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- British
- Idioms And Phrases
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[ jen-er-uhl ]
/ ˈdʒɛn ər əl /
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
adjective
of or relating to all persons or things belonging to a group or category: a general meeting of the employees.
of, relating to, or true of such persons or things in the main, with possible exceptions; common to most; prevalent; usual: the general mood of the people.
not limited to one class, field, product, service, etc.; miscellaneous: the general public; general science.
considering or dealing with overall characteristics, universal aspects, or important elements, especially without considering all details or specific aspects: general instructions; a general description; a general resemblance one to another.
not specific or definite: I could give them only a general idea of what was going on.
(of anesthesia or an anesthetic) causing loss of consciousness and abolishing sensitivity to pain throughout the body.
having extended command or superior or chief rank: the secretary general of the United Nations; the attorney general.
noun
QUIZ
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Idioms about general
- with respect to the whole class referred to; as a whole: He likes people in general.
- as a rule; usually: In general, the bus is here by 9 a.m.
in general,
Origin of general
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Latin generālis, equivalent to gener- (stem of genus “race, kind”) + -ālis adjective suffix; see origin at genus, -al1
synonym study for general
1, 2. General, common, popular, universal agree in the idea of being nonexclusive and widespread. General means belonging to, or prevailing throughout, a whole class or body collectively, irrespective of individuals: a general belief. Common means shared by all, and belonging to one as much as another: a common interest; common fund; but use of this sense is frequently avoided because of ambiguity of sense. Popular means belonging to, adapted for, or favored by the people or the public generally, rather than by a particular (especially a superior) class: the popular conception; a popular candidate. Universal means found everywhere, and with no exceptions: a universal longing.
historical usage of general
English general (adjective and noun) comes via Old French from the Latin adjective generālis “common, belonging to all, belonging to a race or genus” (as opposed to speciālis “particular, belong to a species”).
The military sense of general (noun) dates from the mid-16th century; general officer and general of the army date from the mid-17th century. The heads of some Roman Catholic religious orders are called generals, a usage that began in the 16th century and applied originally to the Jesuits but now applies to the Franciscans and Dominicans as well; the usage was extended in the 19th century to the head of the Salvation Army.
The phrase in general originally meant “in a body, collectively” (a sense that is now obsolete), with a clear relation to the sense of the adjective general “with respect to a whole class, group, or category.” It later developed further to mean “usually,” which can be interpreted as meaning “as a general rule (rather than a specific instance).”
OTHER WORDS FROM general
gen·er·al·ness, nounpseu·do·gen·er·al, adjectiveun·der·gen·er·al, noun
Words nearby general
gene mapping, gene patent, gene pool, genera, generable, general, General Accounting Office, general admission, General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, General American, general anaesthetic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
MORE ABOUT GENERAL
What does general mean?
General describes all people or things belonging to a group. A general election, for example, is an election that is held on a regular schedule.
General can also describe all people or things with possible exceptions. When we describe a word as being used in general, we mean that it’s mostly used that way but there might be a few exceptions to it.
General also describes something that is not specific or definite, as in While Nat doesn’t have all the details about the party yet, they have a general idea what it’s going to be like.
In the military a general is a high-ranking officer, although each branch of the military ranks officers a little differently. In the U.S. Army, a general is an officer of the five highest ranks—brigadier general, major general, lieutenant general, general, or general of the army, all of which have their own authorities and responsibilities. In the U.S. Marine Corps, a general is the highest-ranking officer in the entire corps.
Example: The general consensus is that the movie was pretty terrible.
Where does general come from?
The first records of the term general come from the late 1200s. It comes from the Latin generālis, meaning “of a particular kind.” Something that is general is supposed to relate to all people or things of a certain kind.
Perhaps the largest group general is applied to is the general public, a term that describes all people in a society. When someone wants to appeal to the general public, they want to create a message that will be acceptable and favorable to the largest number of people possible.
Did you know … ?
How is general used in real life?
General is most often used to describe something broad or not specific.
Kanye’s Twitter feed and the general response to it is proof that there remain many issues on how we talk about or engage people with mental illness.
— Alexander Quon (@AlexanderQuon) July 21, 2020
I like the general idea of being on the beach much more than actually being on the beach
— FK. (@fkabudu) December 13, 2020
BREAKING: Federal judge says U.S. attorney general cannot withhold grant money from cities over so-called sanctuary cities status.
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 15, 2017
Try using general!
Is general used correctly in the following sentence?
When Tomica cooks, she follows general principles rather than specific instructions.
Words related to general
accustomed, broad, commonplace, familiar, generic, humdrum, natural, normal, ordinary, prevailing, public, regular, routine, universal, loose, blanket, catholic, collective, comprehending, diffuse
How to use general in a sentence
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The USPS lawyer told the court Thursday that the agency’s warning was not unusual and that a similar warning was issued before the 2016 general election.
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In general, this is reviewing that wants to create a sport from it, that wants people to participate without knowing how to win.
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The attorney general parroting the president’s false assertions about the reliability of mail-in voting.
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Fewer have taken action for the general election, as the move has become increasingly partisan and subject to litigation.
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The report says the data also show that LGBTQ people are 20 percent more likely than the general population to have experienced a reduction in work hours during the reopening period.
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“They are hypocritical on this very issue,” Shearer said about Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder and other public officials.
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It also contains some clunky passages of adultery, temptations of the flesh, and general sexual awkwardness.
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Closed courthouses, rogue clerks, and misleading statements from the attorney general as Florida welcomes same-sex marriage.
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“We would just as soon stay away from a group that will create controversy,” the Cubs general manager Sam Bernabe told the paper.
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Your general reaction runs along the lines of: “When will these geezers give it up and go for a mall walk or something?”
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A Yankee, whose face had been mauled in a pot-house brawl, assured General Jackson that he had received his scars in battle.
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In the year of misery, of agony and suffering in general he had endured, he had settled upon one theory.
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To others the fierce desire for social justice obliterates all fear of a general catastrophe.
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Finally, let me ask the general reader to put aside all prejudice, and give both sides a fair hearing.
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General Lachambre, as the hero of Cavite, followed to receive the applause which was everywhere showered upon him in Spain.
British Dictionary definitions for general
general
/ (ˈdʒɛnərəl, ˈdʒɛnrəl) /
adjective
common; widespreada general feeling of horror at the crime
of, including, applying to, or participated in by all or most of the members of a group, category, or community
relating to various branches of an activity, profession, etc; not specializedgeneral office work
including various or miscellaneous itemsgeneral knowledge; a general store
not specific as to detail; overalla general description of the merchandise
not definite; vaguegive me a general idea of when you will finish
applicable or true in most cases; usual
(prenominal or immediately postpositive) having superior or extended authority or rankgeneral manager; consul general
Also: pass designating a degree awarded at some universities, studied at a lower academic standard than an honours degreeSee honours (def. 2)
med relating to or involving the entire body or many of its parts; systemic
logic (of a statement) not specifying an individual subject but quantifying over a domain
noun
an officer of a rank senior to lieutenant general, esp one who commands a large military formation
any person acting as a leader and applying strategy or tactics
a general condition or principle: opposed to particular
a title for the head of a religious order, congregation, etc
archaic the people; public
in general generally; mostly or usually
Derived forms of general
generalness, noun
Word Origin for general
C13: from Latin generālis of a particular kind, from genus kind
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with general
see in general; on (general) principle.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
GENERAL VOCABULARY DICTIONARY WORDS
GENERAL VOCABULARY DICTIONARY WORDS | Learn English words below that would definitely enhance your vocabulary words not only but also learn them with their meaning.
journalist | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
writer for newspapers and magazines
judgement | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. decision; appraisal
decision; appraisal
juice | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. liquid
liquid; liquid part that can be extracted from plant or animal tissue
juicy | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
a. Syn. succulent
full of juice; lucrative; richly interesting
jumble | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. mix
assemble without order or sense; confused multitude of things; chaos; mess; mixture
junction | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. connection; joint; intersection; crossing
connection; joint; intersection; crossing
jungle | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. jumble
land densely overgrown with tropical vegetation; dense, confused mass
junior | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
a.
less advanced in age than another; younger; lower in standing or in rank
jury | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
committee appointed to judge a case
justice | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
quality of being just; practical conformity to human or divine law; equity; uprightness
justifiable | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
a.
capable of being justified, or shown to be just
justification | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
good or just reason; condition or fact of being justified
jail | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. prison
building for confinement of persons held in lawful custody
jam | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v.
crush or bruise; get stuck; press tightly together
jar | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. pitcher; vase
pitcher; vase; small, cylindrical container for food, normally made of glass or clay
jealous | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
a. Syn. zealous; solicitous; vigilant
resentful or bitter in rivalry; envious
jealousy | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. envy; covetousness
envy; jealous attitude or disposition
jelly | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
substance having the consistency of semi-solid foods
jeopardize | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v. Syn. endanger; imperil
endanger; imperil; put at risk
jerk | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v.
pull, or move with a sudden movement; move with abrupt, seemingly uncontrolled motions
jettison | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v.
throw overboard; eject from boat, submarine, aircraft, or spaceship
jewel | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. gemstone; gem
gemstone; costly ornament of precious metal or gem
jewelry | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
adornment made of precious metals, as a bracelet or ring or necklace
jog | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v. Syn. run
run or ride at a steady slow trot; give a push or shake to
journal | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. magazine; periodical
magazine; periodical; log; diary; a ledger in which transactions have been recorded as they occurred
journalism | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
profession of reporting or photographing or editing news stories for one of the media
justify | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v. Syn. vindicate; defend
adjust the spaces between words; show to be reasonable; explain, clear away
juvenile | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. youth; young
youth; adolescent; not fully grown or developed
kangaroo | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
animal that having large powerful hind legs and a long thick tail
keen | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
a. Syn. acute; incisive
acute; incisive; sharp ; express grief verbally
kernel | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. nut; core
central or vital part; most material and central part; grain or seed as of corn
kerosene | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
flammable hydrocarbon oil used as fuel in lamps and heaters
keyboard | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
device consisting of a set of keys on a piano or organ or typewriter or typesetting machine or computer
kidnap | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v.
take by force or fear, and against one’s will; seize and detain unlawfully and usually for ransom
kidney | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
glandular organ which excretes urea and other waste products from the animal body
kindle | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v. Syn. inspire
build or fuel a fire; cause to glow; light up; inspire
kingdom | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n. Syn. realm; domain; empire
rank, quality, state, or attributes of a king; royal authority; sovereign power; rule; dominion; monarchy
kneel | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v.
bend the knee; fall or rest on the knees
knit | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
v.
contract into wrinkles; grow together; form into fabric by intertwining
knob | General Vocabulary Dictionary Words
n.
hard protuberance; hard swelling or rising; bunch; lump
knot
n.
fastening together of one or more threads, cords, ropes; lump or loop formed in thread; ornamental tie
label
n.
paper affixed to anything by inscription; slip of ribbon, parchment; writing annexed by way of addition
laborer
n. Syn. worker; toiler
worker; someone who works with their hands
lace
n.
delicate decorative fabric woven in an open web of symmetrical patterns; rope; cord that is drawn through eyelets
lag
v. Syn. delay; drag
delay; drag; the act of slowing down or falling behind
lamb
n.
the young of the sheep; simple, unsophisticated person
lame
a.
moving with pain or difficulty because of injury; disabled so that movement is difficult or impossible
landing
n. Syn. touchdown
touchdown; act of coming down to the earth
landscape
n. Syn. scenery
scenery; expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
lane
n.
passageway between fences which is not traveled as a highroad; narrow country road
lap
v.
take in food or drink with one’s tongue; splash gently
lapse
n.
gliding, slipping, or gradual falling; unobserved or imperceptible progress; slip or error; failing in duty
largely
ad. Syn. mainly
in a large manner; for the most part; mainly
lark
v.
any of various small, singing passerine birds of the family Alaudidae; one who wakes early; one who is up with the larks
laser
n.
optical device that produces an intense monochromatic beam of coherent light
lasting
a. Syn. enduring; durable
continuing or remaining for a long time; enduring; durable
latent
a. Syn. dormant; hidden
present or potential but not evident or active; dormant; hidden
lateral
a. Syn. parallel; side
coming from side; situated at or extending to the side
latitude
n.
freedom from normal restraints; angular distance north or south of the earth’s equator
launch
v. Syn. begin; originate; initiate
begin; originate; initiate; send off; take off
laundry
n. Syn. washing
washing; workplace where clothes are washed and ironed
lawn
n. Syn. landscape; grassland; meadow
landscape; grassland, usually tended or mowed; meadow
lay
v. Syn. deposit
put into a certain place; cause to lie down; spread over a surface
layer
n. Syn. tier; stratum
tier; a relatively thin sheet like expanse or region lying over or under another
legendary
a. Syn. mythical; fabled
mythical; fabled; extremely well known; famous or renowned
legislation
n. Syn. lawmaking
lawmaking; the act of making or enacting laws ; law enacted by a legislative body
legitimate
a.
accordant with law; lawful; based on logical reasoning; reasonable
leisure
n. Syn. convenience; vacancy
convenience; vacancy; freedom to choose a pastime or enjoyable activity
lengthen
v. Syn. extend; elongate
extend; make or become longer
leopard
n.
large feline of African and Asian forests usually having a tawny coat with black spots
lever
n.
simple machine consisting of a rigid bar pivoted on a fixed point and used to transmit force
levy
v. Syn. impose; collect
impose fine or tax; collect payment
liability
n.
something that holds one back; state of being legally obliged and responsible
liable
v. Syn. responsible; answerable
bound or obliged in law or equity
layout
n.
overall design of a page; plan or design of something that is laid out
leadership
n. Syn. guidance; direction; authority
guidance; direction; authority; position or office of a leader
leading
a. Syn. main; principal
chief; principal; having a position in the lead; foremost
leaflet
n.
small leaf; leaf like organ or part
league
n. Syn. association; union
association; union
leak
v. Syn. seep; ooze
escape fluid from container through a hole or crack; tell anonymously; reveal
lean
v.
bend or slant away from the vertical; rely for assistance or support
leap
n. Syn. jump; hop
jump; hop; place jumped over or from
lease
n. Syn. rent; charter
rent; charter; engage for service under a term of contract
lecture
n.
teaching by giving a discourse on some subject; speech that is open to the public
legal
a.
created by, permitted by law; according to the law of works
legend
n.
explanatory list of symbols on a map; unverified story handed down from earlier times
liberal
a. Syn. tolerant
open-minded; tolerant; broad-mindedness; having political views favoring reform and progress
liberate
v. Syn. free; discharge; release
set free, as from oppression, confinement, or foreign control; discharge; release
liberty
n. Syn. freedom
state of free person; exemption from subjection to the will of another; freedom
license
n. Syn. permission
official or legal permission to do or own a specified thing
lick
v.
draw or pass the tongue over; pass or lap quickly and rapidly; beat thoroughly in a competition or fight
lift
v. Syn. hoist; elevate
direct or carry from a lower to a higher position; raise; transport by air
light
n.
brightness; something that admits illumination; source of fire; particular aspect of a situation
likelihood
n.
possibility, strong probability; state of being probable
likewise
ad. Syn. similarly
similarly; as well; too
limb
n. Syn. arm; leg
arm; leg; any of the main branches arising from the trunk or a bough of a tree
limestone
n.
rock consisting chiefly of calcium carbonate or carbonate of lime
limousine
n.
any of various large passenger vehicles, especially a luxurious automobile; van or small bus on regular route
limp
v.
walk lamely, especially with irregularity, as if favoring one leg; move or proceed haltingly or unsteadily
line
n.
thin continuous mark, as that made by a pen, pencil, or brush applied to a surface; border or boundary
linear
a.
having form of a line; straight; consisting of lines; lineal
linen
n.
fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant; thread made from fibers of the flax plant
liner
n.
vessel belonging to a regular line of packets, as ship or plane
linger
v. Syn. dawdle
be slow in leaving; continue or persist; stay
linguistics
n.
humanistic study of language and literature
link
v.
be or become joined or united; connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces
liquid
n. Syn. fluid; juice
fluid; juice; substance in fluid state
liquor
n.
any liquid, as water, milk, blood, sap, juice; alcoholic or spirituous fluid
list
v. Syn. tilt
lean or cause to lean to the side; lean over; itemize
literacy
n.
reading and writing; ability to read and write
literal
a.
according to the letter or verbal expression; exactly as stated
literally
ad.
with meaning; word for word; letter by letter
literary
a.
knowledgeable about literature; of or relating to or characteristic of literature
literate
a. Syn. educated; schooled
educated; schooled; one who can read and write
literature
n.
imaginative or creative writing, especially of recognized artistic value; art or occupation of a literary writer
lodge
n.
small house on the grounds of an estate or a park, used by a caretaker or gatekeeper
lodging
n. Syn. accommodation
accommodation; lodging
lofty
a.
high, tall, having great height; idealistic, implying over-optimism
log
n. Syn. wood
record of a voyage or flight; record of day to day activities
logic
n.
reasoned and reasonable judgment; a system of reasoning
logical
a. Syn. coherent; reasonable
reasonable; based on known statements or events or conditions
longevity
n.
long life; great duration of life; long duration or continuance, as in an occupation
longitude
n.
an imaginary great circle on the surface of the earth passing through the north and south poles
loom
v. Syn. appear; emerge
appear or take shape, usually in enlarged or distorted form
loop
v. Syn. circle; ring
circle; ring; move in loops; make a loop in; join with a loop
loose
a. Syn. unstable; weak
unbound; untied; not attached, fastened, fixed, or confined
loosen
v.
make loose or looser; make less severe or strict
lose
v.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have; be deprived of; fail to win
lottery
n.
scheme for distribution of prizes by chance; gaming in which tickets bearing particular numbers draw prizes
lounge
n.
public room with seating where people can wait; living room; lobby
low
v. Syn. moo
utter sound made by cattle; make a low noise
loyal
a.
steadfast in allegiance or duty; faithful to a person, ideal, custom, cause, or duty
lubricate
v.
make smooth or slippery
lumber
v.
move heavily or clumsily; cut down timber of
luminous
a. Syn. shining
shining; emitting light, especially emitting self-generated light
lump
n.
a small mass of matter of irregular shape; irregular or shapeless mass; small cube of sugar
lunar
a.
pertaining to the moon; affecting the moon
luxurious
a. Syn. sumptuous; lavish
rich and superior in quality; lavish
luxury
n. Syn. opulence; extravagance
something that is an indulgence rather than necessity; excessively expensive
litter
v.
make untidy by discarding rubbish carelessly; scatter about
livelihood
n. Syn. subsistence; sustenance
subsistence; financial means whereby one lives
lively
a. Syn. busy; energetic; vigorous
busy; energetic; vigorous
liver
n.
large and complicated reddish-brown glandular organ located in upper right chest
livestock
n.
any animals kept for use or profit
load
n. Syn. burden; duty
burden; something which is laid on or put in anything for conveyance; quantity which can be carried or drawn in some specified way
loaf
n.
any thick lump, mass, or cake, especially, a large regularly shaped or molded mass, as of bread
loan
n.
give temporarily; temporary provision of money
lobby
n. Syn. hall; room
a group of people who try to influence legislation; hall; room; a large entrance or reception room or area
lobster
n.
any large macrurous crustacean used as food
locality
n. Syn. place; district
place; district; surrounding or nearby region; particular neighborhood
locate
v. Syn. find; monitor; settle
find; monitor; settle; determine or specify the position or limits o
location
n. Syn. scene; site; spot
scene; site; place where something is or could be located
lock
n.
strand or cluster of hair; fastening together; a closing of one thing upon another; device operated by a key
locomotive
n.
of or relating to locomotion; a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine
locust
n.
any one of numerous species of long-winged, migratory insects, of the family Acrididae
magnitude
n. Syn. greatness; extent
extent; greatness of rank, size, or position
maintain
v. Syn. support; sustain
keep in any particular state or condition; keep up or carry on; continue
maintenance
n. Syn. preservation
preservation; support; continuance; court-ordered support paid by one spouse to another
maize
n.
tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears
majesty
n. Syn. nobility
nobility; greatness and dignity of a sovereign; royal personage
major
a.
greater in number, quantity, or extent; more important
majority
n.
greater number or part; a number more than half of the total
malady
n. Syn. illness
disease, disorder, or ailment; unwholesome condition
malaise
n. Syn. uneasiness
general sense of depression or unease; vague feeling of bodily discomfort, as at beginning of illness
malice
n.
enmity of heart; malevolence; ill will; spirit delighting in harm or misfortune to another
malicious
a. Syn. spiteful
deliberately harmful; spiteful; proceeding from extreme hatred
manifest
a. Syn. evident; visible; obvious; apparent
clearly apparent to understanding; obvious
manifestation
n. Syn. revelation; indication
revelation; indication of the existence, reality, or presence of something
manifesto
n. Syn. declaration
public declaration of principles; statement of policy
manipulate
v. Syn. maneuver; control
operate with one’s hands; control or play upon people, forces artfully
mansion
n.
dwelling-house of the better class; a large or stately residence
manual
n. Syn. guide book
guide book; hand-operated
manufacture
v.
make products by hand or machinery; make from raw materials
manuscript
n.
written with or by the hand; not printed; literary or musical composition written with the hand
map
v.
depict as if on a map; plan or delineate, especially in detail; arrange
maple
n.
tree of the genus Acer, including about fifty species
marble
n.
hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish
march
n. Syn. parade; advance
walking with regular steps; a procession of people walking together; steady advance
margin
n. Syn. border; rim; room
border; rim; room
marginal
a.
of or pertaining to a margin; written or printed in the margin
marine
a. Syn. maritime; naval
sea-dwelling; maritime; naval
mariner
n.
one whose occupation is to assist in navigating ships; seaman or sailor
marked
a. Syn. noticeable
noticeable or pronounced; having one or more distinguishing marks
marsh
n. Syn. swamp; bog
swamp; bog; low lying wet land with grassy vegetation
marshal
v. Syn. arrange; enlist; organize
put in order; arrange or place something in line
martyr
n.
one who makes great sacrifices or suffers to further belief or principle; one who endures great suffering
marvel
n. Syn. wonder; miracle
wonder; strong surprise; astonishment
masculine
a.
of the male sex; not female; having the qualities of a man
mask
v.
try to conceal something; disguise; hide under a false appearance
massacre
n.
killing of a considerable number of human beings under circumstances of atrocity or cruelty
massive
a. Syn. enormous; colossal; immense
enormous; colossal; consisting of great mass; containing a great quantity of matter
mast
n.
fruit of the oak and beech, or other forest trees; nuts; acorns; a pole, or long, strong, round piece of timber, set upright in boat to sustain sail
masterpiece
n.
chief excellence or great talent; outstanding work of art or craft
match
n.
something that resembles or harmonizes with
mate
n. Syn. breed
a fellow member of a team
material
a.
of, relating to, or composed of matter; concerned with physical, not from intellectual or spiritual
materialism
n.
philosophical theory that matter is the only reality
mathematics
n.
science dealing with the logic of quantity and shape
mattress
n.
quilted bed; bed stuffed with hair, moss, or other suitable material, and quilted or otherwise fastened
mature
v.
develop and reach maturity; grow old or older
maturity
n.
state or quality of being mature; ripeness; full development; arrival of the time fixed for payment
maximum
n.
the largest possible quantity
meadow
n.
tract of low or level land producing grass; any field on which grass is grown for hay
measure
v.
determine the size of something; mark, lay out, or establish dimensions; estimate by evaluation or comparison
mechanical
a. Syn. automatic; monotonous
automatic; monotonous; relating to or governed by or in accordance with mechanics
mechanics
n.
branch of physics concerned with the motion of bodies
mechanism
n. Syn. device; machine
device; machine; the technical aspects of doing something
medal
n.
a piece of metal in form of coin, and intended to preserve remembrance of notable event or person, or to serve as a reward
medieval
a.
very old-fashioned; as if belonging to the Middle Ages
meditate
v.
dwell on anything in thought; think seriously; keep the mind fixed upon; purpose; plan in the mind
meditation
n. Syn. contemplation; consideration
lengthy intent consideration; long and thoughtful observation; contemplation of spiritual matters
medium
n.
state that is intermediate between extremes
meek
a. Syn. spiritless; gentle
quiet and obedient; showing patience and humility
melancholy
a. Syn. gloomy; sad
gloomy; feeling of thoughtful sadness; affected by depression
melody
n. Syn. tune
tune; pleasing succession or arrangement of sounds; poem suitable for setting to music or singing
melon
n.
juicy fruit of certain cucurbitaceous plants, as the muskmelon, watermelon; plant that produces the fruit juicy
melt
v.
changed from a solid to a liquid state especially by the application of heat
memo
n. Syn. note; memorandum
short note; memorandum; written proposal or reminder
memorial
n. Syn. monument
monument; short note or abstract, intended for registry, exhibiting the particulars of a deed
memorize
v. Syn. commemorate
commemorate; commit to memory; learn by heart
memory
n. Syn. recollection; memorial
faculty of mind by which it retains the knowledge of previous thoughts, impressions, or events
menace
n. Syn. danger
danger; a threat or the act of threatening; something that is a source of danger; threaten; intimidate
mend
v. Syn. repair; improve
make repairs or restoration to; fix; improve
mental
a.
involving mind or intellectual process; affected by disorder of mind
mentality
n.
mental action or power; intellectual activity; intellectuality
mention
v. Syn. refer; indicate
speak or notice of anything, usually in a brief or cursory manner
menu
n.
an agenda of things to do
mercantile
a. Syn. trading; commercial
trading; commercial; of or relating to trade or traders
merchandise
n. Syn. goods
objects for sale; goods
merchant
n.
one who traffics on a large scale, especially with foreign countries; trafficker; trader
mackintosh
n.
waterproof long coat made of rubberized cloth
magic
n.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
magician
n.
one who performs magic tricks to amuse an audience; sorcerer; wizard
magistrate
n.
civil officer with power to administer and enforce law
magnetic
a. Syn. captivating; attractive
having the properties of attracting iron or steel; captivating; attractive; being to draw or pull
magnetism
n.
attraction for iron; associated with electric currents as well as magnets
magnificent
a. Syn. gorgeous; lavish
grand or noble in thought or deed; outstanding of its kind
magnify
v. Syn. intensify; increase; enlarge
intensify; increase; make greater in size; enlarge
mercy
n. Syn. clemency
compassionate treatment of unfortunate and helpless; willingness to spare or to help; disposition to be kind
mere
a.
being nothing more than what is specified; considered apart from anything else; small; slight
merge
v. Syn. combine; unite
combine; unite
merit
n. Syn. virtue; value; credit
virtue; admirable quality or attribute; credit
mermaid
n.
legendary sea creature having the head and upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish
mesh
n. Syn. enclose
opening or space enclosed by the threads of a net between knot and knot; network or net
mess
n.
soft semi liquid food; a quantity of food set on a table at one time; provision of food for one meal
metallic
a.
of or pertaining to metal; of metal nature; resembling metal
method
n. Syn. manner; way; mode
orderly procedure or process; regular manner of doing anything
methodology
n.
system of methods followed in a particular discipline
meticulous
a. Syn. scrupulous; cautious
excessively careful; marked by extreme care in treatment of details
metric
n.
standard of measurement; geometric function that describes the distances between pairs of points in a space
metropolitan
a. Syn. city
city center; one who lives in a city center
microscope
n.
magnifier of the image of small objects
millionaire
n.
one whose material wealth is valued at more than a million dollars
mince
v.
cut into very small pieces; chop fine; suppress or weaken the force of
mingle
v.
be all mixed up or jumbled together;
miniature
a. Syn. tiny
very small; model that represents something in a greatly reduced size
minimize
v. Syn. diminish
diminish; belittle; make small or insignificant
minimum
a.
the smallest possible quantity
minister
n. Syn. servant; subordinate
one who performs service for another; officer of justice; executive head of a government department
ministry
n.
act of serving; government department, at the administrative level normally headed by a minister
minor
a.
of lesser importance or stature or rank; not of legal age; limited in size or scope
minority
n.
a group of people who differ racially or politically from a larger group
minus
a.
less; requiring to be subtracted; negative
minute
a. Syn. tiny
extremely small; short note
miracle
n. Syn. marvel; wonder
wonderful thing; something that excites admiration or astonishment
miraculous
a. Syn. astonishing; amazing
astonishing; amazing
miscarriage
n.
failure of administration or management; failure to attain a desired result or reach a destination
mischief
n.
behavior that causes discomfiture or annoyance in another; tendency to play pranks or cause embarrassment
miserable
a. Syn. unhappy; wretched
very unhappy; full of misery; wretched
misery
n. Syn. calamity; misfortune
great unhappiness; extreme pain of body or mind
misfortune
n.
bad fortune or ill luck; bad luck
misgiving
n. Syn. doubt
feeling of doubt, distrust, or apprehension
mishap
n. Syn. accident; misfortune
unfortunate accident; bad luck
mislead
v. Syn. deceive; misguide
deceive; misguide
missile
n.
weapon that is thrown or projected; rocket carrying instruments or warhead
mission
n.
assignment that is given to a person or group; operation that is assigned by a higher headquarters; job; task
mist
n.
visible watery vapor suspended in atmosphere, at or near the surface of the earth; fog; haze before the eyes that blurs the vision
moan
n.
a low prolonged sound of grief or pain, whether articulate or not; groan softly and continuously
mobile
a. Syn. movable
movable; not fixed; fluid; unstable
mobilize
v.
assemble, prepare, or put into operation for or as if for war; make mobile or capable of movement
mock
v. Syn. ridicule; mimic; disappoint
treat with ridicule or contempt; mimic; frustrate hopes of
mode
n. Syn. manner; method; style
prevailing style; manner; way of doing something; fashion or style
moderate
a. Syn. temperate; gentle; mild
temperate; gentle; mild; make less fast or intense ; preside over
modest
a. Syn. humble; moderate
humble; less ambitious; moderate
modification
n.
act of modifying, or state of being modified; modified form or condition; a change
modify
v. Syn. alter; change
alter; change
modulate
v.
tone down in intensity; regulate; change from one key to another
module
n.
standard or unit of measurement; self-contained component of a system; unit of education covering a single topic
moist
a. Syn. wet; damp
slightly wet; damp or humid
moisture
n.
wetness caused by water
molecular
a.
of molecules; relating to simple or basic structure or form
molecule
n.
the smallest particle of substance, having all the properties of that substance
momentary
a.
done in a moment; continuing only a moment; lasting a very short time
momentous
a. Syn. grave; serious
very important; of outstanding significance or consequence
monarch
n. Syn. king; ruler
king; sole and absolute ruler; sovereign, such as a king or empress
monastery
n.
house of religious retirement, or of seclusion from ordinary temporal concerns, especially for monks
monetary
a. Syn. fiscal; pecuniary; financial
of or relating to money; nation’s currency; financial
monitor
v. Syn. observe; watch; locate
observe; watch; keep an eye on
monopolize
v. Syn. dominate; occupy
dominate; occupy; have and control fully and exclusively
monopoly
n. Syn. domination
exclusive control or possession of something; domination
monotonous
a. Syn. boring; dull
boring; dull; tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
monotony
n.
uniformity or lack of variation; continual increase, or continual decrease; tedium as a result of repetition
monster
n.
beast; ugly creature; someone or something that is abnormally large and powerful
monstrous
a.
marvelous; strange; extraordinary on account of ugliness, viciousness, or wickedness
monument
n. Syn. statue; memorial
structure erected to commemorate persons or events; memorial
monumental
a. Syn. massive
massive; taking a great amount of time and effort to complete; in manner of a monument
moor
n.
dark-colored person generally; broad area of open land, often high but poorly drained
morale
n. Syn. confidence; spirit; mood
confidence; mood or spirit of a group that makes the members wants the group to succeed
morality
n.
set of social rules, customs, traditions, beliefs, or practices which specify proper, acceptable forms of conduct
moreover
ad.
beyond what has been said; further; besides; in addition; furthermore; also; likewise
mortal
n.
man, human being; liable or subject to death; accompanying death
motel
n.
motor hotel; lodging rooms adjacent to a parking lot
motion
n. Syn. movement; action
movement; act of changing location; ability or power to move
motionless
a. Syn. still; immobile; stationary
at rest, stationary, immobile, not moving
motivate
v. Syn. prompt; stimulate; impel
stimulate; impel; provide with an incentive; move to action
motivation
n. Syn. incentive; drive
incentive; psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal
motive
n. Syn. intention; purpose
emotion, desire, physiological need; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
motto
n.
short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle; maxim
mould
n.
crumbling, soft, friable earth; soil
mount
v.
go up or advance; fix onto a backing; put up or launch
mourn
v.
express or to feel grief or sorrow; grieve; be sorrowful
mournful
a. Syn. sorrowful; sad; gloomy
feeling or expressing sorrow or grief; sad; gloomy
mourning
n.
expression of deep sorrow because someone has died
moustache
n.
hair growing on the human upper lip, especially when cultivated and groomed
mouth
n. Syn. entrance
opening through which an animal receives food; aperture between jaws or between lips
movement
n.
act of moving; change of place or posture; transference, by any means, from one situation to another
muffle
n.
bare end of nose between nostrils
muffler
n.
heavy scarf worn around the neck for warmth; anything used in muffling; part of the exhaust pipe of a car that dampens the noise
multiple
a.
having, or consisting of more than one part; many
multiply
v. Syn. proliferate; increase
proliferate; increase; combine by multiplication
multitude
n.
a great number; many
municipal
a. Syn. metropolitan; civic
metropolitan; civic; having local self-government
murmur
v.
make low, confused, and indistinct sound, like that of running water
muscular
a. Syn. brawny
having or suggesting great physical power; of or relating to or consisting of muscle
muse
v. Syn. ponder
be absorbed in one’s thoughts; consider or say thoughtfully
mushroom
v.
multiply, grow, or expand rapidly
mute
a.
refraining from producing speech or vocal sound; unable to speak; expressed without speech; unspoken
mutton
n.
sheep; flesh of a sheep; loose woman; prostitute
mutual
a. Syn. interactive; shared
common to or shared by two or more parties; shared
myriad
a. Syn. innumerable; many; countless; numberless
of very large or indefinite number; of ten thousand
mysterious
a.
beyond ordinary understanding
myth
n. Syn. legend; fable
legend; fable; a traditional story accepted as history
mythology
n.
study of myths; collection of myths
naked
a. Syn. nude; bare
bare and pure; completely unclothed
microwave
n.
a short electromagnetic wave; cook or heat in a microwave oven
mighty
a. Syn. powerful; great
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
migrant
a. Syn. wandering
habitually moving from place to place especially in search of seasonal work; wandering
migrate
v.
move from one country or region to another and settle there
migration
n.
movement of persons from one country or locality to another
milestone
n. Syn. landmark; significant development
landmark; significant development
military
a. Syn. soldiery; militia
pertaining to soldiers, to arms, or to war; of whole body of soldiers
milk
n.
white fluid secreted by the mammary glands of female mammals for the nourishment of their young
miller
n.
one who keeps or attends a flour mill or gristmill; milling machine
nickel
n.
coin worth one twentieth of a dollar
nightmare
n.
dream arousing feelings of intense fear, horror, and distress; event or experience that is intensely distressing
nitrogen
n.
colorless nonmetallic element, tasteless and odorless, comprising four fifths of the atmosphere by volume
nobility
n.
quality or state of being noble; superiority of mind or of character; commanding excellence; eminence
noisy
a. Syn. vociferous; clamorous
full of loud and nonmusical sounds; clamorous
nominal
a.
in name only; insignificantly small
nominate
v. Syn. designate; appoint
designate; appoint
nomination
n.
act of naming or nominating; designation of a person as a candidate for office
nonsense
n. Syn. silliness; rubbish
silliness; words or signs having no intelligible meaning
norm
n. Syn. convention; standard; rule
convention; standard; rule
normally
ad. Syn. usually; commonly
usually; as a rule; regularly; according to a rule
notable
a. Syn. conspicuous; distinguished
worthy of note or notice; remarkable; important
notably
ad. Syn. especially; remarkably; particularly
especially; in a notable manner; remarkably; particularly
note
v.
observe carefully; notice; show; indicate
notify
v. Syn. declare; publish
make known; give notice to; inform by notice
notion
n. Syn. idea; conception
general or universal conception; belief or opinion
notorious
a. Syn. disreputable; infamous
disreputable; known widely and usually unfavorably; infamous
notwithstanding
ad.
nevertheless; in spite of; despite anything to the contrary
nought
n. Syn. naught
nonexistence; nothingness; zero
nourish
v. Syn. feed; nurture
provide with nourishment; provide with food or other substances necessary for life and growth
nourishment
n.
a source of materials to nourish the body
novel
a. Syn. original; innovative
previously unknown; strikingly new, unusual, or different; young
novelty
n. Syn. newness; innovation
quality of being novel; newness; something new and unusual
nowadays
ad. Syn. now; presently
during current time; presently
nowhere
ad.
not anywhere; not in any place or state
nuclear
a. Syn. atomic
of, relating to, or forming a nucleus of an atom; pertaining to, or using nuclear weapons
nucleus
n. Syn. hub; core
central or essential part around which other parts are gathered or grouped; core
nuisance
n.
something that annoys or gives trouble and vexation; something that is offensive or noxious
null
a. Syn. invalid; void; nullified
invalid; void; nullified; having no legal force; invalid
nullify
v.
make invalid; make null; invalidate; counteract force or effectiveness of
numerical
a.
belonging to number; denoting number; consisting in numbers; expressed by numbers, and not letters
numerous
a. Syn. many; various
many; various; amounting to a large indefinite number
nursery
n.
room for baby; area in a household set apart for the use of children
nylon
n.
any of a family of high-strength, resilient synthetic polymers
namely
ad.
by name; by particular mention; expressly; that is to say
nap
n.
a period of time spent sleeping
narrator
n.
someone who tells a story
nasty
a.
very dirty, foul; disgusting; nauseous
native
a.
being as origin; as found in nature in the elemental form
nausea
n.
feeling of sickness in stomach by an urge to vomit; strong aversion; disgust
naval
a. Syn. maritime
relating to, or adjacent to the sea; relating to marine shipping or navigation
navigable
a.
wide and deep enough to allow ships to pass through; able to be steered
navigation
n.
guidance of ships or airplanes from place to place
neat
a. Syn. tidy; clean
clean or orderly
necessitate
v.
make necessary or indispensable; render unavoidable
needle
n.
long, thin, sharp implement usually for piercing such as sewing, or knitting
needy
a. Syn. poor; indigent
poor; indigent; being in need; impoverished
negate
v. Syn. nullify; deny
cancel out; make ineffective or invalid; deny
negation
n.
act of denying; assertion of the nonrealistic or untruthfulness of anything
negative
a. Syn. adverse; disparaging
adverse; involving disadvantage or harm; pessimistic
neglect
v. Syn. disregard; ignore
disregard; ignore; pay little or no attention to
negligence
n. Syn. neglect
neglect; failure to take reasonable care; state or quality of being negligent
negligent
a. Syn. careless; inattentive
careless; inattentive
negligible
a. Syn. insignificant; tiny
so small, trifling, or unimportant that it may be easily disregarded
negotiable
a.
capable of being negotiated; transferable by assignment or endorsement to another person
negotiation
n.
discussion intended to produce an agreement
nervous
a. Syn. agitated; anxious
agitated; anxious
network
n.
any system of lines or channels crossing like the fabric of a net; complex, interconnected group or system
neutral
a. Syn. impartial
impartial; not supporting one side over another
neutron
n.
elementary particle with 0 charge and mass about equal to a proton
nevertheless
ad.
not the less; notwithstanding; in spite of that; yet
occur
v. Syn. happen
take place; be found to exist ; come to one’s mind
occurrence
n. Syn. incidence; event; happening
an event that happens
odd
a. Syn. bizarre; strange; unusual
not easily explained; beyond from the usual or expected; not divisible by two
odour
a. Syn. odor
any smell, whether fragrant or offensive; scent; perfume
offence
n.
act of causing anger, resentment, displeasure, or affront; violation or infraction of moral or social code
offend
v.
strike against; attack; assail; make angry; affront
offensive
a. Syn. attacking; insulting; distasteful
causing anger, displeasure, resentment, or affront
offer
n. Syn. proposal
act of presenting; something, such as a suggestion, proposal, bid, or recommendation
offset
v.
counterbalance, counteract, or compensate for; balance
offspring
n. Syn. descendant
descendant
omen
n.
any indication or action regarded as a foreshowing; phenomenon supposed to portend good or evil
ominous
a. Syn. threatening
threatening; foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
omission
n.
act of omitting; neglect or failure to do something required by propriety or duty
omit
v. Syn. bypass; neglect
leave undone or leave out ; bypass; neglect; fail to include or mention
onset
n. Syn. start; assault
beginning or early stages; offensive against enemy
opaque
a. Syn. nontransparent; obscure
impenetrable by light; not transparent; not reflecting light; having no luster
opera
n.
a drama set to music and consists of singing
operative
a.
having power of acting; exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects
opinion
n.
notion or conviction founded on probable evidence; belief stronger than impression; favorable estimation
opponent
n. Syn. antagonist; adversary
contestant; someone who offers opposition ; adverse; hostile; opposing
opportune
a. Syn. timely
timely; just in time; suited or right for a particular purpose
opportunity
n. Syn. chance; probability
favorable or advantageous circumstance; chance for progress or advancement
oak
n.
any tree or shrub of the genus Quercus; durable wood of any of these trees or shrubs
oar
n.
long, thin, usually wooden pole with a blade at one end, used to row or steer a boat
oath
n. Syn. vow; pledge
solemn promise; commitment to tell the truth
obedient
a.
subject in will or act to authority; willing to obey; submissive to restraint, control, or command
object
v.
be averse to or express disapproval of
objection
n. Syn. opposition; denial
act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
objective
a. Syn. fair
not influenced by emotions; having actual existence or reality
obligation
n. Syn. duty; commitment
act of binding oneself by a social, legal, or moral tie; written promise to repay a debt
oblige
v. Syn. force; compel; coerce
force; bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted; do a service or favor for
obliterate
v. Syn. delete; erase; abolish
destroy completely; do away with completely so as to leave no trace
oblong
a.
having greater length than breadth, especially when rectangular
obscure
v. Syn. darken; hide; block
darken; make dim or indistinct; conceal in obscurity
observance
n.
act or practice of observing or noticing with attention; an act, ceremony, or rite, as of worship or respect
observe
v.
be on the watch respecting; pay attention to; notice with care; see; perceive
obstacle
n. Syn. obstruction; impediment; hindrance
one that opposes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress
obstinate
a. Syn. stubborn
stubbornly adhering to an attitude or opinion; hard to control or treat
obstruction
n.
act of obstructing; any structure that makes progress difficult
obtain
v. Syn. acquire; get; procure; derive
get hold of; gain possession of; acquire, in any way
obtainable
a. Syn. available
available; capable of being obtained
obvious
a. Syn. evident; apparent
exposed; easily discovered; plain
occasion
n. Syn. incident
significant event that occurs at a critical time; opportunity to do something; event or happening
occasional
a. Syn. random; incidental
random; occurring from time to time; infrequent
occasionally
ad. Syn. sometimes; infrequently; irregularly
now and then; from time to time; infrequently; irregularly
occupation
n. Syn. job; vocation; business
act of occupying or taking possession; control of a country by military forces of a foreign power
occupy
v. Syn. inhabit
inhabit; live in a certain place; be present in; be inside of
oppose
v.
place in front of, or over against; set opposite; exhibit; confront; resist; withstand
opposite
n.
two words that express opposing concepts; contrariwise; directly facing each other
opposition
n.
condition of being in conflict; act of opposing something
optical
a.
of or relating to or involving light or optics
optimal
a. Syn. optimum; ideal
most advantageous; optimum; ideal
optimism
n.
tendency to expect the best possible outcome; belief that the universe is improving and good will win over evil
optimistic
a. Syn. hopeful; positive
hopeful; positive; expecting the best in all possible ways
optimum
a. Syn. best
most favorable or advantageous
option
n. Syn. alternative; choice; selection
act of choosing; power or freedom to choose
optional
a.
not obligatory; left to choice; not compulsory or automatic
oral
a. Syn. spoken; unwritten
spoken; unwritten; relating to the mouth
orbit
n. Syn. path; circle
path; circle; move in an orbit; encircle
orchard
n. Syn. garden
garden; area of land devoted to the cultivation of fruit or nut trees
orchestra
n. Syn. band
band
orderly
a.
conformed to order; in order; regular; well-regulated
ore
n. Syn. mineral
mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
organ
n.
natural part or structure in animal or plant, capable of performing some special action
organic
a.
simple and healthful and close to nature
organism
n.
living being; system considered analogous in structure or function to a living body
orient
v. Syn. direct; guide; lead
focus toward; determine position with reference to another point; locate to face the east
oriental
a.
of or relating to the countries of the orient or their peoples or cultures; eastern
orientation
n. Syn. direction
act of finding oneself position; position or alignment relative to points of directions; course introducing new situation
origin
n.
the first existence or beginning of anything; birth; fountain
original
a. Syn. first; primary
not second hand; not copied or translated from something else
originality
n. Syn. novelty; creativity
novelty; creativity; capacity to act or think independently
originate
v. Syn. initiate; invent; begin
initiate; invent; bring into being; create
ornament
n. Syn. decoration; adornment
decoration; something used to beautify
ornamental
a. Syn. decorative; embellishing
decorative; any plant grown for its beauty or ornamental value
ounce
n.
unit of weight equal to one sixteenth of a pound
outbreak
n. Syn. beginning; eruption; explosion
beginning; eruption; explosion
outcome
n. Syn. result; effect
result; end or consequence; result of a random trial
outdoors
ad.
out of house; out of doors
outermost
a. Syn. utmost
far most; utmost; outmost; most distant from the center or inside
outlandish
a. Syn. strange; bizarre
unconventional; strikingly unfamiliar; located far from civilized areas
outlaw
n.
person excluded from the benefit of the law, or deprived of its protection; fugitive from the law; habitual criminal
outlet
n. Syn. channel
an opening that permits escape or release; activity that releases creative energy or emotion
outline
n.
line that appears to bound an object; shape of an object or figure; summary of a written work or speech
outlook
n. Syn. viewpoint; standpoint
prospect; view; belief about the future ; act of looking out
output
n. Syn. production; product
act or process of producing; production; amount produced during a certain time
outrage
n. Syn. atrocity; barbarity
act of extreme violence or viciousness; offense
outrageous
n. Syn. violent; atrocious
of the nature of an outrage; exceeding the limits of right, reason
outright
ad. Syn. altogether; entirely
altogether; entirely; without reservation or exception
outset
n.
beginning; start; origin; time at which something is supposed to begin
outstanding
a.
distinguished from others in excellence
oval
a. Syn. elliptic
elliptic; rounded like an egg
overall
a. Syn. general; comprehensive
general; comprehensive; from one end to the other; including everything
overcast
a.
covered or obscured, as with clouds or mist; gloomy; melancholy
overcharge
n. Syn. overprice
overprice; a price that is too high
overcome
v. Syn. defeat
defeat another in competition or conflict; conquer; prevail over
owe
v.
be in debt; be obliged to pay or repay
owl
n.
any species of raptorial birds of the family Strigidae
own
a.
belonging to oneself or itself; not foreign; domestic
ownership
n.
having and controlling property
oxide
n.
any compound of oxygen with another element; a binary chemical compound of oxygen
oxygen
n.
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas
oyster
n.
marine mollusks having a rough irregular shell
overestimate
v.
make too high an estimate of
overflow
v.
flow over; cover with, or as with, water or other fluid; spread over; flow over the brim of
overhear
v.
hear more of anything than was intended to be heard; hear again
overlap
n.
representation of common ground between two things; extend over and cover a part of
overlapping
a.
covering with a design in which one element covers a part of another
overload
v.
place too much a load on
overlook
v. Syn. ignore; disregard
ignore; disregard; fail to notice ; watch over
overseas
ad.
beyond or across the sea; abroad
oversight
n. Syn. omission; inattention
unintentional omission or mistake; watchful care or management; supervision
overtake
v.
come up with in a course, pursuit, progress, or motion; catch up with; come upon from behind; capture; overcome
overthrow
v.
throw over; overturn; upset; turn upside down; cause to fall or to fail
overtime
n.
beyond the regular time
overwhelm
v.
defeat; cover completely or make imperceptible; overcome by superior force ; charge someone with too many tasks
overwhelming
a.
overpowering in effect or strength; very great or intense; extreme
English Vocabulary List Part 8
Examples of general
general
The above concept is very general and idealistic.
The solutions of the equations (3.10)-(3.14) are very difficult to obtain in the general case.
But there is no general history of the magazine.
However, this is not simply a matter of the «identification and denigration of differences» in general.
Alternatively, one can propose a general licensing principle that permits such violations at that level.
In general, the laser-heated plasma volume is smaller than the cluster plume.
In observational research in the general population, however, a continuum approach may be more useful than use of a qualitative cut-off point.
A qualitative argument is derived to discriminate between oscillatory and stationary onset of instability in the general case.
He surveys the sacred meals against a carefully assembled background of ordinary meal-taking and the general philosophy of food in each region.
The citizens of the country constitute an organic whole, which is integrated by the general will of the masses.
In general, little is known about those living on the margins of society during this period, especially in the rural regions.
In general, reflexive pronouns do not form a large percentage of postverbal pronouns.
The findings underline the importance of using specific rather than general tasks to assess phonology, phonological sensitivity, and phonological representations.
Such reports highlight consequences that affect development prospects in general.
The country’s general policy direction over the past ten years is not in question.
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Collocations with general
These are words often used in combination with general.
Click on a collocation to see more examples of it.
adjutant general
Their work in the supporting investigation by the deputy adjutant general has produced real changes in the way we work.
auditor general
I may have said «auditor comptroller general»instead of»comptroller auditor general«.
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Roman general who was governor of Britain and extended Roman rule north to the Firth of Forth (37-93)
ancient Athenian statesman and general in the Peloponnesian War (circa 450-404 BC)
a general of Alexander the Great and king of Macedonia; lost one eye; killed in a battle at Ipsus (382-301 BC)
Roman general under Julius Caesar in the Gallic wars; repudiated his wife for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra; they were defeated by Octavian at Actium (83-30 BC)
United States general and traitor in the American Revolution; in 1780 his plan to surrender West Point to the British was foiled (1741-1801)
Byzantine general under Justinian I; he recovered former Roman territories in northern Africa and fought against the Persians
(Old Testament) Babylonian general and son of Nebuchadnezzar II; according to the Old Testament he was warned of his doom by divine handwriting on the wall that was interpreted by Daniel (6th century BC)
Venezuelan statesman who led the revolt of South American colonies against Spanish rule; founded Bolivia in 1825 (1783-1830)
United States general who played an important role in the Allied victory in World War II (1893-1981)
Confederate general during the American Civil War who was defeated by Grant in the battle of Chattanooga (1817-1876)
British general in the American Revolution who captured Fort Ticonderoga but lost the battle of Saratoga in 1777 (1722-1792)
United States general in the American Civil War who was defeated by Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Fredericksburg (1824-1881)
conqueror of Gaul and master of Italy (100-44 BC)
Chinese military and political figure; in the Chinese civil war that followed World War II he was defeated by the Chinese communists and in 1949 was forced to withdraw to Taiwan where he served as president of Nationalist China until his death (1897-1975)
English general considered one of the greatest generals in history (1650-1722)
United States general who was Allied commander in Africa and Italy in World War II and was commander of the United Nations forces in Korea (1896-1984)
Prussian general and military theorist who proposed a doctrine of total war and war as an extension of diplomacy (1780-1831)
United States general who commanded United States forces in Europe from 1945 to 1949 and who oversaw the Berlin airlift (1897-1978)
British general and statesman whose victory at Plassey in 1757 strengthened British control of India (1725-1774)
commander of the British forces in the American War of Independence; was defeated by American and French troops at Yorktown (1738-1805)
English general and statesman who led the parliamentary army in the English Civil War (1599-1658)
English general; son of George II; fought unsuccessfully in the battle of Fontenoy (1721-1765)
United States general who was killed along with all his command by the Sioux at the Battle of Little Bighorn (1839-1876)
Israeli general and statesman (1915-1981)
French general and statesman who became very popular during World War II as the leader of the Free French forces in exile (1890-1970)
son of Antigonus Cyclops and king of Macedonia; he and his father were defeated at the battle of Ipsus (337-283 BC)
United States Air Force officer who electrified the world in 1942 by leading a squadron of 16 bombers on a daylight raid over Tokyo (1896-1993)
British marshal of the RAF who commanded the British air defense forces that defeated the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain (1882-1970)
United States general who supervised the invasion of Normandy and the defeat of Nazi Germany; 34th President of the United States (1890-1961)
Austrian general in the service of the Holy Roman Empire during the War of the Spanish Succession (1663-1736)
Roman statesman and general who built the Flaminian Way; died when he was defeated by Hannibal (died 217 BC)
Spanish general whose armies took control of Spain in 1939 and who ruled as a dictator until his death (1892-1975)
Italian patriot whose conquest of Sicily and Naples led to the formation of the Italian state (1807-1882)
18th President of the United States; commander of the Union armies in the American Civil War (1822-1885)
United States general who served as military director of the atomic bomb project (1896-1970)
general who commanded the Carthaginian army in the second Punic War; crossed the Alps and defeated the Romans but was recalled to defend Carthage and was defeated (247-182 BC)
British marshal of the Royal Air Force; during World War II he directed mass bombing raids against German cities that resulted in heavy civilian casualties (1892-1984)
general who commanded a Carthaginian army in Spain; joined his brother Hannibal in Italy and was killed by the Romans at the battle of Metaurus River (died 207 BC)
German field marshal and statesman; as president of the Weimar Republic he reluctantly appointed Hitler as chancellor in 1933 (1847-1934)
(Apocrypha) the Assyrian general who was decapitated by the biblical heroine Judith
United States general in the Union Army who was defeated at Chancellorsville by Robert E. Lee (1814-1879)
United States politician and military leader who fought to gain independence for Texas from Mexico and to make it a part of the United States (1793-1863)
7th president of the US; successfully defended New Orleans from the British in 1815; expanded the power of the presidency (1767-1845)
general in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War whose troops at the first Battle of Bull Run stood like a stone wall (1824-1863)
Confederate general in the American Civil War; led the Confederate troops in the West (1807-1891)
Jewish general who led the revolt of the Jews against the Romans and then wrote a history of those events (37-100)
American general who led the Confederate Armies in the American Civil War (1807-1870)
Roman general famous for self-indulgence and giving lavish banquets (circa 110-57 BC)
Roman general famous for giving lavish banquets (110-57 BC)
Spartan general who defeated the Athenians in the final battle of the Peloponnesian War (died in 395 BC)
Macedonian general under Alexander the Great; with Seleucus he defeated Antigonus and Demetrius at the battle of Ipsus (circa 355-281 BC)
United States general who served as chief of staff and commanded Allied forces in the South Pacific during World War II; he accepted the surrender of Japan (1880-1964)
United States general and statesman who as Secretary of State organized the European Recovery Program (1880-1959)
United States general in charge of the Union troops at the Battle of Gettysburg (1815-1872)
Athenian general who defeated the Persians at Marathon (540-489)
United States aviator and general who was an early advocate of military air power (1879-1936)
English general during World War II; won victories over Rommel in North Africa and led British ground forces in the invasion of Normandy (1887-1976)
French general who became emperor of the French (1769-1821)
French marshal in the Napoleonic Wars (1769-1815)
United States general who commanded the American forces in Europe during World War I (1860-1948)
American Confederate general known for leading a disastrous charge at Gettysburg (1825-1875)
Roman general and statesman who quarrelled with Caesar and fled to Egypt where he was murdered (106-48 BC)
United States general who was the first African American to serve as chief of staff; later served as Secretary of State under President George W. Bush (born 1937)
French general who commanded French troops in the American Revolution, notably at Yorktown (1725-1807)
Mexican general who tried to crush the Texas revolt and who lost battles to Winfield Scott and Zachary Taylor in the Mexican War (1795-1876)
a French marshal who distinguished himself in the War of the Austrian Succession (1696-1750)
Roman general who commanded the invasion of Carthage in the second Punic War and defeated Hannibal at Zama (circa 237-183 BC)
United States general who was a hero of the War of 1812 and who defeated Santa Anna in the Mexican War (1786-1866)
Macedonian general who accompanied Alexander the Great into Asia; founded a line of kings who reigned in Asia Minor until 65 BC (358-281 BC)
United States general who was commander of all Union troops in the West; he captured Atlanta and led a destructive march to the sea that cut the Confederacy in two (1820-1891)
Indian general and nawab of Bengal who opposed the colonization of India by England; he captured Calcutta in 1756 and many of his prisoners suffocated in a crowded room that became known as the Black Hole of Calcutta; he was defeated at the battle of Plassey by a group of Indian nobles in alliance with Robert Clive (1728-1757)
United States general who commanded the Allied forces in China and Burma and India during World War II (1883-1946)
Roman general and dictator (138-78 BC)
Austrian general who fought for the Hapsburgs during the Thirty Years’ War (1583-1634)
1st President of the United States; commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution (1732-1799)
British field marshal in North Africa in World War II; he defeated the Italians before being defeated by the Germans (1883-1950)
American general during the American Revolution (1745-1796)
British general and statesman; he defeated Napoleon at Waterloo; subsequently served as Prime Minister (1769-1852)
Greek general and historian; student of Socrates (430-355 BC)
Soviet general who during World Warr II directed the counteroffensive at Stalingrad and relieved Leningrad and captured Berlin (1896-1974)
AWL
Words on this page from the academic word list
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Show sorted lists of these words.
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This page discusses academic vocabulary. It begins by considering a
definition of academic vocabulary, then looks at different types of vocabulary used in academic contexts, namely
general words, non-general
‘academic’ words, and
technical words.
Another important feature of academic vocabulary,
nominalisation, is also considered.
What is academic vocabulary?
For another look at the same content, check out the video on YouTube (also available on
Youku). There is a worksheet (with answers and teacher’s notes) for this video.
Academic vocabulary can be difficult to define. One broad definition is the vocabulary which can be used in academic contexts.
The problem here though is what do we mean by ‘academic contexts’? Does this mean spoken contexts (e.g. lectures, seminars, presentations),
written contexts (e.g. essays, articles, reports), or both? Writers on academic vocabulary tend to focus on the latter, and often
overlook the former. It also depends on what subject we are talking about. The academic vocabulary necessary for
writing a science laboratory report (e.g. apparatus, procedure, errors) has some differences from the academic vocabulary
which might be used in social science research (e.g. survey, population, sample),
though of course they would also have much in common.
In general, academic vocabulary can be considered to consist of three types of vocabulary:
- general words which are acceptable for academic use;
- non-general ‘academic’ words;
- technical words specific to an individual subject area.
Each of these is described in more detail below.
General words which are academic
The
General Service List (GSL) is a useful starting place to identify general English words. Many of the
words in the GSL can be used in academic contexts. Consider these examples, all of which contain only words from the GSL, but all of which are acceptable in
academic speech or writing:
- The aim of this report is to… [see language for reports]
- What I want to talk about today is… [see language for presentations]
- There are several possible reasons for this, for example… [giving reasons, giving examples]
- In comparison, the control group… [comparing]
There are, however, many words from the GSL which are not academic. Consider these examples:
- Spoken English is more informal than academic English. It uses phrases like ‘like’ and things like that.
- Acid rain is a bad thing for all of us.
These examples contain several words and phrases which would not be considered good academic style,
for example like (to give examples), thing, and bad. These three words are also in the GSL.
In this case, the important consideration is tone: words and phrases such as aim, report,
reasons, for example, and in comparison are all academic in tone, while
like, thing, and bad are not. For this reason, when studying words for academic use, it is important to
know whether they are
academic (formal) or not.
General vocabulary can also include general words which have special meaning in academic contexts. Examples include:
discipline
- general meaning: training people to obey rules
- academic meaning: a subject of study
population
- general meaning: the number of people living in a country/region
- academic meaning: all individuals who could possibly be included in a study/survey
control
- general meaning: power over sb/sth
- academic meaning: a group used in a scientific experiment to check results
In this case, it is important to focus on both the
meaning and
usage of these general vocabulary items.
Academic words and word lists
Researchers have long been interested in creating a list of
words which are not common enough for students to learn through ordinary study,
but which are frequent in all or most academic disciplines and can therefore be studied by all EAP learners.
This type of vocabulary has various names, e.g. sub-technical vocabulary or specialised non-technical vocabulary.
Perhaps the most well known example of such a list is the
Academic Word List (AWL). This can be a useful resource for building
general academic vocabulary, though it should be remembered that this list is derived from written academic texts, so is most useful for
written contexts. It is also important to use the list appropriately: do not just try to learn all the words. A useful tool is the
AWL highlighter, which will help you study the words in context,
as well as giving definitions, pronunciation and examples sentences.
A second and similar list is the
New Academic Word List (NAWL), which seeks to create a more updated list of academic words, since it is founded on the
New General Service List (NGSL), from 2013, in contrast to the AWL which is founded on the
General Service List (GSL) dating from 1953.
There are two other commonly used lists for academic English. One is called the
Academic Collocation List, or ACL for short. This lists commonly used
collocations in written academic texts (e.g.
vast array, great accuracy). The other is called the
Academic Formulas List, or AFL for short. This lists commonly used
formulaic sequences in academic English (e.g.
in terms of, at the same time). As with the AWL, both of these lists were produced following extensive research.
The lists above are intended for all or most disciplines. Some researchers are also creating academic word lists for specific
disciplines. These are different from technical words (see below) since these lists comprise non-technical words, that learners
may not find defined in their course of study, and may be unfamiliar with since they are non-general words. An example is the
Economics Academic Word List (which is included on this site, along with an
EAWL highlighter).
Technical words
The final type of words you need to study to improve your academic vocabulary is technical words, or words which are
particular to your field of study. Examples are photosynthesis (for biology), inertia (for physics),
externalities (for economics).
More information about this type of word can be found on the
technical (subject specific) vocabulary page of the website.
Nominalisation (noun phrases)
Another feature of academic vocabulary which deserves mention is the use of nominalisation or noun phrases. Study the following examples:
|
Acid rain |
erodes |
buildings, which is a major problem. |
|
s |
v |
|
The erosion of buildings by acid rain |
is |
a major problem. |
|
s |
v |
In the first example, ‘acid rain’ is the subject (shown by ‘s’) and ‘erodes’ is the verb (shown by ‘v’).
In the second example, which many would consider to be more academic, the subject has been made
more complex by changing the verb into a noun and creating a noun phrase ‘the erosion of buildings by acid rain’.
This type of nominalisation is common in academic writing.
For this reason, it is important to study the
word family of a word, rather than just one word form, especially if the word is not a noun.
Conclusion
In sum, academic vocabulary is difficult to define, because it depends very much on what kind of context
we are talking about. For example, spoken academic language differs from written academic language (though they also have much in common);
the language for biology differs from the language for economics, especially in the technical language they use
(though again, they have much in common).
The main issue for EAP students is to raise your awareness of which
general words are formal enough to use in academic writing, build your knowledge of common
academic words, and study and learn the
technical vocabulary which is used in the discipline you are studying (or plan to study).
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