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 2977–3072 of 7341 phrases
Adjective + noun(51)
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double bassoon
a large bassoon that plays below the ordinary bassoon range
double dagger
the printing symbol ‡, sometimes used to mark a note or reference
double decomposition
a chemical reaction in which two compounds exchange parts to form new compounds
double helix
a structure made of two intertwined spirals around the same axis
double saucepan
two fitted saucepans used together, with one placed inside the other
dramatic irony
a situation where the audience understands something that a character does not
drunken revelry
noisy and uncontrolled celebration involving heavy drinking
dry dock
a dock that can be emptied of water so a ship can be built or repaired
dry kiln
a heated chamber used to remove moisture from timber
dry vermouth
a relatively unsweet variety of vermouth
dual carriageway
a road with separate carriageways for traffic traveling in opposite directions
duplex apartment
an apartment with rooms on two floors connected by an internal staircase
durable goods
products intended to remain usable over a long period
dutch auction
an auction in which the price falls until someone agrees to buy
dynamic system
a system whose condition changes over time
dynamical system
a mathematical description of how a system's state evolves over time
early childhood
the first years of a person's childhood
eccentric person
someone whose behavior or personality is noticeably unusual
ecclesiastical benefice
a church office supported by an income or endowment
ecclesiastical province
a territorial division administered by a church authority
eclectic method
an approach that combines useful ideas from different traditions or systems
ecological niche
the role and position of an organism within its environment
ecological succession
the gradual replacement of one biological community by another over time
economic collapse
a severe breakdown in an economy's ability to function
economic geography
the study of where goods are produced, distributed, and consumed
economic geology
the study of geological materials that have economic value
ecstatic state
a condition of intense religious excitement or trance
editorial page
a newspaper page devoted to opinions and editorial commentary
educated guess
an estimate based on relevant knowledge despite incomplete information
eighth grade
the eighth year or level in a numbered school-grade system
elapsed time
the amount of time that has passed since an event began
elastic band
a stretchy loop of rubber used to hold objects together
elder statesman
an experienced senior political figure whose advice is respected
elective surgery
an operation that is planned in advance rather than performed as an emergency
electoral college
the group of electors that formally chooses the United States president and vice president
electric refrigerator
a refrigerator powered by an electric motor
electric shaver
a device with a motor that cuts hair close to the skin
electric toothbrush
a toothbrush whose head moves using an electric motor
electrical outlet
a socket where a device can be connected to an electricity supply
electrical relay
a device that uses current in one circuit to switch another circuit
electrochemical series
an ordering of elements or ions according to their electrode potentials
electronic surveillance
monitoring people or places using electronic equipment
electrostatic generator
a device that builds up static electrical charge to produce a high voltage
elementary school
a school providing the first main years of children's education
elite group
a small group distinguished by high status, ability, or privilege
elliptic geometry
a non-Euclidean geometry in which lines behave like great circles on a sphere
embryonic development
the growth and formation of an organism during its embryo stage
eminent domain
a state's authority to acquire private property for public use
empirical formula
a chemical formula giving the simplest ratio of elements in a compound
empiricist philosophy
a view of knowledge that treats experience as its main source
encyclical letter
a letter from the pope circulated to Catholic bishops
Noun + noun(40)
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dovetail saw
a small backsaw used for cutting dovetail joints in wood
draft board
a group responsible for selecting people for compulsory military service
drag coefficient
a number used to describe the resistance an object experiences moving through air
drainage system
connected drains or channels that carry away unwanted water
drama critic
a person who reviews and evaluates theatrical performances
dray horse
a strong horse used to pull heavy loads
dress rehearsal
a complete practice performance using the costumes intended for the show
drill instructor
a military trainer who teaches recruits marching and discipline
driving license
an official document permitting its holder to drive a motor vehicle
drop forge
a machine that shapes metal by dropping a heavy striking tool onto it
drug abuse
harmful or excessive use of drugs
drug addict
a person who has become dependent on drugs and struggles to stop using them
drug bust
an informal term for a police operation that seizes illegal drugs
drug trafficker
a person who illegally transports or sells controlled drugs
duck pate
a smooth prepared food made from duck liver
dude ranch
a holiday ranch where visitors take part in riding and other ranch activities
dunce cap
a pointed paper hat formerly used to shame pupils considered slow learners
dung beetle
a beetle that feeds on animal dung and may form it into balls
dust wrapper
a removable paper cover that protects a book and often carries promotional text
earl marshal
an English noble officer responsible for royal processions and ceremonies
earth goddess
a goddess associated with the earth, fertility, or plant growth
earthenware jar
a container made from fired clay
ebb tide
the outgoing tide as the sea level falls
ebony tree
a tropical tree valued for its hard, dark heartwood
edge enhancement
image processing that makes boundaries between areas appear more distinct
ejection seat
an aircraft seat that can propel its occupant out during an emergency
elbow room
enough physical space to move comfortably
election campaign
organized activity aimed at winning votes in an election
electron microscope
an instrument that uses electrons rather than light to produce highly detailed images
electron volt
a unit of energy gained by an electron moving through a potential difference of one volt
electronics industry
the businesses that make electronic equipment and products
elimination tournament
a competition in which losing participants leave after successive rounds
embroidery hoop
a frame of two fitted rings that holds fabric taut for embroidery
emissary vein
a vein linking venous channels inside the skull with veins outside it
emperor penguin
the largest type of penguin, native to Antarctica
employee ownership
ownership of a business by the people working in it
employment interview
a meeting used to assess someone's suitability for a job
encounter group
a gathering where people share feelings to improve mutual understanding
endurance contest
a demanding competition or undertaking that tests the ability to continue for a long time
energy efficiency
the ability to achieve a result while using relatively little energy