1essential_esl_dictionary_9_000_words_for_learners_of_english

199 institution

ink /ɪŋk/ [㐌] A liquid used for writing: I have to on the outside: You're putting your sweater on in- a
b
buy some ink for my fountain pen. side out. c
d
inland1 /ˈɪnlənd/ [㐀] In the center of a country, inside2 /ˌɪnˈsaɪd/ [㐀] In the inner part: The in- e
f
not on the coast: Inland areas will have less rain in side door is always open. g

the next few days. inside3 /ˌɪnˈsaɪd/ [㐄] To the inner part: Let's go h
i
inland2 /ˈɪnlænd/ [㐄] To the center of a country: inside because it's cold out here. j
k
When we went to Sweden we traveled inland from insist /ɪnˈsɪst/ [㐘] To say something firmly: She l
m
the coast in a rented car. insisted on helping me to paint my bike. ■ We say n
o
inn /ɪn/ [㐌] A pub or small hotel in the country: "insist on (something)". p
q
We spent our vacation at an inn near a lake. inspect /ɪnˈspekt/ [㐘] To examine something: The r
s
inner /ˈɪn·ər/ [㐀] Inside: An inner door led to the principal inspected the damage to the school gym. t
u
store basement. inspection /ɪnˈspek.ʃən/ [㐌] Examining some- v
w
innocence /ˈɪn.ə.sənts/ [㐖] The state of being thing: The engineers did an inspection of the bridge. x
y
right, of being free from guilt: The jury believed in inspector /ɪnˈspek.tər/ [㐗] 1 A person who ex- z

the innocence of the accused. amines something: The bus inspector asked for
our tickets. 2 A police officer: Inspector Grant's in-
innocent /ˈɪn.ə.sənt/ [㐀] Not having done
vestigating the crime.
wrong: The young man was innocent of the murder.
inspiration /ˌɪn.spɪˈreɪ.ʃən/ [㐌] Somebody or
inorganic /ˌɪnɔːˈgænɪk/ [㐀] 1 Not being a living
something that gives you ideas: Poets find their
organism or of a living organism: Rocks and min-
erals are inorganic substances. 2 In chemistry, be- inspiration in different things.

ing a substance with no or very little carbon: an inspire /ɪnˈspɑɪər/ [㐘] To give somebody ideas to

inorganic compound. do things: His novels were inspired by the sea.

inquire /ɪnˈkwɑɪər/ [㐘] To ask for information: instability /ˌɪn·stəˈbɪl·ɪ·t̬i/ [㐖] The lack of

The police inquired about the motives which led to stability: Due to the political instability in the

the school shooting. ■ In British English they say country, many foreigners left.

"enquire". install /ɪnˈstɔl/ [㐘] To put something in, ready for

inquiry US: /ˈɪŋ.kwɚ.i/ UK: /ɪnˈkwaɪə.ri/ [㐌] A ques- use: They've installed a drink machine in the

tion about something: He is making inquiries school.

about his missing uncle. ■ The plural is "inquiries". instance /ˈɪn.stənts/ for instance For example: Do

inquisitive /ɪnˈkwɪz·ə·t̬ɪv/ [㐀] With a lot of cu- something! Put this milk in the fridge, for instance.

riosity, asking many questions about other peo- instant1 /ˈɪnstənt/ [㐌] A moment: Harry hesitated

ple: My parents are always rather inquisitive about for an instant and then threw the ball.

my friends. instant2 /ˈɪnstənt/ [㐀] 1 Happening very quick-

ins A written abbreviation for inches. ■ See box at ly: This cream gives instant relief. 2 Quick and

abbreviations. easy to do: Let's make a cup of instant coffee.

insane /ɪnˈseɪn/ [㐀] Mad, crazy: You must be in- instead /ɪnˈsted/ [㐄] In place of somebody or

sane to take Daniel to the party. ■ The same mean- something: If you can't get Sandra on the phone,

ing: "mad". talk to her sister instead.

insect /ˈɪn.sekt/ [㐗] A very small animal with instead of [㐓] In place of somebody or

no bones: Butterflies are insects. 㐀 See pages 426 something: I'm going to have coffee instead of or-

and 431. ange juice for a change. ■ The verb after "instead

insecure /ˌɪn·sɪˈkjʊər/ [㐌] Not safe: This bookshelf of" is in the "-ing" form: "Instead of watching TV, let's

looks very insecure. Who made it? go and play tennis".

insecurity /ˌɪn·sɪˈkjʊər··t̬i/ [㐌] The feeling of not instinct /ˈɪn.stɪŋkt/ [㐌] A feeling that makes you

being safe: She's depressed by the insecurity of her do things not using reason: Dogs chase cats by in-

job. stinct.

insensitive /ɪnˈsen·sə·t̬ɪv/ [㐀] Not sensitive: institute /ˈɪn·stɪˌtut/ [㐗] A society for a special

He's such an insensitive man. He has no tact at all. type of activity: The United States Naval Institute

insert /ɪnˈsɜrt/ [㐘] To put something inside some- was founded in 1873. ■ Compare with "secondary

thing else: Insert a coin in the machine if you want school" (a school for students between 11 and 18

to make a call. years old).

inside1 /ˌɪnˈsaɪd/ [㐗] 1 The inner part of institution /ˌɪn·stɪˈtu·ʃən/ [㐗] A large official

something: These gloves have fur on the inside. 2 organization: The Bank of America is a very old in-

inside out With what should be on the inside stitution.

instruct 200

a instruct /ɪnˈstrʌkt/ [㐘] 1 To teach: Are you going The integration of a new child in a class usually
b to instruct me how to use this camera? 2 To order: does not take a long time.
The policeman instructed him to park somewhere intelligence /ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒənts/ [㐖] The ability
else. to learn and to understand things well: Dolphins

c instructions /ɪnˈstrʌk.ʃənz/ [㐑] Words that have a very high level of intelligence.
tell you how to use something: Read the instruc- intelligent /ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒənt/ [㐀] Clever; quick at
d tions before you plug the electric razor in.
learning: Fiona is very intelligent.

instructor /ɪnˈstrʌk·tər/ [㐗] A person who intend /ɪnˈtend/ [㐘] 1 To plan to do something:

e teaches you how to do something: There's a new We intend to go to Rome by car. 2 to be intended
karate instructor at our local gym. for To be planned, meant or made for a particular

f instrument /ˈɪn.strə.mənt/ [㐗] 1 A tool: A cork- person or purpose: This book is intended for chil-
screw is an instrument for opening bottles. 2 A dren under ten.

g thing for making musical sounds: There are a lot intense /ɪnˈtents/ [㐀] 1 Strong, great: The in-
of instruments in an orchestra. 㐀  See pages 458 tense cold has made everybody stay at home this

h and 459. weekend. 2 Serious, concentrated: Brother and

insulate /ˈɪn.sjʊ.leɪt/ [㐘] To protect against heat sister got into an intense discussion.

i loss, noise or electrical current: The room had to intensity [㐖] The quality of being intense:
be insulated against noise from the club in the The intensity of his feelings was evident. ■ The plu-

j basement. ral is "intensities".

insulating [㐀] Giving protection against heat intention /ɪnˈten.ʃən/ [㐌] A purpose: My intention

loss, noise or electrical current: Electrical charges is to go camping with friends this summer.

k cannot pass easily through insulating materials intentional /ɪnˈten.ʃən.əl/ [㐀] Done on pur-
such as plastic. pose: I think her parents' arrival during the party
l insulator /ˈɪn·səˌleɪ·t̬ər/ [㐗] Material or device was intentional.
which insulates: An insulator was used to sepa- interact /ˌɪn·tərˈækt/ [㐘] To communicate with
m rate the two wires.
each other, or act on each other: These two chemi-

insult1 /ɪnˈsʌlt/ [㐗] A rude thing that you say cals interact in a surprising way. ■ We say: "interact

n to somebody, a rude action: His insults made me with (something/somebody)".
very angry at the party last night. ■ Be careful with interaction /ˌɪn·tərˈæk·ʃən/ [㐗] Action or com-

o the pronunciation of this word! "su" is pronounced as munication between two or more people or
in "sun". things: The interaction between the communities

p insult2 /ɪnˈsʌlt/ [㐘] To say or to do unpleasant led to greater understanding.
things to somebody: When I suggested he was ly- interactive /ˌɪn·təˈræk·tɪv/ [㐀] 1 Acting recipro-

q ing, he became angry and insulted me. cally on each other: The communities became interac-

insurance /ɪnˈʃʊər·əns/, /ˈɪnˌʃɜr-/ [㐖] An tive. 2 Allowing continuous transfer of information

r agreement with a company for them to pay mon- in both directions between a device and its user:
ey to you in case of accident, robbery and so on: Computers, TV and video are some interactive media.
s My mom pays her car insurance through the bank intercostal /ˌɪn.təˈkɒs.təl/ US: /-tɚ̬ ˈkɑː.stəl/ [㐀]
every year. Between the ribs: the intercostal muscles. 㐀  See

insure /ɪnˈʃʊər/ [㐘] To pay money to a company page 423.

t so that it will give you money in case of accident, interest1 /ˈɪntrəst/ ❚ [㐖] 1 Curiosity about
robbery and so on: My mother has insured her jew- somebody or something, desire to know more:
u els against theft.
Karen is now taking a real interest in history. ❚

integrate /ˈɪntɪgreɪt/ [㐘] 1 To combine things [㐗] 2 A thing you like doing very much: Kev-

v in such a way that they finally become a uni- in's only interest is rock music.
fied whole: Sert's architecture integrates really interest2 /ˈɪntrəst/ [㐘] To call somebody's atten-

w well with the landscape. 2 To become part of a tion or create a desire to know more: That book
social group and be accepted into it: Children was what first interested me in Buddhism.

x integrate easily with a new culture. ■ We always interested /ˈɪn·trə·stɪd/, /ˈɪn·təˌres·tɪd/ [㐀] Curi-
say: "integrate (somebody/something) with (some- ous, wanting to know more: I'm interested in

y thing)". trains. ■ We say "interested in". This word is not

integration /ˌɪntɪˈgreɪʃən/ [㐖] The act of used before a noun. Be careful with the pronuncia-

z combining things, or people in a group, in such a tion of the end of this word. The last "e" is pro-
way that they finally become part of each other: nounced like the "i" in "did". ■ See box at bored.

201 introduction

interesting /ˈɪn·trə·stɪŋ/, /ˈɪn·təˌres·tɪŋ/ [㐀] Mak- intervene /ˌɪn·tərˈvin/ [㐘] To come between peo- a
b
ing you feel curious: The book I read about under- ple or groups in a conflict: I don't know why the c
d
water plants was very interesting. ■ See box at referee doesn't intervene. e
f
bored. intervention /ˌɪn·tərˈven·ʃən/ [㐌] Coming be- g

interfere /ˌɪn·tərˈfɪər/ [㐘] 1 To try to help some- tween people or groups: They sold the car thanks h
i
body when they do not need you: You shouldn't to my father's intervention. j
interfere between Peter and his sister. 2 To stop k
interview1 /ˈɪntəvjuː/ [㐗] A meeting where l
something happening: You shouldn't let your ka- m
somebody asks you questions: The actor gave an n
rate interfere with your studies. o
interview to some journalists. p
interference /ˌɪn·tərˈfɪər·əns/ [㐖] The act of q
interview2 /ˈɪntəvjuː/ [㐘] To ask somebody ques- r
interfering: Your interference in our friendship has s
tions in an interview: They interviewed Bill Gates t
caused a lot of problems. u
on television last week. v
interior /ɪnˈtɪər·i·ər/ [㐍] The inside of some- w
intestinal US: /ɪnˈtestɪnəl/ UK: /ˌɪntesˈtaɪnəl/ [㐀] x
thing: The interior of the theater has been beauti- y
Referring to the intestines: She has an intestinal z
fully decorated.
infection.
intermediate /ˌɪn·tərˈmid·i·ət/ [㐀] In the mid-
intestine /ɪnˈtes.tɪne/ [㐗] 1 The lowest part of
dle of two people or things: This grammar book is
the alimentary canal, between the stomach and
intended for intermediate level students.
the anus, made up of the small and large intes-
internal /ɪnˈtɜr·nə·l/ [㐀] Inside: The stomach is
tines: The small intestine is the longest part of the
an internal organ. digestive tract. 2 large intestine The final part of

international /ˌɪn·tərˈnæʃ·ə·nə·l/ [㐀] Between the intestine in which water is absorbed from di-

different nations: Soccer is an international sport. gested food and solid waste is expelled out of the

■ Compare with "national" (belonging to one coun- body: The large intestine is shorter and wider than
the small intestine. 3 small intestine The first,
try).
upper, part of the intestine, which goes from the
internet /ˈɪntənet/ [㐌] An international system of
stomach to the large intestine: Most of the absorp-
communication by computer: I receive a movie
tion of digested food takes place in the small intes-
magazine on my computer each month through the
tine. 㐀 See page 424.
internet.
into /ˈɪn.tuː/ [㐓] 1 To the inside: Come into the
interpret /ɪnˈtɜr·prɪt/ [㐘] 1 To translate some-
kitchen for a drink. 2 To a different state: This
thing spoken from one language into another: He armchair can be turned into a bed. 3 Showing divi-
interpreted for the foreign visitors. 2 To explain
sion: Five into ten goes two. 㐀 See picture at pre-
the meaning of something: How do you interpret position.

this passage? I don't understand it. intonation /ˌɪn.təˈneɪ.ʃən/ [㐌] The rise and fall in

interpretation /ɪnˌtɜr·prɪˈteɪ·ʃən/ [㐌] The under- the sound of the voice: A good intonation helps

standing one person has of the meaning of an people to understand you in a foreign language.

event or a work of art: What is your interpretation intranet /ˈɪntrənet/ [㐗] A closed internet sys-

of what occurred yesterday. tem: The content of the company intranet is not ac-

interpreter /ɪnˈtɜr·prɪ·tə̬ r/ [㐗] A person who cessible to outsiders.

translates from one language into another: An introduce /ˌɪn·trəˈdus/ [㐘] 1 To present a person

Arab interpreter helped us when we were in Cairo. to somebody for the first time: My cousin intro-
duced me to her friends at the party. 2 To make
interrogate /ɪnˈter.ə.geɪt/ [㐘] To question some-
something known for the first time, to establish:
body thoroughly: The inspector interrogated the
Europeans introduced Christianity in America.
witnesses about the murder.
introduction /ˌɪn.trəˈdʌk.ʃən/ [㐗] 1 The act of
interrupt /ˌɪn·təˈrʌpt/ [㐘] To stop something hap-
presenting something: The introduction of com-
pening: Don't interrupt me when I'm talking on the puters has changed the world completely. 2 The act

phone. of introducing one person to another: The hostess

interruption /ˌɪn·təˈrʌp·ʃən/ [㐌] A break: I can't made the introductions and everyone shook hands.
3 The part at the beginning of a book that tells
study with so many interruptions.
you what it is about: The introduction to that book
intersection [㐗] A place where one street
consists of five pages. ■ Be careful with the pronun-
crosses another: When you get to the intersection,
ciation of this word! The "u" is pronounced like the
turn left.
"u" in "cup".
interval /ˈɪn·tər·vəl/ [㐗] A short period of time

between things: I've got to make a phone call dur-

ing the interval.

introvert 202

a introvert /ˈɪn.trə.vɜːt/ US: /-vɝːt/ [㐗] A quiet involve /ɪnˈvɑlv/, /-ˈvɔlv/ [㐘] 1 To bring somebody

b person concerned with their own thoughts and or something into a situation or scheme, to con-
feelings: Mary's a real introvert, she never wants to cern: Three cars were involved in the crash. 2 To
go to parties. make necessary: Going on vacation usually in-
c Inuit /ˈɪn.ju.ɪt/ [㐗] One of a people who live in volves a lot of organization.
the Arctic region: Inuits used to live in igloos and inward [㐄] Towards the inside of something:
d fish in frozen waters. ■ Be careful! "Inuit" has a capi- All the windows here open inward.
tal "I". inwards /ˈɪn.wəd/ [㐄] Towards the inside of

e invade /ɪnˈveɪd/ [㐘] To enter a country or region something: All the windows here open inwards.
by force: The United States invaded Irak in 2003. ionic /ɑɪˈɑn·ɪk/ [㐀] Referring to an atom or

f invader /ɪnˈveɪ.dər/ US: /-dɚ/ [㐗] Somebody or group of atoms that are electrically charged: The
something that invades: The Viking invaders not rate of electric charge to the radius of an ion is

g only stole and destroyed wherever they went but al- called the ionic potential.
so established themselves in certain areas. Ionic /ɑɪˈɑn·ɪk/ [㐀] Referring to classical Greek

h invalid /ˈɪnvəlɪd/ [㐗] A person who is very ill architecture, the building style characterized by
or disabled and needs help: Her uncle is an inval- columns standing on a base and having more dec-

i id and uses a wheelchair. oration than the Doric style: In Ionic architecture

invasion /ɪnˈveɪ.ʒən/ [㐌] The act of entering a the columns are decorated with scroll shapes at the

j country or region by force: The Second World War top. ■ Compare with "Doric" (the simplest of the
began with the invasion of Poland. building styles) and "Corinthian" (the most ornate).

invent /ɪnˈvent/ [㐘] To make something that IQ /aɪˈkjuː/ [㐌] A supposed measure of human intel-

k didn't exist before: Edison invented the electric ligence: She has a very high IQ. ■ "IQ" is an abbrevia-
light bulb. tion for "intelligence quotient", the relation between a
l invention /ɪnˈvent.ʃən/ [㐌] The making of some- person's age and their mental age. "IQ" is always writ-
thing that didn't exist before: The invention of the ten in capital letters. ■ See box at abbreviations.

m car changed a lot of people's lives. 㐀  See page iris /ˈaɪ.rɪs/ [㐗] 1 The colored diaphragm that
443. controls the amount of light entering the eye: The

n inventor /ɪnˈven·tər/ [㐗] A person who makes iris has a circular opening in its center. 2 A tall
something that hasn't existed before: J. L. Baird plant with large purple, white or yellow flowers:

o was the inventor of television. We gave her some irises.

invertebrate /ɪnˈvɜː.tɪ.brət/ US: /-ˈvɝː.tə̬ -/ [㐗] Irish [㐀] Referring to Ireland: I think Irish

p A creature without a backbone: Worms, insects, landscapes are beautiful. ■ Be careful! "Irish" has a
crabs and spiders are all invertebrates. ■ Compare capital "I".

q with "vertebrate" (a creature with a backbone). iron1 /aɪən/ ❚ [㐖] 1 A hard metal: The balcony
㐀 See page 427. railings are made of iron. ❚ [㐗] 2 An electrical in-

r invest /ɪnˈvest/ [㐘] To put money into buying strument with a flat bottom, used to make clothes
something: My father now says that he is going to smooth: Don't start using the iron until it's hot.

s invest in the telephone company.
investigate /ɪnˈves.tɪ.geɪt/ [㐘] To examine care- IRON
fully, when talking about an event: The police is

t going to investigate the train robbery.
investment /ɪnˈvest.mənt/ [㐌] The money that

u you put into buying something: This house should
be a good investment.

v invisible /ɪnˈvɪz.ɪ.bl̩/ [㐀] That cannot be seen:
Her face was invisible behind the mask.

w invitation /ˌɪn.vɪˈteɪ.ʃən/ [㐌] Asking somebody to
go somewhere or do something with you: The par-

x ty is by invitation only, I'm afraid.
invite /ɪnˈvaɪt/ [㐘] To ask somebody to go some-

y where with you: I'd like to invite Jackie to lunch. ■
We do not generally use "invite" in direct speech. We

z say: "Let me buy you a drink". (We don't say: "I invite
you to a drink".).

203 ivy

iron2 /aɪən/ [㐘] To press clothes with a hot iron: a newspaper or magazine: Today's issue of the a
b
Don't go out without ironing your pants. Guardian has the winning lottery numbers. c
d
ironing /ˈɑɪ·ər·nɪŋ/ [㐖] Pressing clothes with issue2 /ˈɪʃuː/ [㐘] To provide somebody with something: e
f
an iron: My father does all the ironing at home. The soldiers were issued with rations and ammunition. g

ironing board [㐗] A folding narrow table it /ɪt/ [㐕] The thing being talked about: Pick up h
i
used for ironing clothes: This ironing board isn't the key and give it to me. ■ Remember that sentenc- j
k
big enough to iron the drapes on. es in English usually have a subject. We say: "It's l
m
irregular /ɪˈreg·jə·lər/ [㐀] 1 Not having an order, raining". (We don't say: "Is raining".). n
o
uneven: Our house is rather irregular in shape. 2 Italian1 /ɪˈtæliən/ [㐀] Referring to Italy: I love p
q
Not following the usual rules: "To buy" is an irregu- Italian food. ■ Be careful! "Italian" has a capital "I". r
s
lar verb; the past tense is "bought" and not "buyed". Italian2 ❚ [㐗] 1 A person from Italy: My moth- t
u
irreversible /ˌɪrɪˈvɜːsəbl/ [㐀] Not able to be er is an Italian. ❚ [㐖] 2 The language of Italy: v
I think Italian is a beautiful language. ■ Careful! w
changed back to the initial state: The Judge's sen- x
"Italian" has a capital "I". y
tence is irreversible. z
italics /ɪˈtæl.ɪks/ [㐑] Letters leaning to the right:
irrigate /ˈɪr.ɪ.geɪt/ [㐘] To water land: Farmers in
The examples in this dictionary are printed in italics.
some areas have to irrigate their fields to make
itch1 /ɪtʃ/ [㐗] An irritating feeling in the skin:
crops grow.
I've got an awful itch on my arm.
irrigation /ˌɪr.ɪˈgeɪ.ʃən/ [㐖] The watering of
itch2 /ɪtʃ/ [㐘] To have a feeling in the skin that
crops: The irrigation of the fields is carried out be-
makes you scratch it: My arms itch a lot from the
fore the sun rises and after it sets.
mosquito bites I got the other day.
irritate /ˈɪr.ɪ.teɪt/ [㐘] 1 To make somebody a little
itchy /ˈɪtʃ.i/ [㐀] Making you want to scratch it:
angry and nervous: It really irritates me when you
take my pen without saying anything. 2 To make I know I shouldn't scratch it, but it's very itchy.

part of your body painful or sore: Don't rub your it'd /ˈɪt·̬ əd/ The contraction of "it had" or "it would".
item /ˈɑɪ·t̬əm/ [㐗] 1 One of a group of things:
eyes or you'll irritate them.
Check the items on the shopping list to see if I've
irritation /ˌɪr.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/ [㐌] Something that annoys forgotten something. 2 news item A piece of news:

or hurts: Smoking causes irritation to your throat. Are there any interesting news items in the paper

is /ɪz, z, s/ [㐘] See be. this morning?
Islam /ˈɪz.lɑːm, -læm/ [㐖] The religion that
itinerary /ɑɪˈtɪn·əˌrer·i/ [㐗] A detailed route,
follows the teachings of the Koran: Islam teaches
with planned stopping points: The itinerary was
that Allah is the only God. ■ Be careful! "Islam" has
planned in advance. ■ The plural is "itineraries".
a capital "I".
it'll /ˈɪt̬·ə·l/ The contraction of "it will".
Islamic /ɪzˈlæm.ɪk, -ˈlɑː.mɪk/ [㐀] Belonging to Is- its /ɪts/ [㐀] Of it; belonging to it: The school has

lam: The Koran is the holy Islamic book. ■ Careful! its own sports field. ■ Compare with "it's" (short

"Islamic" has a capital "I". form of "it is" or "it has").

island /ˈaɪ.lənd/ [㐗] 1 A piece of land sur- it's /ɪts/ The contraction of "it is" or "it has". ■ Be

rounded by water: Puerto Rico is an island. ■ Be careful! Compare with "its" (belonging to something

careful with the pronunciation of this word. The first that has already been mentioned).

part "is" is pronounced like "eye". ■ Compare with itself /ɪtˈself/ [㐕] 1 A word that refers to the

"isle" (used especially in the name of places). 㐀 See thing or animal that is the subject of the sen-
page 444. 2 desert island See desert island.
tence: The dog has been scratching itself all morn-
isle /aɪl/ [㐗] A piece of land surrounded by wa- ing. 2 A word that underlines the thing the verb

ter: My cousins were both born on the Isle of Wight. refers to: The town itself is ugly but the people are
very friendly. 3 by itself 1 Alone: The monastery
■ This word is generally used with the names of plac-
stands by itself on the hill. 2 Without being con-
es. In other cases we say: "island". Compare with "is-
trolled by a person: They say that this robot can
land" (used as a geographical term).
cook a meal by itself! ■ The plural is "themselves".
isn't /ˈɪz.ənt/ The contraction of "is not".
isolated /ˈɑɪ·səˌleɪ·t̬ɪd/ [㐀] Away from other I've /aɪv/ The contraction of "I have".
ivory /ˈɑɪ·və·ri/, /ˈɑɪv·ri/ [㐖] A hard substance
people or places: This is an isolated place. ■ Be
from the tusks of animals: This bracelet is made
careful with the pronunciation of this word. The "e"
of ivory. ■ The plural is "ivories".
is pronounced like the "i" in "did".
ivy /ˈaɪ.vi/ [㐌] Plant which climbs up walls and trees:
issue1 /ˈɪʃuː/ [㐗] 1 A problem or question: My
That wall is covered with ivy. ■ The plural is "ivies".
mother is always arguing about politics, ecology
and other issues with our neighbor. 2 An edition of

J j /dʒeɪ/ The tenth letter of the alphabet: The name
j
"John" begins with a "J".

jab1 /dʒæb/ [㐗] A quick, hard blow: He just

gave me a jab in the shoulder.

jab2 /dʒæb/ [㐘] To push something pointed quick-

ly and roughly at something else or somebody:
Rachel jabbed at the balloon with a pin and it
burst.

jackal /ˈdʒæk.əl/ [㐗] A wild animal like a dog:

Jackals are usually solitary animals.

jacket /ˈdʒæk.ɪt/ [㐗] 1 A short coat: Your tie

doesn't go with your jacket. 2 denim jacket A
jacket made of the same material as jeans:
Clare, is this you denim jacket or mine? 3
leather jacket A jacket made of leather: I re-
ally like Dave's leather jacket. 㐀  See picture
at clothes.

JACKET

leather jacket denim jacket

jack-of-all-trades /ˌdʒæk·əvˌɔlˈtreɪdz/ [㐗] A

person who can do many things: Rob's father is a

jack-of-all-trades, who does everything in the

house.

jackpot /ˈdʒækˌpɑt/ [㐗] A big prize, an

accumulated prize: My aunt Maggie's very

lucky; she won the jackpot in the lottery last

year.

jaguar /ˈdʒæg·wɑr/, /-juˌɑr/ [㐗] A large

wild cat: Jaguars live in forests and swamps in

America.

205 jeweler

jail /dʒeɪl/ [㐌] A prison: The woman was sent to mandible. ■ The same meaning: "jaw", "mandible". a
b
jail for stealing jewelry from a store. ■ The same 㐀 See page 422. c
meaning: "prison". ■ In British English they say d
"gaol". jazz /dʒæz/ [㐖] A kind of music with strong e
f
JAIL rhythms and parts that are invented at the mo- g

jam1 /dʒæm/ ❚ [㐌] 1 A soft food made from fruit ment of playing: In the early twentieth century, Af- h
i
and sugar: Would you like some strawberry jam on rican-Americans began playing jazz in the south of j
your bread? ❚ [㐗] 2 A group of people or k
things that cannot move: There was a traffic jam the USA. l
on the highway this morning. 3 A difficult situa- m
tion, being in trouble: I'm in a real jam, I've lost jealous /ˈdʒel.əs/ [㐀] 1 Wanting what some- n
all my school textbooks. ■ The "j" is pronounced as o
in the word "John". ■ Compare with "ham" (salted body else has and feeling bad because you don't p
meat from a pig). q
have it: I'm really jealous of Janice. She's clever, r
jam2 /dʒæm/ [㐘] 1 To push something into a small beautiful and popular. 2 Afraid of losing some- s
t
space: Susan jammed all her clothes into her bag. body's love: Stephen's jealous of Karen's male u
2 To block something: The garage doors are v
jammed so we can't take the car out. friends. w
x
Jamaican1 [㐀] Referring to Jamaica: They jealousy /ˈdʒel.ə.si/ [㐖] Envy: Jealousy can y
z
spent their vacations in a Jamaican Beach. ■ Be sometimes be a problem when a small child has a
careful! "Jamaican" has a capital "J".
baby brother or sister. ■ The plural is "jealousies".
Jamaican2 [㐗] A person from Jamaica: There
jeans /dʒiːnz/ [㐑] Pants made of a strong
are a Jamaican staying at the hotel. ■ Be careful!
"Jamaican" has a capital "J". cloth: Today Emma is wearing blue jeans and a

janitor [㐗] Person who cleans a building and white T-shirt. ■ When we talk about two or more

maintains it with minor repairs: There are three "jeans", we use the word "pairs": "I bought three
janitors in my school and they clean during the eve-
ning. pairs of jeans". 㐀 See picture at clothes.

January /ˈdʒæn·juˌer·i/ [㐌] The first month of the jeep® /dʒiːp/ [㐗] A kind of strong car that can

year: January's a very cold month in Detroit. ■ Be go over rough ground: Neil's father takes his jeep
careful! "January" has a capital "J". 㐀 See picture at
calendar. when he goes fishing.

jar US: /dʒɑːr/ UK: /dʒɑːr/ [㐗] A container with a jelly /ˈdʒel.i/ [㐌] A transparent dessert that

wide opening: There's very little honey left in the shakes when it is moved: I'd like jelly and ice
jar. 㐀 See picture at container.
cream for dessert, please. ■ The plural is "jellies".
javelin /ˈdʒæv.lɪn/ [㐗] A long spear used in
jellyfish /ˈdʒel.i.fɪʃ/ [㐗] A sea animal with a
sport: Throwing the javelin is an Olympic sport.
transparent body: Some jellyfish are shaped like
jaw US: /dʒɑː/ UK: /dʒɔː/ [㐗] One of the two
umbrellas. ■ The plural is "jellyfish" or "jellyfishes".
bones that hold your teeth: The lion opened its
jaws and roared. ■ The same meaning: "jawbone", jersey /ˈdʒɜr·zi/ [㐗] A warm piece of clothing
"mandible".
with long sleeves: My soccer jersey has my name
jawbone [㐗] The lower of the two bones that
and my number on the back. ■ Be careful with the
hold your teeth: The jawbone is also known as the
pronunciation of this word! ■ The same meaning:

"jumper", "pullover", "sweater". "Sweater" is the

most commonly used word.

jester /ˈdʒes·tər/ [㐗] A joker employed at court

in medieval times: The job of the jester tradition-

ally was to make people laugh.

jet /dʒet/ [㐗] 1 A fast stream of liquid or gas

coming out of a small hole: I've just burned my
hand on the jet of steam coming out of the kettle. 2

A fast airplane: The jet took off from Heathrow air-
port at eight o'clock. 3 jumbo jet See jumbo jet.

Jew /dʒuː/ [㐗] A person who belongs to the re-

ligion of Judaism or whose family was originally

from ancient Israel: Saturday is the holy day of the

week for practicing Jews. ■ Be careful! "Jew" has a

capital "J".

jewel /ˈdʒuː.əl/ [㐗] A precious stone: My mother

wore her jewels when she went to the opera last

night.

jeweler /ˈdʒu·ə·lər/, /ˈdʒu·lər/ [㐗] Person who

makes or sells jewelry: The local jeweler provided

jeweller 206

a the rings for the wedding. ■ The British English jockey US: /ˈdʒɑː.ki/ UK: /ˈdʒɒk.i/ [㐗] A person

b spelling is "jeweller". who rides horses in races: Jockeys have to be very

jeweller /ˈdʒuːələ/ UK: /ˈdʒuː.ə.lər/ [㐗] See jew- fit and light in weight.
jog1 /dʒɒg/ [㐘] To run at a slow pace: A lot of peo-
eler. ■ This is a British English spelling.
c jewellery /ˈdʒuː.əl.ri/ [㐖] See jewelry. ■ ple go jogging to keep fit.
Be careful! We don't say "a jewellery". We say jog2 [㐌] A slow run: We went for a jog in the park
d "some jewellery" or "a piece of jewellery". ■ This before breakfast.
is a British English spelling. ■ The plural is "jew- jogging US: /ˈdʒɑː.gɪŋ/ UK: /ˈdʒɒg.ɪŋ/ [㐖] Run-

e elleries". ning at a slow speed for exercise: My mother likes

jewelry /ˈdʒuː.əl.ri/ [㐖] Valuable ornaments jogging.

f like rings, bracelets and so on: I keep my jewelry john US: /ˈdʒɑːn/ UK: /ˈdʒɒn/ [㐗] Restroom: I need
in a special box. ■ Be careful! We don't say "a jewel- to go to the john. ■ This word is informal.

g ry". We say "some jewelry" or "a piece of jewelry". ■ join /dʒɔɪn/ [㐘] 1 To connect things: Join the dots
The British English spelling is "jewellery". ■ The plu- together to make the picture. 2 To come together:

h ral is "jewelries". The two roads join near the bridge. 3 To become a
member of something: Kevin has just joined the

i JEWELRY cyclists club.
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to join in To take part in

j something: Would you like to join in the darts
k earring
game?

joint1 /dʒɔɪnt/ [㐗] 1 A place where two things

or parts are joined: The plumber repaired the pipe

l bracelet with a water resistant joint. 2 Referring to the
m necklace body, a place where bones meet: The knee joint is
covered by the knee cap. 3 Piece of meat cooked in
the oven: We had a joint of beef for Sunday lunch.
4 A cheap place for entertainment: How can you

n go to that joint to celebrate her birthday?
o ring
joint2 /dʒɔɪnt/ [㐀] Together, combined: The cou-

ple opened a joint account.

joke1 /dʒəʊk/ [㐗] 1 Something that you tell or

p broach say to make people laugh: Stop making jokes
about my purple socks. 2 to play a joke on (some-

q body) To do something funny to somebody to
Jewish /ˈdʒuː.ɪʃ/ [㐀] Referring to Jews: My make people laugh: They played a joke on Keith by

r friend Abraham is Jewish. ■ Be careful! "Jewish" has imitating his teacher's voice on the phone. 3 prac-
a capital "J". tical joke A joke played against somebody: On

s jibe /dʒaɪb/ [㐗] A remark which makes some- April Fools' Day we played a practical joke on Mary.
body else look foolish: That was a cruel jibe. Why joke2 /dʒəʊk/ [㐘] To say funny things against
are you always so nasty to her? ■ This word is also somebody: I was only joking when I said you ate
t written "gibe".
enough for three people.

jigsaw or jigsaw puzzle /ˈdʒɪgsɔː/ [㐗] A joker US: /ˈdʒoʊ.kɚ/ UK: /ˈdʒəʊ.kər/ [㐗] A person
u game in which you put small pieces together to who makes jokes: Don't take Jonathan seriously
make a picture: Mark will need a lot of skill and because he's a real joker.

v patience to do that jigsaw puzzle. jolly /ˈdʒɒli/ [㐄] 1 Very: The comic your brother

jingle /ˈdʒɪŋgl/ [㐘] To make a ringing sound: Tim- lent me is jolly good. 2 Merry, cheerful: My grand-

w my thought he heard the jingle of sleigh bells on ma is very jolly, she's always good fun to be with. ■
Christmas Eve. This word is informal.

x job US: /dʒɑːb/ UK: /dʒɒb/ [㐗] 1 A task that you jot
must do: Linda's only job here is to look after the ◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to jot (something) down To

y plants. 2 Work that you are paid to do: Sandra's make a quick note of something: I think I jotted
sister has a job in a travel agency. 3 out of a job her telephone number down somewhere. ■ Be care-

z Without a job: My sister has been out of a job since ful with the spelling of these forms: "jotted", "jot-
January. ting".

207 jump

journal /ˈdʒɜr·nə·l/ [㐗] 1 A magazine or a judgment /ˈdʒʌdʒ·mənt/ ❚ [㐌] 1 An opinion: What a
b
newspaper for one particular profession or inter- should we do, in your judgment? 2 A decision c
d
est: The doctor's study was full of medical journals. made by a judge: Judges have to study cases very e
2 A record of what somebody has done during the f
carefully before they pronounce judgment. ❚ g
day: Philip kept a journal of the things he did dur- [㐖] 3 Common sense: Stuart showed good
judgment when he bought his ticket weeks ago. h
ing the summer vacation. ■ In this use, the same i
There are none left now. ■ The British English spell- j
meaning: "diary". k
ing is "judgement". l
journalism /ˈdʒɜr·nə·lˌɪz·əm/ [㐖] The job of m
judiciary /dʒʊˈdɪʃ·iˌer·i/, /-ˈdɪʃ·ə·ri/ [㐗] The col- n
writing for magazines or newspapers: The article o
lective name for the judges: The judiciary is re- p
about the beginning of the war was a brilliant piece q
sponsible for interpreting and applying the laws r
of journalism. s
passed by Congress. t
journalist /ˈdʒɜr·nə·l·əst/ [㐗] A person who u
judo /ˈdʒud·oʊ/ [㐖] A sport in which you v
writes for magazines or newspapers: Today the w
wrestle or throw somebody: Billy does judo at x
Prime Minister is having an interview with foreign y
school. z
journalists.
jug /dʒʌg/ [㐗] A container for liquids with a
journey /ˈdʒɜːni/ [㐗] The act of going from
handle: Is there any lemonade left in the jug?
one place to another: Their journey to Reno took a
juggle /ˈdʒʌg.l̩/ [㐘] To throw things in the air,
whole day on the car. ■ Compare with "trip1" (a jour-
catch them and throw them again quickly: Look!
ney involving an activity like business, shopping,
That clown is juggling six eggs.
sightseeing and so on).
juggler /ˈdʒʌg·lər/ [㐗] A person who juggles:
joust1 [㐗] An organized combat between two
We saw two excellent jugglers at the circus last
people on horseback with lances: The knights in
week.
armor charged towards each other in the joust.
juice /dʒuːs/ [㐖] The liquid from fruit or veg-
joust2 /dʒaʊst/ [㐘] To fight on horseback in a
etables: Would you like a glass of orange juice with
tournament: In medieval times knights jousted to
your breakfast?
gain favor.
juicy /ˈdʒuː.si/ [㐀] Full of juice: Where did you
joy [㐌] Great happiness: The children jumped for
get these juicy apples?
joy when they saw the new.
jukebox /ˈdʒuk·bɑks/ [㐗] A machine that plays
joyful /ˈdʒɔɪ.fəl/ [㐀] Very happy: That music is
records in cafés, bars and so on: Put a coin into
really joyful! ■ We also say "joyous".
the jukebox and it'll play the record you choose.
joyous /ˈdʒɔɪ.əs/ [㐀] See joyful.
joyride /ˈdʒɔɪ.raɪd/ [㐗] A ride in a car for plea- July /dʒʊˈlaɪ/ [㐌] The seventh month of the year:

sure, especially a stolen car driven fast and with- Many schools are closed during July. ■ Be careful!

out care: They took the car for a joyride and left it "July" has a capital "J". 㐀  See picture at calen-

on the beach. dar.

joystick /ˈdʒɔɪ.stɪk/ [㐗] A special handle used for jumble1 /ˈdʒʌmbl/ [㐌] A lot of things mixed to-

controlling movement on an airplane, with a com- gether in an untidy way: Everything is in a terrible

puter and so on: Show me how to use the joystick. jumble in my bedroom.

Judaism /ˈdʒuː.deɪ.ɪ.zəm/ [㐖] The religion of jumble2 /ˈdʒʌmbl/ [㐘] To mix things in an untidy

the Jews: Judaism has survived for over 4000 way: All my clothes are so jumbled I can't find any-

years. ■ Be careful! "Judaism" has a capital "J". thing.

judge1 /dʒʌdʒ/ [㐗] 1 A person who decides on jumbo jet [㐗] A large airplane: My brother is

legal things: The judge sentenced the robbers to arriving on the jumbo jet from New York tomorrow.
two years' imprisonment. 2 A person who decides
jump1 /dʒʌmp/ [㐗] 1 A quick or sudden move-
the winner of a competition: The three judges of
ment into the air: Jenny's last jump was her best. 2
the vegetable competition were unanimous in their
high jump A sport in which people jump over a
decision.
high bar: I've never been good at the high jump at
judge2 /dʒʌdʒ/ [㐘] 1 To have an opinion about school. 3 long jump See "long jump" in the word

something: You should never judge anybody just long1.
by their appearance. 2 To make decisions in a
jump2 /dʒʌmp/ [㐘] 1 To move up into the air by
court of law or in a competition: Who's going to
using your feet: If you try to jump over that stream,
judge the photograph competition tomorrow? you're likely to fall into the water. 2 To move sud-

judgement /ˈdʒʌdʒ.mənt/ [㐌] See judgment. ■ denly because something surprises you: A loud

This is a British English spelling. knock at the door made us jump.

jumper 208

a jumper /ˈdʒʌm·pər/ [㐗] A warm woolen piece Jupiter /ˈdʒuːpɪtər/ [㐗] A planet of the solar

b of clothing with long sleeves: Today Nigel's wear- system that is fifth in order from the Sun: Jupiter
ing a red jumper and blue jeans. ■ The same mean- is the largest planet in the solar system. 㐀 See pa-
ing: "jersey", "pullover", "sweater". "Sweater" is the ge 446-447.
c most commonly used word.
jurisdiction /ˌdʒʊərɪsˈdɪkʃən/ [㐖] The au-

jump rope [㐗] A rope that is used for skip- thority of an official body to administer laws:
d ping: My sister's got a new jump rope with bells in That court has no jurisdiction in this kind of case.
the handles. jury US: /ˈdʒʊr.i/ UK: /ˈdʒʊə.ri/ [㐗] A group of peo-

e junction /ˈdʒʌŋk.ʃən/ [㐗] A place where roads ple who decide if a person is guilty or innocent at
meet: Be careful when you cycle across the junction. a trial: The jury found him innocent of the murder.

f June /dʒuːn/ [㐌] The sixth month of the year: ■ The plural is "juries".
Summer begins in June. ■ Be careful! "June" has a just1 /dʒʌst, dʒəst/ [㐄] 1 A very short time ago:

g capital "J". 㐀 See picture at calendar. Stephen has just come back from school. ■ In this

jungle /ˈdʒʌŋ.gl/̩ [㐌] A forest in the tropics: Monkeys use, "just" is normally used with the present perfect

h and gorillas live in the jungles of Africa and Asia. tense. 2 Exactly: This cooking book is just what I

junior1 [㐀] 1 Younger: The older students can need. 3 At the time when: The bell rang just as I

i have lunch in their classrooms but the junior stu- was taking a shower. 4 Only, simply: What you're
dents use the cafeteria. ■ See box at abbreviations. telling me is just an excuse. 5 By a small amount: I

j 2 Less important: In the army, a colonel is junior to just missed the train as it was leaving the station. 6
a general. 3 junior high or junior high school In just a minute or just a moment Words that you

k the United States, a school for children between say to ask somebody to wait a little: Just a mo-
eleven and fourteen years old: My daughter goes ment, I think I heard a knock at the door. 7 just
to junior high, she is in 7th grade. ■ In this use, the now 1 Right now: I don't have enough money to
l same meaning: "middle school".
buy the tickets just now. 2 A very short time ago: I

junior2 /ˈdʒun·jər/ [㐗] A student in the third gave the keys to your sister just now.
m year of high school or college: My brother is a ju- just2 /dʒʌst/ [㐀] Fair, morally right: I think the
nior this year so he's studying hard to get good referee made a just decision.

n grades for his college application. justice /ˈdʒʌs.tɪs/ [㐖] 1 Fair behavior or treat-

junk food [㐖] Food that is easy and quick ment: Justice has been done; they've given him his

o to prepare and eat: Junk food contains a lot of job back. 2 A system of law: They took the case to
chemicals. the Indiana Court of Justice.

p

q

r

s

t

u

v

w

x

y

z

K k /keɪ/ The eleventh letter of the alphabet: The
k
name "Karen" begins with a "K".

K /keɪ/ A thousand: My starting salary was $20 K a

year. ■ This word is informal.

kangaroo /ˌkæŋ·gəˈru/ [㐗] A large Australian

animal that moves by jumping on its back legs:
Kangaroos carry their young in a pouch. 㐀 See pa-
ge 428.

karate /kəˈrɑ·t̬i/ [㐖] A sport in which people

fight using their hands and feet: Karate was in-
vented in Japan. 㐀 See picture at sport.

kayak /ˈkaɪ.æk/ [㐗] A light canoe with a cov-

ered top: Kayaks are often made of fiberglass.

keen /kiːn/ [㐀] 1 Enthusiastic, very interested:

Wendy is very keen on tennis. ■ Be careful. We say:
"to be keen on (something)". 2 Fine or sharp, when
talking about the senses: She has a keen sense of
smell.

keep, kept, kept /kiːp/ [㐘] 1 To continue to

have something: Sara keeps all her old clothes. 2
To continue doing something: He keeps making
noises. 3 To have something in a particular
place: I keep all my old toys in a closet. 4 To
maintain something in a particular way: She
keeps her room very tidy. 5 To look after animals,
for food: We have a house in the country where we
keep pigs and chickens. 6 Referring to food, to
stay in a good state: Most food keeps better in the
fridge. 7 To cause somebody to stay: Many things
keep Colin in Colombia, not just his girlfriend. 8
Referring to the law, a promise or an agreement,
to do what it says: I always keep my promises. 9
to keep a secret Not to reveal a secret that
somebody tells you: Can you keep a secret? 10 to
keep watch See "to keep watch" in the word
watch1.
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to keep away Not to go near
something: Keep away from the dog, he's danger-
ous. · to keep (something) back 1 To save a part
of something, not give all: I have kept a part of the
cake back for Amy, she will arrive much later. 2 To
not tell everything: I think he is keeping some-
thing back Come on, what else you know? · to keep
(something) down To retain food, not to vomit it:
With this stomach flu I can't keep any food down. ·
to keep off Not to go onto something, usually to
protect it: Keep off the grass! · to keep on To con-
tinue doing something: Don't stop! Keep on run-
ning. · to keep to (something) To not move away
from a line, path, plan or regulation: We must
keep to the original plan. · to keep up To continue
doing something well, to maintain a level of ef-
fort: Keep up the good work! · to keep up with
(somebody or something) To go as fast as some-

keeper 210

a body or something: You're walking too quickly, I keyhole /ˈkiˌhoʊl/ [㐗] A hole in which a key

b can't keep up with you. goes: He looked through the door keyhole to see if

keeper /ˈki·pər/ [㐗] A person who guards or anybody was in. 㐀 See picture at key.

looks after a zoo or a museum: The keeper has to key ring [㐗] A ring for carrying keys: I carry
c feed the lions twice a day.
all my keys on a key ring. 㐀 See picture at key.

keep fit /ˌkiːpˈfɪt/ [㐖] Physical fitness exer- kg A written abbreviation for kilogram. ■ See box
d cises: Keep fit classes are very fashionable.
at abbreviations.

kennel /ˈken.əl/ [㐗] See doghouse. ■ This word khaki /ˈkɑː.ki/ [㐍] A color between yellow and

e is British English. brown: Soldier's uniforms are often khaki.

kept /kept/ Past tense and past participle forms of kick1 /kɪk/ [㐗] A blow with the foot: The horse

f keep. gave him a tremendous kick.

kerb US: /kɝːb/ UK: /kɜːb/ [㐗] See curb. ■ This kick2 /kɪk/ [㐘] To hit somebody or something

g word is British English. with your foot: He got angry and kicked me.

ketchup /ˈketʃ.ʌp/ [㐖] A sauce made from to- kick-off /kɪk , ɔf/ [㐌] The start of a soccer game:

h matoes and spices: I always put ketchup on my The kick-off is at 7.30 pm.
hamburgers. kid /kɪd/ [㐗] 1 A child: Sara and Tom have three

i kettle /ˈket̬·ə·l/ [㐗] A container used for boil- kids. ■ This use is informal. 2 A young goat: Look at
ing water: Put the kettle on and we'll have tea. the goat with her kids.

j kettledrum /ˈket.l.̩ drʌm/ US: /ˈket̬-/ [㐗] A large kidnap /ˈkɪd.næp/ [㐘] To carry somebody away by
drum which has the shape of a bowl: Mike plays force: His father was kidnapped by the Mafia. ■ Be
the kettledrums in the local orchestra. careful with the spelling of these forms: "kidnapped",
k key1 /kiː/ [㐗] 1 A special shaped piece of metal "kidnapping".
for opening or closing locks: Have you got the key kidney /ˈkɪd.ni/ [㐗] One of the two body or-
l for the front door? 2 One of a group of parts of gans used for cleaning the blood: His kidneys
some musical instruments and machines that were not working properly and he had to go to the

m you pressed to make them work: Pianos have ma- hospital. 㐀 See page 424.
ny keys. 㐀 See page 442. 3 A solution or a group kill /kɪl/ [㐘] To make a person or an animal die:

n of solutions: The key to the exercises is at the back The car ran over the cat and killed it.
of the book. killer /ˈkɪl·ər/ [㐗] A person or animal who

o KEY key kills: The police caught the killer.
p
killing /ˈkɪl.ɪŋ/ [㐗] Taking the life of some-
q
body or something, a murder: He admitted re-

sponsibility for the killing.

kilo /ˈkɪl·ə/ [㐗] See kilogram.
kilogram /ˈkɪləʊgræm/ [㐗] A unit of weight

r equal to one thousand grams: In United States
people use pounds instead of kilograms. ■ "Kilo" is

s key ring short for "kilogram". The abbreviation "kg" is only
used in written language. See box at abbreviations.
■ The British English spelling is "kilogramme".
t kilogramme [㐗] See kilogram. ■ The abbre-
viation "kg" is only used in written language. ■ This
u keyhole
is a British English spelling.

kilometer US: /kɪˈlɑː.mə.tɚ̬ / [㐗] A unit of dis-

v tance equal to one thousand meters: In United
key2 /kiː/ [㐀] Very important or necessary: The States people use miles instead of kilometers. ■ The

w key moment in the murder investigation was the abbreviation "km" is only used in written language.
discovery of the gun. ■ Be careful! This word is al- See box at abbreviations. ■ The British English

x ways used before a noun. spelling is "kilometre".

keyboard /ˈkiˌbɔrd/, /-ˌboʊrd/ [㐗] 1 A set of kilometre UK: /ˈkɪl.əˌmiː.tər/ [㐗] See kilometer.

y keys on a piano, typewriter or computer: I need a ■ The abbreviation "km" is only used in written lan-
new keyboard for my computer. 㐀 See page 442. 2 guage. ■ This is a British English spelling.

z An electronic musical instrument: Sally plays the kin /kɪn/ [㐖] 1 The family or relatives of
keyboards in a pop group. somebody: He has kin all over the world. 2 next of

211 knock

kin Somebody's closest relative: Who is your next kitten /ˈkɪt·ə·n/ [㐗] A young cat: Our cat has a
b
of kin? had five kittens. 㐀 See picture at pet. c
d
kind1 /kaɪnd/ [㐀] Friendly, helpful, nice: She's kiwi /ˈkiː.wiː/ [㐗] 1 A small and hairy fruit: Ki- e
f
such a kind person, always thinking of others. wis are green inside with lots of black seeds. 2 A g

kind2 /kaɪnd/ [㐗] A type: I like reading all kinds bird from New Zealand that cannot fly: Kiwis have h
i
of books. very long beaks. j
k
kindness /ˈkaɪnd.nəs/ [㐖] The quality of be- km A written abbreviation for kilometer. ■ See l
m
ing kind: He showed great kindness to his friends. box at abbreviations. n
o
kinetic /kəˈnet̬·ɪk/ [㐀] Referring to movement: knack /næk/ [㐌] A skillful or particular way of p
q
In kinetic art the pieces have moving parts. doing something: There's a knack to opening this r
s
king /kɪŋ/ [㐗] 1 A man from a royal family door. t
u
who is ruler of a country: The United States Presi- knee /niː/ [㐗] 1 The part of the leg where it v
w
dent received the King of Spain in the White House. bends: Craig hurt his knee playing football. 㐀 See x
■ A female ruler is a "queen". 2 The most important page 421. 2 on somebody's knee On a person's y
z
piece in chess: Careful! If you lose your king, you legs: I sat Mary on my knee so that she could see

lose the game. 㐀 See picture at chess. the play better.

kingdom /ˈkɪŋ.dəm/ [㐗] A country that has a kneel, knelt, knelt /niːl/ [㐘] To go down on

king or a queen as ruler: United States is indepen- your knees: We all knelt down in the church. ■

dent of the United Kingdom since 1776. "Kneel" also has regular past and past participle

kiosk /ˈki·ɑsk/ [㐗] A small store on the street forms: "kneeled".

with an open window through which you buy knelt Past tense and past participle forms of

things: I went to the station kiosk to buy a newspa- kneel.

per and some chocolate. knew US: /nuː/ UK: /njuː/ Past tense of know.
knickers /ˈnɪk·ərz/ [㐑] See panties. ■ This
kipper /ˈkɪp.ər/ US: /-ɚ/ [㐗] A salted and
word is British English. ■ When we talk about two or
smoked fish: In Alaska the kipper is excellent.
more "knickers", we use the word "pairs": "I bought
kiss1 /kɪs/ [㐗] A touch with your lips: Come on!
three pairs of knickers".
Be nice and give me a kiss. ■ The plural is "kisses".
knick-knack /ˈnɪk.næk/ [㐗] A small object
kiss2 /kɪs/ [㐘] To touch with your lips: She gave
that is not very useful: Her room is full of pictures,
him a big kiss. ■ Be careful with the spelling of the
plants and knick-knacks. ■ The plural is
3rd person singular present tense form: "kisses".
"knick-knacks".
kit /kɪt/ [㐗] 1 A set of pieces that can be put to-
knife /naɪf/ [㐗] An object used for cutting
gether to make something: They built the book-
case from a kit. 2 Equipment for a particular ac- things: Get the knife and cut some bread, please.

tivity: He had lots of different screwdrivers in his ■ The plural is "knives". ■ Remember! You drink
tool kit. 3 first aid kit Medical supplies for emer-
soup with a spoon, you eat french fries with a fork
gencies: There's a first aid kit in the changing
and you cut cakes with a knife. 㐀  See picture at
room.
cutlery.
kitchen /ˈkɪtʃ.ən/ [㐗] The room where food is
knight /naɪt/ [㐗] 1 A medieval horse soldier:
cooked: I usually have breakfast in the kitchen.
In the movie "First Knight", Richard Gere is a King
㐀 See picture on the following page and at hou- Arthur's knight. 2 A chess piece with a horse's
se.
head: He lost a knight but attacked the queen.
kite /kaɪt/ [㐗] A toy with string that flies in the
㐀 See picture at chess.
wind: Veronica enjoys flying her kite at the seaside.
knit /nɪt/ [㐘] To make clothes using two needles:
KITE
This woolly scarf was knitted by my granny. ■ Be

careful with the spelling of these forms: "knitted",

"knitting".

knitting /ˈnɪt̬·ɪŋ/ [㐖] Material that is being

knitted: She managed to pick up her knitting be-

fore the cat got it. ■ Be careful! We don't say "a knit-

ting". We say "some knitting" or "a piece of knitting".

knob US: /nɑːb/ UK: /nɒb/ [㐗] A round handle on

a door or on a drawer: All the doors have gold

knobs in this hotel.

knock1 /nɒk/ [㐗] A loud sound that is made by

212

a KITCHEN cupboard
b
c hood
d
e microwave
f
g stove faucet
oven sink
h
i fridge washing machine
j
k dishwasher
l
m
n
o freezer
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z

213 Koran

hitting something: Just then, there was a loud know, knew, known US: /noʊ/ UK: /nəʊ/ [㐘] To a
knock at the door. b
have information about something: I know where c
knock2 /nɒk/ [㐘] 1 To hit or bump somebody: John d
he lives. e
knocked Gary by accident. 2 To hit a door or a window f
with your hand to call the attention of somebody in- knowledge US: /ˈnɑː.lɪdʒ/ UK: /ˈnɒl.ɪdʒ/ [㐖] g
side: The children knocked at the door and ran away.
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to knock (somebody) down The things that somebody knows: His knowledge h
To hit somebody and cause them to fall: He was i
knocked down by a car. · to knock (somebody) of science was extraordinary. j
out To hit somebody so that he or she becomes
unconscious: She fell off her bicycle and was known US: /noʊn/ UK: /nəʊn/ Past participle of
knocked out. · to knock (something) over To hit
something so that it falls to a horizontal position: know.
He pushed the table and knocked a vase over.
knuckle /ˈnʌkl/ [㐗] The parts of your fingers
knot US: /nɑːt/ UK: /nɒt/ [㐗] Part of a rope or
where they join the hand: I banged the door with
ropes where two sections are tied together: He
tied the two pieces of string together in a knot. my knuckles.

KNOT koala or koala bear /kəʊˈɑːlə/ [㐗] Small

Australian animal which carries its young in a

pouch: The koala feeds on eucalyptus leaves.

Koran /kəˈræn/, /-ˈrɑn/ [㐌] The sacred book of Mus-

lims: the Holy Koran. ■ Be careful! "Koran" has a

capital "K".

k

l

m
n
o
p
q

r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y

z

L l /el/ The twelfth letter of the alphabet: The name
l
"Linda" begins with an "L".

lab /læb/ [㐗] See laboratory.
label1 /ˈleɪ.bəl/ [㐗] A piece of paper, cloth or

plastic attached to an object, that gives informa-
tion about it: The label on the hat said "Made in
Texas". ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of this
word.

LABEL

label2 /ˈleɪ.bəl/ [㐘] To put a label on an object:

Make sure you label your suitcases in case they get
lost. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of this
word.

labor1 /ˈleɪ·bər/ [㐖] Hard physical work: The

house was finished, after months of labor. ■ We
usually say "hard work". ■ The British English spell-
ing is "labour".

labor2 /ˈleɪ·bər/ [㐘] To do hard physical work, to

struggle to do something: The miners labored for
hours to rescue their friends after the explosion. ■
We usually say "work hard". ■ The British English
spelling is "labour".

laboratory US: /ˈlæb.rə.tɔːr.i/ UK: /ləˈbɒr.ə.tri/

[㐗] A place or a room where scientists work:
Scientists test new medicines and drugs in the lab-
oratory before using them with patients. ■ The plu-
ral is "laboratories". ■ "Lab" is short for "laboratory".
㐀 See page 440.

laborer /ˈleɪ·bə·rər/ [㐗] A person who does

hard physical work: There were twenty-five labor-
ers working on the new road. ■ The British English
spelling is "labourer".

labour1 /ˈleɪbər/ [㐖] See labor1. ■ We usually

say "hard work". ■ This is a British English spelling.

labour2 /ˈleɪbər/ [㐘] See labor2. ■ This is a British

English spelling.

labourer /ˈleɪbə·rər·/ UK: /ˈleɪ.bər.ər/ [㐗] See la-

borer. ■ This is a British English spelling.

labyrinth /ˈlæb.ə.rɪnθ/ [㐗] A complicated ar-

rangement of paths: The palace has a labyrinth of
corridors and passages. ■ The same meaning:
"maze".

215 landing

lace /leɪs/ [㐗] 1 A kind of string used to tie ladybug /ˈleɪ·diˌbʌg/ [㐗] A flying insect which a
b
shoes: Do your laces up or you'll fall over them. 2 is red or yellow with black spots: The ladybug flew c
Fine cloth, with a pattern of small holes: Lace is d
often used to decorate ladies' underwear. past and landed on a leaf. ■ In British English they e
f
lack1 /læk/ [㐖] Not having enough of some- say "ladybird". 㐀 See page 431. g

thing: There's a terrible lack of rain in many parts lagoon /ləˈguːn/ [㐗] A lake of salt water sepa- h
of Africa. i
rated from the sea by a bar of sand and rock j
lack2 /læk/ [㐘] Not to have something: Many peo- k
called a reef: Many tropical islands have lagoons. l
ple in poor countries are lacking in basic things, m
like food and water. ■ Be careful. We say: "lack laid /leɪd/ Past tense and past participle forms of n
(something)" or "to be lacking in (something)". o
lay2. p
lacrosse [㐖] A game for two teams in which q
lain /leɪn/ Past participle of lie3. r
players hold long sticks with a net for catching, lake /leɪk/ [㐗] A large area of water with land s
throwing and carrying the ball to score a goal: La- t
crosse is a popular sport in many private schools. around it: Lake Eyre, in Canada, is a curious lake u
v
lad /læd/ [㐗] A boy or young man: Robin is a because it sometimes disappears completely in w
x
very nice lad. ■ This word is informal. very dry weather. y
z
ladder /ˈlæd·ər/ [㐗] Two long, connected piec- lakeside /ˈleɪk.saɪd/ [㐗] The land around a

es of wood or metal, that are used for climbing: lake: The couple bought a house by the lakeside.
Can you hold the ladder for me while I climb up and
clean the windows? lamb /læm/ ❚ [㐗] 1 A young sheep: Twenty

LADDER lambs were born on our farm this spring. 㐀  See
page 428. ❚ [㐖] 2 The meat of a young sheep:
ladle /ˈleɪdl/ [㐗] A deep, round spoon with a We often have lamb for lunch on Sundays. ■ Be

long handle: David served the soup with the new careful with the pronunciation of this word. The "b"
silver ladle that Mrs. Brown gave us for Christmas.
is not pronounced. ■ Compare with "sheep" (a farm
lady /ˈleɪ.di/ [㐗] 1 A polite way of saying
animal kept for its wool, skin and meat).
"woman": Say "Thank you" to the lady, Jenny! 2 An
important title for a woman: Traditionally, the lame /leɪm/ [㐀] Not able to walk well: My dog
First Lady of the United States is the president's
wife. ■ The plural is "ladies". had an accident in the road last year, and has been

ladybird /ˈleɪ.di.bɜːd/ US: /-bɝːd/ [㐗] See lady- lame since then.

bug. ■ This word is British English. lamp /læmp/ [㐗] An object that gives light:

Switch the lamp on; it's getting dark. 㐀 See pictu-

res at bedroom and living room.

lamp-post /ˈlæmp.pəʊst/ US: /-poʊst/ [㐗] A tall,

thin object in the street that has a light on the

top: Andrew broke his teeth when he bumped into a

lamp-post while riding his bike.

lance1 /lɑːnts/ US: /lænts/ [㐗] A long weapon

held in the hand, or a knife used in surgery: The

lance used in war had a wooden shaft and a steel

point.

lance2 US: /lænts/ UK: /lɑːnts/ [㐘] To pierce or cut

open: The doctor decided to lance his patient's

blister.

land1 /lænd/ [㐖] 1 The part of the earth that

is not water: The sailors were glad to see land
again after weeks at sea. 2 A piece of ground: My

uncle's bought some land in Oregon and is going to

build a house on it.

land2 /lænd/ [㐘] To arrive on the ground after be-

ing in the air: The plane from New York landed at

Gatwick Airport at 07.00 hrs. ■ To go into the air

from the ground is "to take off".

landing /ˈlæn.dɪŋ/ [㐗] 1 The act of arriving on

land: The helicopter made a safe landing in the

field. ■ Compare with "take-off" (the moment when
an airplane leaves the ground). 2 The area at the

top of the stairs you can walk on: Go up to the

landlady 216

a landing; the bathroom is on the right. 㐀 See pictu- used for many different things, from cutting metal

b re at house. to doing very delicate medical operations. ■ Be

landlady /ˈlændˌleɪ.di/ [㐗] A woman who lets careful with the pronunciation of this word! The "a"

people live in her house for money: We pay the is pronounced the same as in the word "lake".

c rent to the landlady every Friday. ■ A man is a lass /læs/ [㐗] A girl or a young woman: She's a
"landlord". ■ The plural is "landladies". nice lass. ■ This word is informal.
d landlord /ˈlændˌlɔrd/ [㐗] A man who lets peo- last1 /lɑːst/ [㐀] 1 After all the others: Who was
ple live in his house for money: The landlord has the last person to arrive this morning? 2 Just be-

e put a telephone in the hall for the use of everyone fore now: Last Saturday, I went to the movie the-
who lives here. ■ A woman is a "landlady". ater to see "Fantasia". ■ Be careful! We say: "We

f landscape /ˈlænd.skeɪp/ [㐗] A large area of went to Memphis last year". (We don't say: "We went
land that you can see from a particular place: to Memphis the last year"). "We" only use "the" with

g There are some marvelous landscapes in Arizona. "last" when we speak about a period of time up to
㐀 See pages 444 and 445. the present: "I haven't been to school for the last few

h landslide /ˈlænd.slaɪd/ [㐗] The fall of a large days". ■ Compare with "latest" (being the newest or
amount of earth: Heavy rain sometimes causes most recent or modern. The superlative form of

i landslides. "late"). 3 at last In the end, after a long time: Hur-

lane /leɪn/ [㐗] 1 A small road in the country: ray! Vacation is here at last.
j We walked down the lane to the farmhouse. 2 Part last2 /lɑːst/ [㐘] 1 To continue in time: How long do
of a big road: There's a special lane for bicycles on you think the concert will last? 2 To be enough for
that road. a certain time: I hope the food lasts until Saturday;
k language /ˈlæŋ.gwɪdʒ/ ❚ [㐖] 1 A system of there isn't a store on the campsite.
words that people say or write: Language is what late /leɪt/ [㐁] 1 After the expected time: I

l we use to communicate with each other. ❚ [㐗] 2 missed the bus and was late home. 2 Near the end
The particular words used by a certain group of of a certain time: My grandmother's marvelous for

m people: They say Chinese is a very difficult lan- her age; she's in her late seventies, you know! 3 lat-
guage to learn. 3 bad language Offensive words: er on At another moment in the near future; af-

n There's too much bad language in that movie. ter: We'll have dinner later on. ■ Be careful! "Latest"

lantern /ˈlæn·tərn/ [㐗] A glass container for a does not mean "the most late". See "latest".

o light: The pirate lifted the lantern to see the name latest /ˈleɪ·t̬ɪst/ [㐀] 1 The superlative form of
of the ship. late. 2 The last in time in a number of things:

p lap /læp/ [㐗] 1 The top of your legs when you Have you heard their latest song? It's great! ■ Com-
are sitting down: Come and sit on my lap! 2 Going pare with "last1" (after all the others or just before

q around once in a running race: The four yards now). 3 at the latest At the last possible moment:
race is two laps of our sports track. You must give me your homework by Monday at the

r laptop or laptop computer /ˈlæptɒp/ [㐗] latest.
A small computer that you can carry round with Latin /ˈlæt·ə·n/ [㐖] A language which was

s you: I'd really like a laptop computer for my birth- spoken by the people of ancient Rome: Latin de-
day. veloped into languages like Spanish, Italian and
large US: /lɑːrdʒ/ UK: /lɑːdʒ/ [㐀] Big, considerable French. ■ Be careful! "Latin" has a capital "L".
t in size: A Great Dane is a very large dog.
latitude US: /ˈlæt.̬ ɪ.tuːd/ UK: /ˈlæt.ɪ.tjuːd/ [㐌] A posi-

largely /ˈlɑrdʒ·li/ [㐄] Mostly; for the most part: tion north or south of the equator that is shown
u The teachers at our school are largely from this on maps with lines going from east to west: What
town. latitude is Hawaii on?

v larva /ˈlɑr·və/ [㐗] The form of an insect after latter US: /ˈlæt.̬ ɚ/ UK: /ˈlæt.ər/ [㐀] The second of
coming out of the egg and before having devel- two things that you have just said: I study German

w oped completely: Larvae look like worms and don't and Italian, but I think the latter is easier.
have wings. ■ The plural is "larvae". laugh1 /lɑːf/ [㐗] A noise that shows that you

x larynx /ˈlær.ɪŋks/ [㐗] The passage in the throat think something is funny: Andrew has a very strange
taking air to the lungs: The vocal chords are found laugh; he sounds like a goat! ■ Be careful with the pro-

y in the larynx. ■ The plural is "larynges" or "larynx- nunciation of this word. It rhymes with "scarf".
es". 㐀 See page 425. laugh2 /lɑːf/ [㐘] 1 To make a noise that shows

z laser /ˈleɪ·zər/ [㐗] An instrument that makes a that you think that something is funny: James
very strong line of light: The laser beam can be laughed so much that his stomach hurt. 2 for a

217 leader

laugh For fun: We put a joke cigarette in his packet lay1 Past tense of lie3. a
of cigarettes for a laugh. 3 to laugh your head off lay2, laid, laid /leɪ/ [㐘] 1 To put something b
c
To laugh a lot, loudly: When the clown ate the down: She laid the book down on the desk. 2 to lay d
an egg To produce an egg: The hen laid four eggs e
man's tie, we laughed our heads off. this morning. 3 to lay the table To place the f
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to laugh at (somebody or g
something) To be amused by something or some- plates, knives, forks and so on, on the table be-
h
body, often because you think they are ridiculous fore you eat: Richard, don't forget to lay the table i
j
or stupid: Don't laugh at him just because he is for three. ■ In this use, the same meaning: "to set the k
l
bald. table". m
n
laughter US: /ˈlæf.tɚ/ UK: /ˈlɑːf.tər/ [㐖] The layer /ˈleɪ·ər/ [㐗] Something horizontal that is o
p
sound of laughing: There was a lot of laughter between two other things: That cake is delicious; q
r
coming from the classroom. it's got a layer of jam in the middle and a layer of s
t
launch1 /lɔːnʃ/ [㐗] A small motor boat: Many cream on top. u
v
people go out on the lake in launches in the sum- layout /ˈleɪ.aʊt/ [㐗] 1 The way things are w
x
mer. placed and organized in a particular site: The lay- y
z
launch2 /lɔːnʃ/ [㐘] To send a ship into the water out of the new sports center was shown on the
plans. 2 The way edited material is organized on
or a rocket into space: Apollo 11 was launched by
the page: The magazine didn't change its cover lay-
a Saturn V rocket from Kennedy Space Center.
out.
launderette or laundrette US: /ˈlɔːndrəmæt/
laziness /ˈleɪ.zɪ.nəs/ [㐖] Not doing some-
UK: /ˌlɔːndərˈet/ [㐗] See laundromat. ■ This word
is British English. thing because you don't want to make an effort:

laundromat /ˈlɔn·drəˌmæt/, /ˈlɑn-/ [㐗] A place Get out of bed right now; I've never seen such lazi-

where you take dirty clothes to wash them in ma- ness!

chines: In the US, students often take their dirty lazy /ˈleɪ.zi/ [㐀] Not wanting to make an effort:

clothes to the laundromat. ■ In British English they David is a very lazy boy; he never does his home-

say "launderette or laundrette". work. ■ The comparative form is "lazier" and the su-

laundry [㐗] The clothes that you are going to perlative form is "laziest".

wash or that you have washed: We hang the laun- lb A written abbreviation for the measure of

dry to dry in our backyard. ■ In British English they weight pound. ■ "Lb" comes from "libra", a Latin ex-

say "washing". pression. The plural is "lbs".

law US: /lɑː/ UK: /lɔː/ [㐌] 1 A rule made by a gov- lead1 /liːd/ ❚ [㐖] 1 A gray metal that is very

ernment: The law says that all people are equal. 2 heavy: Water pipes used to be made of lead but
now they are usually made of copper. ❚ [㐌] 2 The
against the law Prohibited, something that you center part of a pencil, that is used for writing:

must not do: Fast driving along country roads is The lead of my pencil broke, right in the middle of
against the law. 3 to break the law To disobey the the test! ■ Be careful. "Lead1" and "lead2" are not pro-

law: If a person breaks the law he or she may have nounced the same way.

to go to prison. lead2 /liːd/ ❚ [㐌] 1 Being in front or being first:

lawful /ˈlɔ·fəl/ [㐀] Permitted by the law: In Illi- Maureen is in the lead and I think she is going to
win the race. ❚ [㐗] 2 See leash. ■ This use is
nois, it is not lawful to sell alcoholic drink to some- British English. ■ Be careful. "Lead1" and "lead2" are

body under 21. ■ We usually say "legal". not pronounced the same way.

lawn US: /lɑːn/ UK: /lɔːn/ [㐌] An area of short grass: lead3, led, led /liːd/ [㐘] 1 To go in front of some-

We had our sandwiches sitting on the lawn in the body and show the way: You know the way, so you
lead and we'll follow. 2 To be the first or to be the
park.
best in a competition: Janice led for most of the cy-
lawnmower US: /ˈlɑːnˌmoʊ.ɚ/ UK: /ˈlɔːnˌməʊ.ər/ cle race. 3 To go somewhere: This road leads
straight to Denver. ■ Be careful. "Lead1" and "lead3"
[㐗] A machine that is used to cut the grass:
My mom's just bought a very light lawnmower are not pronounced the same way.

which is very easy to use. leader /ˈli·dər/ [㐗] 1 A person who directs oth-

lawsuit US: /ˈlɑː.suːt/ UK: /ˈlɔː.sjuːt/ [㐗] A legal er people: Martin Luther King was a great human
rights leader. 2 A person who is in front of the
case: My school is preparing a lawsuit against the
others in a race: The leader was ten meters ahead
driver who crashed his truck into the playground.
of the rest.
lawyer US: /ˈlɑː.jɚ/ UK: /ˈlɔɪ.ər/ [㐗] A person

whose job is to help with legal problems: The sus-

pect demanded to see his lawyer. ■ The same mean-

ing: "attorney".

leadership 218

a leadership /ˈli·dərˌʃɪp/ [㐖] The ability to di- leapt Past tense and past participle forms of

b rect other people: My father says that Mr. Smith leap2.
has great qualities of leadership. leap year [㐗] A year in which February has

leading /ˈliː.dɪŋ/ [㐀] The most important in a 29 days: Leap years occur every four years.

c group: Picasso was one of the leading artists of his learn, learnt, learnt US: /lɝːn/ UK: /lɜːn/ [㐘] To
time and of all time. get to know about something or how to do some-
d lead singer [㐗] The person in a group who thing by studying or practicing it: I want to learn
sings most of the songs: Sean is the lead singer in how to play the guitar. ■ "Learn" also has regular

e a very famous pop group. past and past participle forms: "learned".

leaf /liːf/ [㐗] 1 One of the flat green parts of a learner US: /ˈlɝː.nɚ/ UK: /ˈlɜː.nər/ [㐗] A person

f plant or a tree: Some trees lose their leaves in fall. who is getting to know about something or how
■ The plural is "leaves". 㐀 See pages 432 and 434. to do it: Colette is a very quick learner.

g 2 to turn over a new leaf To begin to behave learning /ˈlɜr·nɪŋ/ [㐖] Gaining knowledge of
much better: She promised to turn over a new leaf. something: The learning of a language is a difficult

h leaflet /ˈliː.flət/ [㐗] A piece of paper that gives thing.
information about something: We gave out some learnt Past tense and past participle forms of

i leaflets in our street to tell people about our school learn.
concert. lease1 [㐘] To rent a building, office and so on: It

j league /liːg/ [㐗] 1 A group of teams that play is very common to see signs in buildings that say
sports against each other: Our school football "For lease".
team is top of the league, at the moment. 2 A union lease2 [㐗] The use of something for money:

k of people or countries: The League of Nations was The lease on this apartment finish the next year.
set up after the first World War to try to keep world leash [㐗] A chain or a rope that controls a
l peace.
dog when it walks with a person: Dogs should al-

leak1 /liːk/ [㐗] A hole that allows liquid or gas ways be on a leash when they are out in the street.
m to go through: The explosion was caused by a gas ■ In British English they say "lead".
leak. least1 [㐀] 1 The superlative form of little1. 2
n leak2 /liːk/ [㐘] 1 To have a hole that allows liquid The smallest quantity of something: It's not fair! I
or gas to go through: The pipes have leaked and always get the least amount of candies!

o there's water everywhere. 2 To go out through a least2 [㐄] 1 Less than all the others. The super-
hole: The vinegar has leaked all over the shopping. lative form of little2.: The person who speaks the

p lean1 /liːn/ [㐀] With no fat or very little fat: least in this class is Ray. 2 at least Not less than, a
Runners have to be strong and lean. minimum of: I'd like to spend at least two weeks

q lean2, leant, leant /liːn/ [㐘] 1 To put your body by the sea with my cousin this year. 3 least of all
and its weight against something: Don't lean Especially not: You don't deserve to go out to play,

r against the wall; it's just been painted. ■ Be careful! least of all you, Daniel. 4 not in the least Not at
In this use we say: "lean against (something)" or all: I'm not in the least worried about the test.

s "lean on (something)". 2 Not to be straight: The leather /ˈleð·ər/ [㐖] 1 The skin of an animal
post leans to the right. 3 To put an object against that is used to make shoes, bags and so on: My
something: Lean your bike against the tree; it will mother gave me a pair of leather boots for my birth-
t be all right there.
day. 2 leather jacket See "leather jacket" in the

◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to lean out of To put the top word jacket.
u part of your body out of something: If you lean out leave1 /liːv/ [㐖] A number of days' vacation
of the window you can see who is ringing at the for people who work: My parents have taken a few

v door downstairs. ■ "Lean" also has regular past and days' leave for when we move into the new house.
past participle forms: "leaned". leave2, left, left /liːv/ [㐘] 1 To go away from

w leant Past tense and past participle forms of somebody or something: Richard leaves home at
lean2. half past seven in the morning every day. 2 To let

x leap1 /liːp/ [㐗] A big jump: The cat gave a big somebody or something stay in the same place:
leap onto the table. Don't leave your shoes in the middle of the floor,

y leap2, leapt, leapt /liːp/ [㐘] To give a big jump: please! 3 Not to bring something with you: Oh no!
The wall was very high, but the dog leaped over it. I've left my sneakers at home again. 4 To give

z ■ "Leap" also has regular past and past participle something to somebody after your death: When
forms: "leaped". my grandmother died, she left me her diamond

219 lens

ring. 5 to leave (somebody) alone To stop dis- legal /ˈliː.gəl/ [㐀] Permitted by the law: Did you a
b
turbing somebody: Please, leave me alone because know that in California it is legal to get married c
I want to finish this book. 6 to leave (something) d
when you are 16? ■ Be careful with the pronuncia- e
alone To stop touching something: If you don't f
tion of this word. g
leave my bike alone, I'm going to get very angry.
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to leave off To stop doing legally [㐄] As established by the law: The busi- h
something: I can't remember where I left off reading i
ness was set up legally. ■ Compare with "illegally" j
in this book. · to leave (somebody or something) k
(in a manner that is against the law). l
out Not to include somebody or something: The m
legend /ˈledʒ.ənd/ [㐌] A story from the past that n
coach has left Richard out of the team for this game. o
is perhaps not true: The story of Robin Hood is one p
lecture1 /ˈlektʃər/ [㐗] A formal talk to a group q
of the most famous legends in history. r
of people: My mother went to a lecture on the new s
legendary /ˈledʒəndəri/ [㐀] Sufficiently fa- t
discoveries about the planet Mars on Saturday. u
mous to be the subject of legend or to be much v
lecture2 /ˈlektʃər/ [㐘] To give a talk or series of w
talked about: Robin Hood is a legendary figure x
talks to a group of people: Our neighbor lectures y
from the 12th century. z
on pure mathematics at different universities. ■ We
leggings /ˈleg.ɪŋz/ [㐑] Very tight elastic
say: "to lecture on (something)".
pants: My mom gave me some lovely leggings to
lecturer /ˈlek·tʃər·ər/ [㐗] See academic2. ■ This
wear at my ballet class.
word is British English.
legible /ˈledʒ.ɪ.bl/̩ [㐀] Clear enough to read:
led /led/ Past tense and past participle forms of
Make sure that your answers are in legible writing.
lead.
■ Be careful with the pronunciation of this word.
ledge /ledʒ/ [㐗] A narrow area at the bottom
legislature /ˈledʒ·əsˌleɪ·tʃər/ [㐗] The body
of a window: My mother always puts plants on the
which makes and changes laws: The legislature
window ledge.
decides what taxes people must pay.
leek /liːk/ [㐗] A long white and green vegeta-
leisure US: /ˈliː.ʒɚ/ UK: /ˈleʒ.ər/ [㐖] Free time: I
ble which tastes like an onion: The leek is an in-
spend a lot of my leisure time reading.
gredient in salads and other healthy recipes.
leisure center [㐗] A place where you can
left1 /left/ [㐁] 1 The opposite of right: Go to
do exercise or other activities: They've opened a
the end of the street and turn left. 2 on the left
new leisure center in town.
hand side On the left side: Your heart is on the left
hand side of your body. 3 left-handed Using your lemon /ˈlem.ən/ [㐌] A yellow fruit with a very

left hand more than your right: These scissors are sharp taste: Lemons need a warm climate to grow

specially for left-handed people. in. 㐀 See page 436.

left2 /left/ [㐌] The side of your body that contains lemonade /ˌlem.əˈneɪd/ [㐖] A sweet drink

your heart, the direction towards this side: In with a lemon flavor: Lemonade is very refreshing

Britain and some other countries, people drive on when you're hot.

the left, not on the right. ■ Be careful! We always lemon juice [㐖] The liquid that is inside

say: "on the left" (a la izquierda). the lemon: Lemon juice is believed to be very good

left3 /left/ Past tense and past participle forms of for colds because it contains a lot of vitamin C.

leave2. lend, lent, lent /lend/ [㐘] To let somebody have

leftover US: /ˈlefˌt̬oʊ.vɚ/ UK: /ˈleftˌəʊ.vər/ [㐀] Re- something that they will give you back later: Can

maining unused: Can you give me a bag for the you lend me a dollar, please? ■ Compare with "bor-

leftover food? I'm going to give it to my dog. row" (to take or use something belonging to some-

leftovers [㐗] Food that was no eaten during body else).

a meal and that is serve at another meal: After length /leŋkθ/ ❚ [㐌] 1 How long something is: The

Thanksgiving dinner we have leftovers for almost Brooklyn Bridge is 1595.5 feet in length. ❚ [㐗] 2
A piece of something long: He tied it with a length
one week.
of string.
left-wing /ˌleftˈwɪŋ/ [㐀] Believing in greater
lengthen /ˈleŋk.θən/ [㐘] To make something lon-
social changes: My older brother is left-wing.
ger: You'll have to lengthen the sleeves of that
leg /leg/ [㐗] 1 A part of the body that you use
dress; they're too short.
for walking: Ostriches have very long legs. 㐀 See
page 421. 2 One of the parts of a table or a chair lengthy /ˈleŋk.θi/ [㐀] Very long, or too long: My

that enable it to stand: That table is very original; teacher said that my composition was rather

it only has three legs. lengthy.

lens /lenz/ [㐗] 1 A special piece of glass in

cameras, glasses, microscopes and so on: The

lent 220

a lenses in Tom's glasses are very thick. 㐀 See pictu- delicious with oil and vinegar. ■ Be careful with the
b re at glasses. 2 contact lens See contact lens. ■ pronunciation of this word. The last part "tuce"
The plural is "lenses". rhymes with "kiss". 㐀 See page 437.

lent /lent/ Past tense and past participle forms of level1 /ˈlevəl/ [㐀] Flat, horizontal: The table has
c lend.
to be level for us to play ping-pong.

lentil /ˈlen·tə·l/ [㐗] A small, dry seed common- level2 /ˈlevəl/ [㐗] A particular height or posi-
d ly used as food: Lentils can be cooked in many dif- tion in a scale: In a bungalow, the rooms are all on
ferent ways. the same level.

e Leo /ˈli·oʊ/ [㐌] A sign of the zodiac: If your birth- lever US: /ˈlevər/ UK: /ˈliːvər/ [㐗] 1 A stick or
day is between July 21st and August 22nd, you're a bar for lifting heavy things: The men used a lever

f Leo. ■ Be careful! "Leo" has a capital "L". to move the rock. 2 A handle that is used to make

leopard /ˈlep·ərd/ [㐗] A big yellow cat with a machine work: Pull this lever to start the ma-

g spots: Leopards live in Africa and Asia. 㐀 See pa- chine.
ge 428. liaison /liˈeɪˌzɑn/, /ˈli·ə-/ ❚ [㐖] 1 A working as-

h less1 [㐂] 1 The comparative form of little: I sociation, links: There is a close liaison between
have a little time for practicing my guitar, but Sue the school and the parents. ❚ [㐗] 2 A short rela-

i has less. ■ This word is usually used with uncount- tionship: His liaison with her was soon over.
able nouns. With countable nouns in the plural we liar /ˈlɑɪ·ər/ [㐗] A person who does not tell the

j use "fewer", the comparative of "few". 2 A smaller truth: I never believe a word that Brian says, he's
quantity or size of something: My younger brother such a liar.
k gets less pocket money than I do. liberal /ˈlɪb·ər·əl/ [㐀] Generous, tolerant: Our
less2 /les/ [㐄] 1 Not so much: My grandma says teacher is very liberal and he lets us say what we

that it seems to snow less now than before. 2 less think about everything.
l and less Continuing to be smaller: I don't like liberate /ˈlɪb·əˌreɪt/ [㐘] To make somebody or
mathematics and I understand it less and less. something free: The soldiers liberated the city

m lessen /ˈles.ən/ [㐘] To make something less, to be- from the enemy.
come less: Take some aspirin; it will lessen the liberty /ˈlɪb·ər·t̬i/ [㐖] Being free: When he

n pain. was released from prison he celebrated his liberty

lesson /ˈles.ən/ [㐗] A period when you learn with his family. ■ The plural is "liberties". We usually

o something with a teacher: We have six lessons a say "freedom".
day at school. Libra /ˈliː.brə/ [㐌] A sign of the zodiac: If your

p let, let, let /let/ [㐘] 1 To allow somebody to do birthday is between September 23rd and October
something: Will you let me go to the party tonight? 22nd, you're a Libra. ■ Be careful. "Libra" has a capi-

q 2 to let go of To stop holding something: James tal "L".
let go of the balloon and it floated away. 3 to let librarian /lɑɪˈbreər·i·ən/ [㐗] A person who

r (somebody) know To tell a person something: looks after a place where books are borrowed: If
When Lucy came, she phoned her parents to let you want to know where to find a particular book,
s them know that she was at my house. 4 let's A ask the librarian.
word that you use for suggestions: Let's go for a library /ˈlaɪ.brər.i, -bri/ [㐗] A place where you
picnic. ■ The verb after "let's" is in the infinitive can borrow or read books: The library in our

t without "to". "Let's" is a contraction of "let" and "us". school has all kinds of books. ■ The plural is "librar-
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to let (somebody) off To give ies". ■ Compare with "bookstore" (a shop where you
u somebody no punishment: The thief was very can buy books). 㐀 See picture at street.
young and the judge let him off with a warning. lice /laɪs/ The plural of louse.

v letter US: /ˈlet̬.ɚ/ UK: /ˈlet.ər/ [㐗] 1 A piece of pa- licence /ˈlaɪ.sənts/ [㐗] See license. ■ This is a
per with a message written on it, usually sent in British English spelling.

w an envelope: I got a letter from Jane today! 2 A license [㐗] A paper that gives a person offi-
sign in writing that represents a sound: There are cial permission for something: You need a special

x twenty-six letters in the English alphabet. 3 capital license to drive a truck. ■ The British English spell-
letter See "capital letter" in the word capital. ing is "licence".

y letterbox US: /ˈlet.̬ ɚ.bɑːks/ UK: /ˈlet.ə.bɒks/ [㐗] license plate [㐗] A sign at the front and the
See mailbox. ■ This word is British English. back of a car, that identifies it: We couldn't see the

z lettuce /ˈlet·̬ əs/ [㐌] A plant with big, pale green car's license plate in the dark. ■ In British English
leaves that are usually eaten in salads: Lettuce is they say "number plate". 㐀 See page 441.

221 like

lick1 /lɪk/ [㐗] An upwards touch with the which connects bones and acts as support: The a
b
tongue: The little boy gave the popsicle one lick ligament is a flexible connection. c
d
and threw it away. light1 /laɪt/ ❚ [㐖] 1 The force that makes us e
f
lick2 /lɪk/ [㐘] To touch with the tongue: The dog able to see things: There isn't much light in this g
room, is there? ❚ [㐗] 2 Something that gives
jumped up at me and started to lick my face. us light: I can't see very well. Can you switch on h
the light, please? 3 A use of a match or lighter, i
lid /lɪd/ [㐗] The top part of a container that can j
to light a cigarette or cigar: Can you give me a k
be taken off: I can't get the lid off this tin of paint. l
light? m
lie1 /laɪ/ [㐗] Something that is not true: Every n
light2 /laɪt/ [㐀] 1 Not dark in color, pale: What o
time he told a lie, Pinocchio's nose grew. p
a lovely light blue blouse you're wearing! 2 Not q
lie2, lied, lied /laɪ/ [㐘] To say things that are not r
heavy: The good thing about these sneakers is that s
true: Don't lie to me; I know you didn't go to the party! they are very light. 㐀  See picture at opposite. 3 t
u
lie3, lay, lain /laɪ/ [㐘] 1 To be in a horizontal po- Not very much: I'm very hungry this evening be- v
w
sition: Graham lay on the sofa watching television. cause I only had a light lunch. x
2 To put something in a horizontal position: Mi- y
light3, lit, lit /laɪt/ [㐘] 1 To make a cigarette, a z
chael lay the kitten carefully on the bed.
candle or a fire begin to burn: Oh dear! The elec-
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to lie down To get into a tricity has been cut off. Let's light the candles. 2 To

horizontal position: Lie down on the sofa for a focus lights on, to illuminate: At night the castle
walls are lit from below. 3 to set light to (some-
while if you're not feeling well.
thing) To make something burn: They made a big
lied Past tense and past participle forms of lie2.
life /laɪf/ [㐌] 1 The ability to grow, to breathe and pile with the wood and set fire to it.

to feel: Some people think that life exists on other light bulb [㐗] See bulb.
planets. 2 The time from when somebody is born lighten /ˈlɑɪ·tə·n/ [㐘] 1 To make something less
to when they die: She's had a long and busy life. 3
heavy: I took the books out of the bag to lighten it.
Being alive: 1,513 people lost their lives when the 2 To make something less dark: Have you seen

"Titanic" went down in the Atlantic Ocean. ■ The Christine's hair? She's lightened it.
plural is "lives". 4 full of life Having a lot of ener-
lighter /ˈlɑɪ·tə̬ r/ [㐗] An object used to light
gy: Those kids are so full of life that they never
cigarettes: We gave uncle Ron a silver lighter for
seem to get tired.
his birthday.
lifeboat /ˈlɑɪfˌboʊt/ [㐗] A boat for saving peo-
light-hearted /ˌlaɪtˈhɑː.tɪd/ US: /-ˈhɑːr.tɪ̬ d/ [㐀]
ple from danger at sea: The lifeboat could only
Happy, not serious: I love light-hearted movies. ■
take ten people so the rest had to swim ashore.
Be careful with the pronunciation of this word. The
life expectancy [㐖] The average period a
first "e" is not pronounced and the last "e" is pro-
member of a particular group or sex is likely to
nounced like the "i" in "did".
live: Life expectancy varies from one country to an-
lighthouse /ˈlaɪt.haʊs/ [㐗] A tall building
other.
next to the sea with a lamp to guide ships: I've al-
lifeguard /ˈlɑɪfˌgɑrd/ [㐗] Person who rescues
ways wanted to live in a lighthouse. 㐀  See page
people who get into difficulties while swimming:
444.
Is there a lifeguard on this beach?
lighting /ˈlɑɪ·t̬ɪŋ/ [㐖] The system of electric
life jacket [㐗] A jacket without sleeves that
light: The lighting in this street is very bad.
you put on in case of danger at sea: Life jackets
lightning /ˈlaɪt.nɪŋ/ [㐖] Flash of electricity
can be inflated, so that they float.
in the sky, followed by thunder: The lightning hit
lifetime /ˈlaɪf.taɪm/ [㐌] The time that a person
a tree and broke it in two.
lives: My grandmother says that she has seen a lot
like1 /laɪk/ [㐀] The same as: Look, their school
of things in her lifetime.
uniform is like ours.
lift1 /lɪft/ [㐗] 1 See elevator. ■ This use is Brit-
like2 /laɪk/ [㐓] 1 In the same way as: Karen
ish English. 2 to give (somebody) a lift To offer
stood like a statue until the wasp flew away. 2
somebody a journey in your car: Can I give you a
what is (somebody or something) like Used to
lift?
ask for information about somebody or some-
lift2 /lɪft/ [㐘] To move something or somebody up:
thing: What is Tim like? ■ Be careful! "Like" is used
Help me lift the sofa so that I can vacuum behind it.
for comparisons. We don't use "like" when we talk
lift-off /ˈlɪftˌɔf/ [㐌] The moment when a rocket
about the job or role somebody really has or had. We
goes up into the air: The lift-off will take place in
say: "She worked as a teacher for two years". Com-
ten seconds. Ten...nine...eight.

ligament /ˈlɪg.ə.mənt/ [㐗] A strip of tissue

like 222

a pare with "as" (used in comparisons to refer to the line2 /laɪn/ [㐘] 1 To cover something on the in-

b degree of something). side: Sheila lined the drawers of her dresser with

like3 /laɪk/ [㐘] To have positive feelings about pretty paper. 2 To form or to stand in a line: They

somebody or something: I really like John. He's a lined for the bus for half an hour before it arrived. ■
In this use, we also say "line up". ■ In this use, in
c very good friend. British English we say "queue".
likeable /ˈlaɪ.kə.bl/̩ [㐀] Friendly and nice:
d What a likeable person your mom is!
linen /ˈlɪn.ɪn/ [㐌] 1 A kind of cloth: People wear lin-

likely /ˈlaɪ.kli/ [㐀] Probable or expected: Dad's en in the summer because it's very cool. 2 Things like

e likely to be very angry if you borrow that money sheets, table cloths, towels and so on: My grand-
without asking. ■ The comparative form is "more mother always bought her linen at the same store.

f likely" and the superlative form is "most likely". Be liner /ˈlɑɪ·nər/ [㐗] See ocean liner.
careful. We always say: "to be likely to". linesman [㐗] In sport, a man who assists the

g lilac1 /ˈlaɪ.lək/ [㐌] A shrub or small tree: The lilac referee or the umpire: The linesman raise his flag
has aromatic, purple or white flowers. to mark the offside. ■ The plural is "linesmen". ■ A

h lilac2 /ˈlaɪ.lək/ [㐍] A pale purple or pinkish col- woman is a "lineswoman".
or, like the flower of the lilac tree: She wore a lilac lineswoman [㐗] In sport, a woman who as-

i blouse. sists the referee or the umpire: The referee con-

lily /ˈlɪl.i/ [㐗] A tall plant with flowers that sulted the lineswoman and show a yellow card to

j grows from a bulb: Lilies are often white but they the player. ■ The plural is "lineswomen". ■ A man is
are sometimes other colors. ■ The plural is "lilies". a "linesman".
limb /lɪm/ [㐗] An arm or a leg: If you fall out of linguistic /lɪŋˈgwɪstɪk/ [㐀] Referring to lan-
k that tree, you'll break a limb.
guage or the study of language: Linguistic abili-

lime /laɪm/ ❚ [㐌] 1 A small, green fruit: Lemon ties are important in today's world.

l and lime juice is a popular drink in United States in lining /ˈlaɪ.nɪŋ/ [㐗] The material on the inside
the summer. ❚ [㐖] 2 A white chemical: Farm- of a piece of clothing: I love wearing my gray coat
m ers often put lime on the earth to fertilize it.
with the red lining.

lime or lime tree /laɪm/ [㐗] A large decidu- link1 /lɪŋk/ [㐗] 1 Something that holds two

n ous tree which bears limes: The leaves of the lime things together: Some companies used to seek
tree have the shape of a heart. partners to form a link between two companies. 2

o limestone /ˈlɑɪmˌstoʊn/ [㐖] A sedimentary One of the pieces in a chain: A link in my bracelet
rock mostly made of calcium carbonate: Lime- broke and I've lost it.

p stone is used in building and to make cement. link2 /lɪŋk/ [㐘] To bring two things together: Her-
limit1 /ˈlɪmɪt/ [㐗] The most that is permitted or cules Poirot linked all the facts together and dis-

q possible: The speed limit on this road is 55 miles covered that the murderer was the butler.
per hour. lion /ˈlaɪ.ən/ [㐗] A large wild animal of the cat

r limit2 /ˈlɪmɪt/ [㐘] To put a limit on: Please limit family: The male lion has a large mane of hair
your projects to a maximum of ten pages. around its neck. ■ A female lion is a "lioness".

s limp1 /lɪmp/ [㐌] The way of walking of a person 㐀 See page 428.
who has one bad leg: Anne had an accident when lioness [㐗] A female lion: The lioness took her
she was a baby and now she walks with a limp. cubs to a safe place.
t limp2 /lɪmp/ [㐘] To walk with a limp: Simon lip /lɪp/ [㐌] One of the two outside parts of your
limped slowly off the playing field. mouth: They kissed each other on the lips. 㐀 See
u line1 /laɪn/ [㐗] 1 A long, thin mark: Draw a line picture at face.
under the title and the date. 㐀 See page 457. 2 A lipstick /ˈlɪp.stɪk/ [㐌] A substance that gives col-

v number of people or things behind each other: or to your lips: We put lipstick on before we went to
The line of people waiting to buy tickets was very act on stage.

w long. ■ In British English they say "queue". 3 A string liquid1 /ˈlɪkwɪd/ [㐌] A substance that flows like
or rope: It's starting to rain and there are clothes on water, milk or oil: You should drink a lot of liquids

x the line! 4 A railway track: There was a heavy fall when you have the flu. 㐀 See page 438.
of snow and the lines were blocked. 5 The cable or liquid2 /ˈlɪkwɪd/ [㐀] In a form like water: Have

y connection for telephones or electricity: I've you tried this liquid yoghurt? it's delicious.
phoned Janet but the line's bad and I can't hear her. liquorice /ˈlɪk.ər.ɪs/, /-ɪʃ/ US: /-ɚ-/ [㐖] A black

z 6 Rows of writing: I thought I'd write a few lines to sweet: When my grandparents were children, li-
you to tell you about my vacation. quorice was one of the few sweet things they had.

223 lobster

list1 /lɪst/ [㐗] A number of things that are writ- live1 /laɪv/ [㐀] Not dead: This truck transports a
b
ten down, one after the other: Anthony made a list live animals. c
d
of what they needed and went shopping. live2 /laɪv/ [㐄] Not recorded, happening at that e
f
list2 /lɪst/ [㐘] To write things down in a list: The moment: My aunt Jane saw Frank Sinatra live at g

teacher listed the names of all those who wanted to Radio Music Hall in New York. h
i
be in the choir. live3 /lɪv/ [㐘] 1 Not to be dead: My grandmother j
k
listen /ˈlɪs.ən/ [㐘] To pay attention in order to lived until she was eighty-eight. 2 To have your l
m
hear somebody or something: Listen to that mu- home: I used to live in the country, but now I live in n
New York City. 3 To spend your life in a certain o
sic! Isn't it beautiful? ■ Be careful with the pronun- p
way: My aunt's a pilot and she lives a very exciting q
ciation of this word! The "t" is not pronounced. ■ r
life. s
Compare with "hear" (to receive sounds through your t
lively /ˈlaɪv.li/ [㐀] Active and full of life: Young u
ears). ■ Note that we always say: "listen to (some- v
children are usually very lively. w
body or something)". x
liver /ˈlɪv·ər/ [㐌] The organ of the body that y
listening [㐀] Referring or related to the ac- z
cleans the blood: Drinking alcohol is harmful to
tion of paying attention to sound: The job of the
the liver. 㐀 See page 424.
people in the listening post is to monitor telephone
livestock /ˈlɑɪvˌstɑk/ [㐌] Animals that live on a
and internet traffic.
farm: Farmers buy and sell livestock at fairs.
lit /lɪt/ Past tense and past participle forms of
living1 /ˈlɪvɪŋ/ [㐖] The way a person makes
light3.
money to live: My father made his living working
liter /ˈli·tə̬ r/ [㐗] A unit of capacity for liquids:
on a ship when he was young.
My brother drinks two liters of milk a day. ■ The
living2 /ˈlɪvɪŋ/ [㐀] Alive, that is not dead: Who
British English spelling is "litre".
is the world's greatest living writer? ■ The same
literacy /ˈlɪt̬·ər·ə·si/ [㐖] Ability to read and
meaning: "alive".
write: Levels of literacy are relatively high in Unit-
living room [㐗] The main room in a house
ed States. ■ Compare with "illiteracy" (the inability
where people sit and relax: We usually sit in our
to read and write).
living room in the evening and play board games or
literature US: /ˈlɪt.̬ ɚ.ɪ.tʃɚ/ UK: /ˈlɪt.ər.ɪ.tʃər/ [㐖]
watch TV. ■ The same meaning: "sitting-room". ■
Writing of a high quality: I really enjoy literature
Compare with "lounge" (a comfortable room to sit
classes, especially when we read poetry.
in). 㐀 See picture on the following page.
litre UK: /ˈliː.tər/ [㐗] See liter. ■ This is a British
lizard /ˈlɪz·ərd/ [㐗] A small, often green, rep-
English spelling.
tile with a long tail and short legs: It is said that
litter1 /ˈlɪtər/ [㐖] 1 Garbage thrown on the
lizards have been on the earth for 180 million
ground: Look at all that litter in the playground. 2
years. 㐀 See page 430.
litter bin Container for garbage in the street:
load1 /ləʊd/ [㐗] 1 Something heavy that you
There were a lot of litter bins on the campsite.
have to carry: The truck was going very slowly be-
litter2 /ˈlɪtər/ [㐘] To throw garbage on the ground: cause its load was very heavy. 2 Plenty, lots: We've

The office was littered with papers. loads of time.

little1 /ˈlɪtl/ [㐀] 1 Small, not large: My little broth- load2 /ləʊd/ [㐘] 1 To put things in a car, a boat or

er is very naughty sometimes. ■ In this use, the com- other vehicle, to be carried to another place: The

parative form is "smaller" and the superlative form is children helped to load the car with everything that
"smallest". 2 Not much: My mom only takes a little we needed for the vacation. 2 To put a film into a

sugar in her tea. ■ In this use, the comparative form is camera: This is a great camera; it's so easy to load.

"less" and the superlative form is "least". ■ Be careful loaf US: /loʊf/ UK: /ləʊf/ [㐗] A big square or

with the difference between "little", that is negative, round piece of bread: Go and get two loaves from

and "a little" that is positive. ■ See box at few. the bakery. ■ The plural is "loaves". 㐀 See picture

little2 /ˈlɪtl/ [㐄] 1 Not much: I've got tests this at bread.

month, so I'm going out very little. 2 a little Quite, loan /ləʊn/ [㐗] Money that a person or a bank

rather: I'm getting a little tired of your silly jokes. ■ lets you have for a period of time: My parents got

The comparative form is "less2" and the superlative a loan from the bank to pay for our new car.

form is "least2". ■ See box at few. lobster US: /ˈlɑːb.stɚ/ UK: /ˈlɒb.stər/ [㐌] A sea ani-

little finger [㐗] The smallest finger of the mal with a shell, a long body and eight legs: Lob-

hand: The little finger is furthest from the thumb. ster is my favorite seafood. 㐀 See picture at shell-

little toe [㐗] The smallest toe of the foot: fish.

These shoes hurt my little toes.

224

a LIVING ROOM picture drape
b lamp
c fireplace
d armchair
e
f sofa
g bookcase
dining table
h
i
j
k television
l
m
n
o coffee table
p
q
r rug
s
t
u
v
w chair
x
y
z

225 look

local /ˈloʊ·kəl/ [㐀] Near where you live: We all long1 /lɒŋ/ [㐀] 1 With a big distance between a
b
go to the local school. one end and the other: Holly has beautiful, long, c
red hair. 㐀  See pictures at hair and opposite. 2 d
locate /ˈloʊ·keɪt/, /loʊˈkeɪt/ [㐘] To find where long jump A sport where you try to jump as far e
as possible: Grace is fantastic at the long jump. 3 f
something is: We couldn't locate where the noise no longer See "no longer" in the word no1. 4 not g
any longer See "not any longer" in the word not.
was coming from. h
long2 /lɒŋ/ [㐄] 1 For a lot of time: I haven't been i
location /loʊˈkeɪ·ʃən/ [㐗] A place: The hotel is j
in this school long, only about two months. 2 as k
in a lovely location; you can see the lakes from the long as If: You can go to the party as long as you l
come back before ten o'clock. 3 long ago A lot of m
yard. time in the past: Long ago, people used to travel n
everywhere on foot or by horse. 4 how long? What o
lock1 /lɒk/ [㐗] A metal object inside a door length of time?: How long is the lesson? One hour p
or two hours? q
that keeps it closed: Oh dear! We'll have to change r
long3 /lɒŋ/ [㐘] To want something very much: I'm s
the lock because I've lost the key. t
longing for my birthday to arrive. ■ Be careful. We u
lock2 /lɒk/ [㐘] To close something using a key: say: "to long for (something)". v
w
Don't forget to lock the door! long-distance /ˈlɔŋ ˈdɪs·tə̬ ns/ [㐀] Going from x
y
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to lock up To close a build- one place to another that is far away: My mother z
made a long-distance phone call to her sister to tell
ing by locking all the doors and windows: The her about our new baby.

janitor locks up the school at about six o'clock ev- longing /ˈlɔŋ·ɪŋ/ [㐖] A feeling of wanting

ery evening. something very much: I sometimes have a longing
for chocolate. Usually every five minutes!
locker US: /ˈlɑː.kɚ/ UK: /ˈlɒk.ər/ [㐗] A small closet
longitude US: /ˈlɑːn.dʒə.tuːd/ UK: /ˈlɒn.dʒɪ.tjuːd/ [㐌]
in a school, swimming pool and so on, that you can
A position east or west on the earth that is shown
lock: I keep my textbooks and binders in my locker. on maps with lines going from north to south:
The Greenwich meridian, an imaginary line that
locomotive1 US: /ˌloʊ.kəˈmoʊ.tɪ̬ v/ UK: /ˌləʊ.kəˈməʊ.tɪv/ passes through London, has a longitude of 0 de-
grees.
[㐗] An engine which pulls a train of cars: A
locomotive can be powered by steam, gas or elec- look1 /lʊk/ [㐘] 1 To turn your eyes to something

tricity. so that you can see it: Look at Mary. She is beauti-
ful in her new dress, isn't she? 2 To have your eyes
locomotive2 [㐀] Referring to locomotion: lo- directed at something and be paying attention to
it: What are you looking at?; I am looking at that
comotive power. shirt: maybe I am going to buy it. ■ Be careful! We
say: "look at (somebody or something)". Note also
lodge /lɒdʒ/ [㐘] To pay money to live in a room in
that with television we say: "I watch television". (We
somebody's house: When I go to college in Fresno,
don't say: "I look at television"). Compare with "see"
I'm going to lodge with a friend of my mom's. (to watch around). ■ See box at watch. 3 To seem to
be: You don't look very well. Are you feeling all
lodger US: /ˈlɑː.dʒɚ/ UK: /ˈlɒdʒ.ər/ [㐗] A person right?; That looks difficult. 4 To have a particular
appearance: He looks great in that jacket; She
who lodges with somebody: When all her children looks terrible. 5 to look like (somebody or some-
thing) 1 To be similar to somebody or something:
grew up and left home, my aunt took in a lodger. Oliver looks just like his father. 2 To seem to be:
That looks like a nice place for a picnic. 6 What
loft US: /lɑːft/ UK: /lɒft/ [㐗] The space under the does (somebody) look like? Words that you say
when you want to know about somebody's ap-
roof: All my old comics are kept in the loft. pearance: What does Emma look like? Is she tall,
dark, pretty? 7 to look the other way To pretend
log /lɒg/ [㐗] A big piece of wood: Put another that you don't see or know about something that
should not happen: It's not okay to look the other
log on the fire.

logic /ˈlɒdʒɪk/ [㐖] The process of reasoning

about something: Logic is used to get to a deci-

sion.

lollipop US: /ˈlɑː.li.pɑːp/ UK: /ˈlɒl.i.pɒp/ [㐗] A

large candy on a stick: They sell delicious straw-

berry lollipops in that store. ■ "Lolly" is short for

"lollipop".

lolly US: /ˈlɑː.li/ UK: /ˈlɒl.i/ [㐗] 1 See popsicle®. ■

This use is short for "ice lolly". ■ This use is more

common in British English. 2 See lollipop. ■ The

plural is "lollies". ■ This use is British English.

loneliness /ˈloʊn·li·nəs/ [㐖] A feeling of sad-

ness because you are alone: Many old people suf-

fer from loneliness.

lonely /ˈloʊn·li/ [㐀] Alone and sad because of

it: Since my grandpa died, my grandma has been

very lonely. ■ Compare with "alone" (without other

people).

look 226

a way if you know they are bullying somebody in your ful! We say: "to miss the bus". We don't say: "to lose
the bus". 2 To be beaten in a game or a competi-
b class, tell your teacher.
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to look after To take care of tion: We lost the game the other day. 3 To have

somebody or something: Will you look after my less of something that you had before: He is los-

c hamster while I'm on vacation? · to look down on ing his hair. 4 To stop feeling interest, confidence
(somebody) To think that somebody is less im- or patience: He lost his confidence after his girl-

d portant than you, and treat them accordingly: friend left him. 5 to get lost To go somewhere and
She looks down on Danny because he doesn't speak be unable to find your way: They got lost on the

e any languages. · to look for To try to find some- way back. 6 Get lost! Words you say when you
body or something: I'm looking for my school bag. want somebody to stop bothering you: Get lost! I

f · to look forward to (something) 1 To feel happy don't have time to listen your silly stories. 7 to lose
or enthusiastic about something that is going to it To not be able to continue controlling anger,

g happen in the future: I am really looking forward tears or laughter: When my friend looked at me I
to the summer vacations; I am looking forward to just lost it: I couldn't stop laughing. ■ This use is in-

h seeing that movie. 2 I look forward to hearing from formal. 8 to lose the thread To be unable to fol-
you. ■ This phrase is used at the end of letters and low a conversation or text because you can't see

i formal emails. · to look into (something) To inves- how it connects: I have lost the thread: what were
tigate a problem or matter: Don't worry, I'll look we talking about? 9 to lose the plot To behave in

j into it. · to look out 1 To be careful: Look out! a very strange way because you have lost your
There is a truck coming! 2 Referring to a window, way in life: Vince has lost the plot, he is always
k room or part of a building, to face: My bedroom fighting. ■ This use is informal. 10 to lose track To
window looks out onto the lake. · to look out for not remember something, or to no longer know
(somebody or something) 1 To pay attention in what is happening: I have lost track of the number

l order to see: Can you look out for the mailman? 2 of times I have seen that movie. 11 to lose weight
To be careful of somebody or something: Look out To become lighter or thinner: The doctor says I

m for the traffic coming round the corner. · to look need to lose some weight. 12 to lose your temper
(something) up To look for information in a ref- See "lose your temper" in the word temper. 13

n erence book or web site: If you don't understand a you've got nothing to lose Words you say when
word, look it up in your dictionary. · to look up to you want somebody to try something they think

o (somebody) To admire and respect somebody you is hard to get: You should try out for the school
know: She really looks up to her cousin. play, you've got nothing to lose.
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to lose out To not have a
p look2 /lʊk/ [㐗] 1 Turning your eyes to some- benefit or advantage that others have: Terry often
thing to see it: The teacher gave me a very sur-

q prised look when I said that I didn't know the an- loses out because he is not allowed to go out at the
swer. 2 The way somebody or something appears: weekend.
r I don't like the look of our cat, so I'm taking her to loser /ˈlu·zər/ [㐗] A person who does not win:
the vet. Frank is a very bad loser.

s looks /lʊks/ [㐑] How somebody's face and fig- loss US: /lɑːs/ UK: /lɒs/ [㐌] 1 Losing something: It
ure is: Kate has everything, including good looks was a terrible loss to the family when their grand-
and intelligence. mother died. 2 Less money coming in: My mom's
t loose /luːs/ [㐀] 1 Not well fixed: The radio is store made a loss this year and she is very worried
not working very well. Maybe there's a loose wire. 2 about it. ■ The plural is "losses".
u Not close to the body: Loose dresses are very com- lost1 /lɒst/ [㐀] Not found: I'm lost. I don't know
fortable in hot weather. where I am.

v loosen /ˈluː.sən/ [㐘] To make something looser: lost2 /lɒst/ Past tense and past participle forms of
Loosen your tie if you are hot. lose.

w lord /lɔːd/ [㐗] A man with a special title: Lord lost and found [㐖] Objects that people
Fairfax has a beautiful castle in Yorkshire. have lost: There are five umbrellas in the school

x lorry /ˈlɔr·i/ [㐗] See truck. ■ This word is British lost and found. ■ In British English they say "lost
English. ■ The plural is "lorries". property".

y lose, lost, lost /luːz/ [㐘] 1 To stop having or not lost property [㐖] See lost and found. ■
be able to find something: I've lost the new pen This word is British English.

z that my dad gave me for Christmas; We are going to lot US: /lɑːt/ UK: /lɒt/ [㐄] 1 Often or very much:
lose our teacher next year: she is retiring. ■ Be care- You have to practice a lot to be a good pianist. 2 a

227 lunatic

lot of Many or a large amount of something: Har- that it's quite difficult to hear what he says some- a
times. 3 Less than usual: The prices in the sales b
ry's got a lot of books about dinosaurs. are very low this year. 4 to low tide See "low tide" c
d
lotion /ˈloʊ·ʃən/ [㐌] A liquid that you put on your in the word tide. e
f
skin or your hair: You should always put sun lo- low-calorie /ˌləʊˈkæləri/ [㐀] With few calories: g

tion on if you sunbathe. This is a low-calorie meal. h
i
lottery /ˈlɑt̬·ər·i/ [㐗] A game where people buy lower US: /ˈloʊ.ɚ/ UK: /ˈləʊ.ər/ [㐘] To put something j
k
a ticket with a number that could win a prize: nearer the ground or to make something quieter: l
m
Jonathan's uncle won a lot of money on the Nation- Lower your voices, please! n
o
al Lottery. ■ The plural is "lotteries". low-fat /ˌləʊˈfæt/ [㐀] With little fat: We always p
q
loud /laʊd/ [㐀] Having a sound which is very have low-fat milk in our house. r
s
easily heard: Uncle Jim has got a very loud voice. lowland /ˈloʊ·lənd/, /-ˌlænd/ [㐗] Land which is t
u
loudspeaker US: /ˈlaʊdˌspiː.kɚ/ UK: /ˌlaʊdˈspiː.kər/ low and relatively flat: Flooding can be a problem v
w
[㐗] A machine that makes sound loud: Our re- in the lowlands. x
cord-player needs a new speaker. ■ The same mean- y
loyal /ˈlɔɪ.əl/ [㐀] Not changing in friendship or z
ing: "speaker".
love: Maria has always been a loyal friend to me.
lounge /laʊndʒ/ [㐗] A comfortable room to sit
loyalty /ˈlɔɪ·əl·ti/ [㐖] Being loyal: Dogs usu-
in: The adults sat in the lounge of the hotel, while
ally show great loyalty to their owners. ■ The plural
we went to play ping-pong. ■ Compare with "living
is "loyalties".
room" (the main room in a house).
Ltd. A written abbreviation for limited company,
louse /laʊs/ [㐗] A small insect that lives on
that is written after a name to show that it is a
animals and people: Many years ago, children of-
business: Wainwright Ltd. have just bought that
ten used to get lice. ■ The plural is "lice".
building. They are going to use it as a factory. ■ See
lovable /ˈlʌv.ə.bl̩/ [㐀] Very nice and easy to
box at abbreviations.
love: Hamish is one of the most lovable people I
luck /lʌk/ [㐖] 1 Something that brings you
know.
good or bad things in your life, by chance: Some
love1 /lʌv/ [㐖] 1 A strong emotion of liking
people believe that your luck depends on the stars.
somebody or something: My love for you will last
for ever. 2 Somebody that you love: Love is one of ■ Be careful. We don't say "a luck". We say "some
the main arguments in Hollywood. 3 In tennis, a luck" or "a piece of luck". 2 good luck Words you

score of zero: She was winning the match 40-love say to wish somebody success: Good luck with
when rain stopped the game. 4 to be in love with
your test!
(somebody) To love somebody in a romantic
lucky /ˈlʌk.i/ [㐀] Having or bringing good luck:
way: My brother is in love with the girl who lives in
the house next-door. 5 to fall in love with Alex is very lucky to be going to Disneyland. ■ The

(somebody) To begin to love somebody in a ro- comparative form is "luckier" and the superlative

mantic way: My brother says that he fell in love form is "luckiest".
with Melissa the first moment he saw her. 6 with
luggage /ˈlʌg.ɪdʒ/ [㐖] Suitcases and bags
love from How you end a letter to a friend:
that you take with you on a trip: Before you get on
"Hope everything is OK with you, with love from
a plane, you have to check in your luggage at the
Lewis".
desk. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of this
love2 /lʌv/ [㐘] 1 To have a feeling of love for
word. The "a" is pronounced like the "i" in "did".
somebody or something: The husband told his
wife he loved her more than any one in the world. 2 lullaby [㐗] A short poem or song for young

To like something very much: My little brother children: When I was young, my mother used to

loves football. sing to me lullabies. ■ The plural is "lullabies". ■ The

lovely /ˈlʌv.li/ [㐀] Beautiful or very nice: "Gone same meaning "nursery rhyme".

with the Wind" is a lovely movie. lump /lʌmp/ [㐗] 1 A hard piece of something:

lover /ˈlʌv·ər/ [㐗] A person who loves some- We always take some sugar lumps for the horses
when we go to the farm. 2 A swollen part of your
body in a romantic way: Cleopatra and Mark An-
body: The baby had a lump on her forehead where
thony were famous lovers.
she had bumped into the table.
loving /ˈlʌv.ɪŋ/ [㐀] Feeling love and showing it:
lunar /ˈluːnər/ [㐀] Referring to the moon: The
Beatrice has got a very loving grandfather.
first lunar landing took place in 1969.
low US: /loʊ/ UK: /ləʊ/ [㐀] 1 Near the ground: My
lunatic /ˈlu·nəˌtɪk/ [㐗] Somebody who behaves
bed is very low. 2 Not loud: He has such a low voice
in a mad, foolish way: Monica's brother drives like

a lunatic.



M m1 The thirteenth letter of the alphabet: The name
m
"Martin" begins with an "M".

m2 1 A written abbreviation for meter. ■ See box at

abbreviations. 2 A written abbreviation for mile.

■ See box at abbreviations.

mac /mæk/ [㐗] See raincoat. ■ This word is Brit-

ish English.

macaroni /ˌmæk·əˈroʊ·ni/ [㐖] An Italian food,

made of short thick tubes of pasta: On Thursdays

we have macaroni at school.

macaw /məˈkɔː/ US: /-ˈkɑː/ [㐗] A bird of the par-

rot family native to Central and South America:

The macaw has brightly colored feathers.

machine /məˈʃiːn/ [㐗] An instrument that

does a specific job: A washing machine is used to

wash clothes.

machine gun [㐗] A gun that fires continu-

ously: This machine gun fires a hundred bullets a

second.

machinery /məˈʃi·nər·i/ [㐖] A group of ma-

chines or the parts of a machine: The machinery

of a clock is very complicated. ■ The plural is "ma-

chineries".

mad /mæd/ [㐀] 1 Mentally ill to an extreme de-

gree: The psychiatrist concluded that she was
mad. ■ The same meaning: "insane". 2 Very angry:
He was mad because his friend arrived late. 3 to

be mad about Be very keen on somebody or
something: Fred is mad about football. 4 mad

cow disease An illness that kills cows: Sales of

beef fell in March 1996 when scientists said that

mad cow disease might be the cause of an illness

in people.

madam /ˈmæd.əm/ [㐌] A polite way of speaking to

a woman: Excuse me, madam, can I help you? ■

This word is formal.

made /meɪd/ Past tense and past participle forms

of make.

magazine /ˌmæg.əˈziːn/ [㐗] A thin publication

with lots of photos or drawings that has stories or

articles: Peter buys a football magazine every

week.

magenta /məˈdʒen.tə/ [㐍] A color in between

dark pink and red: Magenta is one of the three col-

ors of ink used by a printer.

maggot /ˈmæg.ət/ [㐗] A small worm: Fisher-

men use maggots to catch fish.

magic1 /ˈmædʒɪk/ [㐀] 1 That has special pow-

ers: In the story, the old man gave the boy some
magic beans. 2 Referring to magic: Rob can do

magic tricks.

magic2 /ˈmædʒɪk/ [㐖] 1 An unnatural power

to make happen what you want: In the play, the
witch stopped the rain by magic. 2 Extraordinary

magical 230

a tricks that people do to surprise others: The clown innocent young women. ■ A young unmarried man is

b performed magic at the party. a "youth". This word is now old-fashioned.

magical /ˈmædʒ.ɪ.kəl/ [㐀] 1 Mysterious and ex- maiden name [㐗] The last name that a

citing: Stonehenge is a magical place. 2 That ap- woman had before she got married: Mrs. Robin-

c pears to use magic or produce it: In the story, the son's maiden name was Jones. ■ In Britain and the
fairy has magical powers. United States when a woman marries, the custom is

d magician /məˈdʒɪʃ.ən/ [㐗] A person who per- to take her husband's last name.
forms magic: Magicians are very popular at chil- mail1 /meɪl/ [㐖] Anything that you send by

e dren's parties. post: Yesterday I received ten letters and two par-

magistrate /ˈmædʒɪstreɪt/ [㐗] A judge in a cels in the mail.
f lower court: The magistrate hears minor cases and mail2 [㐘] To send something by mail: Didn't you
preliminary hearings. get the birthday card I mailed you?

g magma /ˈmæg.mə/ [㐖] A semi-fluid material mailbox /ˈmeɪlˌbɑks/ [㐗] 1 A box in the street
beneath the surface of the Earth: Magma flows to put letters in: The mailboxes in US are blue. ■ In

h from volcanoes at very high temperatures. this use, in British English we say "postbox". 2 An

magnate /ˈmægneɪt/ [㐗] Somebody who is opening in the door for letters: When you've fin-

i very rich and powerful, especially in business: A ished with the book, put it through my mailbox. ■ In
financial magnate is able to influence govern- this use, in British English we say "letterbox".
mailman [㐗] A man who takes letters and so
j ments.
magnesium /mægˈniːziəm/ [㐖] A metallic el- on to people's houses: What time does the mail-

k ement, that has a silver color: Magnesium is used man come? ■ The plural is "mailmen". ■ A woman is
for making light alloys. a "mailwoman". ■ In British English they say "post-

magnet /ˈmæg.nət/ [㐗] A piece of metal that man".

l attracts metal things: We have lots of magnets on mailwoman [㐗] A woman who takes letters
our fridge door. and so on to people's houses: The mailwoman

m magnetic /mægˈnetɪk/ [㐀] 1 Having the proper- brought this parcel for you this morning. ■ The plu-
ties of a magnet: A magnetic field affects metal ob- ral is "mailwomen". ■ A man is a "mailman". ■ In

n jects within its area. 2 Having great power of at- British English they say "postwoman".
traction: She has a magnetic personality. main /meɪn/ [㐀] Most important: The main road

o magnetism /ˈmæg·nəˌtɪz·əm/ [㐖] The proper- in the city is always busy.
ty of producing magnetic attraction: Magnetism is mainland /ˈmeɪnlənd/ [㐌] The main part of a

p a form of attraction and repellence. country or continent, not the islands which are

magnificent /mægˈnɪf.ɪ.sənt/ [㐀] Extremely near: The ferry connects the islands with the main-

q good; wonderful: This town has some magnificent land.
buildings. mainly /ˈmeɪn.li/ [㐄] For the most part, princi-

r magnify /ˈmæg.nɪ.faɪ/ [㐘] To make things look pally: Cows mainly eat grass. ■ The same meaning:
bigger than they are: If you magnify this insect "mostly".
s with the microscope you'll be able to see it more maintain /meɪnˈteɪn/ [㐘] 1 To keep something in
clearly. ■ Be careful with the spelling of these forms: good condition: My uncle's car is old but he main-
"magnifies", "magnified". tains it well. 2 To continue doing or having some-
t mahogany /məˈhɑ·gə·ni/ [㐖] A dark wood thing: Her horse took the lead at the start and
used for making furniture: The desk in my par- maintained it until the end of the race. 3 To look
u ent's room is made of mahogany. ■ The plural is after somebody financially: He has maintained his
"mahoganies". parents since they retired.

v maid /meɪd/ [㐗] A woman who cleans or does maintenance /ˈmeɪn.tɪ.nənts/ [㐖] Keeping
similar work in a hotel or a house: The maid something in good condition: The maintenance of

w cleans the hotel rooms at 12.00 p.m. every day. sports cars is quite expensive.

maiden /ˈmeɪ.dən/ [㐀] 1 Referring to an unmar- maize /meɪz/ [㐖] See corn. ■ This word is Brit-

x ried woman: My maiden aunt has never got mar- ish English.
ried. 2 Referring to the first time an event hap- major1 /ˈmeɪdʒər/ [㐀] Very important: The ma-

y pens or an act is done by a particular person: The jor cities in most developed countries are connect-
Prime Minister's maiden speech was well received. ed by highways.

z maiden1 /ˈmeɪdən/ [㐗] A young unmarried major2 /ˈmeɪdʒər/ [㐗] An army officer: The ma-
woman: Maiden is a term used in poetry to refer to jor led the attack on the enemy.

231 mandatory

majority /məˈdʒɔr·ɪ·ti̬ /, /-ˈdʒɑr-/ [㐌] The largest part manage /ˈmæn.ɪdʒ/ [㐘] 1 To direct and control a a
b
of a group: In the near future the majority of people company or part of a company: Jane has man- c
aged the family business since her father died. 2 d
will own a computer. ■ The plural is "majorities". e
To succeed in doing something that is difficult: f
make1 /meɪk/ [㐗] The name of the company g
Paul managed to move the tree that was blocking
that produced something: What make and year is h
the road. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of i
your car? j
this word. The last "a" is pronounced like the "i" in k
make2, made, made /meɪk/ [㐘] 1 To build or to l
"did". m
create something: They made a boat from wood. ■ n
See box below. 2 To force somebody to do some- management /ˈmæn.ɪdʒ.mənt/ [㐖] 1 The ac- o
thing: She made him clean his shoes. 3 To do p
something: Can you make some tea? 4 To earn tivity of managing: When I leave school, I would q
like to work in management. 2 A group of people r
money: Dee makes $100,000 a year working as a s
singer. 5 to make a bed See "to make a bed" in who control a company: The management are dis- t
the word bed. 6 to make sure To be certain: Be- u
cussing the new salaries with the workers. v
fore going to a restaurant make sure you have w
manager /ˈmæn·ɪ·dʒər/ [㐗] 1 A person who x
enough money to pay. y
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to make it To arrive in time: I controls part of a company, or manages a store z
missed the bus and so I did not make it to the movies.
or restaurant: She's the sales manager in an im-
· to make out To understand or to see something
portant publishing company. ■ A woman is a
that is not clear: The telephone line was so bad that I "manageress". 2 A person who trains a team: The

could only just make out what she was saying. · to manager bought two foreign players for the bas-

make (something) up To invent something: He ketball team.

made up so many stories that finally nobody believed manageress /ˌmænɪdʒə·rˈes/ US: /ˈmænɪdʒərɪs/

anything he said. · to make up with (somebody) To [㐗] A woman who manages a store or restau-
rant: The manageress of the store agreed to give
become friends again: Has John made it up with
back the customer's money. ■ A man is a "manager".
Pam or are they still not talking to each other?
managing director [㐗] The top manager
make-up /ˈmeɪk.ʌp/ [㐖] A substance used on
in a company: My cousin Helen is the managing di-
your face to make yourself look more attractive: I
rector of her company.
only use make-up that has not been tested on animals.
mandatory [㐀] Required by law or rule:
malaria /məˈleər·i·ə/ [㐖] A disease caused by
Wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle should
a mosquito bite: In tropical countries you have to
be mandatory. ■ The same meaning: "obligatory".
take pills to avoid getting malaria.
to make and to do
male1 /meɪl/ [㐀] 1 Referring to men and boys:
These two words have very similar meanings but
My school has a male voice choir. 2 Referring to they are used differently:

the sex that doesn't give birth: Male lions have ðÜWe use do when we talk about activity in general:
- The children aren’t doing anything.
very beautiful manes.
ðÜWe use to make when we talk about building or
male2 /meɪl/ [㐗] The sex of an animal or hu- creating something:

man that does not give birth: Our new dog is a - Let’s make a model airplane.

male. It's called Elvis. to do to make

mall US: /mɑːl/ UK: /mɔːl/ [㐗] A large and cov- to do an exam to make a bed
to do good to make a coffee
ered shopping area for pedestrians only: We to do harm to make an excuse
to do better to make money
bought his birthday present at the mall. ■ We also to do someone a favor to make a noise
to do business to make an offer
say "shopping mall", "shopping center". to do a good turn to make a phone call
to do physical exercise to make war
mallet /ˈmæl.ɪt/ [㐗] A hammer with a large to do your best to make peace
to do your homework to make a trip
head, usually made of wood: Use the mallet to

bang the stakes into the ground.

mammal /ˈmæm.əl/ [㐗] An animal that is fed on

its mother's milk when young: Humans, dogs, cats

and whales are mammals. 㐀 See pages 426 and 428.

mammoth [㐗] A large, extinct elephant: The

mammoth had a hairy coat and curved tusks.

man /mæn/ [㐗] An adult human male: There is

a man with a beard waiting to see you. ■ The plural

is "men". An adult human female is a "woman".

mandible 232

a mandible /ˈmæn.dɪ.bəl/ [㐗] 1 The lower of the a map of the world you can see where all the differ-

b two bones holding your mouth: Mammals and ent countries are. 㐀 See pages 450-455.
fish have mandibles. ■ The same meaning: "jaw", maple /ˈmeɪ.pl̩/ [㐌] A tree with leaves that have
"jawbone". 2 In insects or animals, mouth parts five points: The maple leaf is the national symbol

c used for biting or seizing: Crabs have two mandi- of Canada.
bles. maraca [㐗] A musical instrument which has

d mane /meɪn/ [㐗] The long hair on or around a handle and a hollow container filled with beans
some animals' necks: Philip held on to the horse's or pebbles: You must shake the maracas to make

e mane when he was riding. them sound. 㐀 See page 459.

mango /ˈmæŋ·goʊ/ [㐌] A large tropical fruit with marathon /ˈmær·əˌθɑn/ [㐗] 1 A long distance

f yellow flesh and a big seed: They sell wonderful race: My brother once ran a marathon in two hours
mangoes in this market. ■ The plural is "mangoes" fifty minutes. 2 An activity that is long and tiring:

g or "mangos". 㐀 See page 436. Hugh said that the test was so long that it was like

mankind /mænˈkaɪnd/ [㐖] The human race: It a marathon.

h is thought that mankind originally developed in Af- marble /ˈmɑr·bəl/ ❚ [㐖] 1 An expensive type
rica. of stone: The floor and walls of the bank were solid

i manner /ˈmæn·ər/ [㐌] The way or the form of do- marble. ❚ [㐗] 2 A small ball of glass or stone
ing something: I don't like it when you answer me for playing with: The children played marbles on

j in that manner. the sidewalk.

manners /ˈmæn·ərz/ [㐑] The way of behaving march1 /mɑːtʃ/ [㐗] An organized walk in a

k in public: The teacher complained about the bad group to protest about something: Thousands of
manners of the students who were talking during people attended a march through the city yesterday
his explanation. against the new law.
l mantle /ˈmæn·tə·l/ [㐌] 1 The role and responsibil- march2 /mɑːtʃ/ [㐘] To walk with regular steps:
ities of somebody, that comes with a position: She The soldiers marched five miles in one hour.

m was asked to take on the mantle of Managing Di- March /mɑːtʃ/ [㐌] The third month of the year:
rector. ■ This use is formal. 2 A covering of some- Sometimes Easter is in March and sometimes is in

n thing: The mountains were covered by a mantle of April. ■ Be careful! "March" has a capital "M". 㐀 See
snow. 3 The layer between the crust and the core picture at calendar.

o of the Earth: The earth's mantle is a rocky shell mare US: /mer/ UK: /meər/ [㐗] An adult female
about 1,700 miles thick. 㐀 See page 449. horse: On the excursion we saw a beautiful mare

p manual1 /ˈmæn.ju.əl/ [㐀] Done with your running in a field.
hands: Manual work is hard work. margarine /ˈmɑr·dʒə·rɪn/ [㐖] A food made

q manual2 /ˈmæn.ju.əl/ [㐗] A book about how to from vegetable oils, that is used instead of but-
do something: Even after reading the manual, Pe- ter: Some people prefer margarine to butter. They

r ter still could not operate the machine. think it's healthier. ■ Be careful with the pronuncia-

manufacture /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃər/ [㐘] To make tion of this word.

s things with machines: They manufacture five hun- margin /ˈmɑr·dʒɪn/ [㐗] 1 The blank space on
dred televisions a day in the factory. the sides of a page: The teacher wrote the correc-

many /ˈmen.i/ [㐀] 1 A large number: There tions in the margin. 2 The extra amount added to

t weren't many people on the train so it was easy to something: The trip normally takes one hour but
find a seat. 2 as many as The same number as: we should allow a margin of an extra 20 minutes in
u I've got as many books as you. 3 how many Words case the traffic is bad.
that are used to ask about quantity with count- marine1 /məˈriːn/ [㐗] 1 A member of a military

v able nouns: How many rooms are there in this force trained to fight on land or at sea: In the USA
house? ■ "Many" is used with countable nouns. Com- a marine is a member of a special force. 2 the mer-

w pare with "much" (used with uncountable nouns). chant marine A country's commercial ships to-
"Many" is normally used in negative sentences and gether with the people working on them: The mer-

x questions. For affirmative sentences we usually use chant marine can also be called the merchant navy.
"a lot of": "There were a lot of people on the train". ■ marine2 /məˈriːn/ [㐀] Referring to the sea: Ma-

y The comparative form is "more" and the superlative rine life is endangered as a result of pollution.
form is "most". maritime /məˈriːn/ [㐀] Referring to the sea, to

z map /mæp/ [㐗] A drawing of the surface of a ships or to sailing: The United States has a bril-
town, an area, a country and so on: If you look at liant maritime history.

233 marry

mark1 /mɑːk/ [㐗] 1 A spot or a stain: Jane re- marmalade /ˈmɑr·məˌleɪd/ [㐖] A kind of jam a
b
turned the shirt to the store because it had a mark made from sugar and oranges, lemons or limes: I c
on it. 2 See grade1. ■ This use is British English. d
always have orange marmalade on toast for my e
mark2 /mɑːk/ [㐘] 1 To read a piece of work to say f
breakfast. g
how good it is: The teacher spent the whole week-
maroon /məˈruːn/ [㐘] To abandon or leave some- h
end marking the tests. ■ The same meaning: i
"grade2". 2 To leave a spot or a stain on some- body in an isolated place: The sailors were ma- j
k
thing: James touched the wet paint with his arm rooned on a remote island by the storm. l

and marked his shirt. marriage /ˈmær·ɪdʒ/ ❚ [㐌] 1 Being married: She

marker US: /ˈmɑːr.kɚ/ UK: /ˈmɑː.kər/ [㐗] 1 Some- has two children from her first marriage. ❚ [㐗] 2
The ceremony when a man and a woman get mar-
thing used for marking a place: The marker
showed the distance from the starting point. 2 A ried: The marriage took place in a small church. ■

pen that draws thick lines: You can point out that In this use we usually say "wedding". ■ Be careful

sentence underlining it with a marker. 㐀 See page with the pronunciation of this word. The ending is

456. pronounced like the ending of "fridge".

market1 /ˈmɑːkɪt/ [㐗] 1 A building or open married /ˈmær·id/ [㐀] 1 Having a husband or a

place where people buy and sell things: Every wife: He is not married. He is single. 2 to get mar-
ried To become husband and wife: Sarah and
Sunday there is a market in our town where you can
buy anything from books to animals. 2 An area in Philip got married when they were 25 years old.

which there is a demand for something: We are marrow /ˈmær·oʊ/ [㐖] Soft interior of bones:

looking for a new market to sell our products. bone marrow transplants.

market2 /ˈmɑːkɪt/ [㐘] To promote the sale of marry /ˈmær·i/ [㐘] 1 To become somebody's hus-

something: Large companies use famous people to band or wife: I've heard your sister is going to mar-

market their products. ry a famous singer. ■ Be careful. We say: "to marry

(somebody)". We don't say: "to marry with (some-

MARKET fish market farmer’s market m
butcher’s n

o

p
q

customer grocery store clothing store r
bakery s
t
u
v

w

x
y

cart

z

Mars 234

a body)". 2 To join two people as husband and wife: were responsible for the massacre of two thousand

b The same priest who married John and Julie is go- innocent people.
ing to marry Andrew and Rachel. ■ Be careful with massacre2 [㐘] To kill a large number of people
the spelling of these forms: "marries", "married". or animals: The soldiers of the retreating army
c Mars /mɑːz/ [㐗] A planet of the solar system were massacred.
that is fourth in order from the Sun: Mars is often massage1 US: /məˈsɑːdʒ/ UK: /ˈmæsɑːdʒ/ [㐌] Rub-
d called "the red planet" because of its reddish ap- bing and pressing the body to take away pain or
pearance. 㐀 See page 446. tension: After typing for a long time Jane always

e marsh US: /mɑːrʃ/ UK: /mɑːʃ/ [㐌] An area of land needs a massage to relieve her backache. ■ Be care-
that is soft and wet: There are many forms of ani- ful with the pronunciation of this word.

f mal life that live in marshes. massage2 [㐘] To rub and to press the body to

marshmallow [㐌] A soft and white sweet food take away pain and tension: After he massaged

g made of sugar and eggs: We go camping we like to her neck she felt no pain at all. ■ Be careful with the
roast marshmallows on the fire. pronunciation of this word!

h Martian /ˈmɑːʃən/ [㐗] Creature from the plan- masseur /mæˈsɜr/ [㐗] A man who gives mas-
et Mars: Last night we watched a movie about the sages: The masseur cured my father's shoulder

i invasion of earth by Martians. ■ Be careful! "Mar- problem. ■ A woman who gives massages is a "mas-
tian" has a capital "M". seuse".

j marvel1 /ˈmɑːvəl/ [㐗] A wonderful thing: The masseuse /mæˈsuz/ [㐗] A woman who gives
computer is a marvel of modern technology. massages: She's a great masseuse. She has won-

k marvel2 /ˈmɑːvəl/ [㐘] To wonder at: The crowd derful hands. ■ A man who gives massages is a
marveled at the skill of the goalkeeper when he "masseur".
saved the penalty. massive /ˈmæs.ɪv/ [㐀] Very big: There was a
l marvelous [㐀] Wonderful: The concert was massive crowd outside the movie theater.
marvelous. mast US: /mæst/ UK: /mɑːst/ [㐗] A tall post that

m mascot /ˈmæs·kɑt/ [㐗] An object, person or an- supports the sails on a boat: The wind was so
imal that people think brings good luck: Our team strong that the mast broke.

n mascot is a toy giraffe. ■ Compare with "pet" (an an- master1 /ˈmɑːstər/ [㐗] 1 A man who is the
imal that you have in the house). owner of an animal: The dog goes for a walk with

o masculine /ˈmæs.kjʊ.lɪn/ [㐀] With qualities its master every day. 2 A person who is very good
traditionally considered appropriate to men or at something: This painting is the work of a mas-

p typical of men: My grandmother likes that singer ter.
because she says he is very masculine. master2 /ˈmɑːstər/ [㐘] To become good at some-

q mash /mæʃ/ [㐘] To crush and mix something un- thing: He had mastered three languages by the
til it is soft: Can you mash the potatoes for me, time he was fifteen.
mastermind /ˈmæs·tərˌmɑɪnd/ [㐗] A person
r please?
mashed potato [㐖] Potato that is cooked who develops a plan: The mastermind of the rob-

s and then crushed and mixed until soft: Mashed bery was put in jail for twenty years.
potato is usually eaten with meat. masterpiece /ˈmæs·tərˌpis/ [㐗] An extremely

mask /mɑːsk/ [㐗] Something that covers the good book, painting, sculpture and so on, which

t face: The robbers wore masks so that nobody could is considered to be one of the best: "Citizen Kane"
recognize them. is a masterpiece of the movies.
u mason /ˈmeɪ.sən/ [㐗] A person who cuts or mat /mæt/ [㐗] 1 A piece of strong material that
builds with stone: A mason is a skilled worker. covers a part of the floor, for example next to a

v mass /mæs/ ❚ [㐗] 1 A large quantity of some- door: We had to wipe our feet on the mat before en-
thing: A mass of people blocked the road for a tering the house. 2 A small piece of material that is

w while after the football game. 2 A solid piece of put under plates or glasses on a table: Put that hot
something: A mass of rock fell from the mountain plate on a mat. Don't put it directly on the table.

x and blocked the road. ❚ [㐌] 3 A religious ceremo- match1 /mætʃ/ [㐗] 1 A game between two
ny for Catholics: Many Catholics go to mass every sides: What time did the volleyball match start? 2

y Sunday. 4 mass media See media. ■ The plural is A small thin stick of wood that produces a flame:
"masses". We'll need a match to light the candles on the cake.
■ In this use, "match" is short for "matchstick". ■ The
z massacre1 /ˈmæsəkər/ [㐗] The killing of a plural is "matches".
large number of people or animals: The bombs

235 meander

match2 /mætʃ/ [㐘] To go with or to make some- mayonnaise /ˌmeɪ.əˈneɪz/ [㐖] A cold yellow a
b
thing go with something else: Those armchairs sauce made with eggs: I love eating asparagus c
with mayonnaise. d
don't match the drapes. e
mayor US: /mer/ UK: /meər/ [㐗] The leader of a f
matchstick /ˈmætʃ.stɪk/ [㐗] See match1. g
mate /meɪt/ [㐗] A friend or somebody you town or a city council: The mayor is coming to
open the new city theater. ■ A woman leader of a h
work or study with: My mates have all got comput- town or a city council can also be called a "mayor- i
ess". ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of this j
ers. ■ This word is British English. ■ This word is in- word! The "y" is not pronounced. k
l
formal. mayoress US: /ˈmer.ɪs/ UK: /ˌmeəˈres/ [㐗] A m
n
material /məˈtɪr·i·əl/ [㐗] 1 Something which woman who is the leader of a town or city coun- o
cil, or the wife of the leader: The mayoress opened p
can be used for making something: What materi- the new school. q
als do you need to make the chair? 2 Cloth: I have r
maze /meɪz/ [㐗] A complicated arrangement s
bought some beautiful material to make a skirt. t
of paths: When we visited Longleat, James got lost u
math [㐖] See mathematics. in the maze. ■ The same meaning: "labyrinth". v
mathematical /ˌmæθ·ə·ˈmæt̬·ɪ·kəl/ [㐀] Refer- w
M.D. Referring to somebody who has a degree to x
ring to mathematics: She is a mathematical ge- y
work as a doctor: William Stosur, MD. ■ "M.D." is an z
nius. abbreviation for "Doctor of Medicine". ■ See box at
abbreviations.
mathematician /ˌmæθəməˈtɪʃən/ [㐗] Some-
me /miː, mɪ/, /miː/ [㐕] A word used for "I", usual-
body who teaches or does research in mathemat-
ly when it is the object of a sentence: Rajiv
ics: The mathematician is at home in the abstract phoned me and told me the whole story.

world of numbers. mead /miːd/ [㐖] An alcoholic drink made

mathematics /ˌmæθ·əˈmæt·̬ ɪks/ [㐖] The sci- from fermented honey and water: Mead was a
popular drink in the Middle Ages.
ence of numbers and measurements: He is studying
meadow /ˈmed·oʊ/ [㐌] A field of grass: The farm-
mathematics. ■ "Math" is short for "mathematics".
er took his cows to graze in a meadow.
matter1 /ˈmætər/ ❚ [㐗] 1 A subject or a situa-
meal /mɪəl/ [㐗] Each of the times when we
tion that you must think about and give your at-
normally have food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
tention to: There are several important matters we are the usual meals. ■ Be careful! Do not confuse
should discuss. ❚ [㐌] 2 All physical substances: with "meat" (the flesh from animals that we eat).
Matter can be divided into solids, liquids or gases.
mean1 /miːn/ [㐀] That is not generous, unkind:
matter2 /ˈmætər/ [㐘] To be important: Does it
She's really mean. She never buys her brother any-
matter if I am a little late tomorrow? thing for his birthday.

mattress /ˈmæt.rəs/ [㐗] The soft part of a bed mean2, meant, meant /miːn/ [㐘] 1 To say what the

on which we sleep: We need a new mattress. The meaning of something is: "Butterfly" means "Maripo-
sa" in Spanish. 2 To plan or to want to do something:
springs in this one make too much noise. ■ The plu- I think he means to give a surprise party. 3 to mean a
lot to (somebody) To be very important to some-
ral is "mattresses". body: Paul means a lot to me. He's my best friend.

mature /məˈtʃʊr/, /-ˈtʊr/ [㐀] Fully developed, meander1 /miˈændər/ [㐘] 1 Talking of a river or

with an adult attitude: Although she is young, she road, to have lots of curves or changes of direc-
tion: The river meanders through the valley. 2 To
is very mature for her age. walk slowly, in no particular direction: We mean-
dered through the town admiring the view.
maximum /ˈmæk.sɪ.məm/ [㐗] The largest pos-
may and might
sible quantity: $75 is the maximum I'm willing to
May and might do not change in form. The verb that
pay for those sneakers. follows them is in the infinitive without to:

may /meɪ/ [㐘] 1 A word that is used to say that - You might not pass your exam.

something is possible but not certain: I don't - May I go to the restroom?

know what I'm going to do tonight, but I may go
out. ■ The same meaning: "might1". 2 A word that is

used to ask for permission and give it: May I go to

the restroom, Mr. Norton? ■ See box below.

May /meɪ/ [㐌] The fifth month of the year: The

fields are covered with flowers in May. ■ Be careful!

"May" has a capital "M". 㐀 See picture at calendar.

maybe /ˈmeɪ.bi, ˌ-ˈ-/ [㐄] Perhaps: Maybe I'll do it,

but I need to think it over.

mayday /ˈmeɪ.deɪ/ [㐌] International call for help

over the radio: The ship sent a Mayday message

when it hit the rock.

meander 236

a meander2 [㐗] The curve of a river: Meanders mechanize or mechanise /ˈmek.ə.naɪz/ [㐘] To

b are formed when a river erodes alternate sections introduce machines: The management of the fac-
of its banks. 㐀 See page 445. tory decided to mechanize the production process.

meaning /ˈmiː.nɪŋ/ [㐌] What something means medal /ˈmed.əl/ [㐗] A piece of metal that is giv-
c or refers to: Do you know the meaning of "yacht"?
en as a prize to somebody: I won a silver medal at

means /miːnz/ [㐌] 1 A way of doing something: the swimming championship.
d Is there any means of knowing when they will media /ˈmiː.di.ə/ [㐌] Means of communication
come? ■ This use is formal. We usually say "way" or like newspapers, television and radio, which

e "method". 2 Money: My family doesn't have the reach a large number of people: Television is the
means to send me to Europe in the summer. 3 by most popular media of all. ■ Be careful with the pro-

f means of (something) Using something: They nunciation of this word! ■ This word can be used
managed to get out of the burning building by with either a singular or a plural verb: "The media is/

g means of a rope. 4 by no means In no way at all: are often criticized". ■ We also say "mass media".
It is by no means clear what we'll do tomorrow. 5 medical /ˈmed.ɪ.kəl/ [㐀] Referring to health

h means of transport A way of going somewhere: treatment: Spike is a medical student.
The train is my favorite means of transport. ■ The medicine /ˈmed.ɪ.sən/ ❚ [㐖] 1 The treatment

i plural is "means". of illness: Medicine has advanced a lot in the last

meant /ment/ Past tense and past participle twenty years. ❚ [㐌] 2 A substance that is used to

j forms of mean2. cure an illness or to relieve symptoms: Take this

meantime /ˈmiːn.taɪm/ in the meantime In the medicine three times a day.

time between two events: I'd like to go to col- medieval /ˌmed.iˈiː.vəl/ [㐀] Referring to the Middle

k lege, but in the meantime I've got a job at a gas Ages: Cathedrals like Chartres, York or Burgos were
station. among the greatest achievements of medieval civiliza-
l meanwhile /ˈmiːn.waɪl/ [㐄] At the same time tion. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of this word.
that something else is happening: Have a wash. Mediterranean /ˌmed.ɪ.təˈreɪ.ni.ən/ [㐀] Refer-
m Meanwhile, I'll set the table.
ring to the Mediterranean Sea or to the region

measles /ˈmiː.zlz̩ / [㐖] An infectious disease around it: Spain and Italy are Mediterranean coun-

n that causes red pimples on your skin: When Cindy tries. ■ Be careful! "Mediterranean" has a capital
had measles, she had to stay in bed for two weeks. "M". Be careful with the pronunciation of this word!

o measure1 /ˈmeʒər/ [㐌] 1 A way of showing the "ran" is pronounced like "rain".
length, size and so on of something: The mile is medium /ˈmiː.di.əm/ [㐀] Average or middle:

p still a measure for distance in United States. 2 tape She's not very tall. She's medium height.
measure See tape measure. meet, met, met /miːt/ [㐘] 1 To get together with

q measure2 /ˈmeʒər/ [㐘] 1 To find out the length, another person or other persons: The class repre-
size and so on of something: We'll have to mea- sentatives met last week to discuss the new disci-

r sure that table. I think it's too big for our living pline rules. 2 To get to know somebody: I'd like to
room. 2 To have a certain length: How much does meet somebody famous; I first met Sarah two years
ago. 3 To see somebody by chance: We met Tom
s that bed measure?
measurement /ˈmeʒ·ər·mənt/ [㐗] The length, and Bruce in the movie theater yesterday, and they

size and so on of something: We need to know the were very surprised to see us. ■ Compare with "find"
(to look for and locate somebody). 4 To join: The
t measurements of the furniture. angle where two pieces meet should be 90º. 5 Re-
meat /miːt/ [㐖] The flesh from animals, that ferring to needs, requirements, conditions or de-
mands, to satisfy, achieve or fulfill: The govern-
u we eat: Vegetarians do not eat meat. ■ Be careful!
Do not confuse with "meal" (each of the times when

v we normally have food). ment refused to meet the trade unions' demands. 6

meatball /ˈmitˌbɔl/ [㐗] Food made of ground to meet your match To be good at something but

w meat shaped like balls: My brother makes wonder- to have to compete with somebody who is better
ful meatballs. than you: Christine is good at tennis but she has

x mechanic /məˈkæn.ɪk/ [㐗] A person who re- met her match with Jane, Jane beats everyone.
pairs machinery: The mechanic said that there meeting /ˈmi·t̬ɪŋ/ [㐗] A gathering of people:

y was something wrong with the engine. At the meeting, the class representatives decided

mechanical /məˈkæn.ɪ.kəl/ [㐀] That works with not to accept the new rules.

z machinery: When I was a kid I had lots of mechani- megalith /ˈmeg.ə.lɪθ/ [㐗] A large, upright
cal toys. stone placed as a monument: In the neolithic era

237 meringue

people made large stone monuments called mega- mental /ˈmen·tə·l/ [㐀] Referring to the mind, in a
b
liths, some of which were used as tombs. the mind: My dad is great at mental arithmetic. c
d
melody /ˈmel.ə.di/ [㐌] A song or a tune: Tchaikovsky mention /ˈmen.tʃən/ [㐘] 1 To refer to somebody or e
f
wrote great melodies. ■ The plural is "melodies". something in a conversation, speech, article and g

melon /ˈmel.ən/ [㐌] A very large fruit that is so on: Mr. Thomson mentioned Paul and Sheila in h
his speech. 2 don't mention it A polite way of an- i
green or yellow outside: Melon is my favorite fruit j
swering when somebody says "thank you": k
in the summer. 㐀 See page 436. l
"Thanks for your help". "Don't mention it". m
melt /melt/ [㐘] To change something from solid n
menu /ˈmen.juː/ [㐗] 1 A list of the food and o
to liquid by heating it: First you melt the butter p
drinks served in a restaurant or a café: Waiter, q
and then you add the flour. can you bring us the menu, please? 2 A list of r
s
melting [㐖] The transformation of a solid choices in a computer program, shown on the t
u
into liquid: the melting of ice. 㐀 See page 438. screen: To get the menu on your screen press this v
w
member /ˈmem·bər/ [㐗] Somebody who be- key. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of this word. x
y
longs to a group or category: We are going to start meow [㐘] To make the sound that a cat makes z

a campaign to get more members for our skating when for example it wants something: I can't

club. sleep well. There are always cats meowing. 㐀 See

membership /ˈmem·bərˌʃɪp/ [㐖] The act of picture at animal.

belonging to a club: Membership of the swimming merchant /ˈmɜr·tʃənt/ [㐗] A person who sells

club gives you the right to two free sessions a something, usually in large quantities: Sarah's

month. uncle is a very rich coal merchant.

membrane /ˈmembreɪn/ [㐗] An organic tissue merciful /ˈmɜr·sɪ·fəl/ [㐀] That is kind or forgiv-

that covers an organ or acts as a separation be- ing to people who are in a bad situation or who

tween two cavities: The membrane serves as the have done wrong: He was a very merciful Priest.

boundary. Mercury /ˈmɜːkjəri/ [㐗] A planet of the solar sys-

memorial /məˈmɔr·i·əl/, /-ˈmoʊr-/ [㐗] A monu- tem that is first in order from the Sun: Mercury is the

ment built in honor of an important event or per- smallest planet in the solar system. 㐀 See page 446.

son: Have you seen the Walter Scott Memorial in mercy /ˈmɜr·si/ [㐖] Being kind or forgiving to

Edinburgh? people who are in a bad situation or who have do-

memory /ˈmem·ər·i/ ❚ [㐌] 1 The power to re- ne wrong: The main character in the movie showed

member things: I can't remember where I've no mercy to his enemies. ■ This word is usually sin-

seen her before. I have a really bad memory for gular. ■ The plural is "mercies".
faces. ❚ [㐗] 2 Something from the past that
you remember: I have wonderful memories of the mere US: /mɪr/ UK: /mɪər/ [㐀] Only, simple: It was

vacation I spent in France. ■ The plural is "memo- a mere coincidence that we both bought the same

ries". type of pants.

men /men/ The plural of man. merely /ˈmɪəli/ [㐄] Simply, only: Giving your
menace /ˈmen.ɪs/ [㐗] 1 Something that can be
name and ID number at the entrance is merely a
a danger: I wouldn't like to live with the menace of
invasion from space. 2 Somebody who is a trou- formality.

ble: That boy is a menace! He destroys everything. merge US: /mɝːdʒ/ UK: /mɜːdʒ/ [㐘] To join together:

■ This use is informal. The two soccer clubs in my town are going to merge

mend /mend/ [㐘] To repair: Can you mend these into one.

shoes? meridian1 /məˈrɪd.i.ən/ [㐗] 1 An imaginary

menhir [㐗] A tall, upright stone, often line on a map which goes from the north to the

carved: In Prehistoric times the menhir served as a south pole: The meridian helps to establish loca-
tion. 㐀 See page 449. 2 In astronomy, an imagi-
monument.
nary circle connecting the pole stars: The meridi-
meningitis /ˌmenɪnˈdʒaɪtɪs/ [㐖] An illness
an was used to determine the route of sea voyages.
that produces a swelling of the tissues around 3 The peak or zenith of something: the meridian

the brain and the spinal cord: Meningitis is of her success. ■ This use is formal.

caused by an infection. meridian2 [㐀] 1 Referring to a meridian: me-

meninx [㐗] One of the membranes surround- ridian points. 2 Referring to midday: the meridian

ing the central nervous system: The main function hour. ■ This word is formal.

of the meninges is to protect the central nervous meringue /məˈræŋ/ [㐌] A type of very light sweet

system. ■ The plural is: "meninges". made of eggs and sugar: There was a thick layer of

merit 238

a meringue on top of the cake. ■ Be careful with the (something) up To spoil something or to make it

b pronunciation of this word! The ending "ringue" untidy: Vanessa, you've messed up all our plans by
rhymes with "kang" in "kangaroo". arriving so late!

merit /ˈmerɪt/ [㐌] The quality of deserving praise, message /ˈmes.ɪdʒ/ [㐗] Information sent to

c something good: I don't think there's any merit in somebody: I've got a message for you from Louise.
doing this puzzle. It's so easy. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of this word. The
d mermaid /ˈmɜrˌmeɪd/ [㐗] An imaginary being, "a" is pronounced like the "i" in "did".
half girl and half fish: Have you seen the statue of messenger /ˈmes·ən·dʒər/ [㐗] The person who

e the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen? carries a message: The Captain sent a messenger

merrily [㐄] 1 Done in an openly happy way: to the General telling him to send more soldiers.

f They walked merrily down the road, singing a song. messy /ˈmes.i/ [㐀] That is dirty or untidy: I had
2 Done without thinking or worrying about possi- to do my homework again because it was a bit

g ble consequences: He has been merrily driving his messy. ■ The comparative form is "messier" and the
truck for years without any lights. superlative form is "messiest".

h merry /ˈmer.i/ [㐀] Happy, cheerful: Terry's fam- met /met/ Past tense and past participle forms of
ily are a merry group of people. ■ It is now more meet.
i common to say: "happy" or "good fun" except in the metacarpal1 [㐀] Referring to the metacar-
expression "Merry Christmas". pus: The pain in her hand was diagnosed as meta-

j merry-go-round /ˈmer·i·goʊˌrɑʊnd/ [㐗] A fair carpal.
ride on which children go round on wooden hors- metacarpal2 [㐗] Any of the five bones of the
k es, cars and so on: When I was 4 years old, I spent a hand between the wrist and the phalanges: Meta-
whole afternoon going round on a merry-go-round. carpals are flat at the back of the hand and bowed
on the palm.
l MERRY-GO-ROUND
m metacarpus [㐗] Five long bones that form

the part of the hand between the phalanges and

the carpus: The equivalent of the metacarpus in

the foot is the metatarsus. ■ The plural is: "metacar-

n pi".
metal /ˈmet·̬ ə·l/ [㐌] A hard substance like iron or

o gold for example: Metal is used a lot in industry.
metallic /məˈtæl.ɪk/ [㐀] 1 Referring to metal: His

p new guitar makes a very metallic sound. 2 Like a met-
al in appearance: My mother's car is metallic blue.

q mesosphere [㐖] The layer of the atmo- metallurgical /ˌmet.əlˈɜː.dʒɪ.kəl/ US: /ˌmet̬.əlˈɜːr-/
sphere which is above the stratosphere: The me- [㐀] Referring to the scientific study of metals:

r sosphere starts at about 30 miles above the earth's Metallurgical engineers study the properties and
surface. 㐀 See page 449. uses of metals.

s mess1 /mes/ [㐖] 1 Something dirty or untidy: metalworker [㐗] Somebody who works
Your room is a mess, John. Tidy it up. 2 A situation with metal: The number of metalworkers is much
full of problems: I'm in a mess. My girlfriend's left smaller now.
t me and I've failed all my tests.
metamorphic /ˌmet̬·əˈmɔr·fɪk/ [㐀] Relating to

u MESS a change into a very different form: metamorphic

rocks.

metamorphosis /ˌmetəˈmɔːfəsɪs/ [㐗] The

v change into something very different in form or
nature: the metamorphosis of the tadpole into a

w frog.
metatarsal /ˌmet.əˈtɑː.səl/ US: /ˌmet.̬ əˈtɑːr-/ [㐀]

x Referring to the metatarsus: A metatarsal fracture
is a common problem for runners.

y metatarsus [㐗] The five bones in the foot lo-
mess2 1 to mess around To spend your time cated between the tarsal bones and the phalan-

z without doing anything useful or serious: Stop ges of the toes: The metatarsus forms one end of
messing around and do some work. 2 to mess the arch of the foot. ■ The plural is "metatarsi".

239 might

meteor [㐗] A piece of rock that burns and microphone /ˈmɑɪ·krəˌfoʊn/ [㐗] An instru- a
b
shines in the sky when it comes in contact with ment for making sound louder or for recording c
d
the earth's atmosphere from outer space: On Au- sounds: If you use the microphone, we'll hear you e
f
gust nights when there is a meteor shower you can better. ■ "Mike" is informal for "microphone". g

see many shooting stars. microscope /ˈmɑɪ·krəˌskoʊp/ [㐗] An instru- h
i
meteorite /ˈmi·t̬i·əˌrɑɪt/ [㐗] A fragment of ment for seeing very small things: At school today j
k
rock or metal which is the remains of a meteor we studied drops of blood through the microscope. l
m
that has fallen to earth: If a meteor burns up com- 㐀 See pages 440 and 443. n
o
pletely, no meteorite reaches earth. microscopic /ˌmaɪkrəˈskɒpɪk/ [㐀] So small that p
q
meteorology [㐖] The study of the process- it cannot be seen with the eye alone: Microscopic r
s
es and phenomena of the earth's atmosphere: objects can only be seen when magnified. t
u
Meteorology is used to forecast the weather. microwave or microwave oven v
w
meter /ˈmi·t̬ər/ [㐗] 1 A unit of length: There /ˈmaɪkrəʊweɪv/ [㐗] An oven that cooks food x
very quickly: In a microwave oven you can heat a y
are a thousand meters in a kilometer. ■ The abbre- z
meal in two minutes. 㐀 See picture at kitchen.
viation "m" is only used in written language. See box
midday /ˌmɪdˈdeɪ/ [㐖] Twelve o'clock a.m.:
at abbreviations. ■ In this use, the British English
spelling is "metre". 2 An instrument for measuring This lesson finishes at midday.

the quantity that somebody has used of some- middle1 /ˈmɪdl/ [㐀] Central, half way between

thing: The electricity company reads the meters ev- two things: Patsy is the middle daughter.

ery three months. middle2 /ˈmɪdl/ [㐌] 1 The central part of some-

method /ˈmeθ.əd/ [㐗] A way of doing some- thing, in or near the center: The table was in the
middle of the room. 2 to be in the middle of Being
thing: What's your method for learning vocabulary
busy doing something: I'm in the middle of pre-
so quickly? paring dinner. Can you phone back later? 3 the

metre UK: /ˈmiː.tər/ [㐗] See meter. ■ This is a Middle Ages The period in European history be-

British English spelling. ■ The abbreviation "m" is tween about 1000 and 1500 CE: Many castles

only used in written language. Be careful with the were built in the Middle Ages. ■ Be careful! "the
Middle Ages" has capital letters. 4 middle school
pronunciation of the last syllable of this word. The
In the United States, a school for children be-
"e" is not pronounced.
tween eleven and fourteen years old: Sixth, sev-
metric /ˈmet.rɪk/ [㐀] Referring to a system of mea-
enth, and eighth grades are the grades you are in
surement that is based on the number ten: Meters,
middle school. ■ In this use, the same meaning: "ju-
liters and kilograms are part of the metric system.
nior high", "junior high school".
Mexican1 [㐀] Referring to Mexico: I love Mexi-
middle-aged /ˌmɪd.l̩ˈeɪdʒd/ [㐀] A person
can food. ■ Be careful! "Mexican" has a capital "M".
who is between 40 and 60 years old: I think
Mexican2 [㐗] A person from Mexico: My un-
Joan's parents are middle-aged. Her dad must be
cle is married to a Mexican and they live in Villa-
about 45.
hermosa. ■ Be careful! "Mexican" has a capital "M".
middle finger [㐗] The third finger of the
mg A written abbreviation for milligram. ■ See
hand: The middle finger is the longest one.
box at abbreviations.
middle name [㐗] A name between some-
mice /maɪs/ The plural of mouse.
micro- /maɪkrəʊ-/ [㐒] An addition to the begin- body's first name and their last name: She won't

ning of a word that usually means "small": "Mi- tell anybody her middle name because she doesn't

crochip" and "microwave" are words that contain like it, but I think it's Agnes.

the prefix "micro-". ■ Be careful with the pronuncia- midfield player [㐗] Player in a middle po-

tion of this word! "mi" rhymes with "my". sition of the sports field: He plays as a midfield

microbe /ˈmɑɪ·kroʊb/ [㐗] A very small living player in the school team.

thing that can only be seen with a microscope: midnight /ˈmɪd.naɪt/ [㐖] Twelve o'clock at

Some microbes are extremely dangerous. ■ Be care- night or p.m.: You can have a party at home, but

ful with the pronunciation of this word! "mi" rhymes only until midnight.

with "my" and the second "e" is not pronounced. midwife /ˈmɪd.waɪf/ [㐗] A person trained to

microchip /ˈmaɪkrəʊtʃɪp/ [㐗] See chip. help women give birth: Our neighbor is a midwife.
microorganism /ˌmɑɪ·kroʊˈɔr·gəˌnɪz·əm/ [㐗] A
■ The plural is "midwives".
microscopic organism: Bacteria and viruses are
might1 /maɪt/ [㐘] A word that is used to say that
microorganisms. ■ Be careful with the pronuncia-
something is possible but not certain: I might go
tion of this word! "mi" rhymes with "my".

might 240

a to the movies tonight if I finish my homework. ■ Be milligram /ˈmɪlɪgræm/ [㐗] A mass unit that is

b careful! The verb after "might" is in the infinitive equal to one thousandth of a gramme: Half a
without "to". ■ The same meaning: "may". ■ See box gram is equivalent to five hundred milligrams. ■
at may. The abbreviation "mg" is only used in written lan-
c might2 /maɪt/ [㐖] Power, force: He fought guage. See box at abbreviations. ■ The British Eng-
with all his might to try to beat his opponent. lish spelling is "milligramme".

d mighty /ˈmɑɪ·t̬i/ [㐀] Powerful: Genghis Khan milligramme /ˈmɪl.ɪ.græm/ [㐗] See milli-
was a mighty king. ■ The comparative form is gram. ■ This is a British English spelling.

e "mightier" and the superlative form is "mightiest". millimeter /ˈmɪlɪˌmiːtər/ [㐗] A very small unit
migrate US: /ˈmaɪgreɪt/ UK: /maɪˈgreɪt/ [㐘] 1 Refer- of length: There are a thousand millimeters in a

f ring to animals, to move from one place to anoth- meter. ■ The abbreviation "mm" is only used in writ-
er because of the climate or possibilities of find- ten language. See box at abbreviations. ■ The Brit-

g ing food: Some birds migrate enormous distances ish English spelling is "millimetre".
every year. 2 Referring to groups of people, to millimetre /ˈmɪl.ɪˌmiː.tər/ US: /-t̬ɚ/ UK: /ˈmɪl.ɪˌmiː.tər/

h move from one place to another temporarily: In [㐗] See millimeter. ■ This is a British English
times of crisis, many people migrate in search of spelling.

i work. ■ In this use, the same meaning: "emigrate". million /ˈmɪl.jən/ [countable 㐐] A thousand
migratory US: /ˈmaɪgrətɔːri/ UK: /ˈmaɪgreɪtəri/ [㐀] times one thousand: New York has eight million

j Related to the habit of moving from one place to inhabitants. ■ Be careful! We say: "seven million"
another: Migratory birds travel to different coun- and not "seven millions".
tries, or continents, according to the season. millionaire /ˌmɪl·jəˈneər/ [㐗] A very rich per-
k mike /maɪk/ [㐗] See microphone. ■ This word is son: Danny's cousin found oil in one of his fields
informal. and became a millionaire.
l mild /maɪld/ [㐀] 1 Not hot, not cold: We had millionth /ˈmɪl.jəntθ/ [㐍] Referring to a mil-
very mild weather last December. 2 Gentle, not ag- lion: It's the millionth time I've told you.

m gressive: That child has a very mild nature. 3 Not mime1 [㐗] Acting without words: There's a
too hot, when talking about spicy food: I like mild group of actors doing "Cinderella" in mime at the

n curries, I don't like hot ones. local theater.

mile /maɪl/ [㐗] A unit of length: There are mime2 /maɪm/ [㐘] To act without words: Jane's

o 1,609 meters in a mile. ■ The abbreviation "m" is very good at miming film titles.
only used in written language. See box at abbrevia- mimic /ˈmɪm.ɪk/ [㐘] To imitate somebody: Some

p tions. comedians mimic famous people.

military /ˈmɪl·ɪˌter·i/ [㐀] Referring to the armed mince /mɪnts/ [㐖] See ground beef. ■ This

q forces: All the injured soldiers were taken to a mili- word is British English.
tary hospital. mince pie [㐗] A small pie filled with a mix-

r milk1 /mɪlk/ [㐖] 1 The white liquid produced ture of apples, spices, raisins and so on, eaten at
by female mammals to feed their young: Milk Christmas: Hot mince pies are wonderful!
s contains a lot of protein. 2 skimmed milk Low fat mind1 /maɪnd/ [㐗] 1 The part of the body that
milk: I always drink skimmed milk. thinks: Exercise your mind as well as your body! 2

milk2 /mɪlk/ [㐘] To take milk from an animal, to change your mind To change your opinion or

t usually a cow, sheep or goat: The farmer gets up at your intentions: If you change your mind about
six in the morning to milk the cows. going to the beach, give me a call. 3 to make up
u milkman /ˈmɪlk.mən/ [㐗] A man who delivers your mind To make a decision about something:
milk and other basic products to homes from a Come on, make up your mind. We don't have all

v van: Our milkman brings us milk and eggs each day.
morning. ■ The plural is "milkmen". mind2 /maɪnd/ [㐘] 1 To care: I don't mind what she

w milk shake /ˈmɪlkʃeɪk/ [㐌] A drink made from has said about me. I know she doesn't really mean
milk and flavors: Strawberry milk shake is my fa- it. 2 do you mind? or would you mind? Words

x vorite. that you use to ask somebody to do something in

mill /mɪl/ [㐗] 1 A place where grain is crushed a polite way: Do you mind opening the window?

y and made into flour: The farmer sent two bags of It's very hot in here. 3 to mind your own busi-
wheat to the mill. 2 A large factory for making pa- ness See business. 4 never mind Don't worry:

z per, wood, steel and so on: When he was younger "Sorry, I don't have any money". "Never mind. I'll
he worked in a steel mill in Minnesota. ask Paula".

241 miss

mine1 /maɪn/ [㐕] Belonging to me: That pen is or religion: Ethnic minorities in Canada have their a
b
mine. own radio programs. ■ The plural is "minorities". c
d
mine2 /maɪn/ [㐗] A place from which minerals mint /mɪnt/ ❚ [㐖] 1 A plant that has a strong e
f
are taken out: There are very large emerald mines scent: Mint leaves are used in cooking. ❚ [㐗] 2 A g
place where money is manufactured: In a mint there
in North Carolina. h
are machines that make thousands of coins every day. i
miner /ˈmɑɪ·nər/ [㐗] A person who works un- j
minus /ˈmaɪ.nəs/ [㐓] A word that is used in k
derground, digging for minerals: The miners in l
subtractions: Ten minus three equals seven. m
the gold mines in Brazil work in terrible conditions. n
minute /ˈmɪn.ɪt/ [㐗] 1 Sixty seconds: The train o
mineral /ˈmɪn.ər.əl/ [㐗] A natural substance p
will leave in five minutes. 2 in a minute Very soon, q
found in the earth, like iron and gold: Some min- r
in a short space of time: I can't help you now, but I s
erals like iron and copper are very useful for indus- t
will in a minute. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation u
try. v
of this word! The "u" is pronounced like the "i" in w
mineral salt [㐖] A simple, inorganic chem- x
"did". y
ical which is a nutrient needed by living organ- z
miracle /ˈmɪr.ɪ.kl̩/ [㐗] Something wonderful
isms: Mineral salts are absorbed in soluble form.
that you cannot explain: It was a miracle that no-
mini- /mɪni-/ [㐒] An addition to the beginning of
body was hurt in the accident.
a word that usually means "short" or "small": We
miraculous /mɪˈræk.jʊ.ləs/ [㐀] That is wonder-
went to Indianapolis in the school minibus.
ful and you cannot explain: John made a miracu-
miniature /ˈmɪnətʃər/ [㐀] That is a small copy
lous recovery from his illness.
or version of something: Ron has got a fantastic
mirror /ˈmɪr·ər/ [㐗] A piece of glass where you
collection of miniature cars.
can see yourself: I can't comb my hair if I don't
minibus /ˈmɪn.ɪ.bʌs/ [㐗] A kind of a little bus
look at myself in a mirror. 㐀  See picture at ba-
that takes a small number of passengers: Only
throom.
twelve students wanted to go on the trip, so we went
misbehave /ˌmɪs.bɪˈheɪv/ [㐘] To behave badly:
on the school minibus.
Mrs. King's children always misbehave when she's
minim /ˈmɪn.ɪm/ [㐗] A musical note which has
not present.
the time value of half a semibreve: Minims are
mischief /ˈmɪs.tʃɪf/ [㐖] Actions that you en-
represented by an oval ring with a stem. 㐀 See pa-
joy but that other people think are bad: Vanessa
ge 460.
is always making mischief.
minimize or minimise /ˈmɪnɪmaɪz/ [㐘] To re-
mischievous /ˈmɪs.tʃɪ.vəs/ [㐀] That does
duce to a minimum: We have to minimize our ex-
things that are fun that people think are bad:
penses to stay within budget.
Danny is a very mischievous child.
minimum /ˈmɪn.ɪ.məm/ [㐗] The smallest pos-
misconduct /mɪsˈkɑn·dʌkt/ [㐖] Bad behav-
sible quantity: To play poker you need a minimum
ior: Bob has been sent home twice for misconduct.
of three players.
miserable /ˈmɪz·ər·ə·bəl/ [㐀] Very unhappy or
minister /ˈmɪn·ə·stər/ [㐗] 1 A person who di-
sad: He was miserable when she didn't write to
rects a ministry: In the United States, the finance
minister is called the Secretary of the Treasury. 2 A him. 㐀 See picture at emotions.

Protestant priest: Ronald's father is a minister in miserably /ˈmɪzərəbli/ [㐄] 1 In a very unhappy

the Church of Utah. way: She looked miserably out of the window at the
rain. 2 In a very poor way: He was miserably
ministry /ˈmɪn.ɪ.stri/ [㐗] A government de- dressed. 3 In a very ineffective, depressing way:

partment: The Ministry of Education makes all de- The team failed miserably to score.

cisions concerning schools, colleges and universi- misery /ˈmɪz·ər·i/ [㐌] Suffering, unhappiness:

ties. ■ The plural is "ministries". Her life was a misery. ■ The plural is "miseries".

minor1 /ˈmaɪnər/ [㐀] Not very important: He misfortune /mɪsˈfɔr·tʃən/ [㐌] Bad luck: It was his

has to go to hospital for a minor operation. misfortune to be stopped by the bus inspector the

minor2 /ˈmaɪnər/ [㐗] Somebody who is not yet day that he had left his ticket at home.

legally an adult: In most countries, minors cannot mislead, misled, misled /mɪsˈliːd/ [㐘] To pro-

be sent to prison. vide with false information: To mislead the pho-

minority /məˈnɔr·ɪ·t̬i/, /mɑɪ-/, /-ˈnɑr-/ ❚ [㐌] 1 A tographers, the singer's publicist told them that she

small part of a group: A minority of people in the was traveling to Paris instead of Hamburg.
class didn't want to go to the art gallery. ❚ [㐗] 2
A group of people of a particular race or religion miss /mɪs/ [㐘] 1 To fail to catch a train or other

who live where most people are of a different race transport: We missed the last bus and had to walk

Miss 242

a home. 2 To fail to arrive in time to see somebody: Without wanting to: I went into Jenny's bedroom
b You've just missed Lucy. She left a minute ago. 3 To by mistake.
fail to hit somebody or something: He threw a mistake2, mistook, mistaken /mɪˈsteɪk/ [㐘] 1
snowball at me but missed; Chris took the penalty, Confuse one person or thing for another: I mis-

c but unfortunately he missed. 4 To be sad about took Craig for his brother. They are so alike. 2 to be
somebody or something that is not with you: mistaken To be wrong, to have a wrong idea: If

d When I was in Europe this summer, I missed my you think that I'm going to Sue's party, you are mis-
family. 5 To notice that you don't have some- taken.

e thing: I didn't miss my cell phone until I went to mistaken /mɪˈsteɪ.kən/ Past participle of mistake2.
check if I had any messages and saw that it was not mister [㐌] See Mr.

f my jacket. 6 To avoid or omit something: If we mistook /mɪˈstʊk/ Past tense of mistake2.
leave a little later, maybe we will miss the rush hour mistrust1 /ˌmɪsˈtrʌst/ [㐘] To be suspicious of

g traffic. 7 Not to be able to do, to see or to play in somebody: I mistrust Joanne. I don't think she's
something: I missed their last concert because I very loyal.

h was ill; Serena will miss the first part of the movie if mistrust2 [㐖] Being suspicious of some-
she doesn't arrive soon. 8 to miss an opportunity body: He has a great mistrust of people.

i Not to take an opportunity: Jill missed a great op- misty /ˈmɪs.ti/ [㐀] 1 Having clouds of tiny
portunity to go to New York with her aunt. 9 to drops of water, that makes it difficult to see: The

j miss the point Not to understand the important morning was misty. 2 Affected by tiny drops of
thing about what somebody says: You are missing water: My glasses are misty. ■ The comparative
k the point: the problem is not that it's expensive, it's form is "mistier" and the superlative form is "misti-
that my parents say I can't go. est".

◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to miss out 1 Not to do or in- misunderstand, misunderstood, misun-
l clude something: Jane always misses out most of derstood /mɪsˌʌn·dərˈstænd/ [㐘] To understand
her punctuation; You have missed out a line of the wrongly: I misunderstood Roger. I thought he said

m text. 2 Not to be able to have something that oth- he didn't want to come.
ers are enjoying: It is great that you can come this misunderstood Past tense and past participle

n time to the barbecue, I didn't want you to miss out. forms of misunderstand.
■ Be careful with the spelling of the 3rd person sin- misuse /ˌmɪsˈjuːz/ [㐘] To use something in the

o gular present tense form: "misses". wrong way: It's a pity to see Felicity misusing her

Miss /mɪs/ [㐌] A title used for a woman who is great talent doing this kind of work.

p not married: Miss Parker is very elegant. ■ Be Care- mix /mɪks/ [㐘] To put several things together: If
ful! This word is normally used with a last name. you mix white and black, you get gray.

q Some people consider that "Miss" is discriminatory ◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to mix (somebody or some-
and prefer to use "Ms.". ■ "Miss" has a capital "M". ■ thing) up To think that one person or one thing is

r See box at abbreviations. a different person or thing: I always mix her up

missile /ˈmɪs·əl/ [㐗] A weapon that is thrown with her sister.

s through the air: The fighters shot four missiles at mixture /ˈmɪks·tʃər/ [㐗] Something made from
the ship and sank it. different things put together: They communicated

missing /ˈmɪs.ɪŋ/ [㐀] Not in the normal or in a mixture of English and Spanish.

t right place, lost: They've found the missing boy in mm A written abbreviation for millimeter. ■ See
a cave in the mountains. box at abbreviations.

u missionary /ˈmɪʃ·əˌner·i/ [㐗] Somebody who moan US: /moʊn/ UK: /məʊn/ [㐘] 1 To make a low
tries to teach Christianity to people of other reli- sad sound when in pain or suffering: The sick

v gions or with no religion: The two missionaries in sheep were moaning all night. 2 To complain:
the town were in charge of the church and a hospi- Charles is always moaning about his grades.

w tal. ■ The plural is "missionaries". moat US: /moʊt/ UK: /məʊt/ [㐗] A wide channel

mist /mɪst/ [㐌] A cloud close to the ground: The with water in it, surrounding a castle: In the mov-

x fields were covered in mist and it was difficult to see ie, the soldiers fell off the tower into the moat.
where the animals were. ■ Compare with "fog" ("fog" mobile US: /ˈməʊbəl/ UK: /ˈməʊbaɪl/ [㐀] 1 That

y is thicker than "mist"). can be moved or transported: The mobile crane

mistake1 /mɪˈsteɪk/ [㐗] 1 Something that is in- can travel around the site. ■ Compare with "station-

z correct: How many mistakes did you make in the ary" (not moving). 2 mobile home A static cara-
dictation? ■ We say make a mistake. 2 by mistake van: Some camping sites allow mobile homes.

243 mommy

mobile or mobile phone US: /ˈməʊbəl/ UK: moist /mɔɪst/ [㐀] Damp, slightly wet: You a
b
/ˈməʊbaɪl/ [㐗] See cellphone. ■ Be careful with should always plant seeds in moist earth. ■ "Moist" c
the pronunciation of this word! The "o" in mobile is a is usually a positive word. Compare with "damp" (is d
often a negative word: "The weather has been damp e
long o, as in the English word "no". "Bi" rhymes with and cold all this week"). f
g
"my". ■ This word is British English. moisturizing or moisturising /ˈmɔɪs.tʃər.aɪ.zər/
h
mobility US: /moʊˈbɪl.ə.ti̬ / UK: /məʊˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/ [㐖] [㐀] That makes the skin softer, by preventing i
it from being too dry: I use a moisturizing lotion j
The ability to get from place to place to improve after I take a shower. k
l
position: Mobility is a vital aspect of modern life. mold1 [㐖] A container that is used to make m
n
mock /mɒk/ [㐘] To make fun of somebody: It's something in a particular shape: Pour the mixture o
into a round mold and then put it in the oven. p
very unpleasant to be mocked. q
mold2 [㐘] To make something into a particular r
modal [㐀] 1 Referring to mode or form: Modal s
shape: At school the children molded clay into dif- t
analysis determines the way in which structures vi- ferent shapes. u
brate. 2 In grammar, referring to a special kind of v
mole US: /moʊl/ UK: /məʊl/ [㐗] A small animal w
auxiliary verb: "Would" is a modal verb which in- x
with dark fur that lives in the ground: Moles like liv- y
dicates that the accompanying verb is conditional. ing in the dark because they have very poor eyesight. z

modal verb /ˈməʊdəlˌvɜːb/ [㐗] A verb that is MOLE

used with other verbs to express possibility, per- molecule /ˈmɑl·əˌkjul/ [㐗] The smallest inde-

mission, necessity and so on: "Can" and "might" pendent part of a substance: Everything is made
of lots of tiny molecules.
are examples of modal verbs.
mollusk or mollusc US: /ˈmɑː.ləsk/ UK: /ˈmɒl.əsk/
mode [㐗] 1 A manner of doing something: an
[㐗] An invertebrate animal that has soft body
unusual mode of expression. 2 A kind or type: and is often covered by a hard shell: Oysters,
snails and octopuses are mollusks. ■ The British
modes of transport. English spelling is "mollusc".

model1 /ˈmɒdəl/ [㐗] 1 A small version of some- molten /ˈmoʊl·tə·n/ [㐀] Referring to metal, rock

thing: Patrick has a wonderful collection of model or glass, that is melted by heat: Molten lead is
airplanes. 2 A person who wears clothes to show used to make shot for guns.

them to other people: Claudia Schiffer is one of the mom [㐗] See mother. 㐀 See picture at family.
moment /ˈmoʊ·mənt/ [㐗] 1 A very short period
most famous fashion models.
of time: Can you hold this for me for a moment? 2
model2 [㐀] Ideal or perfect: Linda is a model at the moment That is happening now: My big-
gest problem at the moment is the math test. 3 in a
friend. She's always willing to help. moment Very soon: Don't be impatient. You'll see
it in a moment. 4 just a moment! Wait a little!:
moderate /ˈmɑd·ər·ɪt/ [㐀] That is not extreme: "Have you finished yet?" "Just a moment, I'm writ-
ing the last line!". ■ Be careful! We say: "just a mo-
I enjoy moderate heat, but I can't stand it when it's ment!". We don't say: "one moment".

very hot. mommy [㐗] See mother. ■ This use is informal

modern US: /ˈmɑː.dɚn/ UK: /ˈmɒd.ən/ [㐀] That be- and normally used by or to children. ■ The plural is
"mommies".
longs to the present or to recent time: Computers

are a very modern invention.

modernization or modernisation

/ˌmɒdənaɪˈzeɪʃən/ [㐖] The updating of some-
thing, or the renovation of the appearance of

something: The modernization of the hotel was

well done.

modest US: /ˈmɑː.dɪst/ UK: /ˈmɒd.ɪst/ [㐀] That

does not talk about the things that he or she does

well: He's very modest. Although he has four gold

medals he doesn't talk about them.

modesty /ˈmɑd·ə·sti/ [㐖] Not talking about

the things that you do well: You should learn a bit

of modesty, Jane. You are always boasting.

modification /ˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ [㐌] The act of

modifying: She proposed a modification to the pro-

cess.

modify /ˈmɑd·əˌfɑɪ/ [㐘] To alter or adjust: In the

end it was decided to modify the law, not abolish it.

■ Be careful with the spelling of these forms: "modi-

fies", "modified".

monarch 244

a monarch US: /ˈmɑː.nɚk/ UK: /ˈmɒn.ək/ [㐗] A monstrous /ˈmɑn·strəs/ [㐀] That is strange

b king or a queen: The monarch attended the cere- and frightening: We saw a science fiction movies
mony in parliament. in which some monstrous creatures from space in-

monarchy /ˈmɑn·ər·ki/ [㐖] A political system vaded the earth.

c in which a king or a queen is the head of state: In month /mʌntθ/ [㐗] One of the twelve parts of a
America there are no monarchies; all the countries year: August is my favorite month. It's when we go
d are republics. ■ The plural is "monarchies".
on vacation. 㐀 See picture at calendar.

monastery US: /ˈmɑː.nə.ster.i/ UK: /ˈmɒn.ə.stri/ monthly /ˈmʌnt.θli/ [㐀] That happens every

e [㐗] A place where monks live and work: Last month or once a month: I buy a monthly magazine
Sunday we visited a monastery in a remote valley. ■ on computers.

f The plural is "monasteries". monument /ˈmɑn·jə·mənt/ [㐗] 1 An old build-

Monday /ˈmʌn.deɪ/ [㐌] The second day of the ing or statue: Washington D.C. is full of beautiful

g week: Monday is between Sunday and Tuesday. ■ monuments. 2 A building or statue in honor of
Be careful! "Monday" has a capital "M". 㐀 See pic- somebody or something: Lincoln Memorial in

h ture at calendar. Washington D.C. is a monument was dedicated to

money /ˈmʌn.i/ [㐖] 1 Bills and coins that honor President Abraham Lincoln.

i people use to buy things: Money is not the most moo [㐘] To make the sound that a cow makes:
important thing in life. 2 to make money To get When they saw the farmer, the cows started moo-

j money for your work: Mr. Robinson has made a lot ing. 㐀 See picture at animal.
of money working in Saudi Arabia. 3 pocket mon- mood /muːd/ [㐗] 1 The way that you are feel-
k ey See pocket money. ing: Be careful! Mr. MacCarthy is in a bad mood to-

money box [㐗] A box or other container day. 2 in the mood for To want to do or have

which you put money into to save: My money box something: Switch off the radio, please. I'm not in
l is full.
the mood for music.

monitor US: /ˈmɑː.nɪ.tɚ̬ / UK: /ˈmɒn.ɪ.tər/ [㐗] 1 moon /muːn/ [㐗] 1 A natural satellite that goes
m The part of a computer where you can see your around a bigger planet: Saturn has ten moons.
work: I'm going to get an another flat monitor. 1 2 㐀 See page 448. 2 The natural satellite that moves

n An older boy or girl who helps the teachers: The round the earth: It takes the moon one month to go
monitors wouldn't let us go into the school building round the earth. 3 full moon The moon when it is a

o until the bell rang. circle: I think we'll have plenty of light tonight. There's

monk /mʌŋk/ [㐗] A man who lives in a reli- a full moon. 4 new moon The moon when it is a

p gious community: Saint Bernard Abbey is a thin line, at the beginning of its cycle: Nights with a
monastery of Catholic Benedictine monks in Ala- new moon are very dark. 5 over the moon Words

q bama. used to say that you feel very happy: The soccer

monkey /ˈmʌŋ.ki/ [㐗] An animal that has a long player said that he was over the moon about the goal.

r tail, hands and feet, and that lives in trees: Mon- moonlight /ˈmuːn.laɪt/ [㐖] The light of the
keys jump from branch to branch. 㐀 See page 428. moon: I like going for walks in the moonlight.
s monopoly /məˈnɑp·ə·li/ [㐗] An area of busi- moor1 /mɔːr/ [㐗] Open land with grass and
ness that belongs to one company only: They have bushes: Moors are not very good for growing crops.
the monopoly of electrical parts. ■ The plural is moor2 [㐘] To make a boat still: Most people moor
t "monopolies".
their yachts in bad weather.

monotheistic /ˌmɒn.əʊ.θiːˈɪs.tɪk/ US: /ˌmɑː.noʊ-/ mop1 /mɒp/ [㐌] A long stick with strips of cloth or
u [㐀] Believing in one god only: The three princi- a sponge on the end, that is used for cleaning
pal monotheistic religions are Judaism, Christiani- floors: With a mop and a little water you can clean

v ty and Islam. ■ Compare with "polytheistic" (believ- the kitchen floor in five minutes.
ing in more than one god). mop2 /mɒp/ [㐘] To clean a floor with a mop or a

w monotonous /məˈnɑt·ə··nəs/ [㐀] Boring: I find cloth and a little water: At home we mop the kitch-
a lot of modern classical music very monotonous. It en floor everyday.

x all sounds the same to me. moped /ˈmoʊˌped/ [㐗] A small, not very power-

monster US: /ˈmɑːnt.stɚ/ UK: /ˈmɒnt.stər/ [㐗] 1 A ful, motorcycle: The good thing about mopeds is

y large, horrible being: In Greek mythology there that you can use the pedals if you have no gas.
were monsters with one eye. 2 A very bad person: moral1 /ˈmɒrəl/ [㐀] Referring to right or wrong:

z That man is a monster! The way he treats animals Who is responsible for the development of our mor-
is terrible. al sense?

245 mound

moral2 /ˈmɒrəl/ [㐗] The lesson taught by a sto- much money I have, but at most I have $20. 4 to a
b
ry: I don't understand the moral of this story. make the most of To use something in the best c
d
morale /məˈrɑːl/ [㐖] The confidence that you and fullest way: We have to try to make the most of e
f
feel in a difficult or important situation: When the our trip to Mexico. g

opposing team scored a goal, the morale of our mostly /ˈmoʊst·li/ [㐄] In most cases: My friends h
i
team went right down. are mostly of my age. ■ The same meaning: "main- j
k
more US: /mɔːr/ UK: /mɔːr/ [㐂] 1 The compara- ly". l
m
tive form of much and many: Why don't you do it? moth US: /mɑːθ/ UK: /mɒθ/ [㐗] A kind of butter- n
You have more time than I do. 2 The comparative o
fly that usually flies at night: Open the window so p
form of very1: That book's okay, but this one is q
more interesting. 3 more and more A greater that the moth can fly out. r
s
amount all the time: More and more people are mother /ˈmʌð·ər/ [㐗] 1 A female parent: My t
careful about what they eat. 4 more or less Ap- u
proximately: She's more or less twenty. 5 not any cousin Barbara became a mother last week. ■ v
w
more Not any longer: I tell you that he does not "Mom" and "mommy" are informal for "mother". x
live here any more. 6 once more One other time, 㐀 See picture at family. 2 mother-in-law When y
z
again: Come on, mom! Tell us the story once more! you are married, your wife's mother or your hus-

morning /ˈmɔːnɪŋ/ [㐌] 1 The part of the day until band's mother: Joan is living at her moth-

midday: We have three lessons in the morning and er-in-law's house until their house is ready. ■ The

then we have a break for lunch. ■ Be careful. We plural of "mother-in-law" is "mothers-in-law".
say: "in the morning". 2 good morning A greeting
mother tongue [㐗] A person's native lan-
that is used in the morning: Our teacher always
guage: His mother tongue is French.
says "Good morning" when she comes into the
motion /ˈmoʊ·ʃən/ [㐌] Movement: This week we're
classroom.
going to study the motion of the planets.
mortal1 US: /ˈmɔːr.tə̬ l/ UK: /ˈmɔː.təl/ [㐗] A being,
motive US: /ˈmoʊ.t̬ɪv/ UK: /ˈməʊ.tɪv/ [㐗] A reason
that lives and dies: Human beings are mortals.
for doing something: I can't understand his mo-
mortal2 US: /ˈmɔːr.t̬əl/ UK: /ˈmɔː.təl/ [㐀] Leading to
tives for wanting to come and see us every day.
or causing death: During the Roman Empire,
motor US: /ˈmoʊ.tɚ̬ / UK: /ˈməʊ.tər/ [㐗] Machine,
games were held in which gladiators engaged in
large or small, which causes motion: The motor of
mortal combat.
the vacuum cleaner is broken. ■ "Motor" is usually
mosaic1 /moʊˈzeɪ·ɪk/ [㐗] A design made using
used for electrical appliances. Compare with "en-
many small stones or pieces of glass: This Roman
gine" (usually used for vehicles).
mosaic represents a scene of a banquet.
motorbike /ˈmoʊ·t̬ərˌbɑɪk/ [㐗] A motorcycle:
mosaic2 [㐀] Relating to a mosaic or looking
Accidents on motorbikes are quite often fatal. ■ The
like one: The mosaic pattern on your bathroom
same meaning: "motorcycle". 㐀  See picture at
wall is very original.
transport.
Moslem US: /ˈmɑːz.lem/ UK: /ˈmʊz.lɪm/ [㐍] See
motor boat [㐗] A boat that is moved by a
Muslim. ■ Be careful! "Moslem" has a capital "M".
small engine: There's a motor boat that crosses to
mosque US: /mɑːsk/ UK: /mɒsk/ [㐗] A place
the island every two hours. 㐀 See picture at trans-
where Muslims meet to pray: Mohammed's father
port.
goes to the mosque once a day.
motorcycle /ˈmoʊ·t̬ərˌsɑɪ·kəl/ [㐗] A vehicle
mosquito /məˈski·to̬ ʊ/ [㐗] A small insect that
with an engine that goes on two wheels: The Har-
feeds on blood from animals and people: Mosqui-
ley Davidson is the most famous motorcycle of all
toes spread many serious diseases. ■ The plural is
times. ■ The same meaning: "motorbike".
"mosquitoes".
motorist /ˈmoʊ·t̬ər·ɪst/ [㐗] A car driver: There
moss US: /mɑːs/ UK: /mɒs/ [㐌] A very small green or
is a campaign to encourage motorists not to drink
yellow plant, which grows on surfaces: Moss
and drive. ■ This word is a little formal. We usually
grows on trees, on the ground and on rocks.
say "driver".
most US: /moʊst/ UK: /məʊst/ [㐂] 1 The super-
motor racing [㐖] A sport in which cars
lative form of much and many: I have more books
race: Motor racing is one of the most spectacular
than John, but Sue has the most of us all. She has
hundreds. 2 The superlative form of very: The sports you can watch.

new Star Wars movie is the most exciting of them motorway /ˈmoʊ·t̬ərˌweɪ/ [㐗] See freeway. ■
all. 3 at most As a maximum: I don't know how
This word is British English.

mound /maʊnd/ [㐗] 1 A hill: From the mound

we could see the whole town below and all the
boats in the sea. 2 A pile of something: There's a

mount 246

a mound of earth and a big hole in their yard. Are make somebody feel sad, happy and so on: I was

b they going to plant a tree? so moved by the story that I started crying.

mount1 /maʊnt/ [㐘] To get on a horse or a bike: ◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to move into To go and live

The cowboys all mounted their horses and galloped in a new apartment or house: We're moving into
our new apartment in September. · to move out To
c across the valley. leave an apartment or a house: We're moving out
mount2 /maʊnt/ [㐌] See Mt. ■ The abbreviation
d "Mt" is only used in written language.
of our present address at the end of the month.

mountain /ˈmɑʊn·tə·n/ [㐗] A piece of land movement /ˈmuːv.mənt/ [㐌] A changing of posi-

e that goes very high: The mountains in central Asia tion or place: There was a movement behind the
are the highest in the world. ■ Be careful with the drapes.

f pronunciation of this word! The "a" is not pro- movie /ˈmuː.vi/ [㐗] 1 A film: The latest Disney
nounced. 㐀 See pages 444 and 445. movie isn't very good. 2 the movies The showing

g mountain bike [㐗] A special kind of bike of films at a movie theater: I'm going to the mov-
with thick wheels, used for riding in the country: ies this evening. ■ In this use, in British English we

h With a mountain bike you can go over very rough say "the pictures".
ground. movie theater [㐗] A place for showing

i mountaineer /ˌmaʊn.tɪˈnɪər/ US: /-tənˈɪr/ [㐗] films: The movie theaters in my town always show
Somebody who climbs mountains: The mountain- the latest Hollywood films. ■ In British English they

j eer reached the summit. say "cinema". 㐀 See picture at street.

mountaineering /ˌmaʊn.tɪˈnɪə.rɪŋ/ US: /-tənˈɪr.ɪŋ/ mow, mowed, mown US: /moʊ/ UK: /məʊ/ [㐘] To

k [㐖] A sport in which you climb mountains: cut grass or cereals: How often do you mow your
Mountaineering is not a dangerous sport if you are lawn?
careful. mown Past participle of mow.
l mountainous /ˈmɑʊn·tə·n·əs/ [㐀] 1 Having Mr. [㐌] A title used for a man: Mr. Johnson teach-
many mountains: The landscape in this area is es us Science. ■ Be careful! This word is normally

m very mountainous. 2 Being very big: a mountain- used with a last name, when the first name is not
ous pile of garbage. mentioned. ■ See box at abbreviations.

n mourn US: /mɔːrn/ UK: /mɔːn/ [㐘] To be sad for Mrs. /ˈmɪs.ɪz/ [㐌] A title used for a married wom-
somebody who has died: They mourned their an: Mrs. Harrison is one of the school teachers. ■

o grandpa's death. Be careful! This word is normally used with a last

mourning /ˈmɔr·nɪŋ/, /ˈmoʊr-/ [㐖] Feeling or name, when the first name is not mentioned. ■ See

p showing sadness for somebody who has died: box at abbreviations.
They're in mourning for their grandmother. ■ Be Ms. /məz, mɪz/ [㐌] A title used for a woman: When

q careful! We say: "to be in mourning". a woman doesn't want to say if she's single or mar-

mouse /maʊs/ [㐗] A small animal with a long ried, she uses "Ms.". ■ Be careful! This word is nor-

r tail: Jackie screamed when she saw the mouse. ■ mally used with a last name, when the first name is
The plural is "mice". 㐀 See page 442. not mentioned. ■ See box at abbreviations.

s mouth /maʊθ/ [㐗] The part of the body that Mt An abbreviation for "Mount" that goes before
you use for eating and talking: Don't talk with the name of a mountain: Mt Everest is the highest
your mouth full! ■ Be careful with the pronunciation mountain in the world.

t of this word! The vowel sound of this word is pro- much /mʌtʃ/ [㐂] 1 A lot of something: Hurry
nounced the same as in "cow". up! I don't have much time. 2 as much as The

u mouthful /ˈmaʊθ.fʊl/ [㐗] The amount of food same quantity as: He doesn't know as much math
you can get in your mouth in one go: She ate a as me. 3 how much Words used to ask about

v whole sandwich in two mouthfuls. quantity with uncountable nouns: How much but-

mouthorgan [㐗] A small musical instru- ter is there in the fridge? ■ "Much" is used with un-

w ment that you play by moving it across your lips countable nouns like "time" or "water". Compare
while you are blowing: I would like to play the with "many" (used with countable nouns). "Much" is

x mouthorgan. normally used in negative sentences and questions.

movable or moveable /ˈmuːvəbl/ [㐀] Able In affirmative sentences we use "a lot of". ■ The com-

y to be moved: The back of the chair is movable. ■ parative form is "more" and the superlative form is
Compare with "immovable" (that cannot be moved). "most".

z move /muːv/ [㐘] 1 To change place or position: mud /mʌd/ [㐖] Wet soil: When it rains the
I'm going to take a photo. Don't move now. 2 To road to the farmhouse gets covered in mud.

247 musical

muddy /ˈmʌd.i/ [㐀] Covered in mud: Clean your murmur1 /ˈmɜːmər/ [㐗] A soft continuous a
b
boots before coming into the house; they're very sound: There was a murmur of approval when the c
principal presented his plans for the new school. d
muddy. ■ The comparative form is "muddier" and the e
murmur2 /ˈmɜːmər/ [㐘] To talk in a very low f
superlative form is "muddiest". g
voice: She murmured something into my ear but I
muesli /ˈmjuːzli/ [㐖] A breakfast cereal: couldn't understand what she said. h
i
Muesli is made from grain, dried fruit and nuts. Murphy's Law US: /ˌmɝː.fizˈlɑː/ UK: /ˌmɜː.fizˈlɔː/ j
k
mug /mʌg/ [㐗] A tall straight cup: I've bought [㐖] A humorous principle that states that if l
anything can go wrong, it will: Murphy's Law says m
some new coffee mugs. ■ Compare with "cup" (a that for example if you drop a piece of bread and n
butter, it will always fall butter side down. ■ Be o
small round container used for drinking hot drinks). careful! "Murphy's Law" has capital letters. ■ This p
phrase is informal. q
㐀 See picture at cup. r
muscle /ˈmʌs.l̩/ [㐌] One of the parts of the body s
mule /mjuːl/ [㐗] An animal similar to a don- t
that cause movement: The muscles move the u
key: Mules are the cross of female horses and male bones and allow us to move all parts of the body. ■ v
Be careful with the pronunciation of this word! w
donkeys. 㐀 See page 423. x
y
multi- /mʌlti-/ [㐒] An addition to the beginning muscular /ˈmʌs·kjə·lər/ [㐀] 1 Having well-de- z

of a word that means "many": Something that is veloped muscles: He is very muscular because he
goes to the gym regularly. 2 Relating to muscles:
multicolored has many colors. muscular contractions. 㐀 See page 423.

multicellular /ˌmʌl·tiˈsel·jə·lər/, /ˌmʌl·tɑɪ-/ [㐀] musculature /ˈmʌs.kjʊ.lə.tʃər/ US: /-tʃɚ/ [㐖]

Having more than one cell: Every living creature is The muscular system: The bat's wing musculature
is enviable. 㐀 See page 423.
multicellular except the single-cell amoeba.
museum /mjuːˈziː.əm/ [㐗] A building that has
multilingual /ˌmʌltiˈlɪŋgwəl/ [㐀] That uses
interesting objects for people to look at: In the
several languages: Multilingual guides have infor- Museum of Natural History you can learn a lot
about the origins of man.
mation in several languages.
mushroom /ˈmʌʃ.ruːm, -rʊm/ [㐗] A plant that has
multiply /ˈmʌl·təˌplɑɪ/ [㐘] 1 To add the same
no leaves, flowers or roots: You can eat some mush-
number several times: If you multiply five by three, rooms but others are poisonous. 㐀 See page 437.
it is the same as adding five three times. 2 To grow
music /ˈmjuː.zɪk/ [㐖] 1 Sounds arranged to
in number: Rabbits multiply very quickly. ■ Be
sound pleasant: I like different types of music. 2
careful with the spelling of these forms: "multiplies", The written or printed symbols that represent
sounds in a song or symphony: I can't read music.
"multiplied". I play by ear.

mummy /ˈmʌm.i/ [㐗] The body of a person earphones

who died a long time ago but is still well pre- MUSIC

served: The Egyptian mummies are fascinating. ■ musical1 /ˈmjuːzɪkəl/ [㐀] Referring to music:

The plural is "mummies". Be careful with the pronun- Can you play a musical instrument? 㐀 See pages
458-460.
ciation of this word! The vowel sound here is pro-

nounced the same as in "sun".

mumps /mʌmps/ [㐖] An infectious disease in

which your neck swells: I had mumps when I was

a kid. ■ It is usually used with a singular verb.

municipal /mjuːˈnɪs.ɪ.pəl/ [㐀] Of, or relating to,

a town or city: The library and the baths are mu-

nicipal.

municipality /mjʊˌnɪs·əˈpæl·ɪ·t̬i/ [㐗] A town

which has its own local government: The resi-

dents of the municipality elect their representa-

tives. ■ The plural is "municipalities".

murder1 /ˈmɜːdər/ [㐌] The killing of somebody:

There has been a murder in a bank in Kansas City.

■ Compare with "crime" (an illegal action).

murder2 /ˈmɜːdər/ [㐘] To kill somebody: She mur-

dered him by putting poison in his tea.

murderer US: /ˈmɝː.dɚ.ɚ/ UK: /ˈmɜː.dər.ər/ [㐗] A

person who kills another person: The police

caught the girl's murderer when he was trying to go

abroad. ■ Compare with "criminal2" (somebody who

does something against the law).

musical 248

a musical2 /ˈmjuːzɪkəl/ [㐗] A play or a movie mustache [㐗] Hair that men have above the

b that has songs and dances: I went to see the musi- mouth: My great uncle had a very long mustache.
cal "Grease" yesterday. mustard /ˈmʌs·tərd/ [㐖] A spicy sauce made

musician /mjuːˈzɪʃ.ən/ [㐗] A person who plays from the seeds of a plant: I love hot dogs with

c or writes music: There are twenty musicians in the mustard.
school orchestra. mustn't /ˈmʌs.ənt/ The contraction of "must not".
d Muslim US: /ˈmɑː.zlem/ UK: /ˈmʊz.lɪm/ [㐍] Refer- must've The contraction of "must have".
ring to Islam or a follower of Islam: In most Ar- mute [㐀] Not able to speak: Deaf and mute

e ab countries, the people are Muslims. ■ Be care- people often communicate by using a special sign
ful! "Muslim" has a capital "M". ■ We also say language.

f "Moslem". mutter US: /ˈmʌt̬.ɚ/ UK: /ˈmʌt.ər/ [㐘] To speak in a

mussel /ˈmʌsəl/ [㐗] A bivalve mollusk with an low voice, often expressing disagreement: She

g oval shell: Mussels live in the sea and are often muttered something but I couldn't hear her.
consumed as food. mutton /ˈmʌt·ə·n/ [㐖] The meat from an

h must /mʌst, məst, məs/ [㐘] 1 A word that you use adult sheep: Anne prepared a leg of mutton with
to say that it is necessary to do something: You herbs.

i must listen to me when I speak to you! 2 A word my /maɪ/ [㐀] Of me; belonging to me: This is my
that you use to show that you think something is sister Nellie.
j true: She must be a foreigner. She doesn't under- myriapod [㐗] Any invertebrate which has a
stand English. ■ See box below. body with many segments and legs: Centipedes

k must and have to and millipedes are myriapods.

myself /maɪˈself/ [㐕] 1 A word that refers to

l ðÜThe verb must only has one form. The verbs that "me" when I am the subject of a sentence: I hurt
follow it are in the infinitive without to: myself with the bread knife. 2 A word that under-
lines that I am the person the verb refers to: I my-
m - You must be more punctual, James. self am not very keen on pizza. 3 by myself 1
- I mustn’t forget Mom’s birthday. Alone: I go to school by myself. 2 Without help: I

n - I must go now. made this kite all by myself.
Must is used with a present or future meaning.
mysterious /mɪˈstɪər·i·əs/ [㐀] That is strange

o ðÜFor other tenses, we use have to: and difficult to explain: Every night we hear mys-
terious noises coming from the attic.

p -Üpast tense: When I was 14, I had to be home at 10. mystery /ˈmɪs·tə·ri/ [㐌] Something that is
-Üpresent perfect: They have had to wait years for this
opportunity. strange and difficult or impossible to explain: It

q Have to can be used in any tense. is still a mystery to me how George could pass

r Negative forms: Note that the negative of must Math. ■ The plural is "mysteries".
(must not/musn't) and the negative of have to (have
myth /mɪθ/ ❚ [㐗] 1 A story from an ancient civi-
s not to) have completely different meanings:
ðÜMust not/musn't means that it is imperative that lization: Do you know the myth of King Midas? ❚ [㐌]
2 Untrue, but commonly believed: The idea that
t you do not do something:
- You must not smoke in the chemistry laboratory. You money or a good job will make you happy is a myth.

u could start a fire. mythical /ˈmɪθ.ɪ.kəl, ˈmɪθ.ɪ.k/ [㐀] 1 Referring to
- You must not move when the dentist’s drill is in
your mouth. a story from an ancient civilization: A mermaid is
a mythical creature. 2 Untrue, not existing: He in-
v ðÜDon’t have to means that you are not obliged to do
w something, you can decide to do it or not: vented a mythical uncle in South America.

- You don’t have to come shopping with us. You can stay mythological /ˌmɪθəlˈɒdʒɪkəl/ [㐀] Referring to
at home if you want.
myths: Many mythological characters from Greek
x - I don’t have to finish this homework tonight. I can do it
tomorrow night. myths are well-known even today.

y mythology /mɪˈθɑl·ə·dʒi/ [㐖] The body of

myths from a particular culture, or the study of

these myths: The study of Greek mythology is nec-

essary to understand classical painting. ■ The plu-

ral is "mythologies".

z