299 put
punk /pʌŋk/ [㐗] A young, rebellious person pushchair /ˈpʊʃˌtʃeər/ [㐗] See stroller. ■ This a
b
who dresses in unusual clothes: There were a word is British English. c
d
number of punks at the disco last night. push-up [㐗] A type of physical exercise: You e
f
pupil /ˈpjuː.pəl/ [㐗] 1 Person learning from a do push-ups by lying face down on the floor and g
pressing down on your arms. ■ In British English
teacher: Our school has about five hundred pu- they say "press-up". h
pils. 2 The round black part in the middle of i
pussy /ˈpʊs.i/ [㐗] An affectionate word for a j
the eye: The pupil lets light reach the back of the k
cat: Here pussy! Come here! ■ The plural is "puss- l
eye. ies". m
n
puppet /ˈpʌp.ɪt/ [㐗] A doll with strings or a pussycat US: /ˈpʊs·iˌkæt/ [㐗] See pussy. o
put, put, put /pʊt/ [㐘] 1 Move something to a p
place for your hand to move it: We took our little q
place: Put your books on the table. 2 To place r
cousins to a puppet show and they really enjoyed something somewhere: I have put an ad in the s
newspaper. 3 To say or express something: How t
it. can I put it? 4 I can't put it down Words you say u
to express that you are very interested in the v
puppy /ˈpʌp.i/ [㐗] A young dog: Have you seen book you are reading: The mystery book you gave w
me was so good that I couldn't put it down. 5 to x
the puppies? They're really cute. ■ The plural is put a stop to something To make something y
stop, especially bad or undesirable behavior: z
"puppies". 㐀 See picture at pet. We're all committed to put a stop to bullying in this
school. 6 to put it bluntly Words you say to indi-
purchase1 /ˈpɜːtʃəs/ [㐗] Something that has cate that you are going to be very direct: To put it
bluntly I think they were terrible. 7 to put some-
been bought: I really like your watch. It was a good thing behind you To forget something bad and
continue with your life: It was a bad experience,
purchase. ■ We usually say "buy". but you must put it behind you. 8 to put the blame
on somebody To say that you think it is some-
purchase2 /ˈpɜːtʃəs/ [㐘] To buy something: Our body's fault: I put the blame on the politicians.
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to put (something) across
school has just purchased the building next-door. ■ To express something you want to say in an effec-
tive way: He is very good at putting his ideas
This use is formal. We usually say "buy". across. · to put (somebody) away To send some-
body to prison: I hope they find the murderer and
pure US: /pjʊr/ UK: /pjʊər/ [㐀] Not mixed with out him away for a long time. · to put (something)
away To return something to its usual place, to
anything, only: This is pure orange juice with no put in order: David, please put your toys away. · to
put (somebody) down To criticize or treat some-
artificial flavoring. body as stupid in front of others: It was so disre-
spectful when my boss put me down at the meeting.
purée US: /pjʊˈreɪ/ UK: /ˈpjʊə.reɪ/ [㐖] Food that · to put (something) down 1 To repress a revolt:
The army put the protesting students down and
has been cooked and made liquid: Add some to- classes returned to normal. 2 To end an animal's
life because it is old or ill: We had to have our cat
mato purée to the sauce for the pasta. put down. · to put (something) down to (some-
thing) To attribute the success or failure of some-
purple /ˈpɜr·pəl/ [㐍] A color made from red and thing to a particular thing: I put his success down
to his good looks. · to put in (somewhere) Refer-
blue: I've got a new pair of purple jeans. ring to a boat, to go into a port or bay and stop
there: Let's put in somewhere before the storm
purpose /ˈpɜr·pəs/ [㐗] 1 The reason for doing starts. · to put (somebody) off 1 To make some-
body unable to concentrate: My dad shouted at my
or using something, the intention or objective: sister while she was driving and put her off com-
pletely. 2 To make somebody lose their interest in
The purpose of playing a game should be to have
fun, not just to win. 2 on purpose Deliberately:
You pushed me on purpose, didn't you?
purr US: /pɝː/ UK: /pɜː/ [㐘] What a cat does when it
is happy: The cat purred happily while I stroked it.
㐀 See picture at animal.
purse US: /pɝːs/ UK: /pɜːs/ [㐗] 1 A woman's
small bag: Kate always carries her glasses in her
purse. ■ In British English they say "handbag".
㐀 See picture at clothes. 2 A small bag for mon-
ey: My mom took her purse out and gave us all a
dollar each.
pursue US: /pɚˈsuː/ UK: /pəˈsjuː/ [㐘] To go after
somebody: The police pursued the thieves all along
the main street.
push1 /pʊʃ/ [㐗] Act of pressing something so
that it moves away from you: They gave the car a
push to help it start.
push2 /pʊʃ/ [㐘] 1 To move something away from
you: Don't push me into the swimming pool! ■ Be
careful! You "push" something away from you, but
you "pull" it towards you. 2 To press down on
something: Push the button for service.
puzzle 300
a something: Linda has put me off going to see the please? · to put (something) up To erect: Let's put
b movie. She says it is terrible. 3 To send somebody up the tent. · to put up with (somebody or some-
away without what they wanted: We wanted to thing) To accept or to tolerate: I'm afraid I can't
have everything approved for our school celebra- put up with your friends any longer. They're awful!
c tion last week, but the principal kept putting us off. ■ Be careful with the spelling of this form: "putting".
· to put (something) off To delay something: puzzle1 /ˈpʌzl/ [㐗] 1 A game that makes you
d They've put off their wedding until June. · to put think in order to get the solution: I got a book of
(something) on 1 To dress: We all put on our puzzles for my birthday. 2 Something difficult to
e clothes quickly when we came out of the pool be- understand: Why Jane likes Mick so much is a puz-
cause it was cold. 2 To make a radio, TV, compact zle to me.
f disc and so on function: Let's put the radio on and puzzle2 /ˈpʌzl/ [㐘] To think hard about some-
listen to a concert. 3 To organize a show or other thing trying to get the solution or to understand
g event 4 To pretend that you are feeling some- something: The mathematical problem was so dif-
thing: I don't believe that he is so affected, I think ficult that we all puzzled over it for hours.
h that he is putting it on. · to put (somebody) out 1 pyjamas /pɪˈdʒɑː.məz/ [㐗] See pajamas. ■ This
To cause inconvenience to somebody: I hope that is a British English spelling.
i I am not putting you out. 2 To make somebody feel pyramid1 /ˈpɪr.ə.mɪd/ [㐗] A shape or an object
surprised, angry or upset: She was put out when with a square base and four triangular sides
j she was not chosen. · to put (something) out 1 To which meet in a point at the top: The ancient
take out or to extend: She put out her hand to take Egyptian pharaohs ordered the construction of pyr-
the money. 2 To spread a rumor or some informa- amids to commemorate their lives and to protect
k tion: They have put out a gossip that she is going their remains.
to retire. · to put (somebody) through To connect pyramid2 [㐀] Showing the shape of a pyra-
l a telephone caller to the person or extension they mid: They were trained for pyramid selling.
want: Hold on a second, I'm putting you through pyrites /paɪˈraɪ.tiːz/ [㐖] A yellowish mineral
m now. · to put (somebody) up To give somebody a that contains iron: In the Victorian era, jewelry
place to stay: Could you put me up for a few nights, made with pyrites was very popular.
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
Q q /kjuː/ The seventeenth letter of the alphabet: The
q
word "Queen" begins with a "Q".
quack /kwæk/ [㐘] To make a noise like a duck:
The ducks ran across the farmyard quacking.
㐀 See picture at animal.
quack doctor [㐗] Person who pretends that
they have medical skills or knowledge they don't
have: Quack doctors in the 19th century sold magi-
cal medicines that were supposed to cure all ill-
nesses.
quadrant US: /ˈkwɑː.drənt/ UK: /ˈkwɒd.rənt/ [㐗] 1
One quarter of a circle or an area: You must use
only one quadrant of the page to do the drawing. 2
In the past, a device used in ship navigation: The
quadrant measured the height of the stars in the
sky.
quadriceps [㐖] The large, four-part mus-
cle at the front of the thigh: The quadriceps is es-
sential in walking, running and jumping. 㐀 See
page 423.
quake /kweɪk/ [㐘] To tremble: In the story, Jack
started to quake with fear when he saw the giant
coming. ■ We usually say "shake" or "tremble".
qualification /ˌkwɑl·ə·fɪˈkeɪ·ʃən/ [㐖] Prac-
tice, training, knowledge, tests and so on that
you need to do a special job: My sister has got a
teaching qualification.
qualified /ˈkwɑl·əˌfɑɪd/ [㐀] Having the right
qualifications to do something: My brother
couldn't apply for the job as a nursery school teach-
er because he wasn't properly qualified. ■ Be care-
ful with the pronunciation of the ending of this word.
qualify /ˈkwɑl·əˌfɑɪ/ [㐘] To get the practice, train-
ing, knowledge, tests and so on that you need to
do a special job: My mother qualified as a doctor in
1976. ■ Be careful with the spelling of these forms:
"qualifies", "qualified".
quality US: /ˈkwɑː.lə.ti̬ / UK: /ˈkwɒl.ɪ.ti/ [㐖] 1
How good something is: This store only sells the
best quality meat. 2 A characteristic: Sheila has
some very good qualities: patience, intelligence
and kindness. ■ The plural is "qualities".
quantity US: /ˈkwɑːn.t̬ə.t̬i/ UK: /ˈkwɒn.tɪ.ti/ [㐖]
The amount or number of something: What quan-
tity of sugar do I need to put in this mixture? ■ The
plural is "quantities".
quarrel1 /ˈkwɑr·əl/, /ˈkwɔr-/ [㐗] An argument,
often one that continues in time: Annie and Alan
had a quarrel that lasted more than six months,
but it appears to be over now.
quarrel2 /ˈkwɑr·əl/, /ˈkwɔr-/ [㐘] To argue: Will you
two stop quarrelling, please?
quarry /ˈkwɒri/ [㐗] 1 An animal chased or
hunted: The tiger ran after its quarry but the rabbit
quarter 302
a escaped down a hole. 2 A place where stone is dug express a doubt about something: Sean always
b from the earth: My uncle worked at a quarry once questions everything our History teacher says.
and he says that it's very hard work. ■ The plural is questionnaire /ˌkwes·tʃəˈneər/ [㐗] A number
"quarries". of questions for people to answer: We made a
c quarter US: /ˈkwɑː.t̬ɚ/ UK: /ˈkwɔː.tər/ [㐗] 1 One questionnaire in class today to find out which are
of four equal parts: Cut the pizza into quarters and the most popular sports in our school.
d we'll have one each. 2 An area of a town: The Ital- queue1 UK: /kjuː/ [㐗] See line1. ■ This word is
ian quarter in Manhattan is called "Little Italy". ■ British English.
e We usually say "area". 3 quarter past Fifteen min- queue2 UK: /kjuː/ [㐘] See line2. ■ This word is Brit-
utes after the hour: "Shall we meet at quarter past ish English. ■ We also say "queue up".
f eight outside the library?". 4 quarter to 15 min- quick /kwɪk/ [㐁] Fast, in a short time: The
utes before the hour: The bus goes at quarter to train is a quick form of travel. ■ Compare with
g six. "fast1" ("Quick" is usually used when we refer to
quarter-final /ˌkwɔːtəˈfaɪnəl/ [㐗] One of the length of time, while "fast" refers to speed. We say "a
h four games that are played to choose who will quick visit" not "a fast visit", and "a quick decision"
play in the semi-final: Our school tennis team is not "a fast decision").
i playing in the quarter-finals which will take place quid /kwɪd/ [㐗] When talking about money, a
on Saturday. pound: The CD cost eight quid. ■ This word is infor-
j quarterly US: /ˈkwɑː.t̬ɚ.li/ UK: /ˈkwɔː.təl.i/ [㐄] Ev- mal. The plural is also "quid".
ery three months: My parents pay most of their quiet1 /kwaɪət/ [㐀] 1 Without making much
bills quarterly. noise: Be quiet! I'm trying to listen to this music. 2
k quartz /ˈkwɔːts/ [㐖] A hard mineral that is Without a lot of activity: I was born in a very quiet
usually colorless or white: Quartz is used to make town just outside St Paul.
l clocks and watches.
quiet2 /kwaɪət/ [㐖] Being quiet: Can I have a
quaver /ˈkweɪ·vər/ [㐗] A musical note which bit of peace and quiet while I read my letter,
m has the time value of half a crotchet: The quaver please?
has a filled-in oval head and a stem with a tail. quit, quit, quit /kwɪt/ [㐘] 1 To stop doing some-
n 㐀 See page 460. thing: My dad has quit smoking. 2 To leave a job
quay /kiː/ [㐗] A place in a harbor loaded and or a place: She quit her job because she was offered
o unloaded from boats: Have you seen that yacht at something better. ■ "Quit" also has regular past and
the quay? It belongs to my cousin. ■ Be careful with past participle forms: "quitted".
p the pronunciation of this word. quite /kwaɪt/ [㐄] 1 To some extent but not very:
queen /kwiːn/ [㐗] 1 A woman from a royal I think I know this vocabulary quite well but I'm go-
q family who is ruler of a country: Queen Elizabeth ing to study it a little more. 2 Completely: Are you
the Second is the head of state of Canada. ■ A male quite sure that you want to go to the party? 3 quite
r ruler is a "king". 2 A piece in chess: Thomas made a few A lot in number: There are quite a few girls
a good move and I lost my queen. 㐀 See picture at in our soccer team. 4 quite a lot A large amount: I
s chess. ate quite a lot at lunch time and now I don't feel
question1 /ˈkwestʃən/ [㐗] 1 Something that very well. ■ See box at fairly.
you ask: Do you have any questions? ■ Be careful. quiz /kwɪz/ [㐗] 1 A short written or oral test:
t We say: "ask a question". (We don't say: "do/make a We had a quiz in math this morning and I knew all
question"). 2 A problem that needs to be dis- the right answers control. 2 A game where people
u cussed: They're going to discuss the question of the try to answer questions: Did you see the sports
new gym at the parents' meeting tonight. 3 out of quiz on television last night? ■ The plural is "quiz-
v the question Impossible: A vacation in the Baha- zes".
mas is out of the question, we don't have the mon- quotation /kwoʊˈteɪ·ʃən/ [㐗] Words from a
w ey. 4 question mark A mark that you put at the book, play, speech and so on that you repeat: "To
end of a question [?]: Don't forget to put a question be or not to be: that is the question" is the most fa-
x mark at the end of each question. mous quotation in the English language.
question2 /ˈkwestʃən/ [㐘] 1 To ask about some- quotation marks [㐌] The mark used to indi-
y thing: The police are questioning the suspects in cate the beginning and end of words that were
connection with the bank robbery last week. 2 To spoken [" "]: He said, "Don't go!".
z
R r US: /ɑːr/ UK: /ɑːr/ The eighteenth letter of the al-
r
phabet: The name "Rachel" begins with an "R".
rabbit /ˈræb.ɪt/ [㐗] A small animal with long
ears and a short tail: Rabbits love eating carrots.
㐀 See page 428.
race1 /reɪs/ [㐌] 1 A competition to see who can do
things fastest: No one can say who's going to win this
race. 2 Category to which a group of living things be-
long that have a series of characteristics in common:
People shouldn't be discriminated against because of
their race. 3 A species of plant or animal: Many of the
most fashionable dogs are the result of a mix of races.
race2 /reɪs/ [㐘] To take part in a race: Philip
couldn't race last week because of a broken ankle.
racecourse /ˈreɪs.kɔːs/ US: /-kɔːrs/ [㐗] The
place where people see horses run: Would you like
to go to the racecourse this Saturday?
racial /ˈreɪ.ʃəl/ [㐀] Of race or according to race:
Racial discrimination is against the law in the Unit-
ed States.
racism /ˈreɪ.sɪ.zəm/ [㐖] The prejudice that
some people are inferior to others because they
are of a different race or culture: We must all fight
against racism in our school.
racist /ˈreɪ.sɪst/ [㐗] A person who has the prej-
udice that some people are inferior to others be-
cause they are of a different race or culture: You
mustn't be a racist and speak badly of people who
are different from you.
rack /ræk/ [㐗] A type of shelf where you can
keep things: Can you put my bag up on the rack
before the train leaves?
racket /ˈrækɪt/ [㐗] A bat that is used to hit the
ball in tennis, squash or badminton: I think this
tennis racket is too heavy for Helen. ■ This word is
also written "racquet".
racquet /ˈræk.ɪt/ [㐗] See racket.
radar /ˈreɪ·dɑr/ [㐖] A system of discovering
the position of ships and planes: It's difficult to
see a plane on a radar screen if it flies too low.
radiation /ˌreɪdiˈeɪʃən/ [㐖] The emission of ra-
diant energy, or the particles emitted: Radiation
can be used to extend the shelf-life of fresh produce.
radiator /ˈreɪ·diˌeɪ·tə̬ r/ [㐗] Apparatus contain-
ing a hot liquid, that makes rooms hot: This radi-
ator isn't big enough to heat the living room.
radio /ˈreɪ·diˌoʊ/ [㐗] 1 A machine that receives
sound waves and reproduces sounds: Michelle lis-
tens to the sports news on the radio every evening.
㐀 See page 443. 2 A way of sending out or re-
ceiving sounds without connecting wires: Now
the pilot's talking to the control tower by radio. ■
Be careful with the pronunciation of this word! "ra"
rhymes with "day".
radioactive 304
a radioactive /ˌreɪ·di·oʊˈæk·tɪv/ [㐀] Giving out rainbow /ˈreɪnˌboʊ/ [㐗] An arch of different
b energy that can be harmful to living things: Gov- colors in the sky: We might see a rainbow if the
ernments have a lot of problems with nuclear radio- sun comes out when the rain stops.
active waste. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of
RAINBOW
c this word! "ra" rhymes with "day".
radish /ˈræd.ɪʃ/ [㐗] Small red and white root
d vegetable that is eaten raw: Let's put some radish-
es in the salad. 㐀 See page 437.
e radius /ˈreɪ.di.əs/ [㐗] The length from the cen-
ter of a circle to the end: The radius of a circle is
f half its diameter. 㐀 See page 422.
raft US: /ræft/ UK: /rɑːft/ [㐗] A flat boat made of
g wood: The people of the South Pacific traveled long
distances on rafts in the past.
h rag /ræg/ [㐗] A piece of old cloth: Can you give raincoat /ˈreɪnˌkoʊt/ [㐗] A coat that you wear
me a rag to clean the windows with, please? when it rains: The rain will soak you if you go out
i rage /reɪdʒ/ [㐖] Great anger: My sister was in without a raincoat. ■ In British English they say
a rage when she saw that somebody had opened "mac, mackintosh". 㐀 See picture at clothes.
j her letter. ■ Be careful. We always say: "to be in a raindrop /ˈreɪndrɒp/ [㐗] A single drop of rain:
rage". This photography book contains an image of a
k raid1 /reɪd/ [㐗] A quick attack into somebody's raindrop falling.
territory: The police made a raid on the drug deal- rainfall /ˈreɪnˌfɔl/ [㐖] The amount of rain
ers last night. ■ Be careful. We say: "a raid on (some- that falls in a particular place: The average annu-
l body or something)".
al rainfall in Michigan is 32.25 inches.
raid2 /reɪd/ [㐘] To attack a place: Some robbers rain forest /ˈreɪn ˌfɔr·əst/, /-ˌfɑr·əst/ [㐌] A forest in
m raided a bank in Detroit this morning.
the tropics that has heavy rain: We must stop the
rail /reɪl/ [㐗] 1 A long piece of wood or metal: destruction of the rain forests.
n They held onto the rail as they watched the proces- rainforest /ˈreɪnˌfɔr·əst/, /-ˌfɑr·əst/ [㐗] A forest
sion from the balcony. 2 by rail By train: I like found in tropical zones with heavy rainfall: The
o traveling by rail. destruction of the rainforest is a threat to the sur-
railings [㐑] A fence made from metal bars: vival of the planet.
p They've put new railings up outside the monkeys' cage. rainy /ˈreɪ.ni/ [㐀] With a lot of rain: The climate
railroad station [㐗] A place where trains is rainy in Seattle.
q stop: Where is the railroad station, please? ■ The raise /reɪz/ [㐘] 1 To lift somebody or something
same meaning: "railway station". up: Please raise your hand if you want to speak in
r railway1 /ˈreɪlweɪ/ [㐗] See railway line. ■ Be class. 2 To increase something: They've raised the
careful with the pronunciation of this word! "way" price of coffee twice this year. 3 To get money for a
s rhymes with "day". purpose: We've raised five hundred dollars for our
railway2 [㐀] Referring to a train service: The school charity. 4 To look after a child until it is an
railway system in Britain is very extensive. adult: They got married and raised three children.
t railway line [㐗] The line of metal bars on raisin /ˈreɪ.zən/ [㐗] A dried grape: Mom's bak-
which trains run: They've built a new railway line ing a cake with raisins and orange slices.
u that goes through a mountain. ■ We also say "rail- rake1 /reɪk/ [㐗] A garden tool with a long han-
way". dle: Take the rake and clear the leaves from the
v railway station [㐗] A place where trains garden path.
stop: The town has a railway station from which rake2 /reɪk/ [㐘] To make the ground smooth and
w trains go to Chicago. ■ The same meaning: "railroad free from stones or leaves: You must rake the soil
station". before planting the seeds.
x rain1 /reɪn/ [㐖] 1 The water falling from the ramp /ræmp/ [㐗] An inclined surface: The ramp
clouds: I love walking in the rain. 2 acid rain See allows wheeled vehicles to enter and leave the building.
y "acid rain" in the word acid. 㐀 See page 438. ran /ræn/ Past tense of run2.
rain2 /reɪn/ [㐘] When talking of drops of water, to ranch US: /ræntʃ/ UK: /rɑːntʃ/ [㐗] A very large
z fall from the sky: We won't go camping this week- cattle farm in the United States: Peter's uncle
end if it's raining. keeps a lot of horses on his ranch in Arizona.
305 razor
random /ˈræn.dəm/ [㐀] By chance: They inter- pay the cheap rate if you phone after six o'clock. 3 a
at any rate In any case: I don't know exactly what b
viewed a random selection of people for their opin- the kids said but at any rate, it's not the point. 4 c
rate of exchange The relation between the mon- d
ion on the new law. ey of two countries: The rate of exchange today is e
nearly one and a half euros to the dollar. f
rang /ræŋ/ Past tense of ring. g
range1 /reɪndʒ/ [㐌] 1 A variety of things of the rather US: /ˈræð.ɚ/ UK: /ˈrɑː.ðər/ [㐄] 1 To some ex-
h
same kind: There's a wide range of prices in the tent: The video we saw last night was rather boring. i
new boutique. 2 The distance somebody or some- j
■ When "rather" is used with a positive word it implies k
thing can see, hear, travel and so on: This gun has l
a range of six hundred feet. 3 A line of hills or surprise or pleasure on the part of the speaker: "It was m
n
mountains: The Himalayas are the highest moun- rather a nice jacket that they gave me". ■ See box at o
fairly. 2 Used with "would", indicates preference: I p
tain range in the world. would rather stay at home. ■ In this use, "rather" is q
followed by the infinitive without "to": "I would rather r
range2 /reɪndʒ/ [㐘] To be between certain limits: s
do the shopping tomorrow". Compare with "prefer" t
Here the temperature ranges between 5º and 12º u
(followed by the infinitive with "to"). v
centigrade in winter. w
ration /ˈræʃ.ən/ [㐗] A fixed amount of some- x
ranger /ˈreɪn·dʒər/ [㐗] A forest guard: Rangers y
thing that is given out: The cat's hungry because z
are a kind of mounted policeman in country areas. he hasn't had his rations yet.
rank /ræŋk/ [㐌] Somebody's position in a group of rattle1 /ˈrætl/ [㐗] A toy that babies shake: The
people: My great-grandfather reached the rank of baby's playing with the rattle in his crib.
captain during the war. rattle2 /ˈrætl/ [㐘] To make repeated, banging
ransom /ˈrænt.səm/ [㐖] The money that you must sounds by shaking something: The kids are rattling
their tins because they want us to put some money in.
pay so that a hostage is set free: The terrorists de-
rattlesnake /ˈræt̬·ə·lˌsneɪk/ [㐗] A poisonous
manded a ransom of two million dollars for the banker.
snake: Rattlesnakes make noises by moving the
rap /ræp/ [㐗] 1 A light knock: She heard a rap rings at the end of their tails.
at the window and saw that it was her friend. 2 A ravine /rəˈviːn/ [㐗] A deep, narrow canyon:
kind of music in which singers speak very fast: Let's go to the ravine.
This song's fun to sing because it's a rap. raw US: /rɑː/ UK: /rɔː/ [㐀] 1 Not cooked: Some peo-
rapid /ˈræp.ɪd/ [㐀] Fast; quick: She made rapid ple like eating raw fish. ■ The same meaning: "un-
cooked". 2 In a natural state: Factories take raw
progress, and was soon one of the best swimmers in materials and make them into finished products.
the school. ■ We usually say "fast" or "quick". raw material US: /ˈrɔ məˈtɪər·i·əl/ [㐖] The ini-
rare US: /rer/ UK: /reər/ [㐀] 1 Unusual and often tial substance which is used to manufacture
something: Companies buy raw materials like cof-
valuable: These low temperatures are very rare in fee and sugar and process them.
Montana in the fall. ■ Compare with "habitual" (usu- ray /reɪ/ [㐗] A line of light: The sun's rays came
al or repeated). 2 When talking about meat,
into the room through an opening in the drapes.
cooked so that the inside is a little pink: How do
razor /ˈreɪ·zər/ [㐗] An instrument for removing
you like your steak: rare, medium or well-done?
hair from your face or body: My father shaves with
rarely /ˈreər·li/ [㐄] Not often, not frequent: Gil- an electric razor.
lian and Jane rarely talk to each other. ■ Be careful. RAZOR
"Rarely" goes before ordinary verbs and after auxil-
iary verbs: "He rarely comes home before 8 o'clock".
"The Queen is rarely seen at soccer games". ■ The
same meaning: "seldom". ■ See box at frequency.
rash /ræʃ/ [㐗] An area of the skin with lots of
small red pimples, usually caused by an illness
or allergy: He has a rash because he drank milk
and he is allergic to dairy products.
raspberry /ˈræzˌber·i/, /-bə·ri/ [㐗] A small, very
soft red fruit: If you're hungry have some bread
and raspberry jam. 㐀 See page 436.
rat /ræt/ [㐗] An animal like a big mouse: I've
just seen two enormous rats in the subway station.
rate /reɪt/ [㐗] 1 The speed of something or at
which something is done: If we work at a fast rate
we'll finish the project by Friday. 2 The amount of
money that you pay or you get for something: You
Rd 306
a Rd A written abbreviation for road. ■ Be careful. realistic /ˌrɪəˈlɪstɪk/ [㐀] 1 Seeing and accept-
b "Rd" has a capital "R". ■ See box at abbreviations. ing things as they really are, or dealing with
're US: /ɚ/ UK: /ər/ The contraction of "are". them in a practical way: Let's be realistic about
re- /riː-/ [㐒] An addition to the beginning of a our possibilities of winning. 2 Appearing to be re-
al, or showing things as they really are or were:
c word that usually means "again": "Rewrite"
means to write again. The film gives a realistic picture of the life of a cow-
d reach /riːtʃ/ [㐘] 1 To arrive at a place: When we boy.
reach New York it'll be dark. 2 To stretch out your realize or realise /ˈrɪəlaɪz/ [㐘] To come to
e hand to get something: I can't reach the top shelf. know or to understand something: When she ar-
3 To extend: The yard of our house reaches the rived at the theater she realized that she had left
f edge of the road. 4 out of reach Too far away to the tickets at home.
touch: The medicines are in a closet out of the really /ˈri·ə·li/, /ˈri·li/ [㐄] 1 Truly, actually: Do you
g reach of children. really need the motorcycle this evening? ■ In this
react /riˈækt/ [㐘] To act in a particular way when use "really" goes before a verb. 2 Very: It's really
h something happens: How did Jonathan react when boring to hear her talking about television pro-
he saw you with Louise? grams all the time. ■ In this use "really" goes before
an adjective. 3 A word showing interest, surprise
i reaction /riˈæk.ʃən/ [㐗] The way you act after or anger: "I went to Disneyland when I was in Flori-
something has happened: When Pamela lost the
j bag her immediate reaction was to call the police. da". "Really?".
read, read, read /riːd, red, red/ [㐘] To look at realtor US: /ˈriː.əl.tɔːr/ UK: /ˈrɪəl.tər/ [㐗] A person
k words and understand them: She read the chil- who deals with the buying and selling of houses:
dren the story called "The lion, the witch and the My parents have been to see a realtor about selling
wardrobe". my grandmother's house. ■ In British English they
l ◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to read out To read aloud: say "estate agent".
Sam, read out the first paragraph. ■ Be careful with rear1 /rɪər/ [㐗] The back part: John sits in the
m the pronunciation of the past tense and past partici- rear of the bus each morning.
ple forms. They are pronunced like the color "red". rear2 /rɪər/ [㐀] Back: The rear seat of our car on-
n reader /ˈri·dər/ [㐗] 1 A person who reads: My ly holds two people. ■ Compare with "frontal" (being
sister's a keen reader of science fiction stories. 2 A at the front).
o book for reading in class: We're using two new rear3 /rɪər/ [㐘] To bring up animals or children:
readers in English. Pamela's parents died when she was very small
p readily /ˈred.ɪ.li/ [㐄] Easily: This Spanish novel is and she was reared by her grandmother.
readily available in Philadelphia. rearrange /ˌriː.əˈreɪndʒ/ [㐘] To organize things in
q reading /ˈriː.dɪŋ/ [㐗] 1 The activity or ability a new way: Can you help me to rearrange my bed-
to obtain meaning from written texts: Her read- room?
r ing is improving. 2 A part of a text that is read out reason /ˈriː.zən/ [㐗] 1 A cause that explains
loud: A reading from the New Testament is part of something: The reason I'm calling you is be-
s every church service. 3 Event where people read cause I want to ask you a favor. 2 The power to
poems, a play or book extracts in public: We at- think: Reason makes people different from ani-
tended a poetry reading. 4 Interpretation: What is mals.
t your reading of the situation?
reasonable /ˈriː.zən.ə.bl/̩ [㐀] 1 Fair, moderate:
ready /ˈred.i/ [㐀] 1 Prepared: The vegetable If he's reasonable he'll understand that you can't
u soup will be ready in ten minutes. 2 Happy to do miss the lessons tomorrow. 2 Right, sensible: Peter
something, willing: She isn't ready to forgive me gave me a reasonable excuse for not coming to my
v yet. 3 to get ready to (do something) To become party.
prepared to do something: Mom's getting ready to reasonably /ˈriː.zən.ə.bli/ [㐄] 1 Quite: These
w take us to the zoo. pants were reasonably cheap. 2 In a correct way: I
real US: /riː.əl/ UK: /rɪəl/ [㐀] 1 True, actual: What think the referee was acting reasonably when he
x is that actor's real name? 2 Genuine, not imita- sent the player off.
tion: This bracelet is real gold. 3 Not imaginary: reassurance /ˌri·əˈʃʊr·əns/ [㐖] Comfort: Lau-
y The story was taken from real life. ra found reassurance in her mother's words.
real estate [㐖] Property in the form of reassure /ˌri·əˈʃʊr/ [㐘] To stop somebody feeling
z land and buildings: Emily works as a real estate worried: My teacher reassured me that the test
agent. would not be too difficult.
307 record-player
rebel1 /ˈrebəl/ [㐗] A person who fights against reckless /ˈrek.ləs/ [㐀] Dangerous, without a
b
somebody in authority: My grandfather says that care: I don't like going by car with Jim because he's c
d
I'm a rebel because I never do what I'm told. such a reckless driver. e
f
rebel2 /rɪˈbel/ [㐘] To fight against somebody in reckon /ˈrek.ən/ [㐘] To calculate approximately or g
authority: Kevin always rebels when he thinks to guess: I reckon we'll be there in half an hour. h
i
something is wrong. recognition /ˌrekəgˈnɪʃən/ [㐖] The act of be- j
k
rebellion /rɪˈbel.i.ən/ [㐖] The disobedience ing identified by somebody when they see you: I l
m
to somebody in authority: The rebellion failed be- saw her in the street but she didn't show any sign of n
o
cause of lack of popular support. recognition. p
q
rebuild, rebuilt, rebuilt /ˌriːˈbɪld/ [㐘] To build recognize or recognise /ˈrekəgnaɪz/ [㐘] 1 To r
s
something again: Three months after the earth- know somebody or something when you see them t
u
quake the government began to rebuild the build- again: Geraldine recognized the singer as soon as v
she saw him in the supermarket. 2 To admit that w
ings. x
something is true: Although you may not like it y
receipt /rɪˈsiːt/ [㐗] A piece of paper showing z
you have to recognize that she is the fastest runner
that you have paid for something: You'll need the
in the school.
receipt if you want your money back. ■ Be careful
recommend /ˌrek.əˈmend/ [㐘] 1 To tell somebody
with the pronunciation of this word! The first "e" is
that a person or thing is suitable for something: I've
pronounced like the "i" in "did".
been recommended a new store to buy cheap jeans.
receive /rɪˈsiːv/ [㐘] To get something that is sent Do you know it? 2 To suggest or to advise somebody
or given to you: My father received a fax from the to do something: The teacher recommended Nicola to
United States yesterday. see an optician as soon as possible.
receiver /rɪˈsi·vər/ [㐗] The part of the tele- recommendation /ˌrek.ə.menˈdeɪ.ʃən/ [㐖]
phone through which you speak and listen: Kate Saying that something is good for a particular
put the receiver down when she heard somebody purpose: On your recommendation we visited Mil-
knocking at the door. lennium Park when we went to Chicago.
recent /ˈriː.sənt/ [㐀] That happened not long record1 /ˈrekɔːd/ [㐗] 1 A round piece of plas-
ago: There have been a lot of changes in this town tic, usually black, that stores music: I haven't
in recent years. heard Sting's new record yet. ■ We often say "re-
cord" when we mean "C.D.". 2 Written information
receptacle /rɪˈsep.tə.kl/̩ [㐗] A container: The
about something: She's made a record of every-
raindrops fall into the receptacle. thing we saw at the exhibition. 3 The best result
reception /rɪˈsep.ʃən/ [㐗] 1 The place where that has been achieved, especially in a sport: Jea-
you get information in a hotel or office: Let's ask nette broke our school record for the long jump on
at reception if the museum opens on Monday. 2 A
Saturday.
large party: The wedding reception will take place
record2 /rɪˈkɔːd/ [㐘] 1 To write about things so
on Saturday evening.
that you can remember them later: The students
receptionist /rɪˈsep.ʃən.ɪst/ [㐗] The person recorded what the writer said in his speech. 2 To
who receives people at a hotel or office: The hotel copy sounds or images into a tape: I'm going to
receptionist told us that the airport was closed be- record Mariah Carey's concert tonight.
cause of the fog. record-breaking /ˈrek·ərdˌbreɪ·kɪŋ/ [㐀] Better
receptor /rɪˈsep·tər/ [㐗] The end part of a sen- than anything done before: With the rains there'll
sory nerve, which responds to a stimulus: The re- be a record-breaking potato crop this year.
ceptor responds to light and passes a signal along recorder /rɪˈkɔr·dər/ [㐗] 1 A wooden musical
the sensory nerve. instrument with holes: Lisa played the recorder at
the party yesterday. 2 Instrument that records: My
recess /rɪˈses/ [㐗] A short rest during school
recorder is broken so I can't record the tape for you.
time: In school we always have a snack during the
recording /rɪˈkɔr·dɪŋ/ [㐖] Sounds or images
morning recess. ■ In British English they say "break".
copied on a tape or on a film: The CNBC made a
recipe /ˈres.ɪ.pi/ [㐗] Instructions on how to
recording of Whitney Houston's performance at the
cook something: We'll ask Margaret's mother to
Radio City Music Hall last night.
give us her recipe for apple pie.
record-player [㐗] A machine that plays re-
reciprocal /rɪˈsɪprəkəl/ [㐀] Referring to a feel-
cords: I've changed my record-player for a new CD
ing, attitude or action, that is the same for both
player.
of the parties involved: The feelings of affection
between the students and their teacher were recip-
rocal.
recover 308
a recover /rɪˈkʌv·ər/ [㐘] 1 To get well after an ill- smaller: I'll buy the television we saw in the win-
b ness: Margaret has recovered from her ankle oper- dow if they reduce its price.
ation very quickly. 2 To get back what you have reduction /rɪˈdʌk.ʃən/ [㐗] The act of making
lost: My father recovered his wallet at the Lost and something less or smaller: The leather jacket she
c Found Office.
bought had a price reduction of 20%.
recovery /rɪˈkʌv·ə·ri/ [㐖] 1 The act of becom- reef /riːf/ [㐗] A long line of rock in the sea: Be-
d ing well again after an illness: Adam's made a yond the reef the sea was dark blue.
quick recovery from the flu. 2 The getting back of reel /riːl/ [㐘] To make something go around an-
e what you have lost: My father was surprised by the other thing: Reel in the line, quick! You have a fish.
quick recovery of his wallet. refer /ˈriː.fər/ US: /-fɚ/ [㐘] 1 To speak about some-
f recreation /ˌrek.riˈeɪ.ʃən/ [㐖] A rest from body or something: My sister wasn't referring to
work: My dad's only recreation is watching foot- anybody in particular when she talked about the
g ball. incident. 2 To mean, to be used to describe: In the
recruit1 /rɪˈkruːt/ [㐗] A new member of an or- newspaper article the word "butcher" refers to the
h ganization: It takes some time for a recruit to get person who committed all those murders. 3 To go
used to army life. to something for information or help: No one
knew how to spell the word, so we referred to a dic-
i recruit2 /rɪˈkruːt/ [㐘] To get a new member an or- tionary. ■ Be careful! We always say "to refer to
ganization: The Navy's trying to recruit young doc-
j tors these days. (something)". Look at the spelling of these forms:
recruitment /rɪˈkruːt.mənt/ [㐖] The act of "referred", "referring".
getting new members for an organization: The re- referee /ˌref.əˈriː/ [㐗] A person who controls a
k cruitment of volunteers for the procession will take sports game: The referee blew the whistle and the
some time. game was over. 㐀 See picture at soccer.
l rectangle /ˈrek.tæŋ.gl/̩ [㐗] A shape with four reference /ˈref·ər·əns/, /ˈref·rəns/ [㐖] 1 The
straight sides that is longer than it is wide: A soc- act of looking at something for information: She
m cer field is a big rectangle of short grass. 㐀 See always keeps a cook book in the kitchen for refer-
page 457. ence. 2 reference book A book where you get in-
n rectangular /rekˈtæŋ·gjə·lər/ [㐀] Having a formation about something: An encyclopedia is a
shape like a rectangle: The pages of this diction- reference book.
o ary are rectangular. reflect /rɪˈflekt/ [㐘] To send back an image, light,
recycle /ˌriːˈsaɪ.kl̩/ [㐘] To recover waste material sound or heat: The river reflected the lights of the
p so that it can be used again: Don't throw all those city.
magazines away. They can be recycled. reflection /rɪˈflek.ʃən/ [㐌] 1 The sending back an
q red /red/ [㐍] 1 The color of blood: The teacher image, light, sound or heat: Henry could see his
corrected our tests with a red pen. 2 to go red To reflection in the window. 2 Thought: After a little
r become red in the face, to blush: Lucy went red reflection, I decided to tell my friends the truth.
when Nick told her she looked pretty in her new reforestation /ˌriː.fɒr.ɪˈsteɪ.ʃən/ US: /-fɔːr.ɪ-/
[㐖] The act of planting a forest again: Refor-
s dress.
red blood cell [㐗] Any of the red cells that estation is necessary after a big fire.
carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the reform1 /rɪˈfɔːm/ [㐗] An improvement: The
t body: In our blood there are red blood cells and government wants to introduce reforms in the edu-
white blood cells, but the red cells are far more cational system.
u common.
reform2 /rɪˈfɔːm/ [㐘] To make something better
reddish Referring to a color, that is approxi- by changing it: They say they're going to reform
v mately red, or that has a red element to it: On the law.
Saturday I bought a lovely reddish brown sweater. reformation /ˌref·ərˈmeɪ·ʃən/ [㐖] The act of
w redhead /ˈred.hed/ [㐗] A person who has red reforming something: The attempted reformation
hair: Our English teacher is a redhead from Wis- of the Catholic Church in the 16th century resulted
x consin. in the creation of the Protestant Church.
red herring [㐗] An idea or event which dis- refract /rɪˈfrækt/ [㐘] To make light or sound
y tracts your attention from what is really impor- change direction or separate: Light refracts when
tant: In this Agatha Christie story there are lots of it moves from air to water.
z red herrings. refraction /rɪˈfræk.ʃən/ [㐖] The phenome-
reduce /rɪˈdus/ [㐘] To make something less or non that occurs when light or sound is refracted:
309 reign
Refraction of light takes place because its speed regiment /ˈredʒ.ɪ.mənt/ [㐗] A large group of a
b
changes. soldiers: The colonel ordered the regiment to at- c
d
refresh /rɪˈfreʃ/ [㐘] To make somebody feel cool- tack the enemy forces. e
f
er when they are hot and tired: A cold drink will region /ˈriː.dʒən/ [㐗] A big area of land: The g
refresh us after the game. North Pole is the coldest region on earth. h
i
refreshing /rɪˈfreʃ.ɪŋ/ [㐀] Making you feel regional /ˈriː.dʒən.əl/ [㐀] Referring to a region: j
k
cooler when you are hot and tired: A cold shower The state government is responsible for regional l
m
is refreshing when it's very hot. development. n
o
refreshments /rɪˈfreʃ.mənt/ [㐑] Food and register1 /ˈredʒɪstər/ [㐗] 1 A list: Our teacher p
q
drinks: We'll make a stop to take some refresh- begins each lesson by calling the register. 2 See r
s
ments on our way to the beach. cash register. t
u
refrigerator /rɪˈfrɪdʒ·əˌreɪ·tə̬ r/ [㐗] A machine register2 /ˈredʒɪstər/ [㐘] 1 To enter a name on a v
w
for keeping drinks and food cold: Milk should be list: The actress registered at the hotel under a x
false name. 2 To show something: Yesterday y
kept in the refrigerator. ■ The same meaning: z
morning the thermometer registered twenty five
"fridge".
Fahrenheit degrees.
refuge /ˈref.juːdʒ/ [㐗] A place for protection: If
registration /ˌredʒ.ɪˈstreɪ.ʃən/ [㐌] 1 The act of en-
it rains we'll take refuge in the hotel by the lake.
tering a name on a list: Registration day for next
refugee /ˌref.jʊˈdʒiː/ [㐗] A person who has
year will be two weeks before the first day of school.
been forced to leave their country, and goes to 2 registration number The license number of a
another: A lot of refugees came to America during car: After the crash the truck drove away quickly
the Second World War. and nobody could see its registration number.
refund /ˈriːfʌnd/ [㐖] Money that is given back regret1 /rɪˈgret/ [㐘] To be sorry about something
to you: If you take that dress back to the store you have done or haven't done: I don't regret what
they'll give you a refund. I said.
refusal /rɪˈfjuːzəl/ [㐖] The act of saying you regret2 /rɪˈgret/ [㐖] Feeling sorry: Do you
will not do something or take part in something: have any regrets about leaving school at sixteen?
Charlotte got angry at my refusal to take her to the regular /ˈreg·jə·lər/ [㐀] 1 Usual: Friday is Stu-
station. art's regular visiting day. 2 Always happening at
refuse /ˈref.juːs/ [㐘] To say you will not do some- the same time: My father doesn't have regular
working hours. 3 That follows the usual grammar
thing or take part in something: Jonathan refuses
rules: "Walk" is a regular verb.
to come to the beach with us tomorrow.
regularity /ˌreg·jəˈlær·ɪ·ti̬ / [㐖] A state in
regard1 /rɪˈgɑrd/ [㐖] 1 A good opinion: My
which things happen again and again: Our old car
parents have a high regard for my music teacher. 2
breaks down with great regularity.
Consideration for somebody: She rejected his invi-
regulate /ˈreg.jʊ.leɪt/ [㐘] To control something
tation coldly, with no regard for his feelings.
by using rules and regulations: Restrictions regu-
regard2 /rɪˈgɑrd/, /rɪˈgɑːd/ [㐘] To consider some-
late the speed that vehicles can travel at on the
body or something in a specific way: Matthew is
highway.
regarded as the best chess player at school.
regulation /ˌreg.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən/ [㐌] A rule: Do you
regarding /rɪˈgɑr·dɪŋ/ [㐓] About, concerning:
know all the regulations at school?
Regarding the school trip, do you know how much it
rehearsal /rɪˈhɜr·səl/ [㐗] The practicing of a
will cost?
play or a concert: The actors had a lot of rehears-
regardless /rɪˈgɑrd·ləs/ [㐄] Not caring about: We're
als before the show opened.
going to buy a new TV set regardless of the price.
rehearse /rɪˈhɜrs/ [㐘] To practice a play or a con-
regards /rɪˈgɑrdz/ [㐑] Best wishes: Please
cert: Penny rehearsed the songs she had learned at
give my regards to your parents.
school in front of her parents.
regenerate /rɪˈdʒenəreɪt/ [㐘] 1 To improve some-
reign1 /reɪn/ [㐗] The time when a king or a
thing by making it more vigorous, more active or
queen rules a country: Independence war in Unit-
busier: We need more tourism to help regenerate
the economy of the country. 2 Referring to a tissue, ed States was during the reign of George III. ■ Be
to grow again after being lost or damaged: These careful with the pronunciation of this word! The "g"
exercises will help the muscle tissues to regenerate. is silent.
reggae /ˈreg.eɪ/ [㐖] A type of music originat- reign2 /reɪn/ [㐘] To rule as a king or a queen:
ing in Jamaica: Bob Marley made reggae popular George III reigned over Great Britain from 1760 to
throughout the world.
rein 310
a 1820. ■ Be careful. We say: "reign over a country or a relaxing /rɪˈlæk.sɪŋ/ [㐀] Making you calm and
b people". ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of this free: We had a relaxing swim in the lake after work-
word! The "g" is silent. ing on the farm all morning.
rein /reɪn/ [㐗] A length of leather used to con- relay /ˌriːˈleɪ/ [㐘] To receive and to pass on infor-
c trol a horse: The jockey pulled the reins in to stop mation, radio and television signals, and so on:
the horse. ■ This word is more common in the plural. Please relay the news to your parents.
d reindeer /ˈreɪnˌdɪər/ [㐗] A big animal of the release /rɪˈliːs/ [㐘] To set somebody or some-
deer family that lives in Northern Europe: Santa thing free: If the two nations sign the treaty all the
e Claus arrives on a sled pulled by reindeer every prisoners will be released.
Christmas. ■ The plural is also "reindeer". 㐀 See relevant /ˈreləvənt/ [㐀] Related to the question
f picture at sled. discussed, or useful: That is not relevant to what
reject /rɪˈdʒekt/ [㐘] Not to accept something or we are talking about.
g somebody: Carol rejected my offer to help her with reliable /rɪˈlaɪə.bl̩/ [㐀] That you can depend
her homework. on: Don't ask David to get the movie tickets, be-
h rejoice /rɪˈdʒɔɪs/ [㐘] To feel very happy: Every- cause he isn't very reliable.
body rejoiced when the peace agreement was an- relief /rɪˈliːf/ [㐌] 1 A releasing of tension or pain,
i nounced. comfort: The aspirin my mother took gave her relief
relate /rɪˈleɪt/ [㐘] 1 To tell: We related everything from her backache. 2 Help to people in need: The
j that had happened to the police. 2 To connect: government is sending relief to the people affected
Doctors relate heart disease to a poor diet and lack by the earthquake. 3 The difference in height of
k of exercise. ■ We say "relate to (somebody or some- the terrain in a particular area: This region has a
thing)". varied relief with mountains, plains and valleys.
related /rɪˈleɪ·t̬ɪd/ [㐀] 1 Belonging to the same relieve /rɪˈliːv/ [㐘] 1 To reduce pain or trouble: A
l family: Jim's father is related to the school football massage would relieve your back pain. 2 To replace
coach. 2 Connected: The detective thinks that the somebody on duty: One of my dad's colleagues re-
m two crimes are related. ■ Be careful. We say: "to be lieved him so that he could go to the doctor's.
related to (somebody or something)". The verb after religion /rɪˈlɪdʒ.ən/ [㐖] A belief in a god or
n "to" is in the "-ing" form. ■ The last "e" is pronounced gods: Sarah says that religion is what gives mean-
like the "i" in "did". ing to her life.
o relation /rɪˈleɪ.ʃən/ [㐌] 1 A member of your family: religious /rɪˈlɪdʒ.əs/ [㐀] 1 Related to religion:
I only see most of my relations when I go to my The Pope is the religious leader of all the Roman
p grandparents' house at Christmas. ■ The same mean- Catholics in the world. 2 Keeping the rules of a re-
ing: "relative". 2 A connection: There's a close rela- ligion, believing very strongly in a religion: My
q tion between the Spanish and Italian languages. aunt's a very religious woman.
relationship /rɪˈleɪ.ʃən.ʃɪp/ [㐗] 1 Friendship reluctant /rɪˈlʌk.tənt/ [㐀] Not wanting to do
r between people or countries: I have a good rela- something, unwilling: My parents are reluctant to
tionship with my parents. 2 The way in which use the car downtown.
s facts or ideas are connected: The brain controls rely /rɪˈlaɪ/ [㐘] To trust in somebody or some-
the relationship between thought and movement. thing: You can rely on Kate. She knows how to keep
relative /ˈrel·ə·tɪ̬ v/ [㐗] A member of your fam- a secret. ■ Be careful! We always say: "rely on (some-
t ily: Most of our relatives live in New York. ■ The body or something)". ■ Note the spelling of these
same meaning: "relation". forms: "relies", "relied".
u relax /rɪˈlæks/ [㐘] 1 To become less tense: Don't remain /rɪˈmeɪn/ [㐘] 1 To be left over: Although
worry about the test, just lie down a bit and relax. 2 we did a lot of work yesterday, there still remains a
v To have a rest: When my mother comes home from lot to be done. 2 To stay: My brother remained at
work she likes to take a shower and relax with her home yesterday with a cold.
w feet up. remainder /rɪˈmeɪn·dər/ [㐖] The rest, the
relaxation /ˌriː.lækˈseɪ.ʃən/ [㐖] Rest and rec- portion that is left of something: We'll spend the
x reation: You study too much; you need some relax- remainder of our vacation at the beach, OK?
ation as well, you know! remains /rɪˈmeɪnz/ [㐑] The pieces that are left
y relaxed /rɪˈlækst/ [㐀] Calm and tension free: I of something: We gave the remains of our picnic to
felt relaxed once I had finished my tests. ■ Be care- the dog.
z ful with the pronunciation of this word. The last "e" remark1 /rɪˈmɑːk/ [㐗] A comment: My sister
is not pronounced. 㐀 See picture at emotions. didn't like your remark about her friend.
311 repetition
remark2 /rɪˈmɑːk/ [㐘] To comment or to observe: Wind is a renewable energy source. 㐀 See page a
439. b
Sally remarked that she had seen Hugh the other c
day. rent1 /rent/ [㐖] The money you pay to use d
e
remarkable /rɪˈmɑr·kə·bəl/ [㐀] Extraordinary: something: How much rent does your uncle pay for f
the apartment? g
Paul always does his homework with remarkable
speed. rent2 /rent/ [㐘] To pay for the use of a house or an h
i
remedy /ˈrem.ə.di/ [㐗] 1 A way of curing pain: apartment, a machine, a vehicle and so on: We j
rented a car when we went to Colombia last sum- k
Grandma says that an aspirin and a glass of hot mer. l
milk is the best remedy for colds. 2 A solution: We m
must find a remedy for this awful situation. ■ The rental [㐌] The act of renting: a car rental. n
plural is "remedies". repaid /rɪˈpeɪd/ Past tense and past participle o
p
remember /rɪˈmem·bər/ [㐘] To keep in or to bring forms of repay. q
r
to your memory people, events or data from the repair1 /rɪˈpeər/ [㐖] Something you do to s
past: I didn't phone Dick yesterday because I t
couldn't remember his number. ■ Compare with "re- make an object or a building good and ready for u
mind" (to say something to somebody to make them use again: The museum is closed for repairs. v
w
remember to do something). ■ Be careful! "Remem- repair2 /rɪˈpeər/ [㐘] To put something in good x
y
ber" has a different meaning depending on whether condition again: When are you going to take the z
video to be repaired, dad?
it is followed by an infinitive or an "-ing" form of the
repay, repaid, repaid /ˌriːˈpeɪ/ [㐘] 1 To pay
verb. When it is followed by an infinitive, "remem-
back: Pat says she can't repay me the money I lent
ber" refers to an action that has not yet been done: her for the CD until next week. 2 To do something
to thank somebody: I don't know how to repay you
"Remember to turn off the lights when you go to for all you've done for us. ■ In this use we say: "to
repay (somebody) for (something)".
bed". When it is followed by an "-ing" form of the
repeat /rɪˈpiːt/ [㐘] To say or to do something
verb, "remember" refers to an action that has already
again: Would you mind repeating to me what Re-
been done: "I remember putting my keys on the table becca said this morning?
when I came in from school". ■ See box below. repel /rɪˈpel/ [㐘] 1 To force something to move
remind /rɪˈmaɪnd/ [㐘] To say something to some- away or to stop attacking: The defending forces
were able to repel the attack. 2 To cause a feeling
body to make them remember to do something: of disgust: I was repelled by the smell.
Remind me to get mom a present for Mother's Day.
■ Compare with "remember" (to keep in or to bring repellent /rɪˈpelənt/ [㐀] Very unpleasant: The
to your memory people, events or data from the smell coming from the river is repellent.
past). ■ See box at remember. repetition /ˌrep.əˈtɪʃ.ən/ [㐗] The saying or do-
reminder /rɪˈmɑɪn·dər/ [㐗] 1 Something that ing of something again: Pamela learned the com-
mon irregular verbs through much repetition.
makes you remember: This knot in my handker-
chief is a reminder that I must take my dictionary to remember and remind
school tomorrow. 2 Something that makes you
think of a particular time: This Washington D.C. ðÜUse remind to indicate that someone has told
monument is a reminder of the Martin Luther King. someone else to do something. Use the phrasal
verb remind of to indicate that someone or some-
remote /rɪˈmoʊt/ [㐀] Far away: I'd like to spend thing else reminds you of someone or something
else:
a long vacation with some friends on a remote is-
land. - Sally reminded me that I had a dentist’s appointment.
remote control [㐗] A device with buttons - You really remind me of someone famous but I can’t
think who.
used to operate a TV, video, toy and so on from a
distance: It's easy to change the TV channels with Remind always takes an object.
a remote control even for grandma.
ðÜRemember is used when a person remembers to do
remove /rɪˈmuːv/ [㐘] To take away: We removed something on his or her own. Remember is also
used to express recollections of a past event:
the dead tree from the backyard.
- I remembered to buy him a present for his birthday.
renew /rɪˈnu/ [㐘] To make something new again:
- He remembers going to California on vacation when he
We can't go fishing until we renew our fishing li- was very young.
cense.
renewable /rɪˈnjuːəbl/ [㐀] 1 Referring to any-
thing that can be renewed: Your library card must
be renewed every year. 2 Referring to a form of en-
ergy, that can be replaced or restored by nature:
replace 312
a replace /rɪˈpleɪs/ [㐘] 1 To put something back in which humans, animals or plants produce new
b its proper place: Please, replace this book where members: In biology class we are studying animal
you found it. 2 To take the place of somebody or reproduction.
something: Tractors replaced horses on farms reproductive /ˌriːprəˈdʌktɪv/ [㐀] Referring to
c years ago. 3 To put a new thing in the place of an- reproduction: Pollen plays a vital role in the repro-
other: If the cup is broken we'll have to replace it ductive cycle of plants.
d immediately.
reproductive system [㐗] The set of or-
replacement /rɪˈpleɪs.mənt/ [㐗] The act of gans that work together in reproduction: The re-
e changing something old or broken: We're looking productive system consists of internal and external
for a replacement for our old television. organs. 㐀 See page 425.
f reply1 /rɪˈplaɪ/ [㐗] An answer: What was her re- reptile /ˈrep.taɪl/ [㐗] An animal that has cold
ply when you asked her about her boyfriend? ■ The blood and scales on its skin: Snakes, lizards, croc-
g plural is "replies". odiles and turtles are all reptiles. 㐀 See pages
reply2 /rɪˈplaɪ/ [㐘] To answer: You haven't replied 426 and 430.
h to my question yet. ■ Be careful with the spelling of republic /rɪˈpʌb.lɪk/ [㐗] A country that is
these forms: "replies", "replied". ruled by a president: In a republic the government
i report1 /rɪˈpɔːt/ [㐗] A description prepared for is elected by the people.
others: We listened to a brief report of the football reputation /ˌrep.jʊˈteɪ.ʃən/ [㐖] The opinion
j results on the radio. that people have about a person: Carol's mother
report2 /rɪˈpɔːt/ [㐘] 1 To tell somebody about has a very good reputation as an expert on comput-
something: I'll try to report the news as soon as ers.
k possible. 2 To complain about somebody or some- request1 /rɪˈkwest/ [㐗] Something that you
thing to an organization of authority: My uncle re- ask for: Mrs. Willis made a request for an extra two
l ported the theft of his car to the police.
days vacation.
reporter /rɪˈpɔr·tə̬ r/, /-ˈpoʊr·tə̬ r/ [㐗] A person request2 /rɪˈkwest/ [㐘] To ask for or demand
m who reports the news in a newspaper, radio or something: Our school has requested permission
television: The President had a meeting with re- from the local government to open a riding school.
n porters after his speech in Congress. require /rɪˈkwɑɪər/ [㐘] To need something: You
represent /ˌrep.rɪˈzent/ [㐘] 1 To do something on will require a map to do this exercise. ■ We usually
o behalf of another person: In United States, each say "need".
Member of Senate represents a State. 2 To be a requirement /rɪˈkwaɪəmənt/ [㐗] Something
p sign or a symbol of: On this map the blue lines rep- that you need: I think my sister meets all the re-
resent the rivers. quirements for taking part in the expedition to the
q representation /ˌrep.rɪ.zenˈteɪ.ʃən/ [㐖] 1 Amazon.
The act of representing or being represented: rescue /ˈres.kjuː/ [㐘] To save somebody: The
r When the man was arrested, he asked for legal rep- climbers were rescued from the mountains after the
resentation. 2 The description of something in a snowstorm with the help of helicopters.
s particular way: The representation of American so- research /ˈri·sɜrtʃ/, /rɪˈsɜrtʃ/ [㐖] A study to
ciety in this novel is very realistic. find out new things: Her latest book about UFO's
representational /ˌrep.rɪ.zenˈteɪ.ʃən.əl/ [㐀] is the result of many years of research.
t Referring to representation: The actor's agent has researcher /rɪˈsɜr·tʃər/, /ˈriˌsɜr-/ [㐗] A person
representational powers. who studies to find out new things: Researchers
u representative /ˌrep·rɪˈzen·tə·t̬ɪv/ [㐗] A per- are trying hard to discover an effective cure for can-
son who represents a business, a country and so cer.
v on: My uncle's a sales representative for an impor- resemblance /rɪˈzem.blənts/ [㐖] A similarity
tant car company. between people or things: Do you think there's a
w reproduce /ˌri·prəˈdus/ [㐘] 1 To copy something: family resemblance?
The photo of the murderer is going to be repro- resemble /rɪˈzem.bl̩/ [㐘] To be or to look like
x duced in every newspaper. 2 To produce new somebody or something: Jackie resembles her sis-
members: Rabbits reproduce very quickly. ter when she speaks.
y reproduction /ˌriː.prəˈdʌk.ʃən/ [㐌] 1 A copy: We resent /rɪˈzent/ [㐘] To be angry about what you
bought some reproductions of Picasso's most fa- consider is bad or unfair: Laura resents being told
z mous paintings when we visited the Museum of what to wear every day. ■ The verb after "resent" is
Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. 2 Process by in the "-ing" form.
313 respond
resentment /rɪˈzent.mənt/ [㐖] The feeling of resistance /rɪˈzɪs.tənts/ [㐖] The act of resist- a
b
being angry and bitter: I don't feel any resentment ing: The water resistance of this watch is guaran- c
d
about what happened. teed. e
f
reservation /ˌrez·ərˈveɪ·ʃən/ [㐗] 1 Something resistant /rɪˈzɪstənt/ [㐀] Not damaged or af- g
that is kept ready for use by a particular person fected in a negative way by something: My new h
i
or group: It's getting a bit late to make the reserva- watch is water resistant. ■ We say "(be) resistant to j
tions for the train tickets. 2 A place where a group k
(something)". l
of people live: We visited an Indian reservation on m
resolution /ˌrez.əˈluː.ʃən/ [㐗] A decision: My n
our vacation in the United States. o
mom made a New Year's resolution to give up p
reserve1 /rɪˈzɜːv/ [㐗] 1 An amount of some- q
smoking. ■ Be careful! We say: "make a resolution". r
thing that is saved for later use: The water re- s
resolve /rɪˈzɑlv/, /-ˈzɔlv/ [㐘] 1 To solve a problem: t
serves have increased a lot with the recent heavy u
rain. 2 A place where wild animals are protected: Grandma says that money would solve a lot of my v
The Grand Canyon is a big natural reserve. 3 Some- parents' problems. 2 To decide: The teacher resolved w
x
body who plays for another in a game: Graham is to postpone the test until the following Monday. y
first reserve in the school hockey team. 4 in re- z
serve Saved for later use: We always keep a flash- resort /rɪˈzɔrt/ [㐗] A place for vacations: They
light in reserve in case the lights go out. plan to spend their summer vacation in a fashion-
reserve2 /rɪˈzɜːv/ [㐘] To keep something for later able seaside resort.
use or to have something kept ready for your use: resource US: /ˈriː.sɔːrs/ UK: /rɪˈzɔːs/ [㐗] The
We need to reserve the tickets for the concert before means which are available to achieve an end: The
they are all sold. most important natural resources of this country
reservoir /ˈrez·ərˌvwɑr/, /-ˌvwɔr/ [㐗] A lake are coal and petroleum.
where water is stored: Reservoirs supply drinking resources US: /ˈriːsɔːrs/ UK: /rɪˈzɔːs/ [㐗] The
water to cities. 㐀 See page 445. means, materials or skills that a person or a
residence /ˈrez.ɪ.dənts/ [㐌] 1 The place where country can use: Both Argentina and Chile have a
somebody lives: The President's residence in lot of natural resources. ■ It is usually used with a
Washington is the White House. ■ This use is for- plural verb.
mal. 2 The time during which people live in a
respect1 /rɪˈspekt/ [㐖] The quality of being
place: She began residence in Italy three years ago.
polite or having high regard or admiration for
resident /ˈrez.ɪ.dənt/ [㐗] A person who lives in
somebody: I think adults talk a lot about respect
a place: My uncle has been a resident of Bogota for
but don't always show it.
many years.
respect2 /rɪˈspekt/ [㐘] To admire somebody very
residual /rɪˈzɪdjuəl/ [㐀] Remaining after the
much or to behave in a polite way towards them:
greater part of something has been removed or
Nicholas respects his grandmother and always lis-
has gone: Although many years have passed, he
tens to her advice.
still feels some residual anger.
respectable /rɪˈspek.tə.bl̩/ [㐀] Of good charac-
residue /ˈrezɪdjuː/ [㐗] What remains after the
ter and behavior: Mrs. Whittington is a very re-
greater part of something has been removed or
spectable woman; I can't believe she is a drug deal-
has gone: The residues must be eliminated at the
er!
end of the production process.
respiration /ˌrespərˈeɪʃən/ [㐖] The act of
resign /rɪˈzaɪn/ [㐘] To give up a job: Mr. Roberts,
breathing: The respiration of clean air is a privi-
the chemistry teacher, has just resigned. He's going
lege denied to many.
to work in industry. ■ Be careful with the pronuncia-
respiratory US: /ˈrespərətɔːri/ UK: /rɪˈspɪrətəri/
tion of this word!
[㐀] Referring to respiration or to the organs of
resignation /ˌrez.ɪgˈneɪ.ʃən/ [㐗] The act of giv- respiration: Smoking can cause respiratory illness.
ing up your job: His illness led to his resignation 㐀 See page 425.
from the company. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation respiratory system [㐗] The set of organs,
of this word. You must pronounce the "g" in this word. muscles and tubes which are involved in breath-
resist /rɪˈzɪst/ [㐘] 1 To oppose or fight against: ing: The main function of the respiratory system is
The town resisted the enemy attacks night and day. to supply the blood with oxygen. 㐀 See page 425.
2 To keep from doing something: Joanne couldn't
respond /rɪˈspɑnd/ [㐘] 1 To react: Jim responded
resist the temptation and opened the box of choco-
very quickly to the doctor's treatment. 2 To answer:
lates.
I sent Sarah a letter two weeks ago but she hasn't
responded yet. ■ This use is formal. We usually say
"answer" or "reply".
response 314
a response /rɪˈspɑns/ [㐗] An answer: They've résumé or resume [㐗] List with the stud-
b had no response to the advertisement they pub- ies and work experience of a person: When you
lished in the newspaper. apply for a job you have to send your résumé.
responsibility /rɪˌspɑn·səˈbɪl·ɪ·t̬i/ [㐌] Something retail1 /ˈriː.teɪl/ [㐖] The sale of goods in
c that it is your duty to do or to control: Taking the small quantities for personal use or consump-
dog out in the evening is your responsibility, not tion: The retail business is less profitable today. ■
d mine. ■ The plural is "responsibilities".
Compare with "wholesale" (referring to the trading of
responsible /rɪˈspɑn·sə·bəl/ [㐀] 1 Reliable: The goods in large quantities to stores and businesses).
e company wants a responsible person for the post of retail2 /ˈriːteɪl/ [㐘] To sell in small quantities to
night watchman. 2 to be responsible for (some- people for personal use: The company retails its
f body or something) 1 To be the cause of a situa- products in its store and also online.
tion: The fire was responsible for damage to the retina /ˈretɪnə/ [㐗] An area at the back of the
g value of millions of dollars. 2 In charge of some- eyeball that sends impulses along the optic nerve
body or something: On a plane the pilot is respon- to the brain: The retina is sensitive to light. ■ The
h sible for the passengers' safety. plural is "retinas" or "retinae".
rest1 /rest/ [㐌] 1 A period of not working and be- retire /rɪˈtɑɪər/ [㐘] To stop work because you are
i ing quiet: The doctor told my father to take a old or ill: Mr. Dale, our former principal, retired
week's rest from work. 2 What is left of something: when he reached the age of 65.
j I took all the paper I needed and threw away the retired /rɪˈtɑɪərd/ [㐀] No longer working, be-
rest. ■ In this use "rest" is an uncountable noun. cause of age or illness: Our neighbor is a retired
k rest2 /rest/ [㐘] 1 To be free from duty, relax: Let's army officer. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of
rest for half an hour before we do our homework. 2 this word. The last "e" is not pronounced.
To place something somewhere: She rested her retirement /rɪˈtɑɪər·mənt/ [㐌] The time in a per-
l head on the pillow and soon went to sleep.
son's life when they no longer work: During his
restaurant /ˈres·tər·ənt/, /-təˌrɑnt/ [㐗] A place retirement my grandfather spent most of his time
m where you pay to sit at tables and eat: My uncle's fishing and going for long walks in the country.
inviting us to have lunch in a restaurant to cele- retreat /rɪˈtriːt/ [㐘] To go back from somebody or
n brate his birthday. something: The guerrillas retreated into the moun-
restful /ˈrest.fəl/ [㐀] Peaceful: They had a rest- tains when the army attacked them.
o ful morning playing cards and chatting. retrieval [㐖] The act of recovering some-
restless /ˈrest.ləs/ [㐀] Without real rest: My thing: The retrieval of the data was not very diffi-
p parents had a restless night at the hotel because it cult, in the end.
is next to the railway station. return1 /rɪˈtɜːn/ [㐌] Coming or going back to
q restore /rɪˈstɔr/, /-ˈstoʊr/ [㐘] To repair something somewhere: We're going to make the return jour-
to make it look good again: My mother has taken ney by train.
return2 /rɪˈtɜːn/ [㐘] 1 To come or to go back to
r the painting to somebody to be restored.
restriction /rɪˈstrɪk.ʃən/ [㐗] The act of limit- somewhere: My parents are returning from Italy
s ing something: There are strict restrictions on the day after tomorrow. 2 To give something back:
parking in the hospital area. When are you going to return the book you bor-
restroom US: /ˈrestruːm/ [㐗] In a public place, rowed last month?
t a room where toilets are located: The girls' rest- reuse1 [㐖] The act of using something
room are down the corridor on the left. ■ When it is again: Many stores and supermarkets are promot-
u in somebody's house, we say "bathroom". ■ In Brit- ing the reuse of plastic bags.
ish English they say "toilet". reuse2 /ˌriːˈjuːz/ [㐘] To use something again:
v result1 /rɪˈzʌlt/ [㐗] 1 The effect of an action: Don't throw away that plastic bottle. I will reuse it.
The dent in my father's car is a result of the acci- reveal /rɪˈviːl/ [㐘] To tell a secret or to show
w dent he had last night. 2 as a result As a conse- something hidden: My aunt's age is a secret that
quence of something: We played very badly and, she won't reveal to anybody.
x as a result, we lost the game. revenge /rɪˈvendʒ/ [㐖] Action taken in re-
result2 /rɪˈzʌlt/ [㐘] To end in, to lead to: Our ef- turn for something somebody has done to you
y forts have resulted in the collection of three hun- that you don't like: Paul got his revenge on Mary
dred dollars for the local children's hospital. for taking his racket by hiding her tennis shoes. ■
Be careful! We say: "to get revenge on (somebody)"
z resume /rɪˈzum/ [㐘] To continue after an interrup- or "to take revenge on (somebody)".
tion: We'll resume work as soon as this noise stops.
315 riddle
reverberation /rɪˌvɜː.bərˈeɪ.ʃən/ US: /-ˌvɝː.bəˈreɪ-/ rewrite1 [㐗] The act of writing again: The ar- a
b
[㐗] A sound that echoes and lasts for a while: ticle was so badly written that it was given a com- c
Everybody in the valley heard the reverberation d
plete rewrite. e
caused by the explosion. f
rewrite2 /ˌriːˈraɪt/ ■ rewrote, rewritten. [㐘] To g
reverse /rɪˈvɜrs/ [㐘] To back a car, truck or other
write again: I am not happy with this so I am going h
vehicle: My brother bumped into the lamp-post i
to rewrite it. j
while he was reversing into the parking space the k
rhino /ˈrɑɪ·noʊ/ [㐗] See rhinoceros. ■ The plural l
other day. m
is "rhino" or "rhinos". n
reversible /rɪˈvɜr·sə·bəl/ [㐀] That can be o
rhinoceros /raɪˈnɒsərəs/ [㐗] A big animal with p
turned inside out: This jacket is reversible. The in- q
a thick skin and one or two horns on its nose: r
side is waterproof. s
Rhinoceroses live in Asia and Africa and have tra- t
review1 /rɪˈvjuː/ [㐗] A report about a book, u
ditionally been hunted for their horns. ■ "Rhino" is v
movie and so on: The new movie by Spielberg w
short of "rhinoceros". ■ The plural is "rhinoceros" or x
got bad reviews in the newspapers, but I enjoyed y
"rhinoceroses". z
it.
rhombus /ˈrɑm·bəs/ [㐗] A flat shape with four
review2 /rɪˈvjuː/ [㐘] To write your opinion about
sides that have the same length: A rhombus has
a book, film and so on: That novel you bought was
four angles. ■ The plural is "rhombuses" or "rhom-
reviewed in last Sunday's newspaper.
bi". 㐀 See page 457.
revise /rɪˈvaɪz/ [㐘] 1 To study something again: I
rhyme1 /raɪm/ [㐖] Words that finish with the
spent the weekend revising for the History test on
Tuesday. 2 To change something in order to im- same sound: Can you think of a rhyme for "table"?
prove it: We revised the project and added new Yes, "cable".
photos before we gave it to the teacher. rhyme2 /raɪm/ [㐘] To have words that finish with
revision /rɪˈvɪʒ.ən/ [㐗] Studying something the same sound: "Blue" rhymes with "true".
again: I always need at least a week for revision be- rhythm /ˈrɪð.əm/ [㐖] A regular movement or
fore my tests. sound: African music has wonderful rhythms.
revive /rɪˈvaɪv/ [㐘] To make or to become strong, rhythmic /ˈrɪð.mɪk/ [㐀] Having a good rhythm
healthy or active again: When we gave it water, the or with a regular beat: The music is so rhythmic
plant revived immediately. that it makes you want to dance.
revolt /rɪˈvəʊlt/ [㐘] To fight against somebody in rib /rɪb/ [㐗] One of the curved bones round
authority: The people revolted in Russia in 1917. your chest: Jason broke two ribs when he fell off the
revolting /rɪˈvoʊl·tɪŋ/ [㐀] Very unpleasant: horse. 㐀 See page 422.
That movie was revolting. ribbon /ˈrɪb.ən/ [㐗] A long piece of thin mate-
revolution /ˌrev.əˈluː.ʃən/ [㐗] A big change: rial: Karen ties her hair back with a red ribbon.
The invention of the computer produced a revolu- rice /raɪs/ [㐖] White grains from a plant used
tion in the working world. as food: Would you like some chicken and rice for
revolutionary /ˌrev·əˈlu·ʃəˌner·i/ [㐀] Very new, lunch?
involving great change: The invention of the light rich /rɪtʃ/ [㐀] 1 With a lot of money: Vicky's
bulb was a revolutionary development. grandfather won the lottery two months ago and
now he's a very rich man. 2 With a large amount of
revolve /rɪˈvɑlv/, /-ˈvɔlv/ [㐘] To turn around a cen- something: Saudi Arabia is very rich in oil. 3 When
ter: The moon revolves around the earth. talking about food, that contains a lot of fat, sug-
revolver /rɪˈvɑl·vər/, /-ˈvɔl-/ [㐗] A small gun: ar, cream, eggs and so on: Pumpkin pie is very
Wyatt Earp drew his revolver faster than anybody rich.
in the Wild West. riches /ˈrɪtʃ.ɪz/ [㐑] A lot of money and expen-
reward1 /rɪˈwɔːd/ [㐗] Something given in re- sive things: Having power and riches won't make
turn for a service: Ken received a reward for find- you happy.
ing the lost dog. rid, rid, rid [㐘] 1 To make something free: A
reward2 /rɪˈwɔːd/ [㐘] To give somebody some- man playing a flute rid the town of Hamelin of rats.
2 to get rid of (something) To throw something
thing in return for a service: The old lady reward-
away: My mother wants to get rid of the old sofa
ed George for helping her with the shopping.
now that we have a new one.
rewind /ˌriːˈwaɪnd/ [㐘] To make a tape go back to-
ridden /ˈrɪd.ən/ Past participle of ride2.
wards the beginning: Rewind and play the video riddle /ˈrɪd.l/̩ [㐗] A question with a funny answer:
again, please. ■ Compare with "fast forward" (to We spent the afternoon asking each other riddles.
make a tape go forward quickly).
ride 316
a ride1 /raɪd/ [㐗] A journey in a vehicle, on an rim /rɪm/ [㐗] The edge of something round:
b animal or on an attraction at an amusement Aren't these cups beautiful? They have a gold rim.
park: When my parents were in India they had a ring1 /rɪŋ/ [㐗] 1 A circle: The kids stood in a
ride on an elephant. ring around the bonfire. 2 A round metal band
c ride2, rode, ridden /raɪd/ [㐘] To travel in a ve- that you wear on your finger: Why isn't your moth-
hicle or on an animal: My little brother is learning er wearing her ring today? 㐀 See picture at jewel-
d to ride a bike.
ry. 3 Call on the telephone: I'll give you a ring to-
rider /ˈrɑɪ·dər/ [㐗] A person who rides a horse, morrow.
e a bicycle or a motorcycle: My cousin Anna has her ring2, rang, rung /rɪŋ/ [㐘] 1 To make a sound
own horse and is a great rider. like a bell: The doorbell's ringing. Go and answer
f ridge /rɪdʒ/ [㐗] The long, narrow, raised part the door. 2 See phone2. ■ In this use we also say
of something: Look at the goats walking along the "ring up". ■ This use is British English.
g ridge of the mountain. ◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to ring off To end a tele-
ridiculous /rɪˈdɪk.jʊ.ləs/ [㐀] That makes peo- phone conversation: Angela was angry so she
h ple laugh, absurd: Miriam, you look ridiculous dis- rang off without saying goodbye. ■ In this use, the
guised as a witch. same meaning: "hang up".
i rifle /ˈraɪ.fl̩/ [㐗] A long gun: The rifle is a very ring finger [㐗] The fourth finger of the
accurate weapon. ■ Be careful with the pronuncia- hand, between the middle finger and the little
j tion of this word! finger: The groom put the wedding ring on the
right1 /raɪt/ [㐀] 1 Correct; true: Did you get the bride's ring finger.
right answer for number two? 2 Good; suitable: It rink /rɪŋk/ [㐗] See skating rink.
k isn't right to talk to your friends like that. 3 The op- rinse /rɪns/ [㐘] To wash something with clear wa-
posite of left: There were a lot of trucks parked on ter: He rinsed the shirt twice before hanging it out
l the right side of the road. 4 on the right hand on the line.
side On the right side: The police station is on the riot1 /raɪət/ [㐗] A disorder among a crowd of
m right hand side of the road as you go towards town. people in the street: There was a riot after the Cup
5 right-handed Using your right more than your Final last year.
n left: Most people are right-handed, aren't they? riot2 /raɪət/ [㐘] To take part in a riot: The students
right2 /raɪt/ [㐌] 1 Something that the law or mor- rioted because the government was cutting grants.
o al justice allows you to do or to claim: Everyone rip /rɪp/ [㐘] To tear: I ripped my new pants climb-
over 18 has the right to vote in United States. 2 The ing over the fence. ■ Be careful with the spelling of
p side of your body that does not contain your these forms: "ripped", "ripping".
heart, this direction: You must take the second RIP Said to express the hope that somebody's
q turning on the right to get to the hotel. ■ Be careful! spirit has found peace after death. ■ "RIP" is an
In this use we always say: "on the right". abbreviation for "rest in peace". ■ See box at abbre-
r right3 /raɪt/ [㐄] 1 Straight: Go right along to the viations.
end of this street and you'll come to the church. 2 ripe /raɪp/ [㐀] Ready to eat: We can't pick the
s Completely: He headed the ball right into the cor- apples because they aren't ripe yet.
ner of the goal. 3 Correctly: I got all the answers ripple /ˈrɪpl/ [㐗] A small repeating wave: We
right! 4 Exactly: I saw Marie the other day. She was threw stones into the pool to watch the ripples.
t sitting right in front of me at the movie theater. 5 rise1 /raɪz/ [㐗] An increase, especially in mon-
right away Directly, immediately: Turn the televi- ey: My parents say they'll give me a rise in my pock-
u sion off and go to bed right away. 6 right now At et money this year.
this moment, exactly now: He should be getting rise2, rose, risen /raɪz/ [㐘] To move up: When
v on the train right now. the string broke the child's balloon rose quickly in-
rightly /ˈraɪt.li/ [㐄] Correctly: If I remember to the sky.
w rightly, Paul told me to call him at nine. ■ We usual- risen Past participle of rise2.
ly say "right" or "correctly". risk1 /rɪsk/ [㐗] 1 A dangerous chance, possible
x right-wing /ˌraɪtˈwɪŋ/ [㐀] Having conservative harm: My brother takes too many risks when he
ideas: Benjamin's uncle is a right-wing politician. drives. 2 at risk In danger: The baby's at risk play-
y rigid /ˈrɪdʒ.ɪd/ [㐀] 1 Difficult to bend: We need ing so near the water.
some rigid card to make the models. ■ The same risk2 /rɪsk/ [㐘] To take a chance involving possi-
z meaning: "stiff". 2 Strict: There were rigid rules in ble danger: Can we risk taking the boat out in this
Mrs. Cameron's private school. weather?
317 roll
risky /ˈrɪs.ki/ [㐀] Dangerous: It's risky to swim robes. 2 An article of clothing that you wear over a
b
out to those rocks. ■ The comparative form is "riski- pajamas: My sister gave me a lovely robe for my c
d
er" and the superlative form is "riskiest". birthday. ■ In this use, in British English we say e
f
rival /ˈraɪ.vəl/ [㐗] A person who tries to do bet- "dressing gown". g
ter than you in something: You can still be friends robin US: /ˈrɑː.bɪn/ UK: /ˈrɒb.ɪn/ [㐗] A small h
i
with him even if you're both rivals for the same job. brown bird with a red breast: A little robin comes j
k
rivalry /ˈraɪ.vəl.ri/ [㐖] Competition: There's into our backyard every morning. l
m
great rivalry between Mac Donald and Burger King. robot US: /ˈroʊ.bɑːt/ UK: /ˈrəʊ.bɒt/ [㐗] A machine n
o
■ The plural is "rivalries". that can do the work of a person: Robots do much p
q
river /ˈrɪv·ər/ [㐗] A large stream of water: The of the work in car factories. r
s
river that runs through New York is called the River rock1 /rɒk/ [㐗] 1 A large mass of stone: The t
u
Hudson. ■ When a particular river is mentioned, we railway tunnel goes through solid rock. 2 A large v
w
use a capital "R". 㐀 See page 445. piece of stone: We spent the evening sitting on a x
rock and watching the ships go into the harbor. 3 A y
road US: /roʊd/ UK: /rəʊd/ [㐗] 1 A hard path for z
type of modern music: Bruce Springsteen is my fa-
vehicles in or outside a city: I like traveling by
vorite rock singer.
train more than by road. ■ Compare with "street" (a
road with houses on either side). 2 on the road rock2 /rɒk/ [㐘] To move something from side to
Traveling by road: We were very tired after being side: She rocked the cradle gently to get the baby to
on the road for so many hours. ■ When a particular sleep.
road is mentioned, we use a capital "R": "The post of- rocket US: /ˈrɑː.kɪt/ UK: /ˈrɒk.ɪt/ [㐗] 1 A big, ex-
fice is in the High Road". ■ The abbreviation "Rd" is tremely fast machine that carries spacecraft or
only used in written language. See box at abbrevia- bombs: The Chinese have launched another rocket
to put a satellite into space. 2 A firework: When the
tions. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of this
rocket went off, the sky was lit up with different col-
word! It is pronounced as the English word "rode".
ors.
㐀 See page 445.
rocking chair [㐗] A chair that can move
roam US: /roʊm/ UK: /rəʊm/ [㐘] To walk or to travel
backwards and forwards when you are sitting in
with no particular purpose or direction: We spent
it: My grandmother has a wooden rocking chair in
three days roaming the countryside having picnics
her bedroom. 㐀 See pictures at chair.
and sleeping on the grass.
rocky US: /ˈrɑː.ki/ UK: /ˈrɒk.i/ [㐀] Full of rocks: A
roar1 /rɔːr/ [㐗] A loud sound like the sound a
rocky path led up to the old church.
lion makes: There was a roar from the crowd when
rode US: /roʊd/ UK: /rəʊd/ Past tense of ride2.
Newcastle scored a goal in the last minute. 㐀 See rodent /ˈroʊ·də·nt/ [㐗] A type of small animal
picture at animal.
which has two long teeth: Mice and rats are ro-
roar2 /rɔːr/ [㐘] To make a loud, angry sound:
dents.
When the lion got caught in the net it roared and
role US: /roʊl/ UK: /rəʊl/ [㐗] A character in a
frightened everybody.
play or in a movie: In that movie Emma Thompson
roast US: /roʊst/ UK: /rəʊst/ [㐘] To cook in an oven:
played the role of an attorney.
Dad roasted the leg of lamb for dinner. 㐀 See pic-
ture at cook. roll1 /rəʊl/ [㐗] 1 Something rolled into the
rob US: /rɑːb/ UK: /rɒb/ [㐘] To take away, usually by shape of a cylinder: I'm going to leave another roll
of toilet paper in the bathroom. 2 A small, round
force: A gang of thieves robbed the bank the other
portion of bread: Would you like a roll with your
day. ■ Be careful. "Rob" is used when we mention
soup? 㐀 See picture at bread.
the victim. We say: "They robbed me". (We don't say:
roll2 /rəʊl/ [㐘] 1 To move along by turning over
"They robbed the money"). Compare with "steal" (it
and over: A big rock rolled down the hill and hit a
is used when the object taken is mentioned). ■ Look truck. 2 To wrap something round a thing: After
at the spelling of these forms: "robbed", "robbing". rolling a cigarette the old man asked my father for
robber US: /ˈrɑː.bɚ/ UK: /ˈrɒb.ər/ [㐗] A thief, a light.
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to roll over To turn your
usually one who takes something by force: The body to a different position: As he was tired he
robbers were caught as they left the bank. rolled over on his side and went straight to sleep. ·
robbery /ˈrɑb·ə·ri/ [㐗] A theft: This is a quiet to roll (something) up To put something into the
neighborhood but there have been quite a few rob- shape of a cylinder: Let's roll up the rug and put it
beries lately. ■ The plural is "robberies". in the corner.
robe US: /roʊb/ UK: /rəʊb/ [㐗] 1 A long, loose
dress: In United States, the judges wear black
roller 318
a roller US: /ˈroʊ.lɚ/ UK: /ˈrəʊ.lər/ [㐗] 1 A cylinder rotate US: /ˈroʊ.teɪt/ UK: /rəʊˈteɪt/ [㐘] 1 To revolve
b which rolls on its axis: I need some paint and a around an axis: The Earth rotates on its axis. 2 To
roller to paint the living room. 2 A small tube used happen in turns: Intelligent farmers make the
to make curls by rolling the hair around it: The most of their land by rotating crops.
c hairdresser put her hair in rollers. 3 roller blind A rotation /rəʊˈteɪʃən/ [㐗] 1 The act of revolving
window blind with a roller system: At Eva's house around an axis: The earth's rotation around the
d there are roller blinds made of wood.
sun causes day and night. 2 The act of happening
roller coaster /ˌrəʊləˈkəʊstər/ [㐗] A railway at in turns: The workers in this factory work on a rota-
e a fair which goes up and down very dramatically: tion system.
Let's go on the roller coaster! rotten US: /ˈrɑː.tən/ UK: /ˈrɒt.ən/ [㐀] 1 Bad, no
f roller-skate1 [㐗] A boot with small wheels longer good to eat: If you don't put the meat in the
at the bottom: Laura often goes to school on her fridge it'll go rotten. 2 Unpleasant, terrible: My fa-
g roller-skates. ■ We also say "skate". ther is always in a bad temper when he's had a rot-
roller-skate2 [㐘] To skate on roller-skates: Can ten day at the bank.
h you roller-skate? ■ We also say "skate". rough /rʌf/ [㐀] 1 Not smooth, very uneven: My
Roman /ˈroʊ·mən/ [㐀] Referring to ancient skin feels very rough. I'm going to put some lotion
i Rome: The Roman invasion of Britain took place in on it. 2 Not gentle or calm: Why do you play with
49 CE. ■ Be careful! "Roman" has a capital "R". Jeremy if he's so rough?
j Roman Catholic [㐀] See Catholic. ■ Be care- roughly /ˈrʌf.li/ [㐄] 1 About: There were roughly
ful! "Roman Catholic" has capital letters. twenty people in the movie theater last night. ■ Be
romance US: /roʊˈmænts/ UK: /rəʊˈmænts/ [㐗] 1 A careful! In this use "roughly" is not the adverb form
k relationship between two people in love: The ac- of "rough". 2 Not gently: My grandfather often
tress had a secret romance with a famous sports- speaks roughly but he's nice really.
l man. 2 A love story: My grandma loves reading ro- round1 /raʊnd/ [㐀] Like a circle: There's a round
mances. table in the center of the hall.
m romantic US: /roʊˈmæn.t̬ɪk/ UK: /rəʊˈmæn.tɪk/ [㐀] round2 /raʊnd/ [㐗] 1 A stage in a competition:
Full of feelings of love, mystery, beauty: The I think Tyson won that round. 2 The drinks for ev-
n Brontë sisters wrote very famous romantic novels. eryone in a group, that one of them pays for: It's
roof /ruːf/ [㐗] The covering of a building: The my round. What will you have? 3 round trip A
o rain fell into the bathroom through a hole in the journey made to a place and back: He made a
roof. round trip to Dallas and was back in Houston be-
p room /ruːm, rʊm/ [㐌] 1 One of the divisions of a fore dinner time.
house: The biggest room in my house is the living round3 /raʊnd/ [㐅] See around1. ■ This word is
q room. 2 Space: Let's walk down the stairs. There's British English.
no room for us in the elevator. 3 dining room See roundabout /ˈraʊnd.ə.baʊt/ [㐗] 1 See traffic
r dining room. 4 living room See living room. circle. ■ This use is British English. 2 A round ma-
roommate [㐗] A person who lives in the chine on which children can go in a circle: Which
s same room, apartment or house as you: I'm still do you prefer Susie, the swings or the roundabout?
in touch with my college roommate, although she rounders /ˈraʊndəz/ [㐗] A British game in
lives in Japan. which players hit the ball with a bat and run
t roost /ruːst/ [㐗] A place where birds rest or round a circuit: In the past rounders was a popu-
sleep: The hens and cocks live in the roost. lar children's game similar to American baseball.
u root /ruːt/ [㐗] The part of a plant or tree that route /ruːt/ US: /raʊt/ [㐗] A way: What route
is under the ground: The roots of the old oak tree shall we take tomorrow to get to the woods?
v probably reach as far as the road. 㐀 See pages routine1 /ruːˈtiːn/ [㐗] 1 A sequence of actions
432 and 434. which occur or are done in a regular way: My dai-
w rope US: /roʊp/ UK: /rəʊp/ [㐗] A piece of thick ly routine starts with getting up, having breakfast,
string: I'm going to get a rope and climb that tree. brushing my teeth and going to school. 2 Referring
x rose1 /rəʊz/ [㐗] A beautiful flower: The smell of to gymnastics or dance, a fixed series of move-
roses is sweetest in spring. 㐀 See page 433. ments: We will have to practice that routine again
y rose2 /rəʊz/ Past tense of rise. before the performance.
rot US: /rɑːt/ UK: /rɒt/ [㐘] To go bad: If we don't pick routine2 /ruːˈtiːn/ [㐀] Normal, not done for any
z those apples up off the ground they'll rot. ■ Be care- special reason: The police officers said that it was
ful with the spelling of these forms: "rotted", "rotting". only a routine control.
319 run
row1 /rəʊ/ [㐗] A line: He has rows and rows of rugby /ˈrʌg.bi/ [㐖] A game like soccer that is a
b
books in his room. ■ Be careful "row1" and "row2" are played with an oval ball: In rugby, players can ei- c
d
not pronounced the same way! "Row1" rhymes with ther kick the ball or carry it in their hands. e
f
"so". ruin1 /ˈruːɪn/ [㐗] A building that is almost de- g
row2 /rəʊ/ [㐗] An argument: My father has had stroyed: The ruin on the top of the hill is an old h
i
a row with the neighbor about his dogs. monastery. j
k
row3 /rəʊ/ [㐘] To move a boat with oars: We spent ruin2 /ˈruːɪn/ [㐘] 1 To destroy something com- l
m
a quiet afternoon rowing on the lake and fishing. pletely: Bad weather ruined our barbecue last Sat- n
urday. 2 To become very poor: My grandfather was o
rowboat [㐗] A small boat that is moved by p
ruined when his business went bankrupt. q
using oars: There were a few rowboats crossing the r
rule1 /ruːl/ [㐘] To govern a country: Barak Obama s
river. t
has ruled United States since 2008. u
royal /ˈrɔɪ.əl/ [㐀] Referring to a king or a v
rule2 /ruːl/ [㐗] 1 An order concerning the way w
queen: The royal yacht is very luxurious. x
you behave: It's against the rules to eat chewing y
royalty /ˈrɔɪ·əl·ti/ [㐖] The members of a royal gum in class. 2 Government or control: Some is- z
family: Most of the European royalty were present lands in the Pacific Ocean are still under foreign
rule. 3 to rule out To decide that one choice is
at the prince's wedding. ■ The plural is "royalties".
out: My parents haven't ruled out a foreign vaca-
rpm Unit of frequency that accounts for the rota-
tion this year, but it's not very likely.
tions completed by an object in one minute: 237
ruler /ˈru·lər/ [㐗] 1 A person who governs a
rpm. ■ "rpm" is an abbreviation for "revolution(s)
country: Mrs. Ghandi was ruler of India from 1966
per minute". ■ See box at abbreviations. to 1977. 2 A long piece of wood or plastic with
RSVP Used at the end of a written invitation to measurements: You'll need a ruler to draw these
ask for reply: RSVP by December 17th. ■ "RSVP" is parallel lines. 㐀 See page 456.
an abbreviation for 'répondez s'il vous plaît', a rum /rʌm/ [㐖] A strong alcoholic drink: They
French expression that means "please reply". ■ See make very good rum in Jamaica.
box at abbreviations. ruminant /ˈruː.mɪ.nənt/ [㐗] An animal that, af-
rub /rʌb/ [㐘] To move something against a sur- ter swallowing food, brings it back from its stom-
face: He cleaned the door handles by rubbing them ach into its mouth to chew it again: Cows, sheep,
with a cloth. deer and giraffes are ruminants.
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to rub (something) out To
remove the marks made by a pencil, chalk and so rumor [㐗] 1 A piece of news or a story passed
on: The teacher rubbed out all the writing on the from person to person, which may not be true: I
heard a rumor that you had gotten a new job. 2
board. ■ Be careful with the spelling of these forms:
General talk or gossip: Don't listen to rumor.
"rubbed", "rubbing".
run1 /rʌn/ [㐗] The act of running: My aunt goes
rubber /ˈrʌb·ər/ [㐌] An elastic material made
for a run before work each morning. ■ Be careful!
from the sap of a tree: Car tires are made of rub-
We say: "go for a run" or "have a run".
ber.
run2, ran, run /rʌn/ [㐘] 1 To move quickly on
rubber band [㐗] A thin ring of rubber:
your feet: We'll have to run to catch that bus; Lisa
Here's a rubber band to fasten the pencils together. runs very fast. 2 Referring to a machine or vehi-
rubber boots [㐗] Boots that you wear to cle, to work: My motorcycle hasn't run properly
since the accident. 3 Referring to transport, to go,
keep your feet dry: The farmer put on his rubber
to operate: There's a train to Boston that runs ev-
boots to go out to the fields. ■ In British English they ery half hour. 4 To organize or to manage a shop,
say "wellington boots, wellingtons". business or club: Jimmy's father runs the corner
store. 5 To leave in a hurry: I have to run: I need to
rubbish /ˈrʌb.ɪʃ/ [㐖] 1 See trash 2 See gar- be at the library by eight. 6 To pass: Two rivers run
through the town. 7 To extend: The road runs up to
bage. ■ This word is British English. the old castle on the top of the hill. 8 Referring to a
rucksack /ˈrʌk.sæk/ [㐗] See backpack. ■ This tap, to be open, with water coming out: You have
left the tap running! 9 Referring to somebody's
word is British English.
nose, to produce liquid waste: My nose is running.
rude /ruːd/ [㐀] Not kind or polite: I hate taking 10 to run errands To go somewhere for some-
friends home because my sister is always so rude to body to do little jobs: We can meet Saturday after-
them.
rug /rʌg/ [㐗] 1 A small carpet: My mom has
bought a new rug for the living room. 㐀 See pictu-
res at bedroom and living room. 2 A blanket: She
put a rug over her legs because she felt cold in the
carriage.
rung 320
a noon after I run my errands in town. 11 to be run rung2 /rʌŋ/ [㐗] A bar of a ladder: One of the
b off one's feet To be in a big rush because you are rungs broke and I nearly fell off the ladder.
trying to do many things: I'm afraid I don't have runner /ˈrʌn·ər/ [㐗] A person who runs: There
time now: I'm really run off my feet. 12 to run rings were over five thousand runners in the marathon
c around somebody To be much better or faster last year.
than somebody, especially at a sport: She ran running1 /ˈrʌnɪŋ/ [㐗] Sport in which you move
d rings round me at tennis yesterday.
quickly on your feet: Long distance running is a
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to run away 1 To go away tough sport. 㐀 See picture at sport.
e quickly, to escape: The kid rang our doorbell and running2 /ˈrʌnɪŋ/ [㐀] One after another: Gra-
then ran away. 2 Referring to a child, to leave ham has missed the school bus two days running.
f home because they don't want to live there: He runny /ˈrʌn.i/ [㐀] Containing more liquid than
ran away the first time when he was ten. · to run desired: Your ice cream has gone runny in the heat.
g into (somebody) To meet somebody by accident: I runway /ˈrʌn.weɪ/ [㐗] The ground on which
ran into uncle Frank on Saturday in the park and airplanes take off and land: The pilot couldn't see
h he looks much better. · to run into (something) the runway because the weather was foggy.
Referring to problems or difficulties, to be faced rural US: /ˈrʊr.əl/ UK: /ˈrʊə.rəl/ [㐀] Belonging to
i with them unexpectedly: We have run into some the country: A lot of people from rural areas have
problems with the new program. · to run off 1 To come to live in cities.
j go away quickly: The cat ran off before we could rush1 /rʌʃ/ [㐖] 1 A hurry: I'm in a rush this
get near it. 2 To produce or print: We need to run morning. ■ Be careful! We say: "be in a rush". (We
k off one hundred copies of the theater program. · to don't say: "have rush"). 2 the rush hour The time
run out of (something) To have no more of some- when most people go and come from work: There
thing left: Can you go to the shop for me? I've run are a lot of gridlock in the rush hour.
l out of sugar; I'm afraid we have run out of time for rush2 /rʌʃ/ [㐘] To hurry: A woman rushed out of
today. · to run over (somebody or something) To the store and cried "Stop thief!".
m drive over somebody or something: Lynn's dog rust1 /rʌst/ [㐖] A red brown substance that
was run over by a truck yesterday. · to run over forms on some metals when attacked by water or
n (something) To look at again, especially a plan or air: After so many days outside there was some rust
something you are going to perform: Let's run on Sandra's bike. ■ The same meaning: "oxide".
o over the sequence one more time. · to run through rust2 [㐘] To become covered with rust: If we don't
(something) 1 To look at again, especially a plan paint the gate it will rust quickly.
p or something you are going to perform: I think we rustler /ˈrʌs·lər/ [㐗] Horse or cattle thief, par-
should run over the game plan again. 2 To spend ticularly in America: In the movie, the sheriff
q or consume: He ran through the money he inherit- caught the band of rustlers.
ed in six months. · to run up To accumulate a debt rusty /ˈrʌs.ti/ [㐀] 1 Covered with rust: Be care-
r or bill: He ran up a very big telephone bill calling ful! Don't prick your finger with that rusty pin. 2 Al-
every day to Toronto. most forgotten, affected by lack of use: My French
is getting a bit rusty nowadays.
s rung1 /rʌŋ/ Past participle of ring2.
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
S s /es/ The nineteenth letter of the alphabet: The
s
name "Susan" begins with an "S".
sac /sæk/ [㐗] A part inside a plant or the body
of an animal or plant which looks like a bag: Sacs
usually contain liquid or air.
sack /sæk/ [㐗] 1 A big bag for carrying things
in: My grandma used to have coal brought to the
house in sacks. 2 to get the sack To be dismissed
from a job: The factory closed and hundreds of car
workers got the sack. ■ This use is informal.
sacred /ˈseɪ.krɪd/ [㐀] Holy or belonging to God:
Mosques are the sacred buildings of Muslims.
sacrifice1 /ˈsækrɪfaɪs/ [㐗] 1 An animal or a
person that is killed and offered to a god: Lambs
were often used in sacrifices. 2 Something impor-
tant that you permit yourself to lose for a good
reason: Many parents make a lot of sacrifices so
that their children can have the best of everything.
sacrifice2 /ˈsækrɪfaɪs/ [㐘] To make a sacrifice: She
sacrificed buying clothes and going out so that she
could study to be a doctor.
sad /sæd/ [㐀] Unhappy: I felt very sad when Oli-
ver told me that his dog had been killed in a road
accident. ■ The comparative form is "sadder" and
the superlative form is "saddest". 㐀 See picture at
emotions.
saddle /ˈsæd.l̩/ [㐗] 1 A seat on a bicycle: I'll
have to lower the saddle on this bike because my
feet don't touch the ground. 2 A seat that you put
on a horse's back: Hold tight to the saddle when
the horse begins to gallop.
sadness /ˈsæd.nəs/ [㐖] Feeling sad: The
death of the panda caused great sadness.
safari /səˈfɑr·i/ [㐗] A trip to observe or to hunt
wild animals: Dad says that we are going on safari
to Kenya this year!
safe /seɪf/ [㐀] 1 Not dangerous: The water park
is quite safe, you know; there are monitors every-
where. 2 Not in danger: Rajah is the gentlest dog I
know. The children will be perfectly safe with him.
safety /ˈseɪf.ti/ [㐖] Being safe: Our principal
is very concerned about the safety of the new swim-
ming pool. ■ The plural is "safeties".
safety belt [㐗] A belt that you wear in a car,
plane or other vehicle: Please, fasten your safety
belts. The plane is about to take off.
saffron /ˈsæf.rən/ [㐖] 1 An orange powder that
adds color and flavor to food: Saffron is obtained
from a flower. 2 The dark yellow or orange color as-
sociated with the central part of the flower of the
same name: Her dress was the color of saffron.
sag /sæg/ [㐘] To hang down: When you get older,
the skin on your face begins to sag! ■ Be careful
with the spelling of these forms: "sagged", "sagging".
Sagittarius 322
a Sagittarius /ˌsædʒ·ɪˈteər·i·əs/ [㐖] A sign of Have you seen that the big house on the corner is
b the zodiac: If your birthday is between November for sale?
22nd and December 20th, you're a Sagittarius. ■ Be salesman /ˈseɪlz.mən/ [㐗] A man who works
careful. "Sagittarius" has a capital "S". selling things: Don is a traveling salesman and he
c said /sed/ Past tense and past participle forms of says it's very hard work. ■ The plural is "salesmen".
say. ■ A woman is a "saleswoman".
d sail1 /seɪl/ [㐗] A big piece of cloth on a boat, saleswoman /ˈseɪlzˌwʊm.ən/ [㐗] A woman
which catches the wind: We could see the red sail who works selling things: Jane is a saleswoman in
e of my uncle's boat from the beach. a food firm. ■ The plural is "saleswomen". ■ A man is
sail2 /seɪl/ [㐘] 1 To travel on the water: Mary said a "salesman".
f that she would teach me to sail one weekend. 2 To saliva /səˈlaɪvə/ [㐖] A liquid which is pro-
start a journey on water: The boat to Boston sails duced in the mouth: Saliva helps chewing, swal-
g at half past seven in the evening. 3 To direct a boat lowing and digestion.
with sails: I go sailing every summer on the lake salivary gland /ˈsæl·əˌver·i ˌglænd/ [㐗] Any of
h near my cousin's house. the small glands which produce saliva in the
sailboat [㐗] A boat with sails: My dad says mouth: Most animals and all mammals have sali-
i that if he won the lottery he would buy a sailboat. vary glands.
sailor /ˈseɪ·lər/ [㐗] A person who works on a salmon /ˈsæm.ən/ [㐗] A large fish that lives in
j ship: Philip wants to be a sailor in the Merchant the sea and in rivers: Fresh grilled salmon is a de-
Navy when he grows up. licious dish! ■ The plural is also "salmon". 㐀 See
saint /seɪnt, sənt/ [㐗] An exceptionally good page 430.
k person, given special respect by the Christian salmonella /ˌsælməˈnelə/ [㐖] 1 A form of
Church: Saint Patrick day is a big holiday in Unit- food poisoning, or the bacteria that produces it:
Salmonella usually occurs when contaminated
l ed States because there are a lot of people at Irish food isn't cooked enough. 2 Infection caused by
heritage. ■ The abbreviation "St" is only used in this bacteria: The doctor said that her vomiting
and fever were due to the salmonella outbreak. ■
m written language. See box at abbreviations.
sake /seɪk/ 1 for God's sake or for goodness'
n shake or for Heaven's shake Expressions that In this use, the same meaning: "salmonellosis". ■
you use when you are angry, often because of re- The plural is "salmonella" or "salmonellae".
o peated provocation: For goodness' sake, do as you salmonellosis [㐖] A form of food poison-
are told for once! 2 for (somebody's or some- ing caused by salmonella bacteria: Salmonellosis
p thing's) sake For somebody's or something's can be serious. ■ The same meaning: "salmonella".
good or to make them happy: We moved to Miami salt1 US: /sɒlt/ UK: /sɔːlt/ [㐖] A white substance
q for my mother's sake, so that she could be near her that is found in the sea and other places: I like a
elderly sister. lot of salt and vinegar on my french fries.
r salad /ˈsæl.əd/ [㐗] A cold dish, usually made salt2 US: /sɒlt/ UK: /sɔːlt/ [㐘] To add salt to some-
with raw vegetables: I love salad with an oil and thing: I forgot to salt the potatoes.
salt water [㐖] Water from the sea, or water
s vinegar dressing and garlic bread.
salamander /ˈsæl·əˌmæn·dər/ [㐗] A small am- with a high content of salt: Tears are made mainly
phibian with a long tail: There are many different of salt water.
t species of salamander. 㐀 See page 431.
salty US: /ˈsɑːl.t̬i/ UK: /ˈsɒl.ti/ [㐀] With a lot of
salary /ˈsæl·ə·ri/ [㐖] The money that a person salt: The Dead Sea, which is extremely salty, is the
u receives every month for working, usually for lowest surface in the world. ■ The comparative form
professional or office work and normally in the is "saltier" and the superlative form is "saltiest".
v form of a check: My mom says that she gets a bet- 㐀 See picture at opposite.
ter salary now than she did when she started work- salute1 /səˈluːt/ [㐗] Putting your hand up as a
w ing. ■ The plural is "salaries". ■ Compare with "wag- greeting: The soldiers gave a salute when the Gen-
es" (the money that a person receives for every week eral inspected the parade.
x or day he or she works). salute2 /səˈluːt/ [㐘] To put your hand up as a
sale /seɪl/ [㐌] 1 Selling something: We got $20 for greeting: The soldiers on the door saluted the gen-
y the sale of our old books. 2 A time when stores sell eral as he entered headquarters.
articles at a lower price: Some people wait in line Salvadoran1 [㐀] Referring to El Salvador:
z for hours outside department stores to be the first San Salvador is the Salvadoran capital. ■ Be care-
to get into the season sales. 3 for sale To be sold: ful! "Salvadoran" has a capital "S".
323 sausage
Salvadoran2 [㐗] A person from El Salvador: satellite navigation [㐖] A system of sat- a
b
The chef of this restaurant is Salvadoran. ■ Be care- ellites and computers which provide information c
about the position of something or somebody: d
ful! "Salvadoran" has a capital "S". Tom's new car is fitted with satellite navigation. ■ e
"Satnav" is an abbreviation for "satellite navigation". f
same /seɪm/ [㐀] 1 Not different: I go to the same g
satisfaction /ˌsæt·̬ əsˈfæk·ʃən/ [㐖] A feeling
school as my cousin. 2 the same Very similar in h
of happiness because for example you have i
many ways: My shoes are the same as yours. achieved or got something: My mom says that she j
gets great satisfaction from her voluntary job. k
sample /ˈsæm·pəl/ [㐗] A small amount of l
satisfactory /ˌsæt̬·əsˈfæk·tə·ri/ [㐀] OK, just m
something to try: They're giving away some free n
good enough: The teacher said that my homework o
samples of orange juice at the supermarket! wasn't satisfactory. I have to do it again tonight. p
q
sand /sænd/ [㐖] The fine ground on the satisfied /ˈsæt·̬ əsˌfɑɪd/ [㐀] Pleased and con- r
s
beach: Sand is really very fine pieces of rock and is tented: I am quite satisfied with this drawing. I t
think it's OK. u
also found in the desert. v
satisfy /ˈsæt·̬ əsˌfɑɪ/ [㐘] To make somebody happy: w
sandal /ˈsæn.dəl/ [㐗] An open shoe for the x
My dad says that his job doesn't really satisfy him. y
summer: I've just bought some lovely white san- ■ Be careful with the spelling of these forms: "satis- z
dals. fies", "satisfied".
sandcastle /ˈsændˌkæs·əl/ [㐗] A small build- satnav [㐖] See satellite navigation.
Saturday /ˈsæt·̬ ər·deɪ/, /-ˌdi/ [㐌] The seventh day
ing made of sand: My little brother loves making
of the week: Saturday is between Friday and Sun-
sandcastles on the beach. day. ■ Be careful! "Saturday" has a capital "S".
㐀 See picture at calendar.
sandwich /ˈsænd·wɪtʃ/ [㐗] Two slices of bread
Saturn /ˈsætən/ [㐗] A planet of the solar sys-
with something between them: Let's make the
tem that is sixth in order from the Sun: Saturn is
sandwiches for the picnic before everyone comes. ■ surrounded by large rings. 㐀 See page 447.
The plural is "sandwiches". sauce US: /sɑːs/ UK: /sɔːs/ [㐖] A thick liquid
sandy /ˈsæn.di/ [㐀] With a lot of sand: I'm really that you put on food: My cousin puts tomato sauce
on everything!
looking forward to my vacation in Morocco; sandy
saucepan /ˈsɔsˌpæn/ [㐗] A deep metal container
beaches and blue seas.
to cook food in: When you finish drying up, put all
sane /seɪn/ [㐀] With a healthy mind, not mad: the saucepans in the cabinet. 㐀 See picture at pan.
No sane person would try to ski down Mount Ever- saucer US: /ˈsɑː.sɚ/ UK: /ˈsɔː.sər/ [㐗] A small
est. plate that goes under a cup: My aunt's got some
lovely cups and saucers with the days of the week
sang /sæŋ/ Past tense of sing. written on them.
sank /sæŋk/ Past tense of sink2.
sap /sæp/ [㐖] The liquid inside a plant: The sausage US: /ˈsɑː.sɪdʒ/ UK: /ˈsɒs.ɪdʒ/ [㐗] Meat
sap in a plant or tree contains its food. cut up finely, and made into a long, thin shape:
One of my favorite meals is sausages and mashed
sapphire /ˈsæfaɪər/ [㐗] 1 A precious stone potatoes. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of this
word! ■ In British English they say "banger".
which is transparent and usually bright blue:
SAUSAGE
That woman is wearing a ring with a sapphire on it.
2 sapphire blue Bright blue: The sea is sapphire
blue today.
sarcastic /sɑrˈkæs·tɪk/ [㐀] Sharp, often in a
cruel way: Ron has a very sarcastic sense of humor.
sardine /sɑrˈdin/ [㐗] 1 A small fish: I'm just
going to buy a tin of sardines for the picnic. 㐀 See
page 430. 2 like sardines Very closely packed to-
gether: On the subway this morning we were like
sardines.
sat /sæt/ Past tense and past participle forms of sit.
satchel /ˈsætʃ.əl/ [㐗] A small bag with a shoul-
der strap: That satchel is really heavy. Can't you
take something out of it?
satellite /ˈsæt·ə·lˌɑɪt/ [㐗] 1 Something that
moves around a planet: The Earth only has one
satellite, the moon, but Jupiter has 16 and Saturn
has 17! 2 An object that is sent into space to send
signals: If you have satellite television you can get
programs from all over the world.
savage 324
a savage /ˈsæv.ɪdʒ/ [㐀] Wild and aggressive: The as an example: Let's look at a composer, say
b people in that house have a very savage dog. ■ Be Mahler... 4 say no To reject an offer or request: If
careful with the pronunciation of this word. The last you don't want to do it, say no. 5 say yes To accept
"a" is pronounced like the "i" in "did". or agree to an offer or request: If they offer you to
be the main character in the play, say yes. 6 say no
c savannah or savanna /səˈvæn.ə/ [㐖] A more Words you use to indicate that you have un-
large flat area of land covered with grass, found derstood or agree with a plan: Say no more, I know
my sister and imagine how your conversation was.
d in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in ■ This use is informal. 7 that is to say Words you
Africa: The savannah usually has few trees. use to indicate that you are going to explain
e save /seɪv/ [㐘] 1 To make somebody or something
safe from danger: The coast guard arrived immedi-
f ately and saved the children from drowning. 2 To something more: You can go to your friends's
keep something instead of spending or using it: house, that is to say if you finish your chores and
g I've saved enough money to buy myself a new book. your homework first.
3 To use less of something: At school we're trying saying /ˈseɪ.ɪŋ/ [㐗] Something significant
h to save paper by making sure that we don't waste that people often say: "Do as you would be done
it. by" is a saying that means you should treat peo-
i savings /ˈseɪ.vɪŋz/ [㐑] Money that somebody ple in the same way as you would like them to
has saved: Billy has given all his savings to the lo- treat you.
scaffolding /ˈskæf.əl.dɪŋ/ [㐗] A structure on
j cal children's hospital.
savor1 /ˈseɪ.vər/ US: /-vɚ/ [㐌] A taste of flavor: the outside of a building for workers to stand on:
k They are enjoying the sweet savor of success. ■ The Have you seen the scaffolding outside the town
British English spelling is "savour". hall? They're going to clean the walls.
savor2 /ˈseɪ·vər/ [㐘] To enjoy the taste of a meal
l or of an experience: We savored the latest Viet-
namese cuisine. ■ The British English spelling is "sa-
m vour".
savour1 /ˈseɪ.vər/ US: /-vɚ/ [㐌] See savor1. ■ This is
n a British English spelling.
savour2 /ˈseɪ.vər/ US: /-vɚ/ [㐘] See savor2. ■ This is
o a British English spelling.
saw1 /sɔː/ [㐗] A metal thing for cutting wood:
p We used the saw to cut up some wood for the fire.
saw2 /sɔː/ Past tense of see.
q sawdust /ˈsɔˌdʌst/ [㐖] Very small particles
of wood which are produced when a saw is used:
r Sawdust is often used as fuel.
sax /sæks/ [㐗] See saxophone. ■ This word is in-
s formal. SCAFFOLDING
saxophone /ˈsæk·səˌfoʊn/ [㐗] A musical in-
strument made of metal with keys and a turned
t up end: The saxophone is a very popular instru-
ment in jazz music. ■ "Sax" is informal for "saxo- scald /skɔːld/ [㐘] To burn something with boiling
u phone". 㐀 See page 459.
water: I scalded my hand while I was making coffee
say, said, said /seɪ/ [㐘] 1 To speak a word or the other day.
v some words: Jackie said that she was going to scale /skeɪl/ [㐌] 1 A set of marks on something
Greece for her vacation; What did you say to him? ■ for measurement: My dad's got a tape measure
w Be careful! We say: "She said to me he would be with a metric scale on one side and feet and
late". (We don't say: "She said me he would be late"). inches on the other. 2 A way of showing dis-
x ■ Compare with "tell" (to say something to some- tance on a map: The scale on the map of this ar-
body). ■ See box on the following page. 2 Referring ea is of two centimeters to the kilometer. 3 A ma-
y to an instrument or meter, to show a particular chine for weighing things or people: My dad
level or state: The thermometer says thirty degrees. has just bought some speaking weighing scale
z 3 say (for example) Words you use to indicate that actually say how heavy you are! 4 Small,
that you are going to use somebody or something flat piece of hard material covering some fish
325 scenery
or animals: Remove the fish scales carefully be- scared US: /skerd/ UK: /skeəd/ [㐀] Frightened: a
fore you put it in the oven to cook. 5 A series of b
Ever since Frances got bitten by that dog, she's c
musical notes up or down from one particular d
been scared of dogs. ■ Be careful with the pro- e
note: Opera singers need to practice scales ev- f
nunciation of this word! The "e" is not pro- g
ery day.
nounced. h
scampi /ˈskæm.pi/ [㐑] Large prawns that have i
scarf US: /skɑːrf/ UK: /skɑːf/ [㐗] Something that j
been fried in a mixture of flour and milk: Scampi k
you wear round your neck or on your head: I'm l
and french fries is one of my favorite meals. m
knitting my dad a basketball scarf in his team's col- n
scan /skæn/ [㐘] 1 To look carefully from a dis- o
ors. ■ The plural is "scarves". 㐀 See picture at p
tance: The police used a helicopter to scan the clothes. q
mountain in search of the lost child. 2 To read r
scarlet [㐍] A bright red color: I gave my mom s
something quickly looking for something in par- t
a scarlet silk scarf for Christmas. u
ticular: We scanned the tests results very nervously v
for our names. 3 To use a machine to see an image scatter US: /ˈskæt̬.ər/ UK: /ˈskæt.ər/ [㐘] 1 To run in w
x
or text in a computer: The cashier scans the prod- different directions: All the people scattered when y
they saw the lion escape from the cage. 2 To throw z
ucts, except the fruits and vegetables. ■ Be careful
things in all directions: The farmer is scattering
with the spelling of these forms: "scanned", "scan-
seed in the field.
ning".
scene /siːn/ [㐗] 1 What you can see in a par-
scandal /ˈskæn.dəl/ [㐖] Something that
ticular place: What a lovely scene! The river, the
shocks people: Have you heard the scandal about mountains and the swans flying past! 2 The place
the Duke running away with the actress? where something happens: The firemen arrived on
scanner /ˈskæn·ər/ [㐗] A machine that is used the scene very promptly and luckily no one was
hurt. 3 A small part of a play or a movie: I really
to look at the inside of something or to see some-
like the scene where the dog saves the baby from
thing in a computer: Scanners are used in medi-
drowning.
cine to detect certain types of illnesses.
scenery /ˈsi·nə·ri/ [㐖] 1 What you can see in
scapula /ˈskæp.jʊ.lə/ [㐗] A flat, triangular
the country: The scenery in some parts of Arizona
bone at the back of each shoulder: The scapula
to say and to tell
connects the humerus with the clavicle. ■ The plural
To say and to tell have almost the same meaning, but
is "scapulas" or "scapulae". we use them in different ways:
scar1 /skɑːr/ [㐗] A mark that is left by a cut: ðÜWe normally use the verb to say before direct
speech:
The pirate had a scar on his cheek and wore a gold - He said, “Come here.”
earring. ðÜWe use the verb to say without a personal object:
scar2 [㐘] To leave a scar: Pamela's face was badly - She said that she didn’t like fish.
- I said that I was sorry.
scarred by the riding accident she had last year. ■
ðÜWe normally use to tell with a personal object:
Be careful with the spelling of these forms: "scarred",
- She told me that she didn’t like fish.
"scarring". - I told them that I was sorry.
scarce US: /skers/ UK: /skeəs/ [㐀] Not found in ðÜHere are some expressions:
great quantities: Animals sometimes change their to say to tell
habitat when food starts to get scarce. to say a word to tell a story
to say a sentence to tell the time
scarcely /ˈskeərs·li/ [㐄] Hardly: I don't know to say your prayers to tell the truth
to say you are sorry to tell a secret
what's the matter with Jane; she scarcely speaks to to say goodbye to tell a lie
to tell a joke
me any more. ■ "Scarcely" goes before ordinary to tell me
verbs and after auxiliary verbs: "He can scarcely
speak two words of German".
scare1 /skeər/ [㐗] Making a person or people
frightened: When the monster appeared in the
movie it gave him a terrible scare.
scare2 /skeər/ [㐘] To frighten somebody: What a
frightening movie that was. It really scared me.
scarecrow US: /ˈsker.kroʊ/ UK: /ˈskeə.krəʊ/ [㐗]
A figure put in a field to frighten the birds
away: The farmer was very worried about the
seed he had just planted and put five scarecrows
in the field.
scent 326
a is very wild. ■ In this use, "scenery" is usually a posi- for the Department of Defense. ■ Be careful with the
b tive word, describing something beautiful or impres- pronunciation of this word! The first syllable rhymes
sive. 2 The things that are on stage during a per- with "my".
formance: The scenery in "Cirque du Soleil" is sci-fi /ˈsaɪ.faɪ/ [㐖] See science fiction. ■ See
c amazing. ■ The plural is "sceneries".
box at abbreviations.
scent /sent/ [㐖] 1 A smell, usually a pleasant scissors /ˈsɪz·ərz/ [㐑] An instrument for cut-
d one perfume: The scent of those flowers is very ting paper and so on: Can you give me some scis-
strong. 2 A liquid that makes you smell nice: When- sors to cut this paper with? 㐀 See page 456.
e ever I smell that scent I think of my grandmother. scold US: /skoʊld/ UK: /skəʊld/ [㐘] To tell somebody
scented /ˈsentɪd/ [㐀] Having a pleasant smell: off: The teacher scolded the children for being dis-
f There was a rose scented ambience at the meeting obedient.
room. ■ Compare with "odorless" (without a smell). scooter /ˈskuːtər/ [㐗] 1 A small motorcycle:
g schedule US: /ˈskedʒuːl/ UK: /ˈʃedjuːl/ [㐖] 1 A My older brother has just bought himself a scoot-
plan that says when somebody is going to do cer- er with his savings. 2 A board with wheels and a
h tain things: I've got my vacation schedule orga- thing to hold onto: When my mom was little she
nized so that I know what I'm doing every day. 2 A had a scooter that she shared with her two sis-
i timetable: Have you got the new train schedule ters.
from Dallas to Houston? 3 behind schedule Late: score1 /skɔːr/ [㐗] 1 The number of points or
j I'm a bit behind schedule in my studying, but I'll goals in a game: At half-time the score was 3-2. 2 A
catch up at the weekend. 4 on schedule At the written representation of a piece of music which
k correct time, according to plan: The building of shows all its notes, parts and instruments: The
the new sports center is on schedule, so it should be piano player had the score of the symphony he was
open by the summer. playing in front of him.
l scheme /skiːm/ [㐗] A plan: We're trying to score2 /skɔːr/ [㐘] To get a point or a goal: In the
think of a scheme to make money for our school last minute Frank scored and we won the game.
m trip. scorn1 /skɔːn/ [㐖] Not having respect for
scholar US: /ˈskɑː.lɚ/ UK: /ˈskɒl.ər/ [㐗] A person somebody or something: My uncle Colin always
n who has studied a lot: Professor Frampton is one treats our ideas with scorn. He's very negative.
of the most important scholars in this field. scorn2 [㐘] To show no respect for somebody or
o scholarship /ˈskɑl·ərˌʃɪp/ [㐗] Money given to something: Colonizers often scorned the language
a student: Megan has a scholarship to study music and culture of the people they conquered.
p at Harvard University. Scorpio US: /ˈskɔːr.pi.oʊ/ UK: /ˈskɔː.pi.əʊ/ [㐖] A
school /skuːl/ [㐗] 1 A place where children sign of the zodiac: If your birthday is between Oc-
q learn: We go to school in the town next to ours. tober 23rd and November 21st, you're a Scorpio. ■
㐀 See picture at street. 2 boarding school See Be careful. "Scorpio" has a capital "S".
r boarding school. 3 elementary school See ele- scorpion /ˈskɔr·pi·ən/ [㐗] A small animal with
mentary school. 4 secondary school See second- a sting in its tail: The sting of some kinds of scorpi-
s ary school. ons can cause death to humans.
science /saɪənts/ [㐖] The study of nature and scotch® tape [㐗] A transparent tape that is
the world: Science is one of my favorite subjects at used for sticking things together: Pass me the
t school. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of this scotch tape and we'll stick this poster on the wall. ■
word! The first syllable rhymes with "my" and the In British English they say "Sello® tape".
u second "e" is not pronounced. Scottish US: /ˈskɑː.t̬ɪʃ/ UK: /ˈskɒt.ɪʃ/ [㐀] Refer-
science fiction [㐖] Stories about the fu- ring to Scotland: The Scottish countryside is
v ture: I like science fiction movies a lot. ■ "Sci-fi" is very beautiful. ■ Be careful. "Scottish" has a capi-
an abbreviation for "science fiction". See box at ab- tal "S". For people the singular is "a Scot", "a
w breviations. Scotsman" or "a Scotswoman" and the plural is
scientific /ˌsaɪənˈtɪf.ɪk/ [㐀] Referring to sci- "the Scots".
x ence: My cousin Nancy is doing scientific research Scout /skaʊt/ [㐗] A boy who belongs to a
at Durham University. ■ Be careful with the pronun- youth group: It rained every time I went camping
y ciation of this word! The first syllable rhymes with with the Scouts. ■ Be careful! "Scout" has a capital
"my". "S". ■ We also say "Boy Scout". ■ Girls belong to a
similar youth group called the "Girls Scout" in the
z scientist /ˈsaɪən.tɪst/ [㐗] A person who works United States or "Guides" in Great Britain.
in science: Mr. Quentin is a scientist and he works
327 seagull
scramble /ˈskræmbl/ [㐘] To move quickly but scribble /ˈskrɪbl/ [㐘] To write marks carelessly a
b
with difficulty: They scrambled up a tree when on something: Don't scribble on the whiteboard c
d
they saw the bull. while I'm out. e
f
scrambled eggs [㐖] Eggs mixed together script [㐗] The plot of a film or any other sto- g
and stirred as they are cooked in butter: Let's ry: The writers took three months to develop the h
i
have some scrambled eggs on toast for breakfast. script of the film. j
k
㐀 See picture at egg. scroll [㐘] To move the text or images on a com- l
m
scrap /skræp/ [㐗] 1 A small piece of some- puter screen in a particular direction: Scroll down n
o
thing: I wrote Gerry's address on a scrap of pa- the text so that I can see the end of the page, p
per and now I've lost it. 2 A fight: He got into a q
please. You can use the wheel on the mouse to r
scrap. s
scroll up the photos. t
scrapbook /ˈskræp.bʊk/ [㐗] A book where you u
scrotum US: /ˈskroʊ.tə̬ m/ UK: /ˈskrəʊ.təm/ [㐗] A v
stick papers and pictures: I made a scrapbook w
bag of skin containing the testicles: The scrotum x
about my visit to San Francisco. y
hangs behind the penis. ■ The plural is "scrotums" z
scrape /skreɪp/ [㐘] 1 To pass an object across
or "scrota".
something: I scraped the paint stain on the table
with a knife. 2 To hurt yourself against a rough scrub /skrʌb/ [㐘] To rub something hard with a
surface: I fell off my bike and scraped my knee bad- brush and water to clean it: When we moved into
ly. the new house the floors were so dirty that we had
scraps /skræps/ [㐖] Something left over: We to scrub them. ■ Be careful with the spelling of these
feed our cat on the scraps that we leave after meals. forms: "scrubbed", "scrubbing".
scratch1 /skrætʃ/ [㐗] A cut made with a sharp scruffy /ˈskrʌf.i/ [㐀] Untidy, dirty looking: Sam
thing like a cat's claw: How did you get that is very scruffy. He looks like he's been through a
scratch? bush backwards.
scratch2 /skrætʃ/ [㐘] 1 To cut or to mark some- scuba diving /ˈskuː.bəˌdaɪ.vɪŋ/ [㐖] Underwa-
thing with a sharp thing: Don't pull the cat's tail ter swimming with an oxygen tank: My dad takes
or she'll scratch you. 2 To move your fingernails
me scuba diving when we go on vacation.
over part of your skin: The old man thought for a
sculpt /skʌlpt/ [㐘] To create or represent some-
while and scratched his head.
thing by carving or molding materials such as
scream1 /skriːm/ [㐗] A shout in a high voice:
wood, stone or clay: Lynda is sculpting a figure out
My mom gave a scream when she saw my brother's
of wood.
haircut.
sculptor /ˈskʌlp·tər/ [㐗] An artist who makes
scream2 /skriːm/ [㐘] To shout in a high voice:
sculptures: Michelangelo, one of the greatest art-
Tessie screamed when she found a spider in the
ists of all time, was a painter, poet, architect and
bathtub.
sculptor.
screech /skriːtʃ/ [㐘] To make a loud, high sound:
sculpture /ˈskʌlp·tʃər/ [㐗] 1 A shape or figure
When he uses the brakes, the car makes a terrible
made from wood, clay or other material: Have you
screeching sound.
seen the new sculpture they've put in the town cen-
screen /skriːn/ [㐗] 1 A flat thing that you can ter? 2 The art of making shapes or figures from
see images on: The screen in this movie theater is wood, clay or other material: Today's art class
very big. 㐀 See page 442. 2 A thin wall that you
was about Roman sculpture.
can move: When I was taken into hospital the nurs-
sea /siː/ [㐖] 1 The water that surrounds
es put me in a bed with a screen round it.
the land on earth: The sea covers three-quarters
screw1 /skruː/ [㐗] A piece of metal in the form of the earth's surface. 2 A large, salty area of
of a spiral used to hold two things together: Just water: The Baltic Sea is sometimes frozen over.
3 at sea Traveling on the sea: My cousin's a
give the screw another turn and it'll be fine!
sailor and he spends much of his life at sea. ■
screw2 /skruː/ [㐘] 1 To fix two things together
When we say the name of the sea, for example
with a screw: Can you help me screw this mirror to
the wall? 2 To turn something round so that it fits "the Mediterranean Sea", "sea" is written with a
another thing: Make sure you screw the top of that capital "s".
jar on properly. seafood /ˈsiː.fuːd/ [㐖] Sea creatures that you
screwdriver /ˈskruˌdrɑɪ·vər/ [㐗] A tool used eat: Whenever we go on vacation to the beach, we
for screwing things: We gave my uncle an electric eat a lot of seafood.
screwdriver for his birthday. seagull /ˈsiː.gʌl/ [㐗] A large bird that lives
near the sea: Seagulls live off fish that they get
sea horse 328
a from the sea. ■ "Gull" is short for "seagul". 㐀 See secondary /ˈsek·ənˌder·i/ [㐀] 1 Second in im-
b page 429. portance or position, or happening after some-
sea horse US: /ˈsiˌhɔrs/ [㐗] A small fish which thing else: We should forget about secondary is-
has a head and a neck that look like those of a sues and solve the main problem first. 2 Referring
c horse: The sea horse swims in a vertical position.
to the part of children's education after elemen-
seal1 /siːl/ [㐗] A sea animal that lives near tary school: Children usually start secondary
d cold seas: All seals are superb swimmers but they school at the age of eleven.
are clumsy on land. 㐀 See page 428. secondary school [㐗] A school for stu-
e seal2 /siːl/ [㐘] To close something firmly: Letters dents between eleven and eighteen years old:
used to be sealed by putting some hot wax on the Irene's going to secondary school next September.
f back of the envelope. ■ Compare with "institute" (an organization where
seaman /ˈsiːmən/ [㐗] A sailor: There are many people do a particular activity or the buildings used
g seamen in port at the moment. ■ The plural is "sea- for such activity).
men". second class1 /ˌsekəndˈklɑːs/ [㐀] Not of the
h search1 /sɜːtʃ/ [㐗] Looking carefully for some- best or fastest type: His previous school was sec-
body or something: After a two day search, the ond class and he's much happier in his current
i climbers were found sheltering in a cave. ■ The plu- one.
ral is "searches". second class2 [㐎] The less comfortable and
j search2 /sɜːtʃ/ [㐘] To look carefully for some- cheaper part of a train, plane or other vehicle: We
body or something: We searched everywhere but traveled second class from Orlando to Chicago.
couldn't find my mom's ring. secondhand US: /ˈsek·əndˈhænd/ [㐁] Previ-
k seashell /ˈsiː.ʃel/ [㐗] The shell of a small sea ously owned by somebody else, used: My car is
animal: Let's go and look for sea shells and take secondhand.
l them home with us.
secondly /ˈsek.ənd.li/ [㐄] In second place: First-
seashore /ˈsiˌʃɔr/, /-ˌʃoʊr/ [㐖] The land next ly, they've given me the job, and secondly, we're go-
m to the edge of the sea: I love walking along the ing to have a party to celebrate!
seashore early in the morning. secret /ˈsiː.krət/ [㐗] 1 Something that you
n seasick /ˈsiː.sɪk/ [㐀] Feeling ill because you are don't tell other people: We're having a party for
on a boat: I felt very seasick on the boat from Baha- Teresa's birthday but it's a secret so don't tell any-
o mas to Miami. body. 2 to keep a secret Not to tell anybody a se-
seaside /ˈsiː.saɪd/ [㐖] The beach: My little sis- cret: Don't tell Betty because she can't keep a se-
p ter loves the seaside. cret.
season /ˈsiː.zən/ [㐗] 1 One of the four parts of secretary /ˈsek·rɪˌter·i/ [㐗] 1 A person who
q the year: There are four seasons in the year: spring, makes appointments, answers the phone, types
summer, fall and winter. 2 A particular period of letters and so on: Alison works as a secretary in a
r the year for something: The soccer season starts big company. ■ The plural is "secretaries". 2 Secre-
in August and finishes in May. tary of State An important member of the gov-
ernment: The Secretary of State for Agriculture re-
s seat /siːt/ [㐗] 1 A place to sit: I offered my seat signed yesterday after a meeting with the Prime
to an old lady on the bus this morning. 2 take a
seat To sit down: Please come in and take a seat. Minister.
t seat belt [㐗] A belt that you wear in a car: section /ˈsek.ʃən/ [㐗] A part of something: The
All new cars are fitted with seat belts. school library has a good reference section.
u seawater [㐖] Water from the sea: Every ki- sector /ˈsek·tər/ [㐗] A distinct part of a soci-
logram of seawater has approximately 35 grams of ety, economy or activity: Unemployment in the
v salt. construction sector has grown in the last few
seaweed /ˈsiː.wiːd/ [㐖] A dark green plant years.
w that grows in the sea: The propeller of our boat got secure /sɪˈkjʊər/ [㐀] 1 Firmly fixed: We'll have
caught in the seaweed and we couldn't move it. to get that bicycle seat repaired; it's not very se-
x second1 [㐍] Referring to two: February is the cure. 2 Protected and safe: Where is a secure place
second month of the year. ■ "Second" can also be to hide the presents?
y written "2nd". security /sɪˈkjʊər·ɪ·t̬i/ [㐖] Being safe: The po-
second2 /ˈsekənd/ [㐗] 1 A short measure of lice are in charge of the security of the population.
z time: There are sixty seconds in a minute. 2 A mo- sediment [㐖] The material that settles at
ment: Just wait a second. the bottom of a liquid.
329 Sello® tape
sedimentary /ˌsed·əˈmen·tə·ri/, /-ˈmen·tri/ [㐀] seem /siːm/ [㐘] To appear to be: Paul seems nice a
b
Referring to a rock which is made from the sedi- but he can sometimes be in a very bad mood. c
ment that is left by the action of water, ice or d
wind: Limestone and sandstone are sedimentary seen /siːn/ Past participle of see. e
rocks. seesaw /ˈsiˌsɔ/ [㐗] A long piece of wood f
g
sedimentation /ˌsed.ɪ.menˈteɪ.ʃən/ [㐖] The or metal with seats at each end that children
h
natural process by which sediment is formed: play on: You get on one end of the seesaw i
Sandstone is a rock formed by sedimentation. j
and I'll get on the other. Come on! Up, down; up, k
see, saw, seen /siː/ [㐘] 1 To recognize with your l
down! m
eyes: I can't see the words on the whiteboard from n
the back of the classroom. 2 To watch something: segment /ˈseg.mənt/ [㐗] One of the parts that o
What film shall we go and see? ■ Be careful! We say: p
"I watch television". (We don't say: "I see televi- something can be divided into: All of the segments q
sion"). Compare also with "look1" (to turn your eyes r
to something). ■ See box at watch. 3 To under- combined make up the whole. s
stand: Yes, OK, I see. 4 To go to somebody or t
somewhere: You should see a doctor. 5 I'll see An seismic /ˈsaɪzmɪk/ [㐀] 1 Referring to or caused u
expression that you say when you want to think v
about something before deciding: "Ann, can I bor- by earthquakes: Seismic activity is monitored by w
row your jacket?" "Hmmm, I'll see". 6 Let's see earthquake prediction centers. 2 Having great, x
Something that you say when you are thinking: y
Now, what candies shall I buy? Let's see. 7 Long revolutionary or negative effects: The invention of z
time no see Something that you say when you
meet somebody that you haven't seen for a long the wheel was a seismic shift in human develop-
time: Long time no see, I didn't know you came
back from your year abroad! ■ This use is informal. ment.
8 See you Goodbye: Well, I have to go now. See
you! ■ This use is informal. 9 to see that To ensure seize /siːz/ [㐘] To take hold of somebody or some-
that something happens: See that the windows are
closed when you go. thing strongly: The policeman seized the thief
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to see (something) in To
celebrate the start of something the moment when he came round the corner.
when it happens: I will see the New Year in with
my family. · to see (somebody) off 1 To go to a seldom /ˈsel.dəm/ [㐄] Not often, not fre-
train station, airport or harbor to say goodbye to
somebody: I saw him off at the airport. 2 To get rid quently: I have an uncle in Australia, but we
of somebody who is an irritant or a threat, or to
beat a rival: She soon saw off the tax inspector. · seldom hear from him. ■ "Seldom" goes before
to see to (somebody or something) To take the
responsibility to do something or to attend to ordinary verbs and after auxiliary verbs: "I can
somebody: Can you see to the person who is at the
door?; I will see to buying the cake. · to see seldom go out at weekends". ■ The same mean-
(something) through To do something even if it
is difficult or takes a long time: Organizing this ing: "rarely".
trip is more complicated than I thought, but I am
going to see it through. · to see through (some- select /sɪˈlekt/ [㐘] To choose somebody or some-
body) To perceive what somebody is really like,
not what they try to appear: I saw through him thing: If you could go to any country in the world,
from the start.
which one would you select?
seed /siːd/ [㐗] A small thing that a plant
selection /sɪˈlek.ʃən/ [㐗] A number of things
grows from: We planted the seeds in the garden.
that have been selected: What a fantastic selection
seek, sought, sought /siːk/ [㐘] To look for
of comics they've got in the new store!
somebody or something: Seek the truth! ■ We usu-
ally say "look for". self /self/ [㐗] Being or character: I'm feeling a
bit miserable today and I'm not my usual self at all.
■ The plural is "selves".
self-confident /ˌselfˈkɑn·fə·dənt/ [㐀] Sure of
yourself: It's a good thing to be self-confident when
you're learning to speak a language.
self-evaluation [㐗] The act of evaluating
oneself: Employees were asked to do a self-evalua-
tion of their work.
selfish /ˈsel.fɪʃ/ [㐀] Thinking only of yourself:
What a selfish person Thomas is! He never consid-
ers anybody else's feelings.
self-service [㐗] A place where you take
things yourself: They've changed the system of
lunches at school. Now it's a self-service and you
just help yourself.
sell, sold, sold /sel/ [㐘] To give something in
exchange for money: She sold me her mountain
bike for $50.
Sello® tape UK: /ˈseləʊteɪp/ [㐖] See scotch®
tape. ■ This word is British English. ■ Be careful.
"Sello® tape" has a capital "S".
semi- 330
a semi- /semi-/ [㐒] An addition to the beginning of senior2 [㐗] A student in the fourth year of
b a word that usually means "half": A semicircle is high school or college: My dad got some scholar-
a half of a circle. ships for college when he was a senior in high
semibreve /ˈsem.i.briːv/ [㐗] A musical note school.
c which has the time value of two minims: Semi- senior citizen [㐗] A person who is over six-
breves are represented by an oval ring. 㐀 See pa- ty-five years old: My grandparents have a special
d ge 460.
bus pass for senior citizens.
semicircle /ˈsem·iˌsɜr·kəl/ [㐗] Half a circle: We sensation /senˈseɪ.ʃən/ [㐌] 1 A feeling: I always
e all stood on stage in a semicircle and sang the get a strange sensation when I go into that old
song. house. 2 Interest and excitement: Molly's new
f semicolon US: /ˈsem.iˌkoʊ.lən/ UK: /ˌsem.iˈkəʊ.lɒn/ dress caused a sensation at the school party.
[㐗] A mark [;] used in writing: You use a semi- sensational /senˈseɪ.ʃən.əl/ [㐀] Very exciting:
g colon to separate two phrases that are closely con- Have you heard the sensational news about the
nected to each other. concert?
h semi-final /ˌsem.iˈfaɪ.nəl/ [㐗] One of the two sense1 /sens/ [㐌] 1 The ability to see, hear, smell,
games played to decide who will be in the final: If taste or touch: We have five senses: hearing, sight,
i we win this semi-final we will be in the final! taste, smell and feeling. 2 The ability to think sen-
seminal /ˈsem.ɪ.nəl/ [㐀] 1 Having great influ- sibly: Polly has got no sense at all. What did she do
j ence on later ideas, developments or creative that for? 3 The ability to understand something:
work: Frank wrote a seminal article on social net- Colin has a great sense of justice and always stands
k works. 2 Referring to sperm: Seminal fluids are up for the younger students. 4 common sense See
produced by the male sexual glands. "common sense" in the word common. 5 to make
semiquaver [㐗] A musical note which has sense To mean something: This sentence you wrote
l the time value of a sixteenth of a semibreve: doesn't make sense. What do you mean?
Semiquavers have two tails on the stem. 㐀 See pa- sense2 /sens/ [㐘] To feel something: We could
m ge 460.
sense that the teacher was upset.
Senate /ˈsen.ət/ [㐖] One of the houses that sensible /ˈsent.sɪ.bl/̩ [㐀] Having common
n forms a government in the United States and oth- sense: Mary's a very sensible girl. She would never
er countries: The Senate House is in a beautiful do anything silly.
o part of the city. ■ Be careful. "Senate" has a capital sensitive /ˈsen·sə·tɪ̬ v/ [㐀] 1 Easily affected by
"S". things: Don't let Alison see that movie. She's very
p senator /ˈsenətər/ [㐗] A member of the Sen- sensitive and would be upset by it. 2 Concerned
ate: The visit of the American senators was not a about other people's feelings: Why did Ray say
q success. ■ Be careful! "Senator" has a capital "S" that about Jane being fat? That wasn't very sensi-
when it is followed by a name: "Senator Johnson". tive of him, was it?
r send, sent, sent /send/ [㐘] 1 To make a thing go sensitivity /ˌsen·səˈtɪv·ɪ·ti̬ / [㐖] 1 The quality
somewhere: I always send a birthday card to my of being sensitive: Tom showed great sensitivity
s grandma on her birthday. 2 To make a person go towards his brother in that situation. 2 The ten-
somewhere: My mom was sent to an all girls dency to be offended: Such sensitivity to people's
boarding school when she was a child. comments is a problem for him. ■ We say: "sensitiv-
t ◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to send off 1 To put some- ity to (something)". ■ The plural is "sensitivities".
thing in the post: We'll have to send the letter off sensory /ˈsen·sə·ri/ [㐀] Referring to the physi-
u today or it won't get there on time. 2 To make a cal senses: It is very important to stimulate the ba-
player go off the field: Geoffrey was sent off for by's sensory perceptions.
v swearing at the referee. sent /sent/ Past tense and past participle forms of
sender /ˈsendər·/ [㐗] A person who sends send.
w something: I wonder who is writing to Harry; let's sentence1 /ˈsentəns/ [㐗] 1 A group of words
look and see if the sender's name is on the enve- ending with a period, a question mark or an ex-
x lope. clamation mark: This example is a sentence. 2 A
senior1 [㐀] 1 Older: Sometimes the senior stu- punishment given in a court of law: The man was
y dents help the teachers with the younger students given a three month prison sentence for robbery.
in the dining room. 2 More important: Mike's fa- sentence2 /ˈsentəns/ [㐘] To give somebody a pun-
z ther is a senior officer in the Navy. ■ See box at ab- ishment in a court of law: The thief was sentenced
breviations. to five years imprisonment.
331 set
sepal US: /ˈsiː.pəl/ UK: /ˈsep.əl/ [㐗] One of the taking is a very serious problem in some areas of a
b
small green leaves that surround and protect the the country. c
d
petals of a flower: The sepals form the calyx of the sermon /ˈsɜr·mən/ [㐗] A talk that a priest e
f
flower. 㐀 See page 433. gives: Father Murphy gave a sermon about the pov- g
separate1 /ˈsepərət/ [㐀] Apart or not together: erty in the world. h
i
When we were at camp, the boys and girls slept in servant /ˈsɜr·vənt/ [㐗] A person who works j
k
separate dormitories. in somebody's house: Old Mrs. Smith used to be l
m
separate2 /ˈsepəreɪt/ [㐘] 1 To move one thing or a servant in the Duke's house when she was n
o
one person away from another: The teacher sepa- young. p
rated Sophie and me for talking in class. 2 To stop q
serve US: /sɝːv/ UK: /sɜːv/ [㐘] 1 To attend custom- r
being together: Miriam's parents have just sepa- s
rated. 3 To be between one thing and another: ers in a store: Are you being served, Madam? 2 To t
u
The Baltic Sea separates Scandinavia and Russia. give prepared food to somebody: Can I serve you v
some more pudding? 3 To work actively for a w
separately /ˈsep·ər·ət·li/ [㐀] Not together: Miss x
country, the army voluntary organization and so y
Thomas, shall we do this problem together or sepa- z
on: Frank and Anne served as volunteers in the
rately? Red Cross last summer. 4 it serves you right
separation /ˌsep·əˈreɪ·ʃən/ [㐗] The act of mov- Words you say when you think the person de-
ing things or persons apart, or the situation of serves something negative that has happened to
being apart: For friends, separation can be pain- them: I told you to listen in class and now you've
ful. failed the test. It serves you right for not paying at-
September /sepˈtem·bər/ [㐌] The ninth month of tention.
the year: My sister's birthday is in September. ■ Be service /ˈsɜr·vɪs/ [㐌] 1 Treatment that you re-
careful! "September" has a capital "S". 㐀 See pictu- ceive in a store, restaurant and so on: The service
re at calendar. is not very good in this store, is it? 2 The work that
sequence /ˈsiː.kwənts/ [㐗] 1 A series of relat- somebody does in a company: My grandfather got
ed events that occur in a particular order: Let's a gold watch from his company when he retired af-
move on to the next sequence of exercises. 2 The or- ter fifty years' service. 3 A religious ceremony: We
der in which a series of related events occur, or went to the early morning service on Christmas
Day. 4 The organization that provides buses, hos-
are done: When you do an experiment, you must
pitals, schools and so on: The new Town Council
follow a particular sequence.
say that they are going to improve the bus service.
sequoia /sɪˈkwɔɪə/ [㐗] A large evergreen tree 5 civil service See civil service. 6 the armed ser-
vices or the services The army, navy and air
which grows on the west coast of America: The se-
force: There used to be a special radio program for
quoia is one of the tallest trees on earth.
the people in the armed services working in other
sergeant /ˈsɑr·dʒənt/ [㐗] An officer in the ar-
countries. ■ In this use, the same meaning: "the
my or in the police: Sergeant Robinson is in
armed forces".
charge of the drug department in this police sta-
service station [㐗] A place where you can
tion.
buy gasoline and other things for your car: We
serial /ˈsɪər·i·əl/ [㐗] A story that is told in
drove into a service station to fill up. ■ The same
parts: My dad always listens to a serial on the ra-
meaning: "gas station". ■ Compare with "garage" (al-
dio about life in an American town. ■ Compare with
so por repairs).
"series" (a number of programs on the radio or tele-
serviette /ˌsɜr·viˈet/ [㐗] A piece of cloth or pa-
vision of the same type).
per to clean your hands or lips when you are eat-
series US: /ˈsɪr.iːz/ UK: /ˈsɪə.riːz/ [㐗] 1 A number
ing: Don't forget to buy some paper serviettes when
of things of the same type: I'm collecting a series
you go to the store. ■ The same meaning: "napkin".
of articles about Hollywood that is being published
in the Sunday papers. 2 A number of programs on session /ˈseʃ.ən/ [㐗] A time when people meet
the radio or television of the same type: Are you to do something: Why don't you bring your guitar
watching the new Nature series on television? ■ Be along to the music session we're having at my
careful with the pronunciation of this word! ■ The house tonight?
plural is also "series". ■ Compare with "serial" (a sto- set1 /set/ [㐗] 1 A number of things which go to-
ry that is told in parts). gether: We gave my mom a set of earrings and a
necklace for her birthday. 2 Apparatus for receiv-
serious /ˈsɪr·i·əs/ [㐀] 1 Not funny or joking,
ing television or radio: Our television set is broken.
solemn: Jack's a very serious person; he never
smiles, does he? 2 Bad, important, worrying: Drug
set 332
a 3 Part of a tennis match, won by gaining a certain seven /ˈsev.ən/ [㐐] The number 7: Seven is a
b number of games: Sarah won the first set 6-3. lucky number.
set2, set, set /set/ [㐘] 1 To put something down: seventeen /ˌsev.ənˈtiːn/ [㐐] The number 17:
He set the bowl of soup down carefully on the table. My sister Pat is seventeen years old.
c 2 To fix or establish something: Have they set the seventeenth /ˌsev.ənˈtiːntθ/ [㐍] Referring to
date for the meeting? 3 To give somebody some seventeen: St Patrick's day is on the seventeenth of
d work: The teacher set us some very difficult exercis- March. ■ "Seventeenth" can also be written "17th".
es to do for homework. 4 To go down, when talk- seventh /ˈsev.əntθ/ [㐍] Referring to seven: July
e ing about the sun: The sun rises in the East and is the seventh month of the year. ■ "Seventh" can al-
sets in the West. 5 To go solid: Wait for the jelly to so be written "7th".
f set and then put it into the fridge. 6 to set fire to seventieth /ˈsev·ə·n·ti·əθ/ [㐍] Referring to sev-
(something) See "to set fire to (something)" in enty: It's the seventieth anniversary of the death of
g the word fire1. 7 to set free See "to set free" in the our local poet, Henry Harris. ■ "Seventieth" can also
word free1. 8 to set the table To place on the ta- be written "70th".
h ble the plates, knives, forks and so on before you seventy /ˈsev·ə·n·ti/ [㐐] The number 70: My
eat: You set the table and I'll do the dishes after- grandfather will be seventy tomorrow.
i wards. ■ The same meaning: "to lay the table". several /ˈsev·rəl/, /-ər·əl/ [㐂] More than a few,
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to set (something) up To but not very many: Isn't Anna lucky? She's been to
j start or to establish something: This company has Europe several times.
set up a new store in San Francisco. ■ Be careful severe /səˈvɪr/ [㐀] 1 Not soft and gentle, hard:
with the spelling of this form: "setting". Our teacher is quite severe sometimes but we all
k set3 /set/ [㐀] Which cannot be changed: In my like her. 2 Serious or quite bad: Maria spent two
school the meals are at certain set times. months ill in bed with a severe lung infection.
l set-square [㐗] Instrument to help you draw sew, sewed, sewn US: /soʊ/ UK: /səʊ/ [㐘] To fix
lines at particular angles: I need a set-square and material together with needle and thread: I'm
m a compass for my technical drawing class. 㐀 See sewing some buttons on my shirt. ■ The same mean-
page 456. ing: "stitch2".
n setting /ˈset·̬ ɪŋ/ [㐗] The place where some- sewed Past tense of sew.
thing happens: They decided that the church in the sewing /ˈsoʊ·ɪŋ/ [㐖] Something that some-
o mountains would be the perfect setting for their body sews: Aunt Meg put her sewing down and
wedding. went to answer the door.
p settle /ˈset·̬ ə·l/ [㐘] 1 To go and live permanently sewing machine [㐗] A machine that you
somewhere: My dad's friend went to settle in Aus- sew with: My grandmother's just bought a new
q tralia when he was young. 2 To come to an agree- sewing machine.
ment after a dispute: Mary and I settled our argu- sewn /səʊn/ Past participle of sew.
r ment after talking about it. 3 To come to rest on sex /seks/ [㐖] 1 One of two groups, male or
something: That robin often settles on the tree out- female, into which humans, animals and plants
s side our window. can be divided: What sex are the kittens? Two are
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to settle down 1 To become male and one is female. ■ In this use the plural is
calm and quiet: Come on. Settle down now, chil- "sexes". 2 Making love: It is much easier to get in-
t dren' said the teacher. 2 To make oneself comfort- formation about sex now than it was some years
able: The cat settled down in front of the fire for the ago. 3 sex appeal See "sex appeal" in the word
u evening. 3 To lead a quiet life in one place: Julia appeal1.
finally settled down in Italy after living in five differ- sexual /ˈsek.sjʊəl/ [㐀] Referring to sex or to re-
v ent countries. production: The uterus is one of the female sexual
settlement /ˈset̬·ə·l·mənt/ [㐗] 1 An agree- organs.
w ment: After very long discussions, the workers and shade1 /ʃeɪd/ [㐖] 1 A place where direct sun-
the management reached a settlement. 2 A place light does not reach: Let's get in the shade under
x where a group of people have settled: The towns this tree. It's very hot in the sun. ■ Compare with
and cities in the west of the United States started as "shadow" (a dark shape that is made by something
y small settlements. blocking the light). 2 A variety of a particular color:
settler [㐗] A person who settles in a country I love that shade of blue. 㐀 See picture at shadow.
z that is being newly populated: They were among shade2 /ʃeɪd/ [㐘] To protect from sunlight: John
the early settlers on the east coast of America. shaded his eyes from the sun with his hand.
333 sharpen
shadow /ˈʃæd·oʊ/ [㐗] A dark shape that is shampoo /ʃæmˈpuː/ [㐖] A thick liquid used a
b
made by something blocking the light: We made for washing your hair: That shampoo smells of c
shadows on the wall that looked like different ani- d
mals. ■ Compare with "shade1" (a place sunlight lemon. e
does not reach). f
shamrock /ˈʃæm·rɑk/ [㐗] A type of small g
SHADOW
plant with three round leaves on each stem: The h
shadow shade i
four leaves shamrock is the symbol of good luck. j
shake, shook, shaken /ʃeɪd/ [㐘] 1 To move k
shandy /ˈʃæn.di/ [㐗] A drink made by mixing l
something about quickly from side to side: Shake m
the can of paint before you open it. 2 To move from beer and lemonade: I'll have a shandy, please. ■ n
o
side to side or up and down, to tremble: Hannah The plural is "shandies". p
was so afraid that she shook with fear. 3 to shake q
hands To move somebody's hand up and down in shank /ʃæŋk/ [㐗] 1 The lower part of the leg, r
s
greeting or in peace: Sid shook hands with every- from the knee to the ankle: Jeff has skinny shanks. t
one at the party. 4 to shake your head To move 2 The straight, long and narrow part of a tool: the u
v
your head from side to side: She shook her head shank of the anchor. w
x
when she heard the question, and said "no". shan't US: /ʃænt/ UK: /ʃɑːnt/ The contraction of y
z
shaken Past participle of shake. "shall not".
shall /ʃæl, ʃəl/ [㐘] 1 A word that you can use in-
shape1 /ʃeɪp/ [㐖] 1 The appearance form of
stead of "will", with "I" and "we" only, in the fu-
something: What a beautiful shape that sculpture
ture form: I shall tell you all about my vacation
when I get back. ■ We usually say "will". 2 A word is. ■ In this sense, "shape" is much more common in
English than "form". 㐀 See page 457. 2 in shape
that you can use instead of "will", with "I" and
Physically fit: I haven't been in good shape since I
"we" only, to make suggestions or to ask for sug- stopped swimming. 3 out of shape Not in the cor-
gestions: Shall we go? ■ The verb after "shall" is in rect condition: My new sweater's all out of shape. I
the infinitive without "to". must have put it in the hot wash by mistake.
shallow /ˈʃæl·oʊ/ [㐀] Not deep: Stay in the shal- shape2 /ʃeɪp/ [㐘] To give something a form: I
low part of the pool because you can't swim very shaped the plasticine into an elephant and gave it
well yet. to the little boy.
shame /ʃeɪm/ [㐖] 1 A feeling of having done share1 /ʃeər/ [㐗] A part of something: I took
something silly or wrong: When her mother dis- my share of the money and went home.
covered what she had done, Linda was filled with share2 /ʃeər/ [㐘] 1 To give out something to dif-
shame. 2 A pity: It's such a shame that you can't
ferent people: We shared the candies between
come to my party. the children. 2 To have something with some-
shameful /ˈʃeɪm.fəl/ [㐀] Very wrong: I think it's body else: My teacher told me to share a desk
shameful the way some people treat animals. with Robert.
shark US: /ʃɑːrk/ UK: /ʃɑːk/ [㐗] A large and
frightening fish: Sharks have very powerful jaws
and teeth but many of them are not dangerous.
㐀 See page 430.
sharp1 /ʃɑːp/ [㐀] 1 With the ability to cut: Be
careful with that knife because it's very sharp. 2
Sudden and strong: I felt a sharp pain in my side
as I ran up the hill. 3 With an acid taste: That lem-
onade's a bit sharp for my taste. I'll have to put
some sugar in it. 4 Quick and clever: My grandma
is quite old but she's still extremely sharp. 5 Refer-
ring to a musical sound which is higher than the
true or normal pitch: The opera singer was sing-
ing too sharp.
sharp2 /ʃɑːp/ [㐄] Exactly, when talking about a
time: The concert will start at 8 o'clock sharp.
sharp3 /ʃɑːp/ [㐗] A musical note which is
raised a semitone higher than the specified pitch:
This piece must be played in C sharp.
sharpen /ˈʃɑr·pən/ [㐘] To make something sharp:
He used a stone to sharpen the knife.
sharply 334
a sharply [㐄] 1 Suddenly or in a radical way: shellfish /ˈʃel.fɪʃ/ [㐖] A sea animal that has
b Temperatures are expected to drop sharply in a shell: We had a fantastic meal of shellfish and
the next few days. 2 Acutely: She has a sharply rice on the beach. ■ The plural is also "shellfish".
developed sense of humor. 3 Referring to
lobster
c speaking, severely: My father spoke sharply to
us. 4 Referring to how somebody dresses, prawn
d well, elegantly: Terry was sharply dressed at
the dinner.
e shatter US: /ˈʃæt.̬ ɚ/ UK: /ˈʃæt.ər/ [㐘] To break into
small pieces: I dropped the mirror and it shattered
f on the floor.
shave /ʃeɪv/ [㐘] To cut the hair off your face: My
g dad shaves every morning at the same time.
shaver /ˈʃeɪ·vər/ [㐗] An electric tool to shave
h with: We bought my grandfather a new electric
shaver for his birthday but he never uses it.
i shaving [㐗] The act of cutting hair off with a
razor: My father says that shaving is very tedious.
j shavings /ˈʃeɪvɪŋz/ [㐑] Very thin pieces cut
off a piece of wood or metal: The floor of the car- SHELLFISH crab
penter's workshop was covered in shavings.
k shawl US: /ʃɑːl/ UK: /ʃɔːl/ [㐗] A piece of cloth
that goes over a woman's shoulders: My grandma shelter1 /ˈʃeltər/ [㐗] 1 A place where you go
l always wears a shawl in the winter.
for safety: In the Second World War, people used to
she /ʃiː, ʃi/ [㐕] The female person or animal be- hide from the bombs in special shelters. 2 Being
m ing talked about: How's your mom? She's much safe or protected: We ran into the cave to get shel-
better, thank you. ter from the storm.
n sheath /ʃiːθ/ [㐗] A cover for the sharp blade of shelter2 /ˈʃeltər/ [㐘] 1 To go somewhere for safe-
a knife or sword: The knight took the sword out of ty or protection: We sheltered from the rain under
o its sheath. a tree. 2 To give protection to somebody or some-
sheathe [㐘] To put a knife or a sword back into thing: My dad's built a high wall to shelter our yard
p a sheath: The knight sheathed his sword. from the sea winds.
shed /ʃed/ [㐗] A building used for keeping shepherd /ˈʃep·ərd/ [㐗] A person who looks
q things in: My old bike must be in the shed. after sheep: Shepherds walk long distances taking
she'd /ʃid, ʃiːd/ The contraction of "she had" or the sheep from one place to another.
r "she would". sheriff /ˈʃer.ɪf/ [㐗] Chief law officer in a coun-
sheep /ʃiːp/ [㐗] A farm animal kept for its ty in the United States, elected by the population:
s wool, skin and meat: There are two hundred sheep The sheriff in the cowboy movie chased the horse
on my uncle's farm. ■ The plural is also "sheep". ■ thieves and caught them.
Compare with "lamb" (a young sheep or its meat). she's /ʃiːz, ʃiz/ The contraction of "she is" or "she
t 㐀 See page 428.
has".
sheet /ʃiːt/ [㐗] 1 A large piece of material that shield1 /ʃiːld/ [㐗] An object to protect some-
u you put on a bed: My grandma's got some beauti- body or something: The Roman soldiers held up
ful embroidered sheets. 㐀 See picture at be- their shields to protect themselves from the arrows.
v droom. 2 A flat piece of something: Give out these shield2 /ʃiːld/ [㐘] To protect yourself with some-
sheets of drawing paper, please. thing: They shielded themselves from the wind in-
w shelf /ʃelf/ [㐗] A long flat place for keeping side the tents.
books, plates and so on: Put that book on the shelf, shift1 /ʃɪft/ [㐗] 1 A change in position or atti-
x please. ■ The plural is "shelves". 㐀 See picture at tude: There was a shift in public opinion. 2 A group
bathroom. of people who take turns to do a particular job, or
the particular time period they work: He has to
y shell /ʃel/ [㐗] The hard outside part of eggs, sleep during the day because he is on night shift. 3
nuts and some animals: The tortoise went back in-
z to its shell. The capitals key on a keyboard: You have to press
she'll /ʃil, ʃiːl/ The contraction of "she will". shift to write in capitals. 4 A long straight item of
335 short
women's underwear: In the past, many women shocking US: /ˈʃɑː.kɪŋ/ UK: /ˈʃɒk.ɪŋ/ [㐀] Very wrong a
wore a shift under their dress. b
and upsetting: The murder was a shocking crime. c
shift2 /ʃɪft/ [㐘] 1 To move or to make something d
shoe /ʃuː/ [㐗] A thing that you wear on your e
or somebody move to a different place: Please f
help me to shift these boxes. 2 To change to a dif- foot: Do you like my new shoes? 㐀 See picture at g
ferent emphasis, direction or focus: The war shift-
ed attention away from domestic problems. ■ We clothes. h
say: "shift (something) from somewhere to some- i
where". 3 To move or leave a place: That is my shoelace /ˈʃuː.leɪs/ [㐗] A cord for tying up j
seat, so shift yourself! ■ This use is informal. k
shoes: Tie your shoelace up or you'll fall over. l
shine, shone, shone /ʃaɪn/ [㐘] 1 To give light: m
shoemaker [㐗] A person who makes or re- n
The sun was shining when we arrived at the beach. o
2 To be bright: He polished his boots until they pairs shoes: I have to take this pair of shoes to the p
shone. q
shoemaker. r
shingles /ˈʃɪŋ.gl̩z/ [㐑] A disease that affects s
shone US: /ʃɑːn/ UK: /ʃɒn/ Past tense and past par- t
the nerves and produces painful pimples on the u
skin: The doctor diagnosed the problem as shin- ticiple forms of shine. v
gles. ■ The same meaning: "herpes". w
shook /ʃʊk/ Past tense of shake. x
shining /ˈʃaɪ.nɪŋ/ [㐀] Brilliant: I have a shining shoot, shot, shot /ʃuːt/ [㐘] 1 To send out a bul- y
z
new coin. let, arrow and so on: The cowboy took out his gun
and shot Bad Bill dead. 2 To move very quickly:
shiny /ˈʃaɪ.ni/ [㐀] Bright or polished: The street The dog shot past us and ran into the next yard. 3
was shiny with rain. ■ The comparative form is To make a movie: The movie was shot in Italy.
"shinier" and the superlative form is "shiniest".
shop1 /ʃɒp/ [㐗] A place where you buy things:
ship /ʃɪp/ [㐗] A large boat: I love watching the
My aunt's got a sweet shop in the center of the
ships come into harbor.
town. ■ The same meaning: "store1".
shipwreck /ˈʃɪp.rek/ [㐗] An accident at sea:
shop2 /ʃɒp/ [㐘] To buy things: My parents always
There was a shipwreck near the coast and several
sailors were drowned. shop in a big supermarket near our house. ■ Be
SHIPWRECK careful with the spelling of these forms: "shopped",
shirt US: /ʃɝːt/ UK: /ʃɜːt/ [㐗] An article of "shopping".
clothing: I bought a really smart shirt for my shop assistant [㐗] See clerk. ■ This word is
birthday.
British English.
shiver /ˈʃɪv·ər/ [㐘] To tremble: It was so cold at
shoplifter /ˈʃɑpˌlɪf·tər/ [㐗] Person who steals
the bus stop that everyone was shivering.
things from a shop: Shops have a big problem with
shoal US: /ʃoʊl/ UK: /ʃəʊl/ [㐗] A large group of
shoplifters.
fish swimming about: There were shoals of silver
fish in the sea. shopping US: /ˈʃɑː.pɪŋ/ UK: /ˈʃɒp.ɪŋ/ [㐖] 1 Buy-
shock1 /ʃɒk/ [㐗] 1 A bad surprise: We all had a ing things: I'm sorry but I won't be able to meet you
this morning. I've got to do the shopping. 2 The
terrible shock when Grandpa died suddenly. 2 A
pain caused by electricity: Dry your hands before things that you have bought: John, can you help
you touch the plug. You might get a shock. me put the shopping away? 3 to go shopping To
shock2 /ʃɒk/ [㐘] To give somebody a bad sur- go and to buy things: I really hate going shopping
prise: We were all shocked when the school burned because I get very bored.
down.
shopping bag [㐗] A paper or plastic bag
used for carrying things: We put all our shopping
in a shopping bag.
shopping center or shopping mall [㐗]
See mall.
shop window [㐗] A window in the front of
a shop: There are some fantastic clothes in that
shop window.
shore /ʃɔːr/ [㐖] The land next to the sea: My
uncle's got a house near the shore.
short US: /ʃɔːrt/ UK: /ʃɔːt/ [㐀] 1 Not long: We live
a very short distance away from school. 㐀 See pic-
tures at hair and opposite. 2 Not tall: Tommy's
tall although his parents are short. 㐀 See picture
at opposite. 3 Not lasting very long: What a pity
that television program is so short because I really
enjoy it. 4 to be short of Not to have enough of
shortage 336
a something: I'm a bit short of money, so I'll have to museum next week. 3 show business All the busi-
b wait to buy that CD. 5 for short To use the short nesses like the films and the theater, that try to
way, when saying something: His name is actually entertain people: My cousin works in a film com-
Joseph Patrick, but we all call him Joe for short. pany in the capital of show business, Hollywood.
c shortage US: /ˈʃɔːr.t̬ɪdʒ/ UK: /ˈʃɔː.tɪdʒ/ [㐗] Not show2, showed, shown /ʃəʊ/ [㐘] 1 To let a per-
enough of something: There's been such a long son see something: I showed my mom and dad my
exercise book. 2 To make something clear: Can
d drought that there's a shortage of water every- you show me how to do this exercise, please? 3 To
where. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of this appear or to be noticeable: John's in love with Sha-
ron and it shows!
e word. The "a" is pronounced like the "i" in "did".
shorten /ˈʃɔr·tə·n/ [㐘] To make something shorter:
f I'm going to ask my aunt to shorten this skirt for me. ◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to show off To do something
shortly /ˈʃɔrt·li/ [㐄] Soon: Don't cry, your mom in public so that people will notice and admire
you: Joan always shows off in front of the boys in
g will be here shortly. our class. · to show (something) off To make peo-
shorts US: /ʃɔːrts/ UK: /ʃɔːts/ [㐑] Short pants:
h I've forgotten my shorts. What can I wear to play ple look at something you have got that you are
soccer? ■ When we talk about two or more "shorts", proud of: Albert spent the whole weekend showing
i we use the word "pairs": "I bought two pairs of off his new bike to everyone. · to show up To ar-
shorts". 㐀 See picture at clothes. rive: Harry showed up about half an hour late.
j shot1 /ʃɒt/ [㐗] 1 The act of firing a gun: We all showed Past tense of show2.
heard the noise of a shot, followed by silence. 2 A shower US: /ʃaʊr/ UK: /ʃaʊər/ [㐗] 1 A place
k photograph: Isn't this a great shot of our cat? ■ where you stand under running water to wash:
This use is informal. 3 A kick, a hit or a throw at We all went into the showers after the football
goal in a sport: What a great shot! He's an incredi- game. 㐀 See picture at bathroom. 2 Washing
l ble player.
yourself under water: I take a shower every morn-
shot2 /ʃɒt/ Past tense and past participle forms of ing. ■ Be careful. We usually say: "to take a shower".
m shoot. 3 A short period of rain: We waited for the shower
should /ʃʊd, ʃəd/ [㐘] 1 A word used to say that an to pass and then went out for a walk.
n action is a good idea or is morally right: You shown US: /ʃoʊn/ UK: /ʃəʊn/ Past participle of show2.
should go to the doctor if you don't feel well. 2 A shrank /ʃræŋk/ Past tense of shrink.
o word that you use when you say what you expect shred /ʃred/ [㐗] A small thin piece of some-
to happen: They should arrive at about eight thing: My sock was in shreds when our dog had fin-
p o'clock. ■ Be careful! The verb after "should" is in the ished chewing it.
infinitive without "to". shriek1 [㐗] A noise with a high tone some-
q shoulder US: /ˈʃoʊl.dɚ/ UK: /ˈʃəʊl.dər/ [㐗] 1 The body makes when frightened or in pain: The little
part of your body just above your arm: I hurt my boy gave a shriek when he saw the dog running to-
r shoulder playing tennis the other day. 㐀 See page wards him.
421. 2 shoulder bag A bag that you hang from shriek2 /ʃriːk/ [㐘] To make a noise with a high
s one shoulder: I've got a new shoulder bag. Do you pitch when you are frightened or in pain: He
like it? shrieked when he saw the mouse under the table.
should've /ˈʃʊdəv/ The contraction of "should have". shrill /ʃrɪl/ [㐀] With a high tone: The lady who
t shout1 /ʃaʊt/ [㐗] A word spoken very loudly: lives next-door to us has got a very shrill voice and
We heard a shout and went outside but there was we often hear her.
u no one there.
shrimp /ʃrɪmp/ [㐗] A very small shellfish with
shout2 /ʃaʊt/ [㐘] To speak very loudly: Don't a long tail: Shrimps can be found all over the
v shout at me, I can hear you perfectly well. ■ Be care- world, in shallow and deep waters.
ful! We say "shout at (somebody)" when the person shrink, shrank, shrunk /ʃrɪŋk/ [㐘] To get
w shouting is angry or is giving a warning. We say: smaller: My favorite sweater has shrunk in the
"shout to (somebody)" in other cases: "He shouted to wash!
x me to come back". shrub /ʃrʌb/ [㐗] A small bush: My grandpa has
show1 /ʃəʊ/ [㐗] 1 Something that people go all kinds of shrubs in his backyard. 㐀 See page 432.
y and see, like a concert, play and so on: Are you shrug /ʃrʌg/ [㐘] To move your shoulders up:
coming to see the school show? 2 A number of When I asked Anne where she had been, she just
z things together that people go and see: We're go- shrugged and didn't answer. ■ Be careful with the
ing to see the show of old cars that's on outside the spelling of these forms: "shrugged", "shrugging".
337 significance
shrunk /ʃrʌŋk/ Past participle of shrink. his side table. ■ The same meaning: "night table", a
shuffle /ˈʃʌf.l/̩ [㐘] 1 To mix cards before you play b
"bedside table". c
a game: Tommy shuffled the cards. 2 To walk or d
sidewalk /ˈsɑɪdˌwɔk/ [㐗] The part of a street e
dance very slowly almost without lifting your f
where people walk: You shouldn't ride your bike on g
feet: The old man shuffled along the street.
the sidewalk. ■ In British English they say "pave- h
shut1 /ʃʌt/ [㐀] Closed: The store is shut so we'll i
ment". 㐀 See picture at street. j
have to wait until tomorrow. k
sideways /ˈsaɪdweɪz/ [㐄] 1 To one side: To do l
shut2, shut, shut /ʃʌt/ [㐘] 1 To close something: m
this dance, you have to step sideways! 2 With the n
Can you shut the window, please? It's quite cold in o
here. 2 To go into a closed position: The door shut side first: We'll have to try and get the table out of p
behind us and we couldn't open it. 3 To stop some- q
the door sideways. r
thing being open: Mr. Middleton shuts the store at s
sigh1 [㐗] A sudden deep breath, showing sad- t
six o'clock every evening. u
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to shut down To close and ness, relief or other emotion: "I've got to study for v
not work any more: The local glass factory became w
a test tomorrow" said Fred with a sigh. x
bankrupt and had to shut down. · to shut up To be y
sigh2 /saɪ/ [㐘] To take a sudden deep breath be- z
quiet: Can you all shut up and listen! ■ This expres-
cause of sadness, relief or other emotion: Tony
sion is informal.
sighed with relief when the game was finally over.
shutter US: /ˈʃʌt̬.ɚ/ UK: /ˈʃʌt.ər/ [㐗] A cover for
sight /saɪt/ [㐗] 1 Something that you see: Isn't
the outside of a window: We thought that there
the sun going down over the sea a beautiful sight?
was nobody in because all the shutters were closed. 2 The ability to see: My mom wears glasses be-
cause she's got very poor sight. 3 at first sight As
shuttle /ˈʃʌt̬·ə·l/ [㐗] A plane or a bus that goes
soon as you see something: My brother says that it
backwards and forwards between two places: My was love at first sight when he met Melissa. 4 to
dad uses the shuttle service between Boston and catch sight To see something for a short time: I
New York twice a week. caught sight of Ken as I was going past his house
the other day on the bus. 5 the sights The inter-
shy /ʃaɪ/ [㐀] Uncomfortable with people: Don't
esting places to see in a town: Let's go to Wash-
be shy and speak up. ■ The comparative form is
ington D.C. for the day and see the sights.
"shyer" and the superlative form is "shyest". 㐀 See
sightseeing /ˈsaɪtˌsiː.ɪŋ/ [㐖] Seeing the in-
picture at emotions.
teresting places: When we were in Rome we did a
shyness /ˈʃaɪ.nəs/ [㐖] Being shy: You have to
lot of sightseeing.
try and forget your shyness when you are learning
sign1 /saɪn/ [㐘] To write your name on something:
to speak another language.
My dad signed the check and gave it to the bank
sick /sɪk/ [㐀] 1 Ill: We had to call the vet to come
clerk. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of this
and look at the sick cows. 2 to be sick To bring up
word! The "i" rhymes with "my".
food through your mouth: My little brother was
sign2 /saɪn/ [㐗] 1 A mark with a special mean-
sick at school and he was sent home. ■ The same
meaning: "to throw up", "to vomit". 3 to feel sick To ing: There are many different signs used in mathe-
matics, like "+". 2 A thing with words or a picture
feel that you are going to be sick, to feel ill in
giving a message: The road sign says that we have
your stomach: I felt sick on the bus on the way to to slow down here. 3 Something that indicates an-
the camp. other thing: They say that red sky in the morning is
sickness /ˈsɪk.nəs/ [㐖] An illness: My teacher a sign of rain. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of
hasn't been in school this term because of sickness. this word!
side /saɪd/ [㐗] 1 The part of something that is signal1 /ˈsɪgnəl/ [㐗] 1 A sign or a gesture: A
not the top, bottom, front, back or inside: Go green light is a signal that means that we can
cross. 2 Waves that send information: Cellphones
round to the side of the building and you'll see the
kitchen entrance on your left. 2 The edge of some- don't work well in places where the signal is weak.
thing: There were people selling melons at the side signal2 /ˈsɪgnəl/ [㐘] To make a signal: They sig-
of the road. 3 One of the surfaces of something:
naled for us to go to their table. ■ Be careful with
Turn over the paper and write your paragraph on
the other side. 4 Team: We all cheered when our the spelling of these forms: "signalled", "signalling".
side got a goal. 5 side by side Next to each other:
signature /ˈsɪg·nə·tʃər/, /-ˌtʃʊr/ [㐗] A person's
Helen and Anne always sit side by side.
name written by that person: Can you just put
side table [㐗] A small low table which is
your signature here, please?
placed next to a bed: Tom always has a book on
significance /sɪgˈnɪf.ɪ.kənts/ [㐖] The mean-
ing or the importance of something: They didn't
significant 338
a appreciate the significance of the discovery until wrote to me last Christmas and I haven't heard from
b many years later. her since. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of this
significant /sɪgˈnɪf.ɪ.kənt/ [㐀] 1 Important, word! The "i" is pronounced like the "i" in "did".
big: There has been a significant change in the bus since2 /sɪns/ [㐓] From a time in the past until
c timetable. 2 With a special meaning: I think it's now: I haven't seen you since Monday. ■ Be careful!
significant that Harriet didn't come to the party. "Since" describes the starting point of a period, that
d sign language [㐖] Signs made with the is a particular date or a particular action: "We've
hands that deaf people use to communicate: They been walking since one o'clock". "For" describes the
e used sign language to tell each other what had duration of a period: "We've been walking for two
happened. hours". ■ See box at for.
f signpost /ˈsaɪnpəʊst/ [㐗] A sign at the side of since3 /sɪns/ [㐈] 1 From a time when some-
the road: I hope we'll see a signpost to Whitby thing happened until now: We haven't eaten since
g soon. we had breakfast this morning at seven o'clock. 2 Be-
silence /ˈsaɪ.lənts/ [㐖] No noise, complete cause: Since you're so keen on soccer, I thought I'd
h quiet: Silence please! The principal has something give you this book about the history of the World Cup.
to say to you. sincere /sɪnˈsɪər/ [㐀] Truthful, honest or real:
i silent /ˈsaɪ.lənt/ [㐀] Without any noise: The Kate is very sincere and always tells you what she
class was silent while they listened. thinks.
j silhouette /ˌsɪl.uˈet/ [㐗] Outline or figure: We sincerely /sɪnˈsɪər·li/ [㐄] 1 In a sincere way:
put silhouettes of Christmas characters up on the Were you speaking sincerely when you said that
class windows. you loved me? 2 yours sincerely Words that you
k silk /sɪlk/ [㐖] A very fine, expensive material: put before your signature at the end of a formal
Silk is made from a fine thread spun by an insect. letter: "Yours sincerely, Ron Johnson". ■ We use
l silly /ˈsɪl.i/ [㐀] Foolish, not sensible, stupid: "yours sincerely" when the person to whom the letter
Don't be silly; of course you'll pass your test. ■ The is addressed is named. Compare with "yours faithful-
m comparative form is "sillier" and the superlative form ly" (used when the person to whom the letter is ad-
is "silliest". ■ "Silly" and "stupid" have almost the dressed is not named).
n same meaning, but "stupid" is stronger. sing, sang, sung /sɪŋ/ [㐘] To make music with
silver /ˈsɪl·vər/ [㐖] A shiny, gray, precious your voice: Patsy sings in the choir.
o metal: This ring is pure silver. singer /ˈsɪŋ·ər/ [㐗] 1 A person who sings: Mol-
silvery [㐀] Referring to a color, that is ap- ly is a singer in a band. 2 lead singer See lead
p proximately silver, or that has a silver element to singer.
it: The jacket is a silvery gray. single1 /ˈsɪŋgl/ [㐀] 1 Only one: There was a sin-
q similar /ˈsɪm·ə·lər/ [㐀] The same in some ways: gle red car waiting for the ferry. 2 Not married: Our
These two paintings are very similar, aren't they? teacher is single, but he's getting married in June.
r similarity /ˌsɪm·əˈlær·ɪ·ti̬ / [㐖] Being the same single2 /ˈsɪŋgl/ [㐗] 1 A ticket for a journey to a
in some ways: There are a lot of similarities between place but not back again: I got a single to Boston
s Britain and the United States but there are a lot of because my friend's dad was going to bring me
differences as well. ■ The plural is "similarities". back in his car. 2 A record with only one song on
simple /ˈsɪm.pl/̩ [㐀] 1 Not complicated: These each side: My mom's got a fantastic collection of
t mathematical problems are quite simple once you Beatles singles.
understand them. 2 Without decoration: Both singular /ˈsɪŋ·gjə·lər/ [㐍] A word in the form
u dresses are nice, but I prefer the simple, white one. that indicates only one: "Goose" is singular and
simplify /ˈsɪm·pləˌfɑɪ/ [㐘] To make something "geese" is plural.
v simpler: Our teacher tried to simplify the story for sink1 /sɪŋk/ [㐗] 1 A place where dishes are
us to understand. ■ Be careful with the spelling of washed: Put the dishes in the sink and I'll wash
w these forms: "simplifies", "simplified". them up later. 㐀 See picture at kitchen. 2 A con-
sin1 /sɪn/ [㐗] An action or emotion that your re- tainer in a bathroom that is used for washing
x ligion tells you is wrong: It's a sin to kill somebody. your hands or your face: Don't leave the soap in
sin2 /sɪn/ [㐘] To do something that your religion the sink, please. ■ In this use, in British English we
y says is wrong: The priest told us not to sin. ■ Be say "washbasin". 㐀 See picture at bathroom.
careful with the spelling of these forms: "sinned", sink2, sank, sunk /sɪŋk/ [㐘] 1 To go under wa-
z "sinning". ter: The fishing boat sank three miles from the Ca-
since1 /sɪns/ [㐄] From then until now: Mary nadian coast. 2 To make something go under
339 skill
water: The enemy bombs sank three ships. 3 To go sixtieth /ˈsɪk.sti.əθ/ [㐍] Referring to sixty: It's a
b
down: The sun sank on the horizon. my grandfather's sixtieth birthday tomorrow. ■ c
d
sip1 [㐗] A very small amount of a drink: Can I "Sixtieth" can also be written "60th". e
f
have a sip of your orange juice? sixty /ˈsɪk.sti/ [㐐] The number 60: I've got g
sip2 /sɪp/ [㐘] To drink little by little: She sipped about sixty CD's, you know. h
i
her drink slowly. ■ Be careful with the spelling of size /saɪz/ [㐗] 1 How big or small somebody or j
k
these forms: "sipped", "sipping". something is, its measure: Our classroom is quite l
a large size. 2 A particular measurement: What m
sir /sɜːr/ [㐌] 1 A polite way of speaking to a man: n
size shoes do you take? o
Your room is on the second floor, sir. ■ This use is p
formal and is now mainly used in letters. 2 A special skate1 /skeɪt/ [㐗] 1 See roller-skate1. 2 See ice q
r
title for a man: Sir Winston Churchill was the Brit- skate1. s
t
ish Prime Minister during the Second World War. skate2 /skeɪt/ [㐘] 1 See roller-skate2. 2 See ice u
v
siren US: /ˈsaɪr.ən/ UK: /ˈsaɪə.rən/ [㐗] An instru- skate2. w
x
ment that makes a sound to give warning: Ships skateboard1 /ˈskeɪtbɔːd/ [㐗] A piece of wood or y
z
use their sirens when they're coming into a harbor. plastic with wheels on: Pam's really good on her
sister /ˈsɪs·tər/ [㐗] 1 A girl or a woman who has skateboard; she goes very fast. ■ Be careful with the
the same parents as you: My sister lives in New pronunciation of this word! The first syllable rhymes
York. 2 sister-in-law 1 The sister of your husband
with "day" and the second "a" is not pronounced.
or your wife: His sister-in-law teaches at our school.
skateboard2 [㐘] To move using a skateboard:
2 The wife of your brother: My brother and sis-
My friend Anne skateboards very well.
ter-in-law live in Rome. ■ The plural of "sister-in-law"
skating /ˈskeɪ·tɪ̬ ŋ/ [㐖] The sport that you do
is "sisters-in-law". 㐀 See picture at family.
with skates on: Skating is one of the sports that I
sit, sat, sat /sɪt/ [㐘] To rest your bottom on
would really like to be good at. 㐀 See picture at
something: Jane sat on the sofa.
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to sit down To sit: Will you sport.
all please sit down! · to sit up To sit when you
skating rink [㐗] A place where people go to
have been lying down or leaning: Come on; sit up
skate: Let's go to the skating rink on Saturday
and have some soup. ■ Be careful with the spelling
morning. ■ We also say "rink".
of this form: "sitting".
skeletal /ˈskelɪtəl/ [㐀] Referring to the skele-
site /saɪt/ [㐗] A place where something hap-
ton: One of the main functions of the skeletal sys-
pens or something is: We visited the site of the
tem is to provide support. 㐀 See page 422.
Battle of Hastings.
skeleton /ˈskel·ɪ·tə·n/ [㐗] The bones that
sitting-room [㐗] The main room in a house
make a person or an animal: My sister's got a
where people sit and relax: We spent the evening
plastic human skeleton hanging up in her bed-
in the sitting-room talking and telling jokes. ■ The
room.
same meaning: "living room".
sketch1 /sketʃ/ [㐗] A picture that has been
situated /ˈsɪt.ju.eɪ.tɪd/ US: /-t̬ɪd/ [㐀] In a place:
drawn quickly: Some artists' sketches are sold at
Our new house is situated just outside the town. ■
very high prices.
Be careful with the pronunciation of the end of this
sketch2 /sketʃ/ [㐘] To draw something quickly:
word. The "e" is pronounced like the "i" in "did".
The whole class went into the wood and sketched
situation /ˌsɪt.juˈeɪ.ʃən/ [㐗] Things that are
the trees.
happening in a particular place, position: My
ski1 /skiː/ [㐗] One of two long pieces of plastic,
dad's situation is a bit difficult at the moment be-
wood or other material that you stand on to trav-
cause he's lost his job.
el over snow: People who live in snowy areas often
six /sɪks/ [㐐] The number 6: Janice has got
use skis to go from one place to another.
six sisters.
ski2 /skiː/ [㐘] To travel on snow, using skis: Last
sixteen /ˌsɪkˈstiːn/ [㐐] The number 16: There
winter we went on a trip to Switzerland and I
are sixteen girls in my class and only five boys.
learned to ski.
sixteenth /ˌsɪkˈstiːnθ/ [㐍] Referring to sixteen:
skiing /ˈskiː.ɪŋ/ [㐖] The sport that you do on
Are you going to Alice's sixteenth birthday party? ■
skis: My brother goes skiing in Aspen every year.
"Sixteenth" can also be written "16th".
㐀 See picture at sport.
sixth /sɪksθ/ [㐍] Referring to six: Friday is the
skilful /ˈskɪl.fəl/ [㐀] See skillful. ■ This is a Brit-
sixth day of the week. ■ "Sixth" can also be written
ish English spelling.
"6th".
skill /skɪl/ [㐌] 1 Being able to do something well:
Water-skiing requires great skill. 2 Something that
skilled 340
a you have learned to do: Speaking languages is a slap1 /slæp/ [㐗] A blow with the open palm of your
b very useful skill. ■ The same meaning: "ability". hand: His mother gave him a light slap on the face.
skilled /skɪld/ [㐀] 1 Having the ability to do an slap2 /slæp/ [㐘] To hit somebody with the open
activity or job well: She is a very skilled pianist. 2 palm of you hand: The woman slapped the man's
c Having the training or experience necessary to do face and left angrily. ■ Be careful with the spelling
an activity or job: The staff she works with are of these forms: "slapped", "slapping".
d highly skilled.
slate /sleɪt/ [㐗] 1 A dark gray rock that can be
skillet /ˈskɪl.ɪt/ [㐗] A shallow pan used for fry- easily cut, or a small, flat piece of this used to
e ing food: You can use this skillet to fry the steak. ■ cover a roof: Some of the slates have fallen off the
The same meaning: "frying pan". roof. 2 to wipe the slate clean To forget past mis-
f skillful /skɪl/ [㐀] Good at doing something: takes, crimes or differences and start something
Tanya is a very skillful painter. ■ The British English again: They have agreed to wipe the slate clean in
g spelling is "skilful". order to work together on the new project.
skin /skɪn/ [㐗] 1 The covering of a body: Bertha slaughter1 [㐖] The killing of animals or
h has a beautiful soft skin. 2 The covering of some people: Did you hear about the slaughter of all
fruit or vegetables: Throw the banana skins in the those people in India!
slaughter2 US: /ˈslɑː.t̬ɚ/ UK: /ˈslɔː.tər/ [㐘] 1 To kill
i garbage, please.
skinhead /ˈskɪn.hed/ [㐗] A young person with an animal for food: They slaughter the pigs on the
j a shaved head and aggressive appearance: Skin- farm. 2 To kill a lot of people: How many people
heads usually dress in a similar way and go togeth- were slaughtered in the war?
er in a group. slave /sleɪv/ [㐗] A person who is not free and is
k skinny /ˈskɪn.i/ [㐀] Very thin: I don't know how forced to work for another person: Many slaves died
Joe can be so skinny considering he eats so much. ■ on the boats which went from West Africa to America.
l The comparative form is "skinnier" and the superla- slavery /ˈsleɪ·və·ri/ [㐖] The system of having
tive form is "skinniest". This word is informal. slaves: Slavery was abolished in the United States
m skip /skɪp/ [㐘] 1 To jump up and down over a rope after the Civil War.
that you or other people are holding: The children sled /sled/ [㐗] A thing that you use to move
n are skipping in the park. 2 To give little jumps: over snow in, used for carrying loads and for play:
The little girl skipped for happiness when they ar- All four of us got on the sled and went speeding
o rived at the park. 3 To miss something deliberate- down the hill over the snow. ■ Compare with "sleigh"
ly: Jamie skipped a class to go and play soccer with (a thing that you travel over snow in, usually pulled
p his friends. ■ Be careful with the spelling of these by a horse). ■ In British English they say "sledge".
forms: "skipped", "skipping".
SLED
q skirt US: /skɝːt/ UK: /skɜːt/ [㐗] An article of
clothing for a girl or a woman: Our school uniform
r skirt is gray. 㐀 See picture at clothes.
skull /skʌl/ [㐗] The bones in the head of a per-
s son or an animal: We've got a sheep's skull in our sled
biology laboratory at school. 㐀 See page 422. Santa Claus
sky /skaɪ/ [㐖] The space above the earth that
t has air: The sky is very cloudy today. ■ Be careful!
"Sky" does not have the same meaning as "heaven".
u ■ The plural is "skies".
skyscraper /ˈskɑɪˌskreɪ·pər/ [㐗] A very tall
v building: The skyscrapers in New York are so tall
that you can hardly see the sky.
w slam /slæm/ [㐘] 1 To close with a loud noise: Don't
slam the door when you leave! 2 To put something
x down with a noise: He slammed his book down on
the table. ■ Be careful with the spelling of these
y forms: "slammed", "slamming". sleigh
slang /slæŋ/ [㐖] Very informal language,
reindeer
z street language: Slang can be fun to learn but you
have to be careful how you use it.
341 sly
sledge /sledʒ/ [㐗] See sled. ■ This word is more slip1 /slɪp/ [㐗] 1 A small mistake: I made a slip a
b
common in British English. in the math problem and got the wrong answer. 2 A c
d
sleek /sliːk/ [㐀] 1 Smooth and shiny: The dog small piece of paper: I can't find the slip they gave e
f
has very sleek fur. 2 Having an elegant and attrac- me in the photographic store. g
tive shape or design: Their new car is very sleek. slip2 /slɪp/ [㐘] 1 To slide on something by acci- h
i
sleep1 /sliːp/ [㐖] Being asleep: What a lovely dent: I slipped on a banana skin and nearly broke j
my leg. 2 To move quickly and quietly: Maggie k
sleep I had! managed to slip away while nobody was looking. 3 l
m
sleep2, slept, slept /sliːp/ [㐘] To rest with your To put something in a place quickly and quietly: n
o
eyes closed: I sleep in the same room as my little She slipped the waiter a tip. ■ Be careful with the p
q
brother. spelling of these forms: "slipped", "slipping". r
s
sleeping bag [㐗] A bag that you sleep in slipper /ˈslɪp·ər/ [㐗] A light shoe that you t
u
when you are camping, for example: We slept in wear in the house: My dog always brings me my v
w
our sleeping bags under the stars. slippers when I come in from school. x
y
sleepless /ˈsliː.pləs/ [㐀] Without sleep: I spent slippery /ˈslɪp·ə·ri/ [㐀] Smooth and difficult to z
a sleepless night worrying about my tests. hold or to stand on: The path was very slippery be-
sleepy /ˈsliː.pi/ [㐀] Tired and wanting to sleep: cause of the ice.
Do you want to go to bed? You look sleepy. slit1 /slɪt/ [㐗] A narrow opening: The rain en-
sleet /sliːt/ [㐖] A mixture of snow and rain: tered the tent through a slit.
The weather forecast says there's going to be sleet slit2, slit, slit /slɪt/ [㐘] To make a small, straight
today. opening: He slit the packet open with a knife.
sleeve /sliːv/ [㐗] The part of an article of slither /ˈslɪð·ər/ [㐘] To move easily and quickly in
clothing that covers your arm: Do you like the a direction by stretching and contracting: The
sleeves of this dress? snake slithered across the ground.
sleigh /sleɪ/ [㐗] A thing that you travel over slogan /ˈsloʊ·gən/ [㐗] A short and easy to re-
snow in, usually pulled by a horse: Santa Claus member phrase used in publicity, demonstra-
travels in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. ■ Compare tions and so on: "If you drink, don't drive" is a fa-
with "sled" (a thing that you use to move over snow mous slogan.
in, used for carrying loads and for play). 㐀 See pic- slope1 /sləʊp/ [㐗] The side of a hill: It's quite
ture at sled. difficult to skate up a slope, isn't it? 㐀 See page
slender /ˈslen·dər/ [㐀] Slim: What a lovely slen- 445.
der figure Patricia has. slope2 /sləʊp/ [㐘] To have a slope: The path slopes
slept /slept/ Past tense and past participle forms a little and then goes round a bend.
of sleep. slot US: /slɑːt/ UK: /slɒt/ [㐗] 1 A thin hole: Put
slice1 /slaɪs/ [㐗] A piece cut off something: your money in the slot and then press the button
beside the name of the drink you want. 2 slot ma-
Would you like a slice of cake? 㐀 See pictures at
chine A machine that you put money in and pull
bread and a piece of...
a handle or press a button to get a price in mon-
slice2 /slaɪs/ [㐘] To cut a piece off something: When
ey: The hotels in Las Vegas have slot machines all
we had all sat down dad started to slice the turkey.
over the halls.
slid Past tense and past participle forms of slide.
slide1 [㐗] 1 A thing that children play on by slow1 /sləʊ/ [㐀] Not fast: Daniel is a slow and
sliding down: Come on, let's go and play on the careful driver.
swings and slides. 2 A photograph that you show slow2 to slow down or to slow up To reduce
on a screen: We saw the slides of our teacher's va- speed or to cause to reduce speed: Slow down be-
cation in Greece at school today. cause there are a lot of difficult curves on this road.
slide2, slid, slid [㐘] To move smoothly over slumber party [㐗] A party in which a group
something: We spent the morning sliding over the of friend, especially teenage girls, stay overnight
ice that had formed on the sidewalk outside. at one's friend home: In her birthday, she wants to
slight /slaɪt/ [㐀] Small or not very important: have a slumber party.
I've got a slight problem with my math. sly /slaɪ/ [㐀] Good at deceiving, not open: Ame-
slightly [㐄] A little, in a small amount or de- lia's a very sly person. The other day she got free
gree: I'm slightly worried about the test. tickets for the movies and didn't tell any of us! ■ The
slim /slɪm/ [㐀] Thin in an attractive way: John is comparative form is "slyer" and the superlative form
very slim and fit. ■ The comparative form is "slim- is "slyest".
mer" and the superlative form is "slimmest".
smack 342
a smack1 /smæk/ [㐗] A hit with the flat of the smoke2 /sməʊk/ [㐘] 1 To use a cigarette, pipe or
b hand: If you do that again, I'll give you a smack on cigar: "Do you mind if I smoke?" "I would rather
the bottom! you didn't.". 2 To make smoke: The fire is smoking
smack2 /smæk/ [㐘] To hit somebody with the flat a bit; let's open the window. 3 To prepare meat or
c of your hand: Mom! Jane smacked me!
fish by hanging it in smoke: Smoked salmon is
small US: /smɑːl/ UK: /smɔːl/ [㐀] Little: The small one of my favorite foods.
d boy gave the flowers to the opera singer. ■ The com- smoker US: /ˈsmoʊ.kɚ/ UK: /ˈsməʊ.kər/ [㐗] A per-
parative form is "smaller" and the superlative form is son who smokes: Smokers are more likely than oth-
e "smallest". 㐀 See pictures at opposite and a piece er people to die of lung cancer, heart disease and
of... other illnesses.
f smart US: /smɑːrt/ UK: /smɑːt/ [㐀] 1 Elegant or smoking /ˈsmoʊ·kɪŋ/ [㐌] Using a cigarette, a pipe
well dressed: Mom wore a smart hat to the wed- or a cigar: Smoking damages your health.
g ding. 2 Clever: My aunt's a very smart business- smooth /smuːð/ [㐀] 1 Completely flat, without
woman. obstruction: My grandma is 80 but her skin is still
h smash1 /smæʃ/ [㐗] 1 The noise that something very smooth. 2 Gentle: We had a very smooth flight
makes when it smashes: We heard the smash of and arrived on time.
i the window and saw the ball come flying into the SMS /esemˈes/ [㐗] A text message sent from
classroom. 2 smash hit A song, movie or musical one cellphone to another: He sent an SMS to let his
j that is a great success: Steven Spielberg has had friends know where he was.
several smash hits. smuggle /ˈsmʌg.l̩/ [㐘] To take something into a
k smash2 /smæʃ/ [㐘] To break into pieces: I dropped country illegally: People in this town smuggled
the mirror and it smashed. brandy in from Canada in the past.
smashing /ˈsmæʃ.ɪŋ/ [㐀] Marvelous: What a snack /snæk/ [㐗] 1 A small meal: Let's have a
l smashing day for a picnic!
snack in this café before we do our shopping. 2
smash-up /ˈsmæʃ.ʌp/ [㐗] A violent car acci- snack bar A place where you have a snack:
m dent: There was a terrible smash-up on the high- They've opened a new snack bar in our school.
way last night. snail /sneɪl/ [㐗] A small, soft animal with two
n smell1 /smel/ [㐗] 1 Something that you notice antennae and a shell on its back: Snails move very
with your nose: What's that awful smell? 2 The slowly.
o ability to use your nose: Dogs have a particularly snake /sneɪk/ [㐗] A long, thin reptile with no
good sense of smell. legs: Most snakes move out of sight when they see
p smell2, smelt, smelt /smel/ [㐘] 1 To notice humans. 㐀 See page 430.
something with your nose: I could smell the pizza snap1 /snæp/ [㐗] A photograph: I really like
q as soon as I opened the door. ■ In this use, we al- that snap of you on the beach.
most always say "can smell" or "could smell". 2 To snap2 /snæp/ [㐘] 1 To break with a noise: I'm sor-
r have a particular smell: This jacket smells of ry; I've snapped your pencil! 2 To speak roughly to
smoke. ■ Be careful! We say: "smell of (something)". a person: Why did you snap at me like that the oth-
s (We don't say: "smell to (something)"). ■ "Smell" al- er day? 3 To try and bite somebody or something:
so has regular past and past participle forms: The little dog snapped at my feet when I walked
"smelled". past. ■ Be careful with the spelling of these forms:
t smelly /ˈsmel.i/ [㐀] Which gives off an unpleas- "snapped", "snapping".
ant smell: That sweater is a bit smelly. It's time you snarl US: /snɑːrl/ UK: /snɑːl/ [㐘] To make an ag-
u washed it. ■ The comparative form is "smellier" and gressive noise lifting the upper lip: I don't trust
the superlative form is "smelliest". that dog because it always snarls at me when it
v smelt /smelt/ Past tense and past participle forms sees me.
of smell. snatch /snætʃ/ [㐘] To take something quickly and
w smile1 /smaɪl/ [㐗] An expression in your face with force: The thief came up to her, snatched her
that shows happiness: Yolanda walked towards us bag and ran away.
x with a smile on her face. sneak1 /sniːk/ [㐗] A person who informs on oth-
smile2 /smaɪl/ [㐘] To show happiness in your er people in a cowardly manner: He's a sneak. He
y face: Timothy smiled when he saw Janice. tells the teacher everything. ■ This word is informal.
smoke1 /sməʊk/ [㐖] The gas you can see sneak2 /sniːk/ [㐘] To do something quietly and
z when something is burning: The smoke from the secretly: We sneaked out of class without the
fire could be seen for miles around. teacher noticing.
343 sober
sneakers US: /ˈsniːkər/ [㐑] Sports shoes: Do snowman /ˈsnəʊ.mæn/ US: /ˈsnoʊ-/ [㐗] A figure a
b
you like my new sneakers? I got them in the sales. ■ made from snow: Let's make a snowman in the c
When we talk about two or more "sneakers", we use d
the word "pairs": "I bought three pairs of sneakers". backyard. ■ The plural is "snowmen". e
■ In British English they say "trainers". f
snowy /ˈsnoʊ·i/ [㐀] With a lot of snow: The g
sneeze1 [㐗] Sending air suddenly out of your
mountains were still snowy in April this year. ■ The h
nose with a noise: Pete gave such a loud sneeze i
that he made me jump. comparative form is "snowier" and the superlative j
k
sneeze2 /sniːz/ [㐘] To send air suddenly out of form is "snowiest". l
m
your nose with a noise: You've been sneezing all so1 /səʊ/ [㐄] 1 Very; very much: Why are you so n
morning. Maybe you're getting a cold. o
nasty to me? 2 To such a degree: I was so angry p
SNEEZE that I couldn't speak to her. 3 Also: I'm Argentini- q
Achoo! an and so was my mother. 4 That something is r
s
sniff /snɪf/ [㐘] 1 To take air in through your nose, the case, when talking about something already t
u
making a noise: I knew that Mary was crying dur- mentioned: "Are you coming to Atlantic City with v
ing the movie because I could hear her sniffing. 2 us tomorrow?" "I think so". 5 and so on And other w
To smell something: The dog was sniffing around x
the shopping bag. things: I like sports: football, basketball, hockey y
and so on. 6 or so More or less: "How much did z
snore US: /snɔːr/ UK: /snɔːr/ [㐘] To make a noise
that book cost?" "About five dollars or so".
while you are asleep: My aunt was snoring so
loudly last night that she woke everyone up in the so2 /səʊ/ [㐈] 1 Because of what has gone be-
house.
fore, for this reason: The teacher told me to hand
snorkel /ˈsnɔr·kəl/ [㐗] A short tube that is
in my homework by tomorrow, so I'll have to finish
used for breathing under water: Don't forget to it tonight. 2 In order that: I telephoned my aunt so
take your snorkel, the water's very clear there.
I could tell her that I had passed my test.
snout /snaʊt/ [㐗] The long nose and mouth of
soak US: /soʊk/ UK: /səʊk/ [㐘] 1 To leave something
some animals: The pig uses its snout to dig into
the ground to find food. in a liquid: You have to soak the beans in water
overnight before cooking them. 2 To make some-
snow1 /snəʊ/ [㐖] A soft, white substance that
body or something very wet: We went out in the
falls from the sky when it is very cold: There was
about two feet of snow in the yard last winter. storm and even though we had our raincoats on we
㐀 See page 438.
were soaked.
snow2 /snəʊ/ [㐘] When talking of snow, to fall
soaking or soaking wet /ˈsəʊkɪŋ/ [㐀] Very
from the sky: I love it when it snows at Christmas.
wet: You're sweater is soaking; take it off and we'll
snowball US: /ˈsnoʊ.bɑːl/ UK: /ˈsnəʊ.bɔːl/ [㐗] A
dry it in front of the fire.
ball made with snow: Jacqueline threw a snowball
at her brother when he came in through the yard so-and-so US: /ˈsoʊ.ənd.soʊ/ UK: /ˈsəʊ.ənd.səʊ/
gate.
[㐗] Somebody, when talking about somebody
snowflake /ˈsnoʊˌfleɪk/ [㐗] A piece of snow as you don't want to name or whose name you can't
it falls: Snowflakes are made of different numbers remember: So-and-so did it, you know, the tall boy
of ice crystals. ■ Be careful with the pronunciation of
this word! The "a" is not pronounced. 㐀 See picture with red hair.
at a piece of...
soap /səʊp/ [㐌] 1 A substance for washing with:
Pass me the soap, please. 2 soap opera A long
television series about a large group of imaginary
people: "Friends" is one of the most popular United
States soap operas. 3 soap powder Soap in the
form of powder: You have to put the soap powder
in the washing machine before it starts, not after.
㐀 See picture at bathroom.
soar US: /sɔːr/ UK: /sɔːr/ [㐘] 1 To fly high: The eagle
soared high above the valley. 2 To go up very
quickly: House prices are soaring.
sob US: /sɑːb/ UK: /sɒb/ [㐘] To cry loudly: What's the
matter with Alice? Why is she sobbing in her room?
■ Be careful with the spelling of these forms:
"sobbed", "sobbing".
sober US: /ˈsoʊ.bɚ/ UK: /ˈsəʊ.bər/ [㐀] Not drunk:
Katherine drove after the party because she was the
only one sober.
soccer 344
a soccer US: /ˈsɑː.kɚ/ UK: /ˈsɒk.ər/ [㐖] A game for sodium /ˈsəʊdiəm/ [㐖] A soft chemical ele-
b two teams who try to kick a ball into a goal: Los ment that is white and is found in salt and food:
Angeles Galaxy plays in the Major League Soccer. ■ Sodium is essential for living organisms.
In British English they say "football". 㐀 See picture sofa /ˈsoʊ·fə/ [㐗] A long, comfortable seat: This
c at sport.
sofa is so comfortable that I sometimes fall asleep
sociable /ˈsoʊ·ʃə·bəl/ [㐀] Happy in the compa- on it when I'm watching the television. ■ The same
d ny of other people: Jeff's a very sociable person meaning: "couch". 㐀 See picture at living room.
and enjoys going out with his friends. soft US: /sɑːft/ UK: /sɒft/ [㐀] 1 Not hard, not resis-
e social /ˈsoʊ·ʃəl/ [㐀] Referring to society: There tant to your touch: This ice cream is very soft, even
are many social problems in big cities, such as when you have just taken it out of the freezer. 2 Gen-
f crime, poverty and violence. tle and kind: Old Mr. Jones has a rough manner, but
social network [㐗] A website or applica- he's soft when you get to know him. 3 Quiet: My
teacher has a very soft voice and she never shouts at
g tion through which users communicate with each us. 4 Not bright: My mom says that she likes soft
other: Social networks are very useful to provide
h online information. lighting in the living room because it helps her relax.
social security [㐖] Money that is paid to soft drink [㐗] A drink without alcohol: There
i people by the government when they are ill, out were sandwiches and soft drinks at the party.
of work and so on: The right to social security was softness [㐖] 1 The quality of being not firm or
j an important achievement of the workers. resistant: I adore the softness of the cushions at grand-
social worker [㐗] A person who works with ma's. 2 The quality of being smooth and pleasant to
k people who have problems: My friend Kitty's a so- touch: He loved the softness of her skin and hair. 3 The
cial worker and she works very long hours. quality of being delicate, light, low or gentle: At the
society /səˈsɑɪ·ɪ·ti̬ / [㐌] 1 People living together, concert we enjoyed the softness of the sound when the
l the total of relationships among them: There are orchestra played Debussy. ■ Compare with "hardness"
many things wrong with society. 2 An association: (the quality of being solid and not soft or difficult to do).
m My dad belongs to the Railway Society and they software US: /ˈsɑːft.wer/ UK: /ˈsɒft.weər/ [㐖]
meet once a week to talk about trains. ■ The plural Computer programs: There's a new store near my
n is "societies". house that specializes in software.
sock /sɒk/ [㐗] A cotton or woolen article of soil /sɔɪl/ [㐖] Earth: The soil around here is
o clothing that you wear on your foot: These socks very rich and everything grows really well in it.
have holes in them. 㐀 See picture at clothes. solar US: /ˈsoʊ.lɚ/ UK: /ˈsəʊ.lər/ [㐀] Referring to
p socket US: /ˈsɑː.kɪt/ UK: /ˈsɒk.ɪt/ [㐗] A place the sun: Solar power is obtained directly from the
where you put a plug: There's a socket behind the sun. 㐀 See page 439.
q sofa where you can plug the radio in. sold US: /soʊld/ UK: /səʊld/ Past tense and past par-
soda or soda pop [㐗] A drink made from ticiple forms of sell.
r water with bubbles, some flavors and sweetener: soldier US: /ˈsoʊl.dʒɚ/ UK: /ˈsəʊl.dʒər/ [㐗] A per-
Would you like a soda with your sandwich or just son in the armed forces: The soldiers marched to
s water? ■ We also say "pop". the top of the hill.
t SOCCER referee
u
v
w defender forward
x goalkeeper
y goal
z
345 son
sole1 /səʊl/ [㐀] Only: Henry's sole reason for someone /ˈsʌm.wʌn/ [㐕] See somebody. ■ a
b
coming here was to be able to meet Linda. ■ Be "Someone" is used in positive sentences. ■ See box c
d
careful. This word is always used before a noun. at anybody. e
f
sole2 /səʊl/ [㐗] The bottom part of a shoe or a somersault /ˈsʌm·ərˌsɔlt/ [㐗] An action in g
foot: These shoes have leather soles. which you jump up and turn over: The acrobats h
i
solemn US: /ˈsɑː.ləm/ UK: /ˈsɒl.əm/ [㐀] Serious, did very high jumps and turned somersaults in the j
k
grave: My mother loves solemn music. air. l
m
sol-fa [㐖] The names for the notes in an something /ˈsʌm.θɪŋ/ [㐕] A thing: There's n
o
eight-note scale: In sol-fa, "doh" stands for the something in your bag. What is it, mom? ■ "Some- p
q
note "C". thing" is used in positive sentences. In negative sen- r
s
solicitor /səˈlɪs·ɪ·t̬ər/ [㐗] The chief law officer tences and questions we usually use "anything". t
u
of a city, town or government department: My sometime /ˈsʌm.taɪm/ [㐄] At a time that you do v
w
cousin was appointed solicitor to represent the fed- not know: Give me a call sometime and we'll meet. x
y
eral government before the United States Supreme sometimes /ˈsʌm.taɪmz/ [㐄] Occasionally: I z
Court. sometimes go to see my grandparents on a Sunday.
solid1 /ˈsɒlɪd/ [㐀] 1 Hard; not liquid or gas: Wa- ■ See box at frequency.
ter becomes solid when you freeze it. 㐀 See pictu- somewhere /ˈsʌm·hwer/, /-weər/ [㐄] At a place,
re at a piece of... 㐀 See page 438. 2 With no
to a place or in a place: My keys are somewhere in
empty space inside: This bracelet is solid silver.
the house but I don't know where.
solid2 /ˈsɒlɪd/ [㐗] Not a liquid or a gas: Most
son /sʌn/ [㐗] 1 Somebody's male child: Mrs. Mox-
solids are made up of many tiny crystals.
on has two children; her son is eight and her daughter
solidification /səˌlɪd.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ [㐖] The act
is five. ■ Be careful. When you ask somebody if they
of becoming solid: With water the solidification
have any sons or daughters, you have to say "sons and
process becomes effective at 32 Fahrenheit degrees.
daughters" or "children". If you only say "sons" you are
㐀 See page 438. only referring to male children. 2 son-in-law The hus-
solitary US: /ˈsɑː.lə.ter.i/ UK: /ˈsɒl.ɪ.tri/ [㐀] Alone band of somebody's daughter: Mrs. Frampton's
or liking to be alone: My uncle Alf is a very solitary son-in-law is very good to her; he takes her every-
person. where in the car. ■ The plural of "son-in-law" is
solo1 /ˈsəʊləʊ/ [㐁] Alone: Louis Blériot flew so- "sons-in-law". 㐀 See picture at family.
lo across the English Channel on 25 July 1909. some, any, no...
solo2 /ˈsəʊləʊ/ [㐗] A piece of music for one in- affirmative negative questions
strument or one voice: Mike played a terrific solo some (not) any any
someone (not) anyone anyone
on the piano. somebody (not) anybody anybody
something (not) anything anything
solution /səˈluː.ʃən/ [㐗] The answer to a ques- somewhere (not) anywhere anywhere
tion: Do you know the solution to problem number - I need some money for the theater.
5? - Do you have any money, John?
solve US: /sɑːlv/ UK: /sɒlv/ [㐘] To find the answer to - I don't have any money.
a problem: The police still haven't been able to - There’s someone jogging in the park.
solve the mystery of the missing diamonds. - I don’t know anybody who can speak Russian.
some [㐂] 1 A number or an amount of - Do you have anything for cleaning tables?
something: Will you get some eggs and some flour - I can’t find my glasses anywhere.
for me while you're at the store, please? 2 Part of ðÜIn negative sentences we can also use no, nobody,
something, but not all of it: I like some classical no one, nothing, and nowhere. If we use one of these
music, but not all. 3 A word that you use in a words, the verb is in the affirmative (without not):
question or an offer when you expect the answer - I have no money.
- Nobody loves me.
to be "yes": Would you like some more tea? ■ See - There’s nothing on the table.
box.
somebody /ˈsʌmˌbɑd·i/, /-bəd·i/ [㐕] A person:
There's somebody on the phone for you. ■ The same
meaning: "someone". ■ "Somebody" is used in posi-
tive sentences. In negative sentences and questions
we usually use "anybody". ■ See box at anybody.
somehow /ˈsʌm.haʊ/ [㐄] In some way: I'm not
sure how I'm going to get there, but I will somehow.
song 346
a song US: /sɑːŋ/ UK: /sɒŋ/ [㐗] 1 Music with words wrong with it. 2 sound like To be similar in sound
b that you sing: "Somewhere over the Rainbow" is to something, to seem: This piece of music sounds
one of my favorite songs. 2 The sound that a bird like Mozart.
makes: I love waking up to the birds song, even if it sound3 /saʊnd/ [㐀] 1 Healthy: You should al-
c is early in the morning.
ways try to have a sound mind in a sound body.
soon /suːn/ [㐄] 1 In a short time in the future: That's what my grandpa says! 2 Good and right:
d I'm going out to the stores, but I'll be back soon. ■ My mom always gives me sound advice about my
Compare with "early" (before time or near the begin- friends.
e ning of a period of time). 2 as soon as Immediately soundtrack /ˈsaʊnd.træk/ [㐗] The music of a
when: Write to me as soon as you get there. film: I didn't like the movie very much but I thought
f soot /sʊt/ [㐖] The black substance that the soundtrack was fantastic.
smoke leaves: The chimney's full of soot; we'll have soup /suːp/ [㐖] A liquid food: Sheila makes
g to get it cleaned. great tomato soup.
sophomore [㐗] A student in the second year sour US: /saʊr/ UK: /saʊər/ [㐀] 1 With a sharp
h of high school or college: My sister is a sophomore taste like lemon juice or vinegar: I can't eat this
and wants to study one year abroad next year. yoghurt. It's too sour for me. 2 In bad condition:
i sore /sɔːr/ [㐀] Painful: We walked for miles and This milk tastes sour. Is it all right?
my feet ended up being very sore. source US: /sɔːrs/ UK: /sɔːs/ [㐗] Where some-
j sorry /ˈsɑr·i/, /ˈsɔr·i/ [㐀] 1 Sad: I was very sorry thing comes from: Please write down the source of
to hear about the death of your grandmother. 2 A your information at the bottom of the project.
k word used for apologizing: Sorry I'm late! ■ In this south /saʊθ/ [㐏] The direction on your
use we normally say "sorry" after we have done right when the sun rises: New Orleans is in the
something and want to apologize. Compare with "ex- south of the United States. ■ See box at abbrevia-
l cuse me" (used before we interrupt somebody) and tions.
"pardon" (expression used when somebody has not southeast [㐖] In between the south and
m heard something). 3 I'm sorry Words you use to the east: There will be rain all over the southeast
say that you are sad because you have done this evening. ■ See box at abbreviations.
n something wrong: I'm very sorry that I said all southern /ˈsʌð·ərn/ [㐀] Of the south: The
those horrible things to you. southern part of United States is warmer than the
o sort1 /sɔːt/ [㐗] Kind or type: What sort of things rest.
do you like doing in your spare time? South Pole [㐖] The most southern place of
p sort2 /sɔːt/ [㐘] To put things together in groups: the earth: The South Pole was first reached by an
Nowadays a machine sorts letters but before it used expedition led by Roald Amundsen in December
q to be done by workers. 1911. ■ Be careful! "South Pole" has capital letters.
◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to sort (something) out 1 To southwards or southward /ˈsaʊθwədz/ [㐄]
r organize: Can you help me to sort out these pa- Towards the south: The expedition headed south-
pers? 2 To solve a problem: Can you help me sort wards. ■ We say "southward of something".
southwest [㐖] In between the south and
s this problem out?
so-so US: /ˌsoʊˈsoʊ/ UK: /ˌsəʊˈsəʊ/ [㐁] Not very the west: California is in the southwest of United
good, not very well: "How are you feeling today?" States. ■ See box at abbreviations.
t "So-so".
souvenir /ˌsu·vəˈnɪər/ [㐗] An object that re-
sought US: /sɑːt/ UK: /sɔːt/ Past tense and past par- minds you of a place: I bought a Boston Celtics
u ticiple forms of seek.
T-shirt as a souvenir of my vacation on Boston.
soul US: /soʊl/ UK: /səʊl/ [㐌] 1 The part of a person sovereign US: /ˈsɑːv.rən/ UK: /ˈsɒv.ər.ɪn/ [㐗] A
v that is said not to die with the body: They told her king or a queen: Most European sovereigns do not
that her grandmother's soul was in heaven. 2 soul have political power. ■ Be careful with the pronunci-
w or soul music Afroamerican popular music with ation of this word!
a lot of feeling: My dad's got a great collection of sow, sowed, sown /səʊ/ [㐘] To put seed in the
x soul. ground: When we were on my cousin's farm we
sound1 /saʊnd/ [㐗] Something that you hear: I helped to sow the fields with wheat and corn. ■
y could hear the sound of a dog barking in the dis- "Sow" also has past participle form: "sowed".
tance. sown Past participle of sow.
z sound2 /saʊnd/ [㐘] 1 To make something that you space /speɪs/ ❚ [㐌] 1 A place for something: Look
can hear: That CD sounds as if there's something dad, there's a parking space! ❚ [㐖] 2 The
347 species
empty area that is around and beyond the earth: sparkling /ˈspɑr·kə·lɪŋ/, /ˈspɑrk·lɪŋ/ [㐀] When a
b
Space is the area between the stars, or between the talking about wine or mineral water, with bub- c
d
planets of the solar system. ■ We also say "outer bles: What do you want to drink? Sparkling mineral e
space". 3 space shuttle A spaceship that can come f
water, please. g
and go between space and the earth: The space
sparrow US: /ˈsper.oʊ/ UK: /ˈspær.əʊ/ [㐗] A small h
shuttle is able to carry several satellites at once. i
brown bird: My dad puts food on a bird table in j
spacecraft /speɪsˌkræft/ [㐗] A vehicle used for k
our backyard and we watch the sparrows come to l
travel outside the Earth's atmosphere: Space- m
eat. n
crafts usually take off from Cape Canaveral. ■ The o
sparse /spɑːs/ [㐀] Existing only in small p
plural is also "spacecraft". q
amounts and usually dispersed over a large area: r
spacecraft or spaceship /ˈspeɪskrɑːft/ [㐗] s
Population is very sparse in the Amazon jungle. ■ t
A vehicle for traveling through space: Astronauts u
Compare with "abundant" (available in generous v
travel in spaceships. w
quantities). x
spaceship /ˈspeɪs.ʃɪp/ [㐗] A spacecraft which y
spat /spæt/ Past tense and past participle forms of z
has a crew on board: The crew of the spaceship
spit.
will carry out experiments during the flight.
speak, spoke, spoken /spiːk/ [㐘] 1 To say
spade /speɪd/ [㐗] 1 A tool that is used in gar-
words: Can you speak more loudly, please? I can't
dening: My mom's digging in the garden with her hear you. 2 To know a language: My mother
new spade. 2 A playing card with black shapes
speaks three languages: French, Spanish and
like heart shaped leaves with stems: There's a
German. ■ "Speak" has almost the same meaning
great short story called "The Queen of Spades".
as "talk". We usually say "talk" when we are refer-
spaghetti /spəˈget·̬ i/ [㐖] An Italian dish
ring to a conversation: "We talked for ages". We
made with long strips of pasta: Spaghetti is my fa-
usually say "speak" when we are referring to the
vorite dish.
general action: "He speaks a lot. She speaks five
Spaniard /ˈspæn.jəd/ US: /-jɚd/ [㐗] A person
languages".
from Spain: There were a lot of Spaniards staying ◗ PHRASAL VERBS · to speak up To talk louder:
Speak up! I can't hear you!
at our hotel. ■ Be careful! "Spaniard" has a capital
speaker /ˈspi·kər/ [㐗] 1 A person who speaks
"S".
about something: We went to a talk on UFO's the
spaniel /ˈspæn.jəl/ [㐗] A type of dog: A spaniel
other day and the speaker told us that he had seen
has long ears and short legs. one! 2 A machine that makes sound loud: I got
Spanish1 /ˈspænɪʃ/ [㐀] Referring to Spain: My quite a shock when they called my name over the
sister bought some lovely Spanish ceramics when speakers at the station. ■ In this use, the same
she was in Spain this summer. ■ Be careful! "Span- meaning: "loudspeaker". 㐀 See page 442.
ish" has a capital "S". For people, the singular is "a spear US: /spɪr/ UK: /spɪər/ [㐗] A long stick with
Spaniard" and the plural is "the Spanish". a point at the end that you throw: In the past, ani-
Spanish2 /speɪn/ [㐗] The language of Spain mals were hunted with spears.
and many other countries, especially in Latin special /ˈspeʃ.əl/ [㐀] 1 Important and not ordi-
America: I'm learning Spanish at school. ■ Be care- nary: We're having a special lunch today to cele-
brate my mother's birthday. 2 For a particular per-
ful! "Spanish" has a capital "S".
son or thing: Tessie works in a special school for
spanner /ˈspæn·ər/ [㐗] See wrench. ■ This
the blind in Cleveland.
word is British English.
specialist /ˈspeʃ.əl.ɪst/ [㐗] A person who
spare1 /speər/ [㐀] 1 Extra: We've got a spare
knows a lot about something: Professor Mansfield
room in our house and we rent it out to a student. 2
is a specialist in dinosaurs.
spare time The time when you are not working or
specialize or specialise /ˈspeʃəlaɪz/ [㐘] To
at school: In my spare time I like to read and write
know a lot about one particular thing: Joan spe-
poetry.
cializes in nuclear physics.
spare2 /speər/ [㐘] To afford to give money to
specially /ˈspeʃ.əl.i/ [㐄] For a particular pur-
somebody or something: Can you spare some
pose: Look, I've brought a present from Mallorca
money for our charity?
specially for you! ■ This word is also written "espe-
spark /spɑːk/ [㐗] A very short burning of
cially".
something: Be careful with that plug; I saw sparks
species /ˈspiː.ʃiːz/ [㐗] A related group of
when you plugged it in just then.
plants or animals: There are more than a million
sparkle /ˈspɑːkl/ [㐘] To shine with bright points
of light: The diamond ring on his finger sparkled.
specific 348
a different species of animal in the world. ■ The plural spent Past tense and past participle forms of
b is also "species". spend.
specific /spəˈsɪf.ɪk/ [㐀] Particular or precise: sperm US: /spɝːm/ UK: /spɜːm/ ❚ [㐗] 1 The repro-
What is the specific purpose of this machine? ductive male cell that fertilizes the female's egg:
c specimen /ˈspes.ə.mɪn/ [㐗] A small amount of He has a low sperm count which indicates that he is
something: I had to have a blood specimen taken, not very fertile. ■ The plural is "sperm" or "sperms".
d to see if I was ill.
■ The same meaning: "spermatozoon". ❚ [㐖] 2
spectacles /ˈspek.tɪ.kl̩z/ [㐑] Glasses: Sherlock The thick fluid produced by the male sexual
e Holmes looked at Watson over his spectacles. ■ We glands which contains spermatozoa: The seminal
usually say "glasses". ■ When we talk about two or vesicles produce sperm.
f more "spectacles", we use the word "pairs": "I have spermatozoon US: /ˌspɝː.mə.t̬əˈzoʊ.ɑːn/ UK:
two pairs of spectacles". /ˌspɜː.mə.təˈzəʊ.ɒn/ [㐗] The male cell that, com-
g spectacular /spekˈtæk·jə·lər/ [㐀] Dramatic, bined with a female egg, can develop a young: A
marvelous to see: The storm was spectacular, with spermatozoon can join an ovum to form an embryo.
h lightning all over the sky. ■ The plural is "spermatozoa". ■ The same meaning:
spectator /ˈspekˌteɪ·t̬ər/ [㐗] A person who "sperm".
i watches something: The spectators cheered when sphere US: /sfɪr/ UK: /sfɪər/ [㐗] A round object
the horses crossed the finishing line. like a ball: The planets and their satellites are
j sped /sped/ Past tense and past participle forms spheres.
of speed2. spice /spaɪs/ [㐗] A substance that is used to
speech /spiːtʃ/ [㐌] 1 A talk that somebody gives: give taste to food: Spices can be made from many
k The Mayor gave a very boring speech when he different things: seeds, leaves and so on.
opened the new Sports Center. 2 The ability to spicy /ˈspaɪ.si/ [㐀] When talking about food,
l speak: Frank's grandfather has had an illness with a hot taste: Indian food is very spicy.
which has affected his speech. spider /ˈspɑɪ·dər/ [㐗] A small animal with
m speed1 /spiːd/ [㐖] 1 How fast something eight legs: I like spiders! ■ Be careful with the pro-
goes: Some trains can go at a terrific speed. 2 nunciation of this word. "spi" rhymes with "my".
n speed limit The fastest that you are allowed to 㐀 See page 431.
go: There's a speed limit of 60 miles per hour on spiderweb [㐗] A fine net made by a spider:
o this part of the road. Spiders use their spiderwebs to catch other insects.
speed2, sped, sped /spiːd/ [㐘] 1 To go very fast: ■ The same meaning: "cobweb".
p The motorcycle sped down the hill, making a tre-
mendous noise. 2 To go too fast: Mr. Trainer was SPIDERWEB
q fined for speeding on the highway. ■ This use can
only be used in a continuous tense.
r spell1 /spel/ [㐗] A state caused by magic or the
words used to produce it: The witch put a spell on
s the prince and turned him into a frog.
spell2, spelt, spelt /spel/ [㐘] To use the correct
letters when writing a word: "How do you spell
t your name?" "J-o-h-n". ■ "Spell" also has regular
past and past participle forms: "spelled".
spider
u spelling /ˈspel.ɪŋ/ [㐗] The correct way of writ-
ing a word: You must make sure that you get your
v spelling right when you write a formal letter. spied Past tense and past participle forms of
spelling bee [㐗] A contest in which the par- spy2.
w ticipants have to spell words correctly: I won the spike /spaɪk/ [㐗] A sharp metal point: There
spelling bee in my school with the word "spermato- are spikes on top of the prison wall.
x zoon". spiky [㐀] Like a spike or having sharp points:
spelt /spelt/ Past tense and past participle forms Tom has short, spiky hair. 㐀 See picture at hair.
y of spell2. spill, spilt, spilt /spɪl/ [㐘] To let some liquid fall
spend, spent, spent /spend/ [㐘] 1 To use money: by accident: Ooops, sorry! I've spilt my orange
z I spend most of my pocket money on books and CDs. juice on the carpet. ■ This verb also has regular past
2 To use time: We spent the summer in Florida. tense and past participle forms: "spilled".
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