(~er, ~est)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ colour is strong and noticeable, and not dark.
...a ~ red dress.
...the ~ uniforms of the guards parading at Buckingham Palace.
ADJ: usu ADJ n, ADJ colour
~ly
...a display of ~ly coloured flowers.
ADV
~ness
You’ll be impressed with the ~ness and the beauty of the colors.
N-UNCOUNT: oft the N of n
2.
A ~ light, object, or place is shining strongly or is full of light.
...a ~ October day...
She leaned forward, her eyes ~ with excitement.
? dull
ADJ
~ly
...a warm, ~ly lit room...
The sun shone ~ly.
ADV: ADV with v
~ness
An astronomer can determine the ~ness of each star.
N-UNCOUNT: oft the N of n
3.
If you describe someone as ~, you mean that they are quick at learning things.
I was convinced that he was ~er than average.
= clever
ADJ: usu v-link ADJ
4.
A ~ idea is clever and original.
Ford had the ~ idea of paying workers enough to buy cars.
= clever
ADJ: usu ADJ n
5.
If someone looks or sounds ~, they look or sound cheerful and lively.
The boy was so ~ and animated...
‘May I help you?’ said a ~ American voice over the telephone.
= cheerful, lively
ADJ
~ly
He smiled ~ly as Ben approached.
ADV: ADV with v
6.
If the future is ~, it is likely to be pleasant or successful.
Both had successful careers and the future looked ~...
There are much ~er prospects for a comprehensive settlement than before.
= promising
? bleak
ADJ
7.
If you look on the ~ side, you try to be cheerful about a bad situation by thinking of some advantages that could result from it, or thinking that it is not as bad as it could have been.
PHRASE: V inflects