(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
The ~ is the planet that we live on.
It’s a beautiful part of the ~...
The satellite enables us to calculate their precise location anywhere in the ~.
N-SING: the N
2.
The ~ refers to all the people who live on this planet, and our societies, institutions, and ways of life.
The ~ was, and remains, shocked...
He wants to show the ~ that anyone can learn to be an ambassador.
...his personal contribution to ~ history.
N-SING: the N, N n
3.
You can use ~ to describe someone or something that is one of the most important or significant of its kind on earth.
Abroad, Mr Bush was seen as a ~ statesman...
China has once again emerged as a ~ power...
ADJ: ADJ n
4.
You can use ~ in expressions such as the Arab ~, the western ~, and the ancient ~ to refer to a particular group of countries or a particular period in history.
Athens had strong ties to the Arab ~.
...the developing ~...
N-SING: the supp N
5.
Someone’s ~ is the life they lead, the people they have contact with, and the things they experience.
His ~ seemed so different from mine...
I lost my job and it was like my ~ collapsed...
N-COUNT: oft poss N
6.
You can use ~ to refer to a particular field of activity, and the people involved in it.
The publishing ~ had certainly never seen an event quite like this.
N-SING: the N, with supp, oft N of n
7.
You can use ~ to refer to a particular group of living things, for example the animal ~, the plant ~, and the insect ~.
= kingdom
N-SING: the n N
8.
A ~ is a planet.
He looked like something from another ~...
N-COUNT
9.
see also brave new ~ , New World , real ~ , Third World
10.
If you say that two people or things are ~s apart, you are emphasizing that they are very different from each other.
Intellectually, this man and I are ~s apart...
PHRASE: usu v-link PHR, oft PHR from n emphasis
11.
If you say that someone has the best of both ~s, you mean that they have only the benefits of two things and none of the disadvantages.
Her living room provides the best of both ~s, with an office at one end and comfortable sofas at the other.
PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR
12.
If you say that something has done someone the ~ of good or a ~ of good, you mean that it has made them feel better or improved their life. (INFORMAL)
A sleep will do you the ~ of good.
PHRASE: V inflects
13.
You use in the ~ to emphasize a statement that you are making.
The saddest thing in the ~ is a little baby nobody wants...
He had no one in the ~ but her.
PHRASE: oft PHR after superl emphasis
14.
You can use in the ~ in expressions such as what in the ~ and who in the ~ to emphasize a question, especially when expressing surprise or anger.
What in the ~ is he doing?...
PHRASE: quest PHR emphasis
15.
You can use in an ideal ~ or in a perfect ~ when you are talking about things that you would like to happen, although you realize that they are not likely to happen.
In a perfect ~, there would be the facilities and money to treat every sick person.
= ideally
PHRASE: PHR with cl
16.
If you say that someone is a man of the ~ or a woman of the ~, you mean that they are experienced and know about the practical or social aspects of life, and are not easily shocked by immoral or dishonest actions.
Look, we are both men of the ~, would anyone really mind?
...an elegant, clever and tough woman of the ~.
PHRASE: man/woman inflects
17.
If you say that something is out of this ~, you are emphasizing that it is extremely good or impressive. (INFORMAL)
These new trains are out of this ~.
PHRASE: v-link PHR emphasis
18.
You can use the outside ~ to refer to all the people who do not live in a particular place or who are not involved in a particular situation.
For many, the post office is the only link with the outside ~...
PHRASE
19.
If you think the ~ of someone, you like them or care about them very much.
I think the ~ of him, but something tells me it’s not love...
We were really close. We thought the ~ of each other.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
20.
not be the end of the ~: see end
the ~ is your oyster: see oyster
on top of the ~: see top