adjective

sad

sad S2 W3 /sæd/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative sadder, superlative saddest)
[Word Family: noun: ↑sadness, ↑saddo; adjective: ↑sad, ↑saddening; verb: ↑sadden; adverb: ↑sadly]
[Language: Old English; Origin: sæd 'having had enough']
1. FEELING UNHAPPY not happy, especially because something unpleasant has happened OPP happy
feel/look/sound sad
Dad looked sad and worried as he read the letter.
be sad to hear/see/read etc something
I was very sad to hear that he had died.
sad that
Lilly felt sad that Christmas was over.
sad about
I was sad about the friends I was leaving behind.
sad smile/face/expression etc
There was such a sad look in her eyes.
2. MAKING YOU UNHAPPY a sad event, situation etc makes you feel unhappy:
Sorry to hear the sad news.
It was a sad case. The boy ended up in prison.
sad story/song/film etc
a story with a sad ending
it is sad to see/hear etc something
It was sad to see them arguing.
sad time/day/moment etc
This is a sad day for us all.
3. NOT SATISFACTORY very bad or unacceptable:
There aren’t enough teachers, which is a sad state of affairs (=bad situation).
it’s sad that/when/if ...
It’s sad if people are too afraid to go out alone at night.
the sad fact is (that) spoken:
The sad fact is that prejudice still exists.
Sad to say (=unfortunately), the country is heading towards civil war.
4. LONELY a sad person has a dull, unhappy, or lonely life:
She’s a sad character – without any friends at all.
5. BORING informal boring or not deserving any respect:
Stay in on Saturday night? What a sad idea!
6. sadder and/but wiser having learned something from an unpleasant experience:
He came out of the relationship sadder but wiser.
⇨ ↑sadness
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ nouns
▪ a sad story/song/film He had listened patiently to his client’s sad story about her awful life.
▪ sad news It was with great shock that we heard the sad news that he had died.
▪ a sad fact It’s a sad fact that a significant amount of crime is committed by young people.
▪ the sad truth The sad truth is that the new law will not deter criminals.
▪ a sad day/time I’m really disappointed that this happened. It’s a sad day for football.
▪ a sad case Take the sad case of Gary Marsh, who was badly injured during a match.
▪ a sad ending The film has a sad ending.
▪ the sad thing (=the sad part of a situation) The sad thing is that there’s little we can do about the situation now.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ sad not happy: She felt sad as she waved goodbye. | a sad and lonely figure | a sad face | a sad film
▪ unhappy sad, especially for a long time – used about people and periods of time: I was unhappy at school. | an unhappy childhood | He’s obviously a deeply unhappy person.
▪ homesick [not before noun] sad because you are away from your home, family, and friends: She sometimes felt homesick when she first arrived in Japan.
▪ down [not before noun] informal feeling sad for a few hours or days, often for no reason: Whenever I’m feeling down, I go out and buy myself some new clothes. | She’s been kind of down since that argument with Jack.
▪ gloomy looking or sounding sad and without hope – used about people, places, and weather: Why are you all looking so gloomy? | the gloomy immigration office | a gloomy afternoon in February
▪ dejected/downcast looking sad and disappointed because something you hoped for did not happen: ‘I didn’t pass,’ he said, looking dejected. | a downcast expression | He was understandably downcast after the team’s loss.
▪ mournful especially literary looking or sounding sad: the dog’s big mournful eyes | the mournful sound of the church bell | a mournful expression
▪ glum looking sad and disappointed: Don’t look so glum! Maybe you’ll win next time. | They sat in glum silence.
▪ wistful especially literary looking a little sad and thoughtful, because you wish that the situation was different: She looked at him with a wistful smile.
■ very sad
▪ miserable very sad, especially because you are lonely, cold, ill, or upset – used about people and periods of time: I felt miserable and blamed myself for what had happened. | Her life was miserable. | I had a miserable time at college.
▪ depressed very sad and without hope for a long time, because things are wrong in your life or because of a medical condition: After his wife left him, he became depressed and refused to talk to anyone.
▪ heartbroken extremely sad because of something that has happened to someone or something that you care about very much: She was heartbroken when her dog died.
▪ distressed/distraught very upset because of something bad that has happened, so that you cannot think clearly: She was very distressed when he left her. | The boy’s hospital bed was surrounded by distraught relatives.
▪ devastated [not before noun] extremely sad and shocked, because something very bad has happened: The whole town was devastated by the tragedy.
■ COLLOCATIONS CHECK
▪ sad person/expression/story/song/film
▪ unhappy person/expression/childhood/marriage
▪ gloomy person/expression/place/weather
▪ dejected/downcast person/expression
▪ mournful sound/eyes/expression

strong

strong S1 W1 /strɒŋ $ strɒːŋ/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative stronger, superlative strongest)
[Word Family: verb: ↑strengthen; noun: ↑strength; adverb: ↑strongly; adjective: ↑strong]
[Language: Old English; Origin: strang]
1. ABLE TO LIFT HEAVY THINGS/DO HARD WORK having a lot of physical power so that you can lift heavy things, do hard physical work etc:
He was a big strong man.
Jack was tall and strong.
strong hands/arms/muscles etc
He picked her up in his big strong arms.
I’m not strong enough to fight him. ⇨ see Thesaurus box on P. 1752
2. NOT EASILY BROKEN OR DAMAGED not easily broken or damaged:
good strong shoes
The locks on the doors were solid and strong.
3. ABLE TO DEAL WITH DIFFICULTY determined and able to deal with a difficult or upsetting situation:
I’m not strong enough to take insults and hatred.
Laura had a strong character.
4. POWERFUL having a lot of power or influence:
The Fifth French Republic was established with a strong president in 1958.
a strong national army
Our party is the strongest as we come up to the election.
5. FEELINGS/OPINIONS strong emotions, opinions, beliefs etc are ones that you feel or believe a lot and are very serious about:
He had a strong sense of responsibility to his vocation of preaching.
There has been strong support for the strike.
The proposal has met with strong opposition from local people.
strong feelings/views/opinions
Many people have strong feelings about the issue.
6. AFFECT/INFLUENCE a strong desire, influence etc affects you very much:
He had a strong desire for power.
Such feelings may have a strong influence over your decisions.
The temptation is very strong.
7. RELATIONSHIP a strong relationship, friendship etc is very loyal and likely to last a long time:
He maintained strong links with the world of the deaf.
She still has a strong relationship with her mother.
I have a strong commitment to the quality of teaching.
8. ARGUMENT/REASON ETC likely to persuade other people that something is true or the correct thing to do:
There is a strong case for an energy conservation programme.
They need strong evidence to secure a conviction.
a strong argument
9. LIKELY likely to succeed or happen:
She’s a strong candidate for the party leadership.
strong possibility/chance/probability
A year ago, there was a strong possibility that he wouldn’t live.
10. HEALTHY healthy, especially after you have been ill:
I don’t think her heart is very strong.
You’ve been blessed with a strong constitution (=you are healthy and do not easily become ill).
11. be in a strong position (also gain a strong position) to be in a situation where you have power over other people or are likely to get what you want:
The company have gained a strong position in the cheese market.
12. strong wind/current/tide wind, water etc that moves with great force:
A strong wind was blowing across the lake.
13. GOOD AT SOMETHING very good at something:
His writing was strong on description.
We beat a team that was much stronger than ourselves.
be sb’s strong point/suit (=the thing that someone is especially good at)
Tact never was my strong point.
14. TASTE/SMELL having a taste or smell that you notice easily:
strong coffee
This cheese has a very strong flavour.
a strong smell of petrol
15. ALCOHOL/DRUGS ETC having a lot of a substance, such as alcohol, that gives something its effect:
extra strong beer
strong painkillers
I haven’t touched strong drink (=alcoholic drinks) for years.
16. LIGHT/COLOUR bright and easy to see:
The light was not very strong.
17. strong language speech or writing that contains a lot of swearing:
This film is not suitable for children under 12 as it contains strong language.
18. strong accent the way that someone pronounces words that shows clearly that they come from a particular area or country:
a strong German accent
19. strong nose/chin/features a nose etc that is large and noticeable, especially in an attractive way:
She has the same strong features as her mother.
20. MONEY a strong ↑currency (=the type of money used in a country) does not easily lose its value compared with other currencies
21. 600/10,000 etc strong [only after number] used to give the number of people in a crowd or organization:
the company’s 2,200 strong workforce
The crowd was 10,000 strong.
22. be going strong to continue to be active or successful, even after a long time:
He celebrated his ninetieth birthday this month, and he’s still going strong.
⇨ come on strong at ↑come on(10)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 5 & 6)
■ nouns
▪ strong views/opinions/ideas She has strong views on education.
▪ a strong feeling I have a lot of strong feelings on the issue.
▪ a strong belief We have a strong belief that everyone has the right to worship freely.
▪ a strong sense of something There is a strong sense of community here.
▪ strong support The idea won strong support in rural areas.
▪ strong opposition There had been strong opposition to the scheme from the national park authority.
▪ a strong interest in something At 16, he developed a strong interest in archaeology.
▪ a strong commitment to something Since its establishment in 1945 the College has had a strong commitment to research.
▪ a strong desire for something/to do something People have a strong desire for personal independence.
▪ a strong influence The experience of living there had a strong influence on me.
▪ a strong impression She made a strong impression on me.
▪ a strong temptation There’s always a strong temptation to put off doing difficult tasks.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ having a strong body
▪ strong having a lot of physical strength: It took four strong men to lift the piano. | You open it – you’re stronger than I am.
▪ powerful very strong – used about someone’s body, arms, muscles etc: his big powerful shoulders | He was a tall man with a powerful physique.
▪ muscular having big muscles and looking strong: She liked men who were big and muscular. | He had a firm muscular body.
▪ well-built a well-built man is strong and tall and has a big body: Police say the man they are looking for is 36 years old, 6 feet tall, and well-built.
▪ hunky informal strong and attractive: She married hunky Hollywood star Brad Pitt. | He looks hunky, but he’s not really my type.
■ not easily broken or damaged
▪ strong not easily broken or damaged: The bags are made of strong black plastic. | We need a strong rope for this job.
▪ tough strong – used especially about something that can be used a lot without damaging it or making it weaker: a pair of tough leather boots | Kitchen floors need to be tough enough to withstand heavy use.
▪ heavy-duty [only before noun] extremely strong – used about materials, tools, machines etc that are made especially to be used a lot without being easily damaged: heavy-duty rubber gloves | a heavy-duty carpet for the hallway
▪ sturdy strong and often thick, and not likely to fall over or get broken: a fence made with sturdy wooden posts | The furniture is simple but sturdy.
▪ unbreakable extremely strong and impossible to break: Babies need to have unbreakable dishes and cups.
▪ indestructible impossible to break, damage, or destroy, and lasting forever: Gold is virtually indestructible. | The pyramids were built as indestructible tombs for the Pharaohs.
▪ hard-wearing British English, long-wearing American English used about materials and products that will remain in good condition for a long time even when they are used a lot: Ceramic tiles are easy to keep clean and hard-wearing. | a hard-wearing fabric
▪ durable especially written used about materials and products that will remain in good condition for a long time – often used on product labels: The jacket has a durable nylon lining. | Varnish is more durable than paint.
▪ robust especially written strongly made – used especially about the structure of something, for example a vehicle or machine: a mountain bike with a robust frame | The hardware for the computer must be robust and inexpensive.

hot

I. hot¹ S1 W2 /hɒt $ hɑːt/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative hotter, superlative hottest)
[Language: Old English; Origin: hat]
1. HIGH TEMPERATURE
a) something that is hot has a high temperature – used about weather, places, food, drink, or objects OPP cold:
a hot day in July
It’s so hot in here. Can I open the window?
Be careful, the water’s very hot.
The bar serves hot and cold food.
people who live in hot countries (=where the weather is usually hot)
scorching/baking/roasting hot (also boiling/broiling hot )American English (=used about weather that is very hot)
a scorching hot week in August
stifling/sweltering/unbearably hot (=used about weather that is very hot and uncomfortable)
The office gets unbearably hot in summer.
boiling/scalding/steaming hot (=used about liquid that is extremely hot)
The coffee was scalding hot.
piping hot (=used about food that is nice and hot)
Serve the soup piping hot.
red hot (=used to describe an object or surface that is very hot)
The handle was red hot.
white hot (=used to describe metal that is extremely hot)
He held the metal in the flame until it became white hot.
b) if you feel hot, your body feels hot in a way that is uncomfortable:
I was hot and tired after the journey.
The wine made her feel hot.
c) if clothes are hot, they make you feel too hot in a way that is uncomfortable:
This sweater’s too hot to wear inside.
2. SPICY food that tastes hot has a burning taste because it contains strong spices OPP mild:
a hot curry
3. VERY POPULAR/FASHIONABLE informal something or someone that is hot is very popular or fashionable, and everyone wants to use them, see them, buy them etc:
one of the hottest young directors in Hollywood
Michael Owen is already one of soccer’s hottest properties (=actors or sports players who are very popular).
The movie is going to be this summer’s hot ticket (=an event that is very popular or fashionable, and that everyone wants to go and see).
be the hottest thing since (sliced bread) (=used about someone or something that is very good and popular, so that everyone wants them)
4. GOOD informal very good, especially in a way that is exciting:
a hot young guitar player
a hot piece of software
His new film is hot stuff (=very good).
be hot at doing something
She’s pretty hot at swimming, too.
not so hot/not very hot informal (=not very good)
Some of the tracks on the record are great, but others are not so hot.
be hot shit American English informal not polite (=used about someone or something that people think is very good)
5. SEXY
a) informal someone who is hot is very attractive sexually:
The girls all think he’s hot stuff.
b) informal a film, book, photograph etc that is hot is sexually exciting:
his hot and steamy first novel
c) a hot date informal a meeting with someone who you feel very attracted to sexually:
She has a hot date with Michel.
d) be hot on/for somebody informal to be sexually attracted to someone
6. DIFFICULT/DANGEROUS [not before noun] informal difficult or dangerous to deal with:
If things get too hot (=a situation becomes too difficult or dangerous to deal with), I can always leave.
Wilkinson found his opponent a little too hot to handle (=too difficult to deal with or beat).
The climate was too hot politically to make such radical changes.
7. a hot issue/topic etc a subject that a lot of people are discussing, especially one that causes a lot of disagreement:
The affair was a hot topic of conversation.
one of the hottest issues facing medical science
8. in the hot seat in an important position and responsible for making difficult decisions
9. in hot water if someone is in hot water, they are in trouble because they have done something wrong:
The finance minister found himself in hot water over his business interests.
land/get yourself in hot water
She got herself in hot water with the authorities.
10. ANGRY
a) get hot under the collar spoken to become angry – used especially when people get angry in an unreasonable way about something that is not important:
I don’t understand why people are getting so hot under the collar about it.
b) have a hot temper someone who has a hot temper becomes angry very easily ⇨ ↑hot-tempered
11. hot and bothered informal upset and confused because you have too much to think about or because you are in a hurry:
People were struggling with bags and cases, looking hot and bothered.
12. have/hold something in your hot little hand informal used to emphasize that you have something:
You’ll have the report in your hot little hands by Monday.
13. RECENT/EXCITING NEWS hot news is about very recent events and therefore interesting or exciting:
Do you want to hear about all the latest hot gossip?
14. be hot off the press if news or a newspaper is hot off the press, it has just recently been printed
15. CHASING SOMEBODY/SOMETHING CLOSELY
a) in hot pursuit following someone quickly and closely because you want to catch them:
The car sped away, with the police in hot pursuit.
b) hot on sb’s trail/tail close to and likely to catch someone you have been chasing:
The other car was hot on his tail.
c) hot on sb’s heels following very close behind someone:
Mrs Bass’s dog was already hot on his heels.
16. come/follow hot on the heels of something to happen or be done very soon after something else:
The news came hot on the heels of another plane crash.
17. hot on the trail of something very close to finding something:
journalists hot on the trail of a news story
18. blow/go hot and cold to keep changing your mind about whether you like or want to do something:
She keeps blowing hot and cold about the wedding.
19. go hot and cold to experience a strange feeling in which your body temperature suddenly changes, because you are very frightened, worried, or shocked
20. I don’t feel too hot/so hot/very hot spoken informal I feel slightly ill:
I’m not feeling too hot today.
21. be hot on something informal
a) to know a lot about something:
He’s pretty hot on aircraft.
b) British English to be very strict about something SYN tight:
The company is very hot on security.
22. be hot for something informal to be ready for something and want it very much:
Europe is hot for a product like this.
He was hot for revenge.
23. be hot to trot informal
a) to be ready to do something or be involved with something
b) to feel sexually excited and want to have sex with someone
24. hot competition if the competition between people or companies is hot, they are all trying very hard to win or succeed:
Competition for the best jobs is getting hotter all the time.
25. hot favourite the person, team, horse etc that people think is most likely to win
26. hot tip a good piece of advice about the likely result of a race, business deal etc:
a hot tip on the stock market
27. STOLEN GOODS informal goods that are hot have been stolen
28. MUSIC informal music that is hot has a strong exciting ↑rhythm
29. more something than you’ve had hot dinners British English spoken humorous used to say that someone has had a lot of experience of something and has done it many times:
She’s delivered more babies than you’ve had hot dinners.
30. hot money money that is frequently moved from one country to another in order to make a profit
⇨ ↑hotly, ↑hots
• • •
THESAURUS
■ person
▪ hot used especially when you feel uncomfortable: I feel really hot. | The travellers were hot, tired, and thirsty.
▪ warm a little hot, especially in a way that feels comfortable: Are you warm enough? | We had to keep moving in order to keep warm.
▪ boiling (hot) spoken very hot: You must be boiling in that sweater! | ‘I’m going for a swim,' said Gary. ’I’m boiling.' | I felt boiling hot and tried to open one of the windows.
▪ feverish feeling very hot because you are ill: His head ached and he felt feverish. | Hannah was slightly feverish, so we decided to call the doctor.
■ weather
▪ hot used especially when you feel uncomfortable: a hot day | It’s too hot to do any work.
▪ warm a little hot, especially in a way that seems pleasant: a warm summer’s evening | It’s supposed to be a bit warmer tomorrow.
▪ boiling (hot) spoken very hot: The weather was boiling hot. | a boiling hot day | It was absolutely boiling this lunchtime.
▪ baking (hot) British English very hot and dry: a baking hot afternoon | The weather was baking hot and conditions at the camp became unbearable. | It’s baking out there in the garden – I need a drink.
▪ scorching (hot) very hot: It was another scorching hot July day. | When we got there, the weather was scorching. | Arizona is scorching hot every day.
▪ humid/muggy hot and damp: This week sees a return to more humid conditions. | Hong Kong gets very humid at this time of year. | In June the weather was often muggy in the evenings. | It was a warm muggy afternoon, and it looked like it would rain.
■ room
▪ hot used especially when you feel uncomfortable: The office was uncomfortably hot. | The meeting was in a tiny hot room with no air conditioning.
▪ warm a little hot, especially in a way that seems pleasant: It’s nice and warm by the fire. | They were all sitting in the warm kitchen, sipping mugs of cocoa.
▪ boiling (hot) spoken very hot: It’s boiling in here. Can I open the window? | a boiling hot New York recording studio
▪ like an oven much too hot in a way that is uncomfortable – used about rooms and buildings: The inside of the shed was like an oven.
■ food/liquid/something you touch
▪ hot: a hot drink | hot meals | Eat your food while it’s hot.
▪ warm a little hot, especially in a way that seems pleasant: The bread was still warm from the oven. | the warm waters of the Caribbean
▪ boiling (hot) spoken very hot: The water’s boiling hot. | Boiling-hot steam shoots out from underground. | The mud in the pools is boiling.
▪ lukewarm /ˌluːkˈwɔːm◂ $ -ˈwɔːrm◂/ slightly warm, but not hot enough – used about liquids: a cup of lukewarm coffee | The bath water was lukewarm.

chilly

chill‧y /ˈtʃɪli/ BrE AmE adjective
1. chilly weather or places are cold enough to make you feel uncomfortable
chilly day/night/evening etc
a chilly November morning
chilly wind/breeze/air etc
Getting chilly, isn’t it?
The bathroom’s a bit chilly.
2. if you feel chilly, you feel uncomfortably cold
3. unfriendly SYN frosty:
The speech met with a chilly reception.
—chilliness noun [singular, uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
■ weather
▪ cold used especially when you feel uncomfortable: It gets very cold here in the winter.
▪ cool a little cold, often in a way that feels comfortable: It’s very hot in the day, but cooler at night. | a nice cool breeze
▪ chilly a little cold, but not very cold, in a way that feels rather uncomfortable: a chilly autumn day | It’s a bit chilly.
▪ freezing (cold) spoken very cold and very uncomfortable: It’s freezing outside.
▪ bitterly cold very cold and very uncomfortable: It can be bitterly cold in the mountains.
▪ icy (cold) very cold, especially when the temperature is below zero: The wind was icy cold.
▪ crisp cold, dry, and clear, in a way that seems pleasant: I love these crisp autumn mornings.
▪ frosty in frosty weather, the ground is covered in a frozen white powder: It was a bright frosty morning.
▪ arctic extremely cold and unpleasant, with snow and ice: He would not survive for long in the arctic conditions. | arctic weather

friendly

I. friend‧ly¹ S2 W3 /ˈfrendli/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative friendlier, superlative friendliest)
[Word Family: noun: ↑friend, ↑friendliness, ↑friendship, ↑friendly; adjective: ↑friendly ≠ ↑unfriendly, ↑friendless; verb: ↑befriend]
1. behaving towards someone in a way that shows you like them and are ready to talk to them or help them OPP unfriendly:
a friendly smile
I’ve found a great pub – good beer and a friendly atmosphere.
friendly to/towards
Why is he suddenly so friendly towards you, Charlotte?
2. be friendly with somebody to be friends with someone:
Betty’s very friendly with the Jacksons.
3. not at war with your own country, or not opposing you OPP hostile:
friendly nations
4. British English a friendly game is played for pleasure or practice, and not because it is important to win:
a friendly match against AC Milan
5. user-friendly/customer-friendly etc not difficult for particular people to understand or use:
a user-friendly computer program
a customer-friendly shopping mall
6. environmentally-friendly/ozone-friendly/eco-friendly etc not harmful to the environment, ↑ozone layer etc:
eco-friendly washing powder
7. friendly fire bombs, bullets etc that accidentally kill people who are fighting on the same side
—friendliness noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ friendly behaving towards someone in a way that shows you like them and are ready to talk to them or help them: a friendly smile | The local people are very friendly.
▪ warm [usually before noun] friendly and caring about other people, in a way that makes people like you and feel comfortable: He was such a warm caring person and everyone loved him. | We received a very warm welcome.
▪ nice especially spoken friendly and kind: Chris is a nice guy. I’m sure you’ll get on with him. | He wasn’t very nice to the other children.
▪ amiable /ˈeɪmiəbəl/ formal friendly and easy to like: Tom was an amiable young man.
▪ welcoming friendly to someone who has just arrived somewhere: a welcoming smile | The group are very welcoming to new members.
▪ hospitable friendly and eager to make visitors comfortable: I found Japanese people to be very hospitable.
▪ genial formal behaving in a cheerful and friendly way: a genial host | She was in a genial mood.
▪ cordial formal friendly and polite but formal: The two nations have always maintained cordial relations.
▪ approachable friendly and easy to talk to – used especially about people in important positions: The head teacher is very approachable.

creative

I. cre‧a‧tive¹ W3 /kriˈeɪtɪv/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑creation, ↑creativity, ↑creator, ↑creativeness; verb: ↑create, ↑recreate; adverb: ↑creatively; adjective: ↑creative ≠ UNCREATIVE]
1. involving the use of imagination to produce new ideas or things:
This job is so boring. I wish I could do something more creative.
I teach creative writing at Trinity College.
the creative process of writing a poem
Diaghilev did his great creative work in France.
a creative solution to the problem
2. someone who is creative is very good at using their imagination to make things ⇨ inventive:
You’re so creative! I could never make my own clothes.
—creatively adverb
—creativeness noun [uncountable]

funny

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

generous

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

hard-working

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

serious

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