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 6433–6528 of 7378 phrases
Adjective + noun(70)
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pesky mosquito
A mosquito that causes repeated annoyance.
phenomenal success
An achievement or favorable result that is exceptionally impressive.
philosophical resignation
Calm, thoughtful acceptance of an unpleasant situation that cannot be changed.
picturesque village
a small rural settlement whose appearance is especially pretty and charming
pious jew
a Jewish person who shows sincere religious devotion
placid temperament
a naturally calm disposition that is not easily irritated
plausible excuse
a reason for an action or failure that seems believable
pleasurable excitement
a lively feeling of anticipation or interest that is enjoyable
poetical fashion
a manner of expression characteristic of poetry
poignant grief
deep sorrow that is painfully moving or emotionally affecting
pointed allusion
an indirect reference whose intended target is clear, often carrying criticism
pointed critique
a critical assessment that addresses its target clearly and sharply
political leverage
influence that can be used to obtain a desired result in public affairs
political upheaval
a major disruptive change in government or public power
popular patriotism
love of country widely shared among ordinary people
posh restaurant
an elegant and fashionable place to eat, usually associated with luxury
potent liquor
a distilled alcoholic drink with a strong intoxicating effect
precarious truce
an agreement to stop fighting that is insecure and may soon fail
predictive control
a method of directing a system by using forecasts of its future behavior
prejudicial publicity
public attention or media coverage that harms someone's interests or fair treatment
prestigious university
a university widely respected for its status or quality
previous occupant
the person who held a place or position immediately before its current holder
problematic situation
a set of circumstances that is difficult to understand or resolve
profitable speculation
risky buying or investing that results in a financial gain
prolific writer
a person who produces a large quantity of written work
pronounced flavor
a taste that is strong enough to be easily noticed
prospective earnings
income or profits expected to be received in the future
provocative remark
a comment likely or intended to cause argument or a strong reaction
psychological crutch
something relied on for emotional reassurance or confidence
punctual payment
money paid exactly when it is due
pure folly
behavior that is completely foolish and lacks good judgment
pure fragrance
a clear pleasant scent without an unpleasant or competing smell
purposeful life
a way of living guided by clear aims that give it meaning
puzzled expression
a look on someone's face that shows confusion or uncertainty
quizzical expression
a facial look that shows mild puzzlement or a questioning attitude
realistic portrayal
a representation that shows people or events as they actually are
rebellious crew
a group operating a ship or other vehicle that resists its leaders' authority
rectilinear propagation
the travel or spread of something along straight lines
red cedar
fragrant reddish wood from trees commonly known as red cedars
reflective surface
an outer layer that sends back light or sound
relentless persecution
cruel or unfair treatment that continues without easing
reluctant smile
a smile given despite an unwillingness to show pleasure or agreement
remedial education
teaching intended to help learners improve skills in which they are behind
remorseless cruelty
harsh treatment that shows no pity or regret for others' suffering
renowned painter
an artist widely known and admired for painting
republican nomination
official selection as the Republican Party's candidate for an election
reputable business
a company generally trusted to act honestly and reliably
residuary beneficiary
a person entitled to what remains of an estate after debts and specific gifts are paid
rich heiress
a wealthy woman who has inherited or is expected to inherit property
right thigh
the upper leg on the right-hand side of a person's body
rigid disciplinarian
a person who enforces strict rules without adapting to individual circumstances
rigorous discipline
strict control of behavior through demanding rules and consistent effort
robust body
a physical build that is strong, sturdy, and healthy
roman law
the legal system and principles developed in ancient Rome
rough carpentry
woodworking that lacks careful detail or fine finishing
royal family
the monarch and the people closely related to them
ruinous war
an armed conflict that causes devastating damage or loss
sad melody
a tune that expresses sorrow or makes listeners feel unhappy
sad spectacle
a distressing or pitiful scene that draws people's attention
salty language
lively, provocative wording, often with coarse or risqué expressions
same wavelength
a shared way of thinking that allows people to understand each other
scandalous behavior
conduct regarded as disgraceful enough to cause outrage and damage a reputation
scarlet oak
an oak with deeply lobed leaves that turn vivid red in autumn
scholarly treatise
a formal, detailed written work based on serious academic study
seamy side
the unpleasant or morally disreputable aspect of something
sedentary life
a way of living that involves much sitting and little physical activity
sentimental friendship
friendship expressed through tender feelings, sometimes in an exaggerated way
serene composure
calm self-control that appears peaceful and untroubled
serious complication
a significant difficulty that makes an existing situation harder to resolve
serviceable equipment
tools or machines in a condition suitable for continued use
Noun + noun(6)
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plague spot
a mark on the skin associated with plague infection
poke bonnet
a traditional bonnet tied beneath the chin, with a brim projecting around the face
price freeze
an official decision to keep prices from changing for a period
rap music
music built around rhythmically spoken words over a beat
rifle range
the distance over which a bullet fired from a rifle can travel
sal soda
an older name for sodium carbonate, also called washing soda
Verb + adverb(2)
Adverb + adjective(18)
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politically motivated
driven by aims or interests connected with politics
predominantly indigenous
mainly made up of people native to a place from before colonization
previously proposed
suggested or put forward at an earlier time
prohibitively expensive
costing so much that buying or doing it becomes impractical
purely social
intended only for meeting people and enjoying their company
quite distinct
clearly different in nature or quality from something else
quite tolerant
fairly able to withstand difficult environmental conditions or physical stress
radically different
different in a fundamental or far-reaching way
rather mediocre
fairly ordinary and disappointing in quality
rather tedious
fairly boring and tiring, especially because it continues too long
reasonably clean
producing a comparatively small amount of pollution or contamination
refreshingly cool
pleasantly cool in a way that restores comfort or energy
remarkably attractive
pleasing to look at to an unusually noticeable degree
remotely possible
having only a very small chance of happening or being true
respectably married
married in a way that meets a community's expectations of proper behavior
rigidly erect
held straight upright in a stiff, unmoving way
scientifically interesting
worthy of attention because of its relevance to scientific inquiry
seemingly crazy
appearing irrational or foolish even though there may be an explanation