Broad - English meaning

adjective

Close to the actual, but not completely accurate or exact.

Usage examples:

The approximate time of death

verb

Come close or be similar to something in quality, nature, or quantity.

Usage examples:

A leasing agreement approximating to ownership

adjective

Not completely accurate but close

Usage examples:

The train's approximate time of arrival is 10.30., the approximate cost will be about $600., can yo…

noun

A baseball ground.

Usage examples:

‘it's the biggest ballpark in baseball right now,’ gonzalez moaned.

noun

A place with a field for playing ball games, especially baseball games, and seats around it for people who are watching

Usage examples:

Some people were selling tickets outside the ballpark., the stadium will be replaced by a new ballp…

adjective

A ballpark estimate or figure is a number that is a guess, but one that you believe is near the correct number

Usage examples:

We'll have to go away and cost this carefully, but as a ballpark figure i'd say that it'll be about…

adjective

Forming an essential foundation or starting point; fundamental.

Usage examples:

Certain basic rules must be obeyed

noun

The essential facts or principles of a subject or skill.

Usage examples:

I learnt the basics of programming on a course

noun

A simple high-level computer programming language that uses familiar english words, designed for beginners and formerly used widely.

Usage examples:

You could write your own software in the basic programming language

adjective

Of considerable size or extent.

Usage examples:

Her big hazel eyes

verb

Praise or recommend something highly.

Usage examples:

The record's been on the streets a while now, but it's still worth bigging up

noun

The major league in a professional sport.

Usage examples:

The day he made it to the bigs, he forgot every minor league ballpark he ever played in

adjective

Of a colour intermediate between green and violet, as of the sky or sea on a sunny day.

Usage examples:

The clear blue sky

noun

Blue colour or pigment.

Usage examples:

She was dressed in blue

verb

A person who has represented cambridge university (a cambridge blue ) or oxford university (an oxford blue ) at a particular sport in a match between the two universities.

Usage examples:

A flyweight boxing blue

adjective

Including a wide variety of things; all-embracing.

Usage examples:

Her tastes are pretty catholic

noun

A member of the roman catholic church.

Usage examples:

Under the law of the church, remarried catholics are prohibited from communion.

adjective

Including many different types of thing

Usage examples:

As a young person he had more catholic tastes than he does now.

adjective

Rough or harsh in texture.

Usage examples:

A coarse woollen cloth

adjective

Rough and not smooth or soft

Usage examples:

Coarse hair, coarse linen shirts, now and then coarse laughter broke out., our recipe calls for coa…

adjective

Rough and not smooth or soft, or not in very small pieces

Usage examples:

Coarse sand/breadcrumbs, coarse-grained linen is a coarse-grained fabric.

adjective

Including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something.

Usage examples:

A comprehensive list of sources

noun

A comprehensive school.

Usage examples:

He trained as an accountant after leaving the local comprehensive

adjective

Including everything that is necessary; complete

Usage examples:

They put forward comprehensive legislation to revise the rules for financing political campaigns.

adjective

Covered or marked with an unclean substance.

Usage examples:

A tray of dirty cups and saucers

adverb

Used for emphasis.

Usage examples:

A dirty great slab of stone

verb

Make dirty.

Usage examples:

She didn't like him dirtying her nice clean towels

adjective

Resembling or suggestive of earth or soil.

Usage examples:

An earthy smell

adjective

Enjoying and being honest or clear about things connected to life, such as the body and emotions

Usage examples:

Some readers may not like his earthy humor., the cabin has an earthy smell.

adjective

Referring to sex and the human body in a direct way

Usage examples:

She has an earthy sense of humour.

adjective

Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.

Usage examples:

Universities offering an eclectic mix of courses

noun

A person who derives ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.

Usage examples:

Douglas is the king of jazz's current crop of eclectics: he's the kind of guy who shows up at a jew…

adjective

Consisting of different types, methods, styles, etc.

Usage examples:

It was an eclectic mix of our ethnic foods and traditional thanksgiving food.

adjective

Comprehensive in terms of information.

Usage examples:

He has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of food

adjective

Covering a large range of knowledge, often in great detail

Usage examples:

He has boundless energy and an encyclopedic memory.

adjective

Containing a lot of information

adjective

Covering or affecting a large area.

Usage examples:

An extensive garden

adjective

Covering a large area; having a great range

Usage examples:

Extensive grounds a school with extensive grounds, extensive repairs extensive repairs to the motor…

adjective

Disgustingly dirty.

Usage examples:

A filthy hospital with no sanitation

adverb

To an extreme extent.

Usage examples:

He has become filthy rich

adjective

Extremely dirty

Usage examples:

Trucks poured out clouds of filthy, black smoke., there were beggars in the streets and filth every…

adjective

Having a frizzy texture or appearance.

Usage examples:

Fuzzy fake-fur throw pillows

adjective

Not clear or not easily heard, seen, or understood

Usage examples:

Is the picture always fuzzy on your tv?, the basic facts of the story are starting to emerge though…

adjective

(of an image) having shapes that do not have clear edges, or (of a sound, especially from a television, radio, etc.) not clear, usually because of other unwanted noises making it difficult to hear

Usage examples:

Is the picture always fuzzy on your tv?, you can pick up a lot of stations on the car radio but the…

adjective

Affecting or concerning all or most people or things; widespread.

Usage examples:

Books of general interest

noun

A commander of an army, or an army officer of very high rank.

Usage examples:

The most stable connection is that between the military commander and generals and officers directl…

adjective

Involving or relating to most people, things, or conditions, esp. when these are considered as a unit; not particular or specific

Usage examples:

The general standard of living, this book is intended for the general reader (= one who does not ha…

adjective

(especially of wrongdoing) very obvious and unacceptable.

Usage examples:

Gross human rights abuses

adverb

Without tax or other contributions having been deducted.

Usage examples:

If the value of your bond is £50,000 or more the interest will be paid gross

verb

Produce or earn (an amount of money) as gross profit or income.

Usage examples:

The film went on to gross $8 million

adjective

Covered by a haze.

Usage examples:

It was a beautiful day but quite hazy

adjective

Hazy air or weather is not clear, especially because of heat

Usage examples:

Hazy sunshine, the hazy days of summer

adjective

Not remembering things clearly

Usage examples:

Hazy memories of childhood

adjective

Of great weight; difficult to lift or move.

Usage examples:

A heavy and bulky load

noun

A thing, such as a vehicle, that is large or heavy of its kind.

Usage examples:

Meanwhile, he is leading the charge at airport to beef up the runway and expand support facilities …

adverb

Heavily.

Usage examples:

Heavy-laden

adjective

Not in accordance with accepted standards, especially of morality or honesty.

Usage examples:

The improper use of public funds

adjective

Being against a law or a rule; dishonest or illegal

Usage examples:

The treasurer denied accepting any improper payments., an improper choice of words, if handled impr…

adjective

Dishonest, and not allowed by a rule or by law

Usage examples:

The cropland may have been polluted because of improper use of pesticides and fertilizers., imprope…

adjective

Including all the services or items normally expected or required.

Usage examples:

Menus stating fully inclusive prices

adjective

Including everything or all types of people

Usage examples:

The governments want to reach a settlement that is as inclusive as possible.

adjective

Containing or including a particular thing

Usage examples:

Inclusive of sth the house and grounds, inclusive of all outbuildings, belong to my client., althou…

adjective

Not conforming with generally accepted standards of behaviour, especially in relation to sexual matters.

Usage examples:

Indecent acts

adjective

Morally offensive, esp. in a sexual way

Usage examples:

Indecent language is not allowed on the radio between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., [ u ] the network receive…

adjective

Morally offensive, especially in a sexual way

Usage examples:

An indecent act/photograph, she accused him of making indecent suggestions to her.

adjective

Not in keeping with good taste and propriety; improper.

Usage examples:

A pub crawl with sundry indecorous adventures

adjective

Behaving badly or rudely

adjective

Lasting for an unknown or unstated length of time.

Usage examples:

They may face indefinite detention

adjective

Not exact or not clear; without clear limits

Usage examples:

It was a wonderful opportunity, but it meant leaving family and friends for an indefinite period, p…

adjective

Not exact, not clear, or without clear limits

Usage examples:

Indefinite period the project has been postponed for an indefinite period., indefinite number many …

adjective

Having or showing a lack of sensitive understanding or tact.

Usage examples:

Forgive me asking an indelicate question, but how are you off for money?

adjective

Indelicate words or actions are not suitable for a situation and are likely to be offensive

Usage examples:

An indelicate comment, it is indelicate to would it be indelicate to mention the fee at this point?

adjective

Relating to more than one branch of knowledge.

Usage examples:

An interdisciplinary research programme

adjective

Involving two or more different subjects or areas of knowledge

Usage examples:

Interdisciplinary courses, an interdisciplinary approach to the problem

adjective

Of considerable or relatively great size, extent, or capacity.

Usage examples:

Add a large clove of garlic

verb

Enjoy oneself in a lively way with drink or drugs and music.

Usage examples:

He's known in clubland for his capacity for larging it

adverb

Another term for free (sense 2 of the adverb).

adjective

Not firmly or tightly fixed in place; detached or able to be detached.

Usage examples:

A loose tooth

noun

Loose play.

Usage examples:

He was in powerful form in the loose

verb

Set free; release.

Usage examples:

The hounds have been loosed

adjective

(especially of a child) badly behaved; disobedient.

Usage examples:

You've been a really naughty boy

adjective

(esp. of children) behaving badly and not being obedient, or (esp. of behavior or language) not socially acceptable

Usage examples:

A naughty girl, a naughty word

adjective

When children are naughty, or their behaviour is naughty, they behave badly or do not do what they are told to do

Usage examples:

Now that's naughty - don't throw food on the floor!, our boss treats us all like naughty children.

adjective

A non-specific disease or condition does not result from any one particular cause

Usage examples:

Chest pain is a non-specific symptom that can have cardiac or no cardiac causes.

adjective

Easily seen or noticed; clear or apparent.

Usage examples:

A noticeable increase in staff motivation

adjective

Easy to see or recognize

Usage examples:

There’s a noticeable improvement in your grades., it’s gotten noticeably colder this week.

adjective

Taking everything into account.

Usage examples:

The governors and head have overall responsibility for managing the school

adverb

Taken as a whole; in all.

Usage examples:

Overall, 10,000 jobs will go

noun

A loose-fitting coat or one-piece garment worn over ordinary clothes for protection against dirt or heavy wear.

Usage examples:

Men in grubby blue overalls

adjective

Very noticeable or marked; conspicuous.

Usage examples:

He had a pronounced squint

verb

Make the sound of (a word or part of a word) in the correct or a particular way.

Usage examples:

Gerry pronounced the hero's name ‘cahoolin’

adjective

Lively, entertaining, and typically sexually titillating.

Usage examples:

The novel was considered rather racy at the time

adjective

Causing slight shock because sex is mentioned or suggested

Usage examples:

A racy story

adjective

Referring to sexual matters in an amusingly coarse or irreverent way.

Usage examples:

A ribald comment

adjective

Ribald language refers to sex in a rude but humorous way

Usage examples:

He entertained us with ribald stories.

adjective

Slightly indecent and liable to shock, especially by being sexually suggestive.

Usage examples:

His risqué humour

adjective

Slightly shocking, usually because of being connected with sex

adjective

Having an uneven or irregular surface; not smooth or level.

Usage examples:

They had to carry the victim across the rough, stony ground

adverb

In a manner that lacks gentleness; harshly or violently.

Usage examples:

Treat 'em rough but treat 'em fair

noun

A disreputable and violent person.

Usage examples:

The rear of the column was attacked by roughs

adjective

Offensively impolite or bad-mannered.

Usage examples:

She had been rude to her boss

adjective

Behaving in a way that hurts other people’s feelings; not polite

Usage examples:

I apologized for ted’s rude behavior., i thought it was rude of him not to introduce me., i’ve live…

adjective

(of talk, writing, or pictures) obscene or lascivious.

Usage examples:

Smutty jokes

adjective

Related to or containing smut

Usage examples:

I was really embarrassed by his smutty jokes.

adjective

Flavoured with or fragrant with spice.

Usage examples:

Pasta in a spicy tomato sauce

adjective

Flavored with spices that are hot to the taste

Usage examples:

Spicy mexican food

adjective

Having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.

Usage examples:

She cut through the water with her strong arms

adjective

Physically powerful or energetic

Usage examples:

You must be strong to be able to lift all that weight., i feel a little stronger every day., strong…

adjective

An activity or industry that is strong is growing and becoming more successful

Usage examples:

Economic news has been better than expected, with retail sales remaining strong., worldwide sales b…

adjective

Tending to suggest an idea.

Usage examples:

There were various suggestive pieces of evidence

adjective

Causing you to think about something

Usage examples:

They said they had no intention of hiding the facts, but their behavior was suggestive of the oppos…

adjective

Extending or performed in a long, continuous curve.

Usage examples:

Sweeping, desolate moorlands

noun

Dirt or refuse collected by sweeping.

Usage examples:

The sweepings from the house

verb

Clean (an area) by brushing away dirt or litter.

Usage examples:

I've swept the floor

adjective

With opposite sides or surfaces that are far or relatively far apart.

Usage examples:

Thick slices of bread

noun

The most active or crowded part of something.

Usage examples:

We were in the thick of the battle

adverb

In or with deep, dense, or heavy mass.

Usage examples:

Bread spread thick with butter

adjective

(of a person's eyes or gaze) not focusing on a particular person or thing.

Usage examples:

Her eyes became unfocused with deep thought

verb

Make or become blurred or unable to see clearly.

Usage examples:

I found it helpful to slightly unfocus my eyes

adjective

Not seeing clearly

Usage examples:

Bowman looked up at her, his gaze slightly unfocused., the portrait looks more like an unfocused sn…

adjective

Relating to or done by all people or things in the world or in a particular group; applicable to all cases.

Usage examples:

Universal adult suffrage

noun

A thing having universal effect, currency, or application.

Usage examples:

If laws are thought of in some other way - for example, as involving relations of necessitation amo…

proper noun

A us film production company formed in 1912.

adjective

Not limited or restricted in terms of number, quantity, or extent.

Usage examples:

Offshore reserves of gas and oil are not unlimited

adjective

Not having a limit or highest possible amount, number, or level

Usage examples:

If you rent the car for the week, you get unlimited mileage (= the amount you pay is not related to…

adjective

Not limited in amount, number, or level

Usage examples:

Unlimited access/time we pay a flat monthly rate of $19.95 for unlimited internet access., unlimite…

adjective

Not processed to remove impurities or unwanted elements.

Usage examples:

Unrefined sugar

adjective

In a natural state, without having been through a chemical or industrial process to remove unwanted parts; not refined

Usage examples:

Unrefined sugar

adjective

Not specific; vague.

Usage examples:

He was unspecific about his relationship with marian

adjective

Not clear or exact, or not relating to one particular thing

Usage examples:

Diagnosis is difficult because the signs and symptoms are unspecific., he made vague and unspecific…

adjective

Of uncertain, indefinite, or unclear character or meaning.

Usage examples:

Many patients suffer vague symptoms

adjective

Not clearly stated, described, or explained, or not clearly seen or felt

Usage examples:

She had a vague feeling that something had gone terribly wrong., i have only a vague memory of the …

adjective

Lacking sophistication or good taste.

Usage examples:

A vulgar check suit

adjective

Of great or more than average width.

Usage examples:

A wide road

adverb

To the full extent.

Usage examples:

His eyes opened wide

noun

A ball that is judged to be too wide of the stumps for the batsman to play, for which an extra is awarded to the batting side.

adjective

Covering many subjects

Usage examples:

A wide-ranging discussion

adjective

Made of wool.

Usage examples:

A red woolly hat

noun

A garment made of wool, especially a pullover.

Usage examples:

Bargain hunters snapped up everything from winter woollies to suits and evening wear.

adjective

Made of wool, or made of something that looks like wool

Usage examples:

A woolly hat/jumper, it's the woolly thinking behind the book that i find so infuriating., i can't …