Collocations
Collocations
Explore English words that belong together, with meanings, examples, and sentence practice. Browse by CEFR level or pattern, and add collocations to your deck for regular review.
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Showing 1–96 of 1669 phrases
Adjective + noun(96)
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a branch office
a secondary location of a company, separate from the main headquarters
a brisk walk
a walk done at a fast, energetic pace
a civil war
an armed conflict between opposing groups within the same country
a clean shot
a well-aimed, accurate shot with nothing obstructing the path
a government office
a building or department where public administration is carried out
a head office
the main administrative centre of a company or organisation
a leisurely walk
a relaxed, unhurried walk with no time pressure
a market town
a town that holds a regular market, particularly in Britain
a valid reason
a justification that is acceptable and logically sound
a winning shot
a shot that decides the outcome in favour of the scorer
absolute mess
Complete and unqualified disorder with no redeeming order
abstract art
art that does not depict recognisable reality directly
academic year
the annual period of teaching and study at a university or college
acting president
a person temporarily performing the duties of president
additional charge
an extra fee beyond the original price
advanced course
a course at a higher level, for those with prior knowledge of the subject
agricultural land
land used for farming and food production
alphabetical order
an arrangement that follows the sequence of letters in the alphabet
an elderly couple
two older people who are in a long-term relationship
annual leave
the paid holiday time an employee is entitled to each year
annual meeting
a meeting that takes place once a year
annual report
a document published once a year summarising an organisation's activities and finances
anxious wait
a period of nervous, worried waiting
armed police
police officers who are carrying firearms
arranged marriage
a marriage set up by the families of the couple rather than by the couple themselves
average speed
the mean rate of travel calculated over a given distance
awkward position
an uncomfortable or difficult situation
background music
quiet music played in a setting to create atmosphere, not intended as the main focus
backup plan
an alternative strategy prepared in case the main plan fails
bare rock
exposed rock with no soil or vegetation covering it
bare tree
a tree that has lost all its leaves
beloved queen
a queen who is greatly loved by her people
big top
the large main tent of a circus
black ice
a thin, nearly transparent and invisible layer of ice that forms on road surfaces and is extremely dangerous
black magic
the use of supernatural powers for evil or harmful purposes
blank face
a face that shows no emotion or reaction
blockbuster movie
a film that is extremely commercially successful and widely watched
blood cell
A cell found in blood, either a red cell carrying oxygen or a white cell fighting infection
bold move
a brave or daring action
boy king
a king who ascended the throne at a very young age
breaking news
urgent news that is being reported as it happens
brief conversation
a short talk lasting only a few minutes
brief mention
a short, passing reference to something
brief stay
a short visit or time spent somewhere
brief visit
A visit that lasts only a short time
bright idea
a clever or inventive thought
brilliant mind
an exceptionally intelligent or talented intellect
brilliant save
an exceptional stop made by a goalkeeper
brisk walking
walking at a quick, energetic pace
brutal attack
a savage and extremely violent attack
budget hotel
an inexpensive hotel offering basic, no-frills accommodation
business trip
a journey made for work-related purposes
calendar month
a month as defined by the conventional calendar, from its first to its last day
casual conversation
informal, relaxed talk about everyday topics
catchy song
a song with a memorable tune that stays in your head
central government
the national government, as distinct from regional or local authorities
childlike wonder
a quality of open, enthusiastic amazement of the kind a young child shows
clean kill
A swift, precise kill that causes immediate death with minimal suffering.
clear evidence
evidence that is unambiguous and straightforward to interpret
clear message
a message that is unambiguous and easy to understand
climate change
long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns, largely driven by human activity
close attention
careful, thorough concentration
close finish
a race or competition decided by a very small margin
close game
a game decided by a very small difference in score
close relationship
A connection marked by intimacy and strong mutual understanding
cold front
a mass of cold air advancing and displacing warmer air, typically bringing rain or storms
common sense
sound practical judgment based on experience rather than theory
complete mess
Total, utter disorder or a situation that has gone entirely wrong
complete rest
total inactivity prescribed for recovery from illness or injury
complete stop
a total, absolute halt with no remaining motion
complete trust
full, total confidence in someone or something
complex machine
a machine with many interacting parts
constant fear
a fear that is present all the time without relief
constant pain
pain that is continuous and unrelenting
constant pressure
continuous, unrelenting stress or force
constant worry
a persistent and unrelenting source of anxiety
costly mistake
an error that results in a significant loss or disadvantage
country house
a large, often elegant house set in a rural area, typically with surrounding grounds
county jail
A local detention facility run by a county authority, typically for short sentences
cozy feel
a quality of being pleasantly warm, comfortable, and intimate
creative play
imaginative, unstructured play that encourages inventiveness
creative thinking
the capacity to generate original and inventive ideas
criminal act
an action that is against the law
criminal lawyer
A lawyer who specialises in criminal defence or prosecution
criminal record
an official list of a person's past criminal convictions
critical thinking
the ability to analyse and evaluate information objectively and logically
current president
the person holding the office of president at the present time
current situation
the existing or present state of affairs
current state
the condition that something is in at the present time
dangerous situation
a situation that poses a serious risk of harm
daring escape
a bold, courageous escape from captivity or danger
dark beer
beer with a deep brown or black colour, typically with a rich, roasted flavour
dark joke
A joke that treats a serious or disturbing subject with humour
dead cell
A cell that is no longer alive or functional
dead end
a road or passage that is closed at one end; a situation with no further progress possible
deadly weapon
a weapon capable of causing death