(~s, ~er, ~est)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ is an organization which sells or produces something or which provides a service which people pay for.
The ~’s employees were expecting large bonuses.
...a ~ of heating engineers.
= company
N-COUNT
2.
If something is ~, it does not change much in shape when it is pressed but is not completely hard.
Fruit should be ~ and in excellent condition...
Choose a soft, medium or ~ mattress to suit their individual needs.
? soft
ADJ
3.
If something is ~, it does not shake or move when you put weight or pressure on it, because it is strongly made or securely fastened.
If you have to climb up, use a ~ platform or a sturdy ladder.
= secure
ADJ
~ly
The front door is locked and all the windows are ~ly shut.
ADV: ADV -ed, ADV after v
4.
If someone’s grip is ~ or if they perform a physical action in a ~ way, they do it with quite a lot of force or pressure but also in a controlled way.
The quick handshake was ~ and cool...
He managed to grasp the metal, get a ~ grip of it and heave his body upwards.
= strong
ADJ
~ly
She held me ~ly by the elbow and led me to my aisle seat.
ADV: ADV after v
5.
If you describe someone as ~, you mean they behave in a way that shows that they are not going to change their mind, or that they are the person who is in control.
She had to be ~ with him. ‘I don’t want to see you again.’...
Perhaps they need the guiding hand of a ~ father figure.
ADJ: oft ADJ with n
~ly
‘A good night’s sleep is what you want,’ he said ~ly.
ADV: ADV with v
6.
A ~ decision or opinion is definite and unlikely to change.
He made a ~ decision to leave Fort Multry by boat...
It is my ~ belief that an effective partnership approach between police and the public is absolutely necessary.
= definite
ADJ: usu ADJ n
~ly
He is ~ly convinced that it is vital to do this.
= strongly
ADV: ADV -ed, ADV after v
7.
Firm evidence or information is based on facts and so is likely to be true.
There’s unlikely to be ~ news about the convoy’s progress for some time.
= hard, definite
ADJ: ADJ n
8.
You use ~ to describe control or a basis or position when it is strong and unlikely to be ended or removed.
Although the Yakutians are a minority, they have ~ control of the territory...
= secure
ADJ: usu ADJ n
~ly
This tradition is also ~ly rooted in the past...
= securely
ADV: ADV -ed, ADV after v
9.
If a price, value, or currency is ~, it is not decreasing in value or amount.
Cotton prices remain ~ and demand is strong...
The shares held ~ at 280p...
= steady
ADJ
~ness
...the ~ness of the dollar against other currencies.
N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n
10.
If someone stands ~, they refuse to change their mind about something.
The council is standing ~ against the barrage of protest...
PHRASE: V inflects