Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
Something that is ~ actually exists and is not imagined, invented, or theoretical.
No, it wasn’t a dream. It was ~...
Legends grew up around a great many figures, both ~ and fictitious.
? imaginary
ADJ
2.
If something is ~ to someone, they experience it as though it ~ly exists or happens, even though it does not.
Whitechild’s life becomes increasingly ~ to the reader.
ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ to n
3.
A material or object that is ~ is natural or functioning, and not artificial or an imitation.
...the smell of ~ leather...
Who’s to know if they’re ~ guns or not?...
= genuine
ADJ: usu ADJ n
4.
You can use ~ to describe someone or something that has all the characteristics or qualities that such a person or thing typically has.
...his first ~ girlfriend...
The only ~ job I’d ever had was as manager of the local cafe.
= proper
ADJ: ADJ n
5.
You can use ~ to describe something that is the true or original thing of its kind, in contrast to one that someone wants you to believe is true.
This was the ~ reason for her call...
Her ~ name had been Miriam Pinckus.
= true
ADJ: ADJ n
6.
You can use ~ to describe something that is the most important or typical part of a thing.
When he talks, he only gives glimpses of his ~ self...
The smart executive has people he can trust doing all the ~ work.
ADJ: ADJ n
7.
You can use ~ when you are talking about a situation or feeling to emphasize that it exists and is important or serious.
Global warming is a ~ problem...
The prospect of civil war is very ~...
There was never any ~ danger of the children being affected...
ADJ: usu ADJ n emphasis
8.
You can use ~ to emphasize a quality that is genuine and sincere.
Germany has shown ~ determination to come to terms with the anti-Semitism of its past.
ADJ: ADJ n emphasis
9.
You can use ~ before nouns to emphasize your description of something or someone. (mainly SPOKEN)
‘It’s a fabulous deal, a ~ bargain.’
ADJ: ADJ n emphasis
10.
The ~ cost or value of something is its cost or value after other amounts have been added or subtracted and when factors such as the level of inflation have been considered.
...the ~ cost of borrowing.
= actual, net
ADJ: ADJ n
•
You can also talk about the cost or value of something in ~ terms.
In ~ terms the cost of driving is cheaper than a decade ago...
PHRASE: PHR with cl
11.
You can use ~ to emphasize an adjective or adverb. (AM INFORMAL)
He is finding prison life ‘~ tough’...
= ~ly
ADV: ADV adj/adv emphasis
12.
If you say that someone does something for ~, you mean that they actually do it and do not just pretend to do it.
The sex scenes were just good acting. We didn’t do it for ~.
PHRASE: usu PHR after v
13.
If you think that someone or something is very surprising, you can ask if they are for ~. (AM INFORMAL)
Is this guy for ~?
PHRASE: v-link PHR
14.
If you say that a thing or event is the ~ thing, you mean that it is the thing or event itself, rather than an imitation or copy.
The counterfeits sell for about $20 less than the ~ thing...
PHRASE