This document provides definitions and examples of use for the words "dimension", "din", "dine", "dinghy", "dining room", "dinner", "dip", "diploma", and "diplomacy". It defines each word and provides part of speech, related words, and examples of the word used in sentences to demonstrate meaning and usage. The document appears to be an excerpt from an English language dictionary or reference book.

1. Black plate (224,1)
dimension noun
1 (often dimensions) measurements
ADJ. approximate | exact, precise x It is important to
measure the exact ~s of the room. | overall | compact, small
x Despite the unit’s compact ~s, there’s still plenty of room for
expansion. | great, large x a structure of considerable ~s |
horizontal, vertical | fourth, second, third x The fourth ~,
time, is also finite in extent. | physical, space, spatial,
temporal, time
VERB + DIMENSION check, measure x Can we just check the ~s
of the bedroom again?
PHRASES in two ~s, in three ~s x a model in three ~s
2 aspect
ADJ. added, additional, different, extra, further, new |
distinct x In looking at population ageing we will consider
two distinct ~s. | wider x There is a wider ~ to the question. |
crucial, essential, important, key, main, major, significant
| global, international, local, national, regional x This
gives an important international ~ to the project. | aesthetic,
class, cultural, economic, emotional, ethical, historical,
human, ideological, moral, personal, political, psycho-
logical, religious, social, spiritual, etc. | tragic
VERB + DIMENSION add, bring, give (sth), provide x Her illness
adds an extra ~ to the problem. | have x The affair had a
different ~ now. | acquire, take on x The crisis acquired a
new ~. | explore
PREP. ~ to x the spiritual ~ to our lives
din noun
ADJ. awful, deafening, raucous, terrible | constant
VERB + DIN create, make x Who’s making that awful ~? |
hear
PREP. above the ~, over the ~ x Charles shouted above the ~.
x She could not be heard above the ~ of the crowd. | ~ of
PHRASES the ~ of battle (literary)
dine verb
ADV. al fresco x the joys of dining al fresco | in style x We ~d
in style in the hotel restaurant. | out x Dining out in
attractive surroundings is one of life’s great pleasures.
PREP. on x We ~d on fresh local fish.
dinghy noun
ADJ. inflatable, rubber | sailing (BrE)
VERB + DINGHY row, sail (esp. BrE) x I sailed the ~ across the
bay.
DINGHY + NOUN sailing, sailor (both BrE)
PREP. in a/the ~ x She rowed ashore in the ~. | into a/the ~
dining room noun
ADJ. large, spacious | cosy/cozy, small | elegant | formal |
communal | executive | hotel
DINING ROOM + VERB seat sb x The ~ seats up to 60 guests. |
serve sth (esp. AmE) x a comfortable ~ serving just-caught
seafood
DINING-ROOM + NOUN furniture | chair, table x dining-room
chairs and tables | set (AmE)
dinner noun
1 main meal of the day
ADJ. delicious, excellent, good, gourmet (esp. AmE), slap-up
(BrE, informal), sumptuous x We were treated to an excellent
~ with every kind of seafood imaginable. | four-course,
three-course, etc. | big | light | leisurely | quick | early,
late | candlelight (esp. AmE), candlelit, romantic |
intimate, private, quiet | family | birthday, Christmas,
holiday (AmE), Sunday, Thanksgiving (in the US) | potluck
(= to which each guest brings some food, which is then
shared) (AmE) | school (BrE) | frozen (esp. AmE), TV |
chicken, seafood, steak, turkey, etc.
DINNER + NOUN table x There was never much conversation at
the ~ table in my family. | things x We didn’t wash up the ~
things until the morning after. | plates, service x a bone-
china ~ service | menu x The extensive ~ menu includes
Russian delicacies. x The school ~ menu always includes a
balance of food types. (BrE) | bell | money (BrE) x I always
forgot to take my ~ money to school. | lady (BrE) (lunch lady
in AmE) | time | date | reservation | companion
a Note at MEAL (for verbs)
2 formal evening occasion, with dinner
ADJ. elegant, fancy, lavish | black-tie, formal, official |
informal | annual x The club’s annual ~ is this week. |
anniversary, celebratory, rehearsal (= for the families of a
couple the day before their wedding) (AmE), wedding (AmE)
| farewell | awards | charity, fund-raising | gala x A gala ~
was held to celebrate the world premiere of the movie. | state
x A state ~ was held in honour/honor of the visiting Japanese
premier.
VERB + DINNER give, hold, host, throw x My old school is
giving a fund-raising ~ | attend x We attended the formal
reunion ~. | be invited to | change for, dress for x Are we
expected to dress for ~? | speak at x The former Olympic
champion was invited to speak at a charity ~.
DINNER + NOUN party x They invited three couples to a ~ party
at their house. | engagement | dance x the society’s annual
~ dance | guests | jacket, suit (both BrE) | theater (= a
restaurant where you see a play after your meal) (AmE)
dip noun
1 quick swim
ADJ. quick | refreshing
VERB + DIP take x I took a quick ~ in the hotel pool before
lunch.
2 decrease
ADJ. sharp | slight | sudden | occasional x the occasional ~s
in the market
VERB + DIP suffer, take x Share prices have taken a slight ~. |
experience, see x The nation is experiencing an economic ~.
PREP. ~ in x a sharp ~ in temperature
dip verb
1 in liquid
ADV. lightly x She dipped the brush lightly in the varnish. |
quickly x Quickly ~ the tomatoes in boiling water.
PREP. in, into x He dipped his finger in the water
2 go/move downwards
ADV. gently x hills which ~ gently to the east | slowly x The
sun was slowly dipping out of sight. | steeply | down x The
road dipped steeply down into the town.
PREP. below x The sun dipped below the horizon.
3 prices, support, etc.
ADV. slightly | sharply x Support dipped sharply to 51%.
PREP. below x when unemployment ~s below a certain point
diploma noun
1 certificate; qualification
ADJ. college, high-school (in the US), university | engineer-
ing, law, medical, etc.
VERB + DIPLOMA accept, take | hand sb, hand out | have,
hold | be awarded, earn, gain, get, obtain, receive |
award (sb), confer (on sb) x The university awards ~s in
higher education. | lead to x The course leads to a ~ in
psychiatric nursing. | study for (esp. BrE), take (BrE) x She
was taking a diploma in business management.
DIPLOMA + NOUN course, programme/program | holder x
Diploma holders have a far better chance of employment than
those with no qualification.
PREP. ~ from x a fake ~ from a non-existent school | ~ in x a
~ in hotel management | ~ of x ~ of higher education
PHRASES at ~ level x Most students here are studying for a
qualification at ~ level.
2 (BrE) course of study
ADJ. graduate, postgraduate, professional | higher |
national x The college offers the Higher National Diploma in
dimension 224

2. Black plate (225,1)
computer studies. | full-time, part-time | one-year, two-
year, etc.
VERB + DIPLOMA complete
diplomacy noun
1 managing international relations
ADJ. careful, shrewd | clever, deft, effective, skilful/skillful
x It will take deft ~ to sustain the fragile momentum. |
aggressive, coercive (esp. AmE), forceful x He also wants
more aggressive unilateral ~. | gunboat x What they could
not take by political intrigue they took by gunboat ~ (=
threatening military action). | checkbook (AmE) x The time
for checkbook ~ is over. | global, international, multilateral
x We will continue to seek solutions to the problems of this
region through multilateral ~. | secret | personal x
Churchill’s highly personal ~ in seeking a meeting with the
Russians | public (esp. AmE) x the challenge to improve
public ~ and define the country’s message to the world |
cultural x Cultural ~ between the two countries was an
integral part of this development. | traditional x a crisis
lying outside the scope of traditional ~ | quiet x The
understanding between the two countries came about
through quiet ~. | failed x The raid followed years of failed ~.
| preventive | shuttle x a round of shuttle ~ between
Washington and Brussels | American, Anglo-French, Euro-
pean, Russian, US, etc.
VERB + DIPLOMACY use x We prefer to use ~ rather than force to
get people to move. | conduct, pursue x This was no way to
conduct ~. x She urged the leaders to pursue ~.
DIPLOMACY + VERB fail x if ~ fails and combat is necessary |
work x There’s a familiar rule that ~ works best when backed
by the threat of force.
PREP. by ~, through ~ x We must try and resolve this
situation through ~ rather than conflict.
2 skill in dealing with people
ADJ. great | quiet
VERB + DIPLOMACY have x We need someone who has tact and
~. | exercise, show, use x I thought you showed great ~ in
dealing with him. | try x Kerry’s willingness to try ~ holds
out at least a hope of making progress. | need, require x
Trying to get the divorced couple to agree calls for a great
deal of ~.
PREP. by ~, through ~ x The way forward in this situation is
by ~ and negotiation. | with ~ x She handled the awkward
situation with her usual quiet ~.
diplomat noun
ADJ. chief, prominent, senior, top x Washington’s top ~ in
Havana | consummate, distinguished, experienced, good,
skilled | former, retired | foreign | career, professional |
American, British, US, etc. | Western x a Western ~ in
Islamabad
VERB + DIPLOMAT be, serve as, work as x He served as a ~ in
Russia before the war.
direct verb
1 aim
ADV. mainly, mostly, primarily, principally x Tax cuts have
been ~ed primarily at the better-off. x His anger was mostly
~ed towards/toward Peter. | clearly | straight x He ~ed the
light straight in her face. | specifically | exclusively, solely
x The attacks were ~ed solely at military targets.
PREP. against x anger ~ed specifically against ethnic minorities
| at x criticism clearly ~ed at upper management | away
from x This merely ~s attention away from the real issues. |
into x I found myself being ~ed into a dark room. | onto x
The machine ~s light onto a special film. | through x a
detour that ~s you through narrow, dimly lit streets | to x I
~ed my question to the chairman. | towards/toward x We
are ~ing our efforts towards/toward helping young people.
2 film/movie
ADV. expertly, masterfully, skilfully/skillfully x The film is
expertly ~ed and beautifully photographed.
PREP. by x It was ~ed by Luc Besson. | with x He ~s with flair
and sensitivity.
direct adj.
VERBS be
ADV. extremely, fairly, very, etc. x Her manner can be rather
~. x He asked me some very ~ questions. | disconcertingly x
his disconcertingly ~ gaze | refreshingly x a refreshingly ~
discussion of the agency’s priorities | emotionally x The
album is her most emotionally ~ work to date.
NOTE
Points of the compass
due... (of) x The park is due north of Santa Cruz.
far... x a small town in the far north of Canada x The
reserve is a little further south on the coast.
down south, up north x They have moved down south
(= to the south of the country).
journey... (esp. BrE), way... x On our way south we passed
through hostile territory.
road... , track... x the road west out of the city
be...of, lie... of x San Diego is south of Los Angeles.
north-east, south-east x The farm lies 60 miles north-east
of Cape Town.
come... , go... x I thought we were going east.
drive... , fly... , run... , travel... , walk... x From Fort
William drive north for a couple of miles.
set off... x The troops set off north.
carry on... , continue... , proceed... x The road con-
tinues west for ten miles.
bear... , head... x Take the N1 heading west from Bern.
turn... x When you reach the top, turn west.
face... , look... x The kitchen window faces south. x The
painting depicts the river looking north from the bridge.
... bank, ... coast, ... shore x the south bank of the river
... wind x a bitter east wind
in the... (of) x I live in the north. x There are lakes in the
north-east of Poland.
from the... (of) x The wind is coming from the west.
to the... (of) x Oxford is to the north-west of London.
towards/toward the... x Towards/Toward the north the
woods turn into pine forests.
which way is... ? x Which way is west?
direction noun
1 where to/from
ADJ. same x They were both going in the same ~. | different,
opposing, opposite, reverse, separate (esp. AmE) x We are
pulled in opposing ~s by our emotions. x The ride in the
reverse ~ is a mere $4. x We both walked off in separate ~s. |
right, wrong x Unfortunately, we were going in the wrong ~.
| general x I fired in the general ~ of the officer’s head, and
missed. | expected (esp. AmE), predicted x America has not
moved in the expected ~. | unexpected x Support came from
an unexpected ~. | clockwise x Turn the dial in a clockwise
~. | anticlockwise (BrE), counterclockwise (AmE) | down-
ward, upward x These figures may have to be revised in an
upward ~. | backward, forward x She shoved Sarah in the
general forward ~. | northerly, southerly, etc. x The current
flows in a south-easterly ~. | east-west, north-south x The
runway was constructed in a north-south ~. | horizontal,
vertical x A scanner deflects the laser beam in horizontal and
vertical ~s. | random x He started to run in a random ~. |
cardinal, compass (both esp. AmE) x a house oriented exactly
to the cardinal ~s x I measured the distance and compass ~
between successive positions. | wind x When sailing, keep a
constant check on changes in wind ~.
VERB + DIRECTION take x Which ~ do we have to take? |
change, reverse, switch x The wind had changed ~. x What
happens if you reverse the ~ of the current? x Suddenly, the
wind switched ~s. | flow in, go in, go off in | follow, head
225 direction

3. mEETINgS
• call/convene the meeting, or invite people
to attend the meeting
• draw up and circulate an agenda
• If some people are unable to attend, you
may need to postpone or call off/cancel the
meeting.
Before the meeting
You can:
• adjourn the meeting until a later date
• close the meeting
• bring the meeting to a close
The chairman brought the meeting to a close
by thanking all those who had attended.
Ending the meeting
You usually appoint somebody to:
• chair the meeting
• keep/take minutes
After the chair has opened the meeting, the first
points/items on the agenda are often to:
• approve the minutes of the previous meeting
• agree on the agenda for the current meeting
It may be necessary to:
• add an item to the agenda
• remove sth from/take sth off the agenda
At the meeting
It is usual to:
• write up the minutes
• circulate the minutes
After the meeting
In a meeting you can:
consider
an issue in depth/detail
discuss
a matter
examine
debate
an issue at length
discuss
address
identity a problem
tackle
have an in-depth discussion
about/on the issue
have
an in-depth look at the issue
take
reach
(an) agreement
a compromise
a conclusion
a consensus
a decision
As well as making decisions at meetings, you can also:
make
a proposal
recommendation
a suggestion
agree on
a compromise
further action
take
a decision
a vote
adopt
a resolution
The commission made a proposal for a new park in the city.
May I make a suggestion to the chairman of the board?
The workers raised an objection to longer working hours.
He invited the committee members to give their opinion.
After hours of negotiation, the two sides reached a compromise.
The shareholders took a vote on the proposed merger.
raise
an issue
an objection
a point
give/state
your opinion
your view
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4. SpORT
• beat, defeat, face an opponent
• be dropped from, be left out of, be selected for, get into (esp.BrE),
get on/onto (esp.AmE), join, try out for (esp.AmE) a team
• capture, clinch, defend, lose, retain, take, win the title
• break, hold, set, shatter, smash the world record
Tennis
Football/soccer
Golf
• carry, catch, fumble, snap, run, throw the ball
• catch, complete, drop, intercept, throw a pass
• call, make, run a play
• find, get in/into, reach, run into the end zone
• score points/a touchdown
American football Basketball
Baseball
In British English you can do sport or play sports. In American English you do or play sports.
Do you do a lot of sport(s)? We played sports together when we were kids.
You can also:
• cross, step (up) to the plate
• hit, make, take, throw a pitch
• throw a breaking/curve/ground/fly/foul ball
• swing the bat; be at the bat
• hit a home run
• reach, steal bases; play second base
• score runs in the bottom of the ninth inning
• dribble, dunk, get, handle, have, move, pass,
protect, receive, shoot, steal the ball
• block, get off, hit, make, miss, take a shot
• a blocked/foul/jump shot
• get, score an easy basket
• call, commit, draw a foul
• chip, clear, cross, drive, give away, head, kick,
lob, lose, pass, strike, win the ball
• score a goal
• book, foul; mark, send off, tackle a player
• award, concede, miss, take, win a penalty
• blast, block, fire, get in, have, save a shot
• chip, drive, hit, putt the ball
• hit an approach/a bunker/a chip/a tee shot
• hit, miss the fairway/the green
• hole, miss, sink a putt
• hook your drive into the rough
go
bowling
cycling (esp.BrE)/biking
(esp.AmE)
fishing
mountaineering
riding (BrE)/horseback riding
(AmE)
skateboarding
skating
skiing
swimming
to aerobics, judo, etc. (= to
go to your aerobics, etc. class)
play
baseball
basketball
cricket
football
golf
hockey
pool
soccer
tennis
against sb
for a team
do
aerobics
athletics (BrE)/track
(AmE)
gymnastics
the high jump
judo
karate
the long jump
the pole vault
weightlifting
wrestling
yoga
• hit, return, run down, slice the ball
• have, miss, save a match point
• lose, play, win a point/rally
• drop, hold, return (a) serve
• hit a drop/passing shot
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