Light - English meaning

adjective

(of a room or building) spacious, well lit, and well ventilated.

Usage examples:

The conservatory is light and airy

adjective

With a lot of light and space

Usage examples:

The new offices are light and airy.

adjective

Delicate, as if full of air

Usage examples:

A light, airy fabric

adjective

Causing laughter and providing entertainment.

Usage examples:

Such a likeable, amusing man!

verb

Cause (someone) to find something funny.

Usage examples:

He made faces to amuse her

adjective

Entertaining and funny

Usage examples:

An amusing story/person/situation

noun

The space (usually measured in degrees) between two intersecting lines or surfaces at or close to the point where they meet.

Usage examples:

In any triangle, the longest side is opposite the largest angle

verb

Direct or incline at an angle.

Usage examples:

He angled his chair so that he could watch her

noun

A fish hook.

Usage examples:

You will be pleased too, if you find a trout at one of our angles

noun

The way that someone or something looks.

Usage examples:

She checked her appearance in the mirror

noun

The way a person or thing looks or seems to other people

Usage examples:

The most striking feature of his appearance was his long hair., her only screen appearances were in…

noun

An occasion when someone appears in public

Usage examples:

It was his first appearance on television/television appearance as president., she will be making a…

verb

Come near or nearer to (someone or something) in distance or time.

Usage examples:

The train approached the main line

noun

A way of dealing with a situation or problem.

Usage examples:

We need a whole new approach to the job

verb

Move towards

noun

A particular part or feature of something.

Usage examples:

Personal effectiveness in all aspects of life

verb

(of a planet) form an aspect with (another celestial body).

Usage examples:

The sun is superbly aspected by your ruler mars on the 19th

noun

One part of a situation, problem, subject, etc.

Usage examples:

Aspect of which aspects of the job do you most enjoy?, his illness affects almost every aspect of h…

noun

The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.

Usage examples:

He had absolute authority over his subordinates

noun

The power to control or demand obedience from others

Usage examples:

[ u ] the police have no legal authority in these disputes., [ u ] we have to find someone in autho…

noun

The official power to make decisions for other people or to tell them what they must do

Usage examples:

The executive committee can delegate authority to the chairperson., he did not have enough authorit…

noun

An important person, especially in a particular sphere.

Usage examples:

Music industry bigwigs

noun

An important or powerful person

Usage examples:

The network television bigwigs loved the show.

noun

A person who has an important or powerful position

Usage examples:

We were invited to a lunch with local bigwigs.

noun

A very large or fiercely burning fire.

Usage examples:

Twenty firemen fought the blaze

verb

Used in various expressions of anger, bewilderment, or surprise as a euphemism for ‘hell’.

Usage examples:

‘go to blazes!’ he shouted

verb

Set an example by being the first to do something; pioneer.

Usage examples:

Small firms would set the pace, blazing a trail for others to follow

adjective

Made white or much lighter by a chemical process or by exposure to sunlight.

Usage examples:

Permed and bleached hair

verb

Cause (a material such as cloth, paper, or hair) to become white or much lighter by a chemical process or by exposure to sunlight.

Usage examples:

A new formula to bleach and brighten clothing

verb

Past simple and past participle of bleach

adjective

(of hair) fair or pale yellow.

Usage examples:

Her long blonde hair

noun

A person with fair or pale yellow hair (typically used of a woman).

Usage examples:

Who typically has more hair: blondes, brunettes or redheads?

adjective

With pale yellow or gold hair

Usage examples:

Blonde hair/highlights, a blonde woman/a blond man, who's the blonde talking to bob?

adjective

Giving out or reflecting much light; shining.

Usage examples:

The sun was dazzlingly bright

adverb

Brightly.

Usage examples:

A full moon shining bright

noun

Bold and vivid colours.

Usage examples:

A choice of colours from pastels through to brights

noun

The quality or state of giving out or reflecting light.

Usage examples:

We can change the brightness of the bulb

noun

The quality of shining with, or of producing, a lot of light

Usage examples:

The brightness of the snow made him blink., the moon's brightness fluctuates as it orbits the plane…

noun

The quality of having very strong colour

Usage examples:

I love the brightness of the colours in this room.

noun

Intense brightness of light.

Usage examples:

The nights were dark, lit only by the brilliance of aegean stars

noun

Great skill or intelligence

Usage examples:

Her first novel showed signs of brilliance.

noun

Great brightness of light or colour

Usage examples:

I had never seen diamonds shine with such brilliance before.

adjective

(of light or colour) very bright.

Usage examples:

Brilliant sunshine illuminated the scene

noun

A diamond of brilliant cut.

Usage examples:

An elegant necklace with four rows of brilliants

adjective

Extremely intelligent or highly skilled

Usage examples:

A brilliant plan, armstrong was one of the most brilliant musicians in jazz., the sky was a brillia…

verb

(of a fire) produce flames and heat while consuming a material such as coal or wood.

Usage examples:

A fire burned and crackled cheerfully in the grate

noun

An injury caused by exposure to heat or flame.

Usage examples:

He was treated in hospital for burns to his hands

noun

A small stream.

Usage examples:

There is a burn running through the flower beds

noun

A celebrity.

Usage examples:

A tv celeb

noun

Short form ofcelebrity

noun

Short form of celebrity

Usage examples:

A number of celebs attended the party.

noun

A famous person, especially in entertainment or sport.

Usage examples:

He became a sporting celebrity

noun

Someone who is famous, esp. in the entertainment business

Usage examples:

Hollywood celebrities turned up at laguna beach.

noun

Someone who is famous, especially in the entertainment business

phrasal verb

Be perceived in a certain way; make a certain impression

phrasal verb

To give other people a certain feeling or opinion

Usage examples:

He comes across as a bit of a bore., we don't mean to be vague, but i know that's how it comes acro…

phrasal verb

Produce something, especially when pressured or challenged.

Usage examples:

He keeps coming up with all kinds of lame excuses

phrasal verb

To suggest or think of an idea or plan

Usage examples:

He came up with a great idea for the ad campaign.

phrasal verb

To suggest or think of an idea or plan

Usage examples:

Come up with a plan/idea/solution they came up with a plan to make us more efficient., come up with…

noun

The natural colour, texture, and appearance of a person's skin, especially of the face.

Usage examples:

A smooth, pale complexion

noun

The color or appearance of the skin of a person’s face

Usage examples:

A dark/light/smooth complexion

noun

The natural appearance of the skin on a person's face, especially its colour or quality

Usage examples:

A dark/fair complexion, a healthy/clear/spotty complexion

noun

The ability to understand something.

Usage examples:

Some won't have the least comprehension of what i'm trying to do

noun

The ability to understand completely and be familiar with a situation, facts, etc.

Usage examples:

He has no comprehension of the size of the problem., how she manages to fit so much into a working …

noun

A test to find out how well students understand written or spoken language

Usage examples:

A listening/reading comprehension

noun

The circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood.

Usage examples:

The proposals need to be considered in the context of new european directives

The set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation

noun

The influences and events related to a particular event or situation

Usage examples:

A historical/literary context, he is willing to look for solutions in the context of changes to the…

adjective

Delicately small and pretty.

Usage examples:

A dainty lace handkerchief

noun

Something good to eat; a delicacy.

Usage examples:

Home-made breads, jams, and dainties

adjective

Small and attractive in a delicate way

Usage examples:

A dainty wrist/hand, dainty flowers

verb

(of a bright light) blind (a person or their eyes) temporarily.

Usage examples:

She was dazzled by the headlights

noun

Brightness that blinds someone temporarily.

Usage examples:

I screwed my eyes up against the dazzle

verb

To cause someone to feel strong admiration of something or someone

Usage examples:

He was dazzled by rome’s architectural treasures.

adjective

Very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality.

Usage examples:

A delicate lace shawl

noun

A delicate fabric or garment.

Usage examples:

The delicates cycle of a washing machine

adjective

Needing careful treatment, esp. because easily damaged

Usage examples:

A delicate flower, delicate jewelry, the negotiations have reached a delicate stage., it’s a delica…

adjective

(especially of fabric) light, delicate, and translucent.

Usage examples:

A diaphanous dress of pale gold

adjective

A diaphanous substance, especially cloth, is so delicate and thin that you can see through it

Usage examples:

A diaphanous silk veil

adjective

(of food) able to be digested.

Usage examples:

In the meantime he's got about five blankets on him and we're trying him on easily digestible food …

adjective

Easy to digest

adjective

Easy to understand

noun

A person considered to be important because of high rank or office.

Usage examples:

The guests included former shareholders, local dignitaries, and many of the people directly involve…

noun

A person who has an important position in a society

Usage examples:

His responsibilities included welcoming visiting dignitaries from foreign countries.

verb

Find unexpectedly or during a search.

Usage examples:

Firemen discovered a body in the debris

verb

Determine the existence, presence, or fact of

verb

To find something for the first time, or something that had not been known before

Usage examples:

[ + (that) clause ] doctors later discovered (that) he had a cut on his left ankle., [ + question w…

adjective

Entertaining or amusing.

Usage examples:

Fans of these actors will find this book a diverting read

verb

Cause (someone or something) to change course or turn from one direction to another.

Usage examples:

A scheme to divert water from the river to irrigate agricultural land

adjective

Entertaining and enjoyable

Usage examples:

Her book is highly diverting and full of interesting facts., the first episode in this diverting ne…

verb

Unexpectedly be faced with or experience (something hostile or difficult).

Usage examples:

We have encountered one small problem

noun

An unexpected or casual meeting with someone or something.

Usage examples:

She felt totally unnerved by the encounter

verb

To meet someone unexpectedly, or to experience, esp. something unpleasant

Usage examples:

In the kitchen i encountered a woman i had never seen before., he was shocked by the hostility he e…

verb

Set on fire.

Usage examples:

The glare from its enkindled roof illumined its innermost recesses

noun

The action of enlightening or the state of being enlightened.

Usage examples:

Robbie looked to me for enlightenment

noun

The state of understanding something

Usage examples:

Meditation helps me achieve enlightenment and serenity.

noun

In hinduism and buddhism, the highest spiritual state that can be achieved

adjective

Providing amusement or enjoyment.

Usage examples:

A charming and entertaining companion

verb

Provide (someone) with amusement or enjoyment.

Usage examples:

A tremendous game that thoroughly entertained the crowd

adjective

Amusing and enjoyable

Usage examples:

An entertaining movie

noun

A person who is very knowledgeable about or skilful in a particular area.

Usage examples:

An expert in healthcare

adjective

Having or involving a great deal of knowledge or skill in a particular area.

Usage examples:

He had received expert academic advice

noun

A person having a high level of knowledge or skill in a particular subject

Usage examples:

He is the administration’s foreign-policy expert for eastern europe., she’s an expert swimmer.

verb

Gradually grow faint and disappear.

Usage examples:

The light had faded and dusk was advancing

noun

The process of becoming less bright.

Usage examples:

The sun can cause colour fade

noun

A shot causing the ball to deviate to the right (or, for a left-handed golfer, the left)

Usage examples:

When they get to the 18th the ideal shot is a fade

adjective

(of a sight, smell, or sound) barely perceptible.

Usage examples:

The faint murmur of voices

verb

Lose consciousness for a short time because of a temporarily insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain.

Usage examples:

I fainted from loss of blood

noun

A sudden loss of consciousness.

Usage examples:

She hit the floor in a dead faint

adjective

Treating people equally without favouritism or discrimination.

Usage examples:

The group has achieved fair and equal representation for all its members

adverb

Without cheating or trying to achieve unjust advantage.

Usage examples:

No one could say he played fair

noun

A beautiful woman.

Usage examples:

Pursuing his fair in a solitary street

verb

Discover or perceive by chance or unexpectedly.

Usage examples:

Lindsey looked up to find neil watching her

noun

A discovery of something valuable, typically something of archaeological interest.

Usage examples:

He made his most spectacular finds in the valley of the kings

Discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

noun

A process in which substances combine chemically with oxygen from the air and typically give out bright light, heat, and smoke; combustion or burning.

Usage examples:

His house was destroyed by fire

verb

Discharge a gun or other weapon in order to propel (a bullet or projectile).

Usage examples:

He fired a shot at the retreating prisoners

noun

The state of burning, or a burning mass of material

Usage examples:

[ u ] the factory had to be closed because the risk of fire was too great., [ c ] there have been a…

noun

A hot glowing body of ignited gas that is generated by something on fire.

Usage examples:

The car was engulfed in flames

verb

Burn and give off flames.

Usage examples:

A great fire flamed in an open fireplace

noun

The hot light of a fire

Usage examples:

[ u ] the logs in the fireplace burst into flame., the house was in flames (= burning)., the fire s…

adjective

Made of flax.

Usage examples:

While chewing on a particularly unforgiving piece of unidentifiable meat, i noticed some men and wo…

adjective

(of hair) pale yellow

Usage examples:

A flaxen-haired youth

adjective

Insubstantial and easily damaged.

Usage examples:

A flimsy barrier

noun

A document, especially a copy, made on very thin paper.

Usage examples:

Credit-card flimsies

adjective

(of material) very thin, or (of a structure or object) badly made and weak, and therefore easily broken or destroyed

Usage examples:

A flimsy dress, a flimsy building, they convicted the defendant on very flimsy evidence.

adjective

(especially of a woman's garment or a fabric) light and flimsy.

Usage examples:

Elegant floaty dresses

noun

An inflatable object on which a person may sit or recline while floating in water.

Usage examples:

She plopped down on a pool floatie

adjective

A floaty material is very light and moves in the air

Usage examples:

Floaty dresses, at age three, he ripped off his floaties and jumped into the deep end., there's onl…

adjective

Not having any serious purpose or value.

Usage examples:

Frivolous ribbons and lacy frills

adjective

(of people) behaving in a silly and foolish way, or (of activities or objects) silly or unimportant

Usage examples:

I’m very frivolous – i just like to have fun., with our justice system there are a lot of frivolous…

adjective

Behaving in a silly way and not taking anything seriously

Usage examples:

I think he sees her as a frivolous young woman., i'm sorry to be so frivolous.

adjective

Sparing or economical as regards money or food.

Usage examples:

I'm a bit too frugal to splash out on designer clothes

adjective

Careful in spending money

Usage examples:

Lungren, a fiscal conservative when it comes to spending taxpayers’ money, is frugal in his persona…

adjective

Careful to use only as much money, food, etc. as is necessary

Usage examples:

He built up his savings by being very frugal., frugal habits/living/lifestyle, frugal energy/water …

adjective

Causing laughter or amusement; humorous.

Usage examples:

A funny story

noun

Comic strips in newspapers.

Usage examples:

I read the sports page, funnies, and editorial

An account of an amusing incident

adjective

Resembling gauze; thin and translucent.

Usage examples:

A gauzy dress

adjective

Made of a very thin, light cloth

Usage examples:

A gauzy yellow curtain hangs in the window., her hat had a white gauzy veil that protected her face.

adjective

Having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament or character.

Usage examples:

A gentle, sensitive man

verb

Make or become gentle.

Usage examples:

Cobb's tone gentled a little

noun

A maggot, especially the larva of a blowfly, used as bait.

Usage examples:

He put the gentle on the hook

verb

Stare in an angry or fierce way.

Usage examples:

She glared at him, her cheeks flushing

noun

A fierce or angry stare.

Usage examples:

She gave harley a glare of contempt

verb

To look at someone angrily and without moving your eyes

Usage examples:

He kept talking during the concert, and people were glaring at him., the sun glared on the snow and…

verb

Shine brightly, especially with reflected light.

Usage examples:

Light gleamed on the china cats

noun

A faint or brief light, especially one reflected from something.

Usage examples:

The gleam of a silver tray

verb

To shine with a soft light

Usage examples:

Street lights gleamed brightly in the snow., the gleam of silver candlesticks

adjective

(of a smooth surface) reflecting light, typically because very clean or polished.

Usage examples:

Gleaming black limousines

verb

Shine brightly, especially with reflected light.

Usage examples:

Light gleamed on the china cats

adjective

Bright and shiny from being cleaned

Usage examples:

A gleaming kitchen, gleaming windows

verb

Give out steady light without flame.

Usage examples:

The tips of their cigarettes glowed in the dark

noun

A steady radiance of light or heat.

Usage examples:

The setting sun cast a deep red glow over the city

verb

To produce a continuous light and sometimes heat

Usage examples:

A nightlight glowed dimly in the corner of the children's bedroom., this substance is so radioactiv…

adjective

Expressing great praise.

Usage examples:

He received a glowing report from his teachers

verb

Give out steady light without flame.

Usage examples:

The tips of their cigarettes glowed in the dark

adjective

Full of enthusiastic praise

Usage examples:

Glowing reviews, a glowing evaluation

adjective

Coloured or shining like gold.

Usage examples:

Curls of glossy golden hair

adjective

Advantageous, successful, or promising

Usage examples:

The golden days of youth, they had several golden opportunities (= especially good opportunities) t…

adjective

Made of gold

Usage examples:

A golden necklace

noun

A fine, filmy substance consisting of cobwebs spun by small spiders, seen especially in autumn.

Usage examples:

So i made a classic cross-hair from spider's gossamer and used it to pinpoint a cell in the area i …

noun

The very thin thread that spiders produce to make webs

Usage examples:

Gossamer wings, a gossamer veil

adjective

Very delicate and light

Usage examples:

Gossamer wings, a gossamer veil

adjective

Having or showing grace or elegance.

Usage examples:

She was a tall girl, slender and graceful

adjective

Moving in a smooth, relaxed, attractive way, or having a smooth, attractive shape

Usage examples:

Graceful movements, a graceful neck

adjective

Behaving in a polite and pleasant way

Usage examples:

She finally apologized, but she wasn't very graceful about it.

noun

An external form, appearance, or manner of presentation, typically concealing the true nature of something.

Usage examples:

He visited in the guise of an inspector

noun

The appearance of someone or something, esp. when intended to deceive

Usage examples:

The men who arrived in the guise of criminals were actually undercover police officers.

noun

The appearance of someone or something, especially when intended to deceive

Usage examples:

In the guise of the men who arrived in the guise of drug dealers were actually undercover police of…

noun

A hindu spiritual teacher.

Usage examples:

Hindus who have a guru strive to receive spiritual initiation from him.

noun

An expert in a particular subject who gives advice

Usage examples:

I’ve become the computer guru in our department.

noun

A person skilled in something who gives advice about it

Usage examples:

An investment/management guru, a business/advertising/internet guru

phrasal verb

Discover or think of something, especially by chance.

Usage examples:

She hit on a novel idea for fundraising

phrasal verb

Make sexual advances towards someone.

Usage examples:

He was really hitting on me, with steamy looks and innuendos

phrasal verb

To think of an idea unexpectedly or unintentionally

Usage examples:

When we first hit on the idea, everyone told us it would never work.

noun

A colour or shade.

Usage examples:

The water is the deepest hue of aquamarine

proper noun

A city in central vietnam; population 233,800 (est. 2009).

noun

A color, or the particular degree of light or dark of a color

Usage examples:

In the waters of the caribbean there are fish of every hue.

adjective

Causing laughter and amusement; comic.

Usage examples:

A humorous and entertaining talk

adjective

Funny, or making you laugh

Usage examples:

Her latest book is a humorous look at teenage life.

verb

Catch fire or cause to catch fire.

Usage examples:

Furniture can give off lethal fumes when it ignites

verb

To start burning, or to cause something to start burning

Usage examples:

[ t ] the forest fire began when a spark from a campfire ignited some dry grass nearby., [ t ] fig.…

verb

To (cause to) start burning or explode

Usage examples:

The fuel spontaneously ignites because of the high temperature and pressure.

noun

Lighting or light.

Usage examples:

Higher levels of illumination are needed for reading

noun

Light

Usage examples:

The only illumination was from a skylight.

noun

Coloured decorative lights outside that make a town look bright and exciting at night

Usage examples:

The blackpool illuminations

noun

The act of producing a bright light from a heated part

Usage examples:

Meteors and comets entering the earth's atmosphere compress the air and heat it to incandescence., …

noun

The state of being extremely bright

Usage examples:

Floodlighted, the white marble gleamed with a snowy incandescence., glass cases of memorabilia glow…

noun

A very extreme emotion, especially anger or happiness

Usage examples:

The interview revealed the incandescence of his anger over the war., his joyous incandescence brigh…

adjective

Not clear or sharply defined.

Usage examples:

His speech was slurred and indistinct

adjective

Not clear

Usage examples:

An indistinct shape/sound/recollection

adjective

Lacking strength and solidity.

Usage examples:

The huts are relatively few and insubstantial

adjective

Of little value or importance, or not being strong, solid, or large

Usage examples:

He was popular during the early part of the 20th century, but today his work seems dated and insubs…

adjective

Not enough or not strong enough

Usage examples:

An insubstantial meal, insubstantial evidence

noun

The action of explaining the meaning of something.

Usage examples:

The interpretation of data

noun

An explanation or opinion of what something means

Usage examples:

[ c ] we had different interpretations of the survey results., [ c ] masur’s interpretation of the …

noun

A particular way of performing a piece of music, a part in a play, etc.

Usage examples:

Her interpretation of juliet was one of the best performances i have ever seen.

verb

Set (something) on fire.

Usage examples:

Last night i built the first fire i've kindled in years and it came back to me, that instinctual pu…

noun

A litter of kittens.

Usage examples:

She was asked to take in a kindle of kittens

verb

To cause a fire to start burning

Usage examples:

Fig. great literature kindled their imaginations (= made them work).

abbreviation

Louisiana.

abbreviation

Library association.

noun

(in tonic sol-fa) the sixth note of a major scale.

noun

The person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country.

Usage examples:

The leader of a protest group

noun

A person who manages or controls other people, esp. because of his or her ability or position

Usage examples:

A business/financial/political leader, her company is a leader in the women’s clothing industry.

noun

A company, product, etc. that has higher sales than its competitors

Usage examples:

The brand is market leader in france, where it has a 49% market share., union leaders said they exp…

adjective

Happy and not serious

Usage examples:

It was a fairly light-hearted discussion.

noun

A weight in boxing and other sports intermediate between featherweight and welterweight. in the amateur boxing scale it ranges from 57 to 60 kg.

Usage examples:

Henry armstrong held world titles at featherweight, lightweight and welterweight simultaneously and…

adjective

Of thin material or build and weighing less than average.

Usage examples:

A lightweight grey suit

adjective

(esp. of clothes) weighing little and therefore not warm

Usage examples:

A lightweight jacket, the movie was a lightweight comedy.

noun

A person who inspires or influences others, especially one prominent in a particular sphere.

Usage examples:

One of the luminaries of child psychiatry

noun

The emission of light by a substance that has not been heated, as in fluorescence and phosphorescence.

Usage examples:

Honey fungus produces a ghostly greenish luminescence

noun

The giving out of light by a substance that has not been heated

Usage examples:

A variety of lighting elements are used, from led to chemical luminescence., the car headlights lit…

noun

Luminous quality.

Usage examples:

Acrylic colours retain freshness and luminosity

noun

The total amount of energy produced by a star in one second

noun

A gentle sheen or soft glow.

Usage examples:

The lustre of the milky way

noun

Another term for lustrum.

noun

The brightness that a shiny surface has

Usage examples:

A treatment for restoring the lustre to dull hair, the rich lustre of well-polished furniture, the …

noun

A man who has people working for him, especially servants or slaves.

Usage examples:

He acceded to his master's wishes

verb

Used as a title prefixed to the name of a boy not old enough to be called ‘mr’.

Usage examples:

Master james wishart

noun

A ship or boat with a specified number of masts.

Usage examples:

A three-master

noun

A contest in which people or teams compete against each other in a particular sport.

Usage examples:

A boxing match

verb

Correspond or cause to correspond in some essential respect; make or be harmonious.

Usage examples:

I thought we'd have primrose walls to match the bath

noun

A short, thin piece of wood or cardboard used to light a fire, being tipped with a composition that ignites when rubbed against a rough surface.

Usage examples:

He struck a match against the wall

adjective

Unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements.

Usage examples:

He was a very modest man, refusing to take any credit for the enterprise

adjective

Not large in size or amount, or not great in value

Usage examples:

A modest increase in salary, a modest house, although an outstanding scientist, he’s a modest man.

adjective

Not large in size or amount, or not expensive

Usage examples:

Modest amount/budget/profit we have a fairly modest budget, considering our oil wealth., modest ris…

noun

The light of the moon.

Usage examples:

The river glittered under the pale moonlight

verb

Have a second job, typically secretly and at night, in addition to one's regular employment.

Usage examples:

He had been moonlighting for a rival tabloid

noun

The pale light of the moon

Usage examples:

In addition to her teaching job, she moonlights as a waitress on weekends.

adjective

Light in colour or shade; containing little colour or pigment.

Usage examples:

Choose pale floral patterns for walls

verb

Become pale in one's face from shock or fear.

Usage examples:

I paled at the thought of what she might say

noun

A wooden stake or post used with others to form a fence.

Usage examples:

Get creative with a picket fence and have diagonal pales nailed to the horizontal boards.

noun

A crayon made of powdered pigments bound with gum or resin.

Usage examples:

Future issues will demonstrate work with pastels and marker pens

adjective

Of a soft and delicate shade of colour.

Usage examples:

Pastel blue curtains

adjective

(of colors) pale and soft

noun

Light emitted by a substance without combustion or perceptible heat.

Usage examples:

The stones overhead gleamed with phosphorescence

noun

A kind of weak light that is created in the dark without noticeable heat

Usage examples:

In mines and natural caves we find a species of fungus that emits an intense phosphorescence., it w…

noun

A person’s opinion or particular way of thinking about something

Usage examples:

We’re interested in hearing all points of view.

noun

A way of considering something

Usage examples:

From a point of view from a purely practical point of view, his suggestion was unworkable., always …

adjective

Able to be easily carried or moved, especially because being of a lighter and smaller version than usual.

Usage examples:

A portable television

noun

A small version of something, such as a television, that can be easily carried.

Usage examples:

The notes had been typed on an old portable with a faded ribbon

adjective

Small and light enough to be carried or moved easily, and not attached by electric wires

Usage examples:

A portable phone/radio

noun

Light or heat as emitted or reflected by something.

Usage examples:

The radiance of the sunset dwindled and died

noun

Warmth or heat or bright light

Usage examples:

We basked in the radiance of the afternoon sun., there was something about her eyes that went beyon…

adjective

Another term for recreational.

Usage examples:

Recreative dance

adjective

Small or insufficient in quantity or amount.

Usage examples:

They paid whatever they could out of their scanty wages to their families

plural noun

Women's skimpy knickers or pants.

Usage examples:

A few years ago one great british institution moved from selling sensible big pants to scanties.

adjective

Smaller in size or amount than what is considered necessary or desirable

Usage examples:

Scanty food supplies

idiom

Perceive the true nature of

phrasal verb

Not be deceived by someone or something; detect the true nature of someone or something.

Usage examples:

He can see through her lies and deceptions

phrasal verb

Support a person for the duration of a difficult time.

Usage examples:

My family saw me through that very tough first year

idiom

To cause something or someone to start burning

Usage examples:

The protesters set fire to several vehicles.

phrase

To cause something to start burning

Usage examples:

The lamp caught fire and set light to the curtains., they stole a car and set light to it., the fir…

idiom

To cause something or someone to start burning

Usage examples:

A peace activist had set herself on fire in protest over the government's involvement in the war.

adjective

Nothing other than; unmitigated (used for emphasis).

Usage examples:

She giggled with sheer delight

adverb

Perpendicularly.

Usage examples:

The ridge fell sheer, in steep crags

noun

A very fine or diaphanous fabric or article.

Usage examples:

I put up the new curtains and sheers

adjective

Giving out or reflecting bright light.

Usage examples:

A shining expanse of water

verb

(of the sun or another source of light) give out a bright light.

Usage examples:

The sun shone through the window

adjective

Sending out or reflecting light

Usage examples:

A shining silver cup, people described seeing a bright, shining light., she looked at him with shin…

adjective

Easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty.

Usage examples:

A simple solution

noun

A medicinal herb, or a medicine made from one.

Usage examples:

The gatherers of simples

exclamation

Of very low intelligence.

adjective

(of clothes) short and revealing.

Usage examples:

A skimpy dress

adjective

Not enough or not large enough

Usage examples:

Skimpy knowledge, skimpy swimsuits

verb

Slope or lean in a particular direction; diverge or cause to diverge from the vertical or horizontal.

Usage examples:

A ploughed field slanted up to the skyline

noun

A sloping position.

Usage examples:

The hedge grew at a slant

adjective

Sloping.

Usage examples:

Slant pockets

adjective

Of a size that is less than normal or usual.

Usage examples:

The room was small and quiet

adverb

Into small pieces.

Usage examples:

Cut the okra up small

plural noun

Small items of clothing, especially underwear.

Usage examples:

Do we know if secreted about his smalls he has a pair of boxer shorts in either the ancient or red …

adjective

Easy to mould, cut, compress, or fold; not hard or firm to the touch.

Usage examples:

Soft margarine

adverb

(of a consonant) pronounced as a fricative (as c in ice ).

adjective

Not hard or firm; changing its shape when pressed

Usage examples:

The crabs are plucked from the water before their soft shells have had a chance to harden., the bab…

noun

A small fiery particle thrown off from a fire, alight in ashes, or produced by striking together two hard surfaces such as stone or metal.

Usage examples:

A log fire was sending sparks on to the rug

verb

Emit sparks of fire or electricity.

Usage examples:

The ignition sparks as soon as the gas is turned on

verb

Engage in courtship.

Usage examples:

He went a sparking among the rosy country girls

noun

An attitude to a particular issue.

Usage examples:

She writes on religion from the standpoint of a believer

noun

A set of beliefs and ideas from which opinions and decisions are formed

Usage examples:

He looks at things from a technological standpoint., from a fundraising standpoint, he’s been very …

noun

A fixed luminous point in the night sky which is a large, remote incandescent body like the sun.

Usage examples:

This new heat supply causes the outer layers of the star to expand and cool, and the star becomes a…

verb

(of a film, play, or other show) have (someone) as a principal performer.

Usage examples:

A film starring liza minnelli

noun

The light that comes from the stars.

Usage examples:

His face looked pale in the starlight

noun

The light produced by stars

Usage examples:

We ate on the terrace by starlight.

verb

Begin or be reckoned from a particular point in time or space.

Usage examples:

The season starts in september

noun

The point in time or space at which something has its origin; the beginning.

Usage examples:

He takes over as chief executive at the start of next year

abbreviation

Strategic arms reduction treaty, an agreement between the us and the soviet union to limit and reduce strategic nuclear weapons, first signed in 1991.

noun

Light from the sun.

Usage examples:

A shaft of sunlight

noun

Light that comes from the sun

Usage examples:

These flowers need bright sunlight.

adjective

Bright with sunlight.

Usage examples:

A sunny day

adjective

Bright because of light from the sun

Usage examples:

Flowers filled a sunny corner of the garden.

adjective

Existing or occurring at or on the surface.

Usage examples:

The building suffered only superficial damage

adjective

On the surface only; not deep

Usage examples:

A superficial wound, her book on the history of cars in america was extremely superficial., the sto…

adjective

With opposite surfaces or sides that are close or relatively close together.

Usage examples:

Thin slices of bread

adverb

With little thickness or depth.

Usage examples:

Cut the ham as thin as possible

verb

Make or become less dense, crowded, or numerous.

Usage examples:

The remorseless fire of archers thinned their ranks

phrase

Devise or invent

phrasal verb

Have a specified opinion of something.

Usage examples:

She did not think highly of modern art

phrasal verb

To have a particular opinion of something or someone

Usage examples:

What do you think of the new manager?, audiences did not think much of the movie.

noun

A portable battery-powered electric lamp.

Usage examples:

Electricity showrooms in the borough were swamped with calls about the scheduled power cuts and at …

verb

Set fire to.

Usage examples:

The shops had been looted and torched

noun

A stick that burns at one end and is held at the other end and is used esp. as a light

Usage examples:

Which athlete will carry the olympic torch into the stadium?, after he retired, the torch passed to…

idiom

Put in motion or move to act

phrasal verb

Cause something to happen suddenly.

Usage examples:

There was concern that the move could touch off a trade war

phrasal verb

Cause something to ignite or explode by touching it.

Usage examples:

The soldier who touched off the mine was injured in the right foot

adjective

(of a substance) allowing light, but not detailed shapes, to pass through; semi-transparent.

Usage examples:

Her beautiful translucent skin

adjective

(of a substance) allowing some light to pass through

Usage examples:

The vase was made from translucent, milky glass.

adjective

(of a material or article) allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen.

Usage examples:

Transparent blue water

adjective

(of a substance) allowing light through so that objects can be clearly seen through it

Usage examples:

Those transparent plastic boxes are called jewel boxes., the real reason for her leaving was so tra…

adjective

Transparent business and financial activities are done in an open way without secrets, so that people can trust that they are fair and honest

Usage examples:

The charter aims to make the national health service a more transparent and open public corporation…

adjective

Able to be carried or moved.

Usage examples:

The first transportable phones

noun

A large portable computer or telephone.

adjective

Of little value or importance.

Usage examples:

Huge fines were imposed for trivial offences

verb

Remove a cover or covering from.

Usage examples:

He uncovered the face of the dead man

verb

To remove what is covering something, or to discover what was hidden

Usage examples:

Uncover the pot, it’s the press’s responsibility to uncover the truth.

adjective

(especially of a task) not demanding.

Usage examples:

Undemanding clerical jobs

adjective

Not needing a lot of time, energy, or attention

Usage examples:

He is quiet and undemanding., a relatively undemanding job

noun

The ability to understand something; comprehension.

Usage examples:

Foreign visitors with little understanding of english

adjective

Sympathetically aware of other people's feelings; tolerant and forgiving.

Usage examples:

A kind and understanding man

verb

Perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or a speaker).

Usage examples:

He didn't understand a word i said

adjective

Not dimmed.

Usage examples:

The stars at night have a special brilliance undimmed by city lights and close to the door of the c…

adjective

Staying strong without becoming less

Usage examples:

Her energy seems undimmed after all these years., the crisis in farming has made the past few years…

adjective

Not serious; light-hearted.

Usage examples:

He defended himself with an unserious disingenuousness

adjective

Not considered important or worth respect

Usage examples:

He tends to portray anything he dislikes as unserious and worthy of scorn., both writers were dismi…

noun

A place that provides a good view

Usage examples:

From our vantage point atop the mountain, we could see the whole city below., i asked him how, from…

noun

A position giving a good view.

Usage examples:

This camera can be manually fixed in position to record a scene from a secondary viewpoint.

noun

A point of view

noun

A very important person.

Usage examples:

A party for 400 vips from the world of sport and showbiz

abbreviation

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (or peptide), a substance which acts as a neurotransmitter, especially in the brain and gastrointestinal tract.

adjective

Lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; having little physical strength or energy.

Usage examples:

She was recovering from flu, and was very weak

adjective

Lacking strength or energy, or likely to stop working or break

Usage examples:

After having been so sick, it’s not surprising you still feel weak., that old chair is very weak an…

adjective

Too low or not powerful enough to be successful or effective

Usage examples:

Weak growth/market share/results there was unexpectedly weak growth in corporate output in may., we…

adjective

(of a body, especially in an orbiting spacecraft) not apparently acted on by gravity.

Usage examples:

Her body slowly felt weightless and she landed softly on her hands and knees.

adjective

Being in a state in which gravity (= the force by which the earth attracts objects) does not cause movement of objects

Usage examples:

The astronauts are weightless in space., then the rocket motor will shut down and passengers will e…

adjective

Almost white in colour

Usage examples:

Whitish-grey walls

adjective

Showing or characterized by quick and inventive verbal humour.

Usage examples:

A witty remark

adjective

Using words in an amusing and intelligent way; full of wit

Usage examples:

A witty remark, i think she’s one of the wittiest comics on television.

adjective

Having or showing the qualities that deserve the specified action or regard.

Usage examples:

These issues are worthy of further consideration

noun

A person notable or important in a particular sphere.

Usage examples:

Schools governed by local worthies

combining form

Deserving of a specified thing.

Usage examples:

Newsworthy

adjective

Of the colour between green and orange in the spectrum, a primary subtractive colour complementary to blue; coloured like ripe lemons or egg yolks.

Usage examples:

Curly yellow hair

noun

Yellow colour or pigment.

Usage examples:

The craft detonated in a blaze of red and yellow

verb

Become yellow, especially with age.

Usage examples:

The cream paint was beginning to yellow