American English

ceremony

cere·mony [ceremony ceremonies]   [ˈserəməni]    [ˈserəmoʊni]  noun (pl. cere·monies)
1. countable a public or religious occasion that includes a series of formal or traditional actions
• an awards/opening ceremony

• a wedding/marriage ceremony

2. uncountable formal behaviour; traditional actions and words used on particular formal occasions
• The royal guests were welcomed with pomp and ceremony.
see also  master of ceremonies
Idioms: stand on ceremony ▪ without ceremony  
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French ceremonie or Latin caerimonia ‘religious worship’, (plural) ‘ritual observances’.  
Thesaurus:
ceremony noun C
• They were married in a simple ceremony.
ritual • • rite • • service • • sacrament • • liturgy •
at a ceremony/ritual/rite/service
a religious ceremony/ritual/rite/service
a/an ancient/primitive/traditional/pagan ceremony/ritual/rite
perform a ceremony/ritual/rite 
Collocations:
Marriage and divorce
Romance
fall/be (madly/deeply/hopelessly) in love (with sb)
be/believe in/fall in love at first sight
be/find true love/the love of your life
suffer (from) (the pains/pangs of) unrequited love
have/feel/show/express great/deep/genuine affection for sb/sth
meet/marry your husband/wife/partner/fiancé/fiancée/boyfriend/girlfriend
have/go on a (blind) date
be going out with/ (especially NAmE) dating a guy/girl/boy/man/woman
move in with/live with your boyfriend/girlfriend/partner
Weddings
get/be engaged/married/divorced
arrange/plan a wedding
have a big wedding/a honeymoon/a happy marriage
have/enter into an arranged marriage
call off/cancel/postpone your wedding
invite sb to/go to/attend a wedding/a wedding ceremony/a wedding reception
conduct/perform a wedding ceremony
exchange rings/wedding vows/marriage vows
congratulate/toast/raise a glass to the happy couple
be/go on honeymoon (with your wife/husband)
celebrate your first (wedding) anniversary
Separation and divorce
be unfaithful to/ (informal) cheat on your husband/wife/partner/fiancé/fiancée/boyfriend/girlfriend
have an affair (with sb)
break off/end an engagement/a relationship
break up with/split up with/ (informal) dump your boyfriend/girlfriend
separate from/be separated from/leave/divorce your husband/wife
annul/dissolve a marriage
apply for/ask for/go through/get a divorce
get/gain/be awarded/have/lose custody of the children
pay alimony/child support (to your ex-wife/husband) 
Example Bank:
• I won't stand on ceremony.
• It was done quickly and without ceremony.
• Many dignitaries were present at the ceremony.
• She was buried with great ceremony in the Abbey.
• The marriage ceremony was performed by the bishop.
• They were married in a simple ceremony.
• With due ceremony, he took the oath to become president.
• Without ceremony, the woman slammed the door shut in my face.
• a same-sex commitment ceremony
• a special ceremony to mark the end of the war
• an official ceremony to welcome the new director
• the Japanese tea ceremony
• the guest of honour at the ceremony
• the opening ceremony of the Olympic games
• the pomp and ceremony of a royal wedding

• an awards ceremony

festival

fes·ti·val [festival festivals]   [ˈfestɪvl]    [ˈfestɪvl]  noun
1. a series of performances of music, plays, films/movies, etc, usually organized in the same place once a year; a series of public events connected with a particular activity or idea
• the Edinburgh festival
• the Cannes film festival
• a beer festival

• a rock festival (= where bands perform, often outdoors and over a period of several days)

2. a day or period of the year when people stop working to celebrate a special event, often a religious one
see also  harvest festival  
Word Origin:
Middle English (as an adjective): via Old French from medieval Latin festivalis, from Latin festivus, from festum, (plural) festa ‘feast’.  
Culture:
festivals
Many branches of the arts hold festivals each year in towns and cities throughout Britain and the US. Some of the larger festivals last several weeks and include music, drama, art and literature. People travel a long way to hear the top international performers that such festivals attract. Smaller festivals concentrate on one art form, such as poetry. Because the US is so large, most of its festivals are local, although a few famous ones, such as the Monterey Jazz Festival in California, attract people from around the world. Americans most like summer festivals where they can enjoy art, music and food outdoors.
Many festivals try to obtain sponsorship money from local businesses to help cover the costs. In the US events are relatively cheap so the entire family can spend the day out. In Britain, however, tickets may be expensive. This tends to restrict the number and type of people who go to the main festivals, and many festival-goers are middle-aged, middle-class professional people. This in turn can affect the type of music or drama that the organizers put on.
Some festivals, such as the Edinburgh Festival, have been running for many years. A special feature of the Edinburgh Festival is the Fringe. Fringe events are usually avant-garde and attract a wide audience. They also get a lot of attention from the critics, and this can help the careers of younger performers. In Wales, several eisteddfods celebrate Welsh culture and include competitions for composers and artists. In the US the Carmel Performing Arts Festival in California offers a range of music, dance, theatre, stories and poetry.
Many festivals concentrate on music. In Britain, the Aldeburgh Festival was founded by Benjamin Britten. The most famous British music festival, however, is the Proms, held each summer at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Concerts contain a mixture of old favourites and new, specially commissioned pieces. Classical music is less popular in the US, but several festivals offer a mixture of concerts and classes, e.g. the Aspen Music Festival.
Festivals of rock and pop music are often huge informal open-air events attended by thousands of people, many of whom camp overnight in a nearby field. The biggest rock festivals in Britain include Glastonbury, Reading and the Download festival, Donnington. There are huge numbers of festivals every year across the US for different types of music. These include Rock Fests, for example the one held near Cadott, Wisconsin and the Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival which celebrates the music (and Cajun food) of Black French and Creole peoples. The Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis and the W C Handy Blues and Barbecue Festival in Henderson, Kentucky, celebrate the blues.
Film festivals are especially popular in the US. The best known is the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. The Hollywood Film Festival attracts big stars, but America’s mix of people from different races and cultures has led to many smaller events such as the Boston Jewish Film Festival and the Los Angeles Asian-Pacific Film Festival. The main event in Britain is the London Film Festival, run by the BFI (British Film Institute). There is also the Celtic Film and Television Festival, which promotes Celtic languages and cultures and takes place in a different town each year in Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland, Wales or Brittany.
Fewer people generally attend literature festivals, but in the US the annual Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival has become a major event. It includes performances of Williams’s plays and a walking tour of ‚Williams’s New Orleans’. The Dodge Poetry Festival is held every two years in New Jersey. In Britain the town of Hay -on-Wye has a literary festival, and Stratford-upon-Avon has a poetry festival every summer.
In the US the most common festivals are arts, or arts and crafts, festivals. For example, the Utah Arts Festival mixes art with music, theatre and cooking. 
Example Bank:
• He's appearing at a local folk festival tonight.
• I like to play any big festivals.
• The dance troupe will open the festival on June 13.
• The family always celebrates the Jewish festivals.
• The festival attracts thousands of visitors every year.
• The school has taken part in the festival since 1997.
• a festival featuring five local bands
• the events in this year's festival
• the film festival circuit
• the movies shown during the eight-day festival

• the pilgrims who arrived on major festivals

club

club [club clubs clubbed clubbing] noun, verb   [klʌb]    [klʌb] 

noun  

FOR ACTIVITY/SPORT
1. countable + singular or plural verb (especially in compounds) a group of people who meet together regularly, for a particular activity, sport, etc
• a golf/tennis, etc. club
• a chess/film/movie, etc. club
• to join/belong to a club
• The club has/have voted to admit new members.

see also  fan club, youth club

2. countable the building or rooms that a particular club uses
• We had lunch at the golf club.
• the club bar

see also  country club, health club

3. countable + singular or plural verb (BrE) a professional sports organization that includes the players, managers, owners and members

• Manchester United Football Club  

MUSIC/DANCING

4. countable a place where people, especially young people, go and listen to music, dance, etc
• a jazz club
• the club scene in Newcastle

see also  clubbing, nightclub, strip club  

SOCIAL

5. countable + singular or plural verb (especially in Britain) an organization and a place where people, usually men only, can meet together socially or stay

• He's a member of several London clubs.  

SELLING BOOKS/CDS

6. countable an organization that sells books, CDs, etc. cheaply to its members
• a music club

see also  book club  

WEAPON

7. countable a heavy stick with one end thicker than the other, that is used as a weapon

see also  billy club  

IN GOLF

8. countable =  golf club  

IN CARD GAMES
9. clubs plural, uncountable one of the four sets of cards (called suits) in a pack of cards. The clubs have a black design shaped like three black leaves on a short stem

• the five/queen/ace of clubs

10. countable one card from the suit called clubs
• I played a club.
more at join the club at  join  _v.  
Word Origin:
n. senses 1 to 6 and v. sense 2 early 17th cent. club
n. senses 7 to 10 and v. sense 1 Middle English Old Norse clubba klumba clump
 
Culture:
clubs and societies
Many people in Britain and the US belong to at least one club or society. Club is often used to refer to a group of people who regularly meet together socially or take part in sports. Most young people’s groups are called clubs. A society is usually concerned with a special interest, e.g. birdwatching or local history, and sends newsletters or magazines to its members. National societies, such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, usually have local branches.
Social clubs have a bar where members can sit and talk to each other. Members of the upper class or business people may belong to a gentlemen's club. Most of these are in London and even today only some of them allow women to be members. They are places to relax in, but also to make business contacts and take clients. Freemasonary attracts business and professional men who may join a lodge (= branch) in their home town. Masons are sometimes accused of giving unfair advantages to other Masons in business, etc.
Some clubs combine social events with community service. Members of the Rotary Club, the Round Table, the Kiwanis and the Lions Club are usually professional or business people. In the US these organizations are called service clubs. Some are open only to men. They hold events to raise money for good causes, e.g. to provide scholarships for university students or to raise money for a hospital.
In Britain, working men’s clubs were set up for men doing manual jobs. The clubs offer a range of entertainment, such as comedians or darts matches, as well as a bar. In recent years some clubs have decided to admit women. In the US there are clubs based on ethnic origin, religion or military background. For example, the Knights of Columbus is a club for Roman Catholic men. People who have served in the armed forces join the Veterans of Foreign Wars or the American Legion. The British Legion is a similar organization for former British servicemen.
In Britain, the Women's Institute and the Townswomen’s Guild began with the aim of improving women’s education. Both now organize social and cultural activities.
Nightclubs, often called simply clubs, are places where mainly young people meet to drink and dance. They charge admission fees rather than a subscription. Fees are higher at weekends and in large cities, especially London.
Many sports clubs hold parties and arrange social events, as well as providing facilities for various sports. Golf clubs are often expensive to join, and there is often a long waiting list. Other sports clubs include those for squash, tennis, cricket, bowls, snooker and cycling. Many clubs own their own sports ground and clubhouse with a bar. Most towns also have gyms or fitness clubs. In Britain, sports and social clubs are run by some big companies for their employees and in the US most sports clubs are associated with companies. Softball and basketball teams play against teams from other companies in the same city.
Country clubs are found in green areas near cities all over the US. They offer sports like swimming, golf and tennis, and hold dances and other social events in the restaurants and bars. The oldest and most famous country club was established in Brookline, Massachusetts in 1882.
Many Americans belong to the alumni club of the college or university they attended. Members take part in social activities and raise money for the university.
Some students join Greek societies, societies named with Greek letters, e.g. Alpha Epsilon Pi. Fraternities are for men, and sororities are for women. Most Greek societies are social organizations and their members, who usually come from rich families, live in a fraternity or sorority house. After they leave university, many members continue to be active in the organization. There are also honor societies for outstanding students, which also have Greek letters in their names. Phi Beta Kappa is the most famous of these. Some are for students in a particular subject, for example Psi Chi is for students in psychology. In Britain, schools, colleges and universities have societies for former students, often called old boys’ or old girls’ associations.
In most towns there are local societies for many interests, including singing, drama, film, folk music, archaeology, natural and local history and photography. Local branches of national societies, such as the National Trust in Britain and the Audubon Society in the US, organize events in their area. Only a small proportion of members attend local events, and most people join these societies because they support their aims.
Clubs are an important feature of school life, especially in the US. They include clubs for science, drama and music, as well as language clubs. Outside school, children can join a local youth club, Scouts or Girl Guides, or another youth organization. 
Thesaurus:
club noun
1. C+sing./pl. v.
• He joined the local drama club.
society • • association • • organization •
form/set up/belong to/join a/an club/society/association/organization
a/an club/society/association/organization meets
a member of a/an club/society/association/organization
Club, association or society? These words are all used for groups of people who have a shared interest or purpose. Often, but not always, a club relates to leisure interests, a society to academic interests, and an association to professional interests. A club can be quite informal.
2. C (BrE)
• a Premier League football club
team • • squad • • line-up • |BrE side •
a football/rugby/cricket club/team/squad/side
a/an Irish/French club/team/squad/side
the England/Ireland team/squad/side/line-up
a club/team/side plays/wins/loses (a game/match)
Club, team or side? Club refers to the organization that includes players, owner and manager; team and side usually refer just to the players, often at a particular time
• This team is arguably even better than the Welsh side of the seventies.
 
Example Bank:
• She belongs to a book club.
• She plays at the local tennis club.
• Who runs the tennis club?
• a new style of music on the London club scene
• members of an exclusive club
• one of the top football clubs in the country
• Anderson took over as club captain.
• Anyone interested in umpiring matches should contact the club chairman.
• Athletico Madrid Football Club
• Fan club members can get concert tickets at a discount.
• He is expected to sign for a Premier League club next season.
• I belong to a book club which meets once a month.
• I wrote a letter of complaint to the club secretary.
• She gives talks at local schools and youth clubs.
• Wilkins makes his long awaited debut for his new club.
Idiom: in the club

Derived: club together 

fade away

ˌfade aˈway derived
(of a person) to become very weak or ill/sick and die
• In the last weeks of her life she simply faded away.

Main entry: fade

draft

draft AW [draft drafts drafted drafting] noun, adjective, verb   [drɑːft]    [dræft] 

noun
1. countable a rough written version of sth that is not yet in its final form
• I've made a rough draft of the letter.
• This is only the first draft of my speech.
• the final draft (= the final version)
• The legislation is still in draft form.

• a draft constitution/treaty/agreement

2. countable (finance) a written order to a bank to pay money to sb

• Payment must be made by bank draft drawn on a UK bank.

3. the draft singular (especially US) =  conscription

4. singular (NAmE) a system in which professional teams in some sports choose players each year from among college students

• He was the fourth player chosen in the 2007 draft, but the first of his class to reach the major leagues.

5. countable (NAmE) =  draught
• Can you shut the door? There's a draft in here.  
Word Origin:
mid 16th cent.: phonetic spelling of draught.  
Culture:
In the US the draft refers to the US government’s Selective Service system, in which young people were required by law to serve in the armed forces. It was replaced in 1973 by a system in which people may join the forces only if they wish to. However, young men must still add their names to the draft list when they are 18, in case of a future military emergency. People who tried to avoid the draft, especially during the Vietnam War, were known as draft dodgers.
note at  national service
. 
Thesaurus:
draft noun C
• This is only the first draft of my speech.
plan • • design • • blueprint •
a rough draft/plan
the orginal/first/final draft/plan/design/blueprint
draw up/produce a draft/plan/design 
Example Bank:
• I finished the first draft in late August 2007.
• I sent an early draft to an agent.
• She produced an initial draft of her plans.
• The document is still in draft form.
• The preliminary draft of the agreement has been approved.
• The students were invited to submit drafts for feedback.
• These details were not included in the preliminary draft.
• Is this the final draft?
• The original drafts for the new building are with the architects.

• There is a rough draft of how the park should be laid out.

right

right [right rights righted righting] adjective, adverb, noun, verb, exclamation   [raɪt]    [raɪt] 

adjective  

MORALLY GOOD
1. not usually before noun ~ (to do sth) morally good or acceptable; correct according to law or a person's duty
• You were quite right to criticize him.
• Is it ever right to kill?
• It seems only right to warn you of the risk.
• I hope we're doing the right thing.

Opp:  wrong  

TRUE/CORRECT

2. true or correct as a fact
• Did you get the answer right?
• ‘What's the right time?’ ‘10.37.’
• ‘David, isn't it?’ ‘Yes, that's right.’
• (informal) It was Monday you went to see Angie, right?
• Let me get this right (= understand correctly) — you want us to do an extra ten hours' work for no extra pay?

Opp:  wrong

3. correct for a particular situation or thing, or for a particular person
• Have you got the right money (= the exact amount) for the bus fare?
• Is this the right way to the beach?
• You're not holding it the right way up.
• Are you sure you've got that on the right way round?
• Next time we'll get it right.
• He's the right man for the job.
• I'm glad you split up. She wasn't right for you.
• I was waiting for the right moment to ask him.
• She knows all the right people (= important people, for example those who can help her career).
• His success was down to being in the right place at the right time (= being able to take opportunities when they came).

Opp:  wrong

4. not before noun correct in your opinion or judgement
• ~ (about sth) She was right about Tom having no money.
• ~ (to do sth) You're right to be cautious.
• ‘It's not easy.’ ‘Yeah, you're right.’
• ~ (in doing sth) Am I right in thinking we've met before?

Opp:  wrong  

NORMAL

5. not before noun in a normal or good enough condition
• I don't feel quite right today (= I feel ill/sick).
• That sausage doesn't smell right.
• Things aren't right between her parents.
• If only I could have helped put matters right.
• He's not quite right in the head (= not mentally normal).

Opp:  wrong  

NOT LEFT

6. only before noun of, on or towards the side of the body that is towards the east when a person faces north
• my right eye
• Keep on the right side of the road.
• Take a right turn at the intersection.

see also  right-wing, Opp:  left  

COMPLETE

7. only before noun (BrE, informal, especially disapproving) used to emphasize sth bad
• You made a right mess of that!
• I felt a right idiot.
see also  all right 
more at press/push all the right buttons at  button  _v., get/start off on the right/wrong foot (with sb) at  foot  _n., have your head screwed on (the right way) at  head  _n., sb's heart is in the right place at  heart, have the right idea at  idea, left, right and centreright, left and centre at  left  _adv., might is right at  might  _n., Mr Right at  Mr, hit/strike the right/wrong note at  note  _n., get on the right/wrong side of sbon the right/wrong side of forty, fifty, etc. at  side  _n., on the right/wrong track at  track  _n.  
Word Origin:
Old English riht (adjective and noun), rihtan (verb), rihte (adverb), of Germanic origin; related to Latin rectus ‘ruled’, from an Indo-European root denoting movement in a straight line.  
Thesaurus:
right adj.
1. not usually before noun
• Hunting may be legal, but that doesn't make it right.
acceptable • • good • • proper • • justified • • justifiable • • decent • |formal due •
Opp: wrong
right/acceptable/good/proper/justified/justifiable to do sth
right/justified in doing sth
right/acceptable/good/proper that…
do the right/proper/decent thing
2.
• I got about half the answers right.
correct • • true •
Opp: wrong
right/correct about sth
the right/correct/true answer
the right/correct time
Right or correct? Correct is more formal than right and is more likely to be used in official instructions or documents.
3.
• He's definitely the right man for this job.
good • • appropriate • • suitable • • convenient • • apt • • fit • |informal cut out for/to be sth • |formal fitting •
Opp: wrong
right/good/appropriate/suitable/convenient/apt/fit/cut out/fitting for sb/sth
right/good/appropriate/suitable/convenient/apt/fit/fitting that…
right/good/appropriate/suitable/convenient/fit/fitting to do sth
Which word? How good, appropriate or suitable sb/sth is is a matter of judgement; how right sb/sth is is more a matter of fact:
• Do you think she would be a/an good/appropriate/suitable person to ask?
 ¤ a right person to ask:
• She's definitely the right person to ask.
 ¤ She's definitely the good/appropriate/suitable person to ask.
4.
• You're right to be cautious in this situation.
correct • |especially BrE proper •
Opp: wrong
right/correct about sb/sth
right/correct to do sth
right/correct in thinking/believing/saying sth
the right/correct/proper decision/judgement/conclusion/way/method/approach
Right, correct or proper? People can be right or correct about sth, but not proper:  ¤ You're proper to be cautious. Correct and proper are more often used to talk about methods; right is more often used to talk about beliefs and decisions.  
Synonyms:
mad
crazy • nuts • batty • out of your mind • (not) in your right mind
These are all informal words that describe sb who has a mind that does not work normally.
mad • (informal, especially BrE) having a mind that does not work normally: ▪ I thought I'd go mad if I stayed any longer.
Mad is an informal word used to suggest that sb's behaviour is very strange, often because of extreme emotional pressure. It is offensive if used to describe sb suffering from a real mental illness; use mentally ill instead. Mad is not usually used in this meaning in North American English; use crazy instead.
crazy • (informal, especially NAmE) having a mind that does not work normally: ▪ A crazy old woman rented the upstairs room.
Like mad, crazy is offensive if used to describe sb suffering from a real mental illness.
nuts • [not before noun] (informal) mad: ▪ That noise is driving me nuts! ◊ ▪ You guys are nuts!
batty • (informal, especially BrE) slightly mad, in a harmless way: ▪ Her mum's completely batty.
out of your mind • (informal) unable to think or behave normally, especially because of extreme shock or anxiety: ▪ She was out of her mind with grief.
(not) in your right mind • (informal) (not) mentally normal: ▪ No one in their right mind ▪ would choose to work there.
to be mad/crazy/nuts/out of your mind/not in your right mind to do sth
to go mad/crazy/nuts/batty
to drive sb mad/crazy/nuts/batty/out of their mind
completely mad/crazy/nuts/batty/out of your mind 
Synonyms:
right
correct
Both these words describe a belief, opinion, decision or method that is suitable or the best one for a particular situation.
right • if sb is right to do or think sth, that is a good thing to do or think in that situation: ▪ You're right to be cautious. ◊ ▪ You made the right decision. ◊ ▪ ‘It's not easy.’ ‘Yes, you're right.’
correct • (of a method, belief, opinion or decision) right and suitable in a particular situation: ▪ What's the correct way to shut the machine down? ◊ ▪ I don't think she's correct to say he's incompetent.
right or correct?
Correct is more formal than right. It is more often used for methods and right is more often used for beliefs, opinions and decisions.
right/correct about sb/sth
right/correct to do sth
right/correct in thinking/believing/saying sth
the right/correct decision/judgement/conclusion
the right/correct way/method/approach
absolutely/quite right/correct 
Synonyms:
true
right • correct
These words all describe sth that cannot be doubted as fact and includes no mistakes.
true • connected with facts rather than things that have been invented or guessed: ▪ Are the following statements ▪ true or false ▪? ◊ ▪ Is it ▪ true (that) ▪ she's leaving?
right • that is true and cannot be doubted as a fact: ▪ I got about half the answers right. ◊ ▪ What's the right time?
correct • right according to the facts and without any mistakes: ▪ Only one of the answers is correct. ◊ ▪ Check that all the details are correct.
right or correct?
Correct is more formal than right and is more likely to be used in official or formal instructions or documents.
right/correct about sb/sth
the true/right/correct answer
the right/correct time  
Example Bank:
• He never gets anything right.
• I'm sure it'll all turn out right in the end.
• It may be a very easy way to make money, but that doesn't make it right.
• James did what he thought was right.
• She needs to get everything exactly right for her guests.
• The meat doesn't taste right to me.
• There's something not quite right about these figures.
• You were quite right about the weather.
• You're dead right. There's nothing we can do.
• ‘David, isn't it?‘‘Yes, that's right.’
• ‘I'll have to do it again.’ ‘Too right you will.’
• ‘It's not easy.’ ‘Yeah, you're right.’
• A few details are missing, but the description is more or less right.
• Am I right in thinking we've met before?
• Are you sure that sweater's on the right way (around)?
• Have you got the right money for the bus fare?
• He's definitely the right man for the job.
• He's made the right decision.
• His success was down to being in the right place at the right time.
• Hunting may be legal, but that doesn't make it right.
• I don't believe she's right in this case.
• I don't think she was right for you.
• I got about half the answers right.
• I hope we're doing the right thing.
• I think you were right to do what you did.
• I was doing what I thought was right.
• If only I could have helped put matters right.
• It was Monday you went to see Angie, right?
• It's right that he should be punished.
• Let me get this right, you want us to do ten hours' extra work for no extra pay?
• Next time we'll get it right.
• She's definitely the right person to ask.
• That sausage doesn't smell right.
• Things aren't right between her parents.
• What's the right time?
• What's the right way to do this?
• You were quite right to tell me.
• You're not holding it the right way up.
• You're right to be cautious.
Idioms: bang to rights ▪ do right by somebody ▪ give your right arm for to do something ▪ in your own right ▪ in your right mind ▪ put somebody to rights ▪ right a wrong ▪ right and left ▪ right as rain ▪ right enough ▪ right now ▪ right off ▪ right off the bat ▪ right on ▪ right side up ▪ right, left and centre ▪ see somebody right ▪ she'll be right ▪ too right

Derived Word: rightness 

worthless

worth·less [worthless worthlessness]   [ˈwɜːθləs]    [ˈwɜːrθləs]  adjective
1. having no practical or financial value
• Critics say his paintings are worthless.

Opp:  valuable

2. (of a person) having no good qualities or useful skills
• a worthless individual
• Constant rejections made him feel worthless.
Derived Word: worthlessness  
Example Bank:
• The diseased plants are worthless to the farmer.
• The opinion polls were dismissed as worthless.
• These contradictions made his evidence worthless.
• Constant rejections made her feel worthless.
• He's just a worthless individual.

• Shares in the company are now almost worthless.

worth

worth [worth worths] adjective, noun   [wɜːθ]    [wɜːrθ] 

adjective not before noun (used like a preposition, followed by a noun, pronoun or number, or by the -ing form of a verb)
1. ~ sth having a value in money, etc
• Our house is worth about £100 000.
• How much is this painting worth?
• to be worth a bomb/packet/fortune (= a lot of money)
• It isn't worth much.

• If you answer this question correctly, it's worth five points.
2. used to recommend the action mentioned because you think it may be useful, enjoyable, etc.
• ~ sth The museum is certainly worth a visit.
• ~ doing sth This idea is well worth considering.

• It's worth making an appointment before you go.
3. ~ sth/doing sth important, good or enjoyable enough to make sb feel satisfied, especially when difficulty or effort is involved
• Was it worth the effort?
• The new house really wasn't worth all the expense involved.
• The job involves a lot of hard work but it's worth it.
• The trip was expensive but it was worth every penny.

see also  worthwhile

4. ~ sth (of a person) having money and possessions of a particular value
• He's worth £10 million.
more at a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush at  bird, more than your job's worth (to do sth) at  job  
Word Origin:
Old English w(e)orth (adjective and noun), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch waard and German wert.  
Synonyms:
price
cost • value • expense • worth
These words all refer to the amount of money that you have to pay for sth.
price • the amount of money that you have to pay for an item or service: ▪ house prices ◊ ▪ How much are these? They don't have a price on them. ◊ ▪ I can't afford it ▪ at that price ▪.
cost • the amount of money that you need in order to buy, make or do sth: ▪ A new computer system has been installed at a cost of £80 000.
value • how much sth is worth in money or other goods for which it can be exchanged: ▪ The winner will receive a prize ▪ to the value of ▪ £1 000.
Especially in British English, value can also mean how much sth is worth compared with its price: ▪ This restaurant is excellent value ▪ (= is worth the money it costs) ▪.
price, cost or value?
The price is what sb asks you to pay for an item or service: ▪ to ask/charge a high price ◊ to ask/charge a high cost/value. Obtaining or achieving sth may have a cost; the value of sth is how much other people would be willing to pay for it: ▪ house prices ◊ ▪ the cost of moving house ◊ ▪ The house now has a market value of one million pounds.
expense • the money that you spend on sth; sth that makes you spend money: ▪ The garden was transformed ▪ at great expense ▪. ◊ ▪ Running a car is a big expense.
worth • the financial value of sb/sth: ▪ He has a personal net worth of $10 million.
Worth is more often used to mean the practical or moral value of sth.
the high price/cost/value
the real/true price/cost/value/worth
to put/set a price/value on sth
to increase/reduce the price/cost/value/expense
to raise/double/lower the price/cost/value
to cut the price/cost 
Example Bank:
• It's so unimportant it's hardly worth mentioning.
• Most of the candidates were not considered worth interviewing.
• This book is well worth reading.
• This order is potentially worth millions of pounds to the company.
• It isn't worth much.
• Our house is worth about $300 000.
• to be worth a bomb/packet/fortune

Idioms: for all it is worth ▪ for what it's worth ▪ not worth the candle ▪ not worth the paper it's written on ▪ worth its salt ▪ worth its weight in gold ▪ worth somebody's while 

noun uncountable
1. ten dollars', £40, etc. ~ of sth an amount of sth that has the value mentioned
• The winner will receive ten pounds' worth of books.

• a dollar's worth of change

2. a week's, month's, etc. ~ of sth an amount of sth that lasts a week, etc.

3. the financial, practical or moral value of sb/sth
• Their contribution was of great worth.
• The activities help children to develop a sense of their own worth.
• A good interview enables candidates to prove their worth (= show how good they are).
• a personal net worth of $10 million
see put in your two cents' worth at  cent  _n., get your money's worth at  money  
Word Origin:
Old English w(e)orth (adjective and noun), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch waard and German wert.  
Example Bank:
• Asking for advice from people affirms their personal worth.
• Can you give me some estimate of its worth?
• Cutting out the debts will increase your net worth.
• He never contributed anything of worth to the conversation.
• I only found out its real worth when I tried to buy another one.
• She has no sense of her own worth.
• She knows her own worth.
• Some experts doubt the economic worth of the project.
• Study has an intrinsic worth, as well as helping you achieve your goals.
• The emergency lighting has proved its worth this year.
• The insurance company agreed to pay the car's current market worth.
• They are looking for a new sales manager of proven worth.
• They don't appreciate her at her real worth.
• This necklace isn't worth anything in money terms, but its worth to me is incalculable.
• A good job interview should help candidates prove their worth.
• He has a personal net worth of $10 million.

• The children here quickly gain a sense of their own worth.

email

email (also e-mail) noun, verb   [ˈiːmeɪl]    [ˈiːmeɪl] 

noun
1. (also formal ˌelectronic ˈmail) uncountable a way of sending messages and data to other people by means of computers connected together in a network

• to send a message by email

2. countable, uncountable a message sent by email
• Thanks for your email.  
Word Origin:
late 20th cent.: abbreviation of electronic mail.  
Thesaurus:
email (also e-mail) noun C, U
• I check my email daily.
mail • • message • |formal communication • • correspondence •
an email/mail/a message/a communication/correspondence from/to sb
send/receive an email/mail/a message/a communication/correspondence
open an email/a message 
Collocations:
Email and the Internet
Email
receive/get/open an email
write/send/answer/forward/delete an email
check/read/access your email
block/filter (out) junk/spam/unsolicited email
exchange email addresses
open/check your inbox
junk mail fills/floods/clogs your inbox
have/set up an email account
open/send/contain an attachment
sign up for/receive email alerts
Connecting to the Internet
use/access/log onto the Internet/the Web
go online/on the Internet
have a high-speed/dial-up/broadband/wireless (Internet) connection
access/connect to/locate the server
use/open/close/launch a/your web browser
browse/surf/search/scour the Internet/the Web
send/contain/spread/detect a (computer/email) virus
update your anti-virus software
install/use/configure a firewall
accept/enable/block/delete cookies
Using the Internet
visit/check a website/an Internet site/sb's blog
create/design/launch a website/social networking site
start/write/post/read a blog
update your blog/a website
be in/meet sb in/go into/enter an Internet chat room
download/upload music/software/a song/a podcast/a file/a copy of sth
share information/data/files
post a comment/message on a website/an online message board/a web forum/an internet chat room
stream video/audio/music/content over the Internet
join/participate in/visit/provide a (web-based/web/online/Internet/discussion) forum
generate/increase/monitor Internet traffic 
Example Bank:
• An email arrives in your inbox.
• Each of the rooms has Internet and email access.
• I sent an email asking about their products.
• If a member does not have email, a letter is sent.
• Most people check their email several times a day.
• She is in constant email contact with a number of college staff.
• Some companies monitor all employee email.
• Some members used email to renew their membership.
• The email contains a link to the retailer's website.
• The next day I got 400 email responses.
• Users receive email notification of special offers.
• Web-based email providers
• When I saw what he'd written I fired off an angry email.
• You can sign up to receive email alerts.
• a free email service
• an email announcing his promotion
• filtering devices that block unwanted email
• the rise in corporate email traffic
• I got an email from Andrew last week.

• I have to check my email.

long-lived

ˌlong-ˈlived [long-lived]      adjective
having a long life; lasting for a long time
• This type of tree can be exceptionally long-lived.  
Synonyms:
old
elderly • aged • long-lived • mature
These words all describe sb/sth that has lived for a long time or that usually lives for a long time.
old • having lived for a long time; no longer young: ▪ She's getting old— she's 75 next year.
elderly • (rather formal) used as a polite word for ‘old’: ▪ She is very busy caring for two elderly relatives.
aged • (formal) very old: ▪ Having aged relatives to stay in your house can be quite stressful.
long-lived • having a long life; lasting for a long time: ▪ Everyone in my family is exceptionally long-lived.
mature • used as a polite or humorous way of saying that sb is no longer young: ▪ clothes for the mature woman
a(n) old/elderly/aged/long-lived/mature man/woman
a(n) old/elderly/aged/mature gentleman/lady/couple  
Example Bank:
• Everyone in my family is exceptionally long-lived.
• Good management was essential to the creation of a long-lived, successful business.

• Trout are a long-lived species.

adjective (light·er, light·est) 

WITH NATURAL LIGHT
1. full of light; having the natural light of day
• We'll leave in the morning as soon as it's light.
• It gets light at about 5 o'clock.
• It was a light spacious apartment at the top of the building.

Opp:  dark  

COLOURS

2. pale in colour
• light blue eyes
• Lighter shades suit you best.
• People with pale complexions should avoid wearing light colours.

Opp:  dark  

WEIGHT

3. easy to lift or move; not weighing very much
• Modern video cameras are light and easy to carry.
• Carry this bag— it's the lightest.
• He's lost a lot of weight— he's three kilos lighter than he was.
• The little girl was as light as a feather.
• The aluminium body is 12% lighter than if built with steel.

Opp:  heavy

4. usually before noun of less than average or usual weight
• light summer clothes
• Only light vehicles are allowed over the old bridge.

Opp:  heavy

5. used with a unit of weight to say that sth weighs less than it should do

• The delivery of potatoes was several kilos light.  

GENTLE

6. usually before noun gentle or delicate; not using much force
• She felt a light tap on her shoulder.
• the sound of quick light footsteps
• You only need to apply light pressure.
• As a boxer, he was always light on his feet (= quick and elegant in the way he moved).

Opp:  heavy  

WORK/EXERCISE

7. usually before noun easy to do; not making you tired
• After his accident he was moved to lighter work.
• some light housework

• You are probably well enough to take a little light exercise.  

NOT GREAT

8. not great in amount, degree, etc
• light traffic
• The forecast is for light showers.
• light winds
• Trading on the stock exchange was light today.

Opp:  heavy  

NOT SEVERE/SERIOUS

9. not severe

• He was convicted of assaulting a police officer but he got off with a light sentence.

10. entertaining rather than serious and not needing much mental effort
• light reading for the beach
• a concert of light classical music

• We were just making light conversation.

11. not serious
• She kept her tone light.
• This programme looks at the lighter side of politics.
• We all needed a little light relief at the end of a long day (= something amusing or entertaining that comes after sth serious or boring).
• The job does have its lighter moments.
• Let's talk about lighter things, shall we?

• On a lighter note, we end the news today with a story about a duck called Quackers.  

CHEERFUL

12. usually before noun free from worry; cheerful

• I left the island with a light heart.  

FOOD

13. (of a meal) small in quantity
• a light supper/snack.
• I just want something light for lunch.

Opp:  heavy

14. not containing much fat or not having a strong flavour and therefore easy for the stomach to digest
• Stick to a light diet.

see also  lite

15. containing a lot of air

• This pastry is so light.  

DRINK

16. low in alcohol

• a light beer

17. (IndE) (of tea or coffee) containing a lot of water
Syn:  weak
• I don't like my coffee too light.
• I think I'll have a light tea.

Opp:  strong  

SLEEP

18. only before noun a person in a light sleep is easy to wake
• She drifted into a light sleep.
• I've always been a light sleeper.
Opp:  deep
see also  lightly 
more at many hands make light work at  hand  _n.  
Word Origin:
n. and v. adj. senses 1 to 2 Old English lēoht līht līhtan Germanic Dutch licht German Licht Indo-European Greek leukos ‘white’ Latin lux ‘light’
adj. senses 3 to 17 Old English lēocht līht lēohte Germanic Dutch licht German leicht Indo-European lung
 
Thesaurus:
light adj.
1.
• Light colours suit you best.
pale • • soft • • pastel • • neutral • |usually approving cool •
Opp: dark
a light/pale/soft/pastel/neutral/cool colour/shade
light/pale/soft/pastel/cool blue/green
light/pale/soft/pastel pink
light/soft/pale yellow/brown/red
Light or pale? Both words can be used to describe colours. Pale is also used to describe a kind of light that contains a lot of white and is not bright:
• a pale light/glow/sky
 ¤ a light light/glow/sky
2.
• The forecast is for light showers.
gentle • • mild •
Opp: heavy
(a) light/gentle breeze/wind/rain
light/gentle work/exercise
light/mild punishment
Light, gentle or mild? Light is used especially to describe weather, work, exercise and punishments. Gentle is used especially to describe weather, temperature, work and exercise. Mild is used especially to describe weather, diseases, drugs, criticism and punishment.  
Example Bank:
• As soon as it grew light, we got up and dressed.
• It stays light for so long on these summer evenings.
• It was almost light outside.
• It was barely light yet.
• It was not light enough to see things clearly.
• It was starting to get light.
• The bottle felt strangely light between my fingers.
• The punishment can be remarkably light.
• The sky turned light once more.
• The tent is light enough for backpacking and touring.
• The traffic is usually fairly light in the afternoons.
• The whole house was beautifully light and airy.
• Trading volume remains light.
• We'll set out as soon as it's completely light.
• a deliciously light alternative to cake
• wearing only very light clothes
• Do you need some light reading for the beach?
• He was convicted of assaulting a police officer but he got off with a light sentence.
• He's got light blue eyes.
• It gets light at about 5 o'clock.
• People with pale complexions should avoid wearing light colours.
• We'll leave in the morning as soon as it's light.
• a pale light/glow/sky
• light reading/fiction/entertainment/comedy/music/opera
• pale/light blue/green/yellow/orange/red/pink/purple/grey/brown

• pale/light colours/shades/tones