Ac'credit v.
accredit verb [T]
to officially recognize, accept or approve of someone or something
The agency was not accredited by the Philippine Consulate to offer contracts to Filipinos abroad.
accredited adjective
officially recognized or approved
an accredited drama school
accredited war correspondents
accreditation noun [U]
The college received/was given full accreditation in 1965.
Ac'cumulate v.
accumulate verb
1 [T] to collect a large number of things over a long period of time
As people accumulate more wealth, they tend to spend a greater proportion of their incomes.
The company said the debt was accumulated during its acquisition of nine individual businesses.
We've accumulated so much rubbish over the years.
2 [I] to gradually increase in number or amount
A thick layer of dust had accumulated in the room.
If you don't sort out the papers on your desk on a regular basis they just keep on accumulating.
accumulation noun [C or U]
Despite this accumulation of evidence, the Government persisted in doing nothing.
Accumulations of sand can be formed by the action of waves on coastal beaches.
'accurate adj.
accurate adjective
correct, exact and without any mistakes
an accurate machine
an accurate description
The figures they have used are just not accurate.
Her novel is an accurate reflection of life in post-war Spain.
We hope to become more accurate in predicting earthquakes.
The opposite is inaccurate
accurately adverb
The plans should be drawn as accurately as possible, showing all the measurements.
accuracy noun [U]
We can predict changes with a surprising degree of accuracy.
Ac'cur,sed adj.
accursed adjective [before noun] old use
very annoying
I can't get around like I used to - it's this accursed rheumatism!
'accusation n.
accuse verb [T]
to say that someone has done something morally wrong, illegal or unkind
"It wasn't my fault." "Don't worry, I'm not accusing you."
He's been accused of robbery/murder.
Are you accusing me of lying?
The surgeon was accused of negligence.
stand accused of sth formal
If you stand accused of doing something wrong, people say that you have done it
The government stands accused of eroding freedom of speech.
accusation noun [C or U]
a statement saying that someone has done something morally wrong, illegal or unkind, or the fact of accusing someone
You can't just make wild accusations like that!
He glared at me with an air of accusation.
[+ that]What do you say to the accusation that you are unfriendly and unhelpful?
accusatory adjective formal
suggesting that you think someone has done something bad
When he spoke his tone was accusatory.
She gave me an accusatory look.
the accused noun [C + singular or plural verb] legal
the person who is on trial in a court, or the people on trial in a court
The accused protested her innocence.
The accused were all found guilty.
accuser noun [C]
accusing adjective
an accusing glance/look
accusingly adverb
"Has this dog been fed today?" she asked accusingly.
Ac'custom v.
accustom yourself to sth phrasal verb [R]
to make yourself familiar with new conditions
It'll take time for me to accustom myself to the changes.
accustomed adjective
1 familiar with something
She quickly became accustomed to his messy ways.
I'm not accustomed to being treated like this.
2 formal usual
She performed the task with her accustomed ease.
A'cerbity n.
acerbic adjective formal
describes something that is spoken or written in a way that is direct, clever and cruel
The letters show the acerbic wit for which Parker was both admired and feared.
acerbity noun [U] formal
'acetate n.
acetate noun [U]
a chemical substance made from acetic acid, or a smooth artificial cloth made from this
a'cetic adj.
acetic acid noun [U]
a colourless acid with a strong smell which is contained in vinegar
'ache v.
ache noun [C]
1 a continuous pain which is unpleasant but not strong
As you get older, you have all sorts of aches and pains.
I've got a dull (= slight) ache in my lower back.
2 used in combinations with parts of the body to mean a continuous pain in the stated part
earache/headache/toothache/backache
I've had a stomach ache all morning.
ache verb [I]
My head/tooth/back aches.
I ache/I'm aching all over.
I've got one or two aching muscles after yesterday's run.
achy adjective informal
I've been feeling tired and achy (= full of pains) all morning.
'acid n.
acid (LIQUID SUBSTANCE) noun [C or U]
any of various usually liquid substances which can react chemically with and sometimes dissolve other materials
acetic/hydrochloric/lactic acid
Vinegar is an acid.
acid adjective
1 containing acid, or having similar qualities to an acid
an acid taste/smell
acid soil
2 describes a remark or way of speaking that is cruel or criticizes something in an unkind way
her acid wit
When she spoke her tone was acid.
acidify verb [I or T]
acidity noun [U]
High acidity levels in the water mean that the fish are not so large.
acidly adverb
"I suppose you expect me to thank you for coming, " he said acidly (= unpleasantly).
Ac'knowledge v.
acknowledge verb [T]
to accept, admit or recognize something, or the truth or existence of something
[+ ing form of verb]She acknowledged having been at fault.
[+ that]She acknowledged that she had been at fault.
You must acknowledge the truth of her argument.
Historians generally acknowledge her as a genius in her field.
[+ object + to infinitive]She is usually acknowledged to be one of our best artists.
They refused to acknowledge (= to recognize officially) the new government.
Please acknowledge receipt of (= say that you have received) this letter.
He didn't even acknowledge my presence (= show that he had seen me).
The government won't even acknowledge the existence of the problem.
acknowledgment, acknowledgement noun [C or U]
We sent her a copy of the book in acknowledgment of her part in its creation.
I applied for four jobs, but I've only had one acknowledgment (= letter saying that my letter has been received) so far.
acknowledgments, acknowledgements plural noun
a short text at the beginning or end of a book where the writer names people or other works that have helped in writing the book
'acme n.
the acme noun [S] literary
the highest point of perfection or achievement
To act on this world-famous stage is surely the acme of any actor's career.
A'coustic adj.
acoustic adjective
1 relating to sound or hearing
The microphone converts acoustic waves to electrical signals for transmission.
2 describes a musical instrument that is not made louder by electrical equipment
an acoustic guitar
acoustic noun [C usually plural]
the way in which the structural characteristics of a building or room affect the qualities of musical or spoken sound
The concert was recorded in a French church that is famous for its acoustics.
acoustically adverb
acoustics noun [U] specialized
the scientific study of sound
ac'quaint v.
acquaint sb with sth phrasal verb formal
to make someone or yourself aware of something
[R]Take time to acquaint yourself with the rules.
The Broadcasting Museum also offers Saturday workshops to acquaint children with the world of radio.
'Acqui,esce v.
acquiesce verb [I] formal
to accept or agree to something, often unwillingly
Reluctantly, he acquiesced to/in the plans.
acquiescent adjective formal
She has a very acquiescent nature (= agrees to everything without complaining).
acquiescence noun [U]
I was surprised by her acquiescence to/in the scheme.
Ac'quire v.
acquire verb [T]
to obtain something
He acquired the firm in 1978.
I was wearing a newly/recently acquired jacket.
I seem to have acquired (= obtained although I don't know how) two copies of this book.
During this period he acquired a reputation for being a womanizer.
an acquired taste
something that you dislike at first, but that you start to like after you have tried it a few times
Olives are an acquired taste.
acquirer noun [C] mainly US
a company that buys other companies, usually to sell them for a profit
A business with so much growth is sure to generate interest among potential acquirers.
acquisition noun [C or U]
The museum has been heavily criticized over its acquisition of the four-million-dollar sculpture.
I like your earrings - are they a recent acquisition (= did you get them recently)?
acquisitive adjective formal mainly disapproving
eager to possess and collect things
We live in an acquisitive society which views success primarily in terms of material possessions.
Ac'quit v.
acquit (DECIDE NOT GUILTY) verb [T often passive] (-tt-)
to decide officially in a court of law that someone is not guilty of a particular crime
She was acquitted of all the charges against her.
Five months ago he was acquitted on a shoplifting charge.
Compare convict
acquittal noun [C or U]
The first trial ended in a hung jury, the second in acquittal.
Of the three cases that went to trial, two ended in acquittals.
'a-creage n.
acre noun [C]
a unit for measuring area, equal to 4047 square metres or 4840 square yards
He's got 400 acres of land in Wales.
acreage noun [U]
What acreage is her estate (= How big is it, measured in acres)?
'acrid adj.
acrid adjective
describes a smell or taste that is strong and bitter and causes a burning feeling in the throat
Clouds of acrid smoke issued from the building.
'acri,mony n.
,acri'monious adjective formal
full of anger, arguments and bad feeling
an acrimonious dispute
Their marriage ended eight years ago in an acrimonious divorce.
acrimoniously adverb formal
In 1967, he separated acrimoniously from his wife.
acrimony noun [U] formal
The acrimony of the dispute has shocked a lot of people.
'action,able adj.
action (LEGAL PROCESS) noun [C or U]
a legal process that is decided in a court of law
a libel action
She brought an action (for negligence) against the hospital.
A criminal action was brought against him.
The book was halted in South Africa by a threat of legal action.
actionable adjective specialized
If something is actionable, it gives someone a good reason for making an accusation in a law court
She denies that her company has been involved in any actionable activity.
,actu'ality n
'actual adjective [before noun]
real; existing in fact
We had estimated about 300 visitors, but the actual number was much higher.
The exams are in July, but the actual results (= the results themselves) don't appear until September.
in actual fact
really
I thought she was Portuguese, but in actual fact she's Brazilian.
actuality noun [C usually plural] formal
a fact
He's out of touch with the actualities of life in Africa.
in actuality formal
really
In actuality, there were few job losses last year.
'actu,ary n.
actuary noun [C]
a person who calculates the probability of accidents, such as fire, flood or loss of property, and informs insurance companies how much they should charge their customers
'actu,ate v.
actuate verb [T] specialized or formal
to make a machine work or be the reason a person acts in a certain way
A detonator is any device containing an explosive that is actuated by heat, percussion, friction, or electricity.
He was actuated almost entirely by altruism.
A'cumen n.
acumen noun [U] formal
skill in making correct decisions and judgments in a particular subject, such as business or politics
She has considerable business/financial acumen.
A'cute adj.
acute (EXTREME) adjective
1 If a bad situation is acute, it causes severe problems or damage
She felt acute embarrassment/anxiety/concern at his behaviour.
The problem of poverty is particularly acute in rural areas.
2 An acute pain or illness is one that quickly becomes very severe
acute abdominal pains
an acute attack of appendicitis
acutely adverb
completely or extremely
Management is acutely aware of the resentment that their decision may cause.
Another scandal would be acutely embarrassing for the government.
acuteness noun [U]
'adamant n.
adamant adjective
impossible to persuade, or unwilling to change an opinion or decision
[+ that]I've told her she should stay at home and rest but she's adamant that she's coming.
adamantly adverb
The mayor is adamantly opposed to any tax increase.
Ad'dendum n.
addendum noun [C] (plural addenda) specialized
something that has been added to a book, speech or document
'addle v.
addle verb [T] mainly humorous
to make someone feel confused and unable to think clearly
I think my brain's been addled by the heat!
addled adjective mainly humorous
I'm afraid my sun-addled (= confused) brain couldn't make any sense of the instructions.
Ad'duce v
adduce verb [T often passive] formal
to give reasons why you think something is true
None of the evidence adduced in court was conclusive.
Ad'hesion n.
Ad'here verb [I] formal
to stick firmly
A smooth, dry surface helps the tiles adhere to the wall.
adherent adjective formal
sticky
an adherent surface
adhesion noun [U]
the ability to stick
At this stage a resin is used with a high level of adhesion.
A'dieu inter.
adieu exclamation literary or old use
goodbye
She bade (= said to) him adieu and left.
Ad'jacent n.
adjacent adjective formal
very near, next to, or touching
They work in adjacent buildings.
They lived in a house adjacent to the railway.
Ad'judge v.
adjudge verb [T often passive] formal
to announce a decision or consider something, especially officially
[+ to infinitive]Half an hour into the game Paterson was adjudged to have fouled Jackson and was sent off.
[+ noun or adjective]In October 1990, Mirchandani was adjudged bankrupt.
Fairbanks was adjudged the winner.
'adjunct n.
adjunct noun [C] formal
something added or connected to a larger or more important thing
I hoped I would find the computer course a useful adjunct to my other studies.
In grammar, an adjunct is an adverb or adverbial phrase that gives extra information in a sentence.
'adjutant adj.
adjutant noun [C]
a military officer who does office work and who is responsible for rules and punishment among the lower ranks
Adminis'trator n.
ad'minister (MANAGE) verb [T often passive]
to control the operation or arrangement of something; to manage or govern
The country was administered by the British until very recently.
The economy has been badly administered by the present government.
administration noun
1 (informal admin) [U] the arrangements and tasks needed to control the operation of a plan or organization
Teachers complain that more of their time is taken up with administration than with teaching.
She has little experience in administration (= in organizing a business, etc.).
2 [C] a period of government in the United States
the Bush administration/the last Republican administration
administrative adjective
relating to the arrangements and work which is needed to control the operation of a plan or organization
administrative work
an administrative problem
Your responsibilities will be mainly administrative.
administratively adverb
administrator noun [C]
From 1969 to 1971, he was administrator of the Illinois state drug abuse program.
She works as a school administrator.
Ad'missible adj.
admissible adjective formal
considered satisfactory and acceptable in a law court
The judge ruled that new evidence was admissible.
The opposite is inadmissible
admissibility noun [U]
Ad'mittance n.
Ad'mit (ALLOW IN) verb [T] (-tt-)
1 to allow someone to enter a place
Each ticket admits one member and one guest.
Men will not be admitted to the restaurant without a tie.
literary A gap between the curtains admitted the faint glimmer of a street lamp.
2 to allow a person or country to join an organization
Spain was admitted to the European Community in 1986.
3 to allow someone to enter a hospital because they need medical care
She was admitted to hospital ( US to the hospital) suffering from shock.
admission noun [C or U]
when someone is given permission to enter a place, or the money that you pay to enter a place
Admission to the exhibition will be by invitation only.
How much do they charge for admission.
The admission charge/fee is £2.
There's a notice outside the building which says 'No admission before 12 noon'.
admissions plural noun
the people allowed into a college, hospital, or other place, or the process of allowing people in
Half of all hospital admissions are emergencies, and these are treated straightaway.
admittance noun [U] formal
permission to enter a place
The sign read 'Private - no admittance'.
The enquiry centred on how the assassin had gained admittance to (= succeeded in entering) the building.
Ad'monish v.
admonish verb formal
1 [T] to tell someone that they have done something wrong
His mother admonished him for eating too quickly.
2 [+ object + to infinitive] to advise someone to do something
Her teacher admonished her to work harder for her exams.
,admo'nition n.
admonition noun [C] (also admonishment) formal
a piece of advice that is also a warning to someone about their behaviour
The most common parental admonition must surely be "Don't stay out late".
Ad'monitory adjective formal
an admonitory remark
A'do n.
ado noun
without further/more ado without wasting more time
And so, without further ado, let me introduce tonight's speaker.
adoration n.
a'dore (LOVE) verb [T not continuous]
to love someone very much, especially in an admiring or respectful way, or to like something very much
She has one son and she adores him.
I absolutely adore chocolate.
[+ ing form of verb]Don't you just adore lying in a hot bath?
A'dorable adjective
describes a person or animal that makes you feel great affection because they are so attractive and often small
She has the most adorable two-year-old girl.
an adorable puppy
,ado'ration noun [U]
very strong love for someone
her complete adoration of her brother
a'doring adjective
showing very strong love for someone
I refuse to play the part of the adoring wife.
A'droit adj.
adroit adjective
very skilful and quick in the way you think or move
an adroit reaction/answer/movement of the hand
She became adroit at dealing with difficult questions.
adroitly adverb
She adroitly avoided the question.
He adroitly slipped the money into his pocket.
adroitness noun [U]
A'dulte,rate v.
adulterate verb [T always passive]
to make food or drink weaker or to lower its quality, by adding something else
There were complaints that the beer had been adulterated with water.
adulterated adjective
adulterated drugs/food
a'dulte,ration noun [U]
,adum'brate v.
adumbrate verb [T] formal
to give only the main facts and not the details about something, especially something that will happen in the future
The project's objectives were adumbrated in the report.
adumbration noun [U] formal
'advent n.
advent (START) noun [S]
the arrival of an event, invention or person
Life in Britain was transformed by the advent of the steam engine.
'adverse adj.
adverse adjective [before noun]
having a negative or harmful effect on something
The match has been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
They received a lot of adverse publicity/criticism about the changes.
So far the drug is thought not to have any adverse effects.
adversely adverb
A lot of companies have been adversely (= in a harmful way) affected by the recession.
Ad'versity n.
adversity noun [C or U]
a difficult or unlucky situation or event
She was always cheerful in adversity.
The road to happiness is paved with adversities.
'advert v.
advertise verb [I or T]
to make something known generally or in public, especially in order to sell it
We advertised our car (= published a description of it together with the price we wanted for it) in the local newspaper.
He advertises his services on the company notice board.
I'm going to advertise for (= put a notice in the newspaper, local shop, etc., asking for) someone to clean my house.
There's no harm in applying for other jobs, but if I were you, I wouldn't advertise the fact (= make it generally known) at work.
Adver'tisement noun [C]
1 (informal ad, UK also informal advert) a picture, short film, song, etc. which tries to persuade people to buy a product or service
a television/newspaper advertisement for a new car
She scanned the job/property advertisements in the paper.
2 be an advertisement for sth If you are an advertisement for something, you show its good effects
I'm afraid I'm not a very good advertisement for the diet since I've actually put on weight!
Adver'tiser noun [C]
Whilst claiming to promote positive images of women, advertisers are in fact doing the very opposite.
Adver'tising noun [U]
the business of trying to persuade people to buy products or services
Fiona works in advertising.
the advertising industry
adver'torial noun [C]
an advertisement in a newspaper or magazine that is designed to look like an article by the writers of the magazine
Ad'visory adj.
advice noun [U]
an opinion which someone offers you about what you should do or how you should act in a particular situation
Steven gave me some good advice.
I think I'll take your advice (= do what you suggest) and get the green dress.
Can I give you a piece of advice?
I need some advice on which computer to buy.
[+ to infinitive]My advice is to go by train.
We went to Paris on Sarah's advice.
NOTE: Do not confuse with the verb, advise.
advise verb
1 [I or T] to give someone advice
[+ to infinitive]I think I'd advise him to leave the company.
His doctor advised him against smoking.
I'd strongly advise against making a sudden decision.
[+ that]They're advising that children be kept out of the sun altogether.
[+ ing form of verb]I'd advise waiting until tomorrow.
[+ question word]She advised us when to come.
She advises the President (= gives information and suggests types of action) on African policy.
You would be well-advised to (= It would be wise for you to) have the appropriate vaccinations before you go abroad.
NOTE: Do not confuse with the noun, advice.
2 [T] formal to give someone official information about something
They were advised of their rights.
[+ that]Our solicitors have advised that the costs could be enormous.
advisable adjective [after verb]
If something is advisable, it will avoid problems if you do it
[+ to infinitive]It's advisable to book seats at least a week in advance.
A certain amount of caution is advisable at this point.
advisability noun [U]
They discussed the advisability of building so near to the airport.
adviser noun [C] (also advisor)
someone whose job is to give advice about a subject
She is the party's main economic adviser.
a financial advisor
advisory adjective
She is employed by the president in an advisory capacity (= giving advice).
advisory noun [C usually plural] US
an official announcement that contains advice, information or a warning
weather/travel advisories
Television companies sometimes broadcast advisories before violent movies.
'advocate n.
advocate (SUPPORT) verb [T]
to publicly support or suggest an idea, development or way of doing something
[+ ing form of verb]She advocates taking a more long-term view.
He advocates the return of capital punishment.
advocate noun [C]
He's a strong advocate of state ownership of the railways.
advocacy noun [U]
She is renowned for her advocacy of human rights.
'aerial adj.
aerial (RADIO) noun [C] (US also antenna)
a structure made of metal rods or wires which receives or sends out radio or television signals
