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 1345–1440 of 1669 phrases
Verb + noun(4)
Adjective + noun(56)
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delightful surprise
an unexpected event or discovery that gives pleasure
democratic government
a system of rule in which the public can choose its leaders through voting
depressing picture
an account or impression of a situation that causes sadness or discouragement
diligent search
a careful and persistent attempt to find something
dirty work
unpleasant, messy, or disagreeable tasks that others prefer to avoid
disastrous campaign
an organized effort that ends in serious failure or harm
disgusting smell
an odor that causes strong feelings of dislike or nausea
diverse population
a group of residents or inhabitants with varied backgrounds or characteristics
downward trend
a general pattern of decreasing values or amounts
dramatic pause
a deliberate silence used to create tension or emphasize what follows
easygoing life
a relaxed way of living with little pressure or worry
embarrassing incident
an event that causes someone to feel awkward or ashamed
engaged couple
two people who have agreed to marry each other
enthusiastic response
a reaction showing strong interest, approval, or excitement
exhausted soil
soil whose nutrients have been depleted by repeated use
faithful service
reliable and loyal work performed over a period of time
fashionable clothing
clothes that follow styles currently considered attractive or popular
festive occasion
an event marked by celebration and enjoyment
flying saucer
an unidentified object in the sky described as resembling a flat round dish
friendly neighborhood
an area where nearby residents behave warmly and helpfully toward one another
glorious sunset
a sunset that looks exceptionally beautiful or impressive
good citizenship
responsible and helpful behavior as a member of a community
good eyesight
the ability to see clearly and accurately
good workout
an exercise session that provides worthwhile physical effort
gorgeous view
a scene that looks very beautiful
graceful neck
a neck whose shape or movement looks elegant
heavy backpack
A backpack carrying enough weight to be difficult or tiring to carry.
heavy snowfall
A large amount of snow falling during a particular period.
high forehead
A forehead extending a relatively long distance upward to the hairline.
high noon
Exactly midday, especially when emphasizing the sun's height or the time.
homemade bread
Bread prepared and baked at home.
humid air
Air containing a relatively large amount of water vapor.
impressionable age
A stage of life when a person is easily influenced by other people or experiences.
inconvenient place
A location that is awkward to reach, use, or arrange activities around.
incorrect calculation
A mathematical calculation containing an error or producing a wrong result.
incredible speed
A rate of movement or activity that seems astonishingly fast.
informal agreement
An arrangement reached without a formal procedure or elaborate documentation.
informative video
A video that provides useful facts or clear explanations.
intelligent life
Living beings capable of thought, understanding, and reasoning.
jealous lover
A romantic partner who fears losing affection to a rival or resents divided attention.
lasting relationship
a connection between people that continues for a long time
latter case
the second of two situations that have just been mentioned
lifelong friend
a friend whose relationship with someone continues through most or all of life
light housework
household tasks that require relatively little physical effort
light touch
gentle physical contact using very little pressure
meaningful discussion
a conversation that addresses important issues and produces useful understanding
medical profession
the body of people qualified to practice medicine
mediterranean area
the region around the Mediterranean Sea
misty rain
very fine rain that hangs in the air like mist
modern skyscraper
a very tall building constructed in a recent or contemporary style
musical comedy
a humorous play or film in which songs and dancing help tell the story
nasty rumor
an unconfirmed story that is spiteful or harmful to someone's reputation
national airline
an airline closely identified with and representing a particular country
national independence
a country's freedom to govern itself without another country's control
national origin
the country from which a person or their family comes
natural resource
a useful material or source of energy provided by nature
Noun + noun(12)
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dial phone
a telephone on which numbers are selected by turning a numbered dial
escape hatch
an opening with a cover that provides a way out in an emergency
export duty
a tax charged on goods sent out of a country
fairy tale
a children's story involving fairies, magic, or other imaginary beings
ghost story
a fictional account involving ghosts or supernatural appearances
gospel singing
singing in a Christian religious musical style associated with gospel songs
grapefruit juice
juice squeezed or extracted from grapefruit
gravy boat
a small pouring dish, often shaped like a boat, used to serve gravy
guard rail
A protective barrier along a road or other edge that helps prevent falls or collisions.
hiv test
A medical test used to detect evidence of HIV infection.
journal article
A written piece published in a journal or other periodical.
jungle gym
A playground structure of bars or frames for children to climb on.
Verb + adverb(5)
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face upward
to have the front or open side directed toward the sky or ceiling
fool around
to behave playfully or foolishly instead of acting seriously
get ahead
to become more successful or improve one's position
inhale deeply
To draw a large breath fully into the lungs.
let out
to make a sound escape from the mouth
Adverb + adjective(15)
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directly responsible
personally accountable for an action or result without an intervening responsible party
emotionally secure
confident and stable in one's feelings and personal relationships
equally beautiful
having the same degree of beauty as something else being compared
extensively used
used widely or to a large degree
firmly based
securely supported on a solid foundation
fortunately rare
uncommon, which is considered a good thing
frequently used
used often or on many occasions
greatly concerned
very worried or strongly interested in avoiding a bad result
highly controversial
Causing a great deal of strong disagreement.
increasingly depressed
Becoming more unhappy or discouraged over time.
incredibly blue
Blue to a striking or surprising degree.
indeed grateful
Truly or emphatically thankful.
less fortunate
having fewer advantages or worse luck than someone else
locally based
having a main workplace or operating base in the nearby area
naturally lazy
inclined by temperament to avoid effort or work