A classifying phrase or name applied to a person or thing, especially one that is inaccurate or restrictive.
example - the label ‘salsa’ seems especially meaningless when applied to musicians like Tito Puente
synonyms - designation, denomination, description, characterization, identification, tag
A narrow horizontal strip, typically with three downward projections, that is superimposed on a coat of arms by an eldest son during the life of his father.
another term for dripstone
verb
Attach a label to (something)
example - she labelled the parcels neatly, writing the addresses in capital letters
synonyms - tag, attach labels to, put labels on, tab, ticket, stamp, mark, put stickers on, docket, flag
Assign to a category, especially inaccurately or restrictively.
example - many pupils felt that they were labelled as failures
synonyms - work, work hard, toil, slave, slave away, grub away, plod away, grind away, sweat away, struggle, strive, exert oneself, overwork, work one"s fingers to the bone, work like a dog, work like a slave, work like a Trojan, keep one"s nose to the grindstone
Have difficulty in doing something despite working hard.
example - United laboured against confident opponents
synonyms - strive, struggle, endeavour, work, try hard, make every effort, do one"s best, do one"s utmost, do all one can, give one"s all, give it one"s all, give something one"s all, go all out, fight, push, be at pains, put oneself out, apply oneself, exert oneself
synonyms - be without, have need of, be in need of, need, be lacking, require, want, feel the want of, be short of, be deficient in, stand in need of, go without, be bereft of, be deprived of, be low on, be pressed for, not have enough of, be devoid of, have insufficient, cry out for
A device for giving light, either one consisting of an electric bulb together with its holder and shade or cover, or one burning gas or oil and consisting of a wick or mantle and a glass shade.
example - a table lamp
synonyms - lamp, flashlight
verb
Supply with lamps; illuminate.
example - inspectors can lamp the lines between the manholes for routine maintenance observations
Hunt at night using lamps, especially for rabbits.
example - poachers snared and lamped at night and sold their catch in the pubs
The principal method of human communication, consisting of words used in a structured and conventional way and conveyed by speech, writing, or gesture.
example - a study of the way children learn language
A system of communication used by a particular country or community.
example - the book was translated into twenty-five languages
example - he was soon arrested, largely through the efforts of Tom Poole
synonyms - mostly, mainly, to a large extent, to a great extent, to a great degree, on the whole, chiefly, generally, in general, predominantly, substantially, primarily, overall, for the most part, in the main, principally, in great measure, preponderantly, first and foremost, for all intents and purposes, basically
synonyms - rearmost, rear, hindmost, bringing up the rear, nearest the rear, at the end, furthest back, aftermost, endmost, furthest behind, final, ultimate, most remote, remotest, furthest, utmost, extreme
Most recent in time; latest.
example - last year
synonyms - previous, preceding
Only remaining.
example - it"s our last hope
synonyms - final, only remaining, only one left
adverb
On the last occasion before the present; previously.
example - a woman last heard of in Cornwall
After all others in order or sequence.
(especially in enumerating points) lastly.
noun
The last person or thing; the one occurring, mentioned, or acting after all others.
synonyms - most recent, newest, brand new, just out, just released, fresh, present-day, up to date, up to the minute, state-of-the-art, current, modern, contemporary, modernistic, fashionable, in fashion, in vogue, voguish, bang up to date, in
Make the spontaneous sounds and movements of the face and body that are the instinctive expressions of lively amusement and sometimes also of derision.
example - he rarely smiled or laughed
synonyms - chuckle, chortle, guffaw, giggle, titter, snigger, snicker, cackle, howl, roar, tee-hee, burst out laughing, hoot with laughter, roar with laughter, shake with laughter, be convulsed with laughter, dissolve into laughter, split one"s sides, hold one"s sides, be doubled up
noun
An act of laughing.
example - she gave a loud, silly laugh
synonyms - chuckle, chortle, guffaw, giggle, titter, ha-ha, tee-hee, snigger, roar of laughter, hoot of laughter, shriek of laughter, peal of laughter, belly laugh
Something that causes laughter; a source of fun, amusement, or derision.
synonyms - joke, prank, piece of fun, jest, escapade, adventure, caper, romp, practical joke, trick, bit of mischief
Set (a boat) in motion by pushing it or allowing it to roll into the water.
example - the town"s lifeboat was launched to rescue the fishermen
synonyms - set afloat, float
Start or set in motion (an activity or enterprise)
example - the government is to launch a £1.25 million publicity campaign
synonyms - launch, introduce, organize, start, begin, embark on, usher in, initiate, put in place, instigate, institute, inaugurate, set up, bring out, open, get under way, set in motion, get going
noun
An act or instance of launching something.
example - the launch of a new campaign against drinking and driving
The system of rules which a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and which it may enforce by the imposition of penalties.
example - shooting the birds is against the law
synonyms - rules and regulations, system of laws, body of laws, constitution, legislation, code, legal code, charter
A rule defining correct procedure or behaviour in a sport.
example - the laws of the game
synonyms - rule, regulation, principle, convention, direction, instruction, guideline, practice
A statement of fact, deduced from observation, to the effect that a particular natural or scientific phenomenon always occurs if certain conditions are present.
example - the second law of thermodynamics
synonyms - fact, verity, certainty, certitude
The body of divine commandments as expressed in the Bible or other religious texts.
example - In morals Simon was probably Antinomian, an enemy of Old Testament law.
synonyms - put, place, set, put down, set down, deposit, rest, situate, sit, settle, stow, balance, station, drop, leave, let fall, throw down, fling down, deploy, locate, position
Put down and set in position for use.
example - it is advisable to have your carpet laid by a professional
Used with an abstract noun so that the phrase formed has the same meaning as the verb related to the noun used, e.g. ‘lay the blame on’ means ‘to blame’
example - she laid great stress on little courtesies
A flattened structure of a higher plant, typically green and blade-like, that is attached to a stem directly or via a stalk. Leaves are the main organs of photosynthesis and transpiration.
example - many of the trees had lost their leaves
synonyms - frond
A thing that resembles a leaf in being flat and thin.
verb
(of a plant, especially a deciduous one in spring) put out new leaves.
example - many plants need a period of dormancy before they leaf and flower
synonyms - put out leaves, bud, burst into leaves
Turn over (the pages of a book or the papers in a pile), reading them quickly or casually.
example - Oscar had leagued with other construction firms
synonyms - ally, join forces, join together, unite, form an association, band together, affiliate, combine, amalgamate, form a federation, confederate, collaborate, team up, join up
Gain or acquire knowledge of or skill in (something) by study, experience, or being taught.
example - they"d started learning French
synonyms - acquire a knowledge of, gain an understanding of, acquire skill in, become competent in, become proficient in, grasp, master, take in, absorb, assimilate, pick up, digest, familiarize oneself with
A material made from the skin of an animal by tanning or a similar process.
example - a leather jacket
synonyms - skin, hide
A piece of leather as a polishing cloth.
short for stirrup leather
example - With a round to go of the 4190-metre journey, the leathers holding her right stirrup iron came loose and dangled under the horse"s belly for almost 2000m.
example - he was lecturing at the University of Birmingham
synonyms - give a lecture, give a talk, talk, give a speech, make a speech, speak, give an address, discourse, expound, hold forth, declaim, expatiate, give a sermon, sermonize, pontificate
Talk seriously or reprovingly to (someone)
example - I do not wish to be lectured about smoking
synonyms - scold, chide, reprimand, rebuke, reprove, reproach, remonstrate with, upbraid, berate, castigate, chastise, admonish, lambast, nag, haul over the coals, take to task, read someone the Riot Act
Time when one is not working or occupied; free time.
example - people with too much enforced leisure
synonyms - free time, spare time, spare moments, time to spare, idle hours, time off, freedom, breathing space, breathing spell, respite, relief, ease, peace, quiet
synonyms - allow, permit, give permission to, give leave to, authorize, sanction, grant, grant the right to, warrant, license, empower, enable, entitle
Used in the imperative to formulate various expressions.
synonyms - allow, permit, give permission to, give leave to, authorize, sanction, grant, grant the right to, warrant, license, empower, enable, entitle
Allow someone to have the use of (a room or property) in return for regular payments.
example - she let the flat to a tenant
synonyms - rent out, rent, lease, hire, hire out, loan, give on loan, sublet, sublease, farm out, contract, charge for the use of
noun
A period during which a room or property is rented.
(in a video game) each of a series of stages of increasing difficulty through which a player may progress, completing one stage in order to reach the next.
An instrument marked with a line parallel to the plane of the horizon for testing whether things are horizontal.
example - I even used a level to measure properly!
example - contractors started levelling the ground for the new power station
synonyms - make level, level out, level off, make even, even off, even out, make flat, flatten, smooth, smooth out, plane, make uniform, make regular, regularize
Make (something, especially a score in sport) equal or similar.
example - Woods sliced the ball into the net to level the score
synonyms - make equal, equal, even, even up, make level
Aim (a weapon)
example - he levelled a pistol at us
synonyms - aim, point, direct, train, sight, focus, turn, beam, zero in on, draw a bead on
A building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for use or borrowing by the public or the members of an institution.
The condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
The existence of an individual human being or animal.
example - a disaster that claimed the lives of 266 people
synonyms - person, human being, individual, mortal, soul, creature
The period between the birth and death of a living thing, especially a human being.
example - she has lived all her life in the country
synonyms - lifetime, life span, days, duration of life, allotted span, course of life, time on earth, existence, one"s time, one"s career, threescore years and ten, this mortal coil
An expression in someone"s eyes indicating a particular emotion or mood.
example - a shrewd light entered his eyes
Understanding of a problem or mystery; enlightenment.
example - she saw light dawn on the woman"s face
synonyms - aspect, angle, slant, approach, interpretation, viewpoint, standpoint, context, point of view, vantage point
An area of something that is brighter or paler than its surroundings.
example - sunshine will brighten the natural lights in your hair
A device used to produce a flame or spark.
example - he asked me for a light
synonyms - match, lighter, cigarette lighter, flame, spark, source of fire
A window or opening to let light in.
example - the bedroom has a wide bay with leaded lights
A person eminent in a particular sphere of activity.
example - such lights of Liberalism as the historian Goldwin Smith
synonyms - expert, authority, master, leader, guru
(in a crossword puzzle) a blank space to be filled by a letter.
verb
Provide with light or lighting; illuminate.
example - the room was lit by a number of small lamps
Make (something) start burning; ignite.
example - Allen gathered sticks and lit a fire
synonyms - set alight, set light to, set burning, set on fire, set fire to, put a match to, set a match to, ignite, kindle, burn, spark, spark off, fire, touch off, start, torch
adjective
Having a considerable or sufficient amount of natural light; not dark.
example - the bedrooms are light and airy
synonyms - bright, full of light, well lit, well lighted, well illuminated, sunny, sunshiny, undimmed, brilliant
Having the same characteristics or qualities as; similar to.
example - he used to have a car like mine
synonyms - similar to, the same as, identical to
Used to draw attention to the nature of an action or event.
example - I apologize for coming over unannounced like this
Such as; for example.
example - the cautionary vision of works like Animal Farm and 1984
synonyms - such as, for example, for instance, in particular, as, namely, viz.
conjunction
In the same way that; as.
example - people who change countries like they change clothes
As though; as if.
example - I felt like I"d been kicked by a camel
noun
Used with reference to a person or thing of the same kind as another.
example - the quotations could be arranged to put like with like
adjective
(of a person or thing) having similar qualities or characteristics to another person or thing.
example - I responded in like manner
synonyms - similar, much the same, more or less the same, not unlike, comparable, corresponding, correspondent, resembling, alike, approximating, analogous, parallel, equivalent, cognate, related, of a kind, akin, kindred
adverb
Used in speech as a meaningless filler or to signify the speaker"s uncertainty about an expression just used.
Used to convey a person"s reported attitude or feelings in the form of direct speech (whether or not representing an actual quotation)
example - speculation on the likely effect of opting out
synonyms - probable, distinctly possible, to be expected, odds-on, on, possible, credible, plausible, believable, within the bounds of possibility, imaginable
Apparently suitable; promising.
example - a likely-looking spot
synonyms - suitable, appropriate, apposite, fit, fitting, acceptable, proper, right
adverb
Probably.
example - we will most likely go to a bar
synonyms - probably, in all probability, presumably, no doubt, doubtlessly
example - take the cursor up one line and press the delete key
A row of people or things.
example - a line of altar boys proceeded down the aisle
An area or branch of activity.
example - the stresses unique to their line of work
synonyms - line of work, line of business, business, field, trade, occupation, employment, profession, work, job, day job, calling, vocation, career, pursuit, activity, walk of life
A connected series of military fieldworks or defences facing an enemy force.
example - raids behind enemy lines
synonyms - position, formation, disposition, front, front line, firing line
verb
Stand or be positioned at intervals along.
example - a processional route lined by people waving flags
synonyms - border, edge, fringe, bound, skirt, hem, rim
Mark or cover with lines.
example - deep wrinkles lined his face
synonyms - furrow, wrinkle, crease, mark with lines, cover with lines, crinkle, pucker, corrugate
A large tawny-coloured cat that lives in prides, found in Africa and north-western India. The male has a flowing shaggy mane and takes little part in hunting, which is done cooperatively by the females.
example - Three year-old male lions grow manes that vary in color from black to blond.
synonyms - big cat
A member of a touring international rugby union team representing the British Isles.
example - But the former Wasps centre is not about to embark on a playing career in Australia - he has won a national competition to follow the British Lions rugby union team on tour.
Small in size, amount, or degree (often used to convey an appealing diminutiveness or express an affectionate or condescending attitude)
example - the plants will grow into little bushes
synonyms - small, small-scale, compact
determiner & pronoun
A small amount of.
example - we got a little help from a training scheme
synonyms - some, a small amount of, a bit of, a touch of, a soupçon of, a dash of, a taste of, a dab of, a spot of, a modicum of, a morsel of, a fragment of, a snippet of, a tinge of, a particle of, a jot of, a shade of, a suggestion of, a trace of, a hint of, a suspicion of
Used to emphasize how small an amount is.
example - I have little doubt of their identity
synonyms - hardly any, not much, slight, small, scant, limited, restricted, modest, little or no, minimal, negligible
adverb
To a small extent.
example - he reminded me a little of my parents
synonyms - slightly, faintly, remotely, vaguely
Only to a small extent; not much or often (used for emphasis)
Make (someone or something) carry or hold a large or excessive quantity of heavy things.
example - Elaine was loaded down with bags full of shopping
synonyms - burden, load, weigh down, saddle
Charge (a firearm) with ammunition.
example - he began to load the gun
synonyms - prime, charge, arm, fill, prepare to fire, prepare to use
Add an extra charge to (an insurance premium) to take account of a factor that increases the risk.
example - If capital markets were efficient, the default risk premium would be loaded exclusively on to the debt of the over-borrower; there would be no free riding.
example - engineers were working to locate the fault
synonyms - find, discover, pinpoint, detect, track down, run to earth, unearth, hit on, come across, reveal, bring to light, sniff out, smoke out, search out, ferret out, turn up, uncover, come up with, lay one"s hands on, pin down
example - engineers were working to locate the fault
synonyms - find, discover, pinpoint, detect, track down, run to earth, unearth, hit on, come across, reveal, bring to light, sniff out, smoke out, search out, ferret out, turn up, uncover, come up with, lay one"s hands on, pin down
An area where black South Africans were obliged by apartheid laws to live, usually on the outskirts of a town or city. The term was later replaced by township.
example - Auntie and Xolani pile into the back seat of the car to accompany Nokwanda to the outskirts of the location.
A mechanism for keeping a door, window, lid, or container fastened, typically operated by a key.
example - the key turned firmly in the lock
synonyms - bolt, catch, fastener, clasp, bar, hasp, latch
A short section of a canal or river with gates and sluices at each end which can be opened or closed to change the water level, used for raising and lowering boats.
example - there was a lock every quarter of a mile
The turning of the front wheels of a vehicle to change its direction of motion.
example - Out of the hairpins the H1 is perfectly happy at 45 degrees, with half a turn of opposite lock and the rear wheels spinning up a treat.
A player in the second row of a scrum.
example - It is her plan to represent Scotland as a lock forward at Rugby that causes both her mother and me the most concern.
A person or thing that is certain to succeed; a certainty.
A mechanism for exploding the charge of a gun.
verb
Fasten or secure (something) with a lock.
example - she closed and locked her desk
synonyms - bolt, fasten, bar, secure, make secure, make fast, seal
Restrict access to the full functionality or data of (a computer, mobile phone, file, etc.), especially by requiring a user to verify their identity with a passcode or other form of authentication.
example - my computer is locked and I"ve forgotten my login info
example - lonely old people whose families do not care for them
synonyms - isolated, alone, all alone, friendless, companionless, without companions, without friends, with no one to turn to, outcast, forsaken, abandoned, rejected, unloved, unwanted
(of a place) unfrequented and remote.
example - a lonely country lane
synonyms - deserted, uninhabited, unfrequented, unpopulated, desolate, barren, isolated, remote, out of the way, secluded, sequestered, off the beaten track, in the back of beyond, in the middle of nowhere, godforsaken
(of a vowel) categorized as long with regard to quality and length (e.g. in standard British English the vowel /uː/ in food is long as distinct from the short vowel /ʊ/ in good).
example - The big problem with long vowels is that there is more than one way to spell the same sound.
(of odds or a chance) reflecting or representing a low level of probability.
example - winning against long odds
(of shares, bonds, or other assets) bought in advance, with the expectation of a rise in price.
example - After all, back in the seventies, the long bond yield was up in the mid teens.
(of a drink) large and refreshing, and in which alcohol, if present, is not concentrated.
example - Sip it, with ice and a dash of lemon, or make it into a refreshing long drink with sparkling water.
Well supplied with.
noun
A long period.
example - see you before long
synonyms - soon, shortly, presently, in the near future, in a short time, in a little while, in a minute, in a moment
A long sound such as a long signal in Morse code or a long vowel or syllable.
example - two longs and a short
Long-dated securities, especially gilts.
example - If the dollar rises, gold will face pressure and may need to shake out more of the weaker longs before resuming its rise.
adverb
For a long time.
example - we hadn"t known them long
(with reference to the ball in sport) at, to, or over a great distance.
example - I look at tennis differently from some coaches
synonyms - regard, consider, think of, deem, judge, count, see, view, take, reckon, believe to be
Have the appearance or give the impression of being.
example - her father looked unhappy
synonyms - seem, seem to be, appear, appear to be, have the air of being, have the appearance of being, give the impression of being, give every appearance of being, give every indication of being, look to be, present as being, strike someone as being
Rely on (someone) to do or provide something.
example - she will look to you for help
synonyms - turn to, resort to, have recourse to, fall back on, avail oneself of, make use of
noun
An act of directing one"s gaze in order to see someone or something.
Used in exclamations expressing surprise or worry, or for emphasis.
example - Lord, I"m cold!
verb
Act in a superior and domineering manner towards (someone)
example - when we were at school, you used to lord it over us
synonyms - order about, order around, boss about, boss around, give orders to, domineer, dominate, dictate to, pull rank on, tyrannize, bully, browbeat, oppress, repress, ride roughshod over, have under one"s thumb
Confer the title of Lord upon.
example - Sir Cadwallader Pleadwell has been lately lorded
Be deprived of or cease to have or retain (something)
example - I"ve lost my appetite
synonyms - be deprived of, suffer the loss of, no longer have, stop having
Become unable to find (something or someone)
example - I"ve lost the car keys
synonyms - mislay, misplace, be unable to find
Fail to win (a game or contest)
example - England lost the first Test match
synonyms - be defeated, be beaten, suffer defeat, be the loser, be conquered, be vanquished, be trounced, be worsted, be bested by, get the worst, have the worst, come off second-best, lose out, fail, come to grief, meet one"s Waterloo
Earn less (money) than one is spending or has spent.
example - the paper is losing £1.5 million a month
Waste or fail to take advantage of (time or an opportunity)
example - he has lost his chance of becoming world No. 1
synonyms - neglect, waste, squander, fail to grasp, fail to take, fail to take advantage of, let pass, miss, forfeit, give up, ignore, disregard
Unable to find one"s way; not knowing one"s whereabouts.
example - Help! We"re lost!
synonyms - stray, astray, off-course, off-track, off the right track, disorientated, disoriented, having lost one"s bearings, adrift, going round in circles, at sea
That has been taken away or cannot be recovered.
example - if only one could recapture one"s lost youth
synonyms - bygone, past, former, one-time, previous, old, olden, departed, vanished, forgotten, unremembered, unrecalled, consigned to oblivion, extinct, dead, lost and gone, lost in time
(of a game or contest) in which a defeat has been sustained.
synonyms - a large amount, a fair amount, a good deal, a great deal, a deal, a great quantity, quantities, an abundance, a wealth, a profusion, plenty, masses
adverb
A great deal; much.
example - he played tennis a lot last year
synonyms - a great deal, a good deal, to a great extent, much
The making of a decision by random selection, especially by a method involving the choice of one from a number of pieces of folded paper, one of which has a concealed mark.
example - officers were elected rather than selected by lot
A person"s luck, situation, or destiny in life.
example - schemes to improve the lot of the disadvantaged
synonyms - fate, destiny, fortune, doom
A plot of land assigned for sale or for a particular use.
example - a vacant lot
synonyms - patch of ground, tract of land, allotment, piece of ground, plot, area, tract, acreage, parcel, building lot
verb
Divide (items) into lots for sale at an auction.
example - the contents have already been lotted up, and the auction takes place on Monday
synonyms - beloved, loved one, love of one"s life, dear, dearest, dear one, darling, sweetheart, sweet, sweet one, angel, honey
(in tennis, squash, and some other sports) a score of zero; nil.
example - love fifteen
verb
Feel deep affection for (someone)
example - he loved his sister dearly
synonyms - be in love with, be infatuated with, be smitten with, be besotted with, be passionate about
Like or enjoy very much.
example - I just love dancing
synonyms - like very much, delight in, enjoy greatly, have a passion for, take great pleasure in, derive great pleasure from, have a great liking for, be addicted to, relish, savour
synonyms - bottom, bottommost, under, underneath, further down, beneath, nether
Denoting an older (and hence usually deeper) part of a stratigraphic division or archaeological deposit or the period in which it was formed or deposited.
Each of the pair of organs situated within the ribcage, consisting of elastic sacs with branching passages into which air is drawn, so that oxygen can pass into the blood and carbon dioxide be removed. Lungs are characteristic of vertebrates other than fish, though similar structures are present in some other animal groups.
example - Less commonly, bowel cancer can spread to other, more distant organs such as the lung or brain.
A state of great comfort or elegance, especially when involving great expense.
example - he lived a life of luxury
synonyms - opulence, luxuriousness, sumptuousness, richness, costliness, grandeur, grandness, splendour, magnificence, lavishness, lap of luxury, bed of roses, milk and honey