American English

game

I. game¹ S1 W1 /ɡeɪm/ BrE AmE noun
[Language: Old English; Origin: gamen]
1. ACTIVITY OR SPORT [countable]
a) an activity or sport in which people compete with each other according to agreed rules:
We used to love playing games like chess or backgammon.
b) an occasion when a game is played ⇨ match:
Did you see the game on TV last night?
a game of tennis/football etc
Would you like to have a game of tennis?
game against/with
England’s World Cup game against Holland ⇨ ball game, board game, video game, war game
2. games [plural]
a) a large organized sports event:
the Olympic Games
b) British English organized sports as a school subject or lesson SYN PE:
We have games on Thursdays.
a games lesson
3. PART OF A MATCH [countable] one of the parts into which a single match is divided, for example in tennis or bridge¹(4):
Graf leads, two games to one.
4. CHILDREN [countable] a children’s activity in which they play with toys, pretend to be someone else etc
game of
a game of hide-and-seek
The boys were playing a game in the backyard.
5. SKILL sb’s game how well someone plays a particular game or sport
improve/raise your game
Liam’s taking lessons to improve his game.
the strongest aspect of his game
6. give the game away to spoil a surprise or secret by doing or saying something that lets someone guess what the secret is:
Lynn gave the game away by laughing when Kim walked in.
7. beat somebody at their own game (also play somebody at their own game British English) to beat someone or fight back against them by using the same methods that they use
8. NOT SERIOUS be a game to be something that you do to enjoy yourself rather than for a serious purpose:
It’s just a game to them. They don’t care what happens.
9. play games (with somebody)
a) to behave in a dishonest or unfair way in order to get what you want:
Are you sure he’s really interested, and not just playing silly games with you?
b) to not be serious about doing something:
We want a deal. We’re not interested in playing games.
10. ANIMALS/BIRDS [uncountable] wild animals, birds, and fish that are hunted for food, especially as a sport:
game birds ⇨ ↑big game
11. the only game in town used to say that something is the only possible choice in a situation:
The Church of England is no longer the only game in town.
12. BUSINESS [singular] informal an area of work or business:
I’ve been in this game for over ten years.
13. what’s her/your etc game? British English spoken used to ask what the true reason for someone’s behaviour is:
Reg is being very nice all of a sudden. What’s his game?
14. the game’s up spoken used to tell someone that something wrong or dishonest that they have done has been discovered:
Come out, Don. The game’s up.
15. a game of chance a game in which you risk money on the result:
Poker is a game of chance.
16. somebody got game American English informal used to say that someone is very skilful at doing something, especially a sport
17. be on the game British English informal to be a ↑prostitute
18. game on spoken said when the balance of a sports match or competition changes, and both sides suddenly have a chance of winning
19. game over informal said to emphasize that an event or activity is completely finished
20. make game of somebody old-fashioned to make fun of someone
⇨ fair game, ⇨ fun and games at fun¹(5), ⇨ the name of the game at name¹(10), ⇨ a mug’s game at mug¹(5)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ play a game They explained how to play the game.
▪ see/watch a game Did you see the game last night?
▪ have a game British English They were having a game of pool.
▪ win/lose a game A.C. Milan won the game with a last-minute goal. | Arsenal lost the game because of a mistake by their goalkeeper.
▪ the game is tied (=both teams or players had the same score) The game was tied 10-10 at halftime.
▪ draw a game British English (=end the game with the same score as the opposing team or player) We played badly and were lucky to draw the game.
■ NOUN + game
▪ a computer/video game He was up all night playing computer games.
▪ a card game Bridge is a card game for four people.
▪ a board/ball game board games such as Monopoly and Scrabble
▪ a team game I wasn't very good at team games when I was at school.
▪ a party game What's your favourite party game?
▪ a basketball/baseball etc game He was watching a baseball game on TV.
▪ a home game (=played at a team's own sports field) Next Saturday Liverpool have a home game against Manchester United.
▪ an away game (=played at an opposing team's sports field) We didn't win any away games last season.
▪ a league game (=played as part of a league competition) There's a big league game against Chelsea on Saturday.
▪ a cup game (=played as part of a cup competition) He hopes to play in the cup game on Wednesday.
▪ a playoff game American English (=one of a series of games played by the best teams in a competition to decide the final winner ) This is the first of their five playoff games.
▪ a play-off game British English (=played to decide the winner after a previous game ended with both teams having equal points)
▪ an indoor game There is a hall for indoor games and social functions.
▪ an outdoor game Outdoor games are affected by the weather.
■ phrases
▪ the rules of the game It's against the rules of the game to pick up the ball.

tall

tall S2 W2 /tɔːl $ tɒːl/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative taller, superlative tallest)
[Language: Old English; Origin: getæl 'quick, ready']
1. a person, building, tree etc that is tall is a greater height than normal:
He was young and tall.
a house surrounded by tall trees
This bush grows tall very quickly.
2. you use ‘tall’ to say or ask what the height of something or someone is
6ft/2m/12 inches etc tall
He’s only 5 feet tall.
How tall is that building?
She’s a little taller than her sister.
3. American English a tall drink contains a small amount of alcohol mixed with a large amount of a non-alcoholic drink
4. a tall order informal a request or piece of work that is almost impossible:
Finding a replacement is going to be a tall order.
5. tall story/tale a story that is so unlikely that it is difficult to believe
—tallness noun [uncountable]
⇨ stand tall at ↑stand¹(39), ⇨ walk tall at ↑walk¹(10)
• • •
THESAURUS
■ buildings/mountains etc
▪ high measuring a long distance from the bottom to the top – used about mountains, walls, and buildings: the highest mountain in the world | The castle was surrounded by high walls. | a high cliff | The council told the architects the tower was too high.
▪ tall high – used about people, trees, plants, and buildings. Tall is used especially about things that are high and narrow: tall marble columns | A cat was hiding in the tall grass. | a tall modern building
▪ majestic especially written very impressive because of being very big and tall – used about mountains, buildings, trees, and animals: the majestic mountains of the Himalayas | The abbey is noted for its majestic arches, fine doorways and elegant windows. | The cathedral looked majestic in the evening light.
▪ soaring [only before noun] especially written used about a building or mountain that looks extremely tall and impressive: a soaring skyscraper | the soaring towers of the palace
▪ towering [only before noun] especially written extremely high, in a way that seems impressive but also often rather frightening: The sky was shut out by the towering walls of the prison. | towering trees
▪ lofty [usually before noun] literary very high and impressive – used in literature: the lofty peaks in the far distance
▪ high-rise [usually before noun] a high-rise building is a tall modern building with a lot of floors containing apartments or offices: a high-rise apartment block | He works in a high-rise office in New York.

short

I. short¹ S1 W1 /ʃɔːt $ ʃɔːrt/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative shorter, superlative shortest)
[Word Family: noun: ↑short, ↑shortage, ↑shortness, shorts, ↑shorty; verb: ↑shorten, ↑short; adverb: ↑short, ↑shortly; adjective: ↑short]
[Language: Old English; Origin: scort]
1. TIME happening or continuing for only a little time or for less time than usual OPP long:
a short meeting
Morris gave a short laugh.
a short course on business English
Winter is coming and the days are getting shorter.
I’ve only been in Brisbane a short time.
For a short while (=a short time), the city functioned as the region’s capital.
I learned a lot during my short period as a junior reporter.
Germany achieved spectacular economic success in a relatively short period of time.
They met and married within a short space of time.
I promise to keep the meeting short and sweet (=short in a way that is good, especially not talking for a long time).
For a few short weeks (=they seemed to pass very quickly), the sun shone and the fields turned gold.
2. LENGTH/DISTANCE measuring a small amount in length or distance OPP long:
a short skirt
Anita had her hair cut short.
They went by the shortest route, across the fields.
Carol’s office was only a short distance away, and she decided that she would walk there.
a short walk/flight/drive
It’s a short drive to the airport.
The hotel is only a short walk from the beach.
3. NOT TALL someone who is short is not as tall as most people OPP tall:
a short plump woman
Chris was short and stocky, with broad shoulders.
He’s a bit shorter than me.
4. BOOK/LETTER a book, letter etc that is short does not have many words or pages OPP long:
a short novel
I wrote a short note to explain. ⇨ ↑short story
5. NOT ENOUGH
a) if you are short of something, you do not have enough of it
be short (of something)
Can you lend me a couple of dollars? I’m a little short.
be short of money/cash/funds
Our libraries are short of funds.
be 5p/$10 etc short
Have you all paid me? I’m about £9 short.
I’m a bit short British English spoken (=I haven’t got much money at the moment)
somebody is not short of something British English (=they have a lot of it)
Your little girl’s not short of confidence, is she?
They’re not short of a few bob (=they are rich).
b) if something is short, there is not enough of it:
Money was short in those days.
It’s going to be difficult – time is short.
Gasoline was in short supply (=not enough of it was available) after the war.
6. be short on something to have less of something than you should have:
He’s a nice guy, but a little short on brains.
The president’s speech was long on colorful phrases but short on solutions.
7. LESS THAN a little less than a number
short of
Her time was only two seconds short of the world record.
just/a little short of something
She was just short of six feet tall.
8. short notice if something is short notice, you are told about it only a short time before it happens:
I can’t make it Friday. It’s very short notice.
at short notice British English on short notice American English:
The party was arranged at short notice.
9. in the short term/run during the period of time that is not very far into the future ⇨ short-term:
These measures may save money in the short term, but we’ll end up spending more later.
10. have a short memory if someone has a short memory, they soon forget something that has happened:
Voters have very short memories.
11. be short for something to be a shorter way of saying a name:
Her name is Alex, short for Alexandra.
12. be short of breath to be unable to breathe easily, especially because you are unhealthy:
He couldn’t walk far without getting short of breath.
13. be short with somebody to speak to someone using very few words, in a way that seems rude or unfriendly:
Sorry I was short with you on the phone this morning.
14. have a short temper/fuse to get angry very easily:
Mr Yanto, who had a very short fuse, told her to get out.
15. get/be given short shrift if you or your idea, suggestion etc is given short shrift, you are told immediately that you are wrong and are not given any attention or sympathy:
McLaren got short shrift from all the record companies when he first presented his new band to them in 1976.
16. be nothing/little short of something used to emphasize that something is very good, very surprising etc:
Her recovery seemed nothing short of a miracle.
The results are little short of astonishing.
17. draw/get the short straw to be given something difficult or unpleasant to do, especially when other people have been given something better:
Giles drew the short straw, and has to give us a talk this morning.
18. make short work of (doing) something to finish something quickly and easily, especially food or a job:
The kids made short work of the sandwiches.
Computers can make short work of complex calculations.
19. have/get somebody by the short and curlies (also have/get somebody by the short hairs) British English informal not polite to put someone in a situation in which they are forced to do or accept what you want:
I signed the contract – they’ve got me by the short and curlies.
20. be one ... short of a ... spoken used humorously to say that someone is a little crazy or stupid:
Lady, are you a few aces short of a deck?
He’s one sandwich short of a picnic.
21. short time British English when workers work for fewer hours than usual, because the company cannot afford to pay them their full wage:
Most of the workers were put on short time.
22. in short order formal in a short time and without delay
23. give somebody short measure British English old-fashioned to give someone less than the correct amount of something, especially in a shop
24. SOUND technical a short vowel is pronounced quickly without being emphasized, for example the sound of a in ‘cat’, e in ‘bet’, and i in ‘bit’ OPP long
—shortness noun [uncountable]:
He was suffering from shortness of breath.
Shirley was very conscious of her shortness and always wore high heels.
⇨ life’s too short at ↑life(27)
• • •
THESAURUS
■ time
▪ short not long: I lived in Tokyo for a short time. | Smokers have a shorter life expectancy than non-smokers.
▪ brief especially written lasting only for a short time. Brief is more formal than short, and is used especially in written English: The President will make a brief visit to Seattle today. | He coached Hingis for a brief period in the 1990s.
▪ quick [only before noun] taking a short time to do something: I had a quick look at the map. | He had a quick shower and then went out.
▪ short-lived lasting only for a short time – used especially when someone wishes that a good situation had been able to last for longer: short-lived success | The ceasefire was short-lived. | a short-lived romance | short-lived optimism about the economy
▪ fleeting lasting only for an extremely short time – used especially when someone wishes that something had been able to last for longer: a fleeting visit | a fleeting smile | She caught a fleeting glimpse of him. | a fleeting moment of happiness | a fleeting thought
▪ momentary lasting for a very short time – used especially about feelings or pauses: There was a momentary pause in the conversation. | The momentary panic ended when he found his two-year-old son waiting happily outside the store.
▪ passing [only before noun] lasting only for a short time – used especially when people are only interested in something or mention something for a short time: passing fashions | He made only a passing reference to war. | It’s just a passing phase (=it will end soon).
▪ ephemeral formal lasting only for a short time, and ending quickly like everything else in this world: Beauty is ephemeral. | the ephemeral nature of our existence | His wealth proved to be ephemeral.
■ person
▪ short someone who is short is not as tall as most people: He was a short fat man.
▪ not very tall quite short. This phrase sounds more gentle than saying that someone is short: She wasn’t very tall – maybe about 1.60 m.
▪ small short and with a small body: My mother was a small woman. | The girl was quite small for her age (=smaller than other girls of the same age).
▪ petite used about a woman who is attractively short and thin: She was a petite woman with blonde hair.
▪ stocky used about a boy or man who is short, heavy, and strong: Harry was stocky and middle-aged.
▪ dumpy short and fat: a dumpy girl with red hair
▪ diminutive formal literary very short or small – used especially in descriptions in novels: a diminutive figure dressed in black
▪ stubby stubby fingers or toes are short and thick: the baby’s stubby little fingers

party

I. par‧ty¹ S1 W1 /ˈpɑːti $ ˈpɑːrti/ BrE AmE noun (plural parties) [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: partie 'part, party', from partir 'to divide']
1. FOR FUN a social event when a lot of people meet together to enjoy themselves by eating, drinking, dancing etc:
We’re having a small party this evening to celebrate our wedding anniversary.
throw/give a party
The university threw a party to welcome them.
go/come to a party
Are you going to the party tonight?
at a party
I met John at a party a couple of months ago.
the party spirit (=the way someone feels when they are really enjoying a party) ⇨ hen party, house party, stag party, party animal
2. IN POLITICS [also + plural verb British English] a political organization with particular beliefs and aims, which you can vote for in elections:
I have always voted for the Labour Party.
He failed to win the party’s nomination for President.
The conference is open to all party members. ⇨ party line
3. GROUP OF PEOPLE [also + plural verb British English] a group of people who go somewhere together or do a job together
party of
a party of tourists
There were several students in our party.
A search party was sent out to look for the missing climbers.
a rescue party
Admission is free for school parties. ⇨ working party
4. IN AN ARGUMENT/LAW law or formal one of the people or groups who are involved in a legal argument or agreement:
helping the two parties to reach an agreement
guilty/innocent party
He sees himself as the innocent party in this dispute. ⇨ third party¹
5. be (a) party to something formal to be involved in an activity or decision:
I was not a party to this discussion.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ verbs
▪ have a party We’re having a party on Saturday night.
▪ hold a party The party was held at his flat.
▪ throw/give a party (=organize it) Staff threw a party to celebrate the news.
▪ host a party (=give a large or formal party) The party was hosted by the Danish ambassador.
▪ go to/come to a party (also attend a party formal) Are you going to Tom’s party? | About 500 people will attend a party in her honour.
▪ invite somebody to a party I’ve been invited to Greg’s party next weekend.
▪ gatecrash a party (=go to it even though you have not been invited) Some older boys tried to gatecrash the party.
▪ a party is in full swing (=people at a party are having a good time talking, dancing etc) At 3 am, the party was still in full swing.
▪ there is a party going on Somewhere near the hotel there was a party going on.
▪ a party breaks up (=it ends and people go home) The party broke up a little after midnight.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + party
▪ a birthday party They met at her sister’s 18th birthday party.
▪ a Christmas/Halloween etc party I hope you’re going to the office Christmas party.
▪ a big/small party I don’t really like going to big parties.
▪ a dinner party (=one where people are invited to someone’s house for an evening meal) It’s a favorite topic of conversation at fashionable dinner parties these days.
▪ a cocktail party (=a fairly formal party, at which alcoholic drinks are served) I first met him at a cocktail party at the American embassy.
▪ a fancy dress party British English, a costume party American English (=one where people wear unusual clothes, for example so they look like someone from a story) She went to the fancy dress party as Snow White.
▪ an office party I danced with my boss at the office party.
▪ a surprise party Amy has planned a surprise party for his birthday.
▪ a farewell/leaving party You didn’t come to Ken’s farewell party, did you?
▪ a street party (=one held outside in a street) Thousands flocked to the street party on Princess Street to celebrate New Year.
▪ a lavish party (=one where a lot of money has been spent) He threw lavish parties for his celebrity friends.
■ party + NOUN
▪ the party spirit (=the way people feel when they are really enjoying a party) There’ll be plenty of free champagne to get the party spirit going.
▪ be in a party mood (=want to enjoy yourself at a party) Kate wasn’t really in a party mood, so she stayed home.
▪ party games The children had great fun playing party games.
▪ a party dress The little girls were wearing white party dresses.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say 'make a party' or 'do a party'. Say have a party.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + party
▪ a political party The Labour Party and the Conservative Party are the two main political parties in Britain.
▪ the Labour/Democratic etc Party The leadership race within the Republican Party is almost over.
▪ an opposition party (=a party that is not in power) The tax increase was criticized by opposition parties.
▪ the ruling party (=the party in power) The ruling party’s level of support grew throughout the year.
▪ a right-wing/left-wing party Support for the right-wing parties was strongest among young working-class men.
■ party + NOUN
▪ a party member He’s been a Conservative party member for 20 years.
▪ the party leader He met with opposition party leaders.
▪ a party candidate (=someone who represents a political party in an election) The seat was won by the Socialist Party candidate with 68% of the vote.
▪ the party faithful (=strong supporters of a party) His policies appeal to the party faithful.
▪ a party activist (=someone who works hard for a party) Campaign literature is distributed by unpaid party activists.
▪ party policy (=a political party’s official plan or position on important subjects) There has been a change in party policy.
▪ a party conference He will give a speech at the Tory party conference this morning.
▪ the party chairman British English He resigned as Conservative party chairman.
▪ a party official The incident has angered senior party officials.
■ verbs
▪ a party wins/loses an election Do you think the Labour Party can win the next election?
▪ join a party Bloomfield joined the Communist Party in 1946.
▪ form/found a party The two politicians broke away from the PDF to form a new political party.
■ phrases
▪ a party is in power From 1945 until 1951 the Labour Party was in power in Britain.
▪ a party comes to power (=begins to be the government) The ruling party came to power in May 2001.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ party a social event when a lot of people meet together to enjoy themselves by eating, drinking, dancing etc: We’re having a party for Sarah’s 40th birthday. | I met my boyfriend at a party.
▪ get-together an informal party: Christmas is the perfect time for a family get-together.
▪ ball a large formal party where people dance: the end of term ball
▪ rave a large party which is held outside or in an empty building, where people dance to music and take illegal drugs
▪ reception a large formal party, especially one after a wedding or to welcome an important person: The wedding reception is at a nearby hotel. | a reception for the Thai Foreign Minister | They attended a White House reception to mark the Queen’s visit.
▪ function a large formal or official party: He has been asked to play at many corporate functions (=an official party held by a company).
▪ celebration a party or special event that is organized in order to celebrate something: the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations | It was a 21st birthday celebration which Mary would never forget.
▪ bash informal a party, especially a big one that a lot of famous people go to – used especially in journalism: the star’s birthday bash | a picture of him at a Hollywood bash | a showbiz bash
▪ do British English informal a party: We’re having a do to celebrate Margaret’s birthday.
▪ dinner party a party where people are invited to someone’s house for an evening meal: I met him at a dinner party.
▪ house-warming (party) a party that you have when you move into a new house: We’re having a house-warming next week.
▪ cocktail party (also drinks party British English) a party that people go to in order to talk and have a drink together for a few hours
▪ fancy-dress party British English, costume party American English a party where people dress in special clothes, for example to look like a famous person or a character in a story
▪ hen party especially British English a social event just before a wedding, for a woman who is getting married and her female friends
▪ stag night British English, bachelor party American English a social event just before a wedding, for a man who is getting married and his male friends
▪ baby/wedding shower American English an event at which people give presents to a woman who is going to have a baby or get married
II. party² BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle partied, present participle partying, third person singular parties) [intransitive]
informal to enjoy yourself with a group of other people by drinking alcohol, eating, dancing etc:
Let’s party!
 

colleague

col‧league S2 W2 AC /ˈkɒliːɡ $ ˈkɑː-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: collègue, from Latin collega, from com- ( ⇨ COM-) + legare 'to choose for a particular job']
someone you work with - used especially by professional people SYN co-worker:
a colleague of mine from the bank
She discussed the idea with some of her colleagues.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ colleague someone who you work with in a company or organization, for example someone working in the same office, or someone teaching in the same school: Friends and former colleagues described him as a kind and caring man. | She discovered that her male colleagues were earning more than she was.
▪ workmate British English someone who you work with. Workmate is more informal than colleague: He went out for a drink with his workmates.
▪ coworker American English someone who you work with: I was sad to say goodbye to all of my coworkers.
▪ associate someone who you work with, especially another businessman or businesswoman: They are close friends and business associates.
▪ staff all the people who work for an organization: The company employs a total of 520 staff. | a staff meeting

boss

I. boss¹ S2 W3 /bɒs $ bɒːs/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Sense 1-3: Date: 1800-1900; Language: Dutch; Origin: baas 'man in charge']
[Sense 4: Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: boce, from Vulgar Latin bottia]
1. the person who employs you or who is in charge of you at work ⇨ employer, manager, supervisor:
I’ll have to ask my boss for a day off.
Since I’m my own boss (=I work for myself, rather than for an employer), my hours are flexible.
2. informal someone with an important position in a company or other organization:
the new boss at Paramount Pictures
union bosses
3. the person who is the strongest in a relationship, who controls a situation etc:
When you first start training a dog, it’s important to let him see that you’re the boss.
You’ve got to show the kids who’s boss.
4. a round decoration on the surface of something, for example on the ceiling of an old building
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ boss the person who is in charge of you at work. Boss sounds rather informal. The usual word to use in more formal English is manager: Does your boss know you're looking for another job?
▪ manager the person in charge of a business such as a shop, a bank, or a hotel, or of a part of a business: I'd like to speak to the hotel manager. | the sales manager | the manager of an Italian restaurant
▪ head the person who is in charge of an organization or a department within that organization: the head of the CIA | My wife's head of the French department at the university. | He was the former head of the American Cancer Society.
▪ chief the most important person or one of the most important people in an organization such as the police, the fire department, or the army: the chief of police | police/army/fire chiefs | Health chiefs have secured cash to build two new hospitals.
▪ president especially American English the person who is in charge of a large company or a department within a company: the president of CBS news | Angry shareholders called for the resignation of the company president.
▪ managing director British English the person who is in charge of the daily management of a company or organization: He's the managing director of a small printing firm.
▪ chief executive (also chief executive officer, CEO) the person who is in charge of the daily management of a company: the CEO of General Motors | Universal Studios is looking for a new chief executive.
▪ supervisor someone who is in charge of a group of workers, whose job is to make sure that the workers do what the manager wants: He was employed as a warehouse supervisor.
▪ line manager the manager who is directly in charge of you in a company: If you want to take a holiday, first ask your line manager.
▪ report to somebody if you report to someone in a company, that person is directly in charge of you: Jan is based in Birmingham and reports to the Head of Marketing.

school

I. school¹ S1 W1 /skuːl/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: school, pre-school, schooling; verb: school; adjective: PRE-SCHOOL]
[Language: Old English; Origin: scol, from Latin schola, from Greek schole 'discussion, school']
1. WHERE CHILDREN LEARN [uncountable and countable] a place where children are taught:
His mother always used to pick him up from school.
2. TIME AT SCHOOL [uncountable]
a) a day’s work at school:
School begins at 8.30.
before/after school
I’ll see you after school.
b) the time during your life when you go to school:
He’s one of my old friends from school.
Children start school between the ages of four and five.
3. UNIVERSITY [uncountable and countable]
a) American English a college or university, or the time when you study there:
Their kids are away at school now.
She was going to school in Boston.
b) a department or group of departments that teaches a particular subject at a university
school of
the Harvard School of Public Health
law/medical/business/graduate school
After two years of medical school, I thought I knew everything.
4. ONE SUBJECT [countable] a place where a particular subject or skill is taught:
a language school in Brighton
school of
Amwell School of Motoring
5. at school
a) in the school building:
I can get some work done while the kids are at school.
b) British English attending a school, rather than being at college or university or having a job:
We’ve got two children at school, and one at university.
6. in school
a) in the school building:
Sandra’s not in school today.
b) American English attending a school or university rather than having a job:
Are your boys still in school?
7. ART [countable] a number of people who are considered as a group because of their similar style of work:
the Impressionist school
8. school of thought an opinion or way of thinking about something that is shared by a group of people:
There are two main schools of thought on the subject.
9. of/from the old school with old-fashioned values or qualities:
a family doctor of the old school
10. FISH [countable] a large group of fish, ↑whales, ↑dolphins etc that are swimming together
school of
a school of whales
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 1 & 2)
■ verbs
▪ go to school Did you go to school in Paris?
▪ attend (a) school formal (=go to a school) Some of the children had not attended school very regularly before.
▪ start school Children in Britain start school when they are five.
▪ leave school He left school when he was 16.
▪ send somebody to school His parents sent him to a private school.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + school
▪ a state school British English, a public school American English (=a school that gets its money from the government) Universities want to encourage more applicants from state schools.
▪ a private school (also a public school British English) (=a school where students pay to study) He was educated at a private school.
▪ sb’s old school (=the school someone went to when they were young) He went back to his old school to give a talk to the children.
▪ a local school (=a school near where someone lives) They sent their kids to the local school.
▪ a boarding school (=a school where children also live and sleep)
▪ a day school (=a school where children go during the day but go home in the evenings) The school is both a boarding school and a day school.
▪ a nursery school (=for children under 5)
▪ an infant school British English (=for children aged 5 to 7)
▪ a primary school British English, an elementary school American English (=for children up to 11) Their children are still at primary school.
▪ a secondary school (also a high school British English) (=for children from 11 to 16 or 18)
▪ a high school American English (=a school for students aged 14 to 18)
▪ a comprehensive school British English (=a secondary school for all children)
▪ a grammar school British English (=a secondary school for children who have passed an exam when they are 11)
■ school + NOUN
▪ school students (also school pupils British English) Most school students have musical interests of some kind.
▪ a school friend She met some old school friends.
▪ a school uniform He was still wearing his school uniform.
▪ the school holidays British English The trip will take place during the school holidays.
▪ the school run British English (=the journey taking children to and from school each day) She had to be back in time for the school run.
▪ the school playground
▪ the school library
▪ the school hall
▪ the school bus
▪ the school curriculum Head teachers were asked to incorporate road safety education in the school curriculum.
▪ school meals/lunches (also school dinners British English) We provide good-quality school meals.
▪ a school governor British English (=an elected person who works with teachers to make decisions about how a school is organized) The school governors have appointed a new head teacher.
▪ the school board American English (=the group of people who are elected to govern a school or group of schools) The courts have upheld the school board's right to dismiss striking teachers.
▪ the school day Most children are tired at the end of the school day.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ of animals
▪ herd a group of cows, deer, or elephants: A herd of cows was blocking the road.
▪ team a group of people who work together: She is being cared for by a team of doctors.
▪ flock a group of sheep or birds: a flock of seagulls | The farmer has over 100 sheep in his flock.
▪ pack a group of dogs or wolves: Some dogs are bred to work in packs.
▪ litter a group of kittens or puppies born at one time to a particular mother: He was one of a litter of seven puppies.
▪ school/shoal a group of fish or dolphins: Piranha fish live in shoals in the wild.

neighbor

neigh‧bour S2 W2 BrE AmE British English, neighbor American English /ˈneɪbə $ -bər/ noun [countable]
[Language: Old English; Origin: neahgebur]
1. someone who lives next to you or near you:
One of the neighbors complained about the noise from the party.
FBI agents were interviewing all their friends and neighbors.
Our next-door neighbours (=the people who live in the house next to us) say they’ll look after our cat for us while we’re away.
2. a country that is next to another one ⇨ bordering:
Israel and its Arab neighbours
3. someone or something that is next to another person or thing of the same type:
The teacher saw Phil passing a note to his neighbour.
The garden was divided from its neighbour by a high wall.

friend

I. friend¹ S1 W1 /frend/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑friend, ↑friendliness, ↑friendship, ↑friendly; adjective: ↑friendly ≠ ↑unfriendly, ↑friendless; verb: ↑befriend]
[Language: Old English; Origin: freond]
1. PERSON YOU LIKE someone who you know and like very much and enjoy spending time with:
Jerry, this is my friend Sue.
She’s always out with her friends.
One of her closest friends died at the weekend.
I met Jim through a friend.
2. be friends (with somebody) to be someone’s friend:
I’ve been friends with the Murkets for twenty years.
3.
a) make friends to become friendly with people:
Jenny has always found it easy to make friends at school.
b) make friends with somebody to become friendly with someone:
He made friends with an old fisherman.
4. be just (good) friends used to say that you are not having a romantic relationship with someone:
I’m not going out with Nathan – we’re just good friends.
5. SUPPORTER someone who supports an organization such as a theatre, ↑art gallery, ↑charity etc by giving money or help
friend of
the Friends of the Tate
6. NOT AN ENEMY someone who has the same beliefs, wants to achieve the same things etc as you, and will support you:
our friends and allies around the world
She shot him a quick glance as if unsure whether he was friend or foe.
Don’t worry, you’re among friends.
7. someone who has created a link with you on a ↑social networking site on the Internet, by visiting your ↑webpage and clicking on it:
She has thousands of friends on MySpace.
8. PARLIAMENT/COURT OF LAW British English
a) my honourable friend used by a member of parliament when speaking about another member of parliament
b) my learned friend used by a lawyer when speaking about another lawyer in a court of law
9. be no friend of something to not like or be a supporter of something:
I’m no friend of socialism, as you know.
10. Friend a member of the Society of Friends SYN Quaker
11. our/your friend spoken used humorously to talk about someone you do not know, who is doing something annoying:
Our friend with the loud voice is back.
12. have friends in high places to know important people who can help you
13. a friend in need someone who helps you when you need it
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + friend
▪ sb’s best friend (=the friend you like the most) Fiona was her best friend.
▪ a good/close friend (=one of the friends you like the most) She’s a good friend of mine.
▪ a dear friend (=a friend who is very important to you) I’d like you to meet a dear friend of mine.
▪ an old friend (=someone who has been your friend for a long time) We went to see some old friends who had moved to Harlow.
▪ a lifelong friend (=someone who has been your friend for the whole of your life) The two men were lifelong friends.
▪ a childhood friend (=someone who was your friend when you were a child) She had been a childhood friend of Tony Walker.
▪ a school friend I met some old school friends for lunch.
▪ a family friend He’s visiting family friends.
▪ a personal friend Mr Hutton is a close personal friend of my father.
▪ a mutual friend (=someone who is a friend of both you and someone else) They went to a mutual friend’s home for dinner.
▪ a firm friend (=a friend you like a lot and intend to keep) They had remained firm friends ever since they first met.
▪ a trusted friend She told only a few trusted friends.
▪ male/female friends Most of my male friends are married now.
■ verbs
▪ have a friend Suzie has plenty of friends.
▪ become friends Liz and Vanessa soon became friends.
▪ remain friends We have all remained friends despite some difficult times.
■ phrases
▪ a friend of mine/yours/Bill’s etc A friend of mine is going to Tokyo next week.
▪ a friend of a friend I managed to get tickets from a friend of a friend.
▪ sb’s circle of friends (=all the friends somebody has) Her small circle of friends used to play cards together.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ friend someone who you know and like very much and enjoy spending time with: Dad, this is my friend Steve. | She’s going to Palm Springs with some friends. | I got a letter from a friend from college. | Amy’s a close friend of mine. | John was a really good friend to me when I had all those problems last year.
▪ acquaintance /əˈkweɪntəns/ someone who you know and see sometimes, but who is not one of your close friends: We borrowed the money from one of Paul’s business acquaintances.
▪ mate British English informal a friend – used especially about boys or men: He always goes to the pub with his mates on Friday night. | Terry’s an old mate of mine.
▪ buddy American English informal a friend – used especially about men or young people: He’s out playing basketball with some of his high school buddies.
▪ pal informal a friend – pal sounds rather old-fashioned: They met at school and have remained close pals.
▪ crony [usually plural] disapproving a friend – used about powerful people who will help each other even if it is slightly dishonest: He’s one of the President’s cronies.
▪ companion written someone who spends time with you, doing the same things as you – used about animals as well as people: travelling companions | His dog was his constant companion. | the perfect companion
▪ the girls informal a woman’s female friends: We’re having a girls’ night out.
▪ the lads British English informal a man’s male friends: a night out with the lads
II. friend² BrE AmE verb [transitive]
to add someone to your list of friends on a ↑social networking site:
I never friend someone I haven’t met in real life.