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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Mastered
Showing 1057–1152 of 1187 phrases
Verb + noun(2)
Adjective + noun(62)
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irreducible minimum
the smallest amount that cannot be reduced any further
irreproachable character
personal qualities and conduct that offer no reasonable grounds for blame
jocund company
a cheerful and high-spirited group of companions
lapidary art
the creative skill of cutting, shaping, or polishing precious stones
learned jurist
a legal scholar or judge with extensive knowledge gained through study
legal technicality
a precise rule or procedural detail that affects the outcome of a legal matter
litigious age
a period in which people frequently turn to lawsuits to settle disputes
loathsome disease
an illness described with strong disgust or revulsion
logical methodology
an organized approach based on reasoning and coherent argument
matronly figure
a mature, full body shape conventionally associated with a middle-aged woman
mean distance
the average of an orbiting body's greatest and smallest distances from the body it orbits
mean time
uniform solar time based on an imaginary Sun moving at a steady rate
mere wisp
a very small or slender person
meritorious conduct
behavior that deserves praise or recognition
mild rebuke
a restrained expression of criticism or disapproval
moribund patient
a person receiving medical care who is close to death
new evangelization
renewed efforts to spread Christian faith in societies with a Christian historical background
nuptial day
the day on which a wedding takes place
odorous air
air carrying a noticeable, pleasant scent
pectoral sandpiper
an American sandpiper known for inflating its chest during courtship
pervasive odor
a noticeable smell that spreads throughout a place
pervious soil
earth that allows water or air to pass through it
picaresque hero
a roguish main character who survives through wit and a series of adventures
political ferment
a state of restless change and agitation in public or governmental affairs
polymorphic species
a species containing distinct forms that are not simply differences between males and females
ponderous stone
a piece of rock made awkward to move by its great weight
principled pragmatism
a practical approach that seeks workable results while respecting moral principles
propulsive efficiency
the proportion of propulsion power converted into useful movement of a vehicle
proximal end
the end of a body part nearest its attachment point or the body's centre
pungent satire
satire whose sharp criticism can sting or offend
quiescent level
the level measured when a system is quiet or inactive
religious sectarianism
a narrow and exclusive attachment to one religious group or denomination
salutary influence
an effect that benefits physical health or well-being
sanguinary war
a war involving extensive bloodshed
scholastic philosophy
a philosophical tradition using formal argument to examine and reconcile faith and reason
sensuous joy
pleasure arising from the enjoyment of beautiful sights, sounds, or other sensations
sententious style
a concise manner of expression built around short, weighty statements
serpentine wall
a wall that follows a winding, snakelike course
servile insurrection
an armed uprising by enslaved people against those controlling them
sharp rejoinder
a quick reply that expresses strong criticism or disagreement
siliceous sandstone
sandstone containing a large proportion of silica
spasmodic jerk
a sudden involuntary movement caused by a muscle contraction
spinal tap
a procedure in which a needle draws fluid from around the lower spinal cord
starting vertex
the vertex chosen as the first point in a geometric or computational procedure
stellar performance
a performance in the leading or most prominent role
stolid indifference
an unresponsive lack of interest or concern that shows little emotion
supercilious smile
a smile that shows contempt or a feeling of superiority
synoptic presentation
an account that gives an organized overview of an entire subject
tenacious memory
an ability to retain information or experiences for a long time
tendentious account
a description that strongly promotes a particular, often controversial, viewpoint
tessellated pavement
a paved surface decorated with small pieces fitted into a mosaic
topographical engineer
an engineer who surveys and maps the shape and physical features of land
totemic object
an object connected with a group's belief in or identification with a totem
transcendent reality
a reality thought to exist beyond ordinary human experience or understanding
true metier
the occupation for which someone is particularly well suited
unrighteous man
a man regarded as morally wrong, unjust, or sinful
untempered mortar
mortar that has not been brought to the proper consistency or hardness
usurious interest
interest charged on a loan at an excessively high or unfair rate
very embodiment
the most complete or striking example of an idea or quality
vicarious atonement
atonement made by one person on behalf of another for a wrong
voluptuous woman
a woman described as having strong sensual or sexual appeal
woeful plight
a deeply distressing and unfortunate situation that is difficult to escape
Noun + noun(10)
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lip balm
a soothing preparation applied to the lips to protect or soften them
monkey bread
an African tree fruit with a gourd-like form and edible pulp
monkey bridge
a high, narrow platform above a ship's deck or machinery space
monkey jacket
a short fitted uniform jacket worn by officers at formal dinners
musk thistle
a spiny thistle with nodding reddish-purple flower heads that attract nectar-feeding insects
rat kangaroo
a small Australian marsupial related to kangaroos and resembling a rat
song thrush
a common Eurasian thrush noted for its varied musical song
tap wrench
a hand tool that turns a cutting tap to form screw threads inside a hole
tear sac
a small pouch near the inner corner of the eye that collects tears for drainage
widow bird
a mostly black African weaverbird
Verb + adverb(9)
-
lop off
to remove a branch or other part by cutting it away
lounge around
to spend time relaxing idly in a place
muck around
to spend time idly or on aimless activities, informally
nip off
to remove a small part by pinching or making a short cut
slough off
to shed or separate an outer layer of dead tissue
snip off
to remove a small part by cutting it with scissors or a similar tool
splay out
to spread outward and apart from a central point
whirl around
to spin or turn rapidly in a circular movement
whisk off
to take someone or something away quickly and suddenly
Adverb + adjective(6)
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insuperably difficult
so hard that the obstacle appears impossible to overcome
less prone
not as likely to experience or develop a particular problem
most salubrious
more favorable to health and well-being than the alternatives being considered
most treacherous
more likely than others to betray trust or act disloyally
simply untrue
completely false or contrary to the facts
still undecided
not having reached a decision even after some time