tank/pond

• There are about 30 000 species of fish in the world.

• The list of endangered species includes nearly 600 fishes.

• Fish stocks in the Baltic are in decline.

• In the pool she could see little silvery fish darting around.

see also coarse fish, flatfish, sea fish, shellfish, wet fish

2. uncountable the flesh of fish eaten as food

• frozen/smoked/fresh fish

• fish pie

• The chef's fish dishes are his speciality.

• Fish forms the main part of their diet.

more at a big fish (in a small pond) at big adj., a cold fish at cold adj., a different kettle of fish at different, drink like a fish at drink v., be like shooting fish in a barrel at shoot v.

Word Origin:

Old English fisc (as a noun denoting any animal living exclusively in water), fiscian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vis, vissen and German Fisch, fischen.

Collocations:

The living world

Animals

animals mate/breed/reproduce/feed (on sth)

fish/amphibians swim/spawn (= lay eggs)

birds fly/migrate/nest/sing

insects crawl/fly/bite/sting

insects/bees/locusts swarm

bees collect/gather nectar/pollen

spiders spin/weave a web

snakes/lizards shed their skins

bears/hedgehogs/frogs hibernate

insect larvae grow/develop/pupate

an egg/a chick/a larva hatches

attract/find/choose a mate

produce/release eggs/sperm

lay/fertilize/incubate/hatch eggs

inhabit a forest/a reef/the coast

mark/enter/defend (a) territory

stalk/hunt/capture/catch/kill prey

Plants and fungi

trees/plants grow/bloom/blossom/flower

a seed germinates/sprouts

leaves/buds/roots/shoots appear/develop/form

flower buds swell/open

a fungus grows/spreads/colonizes sth

pollinate/fertilize a flower/plant

produce/release/spread/disperse pollen/seeds/spores

produce/bear fruit

develop/grow/form roots/shoots/leaves

provide/supply/absorb/extract/release nutrients

perform/increase/reduce photosynthesis

Bacteria and viruses

bacteria/microbes/viruses grow/spread/multiply

bacteria/microbes live/thrive in/on sth

bacteria/microbes/viruses evolve/colonize sth/cause disease

bacteria break sth down/convert sth (into sth)

a virus enters/invades sth/the body

a virus mutates/evolves/replicates (itself)

be infected with/contaminated with/exposed to a new strain of a virus/drug-resistant bacteria

contain/carry/harbour (especially US) harbor bacteria/a virus

kill/destroy/eliminate harmful/deadly bacteria

Example Bank:

• He landed a big fish.

• He landed one very big fish.

• I cleaned and filleted the fish.

• Remove the skin and flake the cooked fish.

• The fish aren't biting today.

• The fish aren't biting= taking the bait today.

• This fish tastes funny.

• fish farmed in Canada

• the depletion of fish stocks

Idioms: a queer fish ▪ fish out of water ▪ have other fish to fry ▪ neither fish nor fowl ▪ there are plenty more fish in the sea

Derived: fish for something ▪ fish somebody out

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

fishing / ˈfɪʃ.ɪŋ / noun [ U ]

A2 the sport or job of catching fish:

My dad loves to go fishing.

a fishing rod ( US pole)

salmon/trout fishing

fishing tackle (= equipment used for catching fish)

Fishing is still their main source of income.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

fishing

[fɪ̱ʃɪŋ]

N-UNCOUNT
Fishing is the sport, hobby, or business of catching fish.
Despite the poor weather the fishing has been pretty good.
...a fishing boat.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

fishing

fishing noun [noncount] : the sport or business of catching fish
• The fishing was pretty good today.
• I'm going fishing this weekend.
- often used before another noun
• I bought a fishing pole/rod and some fishing line.
• a store that sells fishing gear
- see also fly-fishing fishing expedition at expedition

grow up

grow up [phrasal verb] (PERSON)

/ɡroʊ/

/ɡrəʊ/

Example:

I grew up in London.

To gradually become an adult

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

I grew up in London.

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Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

grow up

grow up phrasal verb (see also ↑grow)
1. to develop from being a child to being an adult:
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I grew up in Chicago.
2. grow up! spoken used to tell someone to behave in a more responsible way, like an adult
3. to start to exist or develop gradually:
Trading settlements grew up by the river.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

grow up

ˌgrow ˈup derived

1. (of a person) to develop into an adult

• She grew up in Boston (= lived there as a child).

• Their children have all grown up and left home now.

• ~ to do sth He grew up to become a famous pianist.

related noun grown-up2

2. used to tell sb to stop behaving in a silly way

• Why don't you grow up?

• It's time you grew up.

3. to develop gradually

• A closeness grew up between the two girls.

Main entry: growderived

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

grow up (PERSON) — phrasal verb with grow / ɡrəʊ / / ɡroʊ / verb ( grew , grown )

A2 to gradually become an adult:

I grew up in Scotland (= I lived there when I was young) .

Taking responsibility for yourself is part of the process of growing up.

grow up (CITY) — phrasal verb with grow / ɡrəʊ / / ɡroʊ / verb ( grew , grown )

If a town or city grows up in a particular place or way, it develops there or in that way:

The city grew up originally as a crossing point on the river.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

grow up

1) PHRASAL VERB When someone grows up, they gradually change from being a child into being an adult.
→ See also grown-up
  [V P] She grew up in Tokyo.
2) PHRASAL VERB: usu imper (disapproval) If you tell someone to grow up, you are telling them to stop behaving in a silly or childish way. [INFORMAL]
  [V P] It's time you grew up.
3) PHRASAL VERB If something grows up, it starts to exist and then becomes larger or more important.
  [V P] A variety of heavy industries grew up alongside the port.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

grow

grow /ˈgroʊ/ verb grows; grew /ˈgruː/; grown /ˈgroʊn/; grow·ing
1 [no obj] : to become larger : to increase in size, amount, etc.
• The city is growing rapidly/dramatically.
• The list of chores to do this weekend keeps growing.
- often + in
• The sport is growing in popularity. [=is becoming more popular]
• The school has grown (considerably/greatly) in size.
• His followers continue to grow in number. [=to become more numerous]
2 [no obj] : to become better or improved in some way : to become more developed, mature, etc.
• She grew intellectually and emotionally in her first year at college.
• It's wonderful to see how she has grown as a person since going to college.
3 [no obj] : to become larger and change from being a child to being an adult as time passes : to pass from childhood to adulthood
• It can be hard to watch our children change as they grow.
• He's still just a growing boy.
• She's grown (by) at least an inch since the last time I saw her.
4 a [no obj] of a plant : to exist and develop
• These trees grow only in the jungle.
• As the tree grew taller, the branches began to touch the house.
• This plant does well in difficult growing conditions. [=conditions in which it is difficult for most plants to grow]
• The flowers grow wild [=grow naturally without being planted or cared for by humans] along the highway.
b [+ obj] : to cause (a plant) to grow : to cultivate or raise (a plant)
• She grows tomatoes in her garden.
• The plant is grown for its colorful flowers.
5 of hair, fingernails, etc. : to become longer

[no obj]

• She's letting her hair grow a little.
• His fingernails grow quickly.

[+ obj]

• She's growing her hair long.
• He tried to grow a beard/mustache. [=to have a beard/mustache by letting the hair on his face grow]
- see also grow out 1 (below)
6 a always followed by an adjective [linking verb] : become
• He suddenly grew pale.
• He had grown tired of hearing about their problems.
• She grew fat due to her lack of exercise.
• He's worried about growing old.
• These diseases are growing more common.
• We have grown accustomed to his angry outbursts.
b [no obj] : to have or form an opinion, attitude, etc., after time passes - followed by to + verb
• She's grown to like her new job.
• I grew to admire her very much.
• I grew to feel that these problems were not important.
• She grew to hate him for his selfishness.
7 [+ obj] : to cause (something, such as a business) to develop or get bigger
• These changes should allow us to grow the company while reducing waste.
• He claims that his proposals will help grow the economy.
grow apart [phrasal verb] : to become less friendly or emotionally close as time passes : to become distant from someone
• My wife and I have grown apart over the years.
grow from [phrasal verb] grow from (something) : to come from or originate from (something)
• The company grew from an idea he had in college.
grow into [phrasal verb] grow into (something)
1 : to become (something) as time passes
• She has grown into an accomplished and charming young woman.
• His small company has grown into a huge international corporation.
2 : to become large enough for (a certain size of clothing)
• Ben will grow into Billy's shoes in a year or two.
grow on [phrasal verb] grow on (someone) : to become more appealing to (someone) as time passes
• Try the dish again—it grows on you.
• I didn't like him at first, but he's starting to grow on me.
grow on trees informal : to exist in large amounts : to be easy to get
• Good jobs don't grow on trees. [=good jobs are hard to get]
• He acts as if money grows on trees.
grow out [phrasal verb]
1 grow (something) out or grow out (something) : to allow (something) to get longer
• She's growing out her hair.
- see also grow 5 (above)
2 grow out of (something)
a : to develop or come from (a source)
• The project grew out of a simple suggestion.
• This new theory grew out of their earlier research.
b : to become too large for (a certain size of clothing)
• He quickly grew out of his clothes.
- see also outgrow
c : to stop doing or having (something) because you are older and more mature
• She hoped to grow out of her bad habits.
• He's wild now, but he'll grow out of it.
grow up [phrasal verb]
1 a : to become an adult
• She wants to be a firefighter when she grows up.
- used to describe where you lived, what you did, etc., when you were a child
• I grew up in the city.
• We grew up poor, but we always had food on the table.
• He grew up playing music. [=he played music when he was a child]
b : to stop thinking and behaving in a childish way
• It's time for him to grow up and start accepting his responsibilities.
• Oh, grow up!
- see also grown-up
2 : to begin to exist and develop as time passes
• A number of villages and cities grew up along the river.
• A rivalry grew up between the villages.
- grow·er /ˈgrowɚ/ noun, pl -ers [count]
• corn/fruit growers
• This plant is known as a fast grower.
- growing adj always used before a noun
• There is growing acceptance of the new plan.
• the growing popularity of this film
• There's a growing sense that he may be right.

mathematics

mathematics [noun]

/ˌmæθˈmæt̬.ɪks/

/ˌmæθˈmæt.ɪks/

Example:

A professor of mathematics

The study of numbers, shapes, and space using reason and usually a special system of symbols and rules for organizing them

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

A professor of mathematics

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

branches and types of mathematics

Level:

A2 (Elementary)

Region:

American English

British English

Oxford Essential Dictionary

mathematics

(formal) (British, informal) maths (American, informal) math noun (no plural)
the study of numbers, measurements and shapes:
Maths is my favourite subject.

>> mathematical adjective:
a mathematical problem

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

mathematics

math‧e‧mat‧ics /ˌmæθəˈmætɪks, ˌmæθɪˈmætɪks/ noun [uncountable]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: mathematicus, from Greek, from mathema 'learning, mathematics', from manthanein 'to learn']
the science of numbers and of shapes, including algebra, geometry, and arithmetic

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

mathematics

math·emat·ics [ˌmæθəˈmætɪks] [ˌmæθəˈmætɪks] (formal) (also BrE maths [mæθs] ; [mæθs] ) (also NAmE math [mæθ] ; [mæθ] ) noun

1. uncountable the science of numbers and shapes. Branches of mathematics include arithmetic, algebra, geometry and trigonometry

• the school mathematics curriculum

2. uncountable + singular or plural verb the process of calculating using numbers

• He worked out the very difficult mathematics in great detail.

Derived Words: mathematical ▪ mathematically

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

mathematics / ˌmæθˈmæt.ɪks / / -ˈmæt̬- / noun [ U ] ( UK informal maths , US informal math ) formal

A2 the study of numbers, shapes, and space using reason and usually a special system of symbols and rules for organizing them

→ See also algebra , arithmetic , geometry

mathematical / ˌmæθˈmæt.ɪ.k ə l / / -ˈmæt̬- / adjective

a mathematical formula

mathematically / ˌmæθˈmæt.ɪ.k ə l.i / / -ˈmæt̬- / adverb

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

mathematics

[mæ̱θəmæ̱tɪks]
1) N-UNCOUNT Mathematics is the study of numbers, quantities, or shapes.
  Elizabeth studied mathematics and classics.
  ...a professor of mathematics at Boston College.
2) N-UNCOUNT The mathematics of a problem is the calculations that are involved in it.
  Once you understand the mathematics of debt you can work your way out of it.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

mathematics

math·e·mat·ics /ˌmæɵəˈmætɪks/ noun [noncount] : the science of numbers, quantities, and shapes and the relations between them
• Algebra, arithmetic, calculus, geometry, and trigonometry are branches of mathematics.
• She has a degree in mathematics.
• a professor of mathematics
• Mathematics is my favorite subject.
- often used before another noun
• a mathematics teacher
• the mathematics department at the university

mistake

mistake [noun]

/mɪˈsteɪk/

Example:

I'm not blaming you - we all make mistakes.

something that has been done in the wrong way, or an opinion or statement that is incorrect

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

to make a mistake

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Oxford Essential Dictionary

mistake

noun
something that you think or do that is wrong:
You have made a lot of spelling mistakes in this letter.
It was a mistake to go by bus – the journey took two hours!

which word?
Mistake or fault? When you make a mistake you do something wrong: Try not to make any mistakes in your exam. If you do something bad it is your fault: It's my fault we're late. I lost the tickets.

by mistake when you did not plan to do it:
Sorry, I took your book by mistake.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

mistake

I. noun

I. mis‧take1 S2 W2 /məˈsteɪk, mɪˈsteɪk/ noun
[Word Family: adverb: unmistakably, mistakenly; adjective: mistaken, unmistakable; verb: mistake; noun: mistake]
1. [countable] something that has been done in the wrong way, or an opinion or statement that is incorrect ⇨ error
  mistake in
   • We may have made a mistake in our calculations.
   • The most common mistake is to plant them too deep.
2. [countable] something you do that is not sensible or has a bad result:
   • Buying the house seemed a great idea at the time, but now I can see it was a terrible mistake.
   • Marrying him was the biggest mistake she ever made.
  make the mistake of doing something
   • I stupidly made the mistake of giving them my phone number.
3. by mistake if you do something by mistake, you do it without intending to SYN accidentally OPP deliberately, on purpose:
   • Someone must have left the door open by mistake.
   • I’m sorry, this letter is addressed to you – I opened it by mistake.
4. in mistake for somebody/something as a result of a mistake in which someone or something is wrongly thought to be someone or something else:
   • The boy was shot dead in mistake for a burglar.
5. we all make mistakes spoken used to tell someone not to be worried because they have made a mistake
6. make no mistake (about it) spoken used to emphasize that what you are saying is true, especially when you are warning about something serious or dangerous:
   • Make no mistake, this is the most serious threat our industry has ever seen.
7. and no mistake British English spoken informal used to emphasize the description you have just given:
   • Miles was a heartbreaker, and no mistake!
     • • •

COLLOCATIONS(for Meaning 1)■ verbs

   ▪ make a mistake • The lab must have made a mistake – this can’t be right.
   ▪ correct a mistake • Luckily I was able to correct the mistake before my boss saw it.
   ▪ realize your mistake • As soon as he realized his mistake he turned in the right direction.
   ▪ admit your mistake • It is better to admit your mistake and apologize.
   ▪ mistakes happen • We’re very careful, but mistakes can happen.

■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + mistake

   ▪ a common mistake • A common mistake is to imagine that dogs think like humans.
   ▪ a little/minor mistake • The essay was full of little mistakes.
   ▪ a serious/grave mistake • There was a serious mistake in the instructions.
   ▪ an honest mistake (=a mistake, and not a deliberate action) • Thomas admitted he had broken the law, but said that it had been an honest mistake.
   ▪ a silly/stupid mistake • You need to be able to laugh at your own silly mistakes.
   ▪ an easy mistake (to make) • She looks like her sister, so it’s an easy mistake to make.
   ▪ a spelling mistake • She spotted two spelling mistakes in the article.

■ phrases

   ▪ be full of mistakes • The article was full of mistakes.
   ▪ it is a mistake to think/assume etc something • It would be a mistake to assume that all snakes are dangerous.
   ▪ there must be some mistake (=used when you think someone has made a mistake) • There must be some mistake. I definitely booked a room for tonight.
   ▪ be full of mistakes (=have a lot of mistakes) • The report was full of mistakes.
   ▪ be all a mistake (=used to say that a situation happened because of a mistake) • He couldn’t bring himself to tell her it was all a mistake.

■ COMMON ERRORS

► Do not say 'do a mistake'. Say make a mistake.
• • •

COLLOCATIONS(for Meaning 2)■ verbs

   ▪ make a mistake • I just want to prevent you from making a terrible mistake.
   ▪ learn from your mistakes • I’m sure he will learn from his mistakes.
   ▪ repeat a mistake • We certainly do not want to repeat the mistakes of the past.

■ adjectives

   ▪ a big/great mistake • Buying this car was a big mistake.
   ▪ a bad/terrible/dreadful etc mistake • It would be a terrible mistake to marry him.
   ▪ a serious/grave mistake • The decision to take the money was a serious mistake.
   ▪ a fatal mistake (=a very bad mistake, often one that ends something) • His fatal mistake was to underestimate his opponent.
   ▪ a costly mistake (=that costs you money or has a bad result) • Hiring him turned out to be a costly mistake.

■ phrases

   ▪ it is a mistake to do something • It is a mistake to try to see everything in the museum in one day.
   ▪ make the mistake of doing something • He made the mistake of revealing his true intentions.
   ▪ make the same mistake again/twice • We won’t make the same mistake again.
     • • •

THESAURUS

   ▪ mistake something incorrect that you accidentally do, say, or write: • a spelling mistake | • I made a mistake – it should say £230, not £320.
   ▪ error formal a mistake: • an error in the report | • grammatical errors | • He had made a serious error on his tax form.
   ▪ misprint a small mistake in something that is printed: • There was a misprint in the article, and instead of ‘pleasant’ it said ‘pheasant’.
   ▪ typo informal a mistake in something that has been typed or printed: • I spotted a couple of typos in the letter.
   ▪ inaccuracy formal a piece of information that is not completely correct: • The report contained several inaccuracies.
   ▪ mix-up a careless mistake in which one name, time, address etc has been confused with another, so that the details of something are wrong: • There was a mix-up over the train times and I missed my train.
   ▪ slip-up a careless mistake when you are doing something: • The other team took advantage of the goalie’s slip-up.
   ▪ oversight a mistake in which you forget something or do not notice something: • Through some oversight, the brochures were not ready by the right date.
   ▪ a slip of the tongue a mistake in which you accidentally say a similar sounding word: • When I said Thursday, I meant Tuesday. It was a slip of the tongue.
   ▪ faux pas /ˌfəʊ ˈpɑː, ˈfəʊ pɑː $ ˌfoʊ ˈpɑː/ formal an embarrassing mistake in a social situation, when you do or say something that you shouldn’t: • Harris, trying to be funny, addressed the waiter as ‘boy’. A deathly silence followed this faux pas.

■ a stupid mistake

   ▪ blunder a stupid mistake caused by not thinking carefully enough about what you are saying or doing, which could have serious results: • In a serious blunder by the hospital, two babies were sent home with the wrong parents.
   ▪ gaffe /ɡæf/ an embarrassing and stupid mistake made in a social situation or in public: • a serious gaffe in her speech about immigration
   ▪ howler British English a very bad mistake, especially one that shows you do not know something, and that often makes other people laugh: • Photographers should be careful of making classic howlers, such as having a tree grow out of your subject’s head.
   ▪ cock-up British English informal a silly mistake when you are doing something – a very informal use: • They made a cock-up with the bill. | • The government is anxious to avoid any more cock-ups.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

mistake

mis·take [mistake mistakes mistook mistaking mistaken] noun, verb [mɪˈsteɪk] [mɪˈsteɪk]

noun

1. an action or an opinion that is not correct, or that produces a result that you did not want

• It's easy to make a mistake.

• This letter is addressed to someone else— there must be some mistake.

• It would be a mistake to ignore his opinion.

• Don't worry, we all make mistakes.

• You must try to learn from your mistakes.

• Leaving school so young was the biggest mistake of my life.

• I made the mistake of giving him my address.

• It was a big mistake on my part to have trusted her.

• a great/serious/terrible mistake

• It's a common mistake (= one that a lot of people make).

2. a word, figure, etc. that is not said or written down correctly

Syn: error

• It's a common mistake among learners of English.

• The waiter made a mistake (in) adding up the bill.

• Her essay is full of spelling mistakes.

Word Origin:

late Middle English (as a verb): from Old Norse mistaka ‘take in error’, probably influenced in sense by Old French mesprendre.

Thesaurus:

mistake noun

1. C

• Don't worry— we all make mistakes.

error • • blunder • • gaffe • • oversight • |formal omission •

sth happens due to a/an error/mistake/blunder/oversight/omission

make a/an mistake/error/blunder/gaffe

realize/admit (to) a/an mistake/error/blunder

correct a/an mistake/error/blunder/omission

2. C

• His essay is full of spelling mistakes.

error • • slip • • misprint • • inaccuracy • |especially BrE, informal howler •

a/an mistake/error/islip/misprint/naccuracy/howler in sth

make a/an mistake/error/slip/howler

contain/be full of mistakes/errors/misprints/inaccuracies/howlers

Synonyms:

mistake

error • inaccuracy • slip • howler • misprint

These are all words for a word, figure or fact that is not said, written down or typed correctly.

mistake • a word or figure that is not said or written down correctly: ▪ It's a common mistake among learners of English. ◊ ▪ spelling mistakes

error • (rather formal) a word, figure, etc. that is not said or written down correctly: ▪ There are too many errors in your work.

Error is a more formal way of saying mistake.

inaccuracy • (rather formal) a piece of information that is not exactly correct: ▪ The article is full of inaccuracies.

slip • a small mistake, usually made by being careless or not paying attention

howler • (informal, especially BrE) a stupid mistake, especially in what sb says or writes: ▪ The report is full of howlers.

A howler is usually an embarrassing mistake which shows that the person who made it does not know sth that they really should know.

misprint • a small mistake in a printed text

a(n) mistake/error/inaccuracy/slip/howler/misprint in sth

to make a(n) mistake/error/slip/howler

to contain/be full of mistakes/errors/inaccuracies/howlers/misprints

Example Bank:

• All those problems because of one little mistake!

• Don't make the same mistake as I did.

• Don't worry about it— it's an easy mistake to make!

• I kept telling myself that it was all a terrible mistake.

• I made a mistake about her.

• I picked up the wrong bag by mistake.

• It is a great mistake to assume that your children will agree with you.

• It isn't possible to eliminate all mistakes.

• Mistakes are bound to happen sometimes.

• Ordinary people are paying for the government's mistakes.

• The company has learned from its past mistakes.

• The teacher kindly pointed out the mistake.

• They all commit similar mistakes.

• This dress was an expensive mistake.

• Too late, she realized her mistake.

• We can help you avoid costly mistakes.

• Don't worry, we all make mistakes.

• Her essay is full of spelling mistakes.

• It's a common mistake among learners of English.

• It's easy to make a mistake.

• The waiter made a mistake in adding up the bill.

• You must try to learn from your mistakes.

Idioms: and no mistake ▪ by mistake ▪ in mistake for something ▪ make no mistake

Derived: mistake somebody for somebody

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

mistake / mɪˈsteɪk / noun [ C ]

A2 an action, decision, or judgment that produces an unwanted or unintentional result:

I'm not blaming you - we all make mistakes.

[ + to infinitive ] It was a mistake for us to come here tonight.

This letter's full of spelling mistakes.

I've discovered a few mistakes in your calculations.

Why am I under arrest? There must be some mistake.

by mistake B1 by accident:

I've paid this bill twice by mistake.

Word partners for mistake noun

make a mistake • learn from a mistake • admit / realize your mistake • avoid / correct / repeat a mistake • a big / costly / fatal / terrible mistake • a genuine / honest mistake • a silly mistake • a mistake in sth

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

mistake

[mɪste͟ɪk]

mistakes, mistaking, mistook, mistaken
1) N-COUNT: oft N of -ing, also by N If you make a mistake, you do something which you did not intend to do, or which produces a result that you do not want.
  They made the big mistake of thinking they could seize its border with a relatively small force...
  I think it's a serious mistake to confuse books with life...
  Jonathan says it was his mistake...
  There must be some mistake...
  He has been arrested by mistake.
  Syn:
  error
2) N-COUNT A mistake is something or part of something which is incorrect or not right.
  Her mother sighed and rubbed out another mistake in the crossword puzzle...
  Spelling mistakes are often just the result of haste.
  Syn:
  error
3) VERB If you mistake one person or thing for another, you wrongly think that they are the other person or thing.
  [V n for n] I mistook you for Carlos...
  [V n for n] When hay fever first occurs it is often mistaken for a summer cold.
4) VERB If you mistake something, you fail to recognize or understand it.
  [V n] The government completely mistook the feeling of the country...
  [V wh] No one should mistake how serious the issue is.
  Syn:
  misjudge
5) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n (emphasis) You can say there is no mistaking something when you are emphasizing that you cannot fail to recognize or understand it.
  There's no mistaking the eastern flavour of the food...
  There was no mistaking Magda's sincerity, or her pain.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹mis·take /məˈsteɪk/ noun, pl -takes [count] : something that is not correct : a wrong action, statement, or judgment : error
• It would be a mistake to assume that we can rely on their help.
• There must be some mistake.
• a stupid/careless mistake
• a costly/serious/bad mistake
• a deadly/fatal/tragic mistake
• The manuscript contains numerous spelling mistakes.
• There's a mistake in the schedule.
• “When does the movie start?” “At 8:00. No, wait—my mistake—it starts at 8:30.”
• Don't worry about it. It was an honest mistake. [=something that anyone could be wrong about]
- often used with make
• Everybody makes mistakes from time to time.
• I made the mistake of believing her.
- see also make no mistake (below)
and no mistake chiefly Brit old-fashioned
- used to stress the truth or accuracy of a statement
• She's the one I saw, and no mistake. [=she is definitely the person I saw]
by mistake : because of a mistake : without intending to
• I got on the wrong train by mistake. [=accidentally]
make no mistake
- used to stress the truth or accuracy of a statement
• Make no mistake (about it), if we don't address these problems now, they will only get worse.

oil

oil [noun] (FOR COOKING)

/ɔɪl/

Example:

vegetable oil

A thick smooth liquid used in cooking and preparing food, and in medicines

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

vegetable oil

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

fats and oils in food and cooking

Level:

A2 (Elementary)

Region:

American English

British English

Oxford Essential Dictionary

oil

noun (no plural)

1 a thick liquid that comes from under the ground or the sea. We use oil for energy and to make machines work smoothly.

2 a thick liquid that comes from plants or animals and that we use in cooking:
Fry the onions in oil.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

oil

I. noun

I. oil1 S2 W1 /ɔɪl/ noun
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: oile, from Latin oleum 'olive oil', from Greek elaia 'olive']
1. NATURAL SUBSTANCE UNDER THE GROUND [uncountable] the thick dark liquid from under the ground from which petrol is produced ⇨ crude:
   • a rise in the price of oil
   • the importance of protecting our oil supplies
   • an oil refinery (=factory where oil is made purer)
2. FUEL [uncountable] a smooth thick liquid that is used to make machines run easily or is burned to produce heat:
   • Check the oil level in your car every week.
   • The heating system runs on oil.
3.
  LIQUID FROM PLANTS [uncountable and countable] a smooth thick liquid made from plants or some animals, used especially in cooking or for making beauty products:
   • cooking oil
  olive/vegetable/sunflower etc oil
   • coconut oil shampoo
   • Fish oils are supposed to help relieve arthritis. ⇨ castor oil, cod-liver oil, linseed oil
4. PAINT oils [plural] paints that contain oil SYN oil paints
  in oils
   • I usually paint in oils (=using oils).
⇨ burn the midnight oil at burn1(20), ⇨ pour oil on troubled waters at pour(8)
     • • •

COLLOCATIONS■ verbs

   ▪ discover/find oil • Oil was discovered in Saudi Arabia in 1938. | • How does a company go about finding oil and getting it from the ground?
   ▪ hit/strike oil (=to find oil when you are digging for it) • The engineers drilled down a few hundred metres until they hit oil. | • The Ohio Oil Company struck oil on May 3rd.
   ▪ drill for oil • Plans to drill for oil off the New South Wales coast have recently been revived.
   ▪ produce oil (=to have natural areas of oil, and take it out of the ground) • The US does not produce enough oil to meet its own needs.
   ▪ extract oil formal (=to take oil out of an area) • the difficult process of extracting the oil

■ adjectives

   ▪ crude oil (=oil in its natural state) • the price of crude oil
   ▪ refined oil (=oil that has been treated by an industrial process) • They had exported refined oil.
   ▪ offshore oil (=found under the sea, not far from the coast) • The company has the technical capabilities to produce offshore oil.
   ▪ heavy/light oil • 2,000 barrels of heavy oil are produced a day. | • The oil corporation announced the discovery of another field of light oil.

■ oil + NOUN

   ▪ oil prices • The increase in oil prices has prompted warnings of a global recession.
   ▪ the oil industry • He works in in the oil industry.
   ▪ an oil company • YPF was the state oil company in Argentina.
   ▪ an oil producer (=a country which produces oil) • The Soviet Union is the world's largest oil producer.
   ▪ an oil refinery (=a place where oil is treated by an industrial process) • an oil refinery in Perth
   ▪ oil production • a fall in US oil production
   ▪ an oil spill (=situation in which oil comes out of a ship or other container into the sea) • a terrible oil spill near the Shetland Islands
   ▪ an oil crisis (=situation in which there is not enough oil, and the price of oil is very high) • The world is facing an oil crisis.
   ▪ an oil rig (=structure on land or in the sea with equipment for getting oil out of the ground) • an oil rig in the North Sea

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

oil

oil [oil oils oiled oiling] noun, verb [ɔɪl] [ɔɪl]

noun

1. uncountable a thick liquid that is found in rock underground

Syn: petroleum

• drilling for oil

2. uncountable a form of petroleum that is used as fuel and to make parts of machines move smoothly

• engine oil

• an oil lamp/heater

• Put some oil in the car.

3. uncountable, countable a smooth thick liquid that is made from plants or animals and is used in cooking

• olive oil

• vegetable oils

4. uncountable, countable a smooth thick liquid that is made from plants, minerals, etc. and is used on the skin or hair

• lavender bath oil

• suntan oil

see also essential oil

5. uncountable (also oils plural) coloured paint containing oil used by artists

• a painting done in oils

• landscapes in oil

see also oil paint

6. countable = oil painting

• Among the more important Turner oils was ‘Venus and Adonis’.

see also oily, castor oil, cod liver oil, linseed oil, see burn the midnight oil at burn v., pour oil on troubled water at pour

Word Origin:

Middle English: from Old Northern French olie, Old French oile, from Latin oleum ‘(olive) oil’; compare with olea ‘olive’.

Thesaurus:

oil noun U

• Several companies are drilling for oil in the region.

petroleum • • diesel • • fuel • • fossil fuel • |BrE petrol • |AmE gas • • gasoline •

sth runs on oil/diesel/fuel/petrol/gas/gasoline

the oil/petroleum/fuel industry

oil/petroleum/fuel/fossil fuel reserves

a/an oil/fuel/petrol/gas/gasoline tanker

Collocations:

Fine arts

Creating art

make a work of art/a drawing/a sketch/a sculpture/a statue/engravings/etchings/prints

do an oil painting/a self-portrait/a line drawing/a rough sketch

create a work of art/an artwork/paintings and sculptures

produce paintings/portraits/oil sketches/his most celebrated work/a series of prints

paint a picture/landscape/portrait/mural/in oils/in watercolours/(especially US) in watercolors/on canvas

draw a picture/a portrait/a cartoon/a sketch/a line/a figure/the human form/in charcoal/in ink

sketch a preliminary drawing/a figure/a shape

carve a figure/an image/a sculpture/an altarpiece/reliefs/a block of wood

sculpt a portrait bust/a statue/an abstract figure

etch a line/a pattern/a design/a name into the glass

mix colours/(especially US) colors/pigments/paints

add/apply thin/thick layers of paint/colour/(especially US) color/pigment

use oil pastels/charcoal/acrylic paint/a can of spray paint

work in bronze/ceramics/stone/oils/pastels/watercolour/a wide variety of media

Describing art

paint/depict a female figure/a biblical scene/a pastoral landscape/a domestic interior

depict/illustrate a traditional/mythological/historical/religious theme

create an abstract composition/a richly textured surface/a distorted perspective

paint dark/rich/skin/flesh tones

use broad brush strokes/loose brushwork/vibrant colours/a limited palette/simple geometric forms

develop/adopt/paint in a stylized manner/an abstract style

Showing and selling art

commission an altarpiece/a bronze bust of sb/a portrait/a religious work/an artist to paint sth

frame a painting/portrait

hang art/a picture/a painting

display/exhibit modern art/sb's work/a collection/original artwork/ drawings/sculptures/a piece

be displayed/hung in a gallery/museum

install/place a sculpture in/at/on sth

erect/unveil a bronze/marble/life-size statue

hold/host/mount/open/curate/see (especially BrE) an exhibition/(NAmE usually) exhibit

be/go on (BrE) exhibition/(NAmE) exhibit

feature/promote/showcase a conceptual artist/contemporary works

collect African art/modern British paintings/Japanese prints

restore/preserve a fresco/great works of art

Example Bank:

• ‘Four Women on a Bench’, oil on canvas, 1991

• A daily dose of omega-3 fish oil will help children to concentrate better.

• Fry the potato in a little sunflower oil.

• She rubbed a scented oil into her hair.

• The company is drilling for oil in the North Sea.

• The place smelled of oil.

• The sick were anointed with oil.

• Toast the bread, rub with garlic and drizzle over a little olive oil.

• Use a rag soaked in linseed oil.

• a bottle of extra virgin olive oil

• a rod coated with a film of oil

• a seven-mile-long oil slick off the Alaskan coast

• essential oils extracted from flowers

• oil of rosemary

• Acid rain from the burning oil wells could cause severe environmental damage.

• At the time, oil was trading at around $18 per barrel.

• Drizzle the salad with olive oil and top it with flakes of fresh Parmesan.

• Heat a little olive oil in a non-stick frying pan.

• Several companies are drilling for oil in the region.

• The well produced oil at a rate of 2 000 barrels of oil a day.

• Vegetable oils are better for you than animal fats.

Idiom: oil the wheels

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

oil / ɔɪl / noun (FUEL)

B1 [ U ] petroleum (= the black oil obtained from under the Earth's surface from which petrol comes) :

drilling for oil

the oil industry

B1 [ U ] a thick liquid that comes from petroleum, used as a fuel and for making parts of machines move easily:

diesel/lubricating oil

oil / ɔɪl / noun [ C or U ] (FOR COOKING)

A2 a smooth thick liquid produced from plants or animals that is used in cooking:

olive/corn/vegetable/sunflower oil

oil / ɔɪl / noun [ C or U ] (FOR BODY/HAIR)

a smooth thick liquid that is used to improve the appearance or quality of the skin or hair:

bath oil

oil / ɔɪl / noun (PAINT)

oils [ plural ] thick paints with an oil base, used for painting pictures:

Do you paint in oils or watercolours?

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

oil

/ɔɪl/
(oils, oiling, oiled)

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

1.
Oil is a smooth, thick liquid that is used as a fuel and for making the parts of machines move smoothly. Oil is found underground.
The company buys and sells about 600,000 barrels of oil a day.
...the rapid rise in prices for oil and petrol.
...a small oil lamp.
N-MASS

2.
If you oil something, you put oil onto or into it, for example to make it work smoothly or to protect it.
A crew of assistants oiled and adjusted the release mechanism until it worked perfectly...
VERB: V n

3.
Oil is a smooth, thick liquid made from plants and is often used for cooking.
Combine the beans, chopped mint and olive oil in a large bowl...
N-MASS: usu n N

4.
Oil is a smooth, thick liquid, often with a pleasant smell, that you rub into your skin or add to your bath.
Try a hot bath with some relaxing bath oil...
N-MASS: usu supp N

5.
Oils are oil paintings.
Her colourful oils and works on paper have a naive, dreamlike quality.
N-COUNT: usu pl

6.
When an artist paints in oils, he or she uses oil paints.
When she paints in oils she always uses the same range of colours.
N-PLURAL

7.
see also castor oil, crude oil, olive oil

8.
If someone or something oils the wheels of a process or system, they help things to run smoothly and successfully.
On all such occasions, the king stands in the wings, oiling the wheels of diplomacy.
PHRASE: V inflects

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹oil /ˈojəl/ noun, pl oils
1 [noncount]
a : a thick, black liquid that comes from the ground and that is used in making various products (such as gasoline)
• The price of crude oil is expected to rise.
• drilling for oil
- often used before another noun
• oil prices/companies/wells/refineries
• the oil industry
• The world's oil supplies/reserves are diminishing.
b : a type of oil that is used as a fuel to produce heat or light
• We heat our house with oil.
• heating oil
• an oil lamp
c : a type of oil that makes the different parts in an engine, machine, etc., run smoothly
• I asked the mechanic to check the oil. [=to make sure that there was enough oil to make the car engine run smoothly]
• A little bit of oil will help lubricate the chain.
2 [count, noncount] : a liquid substance that comes from a plant or animal, that contains fat, and that is used in cooking
• Add a little oil to the pan and stir-fry the onions.
• The dressing is made with oil, vinegar, and a pinch of herbs.
- see also castor oil, coconut oil, cod-liver oil, corn oil, essential oil, linseed oil, olive oil, palm oil
3 [count, noncount] : a smooth substance that is used on the skin, hair, or body to make it soft or healthy
• scented bath oils
4 a oils [plural] : oil paints
• He works mostly in oils. [=he mostly uses oil paints]
b [count] : an oil painting
• The exhibit includes oils and watercolors.
• an oil on canvas
a/the squeaky wheel gets the oil
- see ¹wheel
burn the midnight oil

improve

improve [noun]

/ɪmˈpruːv/

Example:

The weather has improved.

to make something better

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

The weather has improved.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Level:

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

improve

verb (improves, improving, improved )
to become better or to make something better:
Your English has improved a lot this year.
You must improve your spelling.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

improve

im‧prove S2 W1 /ɪmˈpruːv/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: verb: ↑improve; noun: ↑improvement; adjective: ↑improved]
[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: emprowe 'to improve' (15-16 centuries), from Anglo-French emprouer 'to make a profit', from Old French prou 'advantage, profit'; probably influenced by approve]
[intransitive and transitive] to make something better, or to become better:
a course for students wishing to improve their English
The doctors say she is improving (=after being ill).
You could use the money for improving your home.
Many wines improve with age (=get better as they get older).
REGISTER
In everyday English, people often say something gets better rather than improves:
▪ Her English is definitely getting better.
▪ I hope things get better soon.
improve on/upon something phrasal verb
to do something better than before or make something better than before:
Bertorelli has scored 165 points, and I don’t think anyone will improve on that.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

improve

im·prove [improve improves improved improving] [ɪmˈpruːv] [ɪmˈpruːv] verb intransitive, transitive
to become better than before; to make sth/sb better than before
• His quality of life has improved dramatically since the operation.
• The doctor says she should continue to improve (= after an illness).
• I hope my French will improve when I go to France.
• ~ sth to improve standards
• The company needs to improve performance in all these areas.
• I need to improve my French.
Derived: improve on something
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
early 16th cent. (as emprowe or improwe): from Anglo-Norman French emprower (based on Old French prou ‘profit’, ultimately from Latin prodest ‘is of advantage’); -owe was changed to -ove under the influence of prove. The original sense was ‘make a profit, increase the value of’; subsequently ‘make greater in amount or degree’.
Thesaurus:
improve verb
1. T
• The graphics on the website have been greatly improved.
reform • • refine • • enhance • |written enrich •
formal Opp: impair
improve/refine/enhance/enrich your understanding
improve/refine/enhance your knowledge
improve/enhance/enrich your life
2. I
• His quality of life improved after the operation.
pick up • • advance • • progress • • develop • • get better • |informal look up • • come along/on •
Opp: worsen, Opp: deteriorate
start/begin/continue to improve/pick up/advance/progress/develop/get better/look up
fail to improve/advance/progress/get better
improve/pick up/advance/progress/develop/get better slowly/gradually/slightly/dramatically
Example Bank:
• The situation has improved dramatically during the last few months.
• The weather should continue to improve over the weekend.
• They are trying to improve the working conditionsin their factories.
• This legislation will vastly improve the quality of life of New Zealanders.
• We now offer a much improved service to our customers.
• Workers need to be given an incentive to improve their performance.
• Working and living conditions have generally improved.
• measures aimed at improving government efficiency
• the new and improved version of the website
• trying to improve their working conditions
• Bringing the issue of pay into the debate did not improve matters.
• My father's mood had noticeably improved during the afternoon.
• The company has greatly improved its performance over the past few years.
• The doctor says she should continue to improve.
• The economy had improved markedly.
• There have been renewed attempts to improve conditions for younger prisoners.
• They're introducing a vastly improved public transport system.
• We expect the situation to improve slightly.

• You can significantly improve your chances of getting a job by compiling a good

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

improve / ɪmˈpruːv / verb [ I or T ]

A2 to (cause something to) get better:

He did a lot to improve conditions for factory workers.

I thought the best way to improve my French was to live in France.

Her health has improved dramatically since she started on this new diet.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

improve

[ɪmpru͟ːv]
♦♦
improves, improving, improved
1) V-ERG If something improves or if you improve it, it gets better.
  Within a month, both the texture and condition of your hair should improve...
  The weather is beginning to improve...
  [V n] Time won't improve the situation...
  [V n] He improved their house.
2) V-ERG If a skill you have improves or you improve a skill, you get better at it.
  Their French has improved enormously...
  [V n] He said he was going to improve his football.
3) VERB If you improve after an illness or an injury, your health gets better or you get stronger.
  He had improved so much the doctor had cut his dosage.
  Syn:
  recover
4) VERB If you improve on a previous achievement of your own or of someone else, you achieve a better standard or result.
  [V on n] We need to improve on our performance against France.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

improve

im·prove /ɪmˈpruːv/ verb -proves; -proved; -prov·ing
1 [+ obj] : to make (something) better
• This operation will greatly/dramatically/significantly improve her chances of survival.
• The advertising campaign has improved sales.
2 [no obj] : to become better
• Maybe we'll buy a house when our financial situation improves.
• Her writing has improved since the beginning of the school year.
• The company has been having steadily improving sales.
improve on/upon [phrasal verb] improve on/upon (something) : to do better than (something previously done)
• After months of study, I improved on my original score.
• It'll be hard to improve upon the success they had last year.
- improved adj [more ~; most ~]
• The campaign resulted in greatly improved sales.
• She was voted the most improved player on the team.

lemon

lemon [noun] (FRUIT)

/ˈlem.ən/

Example:

I like lemon.

An oval fruit that has a thick, yellow skin and sour juice

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

I like lemon.

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

Level:

Region:

Oxford Essential Dictionary

lemon

noun
a yellow fruit withsour (= sharp tasting) juice that is used for giving flavour to food and drink:
lemon juice

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

lemon

I. noun

I. lem‧on1 /ˈlemən/ noun
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: limon, from Medieval Latin limo, from Arabic laymun]

1. [uncountable and countable] a fruit with a hard yellow skin and sour juice:
   • a slice of lemon
   • Add a few drops of lemon juice.
2. [uncountable] British English a drink that tastes of lemons:
   • a glass of fizzy lemon
3. (also lemon yellow) [uncountable] a pale yellow colour
4. [countable] especially American English informal something that is useless because it fails to work or to work properly:
   • I soon realized the van was a lemon.
5. [countable] British English informal a silly person:
   • He just stood there looking like a real lemon.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

lemon

lemon [lemon lemons] noun, adjective [ˈlemən] [ˈlemən]

noun

1. countable, uncountable a yellow citrus fruit with a lot of sour juice. Slices of lemon and lemon juice are used in cooking and drinks

• lemon tea

• a gin and tonic with ice and lemon

• Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the fish.

• a lemon tree

2. uncountable lemon juice or a drink made from lemon

see also bitter lemon

3. (also ˌlemon ˈyellow) uncountable a pale yellow colour

4. countable (informal, especially NAmE) a thing that is useless because it does not work as it should

Syn: dud

5. countable (BrE) a stupid person

Word Origin:

Middle English: via Old French limon (in modern French denoting a lime) from Arabic līmūn (a collective term for fruits of this kind); compare with lime (the fruit).

Example Bank:

• Garnish the fish with wedges of lemon.

• Squeeze a quarter of a lemon over the fish.

Syn: idiot

adjective (also ˌlemon ˈyellow)

pale yellow in colour

Word Origin:

Middle English: via Old French limon (in modern French denoting a lime) from Arabic līmūn (a collective term for fruits of this kind); compare with lime (the fruit).

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

lemon / ˈlem.ən / noun (FRUIT)

lemon

A2 [ C or U ] an oval fruit that has a thick, yellow skin and sour juice:

For this recipe you need the juice of two lemons.

Would you like a slice of lemon in your tea?

lemon juice

[ U ] the juice of a lemon or a drink made from this juice

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

lemon

/lemən/
(lemons)

1.
A lemon is a bright yellow fruit with very sour juice. Lemons grow on trees in warm countries.
...a slice of lemon.
...oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits.
...lemon juice.
N-VAR

2.
Lemon is a drink that tastes of lemons.
N-UNCOUNT

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

lemon

lem·on /ˈlɛmən/ noun, pl -ons
1 [count, noncount] : a yellow citrus fruit that has a sour taste
• The recipe calls for the juice of two lemons.
• Garnish it with a slice of lemon.
- often used before another noun
• lemon juice
• lemon trees
• a lemon grove
2 [noncount] : a bright yellow color - called also lemon yellow,
3 [count] chiefly US informal : a product that is not made well : a product that does not work the way it should
• Our new car is a lemon.
4 [count] Brit informal : a stupid or silly person
- lem·ony /ˈlɛməni/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• a lemony flavor
• a lemony color

printer

printer [noun]

/ˈprɪn.t̬ɚ/

/ˈprɪn.tər/

Example:

a laser/inkjet/colour printer

A machine that is connected to a computer and prints onto paper using ink

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

a laser/inkjet/colour printer

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Level:

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Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

printer

print‧er S3 W3 /ˈprɪntə $ -ər/ noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: print, printer, printing; adjective: printed, printable ≠ unprintable; verb: print]
1. a machine which is connected to a computer and can make a printed record of computer information:
• a laser printer
• a colour printer
2. someone who is employed in the trade of printing

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

printer

print·er [printer printers] [ˈprɪntə(r)] [ˈprɪntər] noun

1. a machine for printing text on paper, especially one connected to a computer

• a colour/laser printer

2. a person or a company whose job is printing books, etc.

3. printer's(pl. printers) a place where books, etc. are printed

Example Bank:

• Can you check to see if the printer cable is still plugged into your computer?

• Connect the printer to your PC with a printer cable.

• The printer has run off 2 000 copies of the leaflet.

• The printer won't print for some reason.

• You can print to any networked printer in the building.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

printer / prɪn.tə r / / -t̬ɚ / noun [ C ]

A2 a machine that is connected to a computer and prints onto paper using ink:
a bubble-jet/dot-matrix/laser printer
See picture computers 2
a person whose job is to print books, newspapers, and magazines

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

printer

/prɪntə(r)/
(printers)

1.
A printer is a machine that can be connected to a computer in order to make copies on paper of documents or other information held by the computer.
N-COUNT
see also laser printer

2.
A printer is a person or company whose job is printing things such as books.
The manuscript had already been sent off to the printers.
N-COUNT

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

printer

print·er /ˈprɪntɚ/ noun, pl -ers [count]
1 : a machine that is used for printing documents, photographs, etc.
• I need a new printer for my office.
- see picture at office; see also ink-jet printer, laser printer
2 : a person or company whose business is printing books, magazines, etc.
• Benjamin Franklin was originally a printer.
• The manuscript was sent to the printer yesterday.

mirror

mirror [noun] (GLASS)

/ˈmɪr.ɚ/

/ˈmɪr.ər/

Example:

I stood in front of the mirror and combed my hair.

A piece of glass with a shiny, metal-covered back that reflects light, producing an image of whatever is in front of it

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

I stood in front of the mirror and combed my hair.

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Oxford Essential Dictionary

mirror

noun
a piece of special glass where you can see yourself:
Look in the mirror.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

Mirror

Mirror, The
another name for the The Daily Mirror

mirror

I. noun

I. mir‧ror1 S3 W3 /ˈmɪrə $ -ər/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: mirour, from mirer 'to look at', from Latin mirare]
1. a piece of special glass that you can look at and see yourself in
  in a mirror
   • She was studying her reflection in the mirror.
   • He spends hours in front of the mirror!
   • When I looked in the mirror I couldn’t believe it. I looked fantastic!
2.
   a mirror on the inside or side of a vehicle, which the driver uses to see what is behind:
   • Check your rear-view mirror before you drive away.
   • a wing mirror
3. a mirror of something something that gives a clear idea of what something else is like SYN reflection:
   • We believe the polls are an accurate mirror of public opinion.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

mirror

mir·ror [mirror mirrors mirrored mirroring] noun, verb [ˈmɪrə(r)] [ˈmɪrər]

noun

1. countable a piece of special flat glass that reflects images, so that you can see yourself when you look in it

• He looked at himself in the mirror.

• a rear-view mirror (= in a car, so that the driver can see what is behind)

• (BrE) a wing mirror (= on the side of a car)

• (NAmE) a side-view mirror

2. a ~ of sth singular something that shows what sth else is like

• The face is the mirror of the soul.

• Dickens' novels are a mirror of his times.

Word Origin:

Middle English: from Old French mirour, based on Latin mirare ‘look at’. Early senses also included ‘a crystal used in magic’ and ‘a person deserving imitation’.

Example Bank:

• Art can be seen as a mirror image of society.

• He was busy admiring himself in the mirror.

• He watched them through a two-way mirror.

• She stared at her face in the mirror.

• We hung a mirror over the fireplace.

• a large mirror hanging on the wall behind him

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

mirror / ˈmɪr.ə r / / -ɚ / noun [ C ] (GLASS)

A2 a piece of glass with a shiny, metal-covered back that reflects light, producing an image of whatever is in front of it:

the bathroom mirror

She was looking at her reflection in the mirror.

mirror / ˈmɪr.ə r / / -ɚ / noun (REPRESENT)

be a mirror of sth to represent or show something honestly:

The movie is a mirror of daily life in wartime Britain.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

mirror

/mɪrə(r)/
(mirrors, mirroring, mirrored)

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

1.
A mirror is a flat piece of glass which reflects light, so that when you look at it you can see yourself reflected in it.
He absent-mindedly looked at himself in the mirror...
N-COUNT
• mir‧rored
...a mirrored ceiling.
ADJ

2.
If something mirrors something else, it has similar features to it, and therefore seems like a copy or representation of it.
The book inevitably mirrors my own interests and experiences...
= reflect
VERB: V n

3.
If you see something reflected in water, you can say that the water mirrors it. (LITERARY)
...the sudden glitter where a newly-flooded field mirrors the sky...
= reflect
VERB: V n

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹mir·ror /ˈmirɚ/ noun, pl -rors [count]
1 : a piece of glass that reflects images
• She saw her reflection in the mirror. = She looked at herself in the mirror.
• a bathroom mirror
- see pictures at bathroom, car; see also rearview mirror
2 : something that shows what another thing is like in a very clear and accurate way - usually singular
• Her art is a mirror of modern American culture.

- see also smoke and mirrors
- mir·rored /ˈmirɚd/ adj
• a mirrored wall [=a wall that has a mirror or mirrors on it]
• mirrored glass

lamp

lamp [noun]

/læmp/

Example:

Alladdin's magic lamp

an electric light, especially a small one, that stands on a table or desk

Persian equivalent:

Click here.

Example:

Alladdin's magic lamp

Theme, CEFR level & Tags

Theme:

lighting and light fittings in the home

Level:

A2 (Elementary)

Region:

American English

British English

Oxford Essential Dictionary

lamp

noun
a thing that gives light:
It was dark, so I switched on the lamp.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

lamp

lamp S3 /læmp/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: lampe, from Latin lampas, from Greek, from lampein 'to shine']

1. an object that produces light by using electricity, oil, or gas
  table/desk/bedside lamp
  oil/electric/fluorescent lamp ⇨ fog lamp, headlamp, hurricane lamp, safety lamp, standard lamp
2. a piece of electrical equipment used to provide a special kind of heat, especially as a medical treatment
  infrared/ultraviolet lamp
⇨ sunlamp, blowlamp
     • • •

COLLOCATIONS■ verbs

   ▪ switch/turn on a lamp • Dorothy switched on the desk lamp.
   ▪ switch/turn off a lamp • He switched off the lamp beside the bed.
   ▪ light a lamp • Elizabeth lit the lamps and started rebuilding the fire.
   ▪ a lamp burns • A silver lamp burned on the altar.

■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + lamp

   ▪ a table/desk/bedside lamp • He read by the light of the bedside lamp.
   ▪ an oil/kerosene/paraffin lamp (=lamps that you light with a flame) • The large room was lit by a paraffin lamp on a table.
   ▪ a street lamp • Harry stopped under a street lamp.
   ▪ a hurricane lamp (=a lamp with a strong glass cover, which protects the light from the wind)
     • • •

THESAURUS

   ▪ light something that produces light, especially electric light, to help you to see: • She switched the kitchen light on. | • The lights in the house were all off.
   ▪ lamp an object that produces light by using electricity, oil, or gas - often used in names of lights: • a bedside lamp | • a street lamp | • a desk lamp | • a table lamp | • an old oil lamp | • a paraffin lamp
   ▪ lantern a lamp that you can carry, consisting of a metal container with glass sides that surrounds a flame or light: • The miners used lanterns which were lit by candles.
   ▪ torch British English, flashlight American English a small electric lamp that you carry in your hand: • We shone our torches around the cavern.
   ▪ candle a stick of wax with a string through the middle, which you burn to give light: • The restaurant was lit by candles.
   ▪ bulb the glass part of an electric light, that the light shines from: • a 100 watt bulb | • an energy-saving light bulb

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

lamp

lamp [lamp lamps lamped lamping] noun, verb [læmp] [læmp]

noun

1. a device that uses electricity, oil or gas to produce light

• a table/desk/bicycle, etc. lamp

• to switch on/turn off a lamp

• a street lamp

see also fog lamp, hurricane lamp, lava lamp, standard lamp

2. an electrical device that produces rays of heat and that is used for medical or scientific purposes

• an infra-red/ultraviolet lamp

see also blowlamp, sunlamp

Word Origin:

Middle English: via Old French from late Latin lampada, from Latin lampas, lampad- ‘torch’, from Greek.

Thesaurus:

lamp noun C

• She switched off the lamp.

light • • lantern • |BrE torch • |especially AmE flashlight •

switch on/off a lamp/light/torch/flashlight

light a lamp/lantern

a lamp/light/lantern/torch shines

carry a lamp/lantern/torch/flashlight

Example Bank:

• An oil lamp burned in the darkness.

• The study was lit only by a small lamp.

• He got into bed and switched off the bedside lamp.

• She could see the rain in the light of the street lamps.

• The specimen was viewed under an ultraviolet lamp.

• There were oil lamps hanging over the veranda.

verb (BrE, informal)

to hit sb very hard

• ~ sb The guy lamped me.

• ~ sb sth I'd have lamped her one!

Word Origin:

Middle English: via Old French from late Latin lampada, from Latin lampas, lampad- ‘torch’, from Greek.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

lamp / læmp / noun [ C ]

A2 a device for giving light, especially one that has a covering or is contained within something:

an electric/oil/gas lamp

a street lamp

a table/bedside lamp

→ See also sunlamp

any of various devices that produce particular types of light:

an infrared lamp

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

lamp

/læmp/
(lamps)

1.
A lamp is a light that works by using electricity or by burning oil or gas.
She switched on the bedside lamp...
In the evenings we eat by the light of an oil lamp.
N-COUNT

2.
A lamp is an electrical device which produces a special type of light or heat, used especially in medical or beauty treatment.
...a sun lamp.
...the use of infra-red lamps.
N-COUNT: usu supp N

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

lamp

lamp /ˈlæmp/ noun, pl lamps [count]
1 : a device that produces light
• turn on/off the lamp
• a street lamp
• a table/desk lamp
• an oil lamp [=a device that produces light by burning oil]
- see picture at living room; see also floor lamp

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