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 5185–5280 of 7378 phrases
Verb + noun(6)
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wreak havoc
to cause extensive damage or serious disruption
accumulate evidence
to collect an increasing amount of information that supports a conclusion
achieve coherence
to make ideas or parts fit together in a clear and consistent whole
achieve success
to obtain the result or accomplishment that was wanted
acquire language
to develop the ability to understand and use a language
amplify sound
to increase the loudness of something that can be heard
Adjective + noun(35)
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white burgundy
a white wine produced in the Burgundy region of France
white dwarf
a small, extremely dense star with low luminosity
wild boar
a wild pig with tusks, belonging to the species from which domestic pigs developed
wildcat strike
a work stoppage begun by employees without their union's official approval
willful neglect
a deliberate failure to carry out a responsibility or provide required care
windward side
the side of something that faces the direction from which the wind comes
wireless telegraphy
the sending of telegraph messages by radio signals
woolly mammoth
a thick-haired mammoth adapted to cold northern regions
working hypothesis
a provisional explanation used to guide further investigation
worldly belongings
all the possessions a person owns
worldly concern
a concern about ordinary earthly life rather than spiritual matters
worn spot
an area damaged or reduced by repeated rubbing or use
written communication
the sharing of information through handwritten or printed text
wry neck
a neck twisted or bent to one side
yellow journalism
journalism that relies on sensational stories to attract attention
yellow ochre
a yellow earthy pigment containing iron minerals mixed with clay
yellowish pink
a pink color with a slight yellow tint
zero tolerance
a policy of accepting no instances of a specified unwanted behavior
zoological science
the branch of biology concerned with the study of animals
zygomatic arch
the bony bridge formed between the cheekbone and the temporal bone
abject apology
an expression of regret that shows deep shame or submission
absolute guarantee
a firm assurance that leaves no room for exceptions or doubt
absolute loyalty
complete and unwavering support for a person or cause
abundant supply
a large quantity of something readily available
acoustic wave
a disturbance that carries sound through a material
aggressive businessman
a man in business who pursues opportunities forcefully and competitively
agreeable warmth
a pleasantly comfortable degree of heat
alcoholic drink
a beverage that contains alcohol
amazing amount
a quantity large enough to cause surprise or admiration
ample food
more food than is needed for the people present
amusing fellow
a man whose words or behavior make other people laugh
anal sex
sexual activity involving penetration of the anus
ancient astronaut
an imagined visitor from space said to have reached Earth in ancient times
angry customer
a person buying goods or services who feels strong displeasure
annoying interruption
an unwanted break in an activity that causes irritation
Noun + noun(39)
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wheat flour
powder made by grinding wheat grain, commonly used in baking
wheelchair basketball
a form of basketball in which players move around the court in wheelchairs
whisk broom
a small brush with a short handle used to remove dust from clothing
whist drive
a social card-playing event in which people change tables between rounds of whist
wicker basket
a container woven from thin, flexible plant stems or similar strips
wicket gate
a small pedestrian gate, often set within a larger gate
wilt disease
a plant disease that causes leaves or stems to droop and shrivel
wind deflection
a sideways change in the path of a moving object caused by wind
wind sock
a tapered cloth tube that shows wind direction by the way it extends in the air
windfall profit
an unexpected financial gain caused by circumstances outside normal business activity
window sill
the horizontal ledge at the bottom of a window opening
wine waiter
a restaurant employee responsible for serving wine and advising guests about it
wing commander
an officer holding an air-force rank immediately below group captain
winter melon
a long-keeping variety of muskmelon with pale flesh and a smooth rind
winter solstice
the time of year with the shortest daylight period in a hemisphere
wire wool
a mass of fine metal fibers used for scrubbing or polishing
wisdom literature
biblical writings concerned with wisdom, conduct, and the meaning of life
witch hazel
a shrub whose bark is used to make an astringent lotion
withdrawal symptom
a physical or psychological disturbance occurring when someone stops a drug on which they depend
woman hater
a person who strongly dislikes women as a group
wood chisel
a chisel designed for shaping or cutting wood
word processor
software used to write, edit, and format text documents
work environment
the conditions and surroundings in which someone does their job
work stoppage
a collective refusal to work as a protest
wrapping paper
paper used to cover or wrap objects
wrist watch
a small timepiece worn on a strap around the wrist
writing assignment
a task requiring someone to produce a piece of writing
yacht club
a club supporting sailing, yachting, and other boating activities
yard marker
a marker showing a yard line on an American football field
yeast cake
a small compressed block of moist yeast
youth hostel
inexpensive lodging intended especially for young travelers
youth subculture
a distinctive culture shared by a group of young people
zoo keeper
a person employed to feed and care for animals in a zoo
cantilever bridge
a bridge supported by projecting structures extending from its piers
probate court
a court dealing with wills and the administration of deceased people's estates
acorn squash
a small ribbed winter squash shaped like an acorn, with yellow-orange flesh
alcohol abuse
harmful or excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks
alder tree
a moisture-loving tree with toothed leaves, catkins, and small woody cones
alpha radiation
radiation consisting of alpha particles released during radioactive decay
Verb + adverb(6)
-
while away
to spend a period of time in a pleasant or relaxed way
whittle down
to reduce the size of something by cutting small pieces from it
winnow out
to remove unsuitable items or people from consideration
yield up
to surrender something under pressure or force
zip up
to close something by fastening its zipper
zoom in
to focus attention closely on a particular detail
Adverb + adjective(7)
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abnormally low
below the range that would normally be expected
absolutely magnificent
extremely impressive or beautiful
absolutely stunning
remarkably beautiful or impressive
accidentally damaged
harmed through an unintended action or event
adequately prepared
ready enough to meet the requirements of a situation
almost unnecessary
very nearly not needed
altogether new
completely different from what existed or was used before