Term
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Definition
shiver verb, noun
BrE / ˈʃɪvə(r) /
NAmE / ˈʃɪvər /
verb
[ intransitive ] ( of a person )
to shake slightly because you are cold, frightened, excited, etc
Don't stand outside shivering—come inside and get warm!
He shivered at the thought of the cold, dark sea.
~ with sth to shiver with cold/excitement/pleasure, etc.
noun
1 [ countable ] a sudden shaking movement of your body because you are cold, frightened, excited, etc
The sound of his voice sent shivers down her spine .
He felt a cold shiver of fear run through him.
She gave a little shiver as she walked into the cold room.
2 the shivers [ plural ] shaking movements of your body because of fear or a high temperature
I don't like him. He gives me the shivers .
Symptoms include headaches, vomiting and the shivers.
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hud • dle verb, noun
BrE / ˈhʌdl /
NAmE / ˈhʌdl /
verb
1 [ intransitive ] ~ (up/together) (+ adv./prep.) ( of people or animals ) to gather closely together, usually because of cold or fear
We huddled together for warmth.
They all huddled around the fire.
People huddled up close to each other.
2 [ intransitive ] ~ (up) (+ adv./prep.) to hold your arms and legs close to your body, usually because you are cold or frightened
I huddled under a blanket on the floor.
hud • dled / BrE ; NAmE / adjective
People were huddled together around the fire.
huddled figures in shop doorways
We found him huddled on the floor.
noun
1 a small group of people, objects or buildings that are close together, especially when they are not in any particular order
People stood around in huddles.
The track led them to a huddle of outbuildings.
2 ( in American football ) a time when the players gather round to hear the plan for the next part of the game
get/go into a ˈhuddle (with sb)
to move close to sb so that you can talk about sth without other people hearing
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Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
slum • ber noun, verb
BrE / ˈslʌmbə(r) /
NAmE / ˈslʌmbər /
noun
[ uncountable , countable , usually plural ] ( literary )
sleep; a time when sb is asleep
She fell into a deep and peaceful slumber.
The phone suddenly roused her from slumber.
I don't want to wake him from his slumbers.
verb
verb forms
word origin
example bank
[ intransitive ] ( literary )
to sleep
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
scorn • ful
BrE / ˈskɔːnfl /
NAmE / ˈskɔːrnfl /
adjective
showing or feeling scorn
contemptuous
a scornful laugh
~ of sth He was scornful of such ‘female’ activities as cooking.
scorn • ful • ly / BrE ˈskɔ ːnfəli ; NAmE ˈskɔ ːrnfəli / adverb
She laughed scornfully.
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
scorn noun, verb
BrE / skɔːn /
NAmE / skɔːrn /
noun
[ uncountable ]
a strong feeling that sb/sth is stupid or not good enough, usually shown by the way you speak
contempt
Her fellow teachers greeted her proposal with scorn .
She was unable to hide the scorn in her voice.
~ for sb/sth They had nothing but scorn for his political views.
pour/heap ˈscorn on sb/sth
to speak about sb/sth in a way that shows that you do not respect them or have a good opinion of them
verb
1 ~ sb/sth to feel or show that you think sb/sth is stupid and you do not respect them or it
dismiss
She scorned their views as old-fashioned.
Such methods are scorned by reputable practitioners.
His brother had always scorned him.
2 ( formal ) to refuse to have or do sth because you are too proud
~ sth to scorn an invitation
~ to do sth She would have scorned to stoop to such tactics.
see hell hath no fury (like a woman scorned) at hell
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Definition
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
hos • tile
BrE / ˈhɒstaɪl /
NAmE / ˈhɑːstl /
NAmE / ˈhɑːstaɪl /
adjective
1 very unfriendly or aggressive and ready to argue or fight
The speaker got a hostile reception from the audience.
~ to/towards sb/sth She was openly hostile towards her parents.
2 ~ (to sth) strongly rejecting sth
opposed to
hostile to the idea of change
The proposals have provoked a hostile response from opposition parties.
3 making it difficult for sth to happen or to be achieved
hostile conditions for plants to grow in
4 belonging to a military enemy
hostile territory
5 ( business ) ( of an offer to buy a company, etc. ) not wanted by the company that is to be bought
a hostile takeover bid
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Definition
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
ac • cu • mu • late
BrE / əˈkjuːmjəleɪt /
NAmE / əˈkjuːmjəleɪt /
verb
verb forms
word origin
synonyms
example bank
1 [ transitive ] ~ sth to gradually get more and more of sth over a period of time
amass
I seem to have accumulated a lot of books.
By investing wisely she accumulated a fortune.
We have accumulated a great amount of evidence.
2 [ intransitive ] to gradually increase in number or quantity over a period of time
build up
Debts began to accumulate.
Dust and dirt soon accumulate if a house is not cleaned regularly.
ac • cu • mu • la • tion / BrE ə ˌkju ːmjə ˈleɪʃn ; NAmE ə ˌkju ːmjə ˈleɪʃn / noun [ uncountable , countable ]
the accumulation of wealth
an accumulation of toxic chemicals
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
abom • in • able
BrE / əˈbɒmɪnəbl /
NAmE / əˈbɑːmɪnəbl /
adjective
extremely unpleasant and causing disgust
appalling , disgusting
The judge described the attack as an abominable crime.
We were served the most abominable coffee.
abom • in • ably / BrE ə ˈbɒmɪnəbli ; NAmE ə ˈbɑ ːmɪnəbli / adverb
She treated him abominably.
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
twist • ed
BrE / ˈtwɪstɪd /
NAmE / ˈtwɪstɪd /
1 bent or turned so that the original shape is lost
After the crash the car was a mass of twisted metal.
a twisted ankle (= injured by being turned suddenly)
She gave a small twisted smile.
a gnarled and twisted tree
2 ( of a person's mind or behaviour ) not normal; strange in an unpleasant way
Her experiences had left her bitter and twisted .
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
mut • ter verb, noun
BrE / ˈmʌtə(r) /
NAmE / ˈmʌtər /
verb
verb forms
word origin
example bank
1 [ transitive , intransitive ] to speak or say sth in a quiet voice that is difficult to hear, especially because you are annoyed about sth
+ speech ‘How dare she,’ he muttered under his breath.
~ (sth) (to sb/yourself) (about sth) She just sat there muttering to herself.
I muttered something about needing to get back to work.
~ that… He muttered that he was sorry.
2 [ intransitive , transitive ] ~ (about sth) | ~ that… to complain about sth, without saying publicly what you think
grumble
Workers continued to mutter about the management.
noun
[ usually singular ]
a quiet sound or words that are difficult to hear
the soft mutter of voices
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
jerky adjective, noun
BrE / ˈdʒɜːki /
NAmE / ˈdʒɜːrki /
adjective
making sudden starts and stops and not moving smoothly
jerk • ily / BrE ˈdʒɜ ːkɪli ; NAmE ˈdʒɜ ːrkɪli / adverb
The car moved off jerkily.
noun
[ uncountable ] ( NAmE )
meat that has been cut into long strips and smoked or dried
beef jerky
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Term
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Definition
| to move or happen faster; to make sth move or happen faster |
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Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
over • land
BrE / ˈəʊvəlænd /
NAmE / ˈoʊvərlænd /
adjective
across the land; by land, not by sea or by air
an overland route
over • land adverb
to travel overland
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Definition
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
slope noun, verb
BrE / sləʊp /
NAmE / sloʊp /
noun
word origin
thesaurus
example bank
1 [ countable ] a surface or piece of land that slopes (= is higher at one end than the other)
incline
a grassy slope
The town is built on a slope .
2 [ countable , usually plural ] an area of land that is part of a mountain or hill
the eastern slopes of the Andes
ski slopes
He spends all winter on the slopes (= skiing ) .
See picture
3 [ singular , uncountable ] the amount by which sth slopes
a gentle/steep slope
a slope of 45 degrees
the angle of slope
Because of the slope of the roof, the snow cannot accumulate.
see the/a slippery slope at slippery
verb
verb forms
word origin
thesaurus
example bank
1 [ intransitive ] (+ adv./prep.) ( of a horizontal surface ) to be at an angle so that it is higher at one end than the other
The garden slopes away towards the river.
The path sloped gently down.
sloping shoulders
2 [ intransitive ] (+ adv./prep.) ( of sth vertical ) to be at an angle rather than being straight or vertical
His handwriting slopes backwards.
It was a very old house with sloping walls.
3 [ intransitive ] + adv./prep. ( BrE , informal ) to go somewhere quietly, especially in order to avoid sth/sb
slink
They got bored waiting for him and sloped off .
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
con • ceal
BrE / kənˈsiːl /
NAmE / kənˈsiːl /
verb
verb forms
word origin
synonyms
example bank
( formal )
to hide sb/sth
~ sb/sth The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster.
Tim could barely conceal his disappointment.
She sat down to conceal the fact that she was trembling.
~ sb/sth from sb/sth For a long time his death was concealed from her.
see also ill-concealed
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
bare • ly
BrE / ˈbeəli /
NAmE / ˈberli /
adverb
1 in a way that is just possible but only with difficulty
He could barely read and write.
The music was barely audible.
She was barely able to stand.
We barely had time to catch the train.
2 in a way that almost does not happen or exist
She barely acknowledged his presence.
There was barely any smell.
3 just; certainly not more than (a particular amount, age, time, etc.)
Barely 50% of the population voted.
He was barely 20 years old and already running his own company.
They arrived barely a minute later.
4 only a very short time before
I had barely started speaking when he interrupted me.
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Definition
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
amuse • ment
BrE / əˈmjuːzmənt /
NAmE / əˈmjuːzmənt /
noun
1 [ uncountable ] the feeling that you have when sth is funny or amusing, or it entertains you
She could not hide her amusement at the way he was dancing.
To my amusement he couldn't get the door open.
Her eyes twinkled with amusement .
His son was a continuous source of amusement and delight to him.
2 [ countable , usually plural ] a game, an activity, etc. that provides entertainment and pleasure
traditional seaside amusements including boats, go-karts and a funfair
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
verb
verb forms
word origin
thesaurus
example bank
/ BrE ɪnˈsʌlt ; NAmE ɪnˈsʌlt / ~ sb/sth
to say or do sth that offends sb
I have never been so insulted in my life!
She felt insulted by the low offer.
You insult my intelligence! (= you are treating me as if I am stupid)
noun
/ BrE ˈɪnsʌlt ; NAmE ˈɪnsʌlt /
a remark or an action that is said or done in order to offend sb
The crowd were shouting insults at the police.
~ to sb/sth His comments were seen as an insult to the president.
The questions were an insult to our intelligence (= too easy) .
see add insult to injury at add
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Definition
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
of • fend
BrE / əˈfend /
NAmE / əˈfend /
verb
verb forms
word origin
thesaurus
example bank
1 [ transitive , often passive , intransitive ] ~ (sb) to make sb feel upset because of sth you say or do that is rude or embarrassing
They'll be offended if you don't go to their wedding.
Neil did not mean to offend anybody with his joke .
She managed to offend her boyfriend's parents as soon as she opened her mouth.
A TV interviewer must be careful not to offend.
2 [ transitive ] ~ sb/sth to seem unpleasant to sb
The smell from the farm offended some people.
an ugly building that offends the eye
3 [ intransitive ] ( formal ) to commit a crime or crimes
He started offending at the age of 16.
What is the best way to stop someone who has offended from repeating the offence?
4 [ intransitive ] ~ (against sb/sth) ( formal ) to be against what people believe is morally right
comments that offend against people's religious beliefs
of • fend • ed / BrE ; NAmE / adjective
Alice looked rather offended.
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
jerk verb, noun
BrE / dʒɜːk /
NAmE / dʒɜːrk /
verb
verb forms
word origin
example bank
[ transitive , intransitive ]
to move or to make sth move with a sudden short sharp movement
~ sth (+ adv./prep.) He jerked the phone away from her.
She jerked her head up.
+ adv./prep. The bus jerked to a halt.
He grabbed a handful of hair and jerked at it.
~ sth + adj. She got to the door and jerked it open.
ˌjerk sb aˈround ( informal , especially NAmE ) to make things difficult for sb, especially by not being honest with them
Consumers are often jerked around by big companies.
ˌjerk ˈoff ( taboo , slang ) ( of a man ) to masturbate
ˌjerk ˈout | ˌjerk sth ˈout to say sth in a quick and awkward way because you are nervous
noun
1 [ countable ] a sudden quick sharp movement
jolt
She sat up with a jerk .
He gave a jerk of his head, indicating that we should follow him.
2 [ countable ] ( informal ) a stupid person who often says or does the wrong thing
3 [ uncountable ] meat that is marinated (= left in a mixture of oil and spices before being cooked) to give it a strong flavour and then cooked over a wood fire
jerk chicken
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
rub verb, noun
BrE / rʌb /
NAmE / rʌb /
verb
verb forms
word origin
example bank
( -bb- )
1 [ transitive , intransitive ] to move your hand, or sth such as a cloth, backwards and forwards over a surface while pressing firmly
~ sth She rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
He rubbed a hand wearily over his eyes.
~ sth/yourself with sth Rub the surface with sandpaper before painting.
I rubbed a clear patch on the window with my fingers.
~ sth/yourself against sth The cat rubbed itself against my legs.
~ at sth I rubbed at the stain on the cloth.
~ against sth Animals had been rubbing against the trees.
~ sth/yourself + adj. Rub the surface smooth.
She rubbed her hair dry quickly with a towel.
2 [ transitive , intransitive ] to press two surfaces against each other and move them backwards and forwards; to be pressed together and move in this way
~ sth (together) She rubbed her hands in delight.
In some cultures, people traditionally greet each other by rubbing noses.
~ (together) It sounded like two pieces of wood rubbing together.
3 [ intransitive , transitive ] ( of a surface ) to move backwards and forwards many times against sth while pressing it, especially causing pain or damage
The back of my shoe is rubbing.
~ on/against sth The wheel is rubbing on the mudguard.
~ sth (+ adj.) The horse's neck was rubbed raw (= until the skin came off) where the rope had been.
4 [ transitive ] ~ sth + adv./prep. to spread a liquid or other substance over a surface while pressing firmly
She rubbed the lotion into her skin.
Rub salt over the fish before cooking.
rub sb's ˈnose in it ( informal ) to keep reminding sb in an unkind way of their past mistakes
rub ˈsalt into the wound | rub ˈsalt into sb's wounds
to make a difficult experience even more difficult for sb
rub ˈshoulders with sb
( NAmE also rub ˈelbows with sb )
to meet and spend time with a famous person, socially or as part of your job
He's rubbing shoulders with stars all the time.
rub sb up the wrong ˈway ( BrE )
( NAmE rub sb the wrong ˈway )
( informal ) to make sb annoyed or angry, often without intending to, by doing or saying sth that offends them
She tends to rub people up the wrong way.
more at not have two beans, brain cells, etc. to rub together at two
ˌrub aˈlong (with sb/together) ( BrE , informal ) ( of two people ) to live or work together in a friendly enough way
We manage to rub along together fairly well.
ˌrub sb/oneself/sth ˈdown to rub the skin of a person, horse, etc. hard with sth to make it clean and dry
I came out of the water and rubbed myself down with a towel.
ˌrub sth ˈdown to make sth smooth by rubbing it with a special material
Rub the wood down well with fine sandpaper before painting.
ˌrub it ˈin | ˌrub sth ˈin [ no passive ] to keep reminding sb of sth they feel embarrassed about and want to forget
I know I was stupid; you don't have to rub it in .
ˌrub ˈoff (on/onto sb) ( of personal qualities, behaviour, opinions, etc. ) to become part of a person's character as a result of that person spending time with sb who has those qualities, etc
Her sense of fun has rubbed off on her children.
Let's hope some of his good luck rubs off on me!
ˌrub sth ˈoff (sth) | ˌrub ˈoff to remove sth or to be removed by rubbing
She rubbed off the dead skin.
The gold colouring had begun to rub off.
( BrE ) If you write on the blackboard, rub it off at the end of the lesson.
ˌrub sb ˈout ( NAmE , slang ) to murder sb
ˌrub sth ˈout ( BrE )
( also erase NAmE , BrE )
to remove the marks made by a pencil, etc, using a rubber/eraser
to rub out a mistake
noun
1 [ countable , usually singular ] an act of rubbing a surface
She gave her knee a quick rub.
2 the rub [ singular ] ( formal or humorous ) a problem or difficulty
The hotel is in the middle of nowhere and there lies the rub . We don't have a car.
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Definition
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
fum • ble verb, noun
BrE / ˈfʌmbl /
NAmE / ˈfʌmbl /
verb
verb forms
word origin
thesaurus
1 [ intransitive , transitive ] to use your hands in an awkward way when you are doing sth or looking for sth
~ (at/with/in sth) (for sth) She fumbled in her pocket for a handkerchief.
He fumbled with the buttons on his shirt.
~ around She was fumbling around in the dark looking for the light switch.
~ sth (+ adv./prep.) He fumbled the key into the ignition.
~ to do sth I fumbled to zip up my jacket.
2 [ intransitive , transitive ] to have difficulty speaking clearly or finding the right words to say
~ (for sth) During the interview, she fumbled helplessly for words.
~ sth to fumble an announcement
3 [ transitive ] ~ sth ( especially in sport ) to drop a ball or to fail to stop or kick it
noun
1 [ singular ]
( also fum • bling [ countable , usually plural ] )
an awkward action using the hands
2 [ countable ] ( NAmE ) the action of dropping the ball while it is in play in American football
After a Pittsburgh fumble, Miami scored a touchdown.
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Definition
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
rifle noun, verb
BrE / ˈraɪfl /
NAmE / ˈraɪfl /
noun
a gun with a long barrel which you hold to your shoulder to fire
verb
1 [ intransitive , transitive ] ~ (through) sth to search quickly through sth in order to find or steal sth
She rifled through her clothes for something suitable to wear.
2 [ transitive ] ~ sth to steal sth from somewhere
His wallet had been rifled.
3 [ transitive ] ~ sth + adv./prep. to kick a ball very hard and straight in a game of football ( soccer )
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Definition
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
scram • ble verb, noun
BrE / ˈskræmbl /
NAmE / ˈskræmbl /
verb
verb forms
word origin
example bank
walk/climb
1 [ intransitive ] + adv./prep. to move quickly, especially with difficulty, using your hands to help you
clamber
She managed to scramble over the wall.
He scrambled to his feet as we came in.
They finally scrambled ashore.
He scrambled up the cliff and raced towards the car.
push/fight
2 [ intransitive ] to push, fight or compete with others in order to get or to reach sth
~ for sth The audience scrambled for the exits.
~ to do sth Shoppers were scrambling to get the best bargains.
achieve sth with difficulty
3 [ transitive ] to manage to achieve sth with difficulty, or in a hurry, without much control
~ sth Cork scrambled a 1–0 win over Monaghan.
~ sth + adv./prep. Rooney managed to scramble the ball into the net.
eggs
4 [ transitive , usually passive ] ~ sth to cook an egg by mixing the white and yellow parts together and heating them, sometimes with milk and butter
scrambled eggs
telephone/radio
5 [ transitive , often passive ] ~ sth to change the way that a telephone or radio message sounds so that only people with special equipment can understand it
scrambled satellite signals
confuse thoughts
6 [ transitive ] ~ sth to confuse sb's thoughts, ideas, etc. so that they have no order
Alcohol seemed to have scrambled his brain.
aircraft
7 [ transitive , intransitive , usually passive ] ~ (sth) to order that planes, etc. should take off immediately in an emergency; to take off immediately in an emergency
A helicopter was scrambled to help rescue three young climbers.
They scrambled as soon as the call came through.
noun
difficult walk/climb
1 [ singular ] a difficult walk or climb over rough ground, especially one in which you have to use your hands
A scramble over the rocks takes you to the most perfect of beaches.
push/fight
2 [ singular ] ~ (for sth) a situation in which people push, fight or compete with each other in order to get or do sth
free for all
There was a mad scramble for the best seats.
When the manager retired, there was a scramble for his job.
motorcycle race
3 [ countable ] a race for motorcycles over rough ground
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Definition
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
shaggy
BrE / ˈʃæɡi /
NAmE / ˈʃæɡi /
adjective
( shag • gier , shag • gi • est )
1 ( of hair, fur, etc. ) long and untidy
a shaggy mane of hair
2 having long untidy hair, fur, etc
a huge shaggy white dog
The youth shook his shaggy head.
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Definition
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
in • stant • ly
BrE / ˈɪnstəntli /
NAmE / ˈɪnstəntli /
adverb
immediately
Her voice is instantly recognizable.
The driver was killed instantly.
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Definition
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
fling verb, noun
BrE / flɪŋ /
NAmE / flɪŋ /
verb
verb forms
word origin
synonyms
example bank
( flung , flung / BrE flʌŋ ; NAmE flʌŋ / )
1 ~ sb/sth + adv./prep. to throw sb/sth somewhere with force, especially because you are angry
hurl
Someone had flung a brick through the window.
He flung her to the ground.
The door was suddenly flung open.
I was flung forward by the impact.
He had his enemies flung into prison .
2 ~ yourself/sth + adv./prep. to move yourself or part of your body suddenly and with a lot of force
She flung herself onto the bed.
He flung out an arm to stop her from falling.
3 ~ sth (at sb) | + speech to say sth to sb in an aggressive way
hurl
They were flinging insults at each other.
see also far-flung
ˈfling yourself at sb ( informal , disapproving ) to make it too obvious to sb that you want to have a sexual relationship with them
ˈfling yourself into sth to start to do sth with a lot of energy and enthusiasm
They flung themselves into the preparations for the party.
ˌfling sth ˈoff/ˈon ( informal ) to take off or put on clothing in a quick and careless way
He flung off his coat and collapsed on the sofa.
ˌfling sb ˈout ( BrE , informal ) to make sb leave a place suddenly
throw out
ˌfling sth ˈout ( BrE , informal ) to get rid of sth that you do not want any longer
throw out
noun
[ usually singular ] ( informal )
1 a short period of enjoyment when you do not allow yourself to worry or think seriously about anything
He was determined to have one last fling before retiring.
2 ~ (with sb) a short sexual relationship with sb
We had a brief fling, but it's over now.
see also Highland fling
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Definition
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
whirl verb, noun
BrE / wɜːl /
NAmE / wɜːrl /
verb
verb forms
word origin
example bank
1 [ intransitive , transitive ] to move, or make sb/sth move, around quickly in a circle or in a particular direction
spin
(+ adv./prep.) Leaves whirled in the wind.
She whirled around to face him.
the whirling blades of the helicopter
~ sb/sth (+ adv./prep.) Tom whirled her across the dance floor.
2 [ intransitive ] if your mind, thoughts, etc. whirl , you feel confused and excited and cannot think clearly
reel
I couldn't sleep—my mind was whirling from all that had happened.
So many thoughts whirled around in her mind.
noun
[ singular ]
1 a movement of sth spinning round and round
a whirl of dust
( figurative ) Her mind was in a whirl (= in a state of confusion or excitement) .
2 a number of activities or events happening one after the other
Her life was one long whirl of parties.
It's easy to get caught up in the social whirl .
The next few hours passed by in a whirl of activity.
give sth a ˈwhirl ( informal ) to try sth to see if you like it or can do it
I'm not sure I'll like skiing, but I'll give it a whirl.
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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Term
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Definition
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, 8th edition
wrench verb, noun
BrE / rentʃ /
NAmE / rentʃ /
verb
verb forms
word origin
example bank
1 [ transitive , intransitive ] to pull or twist sth/sb/yourself suddenly and violently
jerk
~ (sth/sb/yourself) + adv./prep. The bag was wrenched from her grasp.
He grabbed Ben, wrenching him away from his mother.
( figurative ) Guy wrenched his mind back to the present.
~ (sth/sb/yourself) + adj. They wrenched the door open.
She managed to wrench herself free.
2 [ transitive ] ~ sth to twist and injure a part of your body, especially your ankle or shoulder
twist
She wrenched her knee when she fell.
3 [ transitive , intransitive ] ( formal ) to make sb feel great pain or unhappiness, especially so that they make a sound or cry
~ (sth) (from sb) His words wrenched a sob from her.
a wrenching experience
~ at sth Her words wrenched at my heart.
see also gut-wrenching
1 ( especially NAmE )
( BrE usually span • ner )
[ countable ] a metal tool with a specially shaped end for holding and turning things, including one which can be adjusted to fit objects of different sizes, also called a monkey wrench or an adjustable spanner
2 [ singular ] pain or unhappiness that you feel when you have to leave a person or place that you love
Leaving home was a terrible wrench for me.
3 [ countable , usually singular ] a sudden and violent twist or pull
She stumbled and gave her ankle a painful wrench.
throw a ˈwrench in/into sth ( NAmE , informal ) = throw a monkey wrench in/into sth
© Oxford University Press, 2010
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