ANTONYM: below
abroad
ADVERB If you go abroad, you go to another country.
abscess abscesses
NOUN a painful swelling on the body, which contains pus
abseil abseils, abseiling, abseiled
VERB If you abseil down a rock face, you use ropes to go down it.
absent
ADJECTIVE If you are absent from a place, you are not there.
ANTONYM: present
absolute
ADJECTIVE 1 total and complete • absolute darkness
2 having total power • an absolute ruler
absolutely
ADVERB If you are absolutely sure about something, you are completely sure of it.
absorb absorbs, absorbing, absorbed
VERB If something absorbs liquid or gas, it soaks it up. • Plants absorb moisture from the soil.
absorbent
ADJECTIVE If something is absorbent, it soaks up liquids easily.
abstract
ADJECTIVE 1 An abstract idea is based on thoughts and ideas rather than on real objects or happenings, for example bravery and happiness.
2 Abstract art uses shapes rather than images of people or objects.
3 In grammar, abstract nouns refer to qualities or ideas, rather than physical objects, for example happiness.
See noun (#litres_trial_promo)
absurd
ADJECTIVE Something that is absurd is stupid or ridiculous.
abuse abuses, abusing, abused
Said “ab-yooss” NOUN 1 cruel treatment of someone
2 rude and unkind remarks
Said “ab-yooz” VERB 3 To abuse someone is to treat them cruelly.
4 If you abuse someone, you speak to them in a rude and insulting way.
abysmal
ADJECTIVE very bad
abysmally ADVERB
academic academics
ADJECTIVE 1 Academic work is done in school, college and university.
NOUN 2 someone who teaches or does research in a college or university
academy academies
NOUN 1 a school or college, usually one that specializes in a particular subject • the Royal Academy of Arts
2 an organization of scientists, writers, artists or musicians
accelerate accelerates, accelerating, accelerated
VERB To accelerate is to speed up.
ANTONYM: decelerate
acceleration
NOUN the rate at which the speed of something increases
accent accents
NOUN a way of pronouncing a language • She had an Australian accent.
accept accepts, accepting, accepted
VERB 1 If you accept something, you say yes to it or you take it from someone. • She accepted our invitation to the party.
2 If you accept a situation, you realize that it cannot be changed. • I accepted that I would have to work hard before my exams.