Function - English meaning

noun

The condition in which things are happening or being done.

Usage examples:

There has been a sustained level of activity in the economy

noun

The doing of something, or something that you are doing, have done, or could do

Usage examples:

[ c ] there were lots of activities for children at the museum., [ c ] her favorite activity is vis…

noun

A situation in which a lot of things are happening or being done

Usage examples:

Business/commercial/economic activity any conflict has the potential to disrupt business activity.,…

noun

An event or sequence of events of a specified kind or that has previously been referred to.

Usage examples:

The board admitted responsibility for the affair

noun

A situation or subject that is being dealt with or considered; a matter

Usage examples:

The meeting was addressed by an expert in south american affairs., what i do in my spare time is my…

noun

A situation or subject that is being dealt with or considered

Usage examples:

Foreign affairs as a leader, he's been criticized for his inexperience in foreign affairs., interfe…

verb

Point or direct (a weapon or camera) at a target.

Usage examples:

Aim the camcorder at some suitable object

noun

A purpose or intention; a desired outcome.

Usage examples:

Our primary aim is to achieve financial discipline

abbreviation

Alternative investment market (a subsidiary market of the london stock exchange that allows small companies to be traded without the expense of a full market listing).

noun

A task or piece of work allocated to someone as part of a job or course of study.

Usage examples:

A homework assignment

An undertaking that you have been told to perform

noun

A particular job or responsibility given to you

Usage examples:

[ c ] the homework assignment was to read chapter 2 in our history book.

verb

Strike hard and violently.

Usage examples:

They bashed him over the head with a blunt object

noun

A heavy blow.

Usage examples:

A bash on the head

verb

To hit hard

Usage examples:

He bashed his arm against a shelf., uk i could hear her bashing away on the computer (= hitting the…

noun

The underlying support or foundation for an idea, argument, or process.

Usage examples:

Trust is the only basis for a good working relationship

noun

The most important facts, ideas, etc. from which something is developed

Usage examples:

Form the basis for this document will form the basis for our discussion., on the basis of decisions…

noun

A way or method of doing something

Usage examples:

On a voluntary basis most of our staff work for us on a voluntary basis (= they work without being …

noun

A celebratory party with plentiful food and drink.

Usage examples:

Cheerful music for beanfeasts

noun

A party or social occasion

noun

An occasion when a tyre on a vehicle bursts or an electric fuse melts.

Usage examples:

You never know when you are going to suffer a tyre blowout or when another driver is just going to …

noun

A sudden bursting and release of air from a tire on a moving vehicle

Usage examples:

He narrowly averted crashing into another car after the blowout., if the game is a blowout, fans st…

noun

A short period of time during which shares are sold for a high price

Usage examples:

Blowout in sth while there was a blowout in hi-tech shares in the us overnight, internet shares in …

noun

The maximum amount that something can contain.

Usage examples:

The capacity of the freezer is 1.1 cubic feet

noun

The amount that can be held or produced by something

Usage examples:

[ c ] the stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000., [ u ] the theater was full to capacity that ni…

noun

The total amount or number of things or people that something can hold

Usage examples:

A capacity of sth the tanks have a capacity of 1000 litres., capacity audience/crowd the rally drew…

noun

The action of celebrating an important day or event.

Usage examples:

The birth of his son was a cause for celebration

noun

A special social event, such as a party, when you celebrate something

Usage examples:

There were lively new year celebrations all over town., such good news calls for (= deserves) a cel…

noun

The act of celebrating something

Usage examples:

In celebration of let's buy some champagne in celebration of her safe arrival.

verb

Demand (an amount) as a price for a service rendered or goods supplied.

Usage examples:

Wedding planners may charge an hourly fee of up to £150

noun

A price asked for goods or services.

Usage examples:

Our standard charge for a letter is £25

noun

An ambassador's deputy.

noun

A routine task, especially a household one.

Usage examples:

The early risers were up and about, doing their chores

noun

A job or piece of work that needs to be done regularly

Usage examples:

By the time he’d finished all the household chores it was mid-afternoon., it was a real chore tryin…

noun

A job or piece of work that is often boring or unpleasant but needs to be done regularly

Usage examples:

I'll go shopping when i've done my chores (= done the jobs in or around the house)., i find writing…

noun

An instruction, command, or role given to a person or group.

Usage examples:

One of his first commissions was to redesign the great exhibition building

verb

Order or authorize the production of (something).

Usage examples:

The portrait was commissioned by his widow in 1792

noun

A group of people who have been formally chosen and given the authority to get information about a problem or to perform other special duties

Usage examples:

Congress appointed a commission to study immigration policy., she received a commission to paint th…

verb

Relate to; be about.

Usage examples:

The story concerns a friend of mine

noun

Anxiety; worry.

Usage examples:

Carole gazed at her with concern

verb

To trouble someone with feelings of anxiety; worry

Usage examples:

The loss didn’t bother him, but his team’s confidence concerns him., this is an issue that should c…

adjective

Naturally accompanying or associated.

Usage examples:

She loved travel, with all its concomitant worries

noun

A phenomenon that naturally accompanies or follows something.

Usage examples:

He sought promotion without the necessary concomitant of hard work

noun

Something that happens with something else and is connected with it

Usage examples:

Loss of memory is a natural concomitant of old age., any increase in students means a concomitant i…

noun

A result or effect, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.

Usage examples:

Abrupt withdrawal of drug treatment can have serious consequences

noun

A result of an action or situation, esp. (in the plural) a bad result

Usage examples:

For someone who is old and weak, the consequences of a broken hip can be serious., last summer ther…

noun

A result of a particular action or situation, often one that is bad or not convenient

Usage examples:

Serious consequences not making a will can have serious consequences for your children and other fa…

noun

A proposition that follows from (and is often appended to) one already proved.

Usage examples:

For these angles, the contradiction used to prove the corollary does not arise.

adjective

Forming a proposition that follows from one already proved.

Usage examples:

The british journal new theatre quarterly has even run a series of articles discussing the theatric…

noun

Something that results from something else

Usage examples:

Unfortunately, violence is the inevitable corollary of such a revolutionary change in society.

noun

An individual fact or item.

Usage examples:

We shall consider every detail of the bill

verb

Give full information about.

Usage examples:

The report details proposals to improve public transport

noun

A particular fact or item of information, often noticed only after giving something your close attention, or such facts or items considered as a group

Usage examples:

[ c ] we have a report of a serious accident on route 23, but so far no details., [ u ] she showed …

verb

Perform (an action, the precise nature of which is often unspecified).

Usage examples:

Very little work has been done in this field

noun

Used before a verb (except be, can, may, ought, shall, will ) in questions and negative statements.

Usage examples:

Do you have any pets?

noun

Variant spelling of doh1.

noun

A moral or legal obligation; a responsibility.

Usage examples:

It's my duty to uphold the law

noun

A responsibility to do something because it is legally or morally right to do it

Usage examples:

Every lawyer has a strong sense of duty and responsibility., a duty to do sth they have a duty to e…

noun

Something that you have to do because it is part of your job, or something that you feel is the right thing to do

Usage examples:

The duty of the agency is to act in the best interests of the child., [ + to infinitive ] i felt it…

noun

A short journey undertaken in order to deliver or collect something, especially on someone else's behalf.

Usage examples:

She asked tim to run an errand for her

noun

A short trip you make to do something, such as buying or delivering things in the neighborhood

Usage examples:

He would clean, do errands, and babysit for their 7-year-old daughter., i’ve got to run a few erran…

noun

A task that involves going somewhere either to take a message or to take or collect something

Usage examples:

Do errands i'll meet you at six, i've got some errands to do first., run errands she used to spend …

noun

A social occasion with special entertainments or performances.

Usage examples:

A gala performance by the royal ballet

noun

A special public occasion at which there is a lot of entertainment

Usage examples:

A gala affair

noun

A special public occasion at which there is a lot of entertainment, usually in the form of different types of performances

Usage examples:

There will be many stars performing in the royal ballet's gala night, held in aid of children's cha…

noun

An assembly or meeting, especially one held for a specific purpose.

Usage examples:

A family gathering

verb

Come together; assemble or accumulate.

Usage examples:

As soon as a crowd gathered, the police came

noun

A meeting of people coming together in a group

Usage examples:

We’re having a little social gathering tonight and hope you can come.

verb

Move from one place to another; travel.

Usage examples:

He went out to the shops

noun

An attempt or trial at something.

Usage examples:

Have a go at answering the questions yourself

adjective

Functioning properly.

Usage examples:

All systems go

noun

An important topic or problem for debate or discussion.

Usage examples:

The issue of racism

verb

Supply or distribute (something) for use or sale.

Usage examples:

Licences were issued indiscriminately to any company

noun

A subject or problem that people are thinking and talking about

Usage examples:

There continues to be a great deal of debate over the property tax issue., isn’t the need to hire m…

noun

A large celebration or party, typically a lavish and boisterous one.

Usage examples:

The film industry's annual jamboree in cannes

noun

A large social gathering

Usage examples:

A country music jamboree, a boy scout jamboree

noun

A large organized event that many people go to, or a busy, noisy occasion or period

Usage examples:

The beer festival was a huge open-air jamboree with music, stalls and everyone enjoying themselves.

noun

A paid position of regular employment.

Usage examples:

The scheme could create 200 jobs

verb

Do casual or occasional work.

Usage examples:

He left school and jobbed around as a car parts salesman, warehouseman, and removal man

noun

An act of prodding, thrusting, or wrenching.

adjective

Happy and cheerful.

Usage examples:

He was a jolly man full of jokes

verb

Encourage (someone) in a friendly way.

Usage examples:

He jollied people along

adverb

Very; extremely.

Usage examples:

He is jolly busy

noun

The action of showing something to be right or reasonable.

Usage examples:

The justification of revolutionary action

noun

A good reason or explanation for something

Usage examples:

There is no justification for treating people so badly., it can be said, with some justification, t…

noun

An energetic, noisy party where people dance

noun

An embankment built to prevent the overflow of a river.

Usage examples:

Construction of levees and embankments prevents the floodplain from performing this function and tr…

noun

A formal reception of visitors or guests.

Usage examples:

The great stop on the washington social circuit was the diplomat's levee

noun

A wall made of land or other materials that is built to stop a river from overflowing (= flowing over its edges)

Usage examples:

Much of the city was under water after floods broke levees and forced the evacuation of 50,000 peop…

noun

An important assignment given to a person or group of people, typically involving travel abroad.

Usage examples:

A fact-finding mission to the czech republic

noun

The action of sending someone to a place to do a particular job, esp. one for a government or religious organization, or the job the person has been sent to do

Usage examples:

They were sent on a secret political mission to the middle east., fig. she’s a woman on a mission (…

noun

The result that a company or an organization is trying to achieve through its plans or actions

Usage examples:

Core/main/primary mission the main mission of the home ownership group is to arrange loans for firs…

noun

An act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment.

Usage examples:

I have an obligation to look after her

noun

A particular event, or the time at which it takes place.

Usage examples:

On one occasion i stayed up until two in the morning

verb

Cause (something).

Usage examples:

Something vital must have occasioned this visit

noun

A particular time when something happens

Usage examples:

Sarah loves dressing up for special occasions., she has lied on several occasions., this meeting pr…

verb

(of a person) control the functioning of (a machine, process, or system).

Usage examples:

The prime minister operates a system of divide and rule

verb

Perform as expected when applied

verb

To work or cause something to work, be in action, or have an effect

Usage examples:

[ t ] how do you operate the remote control unit?, [ i ] changes are being introduced to make the d…

noun

The way a thing turns out; a consequence.

Usage examples:

It is the outcome of the vote that counts

noun

The result or effect of an action, situation, or event

Usage examples:

It’s too early to predict the outcome of the election.

noun

The result or effect of an action, situation, etc.

Usage examples:

It's too early to predict the outcome of the meeting.

noun

A social gathering of invited guests, typically involving eating, drinking, and entertainment.

Usage examples:

An engagement party

verb

Enjoy oneself at a party or other lively gathering, typically with drinking and music.

Usage examples:

Put on your glad rags and party!

adjective

Divided into parts of different tinctures.

Usage examples:

Party per fess, or, and azure

verb

Carry out, accomplish, or fulfil (an action, task, or function).

Usage examples:

I have my duties to perform

verb

Get done

verb

To do an action or piece of work

Usage examples:

[ t ] the operation was performed with the patient under general anesthesia., [ i ] the car perform…

noun

A principal administrative division of a country or empire.

Usage examples:

Chengdu, capital of sichuan province

noun

The reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.

Usage examples:

The purpose of the meeting is to appoint a trustee

verb

Have as one's intention or objective.

Usage examples:

God has allowed suffering, even purposed it

noun

A complex or unwelcome consequence of an action or event.

Usage examples:

Any change is bound to have legal ramifications

noun

The possible result of a decision or action

Usage examples:

Have you considered all the ramifications of changing careers at this stage of your life?

noun

A cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event.

Usage examples:

She asked him to return, but didn't give a reason

verb

Think, understand, and form judgements logically.

Usage examples:

Humans do not reason entirely from facts

noun

The action or process of receiving something sent, given, or inflicted.

Usage examples:

Sensation is not the passive reception of stimuli

noun

The way in which people react to something or someone

Usage examples:

The proposed jail has received a cool/lukewarm reception from local residents., american musicians …

noun

A place inside a hotel or office building where visitors go when they first arrive

Usage examples:

Let's meet in reception., posters will be on display in the reception area., collect your welcome p…

noun

The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone.

Usage examples:

A true leader takes responsibility for their team and helps them achieve goals

noun

A duty to take care of something

Usage examples:

[ c ] with this promotion, jorge’s responsibilities will be increased., [ u ] parents must assume r…

noun

Something that it is your job or duty to deal with

Usage examples:

Responsibility to do sth as a board member, i have a responsibility to ask questions., responsibili…

noun

A thing that is caused or produced by something else; a consequence or outcome.

Usage examples:

The tower collapsed as a result of safety violations

verb

Occur or follow as the consequence of something.

Usage examples:

Anger may result from an argument

noun

Something that happens or exists because of something else

Usage examples:

The mayor says crime is lower as a result of good police work., a lot of people survived the crash …

noun

An actor's part in a play, film, etc.

Usage examples:

Dietrich's role as a wife in war-torn paris

verb

Move at a speed faster than a walk, never having both or all the feet on the ground at the same time.

Usage examples:

The dog ran across the road

noun

An act or spell of running.

Usage examples:

I usually go for a run in the morning

verb

Move fast by using one's feet

noun

A large, lively party, especially one celebrating something.

Usage examples:

The glitziest of election night shindigs

noun

A noisy event or situation, especially a large, energetic party, celebration, etc.

Usage examples:

They're going to their neighbours' for a shindig.

noun

A noisy disturbance or quarrel.

Usage examples:

There were plenty of gulls kicking up a shindy

noun

An evening party or gathering, typically in a private house, for conversation or music.

Usage examples:

In the suburbs, the middle class developed their own set of cultural institutions, of golf and tenn…

noun

An evening party, often with musical entertainment

noun

A piece of work to be done or undertaken.

Usage examples:

A new manager was given the task of developing the club's talent

verb

Assign a task to.

Usage examples:

Nato troops are tasked with separating the warring parties

verb

Beat (a person or animal) repeatedly and violently with a stick or whip.

Usage examples:

She thrashed him across the head and shoulders

noun

A violent or noisy movement of beating or thrashing.

Usage examples:

The thrash of the waves

verb

Give a beating to

noun

A formal pledge or promise to do something.

Usage examples:

I give an undertaking that we shall proceed with the legislation

noun

The action of catching up with and passing another vehicle while travelling on the inside.

Usage examples:

The highway code discourages undertaking on motorways

verb

Commit oneself to and begin (an enterprise or responsibility); take on.

Usage examples:

A firm of builders undertook the construction work

verb

Take, hold, or deploy (something) as a means of accomplishing or achieving something; employ.

Usage examples:

She used her key to open the front door

noun

The action of using something or the state of being used for a purpose.

Usage examples:

Modern trains are now in use

Put into service

noun

Activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.

Usage examples:

He was tired after a day's work

verb

Be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a result; do work.

Usage examples:

She has been working so hard

combining form

Denoting things or parts made of a specified material or with specified tools.

Usage examples:

Silverwork