(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ of something is a type or kind of it.
He contracted a rare ~ of cancer...
Doctors are willing to take some ~ of industrial action...
I am against hunting in any ~.
N-COUNT: with supp, oft N of n
2.
When something can exist or happen in several possible ways, you can use ~ to refer to one particular way in which it exists or happens.
Valleys often take the ~ of deep canyons...
They received a benefit in the ~ of a tax reduction...
N-COUNT: with supp, oft N of n
3.
When a particular shape ~s or is ~ed, people or things move or are arranged so that this shape is made.
A queue ~s outside Peter’s study...
They ~ed a circle and sang ‘Auld Lang Syne’...
The General gave orders for the cadets to ~ into lines.
VERB: V, V n, V into n, also V n into n
4.
The ~ of something is its shape.
...the ~ of the body.
N-COUNT: with supp
5.
You can refer to something that you can see as a ~ if you cannot see it clearly, or if its outline is the clearest or most striking aspect of it.
She thought she’d never been so glad to see his bulky ~.
N-COUNT: usu with supp
6.
If something is arranged or changed so that it becomes similar to a thing with a particular structure or function, you can say that it ~s that thing.
These panels folded up to ~ a screen some five feet tall...
VERB: V n
7.
If something consists of particular things, people, or features, you can say that they ~ that thing.
Cereals ~ the staple diet of an enormous number of people around the world.
VERB: V n
8.
If you ~ an organization, group, or company, you start it.
They tried to ~ a study group on human rights...
They ~ed themselves into teams.
VERB: V n, V pron-refl into n
9.
When something natural ~s or is ~ed, it begins to exist and develop.
The stars must have ~ed 10 to 15 billion years ago...
Huge ice sheets were ~ed.
VERB: V, be V-ed
10.
If you ~ a relationship, a habit, or an idea, or if it ~s, it begins to exist and develop.
This should help him ~ lasting relationships...
An idea ~ed in his mind.
VERB: V n, V
11.
If you say that something ~s a person’s character or personality, you mean that it has a strong influence on them and causes them to develop in a particular way.
Anger at injustice ~ed his character.
= mould
VERB: V n
12.
In sport, ~ refers to the ability or success of a person or animal over a period of time.
His ~ this season has been brilliant...
N-UNCOUNT: usu supp N
13.
A ~ is a paper with questions on it and spaces marked where you should write the answers. Forms usually ask you to give details about yourself, for example when you are applying for a job or joining an organization.
You will be asked to fill in a ~ with details of your birth and occupation.
...application ~s.
N-COUNT
14.
see also sixth ~
15.
If you say that it is bad ~ to behave in a particular way, you mean that it is rude and impolite. (BRIT OLD-FASHIONED)
It was thought bad ~ to discuss business on social occasions.
PHRASE: usu PHR after v, v-link PHR
16.
If you say that someone is in good ~, you mean that they seem healthy and cheerful. (BRIT)
PHRASE: v-link PHR
17.
If you say that someone is off ~, you think they are not per~ing as well as they usually do. (BRIT)
= below par
PHRASE: v-link PHR
18.
If you say that someone is on ~, you think that they are per~ing their usual activity very well. (BRIT)
Robert Redford is back on ~ in his new movie ‘Sneakers’.
PHRASE: v-link PHR
19.
When something takes ~, it develops or begins to be visible.
As plans took ~ in her mind, she realized the need for an accomplice...
The face of Mrs Lisbon took ~ in the dimness.
PHRASE: V inflects
20.
If someone or something behaves true to ~, they do what is expected and is typical of them.
My luck was running true to ~...
True to ~, she kept her guests waiting for more than 90 minutes.
PHRASE: v PHR, PHR with cl