(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
When something ~s somewhere, it is carried there by the movement of wind or water.
We proceeded to ~ on up the river...
The waves became rougher as they ~ed.
VERB: V adv/prep, V
2.
If someone or something ~s into a situation, they get into that situation in a way that is not planned or controlled.
We need to offer young people ~ing into crime an alternative set of values...
There is a general sense that the country and economy alike are ~ing.
VERB: V prep/adv, V
3.
If you say that someone ~s around, you mean that they travel from place to place without a plan or settled way of life.
You’ve been ~ing from job to job without any real commitment.
VERB: V prep/adv disapproval
4.
A ~ is a movement away from somewhere or something, or a movement towards somewhere or something different.
...the ~ towards the cities.
N-COUNT: usu N prep
5.
To ~ somewhere means to move there slowly or gradually.
As rural factories shed labour, people ~ towards the cities.
VERB: V prep
6.
If sounds ~ somewhere, they can be heard but they are not very loud.
Cool summer dance sounds are ~ing from the stereo indoors.
VERB: V prep/adv
7.
If snow ~s, it builds up into piles as a result of the movement of the wind.
The snow, except where it ~ed, was only calf-deep...
VERB: V
8.
A ~ is a mass of snow that has built up into a pile as a result of the movement of wind.
...a nine-foot snow ~.
N-COUNT
9.
The ~ of an argument or speech is the general point that is being made in it.
Grace was beginning to get his ~...
= gist
N-SING: poss N, N of n