American English

serious

ser·ious   [ˈsɪəriəs]    [ˈsɪriəs]  adjective

BAD
1. bad or dangerous
• a serious illness/problem/offence
• to cause serious injury/damage
• They pose a serious threat to security.

• The consequences could be serious.  

NEEDING THOUGHT

2. needing to be thought about carefully; not only for pleasure
• a serious article
• a serious newspaper

• It's time to give serious consideration to this matter.  

IMPORTANT

3. that must be treated as important
• We need to get down to the serious business of working out costs.

• The team is a serious contender for the title this year.  

NOT SILLY

4. thinking about things in a careful and sensible way; not silly
• Be serious for a moment; this is important.

• I'm afraid I'm not a very serious person.  

NOT JOKING

5. sincere about sth; not joking or meant as a joke
• Believe me, I'm deadly (= extremely) serious.
• Don't laugh, it's a serious suggestion.
• ~ (about doing sth) Is she serious about wanting to sell the house?
• ~ (about sb/sth) He's really serious about Penny and wants to get engaged.
• She doesn't have a serious boyfriend.
• (informal) You can't be serious! (= you must be joking)

• You think I did it? Be serious! (= what you suggest is ridiculous)  

LARGE AMOUNT

6. (informal) used to emphasize that there is a large amount of sth
• You can earn serious money doing that.
• I'm ready to do some serious eating (= I am very hungry).  
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French serieux or late Latin seriosus, from Latin serius ‘earnest, serious’.  
Thesaurus:
serious [serious] adj.
1.
• These explosives pose a serious threat to security.
severe • • critical • • acute • • extreme • • drastic • • desperate • • life-threatening • |formal grave • |especially BrE, formal dire • |especially spoken bad •
Opp: minor
a/an serious/severe/critical/acute/desperate/life-threatening/grave/bad problem
a/an severe/serious/acute/extreme/desperate/dire shortage
a/an severe/serious/critical/acute/life-threatening/grave illness
serious/severe/acute/extreme/grave danger
Serious or severe? Serious is not used to describe weather conditions:
• a severe winter
 ¤ a serious winter Serious is used to describe medical conditions in everyday English; in medical English severe is used.
2.
• Please give this matter some serious thought.
deep • • profound •
Opp: trivial, Opp: superficial
a serious/deep/profound question/issue/analysis
a serious/deep conversation/discussion
3.
• She looked at him with a serious expression.
solemn • • earnest • |written sober • • grave • |BrE, written sombre • |AmE, written somber • |BrE, disapproving humourless • |AmE, disapproving humorless •
Opp: light-hearted
a/an serious/solemn/earnest/sober/grave/sombre expression
a serious/solemn/sober/sombre mood/atmosphere
on a serious/sober/sombre note  
Synonyms:
serious
grave • earnest • solemn
These words all describe sb who thinks and behaves carefully and sensibly, but often without much joy or laughter.
serious • thinking about things in a careful and sensible way; not laughing about sth: ▪ He's not really a very serious person. ◊ ▪ Be serious ▪ for a moment; this is important.
grave • (rather formal) (of a person) serious in manner, as if sth sad, important, or worrying has just happened: ▪ He looked very grave as he entered the room.
earnest • serious and sincere: ▪ The earnest young doctor answered all our questions.
solemn • looking or sounding very serious, without smiling; done or said in a very serious and sincere way: ▪ Her expression grew solemn. ◊ ▪ I made a ▪ solemn promise ▪ that I would return.
a(n) serious/grave/earnest/solemn expression/face
a serious/solemn mood/atmosphere  
Example Bank:
• Are you serious about resigning?
• By this time the riots were getting serious.
• Come on, be serious!
• He became serious all of a sudden.
• Joe is deadly serious in his beliefs.
• Please try to stay serious!
• The crime is considered serious enough to warrant a jail term.
• These are terribly serious allegations.
• This situation could be very serious for her.
• Be serious for a moment; this is important.
• He admitted to having made a serious error of judgement.
• He died after suffering from a serious illness.
• He used to write somewhat serious articles for the university newspaper.
• He's not really a very serious person.
• It's time for a serious debate about the issue.
• Please give this matter some serious thought.
• She was looking at him with a serious expression on her face.
• Suddenly the conversation turned serious.
• The speech was interesting, if a little serious for such a young audience.
• The storm caused serious damage to farm buildings.
• This book is the first serious study of the subject.

• Why do you waste your time reading that? It's hardly a serious newspaper, is it?

shy

shy [shy shies shied shying shyer shyest] adjective, verb   [ʃaɪ]    [ʃaɪ]

adjective (shyer, shy·est)
1. (of people) nervous or embarrassed about meeting and speaking to other people
Syn:  timid
• a quiet, shy man
• Don't be shy— come and say hello.
• She was too shy to ask anyone for help.
• As a teenager I was painfully shy.

• She's very shy with adults.

2. showing that sb is nervous or embarrassed about meeting and speaking to other people

• a shy smile

3. (of animals) easily frightened and not willing to come near people

• The panda is a shy creature.

4. not before noun ~ of/about (doing) sth afraid of doing sth or being involved in sth
• The band has never been shy of publicity.

• He disliked her and had never been shy of saying so.

5. not before noun ~ (of sth) (informal, especially NAmE) lacking the amount that is needed
• He died before Christmas, only a month shy of his 90th birthday.

• We are still two players shy (of a full team).

6. -shy (in compounds) avoiding or not liking the thing mentioned
• camera-shy (= not liking to be photographed)
• He's always been work-shy.
see fight shy of sth at  fight  _v., once bitten, twice shy at  once  _adv.  
Word Origin:
Old English scēoh ‘(of a horse) easily frightened’, of Germanic origin; related to German scheuen ‘shun’, scheuchen ‘scare’; compare with eschew. The verb dates from the mid 17th cent.  
Thesaurus:
shy adj.
• Don't be shy— come and say hello.
coy • • embarrassed • • awkward • • self-conscious • • introverted • • reserved • • inhibited • • insecure • |especially written timid • • diffident •
Opp: confident
shy/coy/embarrassed/awkward/self-conscious/inhibited/insecure/timid/diffident about sth
a/an shy/reserved/insecure/timid (young) man/woman/child
a/an shy/coy/embarrassed/self-conscious/diffident smile  
Example Bank:
• He is a naturally shy, retiring man.
• I was a bit shy of them at first.
• Please don't be shy— I won't eat you!
• She was terribly shy around strangers.
• She went all shy and hid behind her mother.
• You don't have to be shy with me, you know.
• Don't be shy— come and say hello.
• He gave a shy little smile.
• She felt suddenly shy as the large crowd fell silent.
• She was a shy, retiring girl.
Derived Words: shyly ▪ shyness

Derived: shy away 

talkative

talka·tive [talkative]   [ˈtɔːkətɪv]    [ˈtɔːkətɪv]  adjective
liking to talk a lot
• He's not very talkative, is he?
• She was in a talkative mood.  
Example Bank:
• She got more talkative as the evening wore on.
• The wine had made her talkative.

• He's not very talkative, except on the subject of his plants.

windy

windy [windy windier windiest]   [ˈwɪndi]    [ˈwɪndi]  adjective (wind·ier, windi·est)
1. (of weather, etc.) with a lot of wind
• a windy day
• It's too windy to go out in the boat.

Opp:  windless

2. (of a place) getting a lot of wind

• windy hills

3. (informal, disapproving) (of speech) involving speaking for longer than necessary and in a way that is complicated and not clear 
Word Origin:
Old English windig (see wind¹, -y).  
Example Bank:
• It's getting very windy.

• a wet and windy day

lonely

lone·ly [lonely lonelier loneliest]   [ˈləʊnli]    [ˈloʊnli]  adjective (lone·lier, lone·li·est)
1. unhappy because you have no friends or people to talk to
• She lives alone and often feels lonely.

• As I didn't speak the language I grew lonelier and lonelier.

2. (of a situation or period of time) sad and spent alone

• all those lonely nights at home watching TV

3. only before noun (of places) where only a few people ever come or visit
Syn:  isolated
• a lonely beach
Derived Word: loneliness  
Word Origin:
late 16th cent.: from lone  + -ly.  
Thesaurus:
lonely adj.
1.
• She lives alone and often feels lonely.
alone • • isolated • • desolate • |written forlorn •
feel lonely/alone/isolated/desolate/forlorn
Lonely or alone? Alone is slightly more informal than lonely and cannot be used before a noun.
2. usually before noun
• He thought of those lonely nights watching TV.
solitary • • alone • • by yourself • • on your own •
a lonely/solitary existence/life/walk  
Which Word?:
alone / lonely / lone
Alone, and on your own /by yourself (which are less formal and are the normal phrases used in spoken English), describe a person or thing that is separate from others. They do not mean that the person is unhappy: ▪ I like being alone in the house. ◊ ▪ I’m going to London by myself next week. ◊ ▪ I want to finish this on my own ▪ (= without anyone’s help) ▪.
Lone/solitary/single mean that there is only one person or thing there; lone and solitary may sometimes suggest that the speaker thinks the person involved is lonely: ▪ a lone jogger in the park ◊ ▪ long, solitary walks
Lonely (NAmE also lonesome) means that you are alone and sad: ▪ a lonely child ◊ ▪ Sam was very lonely when he first moved to New York. It can also describe places or activities that make you feel lonely: ▪ a lonely house  
Example Bank:
• It gets pretty lonely here in winter.
• She felt oddly lonely without her books.
• She was desperately lonely at school.
• As I didn't speak the language I grew lonelier and lonelier.
• He thought back to all those lonely nights at home watching TV.
• The support they give to lonely old people is invaluable.

• There are times when I feel very lonely.

full

full [full fulls fulled fulling fuller fullest] adjective, adverb   [fʊl]    [fʊl]

adjective (full·er, fullest) 

WITH NO EMPTY SPACE
1. ~ (of sth) containing or holding as much or as many as possible; having no empty space
• a full bottle of wine
• She could only nod, because her mouth was full.
• My suitcase was full of books.
• There were cardboard boxes stuffed full of clothes.

• (BrE) Sorry, the hotel is full up tonight.  

HAVING A LOT

2. ~ of sth having or containing a large number or amount of sth
• The sky was full of brightly coloured fireworks.
• Life is full of coincidences.
• Our new brochure is crammed full of inspirational ideas.
• animals pumped full of antibiotics
• She was full of admiration for the care she had received.

• He smiled, his eyes full of laughter.  

TALKING A LOT

3. ~ of sth (of a person) thinking or talking a lot about a particular thing

• He was full of his new job and everything he'd been doing.  

WITH FOOD

4. (BrE also ˌfull ˈup) having had enough to eat
• No more for me, thanks— I'm full up.
• The kids still weren't full, so I gave them an ice cream each.

• You can't run on a full stomach.  

COMPLETE

5. usually before noun complete; with nothing missing
• Full details are available on request.
• I still don't think we've heard the full story.
• a full English breakfast
• A full refund will be given if the item is faulty.
• Fill in your full name and address.
• The country applied for full membership of the European Union.
• It is too early to assess the full extent of the damage.

• They sell a full range of hair and beauty products.  

AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

6. usually before noun to the highest level or greatest amount possible
Syn:  maximum
• Many people don't use their computers to their full potential.
• measures to achieve full employment
• Students should take full advantage of the university's facilities.

• She came round the corner at full speed.  

BUSY

7. busy; involving a lot of activities
• He'd had a very full life.

• Her life was too full to find time for hobbies.  

FOR EMPHASIS

8. only before noun used to emphasize an amount or a quantity

• She is a full four inches shorter than her sister.  

MOON

9. appearing as a complete circle
• The moon was full, the sky clear.

see also  full moon  

FAT

10. (of a person or part of the body) large and round. ‘Full ’ is sometimes used to avoid saying ‘fat’
• He kissed her full sensual lips.

• They specialize in clothes for women with a fuller figure.  

CLOTHES

11. made with plenty of cloth; fitting loosely

• a full skirt  

TONE/VOICE/FLAVOUR

12. deep, strong and rich
• He draws a unique full sound from the instrument.

• the full fruity flavour of the wine

Rem: Most idioms containing full are at the entries for the nouns and verbs in the idioms, for example full of the joys of spring is at joy.  
Word Origin:
Old English, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vol and German voll.  
Thesaurus:
full adj.
1.
• There were boxes full of clothes.
packed • • crammed • • crowded • |informal stuffed • |disapproving overcrowded • • congested •
Opp: empty
full/packed/crammed/crowded/overcrowded/congested with sb/sth
packed/crammed/stuffed full of sb/sth
2.
• We haven't heard the full story.
whole • • complete • • entire • • total •
Opp: partial
a/an full/whole/complete/entire day/set
the full/whole/complete truth/story
full/complete details
3.
• He led a very full life.
busy • • hectic • • eventful • |especially BrE lively •
Opp: empty
a/an full/busy/hectic/eventful day/weekend/week/life
a full/busy/hectic/lively programme
a full/busy/hectic schedule/timetable
Full, busy or hectic? Busy is the most general of these words. A period of time that is full is busy in a good way; if it is hectic then it is usually too busy,  
Example Bank:
• Her wine glass was still fairly full.
• I'm full up. I can't eat another thing.
• The bottle was half full of mineral water.
• The garage has got full of junk again.
• The kitchen was absolutely full of flies!
• The reservoirs are all virtually full.
• He'd had a very full life.
• I ordered a full English breakfast.
• I still don't think we've heard the full story.
• I've always believed in living life to the full.
• Life is full of coincidences.
• Many people don't use their computers to their full potential.
• No more for me, thanks— I'm full up.
• Our new brochure is crammed full of inspirational ideas.
• She came round the corner at full speed.
• Students should take full advantage of the college's facilities.
• The kids still weren't full, so I gave them an ice cream each.
• You shouldn't swim on a full stomach.
• measures to achieve full employment

Idioms: full of it ▪ full of yourself ▪ in full ▪ the full 

busy

busy [busy busies busied busying busier busiest] adjective, verb   [ˈbɪzi]    [ˈbɪzi]

adjective (busier, busi·est) 

DOING STH
1. having a lot to do; perhaps not free to do sth else because you are working on sth
• Are you busy tonight?
• I'm afraid the doctor is busy at the moment. Can he call you back?
• I'll be too busy to come to the meeting.
• The principal is a very busy woman.
• She was always too busy to listen.
• a very busy life

• ~ with sth/sb Kate's busy with her homework.

2. ~ (doing sth) spending a lot of time on sth
• James is busy practising for the school concert.
• Let's get busy with the clearing up.

• They were busy enjoying themselves at the party.  

PLACE

3. full of people, activity, vehicles, etc
• a busy main road

• Victoria is one of London's busiest stations.  

PERIOD OF TIME

4. full of work and activity
• Have you had a busy day?
• This is one of the busiest times of the year for the department.

• We had a busy weekend lined up.  

TELEPHONE

5. (especially NAmE) being used
Syn:  engaged
• The line is busy— I'll try again later.

• the busy signal  

PATTERN/DESIGN

6. too full of small details
• This wallpaper is too busy for the bedroom.  
Word Origin:
Old English bisgian (verb), bisig (noun); related to Dutch bezig, of unknown origin.  
Thesaurus:
busy adj.
1.
• The principal is a very busy man.
active • • hard-pressed • • occupied • • at work • • involved • |formal engaged •
busy/occupied/involved with sth
active/occupied/involved/engaged in sth
keep sb busy/active/occupied/involved
2.
• a busy airport
crowded • • full • • packed • • crammed • |approving lively • |approving, written bustling • • vibrant • |disapproving overcrowded • • congested •
busy/crowded/packed/crammed/bustling with people
a/an busy/crowded/lively/bustling/overcrowded place/town/market/bar
the place/town/market/bar is full/packed
3.
• a busy time of year
hectic • • full • • eventful •
Opp: quiet
a/an busy/hectic/full/eventful day/weekend/week/life
a/an busy/hectic/full programme/schedule/timetable
Busy, hectic or full? Busy is the most general of these words. Full often describes a period of time, especially sb's life, that is busy in a good way. Hectic usually describes a period of time or an activity that is too busy.  
Collocations:
Phones
Making and receiving phone calls
the phone/telephone rings
answer/pick up/hang up the phone/telephone
lift/pick up/hold/replace the receiver
dial a (phone/extension/wrong) number/an area code
call sb/talk (to sb)/speak (to sb) on the phone/telephone; from home/work/the office
make/get/receive a phone call
take the phone off the hook (= remove the receiver so that the phone does not ring)
the line is (BrE) engaged/ (especially NAmE) busy
the phones have been (NAmE) ringing off the hook (= ringing frequently)
put sb through/get through to the person you want to speak to
put sb on hold (= so that they must wait for the person they want to speak to)
call from/use a landline
Mobile/cell phones
be/talk on a (both BrE) mobile phone/mobile/(especially NAmE) cell phone/(informal, especially NAmE) cell
use/answer/call (sb on)/get a message on your mobile phone/mobile/cell phone/cell
switch/turn on/off your mobile phone/mobile/cell phone/cell
charge/recharge your mobile phone/mobile/cell phone/cell
a mobile/cell phone is on/is off/rings/goes off
(BrE) top up your mobile (phone)
send/receive a text (message)/an SMS (message)/a fax
insert/remove/change a SIM card 
Example Bank:
• I've got enough work to keep you busy.
• She needed to keep busy.
• She was busy with her make-up.
• Have you had a busy day?
• I'm afraid the doctor is busy at the moment. Can he call you back?
• Let's get busy with the clearing up.
• Victoria is one of London's busiest stations.
• We have to cross a busy main road to get to school.
Idioms: as busy as a bee ▪ keep yourself busy

Derived Word: busily 

simple

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

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

• Give the necessary information but keep it simple.  

BASIC/PLAIN

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

Opp:  fancy  

FOR EMPHASIS

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

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

WITH FEW PARTS

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

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

ORDINARY

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

• I'm a simple country girl.  

NOT INTELLIGENT

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

• He's not mad— just a little simple.  

GRAMMAR

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

• a simple sentence

money

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

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

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

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

see also  funny money, paper money, ready money

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

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

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

• The money is great in my new job.

career

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

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

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

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