British English

II. revenge² BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: revengier, from avengier; ⇨ avenge]
formal to punish someone who has done something to harm you or someone else
revenge yourself on somebody
The terrorist group is still looking to revenge itself on its attackers.
The poor murdered girl must be revenged.

change

I. change¹ S1 W1 /tʃeɪndʒ/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: adjective: changeable, interchangeable, changed ≠ UNCHANGED, changing ≠ unchanging, changeless; noun: change, interchange, interchangeability; verb: change, interchange; adverb: interchangeably]
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: changier, from Latin cambiare 'to exchange']
1. BECOME DIFFERENT/MAKE SOMETHING DIFFERENT [intransitive and transitive] to become different, or to make something become different:
Susan has changed a lot since I last saw her.
Changing your eating habits is the best way to lose weight.
The leaves on trees change colour in the autumn.
change (from something) to something
He changed from being a nice lad to being rude and unhelpful.
change into
The hissing sound gradually changed into a low hum.
change somebody/something into something
A witch had changed him into a mouse.
change something to something
Mueller changed his name to Miller when he became a U.S. citizen.
2. START DOING/USING SOMETHING DIFFERENT [intransitive and transitive] to stop doing or using one thing, and start doing or using something else instead SYN switch:
She changed jobs in May.
change (from something) to something
The company has recently changed to a more powerful computer system.
The ship changed course and headed south.
The company has had to change direction because of developments in technology.
Piper awkwardly tried to change the subject (=talk about something else).
3. REPLACE SOMETHING [transitive] to put or use something new or different in place of something else, especially because it is old, damaged, or broken:
Three boys were changing a tyre by the side of the road.
When I lost my keys, we had to change all the locks.
change something (from something) to something
The time of the meeting has been changed from 11 a.m. to 10:30.
How often do you change cars (=buy a new car and sell the old one)?
4. change your mind to change your decision, plan, or opinion about something:
Her father tried to get her to change her mind.
change your mind about
If you change your mind about the job, just give me a call.
5. change sides to leave one party, group etc and join an opposing party, group etc:
It’s quite rare for politicians to change sides.
6. CLOTHES
a) [intransitive and transitive] to take off your clothes and put on different ones:
Francis came in while Jay was changing.
Change your dress – that one looks dirty.
change into/out of
Sara changed into her swimsuit and ran out for a quick swim.
You’d better go and get changed.
b) [transitive] to put a clean ↑nappy on a baby, or to put clean clothes on a baby or small child:
I bathed him and changed his diaper.
Can you change the baby?
7. BED [transitive] to take the dirty ↑sheets off a bed and put on clean ones
8. EXCHANGE GOODS [transitive] British English
a) to take back to a shop something that you have bought and get something different instead, especially because there is something wrong with it SYN exchange American English
change something for something
I bought these gloves for my daughter, but they’re too large. Can I change them for a smaller size?
b) to give a customer something different instead of what they have bought, especially because there is something wrong with it SYN exchange American English:
I’m sure the shop will change them for you.
9. EXCHANGE MONEY [transitive]
a) to get smaller units of money that add up to the same value as a larger unit:
Can you change a £20 note?
b) to get money from one country for the same value of money from another country
change something into/for something
I want to change my dollars into pesos, please.
10. TRAINS/BUSES/AIRCRAFT [intransitive and transitive] to get off one train, bus, or aircraft and into another in order to continue your journey
change at
Passengers for Liverpool should change at Crewe.
change trains/buses/planes etc
I had to change planes in Denver.
all change! (=used to tell passengers to get off a train because it does not go any further)
11. change hands if property changes hands, it starts to belong to someone else:
The house has changed hands three times in the last two years.
12. change places (with somebody)
a) to give someone your place and take their place:
Would you mind changing places with me so I can sit next to my friend?
b) to take someone else’s social position or situation in life instead of yours:
She may be rich, but I wouldn’t want to change places with her.
13. GEAR [intransitive and transitive] to put the engine of a vehicle into a higher or lower ↑gear in order to go faster or slower
change (into/out of) gear
Change into second gear as you approach the corner.
change up/down British English:
Change down before you get to the hill.
14. change your tune informal to start expressing a different attitude and reacting in a different way, after something has happened:
The question is, will the president change his tune on taxes?
15. WIND [intransitive] if the wind changes, it starts to blow in a different direction
16. change your spots to change your character completely:
US business has changed its spots in recent years.
⇨ chop and change at ↑chop¹(3)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adverbs
▪ dramatically/drastically/radically (=a lot) People’s work environment has changed dramatically in the past twenty years.
▪ completely His life had completely changed since he met Anya.
▪ considerably He has changed considerably in four years.
▪ significantly The legal system has changed significantly since the rule was established.
▪ fundamentally The political situation has fundamentally changed.
▪ rapidly/quickly The market for phones is changing rapidly.
▪ slowly/gradually Things are gradually changing.
▪ change overnight (=very quickly) Old habits cannot be changed overnight.
■ nouns
▪ changing circumstances/conditions The human brain adapts quickly to changing conditions.
▪ changing attitudes Changing attitudes cause traditional ways of life to disappear.
▪ the changing role of somebody the changing role of women in society
▪ changing patterns of work/behaviour etc Changing patterns of work mean that more people are able to work from home.
▪ a changing environment In order to survive, you must adapt to a changing environment.
▪ a changing world Children are growing up in a changing world.
▪ changing times (=a period of time when a lot is changing) We live in changing times.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to change something
▪ change to make someone or something different: Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to change the situation. | Being at college has changed her – she’s much more confident now.
▪ alter especially written tochange something so that it is better or more suitable: You can alter the colour and size of the image using a remote control. | Can we alter the date of the meeting?
▪ adapt to change something slightly in order to improve it or make it more suitable: How much would it cost to adapt the existing equipment? | You can adapt the recipe to suit your own requirements.
▪ adjust to make small changes in the position or level of something in order to improve it or make it more suitable: How do you adjust the volume on the television? | He adjusted his tie in the mirror.
▪ modify especially written to make small changes to something such as a piece of equipment, a set of ideas, or a way of behaving in order to improve it or use it in a different way: He’s modified his opinions since then. | a modified version of the original program.
▪ reform to change a law, system, organization etc so that it is fairer or more effective: plans to reform the tax system | Health care needs to be completely reformed.
▪ revise to change a plan, idea, law etc because of new information and ideas: In July, China revised the rules for foreign investment. | The findings could force the scientists to revise their ideas about climate change.
▪ reorganize to change the way that a system or organization works: We’ve had to reorganize our database | During the 1980s, the government reorganized the civil service.
▪ restructure to make big changes to the way something is organized, especially a large political or economic system or a big company, in order to make it more effective: The company has been restructured from top to bottom.
■ to change something completely
▪ transform to change something completely, especially so that it is much better: Well, you’ve certainly transformed this place – it looks great! | Putin transformed the Russian economy.
▪ revolutionize to completely and permanently change the way people do something or think about something, especially because of a new idea or invention: Computers have revolutionized the way we work. | This important discovery revolutionized our understanding of the universe.
■ to change something in order to deceive people
▪ distort to explain facts, statements etc in a way that makes them seem different from what they really are: The judge said that she had deliberately tried to distort the facts. | Don’t try to distort the truth.
▪ twist to dishonestly change the meaning of a piece of information or of something that someone has said, in order to get an advantage for yourself or to support your own opinion: He accused reporters of twisting his words. | In her article she twisted the meaning of what I said.
▪ misrepresent to give people a wrong idea about someone or their opinions, by what you write or say: I hope I have not misrepresented her opinion. | He’s taking legal action to stop the film, claiming it grossly misrepresents him.
change something ↔ around phrasal verb
to move things into different positions:
When we’d changed the furniture around, the room looked bigger.
change over phrasal verb
to stop doing or using one thing and start doing or using another ⇨ changeover:
Complete all the exercises on one leg, then change over.
change over to
We hope to change over to the new software by next month.

ability

a‧bil‧i‧ty S2 W1 /əˈbɪləti, əˈbɪlɪti/ BrE AmE noun (plural abilities)
[Word Family: noun: ability ≠ inability, disability; adjective: able ≠ unable, disabled; verb: enable ≠ disable; adverb: ably]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old French; Origin: habilité, from Latin habilitas, from habilis; ⇨ able]
1. [countable] the state of being able to do something
ability to do something
the ability to walk
The health center serves all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
2. [uncountable and countable] someone’s level of skill at doing something:
The test measures your mathematical ability.
mixed ability classes
of high/low etc ability
students of average ability
There are musicians of all abilities.
somebody's abilities as something
He showed his abilities as a leader.
3. to the best of your ability as well as you can:
He completed the job to the best of his ability.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 1 & 2)
■ adjectives
▪ high/low/average ability a group of low ability pupils | Many of these students are of above average ability. | Children of high ability demand more absorbing tasks.
▪ great/considerable ability He was a young man of great ability. | These drawings required considerable ability on the part of the artist.
▪ remarkable/outstanding/exceptional ability a writer of remarkable ability | The company aims to select people of outstanding ability. | his exceptional ability as a swimmer
▪ mixed ability (=at different levels) a mixed ability class
▪ uncanny ability (=an unusual ability that is difficult to explain) He has an uncanny ability for spotting investment opportunities.
▪ natural ability (also innate ability formal) (=an ability that you are born with) He didn't have the natural ability of his brother. | Babies have an innate ability to do simple maths.
▪ physical/athletic ability He has considerable athletic ability.
▪ artistic/creative ability You do not need to have any artistic ability.
▪ musical ability Tim showed musical ability at an early age.
▪ acting ability Her acting abilities were obvious straightaway.
▪ mental ability The exercises are supposed to help you improve your mental ability.
▪ intellectual/academic ability No one doubts his intellectual abilities. | A degree is evidence of your academic ability in a particular subject area.
▪ verbal/linguistic ability (=language skills) The test is intended to measure the children's linguistic ability.
▪ mathematical ability These students have a higher level of mathematical ability.
▪ proven ability (=that you have proved through your achievements) Companies often value the proven ability and reliability of older employees.
■ verbs
▪ have the ability to do something (also possess the ability to do something formal) She has the ability to make people feel relaxed.
▪ show/demonstrate the ability to do something a chance for candidates to demonstrate their abilities
▪ lack the ability to do something As a young man, he lacked the ability to say no.
■ phrases
▪ a level of ability/ability level The children were of the same age and ability level.
▪ a range of ability/ability range There is a wide range of ability within the class. | Disruptive behaviour is more prominent in the lower ability range.
▪ a test of ability/an ability test Examinations are not always a good test of ability. | The class was given a verbal ability test.
▪ an ability group (=a group that students are taught in, based on their level of ability) Children are divided into different ability groups.

power

I. pow‧er¹ S1 W1 /ˈpaʊə $ paʊr/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: power, superpower, powerlessness, empowerment; adjective: powerful ≠ powerless, overpowering, power, powered; verb: power, empower, overpower; adverb: powerfully ≠ powerlessly, overpoweringly]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: poeir, from poeir 'to be able', from Latin potere; ⇨ potent]
1. CONTROL [uncountable] the ability or right to control people or events ⇨ powerful, powerless
power over
People should have more power over the decisions that affect their lives.
power-mad/power-crazy/power-hungry (=wanting too much power)
power-hungry politicians
2. GOVERNMENT [uncountable] the position of having political control of a country or government
in power
The voters have once again shown their support for the party in power.
come/rise to power (=start having political control)
De Gaulle came to power in 1958.
They seized power in a military coup.
3. INFLUENCE [uncountable] the ability to influence people or give them strong feelings ⇨ powerful, powerless
power of
the power of his writing
the immense power of television
the pulling power (=ability to attract people or attention) of major celebrities
student/black/consumer etc power (=the political or social influence a particular group has)
4. RIGHT/AUTHORITY [uncountable and countable] the right or authority to do something:
The police have been given special powers to help them in the fight against terrorism.
power to do something
The committee has the power to order an enquiry.
power of arrest/veto etc
The chairman has the power of veto on all decisions.
5. ABILITY [uncountable and countable] a natural or special ability to do something:
After the accident she lost the power of speech (=ability to speak).
powers of observation/concentration/persuasion
a writer’s powers of observation
your mental powers
a stone with magical powers
6. ENERGY [uncountable] energy that can be used to make a machine work or to make electricity
nuclear/wind/solar etc power
Many people are opposed to the use of nuclear power.
the search for renewable sources of power
under power
The ship was able to leave port under its own power (=without help from another machine, ship etc).
7. earning/purchasing/bargaining etc power the ability to earn money, buy things etc:
Property in the city is beyond the purchasing power of most people.
your bargaining power in pay negotiations
8. STRENGTH [uncountable] the physical strength or effect of something ⇨ powerful:
the power of a cheetah’s long legs
The power of the explosion smashed windows across the street.
9. ELECTRICITY [uncountable] electricity that is used in houses, factories etc:
Make sure the power is switched off first.
power cut/failure/outage (=a short time when the electricity supply is not working)
Parts of the country have had power cuts because of the storms.
The power came back on.
10. air/sea power the number of planes or ships that a country has available to use in a war
11. STRONG COUNTRY [countable] a country that is strong and important and can influence events, or that has a lot of military strength ⇨ powerful, powerless:
Egypt is still a major power in the Middle East.
world power (=a country that can influence events in different parts of the world)
12. be in/within sb’s power (to do something) if it is in someone’s power to do something, they have the authority or ability to do it:
I wish it was within my power to change the decision.
do everything/all in your power
The ambassador promised to do everything in his power to get the hostages released.
13. be beyond sb’s power (to do something) if it is beyond someone’s power to do something, they do not have the authority or ability to do it:
It’s beyond the power of the court to make such a decision.
14. be in sb’s power literary to be in a situation in which someone has complete control over you
15. do somebody a power of good British English informal to make someone feel more healthy, happy, and hopeful about the future:
It looks as if your holiday has done you a power of good.
16. MATHEMATICS [countable] if a number is increased to the power of three, four, five etc, it is multiplied by itself three, four, five etc times
17. the powers that be the unknown people who have important positions of authority and power, and whose decisions affect your life:
The powers that be don’t want the media to get hold of the story.
18. LENS [uncountable] technical the ability of a ↑lens, for example in a pair of ↑glasses or a ↑microscope, to make things look bigger
19. the powers of good/evil/darkness unknown or magical forces that people believe can influence events in a good or evil way
20. a power in the land old-fashioned someone who has a lot of power and influence in a country
21. the power behind the throne someone who secretly controls and influences decisions made by the leader or government of a country, but who does not have an official government position
22. power trip informal if you are on a power trip, you are enjoying your power or authority in a way that other people think is unpleasant
⇨ ↑staying power, ↑balance of power, ↑high-powered
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ verbs
▪ have power People who have power never seem to use it to help others.
▪ get/gain power Women were trying to gain power in a male-dominated world.
▪ use your power (also exercise (your) power formal) The party will use all its power and influence to raise the issue in the Senate. | Questions have been asked about the way the police exercised their power.
▪ wield power formal (=use power - used when someone has a lot of power) The Church still wields enormous power in the country.
■ adjectives
▪ great/huge/enormous The central banks have huge power.
▪ limited The king's power was limited.
▪ political/economic/military power countries with little economic power
▪ absolute power (=total power, with no limits) Parents had absolute power over children in those days.
▪ unbridled power (=without any controls) Certain wealthy men exercised unbridled power.
▪ real power The real power lay with the President’s advisers.
■ phrases
▪ a power struggle (=a situation in which groups or leaders try to get control) The country is locked in a power struggle between forces favouring and opposing change.
▪ the balance of power There has been a shift in the balance of power between the two countries.
▪ a position of power (=a job or role that gives someone power) Many of them were using their positions of power for personal advantage.
▪ an abuse of power (=a wrong or unfair use of power) This cover-up is a scandalous abuse of power.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ be in power The law was passed when the Democrats were in power.
▪ come to power (=start being in control) Tony Blair came to power in 1997.
▪ take power (=start being in control, usually without an election) Many people fled after the military took power last September.
▪ seize power (=take power by force) His son seized power in a military coup.
▪ assume power formal (=take power) He assumed power after the assassination of the former president.
▪ win power (=win an election) The Prime Minister is facing his toughest challenge since winning power.
▪ rise to power The Roman emperor Vespasian rose to power through command of an army.
▪ return/be returned to power (=start being in control again, usually after an election) The party was returned to power with a reduced majority.
▪ hold power (=be in power) Economic disaster befell the country during the decade when he held power.
▪ restore somebody to power (=put someone in control of a country again) In 2004, the army restored him to power.
▪ sweep to power (=win an election easily) Reagan swept to power by promising reforms.
▪ cling to power (=not lose it, or try not to lose it) Mao Tse-tung, the leader of the 1949 Communist revolution, clung to power for 27 years.
■ phrases
▪ sb’s rise to power The programme examines Saddam Hussein’s rise to power.
▪ sb’s return to power Churchill’s return to power had an immediate effect upon Anglo-American relations.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 5)
■ adjectives
▪ mental powers Is it possible to enhance your mental powers?
▪ creative powers A music teacher should have a real interest in developing children’s creative powers.
▪ healing powers The water was supposed to have healing powers.
▪ magical/special/miraculous powers Diamonds were once thought to have magical powers.
■ phrases
▪ the power of speech I was so surprised that I momentarily lost the power of speech.
▪ the power of flight Some birds have lost the power of flight over millions of years.
▪ powers of observation Experience improves our powers of observation, since it teaches us what to look for.
▪ powers of concentration As you get older, your powers of concentration may decrease.
▪ powers of persuasion She used all her powers of persuasion to convince Tilly that the move was a good idea.
▪ be at the height of your powers (=be at a time in your life when your abilities are strongest) Fonteyn was still at the height of her powers as a dancer.
■ verbs
▪ lose a power He was a brilliant speaker, who never lost the power to influence people.
▪ sb’s powers are failing/waning (=becoming less good) Mark felt that his creative powers were waning.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 6)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + power
▪ nuclear power The accident raised doubts about the safety of nuclear power.
▪ solar power (=energy produced by sunlight) They use solar power for all their heating.
▪ wind power (=energy produced by the wind) Is wind power the answer to the energy crisis?
▪ wave power (=energy produced by waves in the sea) Wave power can be used to generate electricity.
▪ hydroelectric power (=energy produced by flowing water) The factory is run on hydroelectric power.
▪ steam power (=energy produced from steam) Early engines were driven by steam power.
■ phrases
▪ a source of power One problem is their reliance on coal as the main source of power.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 11)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + power
▪ a great power Britain wanted to maintain her status as a great power.
▪ a major power (=very important one) There will be representatives from all the world's major powers at the conference.
▪ a world power (=one with influence all over the world) The United States had replaced Great Britain as the dominant world power.
▪ a military/naval power (=with a very strong army or navy) Russia had become a naval power equal to Spain.
▪ a foreign power He was charged with spying for a foreign power.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ country an area of land controlled by its own government, president, king etc: Thailand is a beautiful country. | Which country would you most like to visit?
▪ nation a country, considered especially in relation to its people and its political and economic structure: The events shocked the whole nation. | The US is the most powerful nation in the world. | Leaders of the world’s major industrialized nations attended the meeting.
▪ state a country considered as a political organization with its own government: They believe that Scotland should be an independent sovereign state. | Most European states joined the Council of Europe.
▪ power a country that is very strong and important: a meeting of the great powers | Britain is still a world power.
▪ superpower one of the most powerful countries in the world: During the Cuban Missile Crisis there was a real danger of conflict between the two world superpowers.
▪ land literary a country – used in stories: He told them about his journeys to foreign lands. | a traveller from a far-off land

wait

I. wait¹ S1 W1 /weɪt/ BrE AmE verb
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old North French; Origin: waitier 'to watch']
1. NOT GO/START SOMETHING [intransitive] to stay somewhere or not do something until something else happens, someone arrives etc:
Hurry up! Everyone’s waiting.
Would you mind waiting outside?
wait for
a queue of people waiting for a bus
Wait for me!
wait for somebody/something to do something
She paused, waiting for Myles to say something.
I sat waiting patiently for the wedding to end.
wait until/till
I’ll wait till you come back.
wait (for) three hours/two weeks etc
Can you wait for five minutes?
We’ve been waiting ages.
wait to do something
Are you waiting to use the phone?
keep somebody waiting (=make someone wait, especially by arriving late)
I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.
► Do not say that you ‘are waiting’ someone or something. Say that you are waiting for someone or something.
2. SOMETHING HAS NOT HAPPENED [intransitive] if you are waiting for something that you expect or hope will happen or arrive, it has not happened or arrived yet:
‘Have you heard about the job?’ ‘No, I’m still waiting.’
wait for
I’m still waiting for my results.
wait for somebody/something to do something
I’m waiting for him to realize how stupid he’s been.
3. wait a minute/second/moment etc spoken
a) used to ask someone not to leave or start doing something immediately:
Wait a second, I’ll get my coat and come with you.
Wait a moment, just let me think.
b) used to interrupt someone, especially because you do not agree with what they are saying:
Wait a minute! That’s not what we agreed!
c) used when you suddenly think of, remember, or notice something:
Wait a minute, I’ve got a better idea.
4. somebody can’t wait/can hardly wait spoken
a) used to emphasize that someone is very excited about something and is eager for it to happen:
We’re going to Australia on Saturday – I can’t wait!
can’t wait to do something
I can’t wait to tell Gloria the good news.
Laura could hardly wait to see the twins again.
somebody can’t wait/can hardly wait for
I can’t wait for the summer.
b) used humorously to say that something seems likely to be very boring:
A lecture on transformational grammar? I can hardly wait!
5. something can/can’t wait spoken if something can wait, it is not very urgent. If something can’t wait, it is very urgent:
Go home. The report can wait till tomorrow.
6. wait and see spoken used to say that someone should be patient because they will find out about something later:
‘What’s for dinner?’ ‘Wait and see.’
We will just have to wait and see how things develop.
7. wait until/till ... spoken used when you are excited about telling or showing someone something:
Wait till you see Gaby’s new house!
8. be waiting (for somebody) if something is waiting for you, it is ready for you to use, collect etc:
There’ll be a rental car waiting for you at the airport.
Come round at eight and I’ll have dinner waiting.
9. wait your turn to stay calm until it is your turn to do something, instead of trying to move ahead of other people:
I’ve got two hands and there are three of you. So you’ll have to wait your turn!
10. something is (well) worth waiting for spoken used to say that something is very good, even though it takes a long time to come:
Their new album was worth waiting for.
11. (just) you wait spoken
a) British English used to warn or threaten someone:
I’ll get you back for what you’ve done, just you wait.
b) used to tell someone you are sure something will happen:
It’ll be a huge success. Just you wait.
12. what are you waiting for? spoken used to tell someone to do something immediately:
Well, what are you waiting for? Go and apologize.
13. what are we waiting for? spoken used to say in a cheerful way that you think everyone should start doing something immediately:
What are we waiting for? Let’s go eat.
14. wait for it British English spoken
a) used just before you tell someone something that is funny or surprising:
His name was – wait for it – Mr Bacon.
b) used to tell someone not to do something until the correct time because they seem very impatient to do it now
15. be waiting in the wings to be ready to do something if it is necessary or if a suitable time comes:
Other firms are waiting in the wings, ready to step in and make an offer should the current deal fall through.
16. wait tables American English to work in a restaurant serving food and drink to people at their tables:
I spent the summer waiting tables.
17. (play) a/the waiting game if you play a waiting game, you try to gain an advantage for yourself in a particular situation by deliberately doing nothing until you have seen what other people do
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adverbs
▪ wait two hours/ten minutes etc William waited an hour for his sister to arrive.
▪ wait long (=wait a long time – used especially in questions or negative sentences) She did not have to wait long for a train.
▪ wait ages informal especially British English (=wait a long time) I had to wait ages for a bus.
▪ patiently They patiently waited for the rain to stop.
▪ impatiently He waited impatiently for a reply.
▪ anxiously All his friends were waiting anxiously for their exam results.
▪ wait expectantly (=hoping that something good or exciting will happen soon) He took out his camera and waited expectantly.
■ phrases
▪ keep somebody waiting He kept us waiting for half an hour.
▪ wait with bated breath (=while feeling very anxious or excited) She waited with bated breath to see what he would say.
▪ wait in vain (=wait for something that never happens) They waited in vain for their son to come home.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ wait to stay somewhere or not do something until something else happens, someone arrives etc: I’ll wait here while you call him. | He said he was waiting for a friend.
▪ hang around (also hang about British English) informal to wait in a place not doing anything, especially so that you are wasting time: They kept us hanging around for hours at the hospital.
▪ hold on/hang on to wait because you are hoping that something will happen: The captain decided it was best to hold on and wait for the other ship to arrive. | We hung on until the very last moment.
▪ can you hold on/hang on? spoken used when telling someone to wait: Can you hang on a minute? I just want to finish this email.
▪ stand by/be on standby to wait and be ready to do something if needed – used especially about soldiers, police, medical teams etc: The army are standing by. | Emergency services were on standby after someone called to say there was a bomb in the city centre.
▪ await formal to wait for something – used about something that you know will happen or arrive: I will await your reply (=in a formal letter). | In February, nearly 200,000 prisoners were awaiting trial. | The soldiers awaited the order to advance.
wait around (also wait about British English) phrasal verb
to stay in the same place and do nothing while you are waiting for something to happen, someone to arrive etc:
Movie-making involves acting for ten minutes and then waiting around for two hours.
We’d better be going. We can’t wait about like this any longer.
wait behind phrasal verb British English
to stay somewhere after other people have left:
She waited behind to help Debbie with the clearing up.
wait in phrasal verb British English
to stay at home and wait there for someone to arrive:
I have to wait in for the repair man.
wait on somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to serve food and drink to someone at their table, especially in a restaurant
2. to wait for a particular event, piece of information etc, especially before doing something or making a decision:
We’re waiting on the blood test results.
3. wait on somebody hand and foot to do everything for someone while they do nothing – used to show disapproval:
His wife waits on him hand and foot.
wait something ↔ out phrasal verb
if you wait out an event, period, or time, especially an unpleasant one, you wait for it to finish:
Let’s find a place where we can wait out the storm.
wait up phrasal verb
1. to wait for someone to return before you go to bed
wait up for
Don’t wait up for me; I may be late.
2. Wait up! American English used to tell someone to stop, so that you can talk to them or go with them:
‘Wait up!’ he called.

positive

I. pos‧i‧tive¹ S2 W2 AC /ˈpɒzətɪv, ˈpɒzɪtɪv $ ˈpɑː-/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: positive; adverb: positively; adjective: ↑positive]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: positif, from Latin positivus, from positus; ⇨ position¹]
1. ATTITUDE if you are positive about things, you are hopeful and confident, and think about what is good in a situation rather than what is bad OPP negative
positive about
You’ve got to be more positive about your work.
positive attitude/approach/outlook etc
She’s got a really positive attitude to life.
the power of positive thinking
‘Think positive!’ she advised herself.
2. GOOD THING good or useful OPP negative:
At least something positive has come out of the situation.
Write down all the positive things about your life.
The rural environment was having a positive effect on the children’s health.
It’s been a very positive experience for her.
TV can be a positive influence.
the positive contribution to the community made by many older people
It’s been a difficult time but, on the positive side, I feel physically fine.
Women should be portrayed in a more positive light.
3. ACTION if you take positive action, you do something definite in order to try to achieve something:
We need to take positive steps to improve the situation of families in poverty.
Positive action was required.
It’s a relief to know that something positive is being done.
4. SUPPORT expressing support, agreement, or approval OPP negative
positive response/reaction
The response we’ve had from the public has been very positive.
We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from the people of this city.
positive about
Most people have been very positive about the show.
5. SURE [not before noun] very sure, with no doubt at all that something is right or true SYN certain
positive (that)
Are you absolutely positive you locked the door?
‘Are you sure about that?’ ‘Positive.’
6. SIGN showing that something is likely to succeed or improve:
The fact that he’s breathing on his own again is a positive sign.
7. PROOF positive proof/evidence/identification etc proof etc that shows that there is no doubt that something is true:
The witness made a positive identification.
8. SCIENTIFIC TEST showing signs of the medical condition or chemical that is being looked for OPP negative:
The test results came back positive.
athletes who had tested positive for banned substances
children who are HIV positive
9. EMPHASIS [only before noun] spoken used to emphasize how good or bad something is SYN total:
The journey was a positive nightmare.
10. NUMBER technical a positive number is more than zero OPP negative
11. ELECTRICITY technical having the type of electrical charge that is carried by ↑protons OPP negative:
a positive charge
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ nouns
▪ a positive attitude/outlook Having a positive attitude makes life so much better.
▪ a positive approach This is just the positive approach that the school needs.
▪ a positive view He takes a fairly positive view of the future.
▪ a positive thought Think positive thoughts.
▪ positive thinking Many people believe that positive thinking can help your recovery from serious illnesses.
■ verbs
▪ think positive (=think positive thoughts) Cheer up and think positive.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ nouns
▪ a positive thing That's not a very positive thing to say.
▪ a positive aspect There are a lot of positive aspects to retirement.
▪ a positive effect/impact Exercise has a positive effect on health.
▪ a positive influence His mother was a strong positive influence.
▪ a positive contribution Most refugees are determined to make a positive contribution to their new country.
▪ a positive result/outcome We hope there will be a positive outcome to the talks.
▪ a positive experience Working here has been a very positive experience for me.
▪ a positive role model We should provide girls with more positive role models.
▪ a positive image It's important to promote a positive image of our industry to young people.
■ phrases
▪ see/present something in a positive light (=see or present something as good) If you spend a year travelling after school, employers often see this in a positive light. | The merger was presented to the world in a positive light.
▪ on the positive side (=used when saying what is good about something) On the positive side, the company’s financial condition remains strong.
II. positive² BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑positive; adverb: ↑positively; adjective: ↑positive]
a quality or feature that is good or useful OPP negative:
You can find positives in any situation.
Always emphasise the positive.
⇨ false positive