The meaning of Mean

adjective

Excessively interested in acquiring money or material things.

Usage examples:

We live in a competitive and acquisitive society

adjective

Used to describe a person or company that buys other companies

Usage examples:

It has been one of the most acquisitive firms in recent times, buying over a dozen businesses in th…

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).

adjective

Causing great surprise or wonder; astonishing.

Usage examples:

An amazing number of people registered

verb

Surprise (someone) greatly; fill with astonishment.

Usage examples:

She amazed doctors by fighting back when her deteriorating condition caused her to suffer heart fai…

adjective

Making someone feel extremely surprised

Usage examples:

It’s pretty amazing how much top athletes get paid.

verb

Direct one's hopes or ambitions towards achieving something.

Usage examples:

We never thought that we might aspire to those heights

verb

(of an event or circumstance) portend a good or bad outcome.

Usage examples:

The end of the cold war seemed to augur well

noun

(in ancient rome) a religious official who observed natural signs, especially the behaviour of birds, interpreting these as an indication of divine approval or disapproval of a proposed action.

Usage examples:

In the case of the augurs or haruspices of rome, the animal was sacrificed to permit contemplation …

verb

To be a sign of especially good or bad things in the future

Usage examples:

The company's sales figures for the first six months augur well for the rest of the year., do you t…

adjective

Having or showing an extreme greed for wealth or material gain.

Usage examples:

Avaricious corporate bosses looking to maximize profits

adjective

Showing an extremely strong wish to get or keep money or possessions

Usage examples:

The idea is to shift the bad debts of the avaricious and the greedy onto the shoulders of middle-cl…

noun

A number expressing the central or typical value in a set of data, in particular the mode, median, or (most commonly) the mean, which is calculated by dividing the sum of the values in the set by their number.

Usage examples:

The proportion of over-60s is above the eu average of 19 per cent

adjective

Constituting the result obtained by adding together several amounts and then dividing this total by the number of amounts.

Usage examples:

The average temperature in may was 4°c below normal

verb

Amount to or achieve as an average rate or amount over a period of time; mean.

Usage examples:

Annual inflation averaged 2.4 per cent

noun

An even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.

Usage examples:

She lost her balance and fell

verb

Put (something) in a steady position so that it does not fall.

Usage examples:

A mug that she balanced on her knee

noun

Harmonious arrangement or relation of parts within a whole

exclamation

Stop; enough.

Usage examples:

Bas! stop pestering me!

noun

(in ancient egypt) the supposed soul of a person or god, which survived after death but had to be sustained with offerings of food. it was typically represented as a human-headed bird.

noun

Abbreviation for bachelor of arts (= a first college degree in an art or social science)

verb

Be a sign of.

Usage examples:

She wondered if his cold, level gaze betokened indifference or anger

verb

To mean something or be a sign of something

verb

Be a portent of a particular outcome.

Usage examples:

Their argument did not bode well for the future

adjective

In bad condition or not working

Usage examples:

A broken-down car

adjective

Showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.

Usage examples:

His callous comments about the murder made me shiver

noun

Variant spelling of callus.

noun

A thickened and hardened part of the skin or soft tissue, especially in an area that has been subjected to friction.

noun

A person or thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon, or condition.

Usage examples:

The cause of the accident is not clear

verb

Make (something, especially something bad) happen.

Usage examples:

This disease can cause blindness

conjunction

Short for because.

adjective

At the point or in the area that is in the middle of something.

Usage examples:

The station has a central courtyard

noun

A place with a high concentration of a specified type of person or thing.

Usage examples:

You're in workaholic central here

adjective

In, at, from, or near the center

Usage examples:

He grew up in central illinois., american novels often take money as their central concern., a cent…

noun

The point that is equally distant from every point on the circumference of a circle or sphere.

Usage examples:

She was so angered by this thought that she had changed forms and was halfway to the center of the …

verb

Occur mainly in or around (a specified place).

Usage examples:

The textile industry was centred in lancashire and yorkshire

proper noun

A region of central france, including the cities of orleans, tours, and chartres.

adjective

Only a short distance away or apart in space or time.

Usage examples:

The hotel is close to the sea

adverb

Very near to someone or something; with very little space between.

Usage examples:

They stood close to the door

noun

Another term for high (sense 7 of the adjective).

noun

An agreement or settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions.

Usage examples:

Eventually they reached a compromise

verb

Settle a dispute by mutual concession.

Usage examples:

In the end we compromised and deferred the issue

noun

An agreement between two sides who have different opinions, in which each side gives up something it had wanted

Usage examples:

Under the compromise, car manufacturers must use cleaner fuel but have more time to do it., his opp…

verb

(of a word) imply or suggest (an idea or feeling) in addition to the literal or primary meaning.

Usage examples:

The term ‘modern science’ usually connotes a complete openness to empirical testing

verb

Look thoughtfully for a long time at.

Usage examples:

He contemplated his image in the mirrors

verb

To spend time considering a possible future action, or to consider one particular thing for a long time in a serious way

Usage examples:

[ t ] the owner of the team contemplated moving his football club to another city., [ t ] sharon is…

adjective

Deserving contempt; despicable.

Usage examples:

A display of contemptible cowardice

adjective

Deserving blame

Usage examples:

His behavior was contemptible.

verb

Transport or carry to a place.

Usage examples:

Pipes were laid to convey water to the house

adjective

Wilfully causing pain or suffering to others, or feeling no concern about it.

Usage examples:

People who are cruel to animals

verb

Spoil or ruin (an opportunity or a chance of success).

Usage examples:

Ernie nearly cruelled the whole thing by laughing

adjective

Extremely unkind and intentionally causing pain

Usage examples:

Her classmates made some cruel remarks., is the death penalty cruel and unusual punishment?, i thin…

adjective

Dirty, unpleasant, or of poor quality.

Usage examples:

A crummy little room

noun

A truck used to transport loggers to and from work.

Usage examples:

The inside of cabooses reflected the conductor's personal habits and the degree of cleanliness vari…

adjective

Of very bad quality

Usage examples:

Crummy weather, a crummy job, a crummy movie

verb

Be a sign of; indicate.

Usage examples:

This mark denotes purity and quality

verb

To represent or mean something

Usage examples:

His angry tone denoted extreme displeasure.

noun

A plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of a building, garment, or other object before it is made.

Usage examples:

He has just unveiled his design for the new museum

verb

Decide upon the look and functioning of (a building, garment, or other object), by making a detailed drawing of it.

Usage examples:

A number of architectural students were designing a factory

verb

The act of working out the form of something

verb

Appoint (someone) to a specified office or post.

Usage examples:

He was designated as prime minister

adjective

Appointed to an office or post but not yet installed.

Usage examples:

The director designate

verb

To choose someone or something for a special job or purpose, or to state that something has a particular character or purpose

Usage examples:

The chairman designated his daughter as his successor., north-south streets are designated by numbe…

noun

A strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.

Usage examples:

He resisted public desires for choice in education

verb

Strongly wish for or want (something).

Usage examples:

He never achieved the status he so desired

noun

A strong feeling of wanting something, or something you want

Usage examples:

[ u ] he claims to have no desire for wealth., [ c ] she expressed a desire to speak with her attor…

adjective

Deserving hatred and contempt.

Usage examples:

A despicable crime

adjective

Morally reprehensible

adjective

Deserving to be hated or strongly criticized

Usage examples:

It was a despicable effort to blackmail voters.

adjective

(of a building or object) in a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect.

Usage examples:

Old, dilapidated buildings

verb

Cause (something) to fall into disrepair or ruin.

Usage examples:

A ruined chappell, built by the spaniard, and dilapidated by the dutch

adjective

(esp. of a structure) in bad condition and needing repair

Usage examples:

We still use the dilapidated barn for storing tools.

adjective

Gloomy and drab.

Usage examples:

A dingy room

adjective

(of a place or material) dark and unattractive esp. because of being dirty or not cared for

Usage examples:

The stores seemed old and dingy, their lights too dim and their ceilings too low.

adjective

Unpleasant or unenjoyable.

Usage examples:

A disagreeable thought

adjective

Unpleasant; unattractive

Usage examples:

The drinking water had a disagreeable oily taste.

adjective

Causing a mood of gloom or depression.

Usage examples:

The dismal weather made the late afternoon seem like evening

adjective

Dark and sad, without hope, or very bad

Usage examples:

The trip was a dismal failure.

adjective

Very bad

Usage examples:

In january, after a dismal holiday sales season, the retailer filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy prote…

adjective

Wearing old clothes, or in a bad condition, because of not having much money

Usage examples:

She had a decidedly down-at-heel appearance., he worked in a down-at-heel café.

noun

A change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.

Usage examples:

The lethal effects of hard drugs

verb

Cause (something) to happen; bring about.

Usage examples:

The prime minister effected many policy changes

noun

The result of a particular influence; something that happens because of something else

Usage examples:

[ c ] the medicine had the effect of making me sleepy., [ c ] cold water slows hurricane growth, bu…

verb

Cause or give rise to (a feeling, situation, or condition).

Usage examples:

The issue engendered continuing controversy

verb

To cause something to come into existence

Usage examples:

Your book has engendered much controversy.

verb

Involve (something) as a necessary or inevitable part or consequence.

Usage examples:

A situation which entails considerable risks

noun

A limitation of the inheritance of property to certain heirs over a number of generations.

Usage examples:

The damage being done in england by entails

verb

To involve or make something necessary

Usage examples:

Any investment entails risk.

adjective

Extremely good; outstanding.

Usage examples:

The lorry was in excellent condition

exclamation

Used to indicate approval or pleasure.

Usage examples:

‘what a lovely idea! excellent!’

adjective

Extremely good

Usage examples:

The car is in excellent condition., the school is known for its excellence.

adjective

Unusual; not typical.

Usage examples:

Late claims will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances

noun

An item in a company's accounts arising from its normal activity but much larger or smaller than usual.

Usage examples:

This drop in operating profit caused pre-tax profit before accounting for exceptionals to fall from…

adjective

Not like most others of the same type; unusual

Usage examples:

This is an exceptional contract, guaranteeing no layoffs., davis has done an exceptional job of rep…

verb

Regard (something) as likely to happen.

Usage examples:

It's as well to expect the worst

verb

To think or believe that something will happen, or that someone will arrive

Usage examples:

[ t ] we are expecting about 100 people for the lecture., [ t ] his plane is expected to land at ab…

verb

Convey (a thought or feeling) in words or by gestures and conduct.

Usage examples:

He expressed complete satisfaction

adjective

Operating at high speed.

Usage examples:

Executives have their own express lift direct to floor 42

adverb

By express train or delivery service.

Usage examples:

I got my wife to send my gloves express to the hotel

abbreviation

(in the uk) football association, the governing body of soccer in england.

Usage examples:

The fa premier league

noun

Short for fanny adams (sense 1).

Usage examples:

He knows sweet fa about football

noun

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

adjective

Of very high quality; very good of its kind.

Usage examples:

This was a fine piece of film-making

noun

Very small particles found in mining, milling, etc.

Usage examples:

It raises dust, separating fines from aggregate.

adverb

In a satisfactory or pleasing manner; very well.

Usage examples:

‘and how's the job-hunting going?’ ‘oh, fine.’

noun

The best group or class, esp. the most expensive seats on a plane or a train

Usage examples:

I upgraded my plane ticket to first class from tourist class., a first-class education, the price o…

adjective

Of excellent quality

Usage examples:

The work that she did on the project was first class., he really is pre-eminent in the field and ha…

adjective

Extremely good

Usage examples:

A first-rate performance

adjective

Of the highest quality

Usage examples:

The country's universities are first-rate., we were very impressed with what glasgow has to offer a…

adjective

Situated or placed in front.

Usage examples:

The fore and hind pairs of wings

noun

The front part of something, especially a ship.

Usage examples:

Sonia climbed regally out of her stateroom in the fore of the ship.

exclamation

Called out as a warning to people in the path of a golf ball.

verb

Be a warning or indication of (a future event).

Usage examples:

Other new measures are foreshadowed in the white paper

verb

(of a past event) to suggest the happening of a future event

Usage examples:

Low unemployment may foreshadow wage and price increases.

verb

Predict (the future or a future event).

Usage examples:

A seer had foretold that the earl would assume the throne

verb

To say what is going to happen in the future

Usage examples:

[ + question word ] he was a 16th-century prophet who foretold how the world would end.

verb

Be a sign of (something to come).

Usage examples:

A shiver in the night air foretokening december

noun

A sign of something to come.

Usage examples:

A foretoken of problems that lay ahead

adjective

Inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable.

Usage examples:

A formidable opponent

adjective

Strong and powerful, and therefore difficult to deal with if opposed to you

Usage examples:

There were formidable obstacles to reaching an early settlement of the dispute.

adjective

Offensive to the senses, especially through having a disgusting smell or taste or being dirty.

Usage examples:

A foul odour

noun

(in sport) an unfair or invalid stroke or piece of play, especially one involving interference with an opponent.

Usage examples:

The midfielder was booked for a foul on ford

adverb

Contrary to the rules; unfairly.

Usage examples:

That's the real problem: even guys who want to play fair are under pressure from cheaters to play f…

adjective

Avaricious; greedy.

Usage examples:

They were regarded as grasping landlords

verb

Seize and hold firmly.

Usage examples:

She grasped the bottle

adjective

Always eager to get more of something, esp. money

Usage examples:

He’s a grasping, insensitive executive.

adjective

Of an extent, amount, or intensity considerably above average.

Usage examples:

The article was of great interest

noun

An important or distinguished person.

Usage examples:

The beatles, bob dylan, all the greats

adverb

Another term for literae humaniores.

adjective

Having an excessive desire or appetite for food.

Usage examples:

He's scoffed the lot, the greedy pig

adjective

Wanting a lot more food, money, etc. than you need

Usage examples:

Greedy, selfish people, he's greedy for power/success., they tested the algorithm against the so-ca…

adjective

Grimy; dirty.

Usage examples:

A dark and grungy basement

adjective

(of a person) feeling dirty and that you need to wash, or (of a thing) dirty

Usage examples:

After a 15-hour flight, i felt really grungy.

adverb

At or to a point midway between two others.

Usage examples:

He stopped halfway down the passage

adjective

Midway between two points.

Usage examples:

We've reached the halfway point of the season

adjective

(being) at a place that is the same distance from two other places, or in the middle of something

Usage examples:

We’re almost halfway there., at the halfway point of the race, he began to pull away., we’re about …

noun

An official employed to oversee state ceremonial, precedence, and the use of armorial bearings, and (historically) to make proclamations, carry official messages, and oversee tournaments.

Usage examples:

The following day she was proclaimed by heralds with flourishes of trumpets at various places in lo…

verb

Be a sign that (something) is about to happen.

Usage examples:

The speech heralded a change in policy

verb

To announce or signal that something is approaching

Usage examples:

The trade agreement heralded a new era of economic development.

adjective

Opposed to liberal principles; restricting freedom of thought or behaviour.

Usage examples:

Illiberal and anti-democratic policies

adjective

Limiting freedom of expression, thought, behaviour, etc.

Usage examples:

Illiberal policies

verb

Indicate the truth or existence of (something) by suggestion rather than explicit reference.

Usage examples:

Salesmen who use jargon to imply superior knowledge

verb

To suggest something without saying it directly, or to involve something as a necessary part or condition

Usage examples:

[ + (that) clause ] he implied (that) the error was mine., democracy implies free elections.

verb

Point out; show.

Usage examples:

Dotted lines indicate the text's margins

verb

To show or signal a direction or warning, or to make something clear

Usage examples:

[ t ] these statistics might indicate quality problems., [ + that clause ] she did not move or indi…

verb

To show something, point to something, or make something clear

Usage examples:

Indicate sth to sb retailers should indicate to the consumer the exact weight of the produce., the …

adjective

(of a place) seedy and run-down; unwholesome.

Usage examples:

A poor area full of insalubrious hotels

adjective

Unpleasant, dirty, or likely to cause disease

verb

Suggest or hint (something bad) in an indirect and unpleasant way.

Usage examples:

He was insinuating that i had no self-control

verb

To express but not directly state something

Usage examples:

What exactly are you insinuating?, [ + (that) clause ] she insinuated (that) i’m getting fat., [ c …

verb

Have (a course of action) as one's purpose or intention; plan.

Usage examples:

The company intends to cut 400 jobs

verb

To have as a plan or purpose

Usage examples:

[ + to infinitive ] we intend to go to australia next year to visit our daughter., [ t ] the remark…

adjective

Coming between two things in time, place, character, etc.

Usage examples:

An intermediate stage of development

noun

An intermediate thing.

Usage examples:

Since in evolutionary theory, fully fledged cells had to exist before viruses, the latter are not s…

verb

Act as intermediary; mediate.

Usage examples:

Groups which intermediated between the individual and the state

adjective

Closely acquainted; familiar.

Usage examples:

Intimate friends

noun

A very close friend.

Usage examples:

His circle of intimates

verb

State or make known.

Usage examples:

Mr hutchison has intimated his decision to retire

verb

Have or include (something) as a necessary or integral part or result.

Usage examples:

My job involves a lot of travelling

verb

To include someone or something in an activity

Usage examples:

The accident involved two cars and a truck., the operation involves inserting a small tube into the…

adjective

Causing hatred or disgust; repulsive.

Usage examples:

This loathsome little swine

adjective

Extremely unpleasant

Usage examples:

He's a loathsome man., i found their behaviour loathsome and offensive., i hope the judge hands dow…

adjective

Extremely beautiful, elaborate, or impressive.

Usage examples:

A dramatic landscape of magnificent mountains

adjective

Having or showing a wish to do evil to others.

Usage examples:

The glint of dark, malevolent eyes

adjective

Causing or wanting to cause harm or evil

Usage examples:

A malevolent juvenile delinquent

adjective

Characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm.

Usage examples:

He was found guilty of malicious damage

adjective

Having the nature of threatening evil

adjective

Intending to cause harm, esp. by hurting someone’s feelings or reputation

Usage examples:

He says she threatened him and spied on him, among other malicious activities.

adjective

Having mange.

Usage examples:

They cannot all survive, so many will starve and become mangy and diseased.

adjective

(esp. of dogs and cats) having an infectious disease that makes hair fall out and causes areas of rough skin

Usage examples:

A mangy-looking dog, throw away that mangy rug.

adjective

Causing great wonder; extraordinary.

Usage examples:

These marvellous technological toys are fun to play with

adjective

Extremely good

Usage examples:

He's done a marvellous job of the decorating., it took me ages to get it right, but it was a marvel…

adjective

Powerful and able to control others.

Usage examples:

He looked masculine and masterful

adjective

Having great skill in a particular job or activity, or something produced with such skill

Usage examples:

It was a masterful analysis of the causes of the civil war.

adjective

Showing great skill; very accomplished.

Usage examples:

His masterly account of rural france

adjective

Done extremely well

Usage examples:

She gave a masterly performance as kate in "the taming of the shrew".

adjective

Situated in the middle.

Usage examples:

Not until after midnight, in an eerie twilight, do we sideslip around a medial moraine and discover…

adjective

Towards the centre of the body rather than the sides

adjective

Denoting or relating to a value or quantity lying at the midpoint of a frequency distribution of observed values or quantities, such that there is an equal probability of falling above or below it.

Usage examples:

The median duration of this treatment was four months

noun

The median value of a range of values.

Usage examples:

Acreages ranged from one to fifty-two with a median of twenty-four

adjective

Relating to media, an ancient region of asia to the south-west of the caspian sea.

Usage examples:

The median empire

noun

An agency or means of doing something.

Usage examples:

Using the latest technology as a medium for job creation

adjective

About halfway between two extremes of size or another quality; average.

Usage examples:

John is six feet tall, of medium build

adjective

Being in the middle between an upper and lower amount, size, or degree; average

Usage examples:

He was a man of medium height., the shirt is available in small, medium, and large sizes., would yo…

noun

The point or position at an equal distance from the sides, edges, or ends of something.

Usage examples:

She stood alone in the middle of the street

adjective

At an equal distance from the extremities of something; central.

Usage examples:

The early and middle part of life

verb

Short for middle term.

adjective

Moderate or average in size, amount, or rank.

Usage examples:

People on middling incomes

noun

Bulk goods of medium grade, especially flour of medium fineness.

Usage examples:

The df fed in this study contained 75% wheat middlings and 25% ground food waste collected from ret…

adverb

Fairly or moderately.

Usage examples:

Middling rich

adjective

(of a person) wretchedly unhappy or uncomfortable.

Usage examples:

Their happiness made anne feel even more miserable

adjective

Very unhappy, or causing much unhappiness

Usage examples:

They can make your life miserable if they want to., the forecast is for miserable weather today.

adjective

Of or characteristic of a miser.

Usage examples:

His miserly great-uncle proved to be worth nearly £1 million

adjective

Like or typical of a miser

Usage examples:

A miserly person, the workers are paid a miserly $2 a day.

adjective

Very bad or unpleasant.

Usage examples:

Plastic bags burn with a nasty, acrid smell

noun

An unpleasant or harmful person or thing.

Usage examples:

A water conditioner to neutralize chlorine and other nasties

Offensive or even (of persons) malicious

verb

Make (something) necessary as a result or consequence.

Usage examples:

A cut which necessitated eighteen stitches

verb

To make something necessary

Usage examples:

An important meeting necessitates my being in houston on friday.

adjective

Ungenerous with money, time, etc.; mean.

Usage examples:

He accused the government of being unbelievably niggardly

adverb

In a mean or meagre manner.

Usage examples:

So, while i saw the guests sipping niggardly the punch in their short glasses, i helped myself to a…

adjective

Slight in amount, quality, or effort

Usage examples:

A niggardly donation/amount

noun

Something that is usual, typical, or standard.

Usage examples:

Strikes were the norm

verb

Adjust (something) to conform to a norm.

Usage examples:

Recommendations for early identification testing often include the use of commercially available, n…

A standard or model or pattern regarded as typical

adjective

Conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.

Usage examples:

It's quite normal for puppies to bolt their food

noun

The usual, typical, or expected state or condition.

Usage examples:

Her temperature was above normal

adjective

Ordinary or usual; as would be expected

Usage examples:

He seemed perfectly normal to me., the temperature is above/below normal today.

adjective

Extremely unpleasant.

Usage examples:

Obnoxious odours

adjective

Causing disapproval or protest

adjective

Extremely unpleasant; repulsive.

Usage examples:

A pretty odious character

adjective

Extremely unpleasant; causing and deserving hate

Usage examples:

An odious person/task

adjective

Exceptionally good.

Usage examples:

The team's outstanding performance

Of major significance or importance

adjective

Very unwilling to spend money or use resources.

Usage examples:

Even the parsimonious joe paid for drinks all round

adjective

Unwilling to spend money; miserly.

Usage examples:

Being frugal doesn't mean you have to turn into a penny pinching miser

noun

Unwillingness to spend money.

Usage examples:

This penny-pinching has exposed the bridge's steelwork to corrosion

adjective

Unwilling to spend money

Usage examples:

Workers decided to take a stand against management's penny-pinching approach to resources., the tra…

adjective

Extremely poor; poverty-stricken.

Usage examples:

A penurious old tramp

adjective

Extremely poor

noun

A detailed proposal for doing or achieving something.

Usage examples:

The un peace plan

verb

Decide on and make arrangements for in advance.

Usage examples:

They were planning a trip to egypt

verb

A series of steps to be carried out or goals to be achieved

adjective

Lacking sufficient money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society.

Usage examples:

They were too poor to afford a telephone

verb

Be a sign or warning that (something, especially something momentous or calamitous) is likely to happen.

Usage examples:

The eclipses portend some major events

verb

To be a sign that something is likely to happen in the future

Usage examples:

It was a major scandal whose full exposure portended the end of a popular presidential reign.

verb

Be a sign or warning of (an imminent event, typically an unwelcome one).

Usage examples:

The heavy clouds above the moorland presaged snow

noun

An omen or portent.

Usage examples:

The fever was a sombre presage of his final illness

verb

To show or suggest that something, often something unpleasant, will happen

Usage examples:

But still the economy is not showing signs of any of the excesses that normally presage a recession.

verb

Make or manufacture from components or raw materials.

Usage examples:

The company have just produced a luxury version of the aircraft

noun

Agricultural and other natural products collectively.

Usage examples:

Dairy produce

verb

Bring forth or yield

noun

A declaration or assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen.

Usage examples:

What happened to all those firm promises of support?

verb

Assure someone that one will definitely do something or that something will happen.

Usage examples:

He promised to forward my mail

verb

Put forward (a plan or suggestion) for consideration by others.

Usage examples:

He proposed a new nine-point peace plan

verb

To suggest or state (a possible plan or action) for consideration

Usage examples:

[ + to infinitive ] she proposed to keep the schools open all summer., [ + that clause ] it has oft…

verb

To give someone a plan or idea to consider

Usage examples:

She proposed a tax reform designed to make basic insurance more affordable., propose to do sth he i…

verb

Appear to be or do something, especially falsely.

Usage examples:

She is not the person she purports to be

noun

The meaning or sense of something, typically a document or speech.

Usage examples:

I do not understand the purport of your remarks

verb

To claim that something is true, but without proof

Usage examples:

The story purports to explain the origin of the game of chess.

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

adjective

Resembling or characteristic of a rat.

Usage examples:

His ratty eyes glittered

adjective

Feeling annoyed

Usage examples:

She was a bit ratty with me this morning., a ratty old blanket

verb

Be entitled or appointed to act or speak for (someone), especially in an official capacity.

Usage examples:

For purposes of litigation, an infant can and must be represented by an adult

verb

Be a delegate or spokesperson for

adjective

Shabby and untidy or dirty.

Usage examples:

A teenager in scruffy jeans and a baggy t-shirt

adjective

Dirty and unpleasant.

Usage examples:

A scuzzy flat

adjective

Unpleasant and dirty

Usage examples:

A scuzzy little restaurant, a scuzzy guy on the bus tried to talk to me.

adjective

Sordid and disreputable.

Usage examples:

His seedy affair with a soft-porn starlet

phrasal verb

Begin a journey.

Usage examples:

We set out from new york on friday for egypt

phrasal verb

Arrange or display something in a particular order or position.

Usage examples:

They had a picnic by the river where there was a jetty and rustic tables and chairs set out

phrasal verb

To start a journey

Usage examples:

What time will we have to set off for grandma's house tomorrow?, jenny set off down the road on her…

adjective

In poor condition through long use or lack of care.

Usage examples:

A conscript in a shabby uniform saluted the car

adjective

Looking old and in bad condition because of wear or lack of care

Usage examples:

The man wore a long, shabby coat., we parked near bobby’s shabby trailer., her salary is $305,000 t…

verb

Allow or cause (something) to be visible.

Usage examples:

A white blouse will show the blood

noun

A spectacle or display, typically an impressive one.

Usage examples:

Spectacular shows of bluebells

verb

Make visible or noticeable

noun

A gesture, action, or sound that is used to convey information or instructions, typically by prearrangement between the parties concerned.

Usage examples:

The firing of the gun was the signal for a chain of beacons to be lit

verb

Convey information or instructions by means of a gesture, action, or sound.

Usage examples:

Hold your fire until i signal

adjective

Striking in extent, seriousness, or importance; outstanding.

Usage examples:

Their signal failure to achieve a satisfactory solution to the problem

verb

Be an indication of.

Usage examples:

This decision signified a fundamental change in their priorities

verb

To mean something, or be a sign of

Usage examples:

In this picture, red represents sulfur and green signifies hydrogen., [ i ] all those in favor, ple…

adjective

Having or showing skill.

Usage examples:

A skilful midfielder

adjective

Good at doing something, especially because you have practised doing it

Usage examples:

Police officers have to be skilful drivers., a skilful piece of playing on the clarinet

adjective

(of a person or situation) sordid, corrupt, or immoral.

Usage examples:

A sleazy private detective

adjective

Morally bad and low in quality, but trying to attract people by a showy appearance or false manner

Usage examples:

He’s a sleazy politician who ignored his responsibilities in order to make his friends rich.

adjective

Sleazy people and places are involved in activities of a low moral standard

Usage examples:

57% of voters think of the government as "sleazy and incompetent"., he spent his twenties hanging o…

adjective

Squalid or unfit for human habitation.

Usage examples:

A slummy neighbourhood

noun

(in liverpool) loose change; coins.

Usage examples:

Got my bag of slummy ready for the next minimum fare being paid with a £20 note

adjective

Involving immoral or dishonourable actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt.

Usage examples:

The story paints a sordid picture of bribes and scams

adjective

Morally ugly, so that being involved makes you feel dirty

Usage examples:

A sordid story, sordid details, the sordid condition of many of the city school buildings was shock…

adjective

Feeling sad or distressed through sympathy with someone else's misfortune.

Usage examples:

I was sorry to hear about what happened to your family

phrasal verb

Speak the letters that form a word in sequence.

Usage examples:

He spelled out his name for the clerk

phrasal verb

To say or show letters

Usage examples:

They spelled out the letters y, m, c, and a with their arms and bodies., the mayor has so far refus…

adjective

Showing or caused by malice.

Usage examples:

The teachers made spiteful little jokes about me

adjective

Wanting to annoy, upset, or hurt another person, especially in a small way, because you feel angry towards them

Usage examples:

A spiteful child, that was a spiteful thing to say!

adjective

(of a place) extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect.

Usage examples:

The squalid, overcrowded prison

adjective

Extremely dirty, poor, and unpleasant

Usage examples:

The squalid apartment was her first home in the city., he lived in dreadful squalor despite having …

noun

A level of quality or attainment.

Usage examples:

Their restaurant offers a high standard of service

adjective

Used or accepted as normal or average.

Usage examples:

The standard rate of income tax

adjective

Usual or expected; not involving something special or extra

Usage examples:

A standard contract, i don’t work a standard, 35-hour week., the car came with an air conditioner a…

adjective

Mean; ungenerous.

Usage examples:

His boss is stingy and idle

adjective

Not generous, or unwilling to spend money

Usage examples:

Some bankers are stingy in lending to small businesses.

verb

Put forward for consideration.

Usage examples:

I suggest that we wait a day or two

verb

To mention an idea, possible plan, or action for other people to consider

Usage examples:

They were wondering where to hold the office party and i suggested the italian restaurant on main s…

adjective

Very good or pleasant; excellent.

Usage examples:

Julie was a super girl

adverb

Especially; particularly.

Usage examples:

He's been super understanding

noun

Short for superficial (used in expressing quantities of material).

adjective

Very good; excellent.

Usage examples:

A superb performance

verb

Be a symbol of.

Usage examples:

The ceremonial dagger symbolizes justice

verb

To represent something

Usage examples:

The lighting of the olympic torch symbolizes peace and friendship.

adjective

(of glue, paint, or other substances) not fully dry and retaining a slightly sticky feel.

Usage examples:

The paint was still tacky

adjective

Showing poor taste and quality.

Usage examples:

Even in her faintly tacky costumes, she won our hearts

adjective

(of a substance) sticky

Usage examples:

I left a fingerprint in the tacky paint., she reads those tacky romance novels.

adjective

Of great size, amount, or intensity.

Usage examples:

There was a terrific bang

adjective

Very good or enjoyable

Usage examples:

Kate looks absolutely terrific tonight., this book has had a terrific influence on me.

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.

adjective

Infml unwilling to spend money

adjective

Very great in amount, scale, or intensity.

Usage examples:

Penny put in a tremendous amount of time

adjective

Great in amount, size, or degree; extremely large

Usage examples:

She is under tremendous pressure at work., a tremendous book/concert/athlete

adjective

(of a person's behaviour or attitude towards others) unkind; unsympathetic.

Usage examples:

This uncharitable remark possibly arose out of jealousy

adjective

Unkind and unfair

Usage examples:

The uncharitable explanation is that she's too afraid to ask.

adjective

Not based on or behaving according to the principles of equality and justice.

Usage examples:

At times like these the legal system appears inhuman and unfair

adjective

Not fair

Usage examples:

It seems unfair to tax you both where you work and where you live., the company unfairly denied her…

adjective

Not morally right, or not treating people in an equal way

Usage examples:

Businesses argue that the tax idea is unfair because it is based on revenue, rather than profit., w…

adjective

Not friendly.

Usage examples:

She shot him an unfriendly glance

adjective

Not generous; mean.

Usage examples:

He was not an ungenerous man

adjective

Inconsiderate and harsh to others.

Usage examples:

You were terribly unkind to her

adjective

Not kind

Usage examples:

He’s made some very unkind remarks about his employer lately.

adjective

Causing discomfort, unhappiness, or revulsion; disagreeable.

Usage examples:

An unpleasant smell

adjective

Not attractive or enjoyable or easy to like

Usage examples:

An unpleasant surprise, unpleasant memories, an unpleasant young man, rob chuckled unpleasantly.

adjective

Deliberately cruel or violent.

Usage examples:

A vicious assault

adjective

Able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

adjective

(of an act) intending to hurt badly, or (of a person or animal) likely to be violent

Usage examples:

I don’t believe he is a vicious dog., the few who disagreed became the targets of vicious written a…

adjective

Extremely unpleasant.

Usage examples:

He has a vile temper

adjective

Evil or disgusting

Usage examples:

He responded with the vilest language imaginable., a vile mood/temper

adjective

Unpleasant, immoral, and unacceptable

Usage examples:

This vile policy of ethnic cleansing must be stopped.

noun

A person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit.

Usage examples:

A celebrated clarinet virtuoso

verb

Have a desire to possess or do (something); wish for.

Usage examples:

I want an apple

noun

A lack or deficiency of something.

Usage examples:

Victorian houses which are in want of repair

The state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

verb

Feel or express a strong desire or hope for something that cannot or probably will not happen.

Usage examples:

We wished for peace

noun

A desire or hope for something to happen.

Usage examples:

The union has reiterated its wish for an agreement

adjective

Inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration; extremely good; marvellous.

Usage examples:

They all think she's wonderful

adjective

Extremely good

Usage examples:

Becoming a father was the most wonderful experience of my life., i took a vacation and feel wonderf…

adjective

(of a person) in a very unhappy or unfortunate state.

Usage examples:

I felt so wretched because i thought i might never see you again

adjective

Unhappy or extremely sad

Usage examples:

He looked so ill and wretched as he spoke that he made me feel wretched myself., workers lived in w…