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 5953–6048 of 7378 phrases
Adjective + noun(57)
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transitional stage
a temporary phase during a change from one state or system to another
transparent quartz
clear quartz through which light passes without hiding objects behind it
tremendous achievement
a success that is especially impressive or important
typical case
an example that shows the usual features of a situation or problem
unaffected grace
natural elegance that does not seem forced or showy
unbiased account
a description of events that does not unfairly favor any side
unbounded enthusiasm
excitement and eagerness that seem to have no limit
uncertain future
a situation in which what will happen next is not known or secure
uncomfortable chair
a chair that is unpleasant to sit in
uncompromising honesty
truthfulness that refuses to bend even when being honest is difficult
uncontrollable laughter
laughing that a person cannot stop or hold back
unearthly scream
a piercing cry that sounds strange or frighteningly unnatural
uneasy calm
A quiet period in which tension remains and trouble still seems possible.
unexampled prosperity
A level of economic success greater than any previously experienced.
unexpected news
Information about an event or development that was not anticipated.
unfair advantage
A benefit that gives someone an undeserved or improper edge over others.
unfavorable impression
A negative opinion or feeling formed about someone or something.
unfriendly act
An action that shows hostility or a lack of goodwill.
ungrudging admiration
Respect and approval given freely, without reluctance or resentment.
unhealthy climate
Environmental conditions that are harmful to health.
unique ability
an unusually rare or distinctive capability
united front
A shared public position maintained by people acting together.
unjust accusation
An allegation that unfairly blames someone for wrongdoing.
unlikely candidate
A person who seems poorly suited or not expected to be chosen for a role.
unmarked form
a linguistic expression that is ordinary in its context and carries no special stylistic effect
unmelted snow
Snow that remains frozen instead of turning into liquid water.
unmixed blessing
A benefit that brings no disadvantages or unwelcome consequences.
unofficial mayor
A person who informally plays a mayor-like leadership role without holding the office.
unpleasant situation
A set of circumstances that causes discomfort, distress, or dislike.
unseasoned timber
Wood intended for construction or other use that has not yet been sufficiently dried.
unswerving devotion
Steady loyalty or commitment that does not weaken or change direction.
untended garden
A garden that is not being regularly cared for.
unusual punishment
A penalty that differs from the kinds normally imposed.
vice chancellor
An official who serves as a deputy to a chancellor.
violent dislike
An extremely strong feeling of dislike.
visceral pericardium
The inner layer of the serous pericardium, lying on the heart's surface.
vivid green
A bright, strong shade of green.
voluntary muscle
A skeletal muscle whose movement can normally be controlled consciously.
wasteful duplication
Unnecessary repetition that uses time, effort, or resources without sufficient benefit.
weak link
A part of a connected system that is more likely to fail than the others.
weird effect
A strange or unsettling result or impression.
wet nurse
A woman who breastfeeds another person's baby, often as paid work.
white corpuscle
A white blood cell involved in defending the body against infection and other threats.
white vitriol
A traditional chemical name for zinc sulfate, a pale crystalline salt.
wholesale destruction
Destruction affecting a very large area or nearly everything involved.
wide vocabulary
A large range of words or expressive techniques available for use.
widespread fear
Anxiety or dread felt by many people across a community or area.
wise man
A man respected for sound judgment and knowledge gained through experience.
wonderful soup
Soup that gives great pleasure, especially because of its taste.
worldwide distribution
The spread or supply of something across many parts of the world.
wretched beast
An animal referred to with strong irritation, contempt, or pity.
abandoned farmhouse
a farm dwelling that has been left empty and no longer maintained
abominable treatment
behavior toward someone that is exceptionally cruel or unacceptable
absentminded professor
an academic who is so absorbed in thought that ordinary details are forgotten
accumulative effect
a result that grows as smaller influences or additions build up
acrid odor
a harsh, unpleasant smell that irritates the nose or throat
acrimonious dispute
a disagreement marked by bitter anger and hostile remarks
Noun + noun(13)
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tow truck
a truck equipped to lift or pull vehicles that cannot remain where they are
toy poodle
a poodle of the smallest recognized size variety
trade surplus
the amount by which a country's exports exceed its imports
transportation system
the connected vehicles, routes, and facilities used to move people or goods
tree frog
a frog adapted to living in trees, often with gripping pads on its toes
trophy case
a cabinet or enclosed display for prizes won in competitions
trumpet section
the group of musicians who play trumpets in an orchestra or band
tulip poplar
a tall North American tree with tulip-shaped greenish-yellow flowers, also called a tulip tree
turkey buzzard
a New World vulture commonly called the turkey vulture
walnut tree
A tree of the walnut group, often grown for its nuts or valuable wood.
weather bureau
An organization that collects weather data and prepares forecasts.
whip snake
A slender, fast-moving snake with a long tail resembling a whip.
willow tree
A tree of the willow group, commonly associated with flexible branches and damp ground.
Verb + adverb(6)
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trifle away
to waste time, money, or another resource on unimportant things
vary widely
To differ greatly across examples, places, or circumstances.
walk steadily
To walk with a controlled, even movement or pace.
whisk away
To take someone or something away quickly and suddenly.
act rationally
to make choices and behave according to reason rather than impulse
act wickedly
to behave in a deliberately cruel or morally evil way
Adverb + adjective(19)
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too frequent
happening more often than is useful or acceptable
too involved
more complicated than someone can easily understand or manage
too obvious
so easily noticed that it defeats a purpose or becomes inappropriate
totally uninterested
showing no interest or curiosity at all
truly awful
extremely bad or unpleasant
unnecessarily rude
Impolite to a degree or in a situation where there is no need for it.
unusually tall
Taller than is normal or expected for the relevant group or setting.
utterly miserable
Extremely unhappy or uncomfortable.
very complicated
Difficult to understand or deal with because of many connected parts or problems.
very disappointing
Failing badly to meet someone's hopes or expectations.
very funny
Causing a great deal of amusement or laughter.
very unfit
In poor physical condition to a marked degree.
very uninteresting
Offering very little that attracts attention or curiosity.
very unlike
Markedly different from one another or from something else.
warmly dressed
Wearing clothing that protects the body from cold.
well done
Completed or performed skillfully and successfully.
wholly convinced
Completely certain that something is true or correct.
wildly unrealistic
Very far from what is practical, believable, or likely to happen.
absolutely necessary
essential, with no practical possibility of doing without it