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 289–384 of 1669 phrases
Adjective + noun(96)
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police chief
the senior commander of a police force
polite applause
restrained clapping given out of courtesy rather than genuine enthusiasm
political party
an organized group of people sharing political beliefs who contest elections
political power
authority and influence within government or society
political system
the institutions and processes by which a country is governed
poor excuse
a weak, unconvincing, or inadequate reason
poor hearing
a reduced or impaired ability to perceive sounds
poor service
service of low quality that fails to meet basic expectations
positive step
an action that moves things in a constructive or beneficial direction
powerful engine
an engine that produces a large amount of force or speed
powerful machine
a machine with a lot of power or processing capability
powerful message
a message with strong emotional or persuasive impact
practical advice
guidance that can be directly and easily applied to real situations
premature baby
a baby born before the full term of pregnancy
private club
a club restricted to members only, not open to the public
private company
a company whose shares are not traded on a public stock exchange
private conversation
a talk intended only for the people directly involved
private detective
a detective who works independently for private clients rather than for the police
private joke
A joke understood only by a small group who share a common reference
private life
personal affairs not shared with the public
private matter
an issue that concerns only certain individuals and is not for public discussion
private plane
an aircraft owned or chartered by an individual or organisation, not a commercial airline
professional advice
guidance from a qualified specialist in a particular field
professional team
a team whose members are paid to play or work
proper care
The correct, appropriate level of attention needed to maintain something in good condition.
public building
a building accessible to or owned by the general public
public figure
a well-known person who plays a prominent role in public life
public health
the health and wellbeing of the general population as a concern of government
public service
a service provided by the government or a public body for the benefit of all citizens
pure luck
success or outcome determined entirely by chance, with no skill or intention involved
pure pleasure
complete, unmixed pleasure with no drawback
qualified teacher
a teacher who holds official certification to teach
raging fire
a fire burning violently and out of control
random act
an action done on impulse without planning, most commonly used in the phrase 'random act of kindness'
rare bird
a bird species that is uncommon or seldom seen in a given area
rare case
an unusual or infrequent instance of something
rare honor
a distinction that is infrequently given
real trouble
genuine, significant difficulty as opposed to minor inconvenience
recent study
a study carried out or published not long ago
recorded history
the period of the past documented in writing
recycled paper
paper manufactured from reprocessed used materials
reference book
a book used for consulting specific information rather than reading from cover to cover
regular beat
a consistent, even rhythm, especially of the heart
regular contact
Communication that happens frequently and consistently
reigning queen
the queen who is currently ruling
relevant information
information that directly relates to the matter at hand
remote island
An island that is far from the mainland and difficult to reach
remote village
A village that is far from towns, roads, or urban infrastructure
restless sleep
interrupted or troubled sleep
retirement age
the age at which a person is expected or required to stop working
right decision
the best or most appropriate choice in a given situation
roaring fire
a large, vigorous, and audibly crackling fire
romantic relationship
A loving or sexual connection between two people
rough count
an approximate, imprecise estimate of a total
round trip
a journey to a destination and back to the starting point
routine check
a regular, standard inspection carried out as a normal procedure
rural area
a region in the countryside, away from cities
safe sex
sexual activity using precautions against disease or unwanted pregnancy
scientific evidence
evidence produced by systematic scientific investigation and peer review
scientific study
a study conducted using rigorous scientific methods
second cousin
the child of one's parent's first cousin
second-hand clothes
clothes that have been previously owned and used by someone else
senior officer
an officer of high rank in a military or police organization
serial killer
a person who murders multiple victims over a period of time, typically with a signature method
serious boyfriend
a boyfriend with whom one has a committed relationship
serious fault
a significant error or flaw with important consequences
serious matter
an issue of significant importance or gravity
serious mistake
a significant error with important consequences
serious problem
a problem that is important and causes significant concern
serious thought
Genuine, sustained consideration of something important.
serious trouble
a situation involving significant or dangerous problems
severe blow
a very serious or damaging setback that is hard to recover from
severe pain
intense, extreme pain
sharp cry
a brief, sudden, high-pitched cry
sharp drop
a sudden and significant decrease
sharp knock
a quick, firm knock
sharp mind
a mind that is quick, perceptive, and intelligent
sharp pain
a sudden, piercing pain
short notice
very little advance warning
silent film
a film from the early era of cinema that had no synchronised dialogue
similar situation
a situation that closely resembles another in its key features
simple fact
a plain, straightforward piece of information
sincere thanks
genuine, heartfelt gratitude
sleepless night
A night during which one cannot sleep, typically due to worry, illness, or a newborn
sliding door
a door that moves horizontally rather than swinging open
slight difference
a small or barely noticeable contrast between two things
slight drop
a small, minor decrease
smart move
a wise or cleverly judged action
smoked fish
fish that has been preserved and flavored by exposure to smoke
smooth finish
an even, polished surface quality on a material
social club
a club organized for socializing and leisure activities
solo singing
singing performed by one person alone, without a group
spacious apartment
an apartment with plenty of room to move around
spare cash
money left over after essential expenses
spare part
an extra component kept in reserve to replace a worn or broken one
special agent
a law-enforcement or intelligence officer with broad investigative powers