(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
If you talk about something in ~s of something or in particular ~s, you are specifying which aspect of it you are discussing or from what point of view you are considering it.
Our goods compete in ~s of product quality, reliability and above all variety...
Paris has played a dominant role in France, not just in political ~s but also in economic power.
PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR with cl
2.
If you say something in particular ~s, you say it using a particular type or level of language or using language which clearly shows your attitude.
The video explains in simple ~s how the new tax works...
PHRASE: usu PHR after v, PHR with cl
3.
A ~ is a word or expression with a specific meaning, especially one which is used in relation to a particular subject.
Myocardial infarction is the medical ~ for a heart attack.
N-COUNT: usu with supp
4.
If you say that something is ~ed a particular thing, you mean that that is what people call it or that is their opinion of it.
He had been ~ed a temporary employee...
He ~ed the war a humanitarian nightmare.
VERB: be V-ed n, V n n
5.
A ~ is one of the periods of time that a school, college, or university divides the year into.
...the summer ~.
...the last day of ~.
N-VAR
6.
A ~ is a period of time between two elections during which a particular party or government is in power.
Felipe Gonzalez won a fourth ~ of office in Spain’s election.
N-COUNT: with supp
7.
A ~ is a period of time that someone spends doing a particular job or in a particular place.
...a 12 month ~ of service...
Offenders will be liable to a seven-year prison ~.
N-COUNT: with supp
8.
A ~ is the period for which a legal contract or insurance policy is valid.
Premiums are guaranteed throughout the ~ of the policy.
N-COUNT: with supp
9.
The ~ of a woman’s pregnancy is the nine month period that it lasts. Term is also used to refer to the end of the nine month period.
Women over 40 seem to be just as capable of carrying a baby to ~ as younger women.
N-UNCOUNT
10.
The ~s of an agreement, treaty, or other arrangement are the conditions that must be accepted by the people involved in it.
...the ~s of the Helsinki agreement...
N-PLURAL: usu with supp
11.
If you come to ~s with something difficult or unpleasant, you learn to accept and deal with it.
She had come to ~s with the fact that her husband would always be crippled.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
12.
If two people or groups compete on equal ~s or on the same ~s, neither of them has an advantage over the other.
I had at last found a sport where I could compete on equal ~s with able-bodied people...
PHRASE: PHR after v
13.
If two people are on good ~s or on friendly ~s, they are friendly with each other.
Madeleine is on good ~s with Sarah...
PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v
14.
You use the expressions in the long ~, in the short ~, and in the medium ~ to talk about what will happen over a long period of time, over a short period of time, and over a medium period of time.
The agreement should have very positive results in the long ~...
PHRASE: PHR with cl
see also long-~ , medium-~ , short-~
15.
If you do something on your ~s, you do it under conditions that you decide because you are in a position of power.
They will sign the union treaty only on their ~s.
PHRASE: PHR after v
16.
If you say that you are thinking in ~s of doing a particular thing, you mean that you are considering it.
United should be thinking in ~s of winning the European Cup...
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR -ing/n
17.
in no uncertain ~s: see uncertain
in real ~s: see real
on speaking ~s: see speak