THESAURUS Trainer
These pages explain how the Oxford Learners
Thesaurus works. They will show you how
to find the right entry, and then how to
find your way around that entry so that you
can find exactly the information you need.

There are exercises on each page to practise

looking up words and extracting information
from entries. The key to these exercises starts
on page 913. See also the quick Guide to
Thesaurus Entries inside the front cover.

Finding the Right Entry

The Oxford Learners Thesaurus contains over
17,000 words and expressions in over 2,000
entries. In order to find a particular word
you first need to know which entry it is in.
All the words and expressions are listed in
the alphabetical index on pages 921-1003.
j

EXACT

CHARGE

accuse verb
j

ACCUSE

accustomed to adj.
j

ache noun
j

PAIN

ache verb

A Look up the following words in the index.

In which entries will you find them?

USED TO STH

accuse charge prosecute indict impeach cite

These words all mean to say that sb has done sth wrong or
committed a crime and must appear in court.
l

accusation noun

accuse verb
l

charge noun

charge accusation indictment impeachment

recrimination
fortune; dust accumulates) These are all words for a claim that sb has done sth wrong
or is guilty of sth.
accurate adj.

Here, for example, you can

see that accuse verb is in the
(academic
ability)
entry at accuse. This
means
that it is the most important
and frequent word in its
synonym group and is the
headword of the entry:

Accusation, on the other hand, is one of the

synonyms in the entry at charge noun:

1 become verb

___________________

2 calendar noun

___________________

3 daring noun

___________________

4 daring adj.

___________________

More than One Meaning

Accurate, accusation and accuse each have
just one meaning and appear in just one entry.
Some words, however, such as act noun, have
more than one meaning, and each meaning
has a different set of synonyms. Act appears in
four different entries, with a different meaning
in each entry.
The index entry for act shows the four entries
that it appears in (action, performance,
pretence and rule). It also gives a short
RESENTMENT
example to show
act noun
ACTION (an act of kindness)
which meaning of
PERFORMANCE (a circus act)
PRETENCE (put on an act)
act is treated in
RULE (the Higher Education Act)
each entry.
act verb
j

j
j
j
j

B Look up the index entry for fix verb. In

which entry will you find synonyms of
fix in the meaning used in each of the
following sentences?
1 Can I fix you a sandwich?
_________________________
2 We need to fix a time when we can meet.
_________________________
3 The chairs were all fixed to the floor.
_________________________
4 This should fix it. Let me know if you
have any more problems.
_________________________

Very Frequent Words

Some very frequent words, such as get,
give, go and good, not only have more than
one meaning, each with a different set of
synonyms, but are the most important word

in each of two or more groups. Thus, the

entry for get begins with a brief menu that
shows the five different meanings of get that
are treated in this entry with their synonyms:

Photocopiable Oxford University Press

Taken from page viii of the Oxford Learners Thesaurus ISBN 9780194752008

) ready to
Hes too free

THESAURUS Trainer
C Find the entry and synonym group that

get verb
1
2
3
4
5

get tickets/a job/some sleep

get a letter/shock
Go and get help.
We got there at 9.
get the bus

1 See also the entry for GAIN 1

get obtain acquire take pick sth up take sth out
get hold of sth
These words all mean to do sth in order to make sure you
have sth.
l

PAT T E R N S A N D C O L LO C AT I O N S

In the index, numbers

are used to show
which synonym group
is meant in entries
that have more
than one.

includes the bold words in each of the

following sentences. You will need to
look for the base form of the word (for
example bring not brought, man not
men). There is a table of irregular verbs
on pages 1004-1005.
1 This fruit has a sharp flavour.
entry ___________________ number_________

REVENUE

receive verb
j GET 2 (receive a letter)
j GREET (be received as an honoured guest)
j HAVE 3 (receive attention)
j LET SB IN (be received into the
Church)
j RESPOND (well received by
critics)
recent adj.

Different meanings of receive are treated

in the second synonym group in the entry
for get, and the third synonym group in the
entry for have, as well as in the entries for
greet, let sb in and respond.

2 Are you sure the branch will hold your

weight?
entry ___________________ number_________
3 Jo led the way and we all followed.
entry ___________________ number_________
4 Do you play any musical instruments?
entry ___________________ number_________

Phrasal Verbs and Idioms

Phrasal verbs are
often very important
as synonyms and are
given equal status with
all other verbs. They
are listed in the index,
in alphabetical order
with all the other
synonyms.

PERMISSION

goal noun
j

TARGET

go along with phrasal verb

j

AGREE 2

go around phrasal verb

j

SPIN

go away phrasal verb

j

GO AWAY

Idioms and phrases are listed under the

main words in the idiom or phrase, so
that pay attention is listed at pay verb and
attention noun, and think twice is listed at
think and twice:
THING 2

go back phrasal verb

j

think verb
j THINK (I think it looks good.)
j CONSIDER (Ill think about it.)
j EXPECT (It took longer than we
thought.)
j IMAGINE (Just think how nice it
would be.)
j think twice HESITATE
think back phrasal verb

RETURN 1

go back on phrasal verb

j

BREAK 4

go-between noun
j

NEGOTIATOR

go by phrasal verb

D Look up these phrasal verbs in the index.

In which entries will you find them?
1 Give it some more thought. Im sure
youll come up with something.
_________________________
2 Can we go over the procedure one more
time?
_________________________
3 If youre not sure what it means, look it
up in the dictionary.
_________________________
4 Its not fair. Im always getting told off.
_________________________

COAT

twice adv.
j think twice HESITATE
twilight noun

E Look up these phrases and idioms in the

index. In which entries will you find them?
1 Its a pleasant way to earn a living.
_________________________
2 We can all play a part in protecting the
environment.
_________________________
3 That noise is driving me mad.
_________________________
4 He suddenly lost his temper with
them all.
_________________________

Photocopiable Oxford University Press

Taken from page ix of the Oxford Learners Thesaurus ISBN 9780194752008

THESAURUS Trainer
The Synonym Groups
All the words and expressions within entries
are listed in order according to how frequent
they are in English.
At the top of each entry you will see a list
of synonyms. The first word in each entry is
the one that is used most frequently overall
across a range of contexts (in written and
spoken English; in British and American
English; in general and business English). All
the other synonyms in the group are then
also given in order of frequency.

word to use in particular contexts.

A Look up the entry for fabric and find

three synonyms. Which is the most
frequent? Which is the least frequent?

B Look at this group of synonyms. Can you

guess the frequency order? Put them in a
list according to how frequent you think
they are.

1 ____________________
bright
2 ____________________
brilliant

3

____________________
This means that you will find the most
intelligent
frequent and important words and
4 ____________________
clever
expressions near the top of the entry. Lower 5 ____________________
smart
down the entry you will find less frequent
and less familiar words and expressions.
Now look up the entry for intelligent and
However, one of these may be the best
see if you were right.

The General Definition

Synonyms are grouped together into one
2 These are all words for a position doing
entry because they all share the same general
work for which you receive regular
meaning. For example the intelligent
payment.
synonyms all describe people who are good
3 These are all words for the extra effort or
at learning. This meaning is given straight
work involved in doing sth, especially sth
after the list of synonyms. You can use this
that is hard to do.
definition to check that you have looked up
i job, position, post, vacancy, opening,
the right entry: is this the general meaning
appointment
that you want to express?
ii difficulty, trouble, job, hassle, bother
C Match each general definition with the
iii task, work, duty, mission, job, business,
right group of synonyms i, ii or iii.
housework, chore
1 These are all words for a piece of work
that sb has to do.

Synonym Scales
Some synonyms in a group express an idea
or feeling more strongly than others. This is
shown in entries by a synonym scale. The
weakest synonyms in the group are shown
on the left, and the arrow points through the
medium-strength synonyms towards the
strongest
synonyms on the right:
thing that is likely to happen.

think they express the idea of liking sth.

like love be fond of sth
be keen on sth adore go for sth
you like sth
you like sth very much

22222222

possibility
chance
odds

prospect

probability
likelihood

D Put the following synonyms into the table

below, depending on how strongly you

you like sth very much indeed

Now look at the synonym scale at the entry
for like and see if you were right.

Photocopiable Oxford University Press

Taken from page x of the Oxford Learners Thesaurus ISBN 9780194752008

THESAURUS Trainer
Patterns and Collocations
Words that have the same general meaning
sometimes also combine with other words in
a similar way. They may be followed by the
same preposition or the same grammatical
structure: these are the patterns they
take. Or they may combine with the same
adjectives, nouns, verbs and adverbs: these
are their collocations.
Consider, for example, the following
synonyms:
plan programme policy
You can say:
a plan/programme/policy for sth
(= followed by the same preposition)

A Look at the prepositions and structures in

the patterns and collocations section from
the entry for choose. Correct any errors in
the sentences below. Some sentences do
not have any errors, and sometimes more
than one answer is possible.
PAT T E R N S A N D C O L LOC AT I O N S

choose / select / pick / single out A from B

choose / select / pick / decide between A and / or B
j to choose / select / pick / opt for / go for / single out / adopt sb / sth
as sb / sth
j to choose / select / pick / single out sb / sth for sb / sth
j to choose / select / pick / opt for / go for / single out / adopt sb/sth
to do sth
j to choose / decide / opt to do sth
j to pick / single sb / sth out
j to choose / select / pick sb / sth carefully / at random
j randomly chosen / selected / picked
1 Students can choose from a wide range
j well chosen / selected
j to
j to

oosing between two or more

n are forced to make a choice
We aim to help students make
We are faced with a
) the process of choosing
to a system, from a group of

of courses.
2 They had to opt between two different
candidates for the job.
3 He was picked out as the best player.
4 Some workers selected to take a pay cut
rather than lose their jobs.

B Look at the adjective and verb collocations

in the patterns and collocations section
from the entry for luck.
PAT T E R N S A N D C O L LOC AT I O N S
j by

...luck / chance / coincidence / accident

no coincidence / accident that...
j pure / sheer luck / chance / coincidence / accident
j good / bad / ill luck / fortune
j a / an happy / unfortunate / strange chance / coincidence /
accident
j to bring sb good / bad luck / fortune
j to have the ... luck / fortune to do sth
j to leave sth to chance / fate / providence
j to believe in luck / coincidences / fate / destiny / providence
j to tempt fate / providence
sbs luck / fortune changes / turns
j Its

a plan/programme/policy to do sth
(= followed by the same grammatical
structure)
an economic plan/programme/policy
(= adjective + noun collocation)
to develop a plan/programme/policy
(= verb + noun collocation)
Sometimes, however, words have the same
general meaning, but they have different
patterns and collocations. For example:
a policy on sth (NOT plan/programme)
a political programme (NOT plan/policy)
You can find all this information in the
patterns and collocations in each entry.
Correct any errors in the sentences below.
Some sentences do not have any errors,
and sometimes more than one answer is
possible.
1 It was pure fortune that we met like
that.
2 What a strange coincidence!
3 Do you believe in fate?
4 It would be tempting luck not to take an
umbrella.

C For each of the sentences below, delete

any synonyms that do not fit the pattern
or collocation that is being used. Use the
patterns and collocations sections from
the entries in small caps to help you.
1 We have a hectic schedule/agenda/
programme this afternoon.
schedule noun
2 You may find it hard to change your
habits/ways/rules. habit
3 She got/obtained/acquired a reputation
for being lazy. get 1
4 Taking photographs is strictly banned/
prohibited/forbidden. ban verb
5 He sat back, a satisfied/content/
contented smile on his face. happy
6 It really hurts/aches/stings when you do
that. hurt 2

Photocopiable Oxford University Press

Taken from page xi of the Oxford Learners Thesaurus ISBN 9780194752008

THESAURUS Trainer

The Individual Synonyms

The entry now takes each individual
synonym, in order of frequency, and gives
each a mini-entry of its own, including
all the information that you need about

meaning, grammar, register and use.

Mini-entries include example sentences,
and sometimes special collocations are
highlighted in bold.

Meaning
Look at the entry for discussion on page 209
and read the mini-entries for discussion and
conversation.

A Which of these two words, discussion or

conversation, is more frequent?

B What is the difference in meaning between

the two words?

C Choose the best word, discussion or

conversation, for each of these sentences:

1 A chance discussion/conversation led to a

brilliant new career for the young scientist.

2 She could hear him over the buzz of
discussion/conversation and laughter.
3 The company has been in discussion/
conversation with companies in Italy and
Greece.
4 The two governments are to hold
discussions/conversations on the border
issue.

Grammar
Grammar information is given in square
brackets before the definition. For example,
verbs can be labelled [I] (intransitive takes
no object), [T] (transitive takes an object)
or both: [T, I] or [I, T].

ng or showing that you will not

specially that you will not do
do or not accept sth that has
were a number of reasons given
discuss
What do you do in the case
agree-

] the right to refuse

pecially the right to stop a law

pecially the right to stop a law

The
k

d its veto to block the proposal.

over all

] the act of saying or showing

refuse [I, T] to say that you will not do sth that sb has
asked you to do, or that you do not want sth that has
been offered to you; to decide not to accept or consider
sth; to say that you will not give sb sth that they want or
need: Go on, ask her. She can hardly refuse. k She refused
to accept that there was a problem. k He flatly refused to
discuss the matter. k We invited her to the wedding but she
refused. k The job offer was simply too good to refuse. k The
government has refused all demands for a public enquiry. k
They refused him a visa. k She would never refuse her kids
anything. f agree Z AGREE 2, accept Z TAKE 5, See also
refusal Z REFUSAL
reject [T] to decide or say that you will not accept or
refusal Z REFUSAL
reject [T] to decide or say that you will not accept or
consider sth; to decide not to accept sb for a job or
position: He urged the committee to reject the plans. k The
proposal was rejected as too costly. k Ive been rejected by
all the colleges I applied to. f approve Z AGREE 2,
accept Z LET SB IN
deny [T] ( formal) to refuse to allow sb to have sth that

D Which of these two verbs, refuse or reject,

cannot be used without an object?
The object of a verb can be a noun, a noun
phrase or a clause; some verbs can take both
a direct and an indirect object; some can
combine with a particular preposition. For
example:

to reject a plan
to refuse sth as too costly
to refuse to accept sth
to reject sth in favour of sth else
to refuse sb permission
The grammatical structures and prepositions
are shown in bold, either in the patterns and
collocations section, or within the example
sentences for that verb.

E Choose the correct word, refuse or reject,

for each of these sentences:
1 All our suggestions were refused/rejected
as useless.
2 Gerard flatly refused/rejected to
cooperate.
3 She offered to help and it seemed
churlish to refuse/reject.
4 You surely wouldnt refuse/reject me this
simple favour?
For a full list of grammar labels for nouns,
verbs and adjectives, and what they mean,
see page 1007.

Photocopiable Oxford University Press

Taken from page xii of the Oxford Learners Thesaurus ISBN 9780194752008

THESAURUS Trainer
Register
Sometimes words can be close in meaning,
but different in register: that is, one of the
words is more formal or informal than the
other. Often it is important to choose a
word of the right level of formality for the
context, for example academic writing or

everyday conversation. A synonym may have

a register label before its definition. If there
is no label, the word is neither formal nor
informal and can usually be used in a wide
range of situations.

F Look up the entry for popular and complete this table with the synonyms in the entry:
slang (= very
informal)

informal

rather
informal

neither formal rather formal

nor informal

formal

popular
G For each of the sentences below, choose
the synonym that best matches the
register of the sentence. Look at the
entries in small caps to help you.
1 Yuk! What an odour/a stink! odour
2 You might be entitled to get/receive
compensation. get 2
3 This is a desirable/hot property in an
exclusive residential district. popular
4 All that sugary stuff is really damaging/
bad for you. harmful
5 Dont buy stuff from the street traders
youll get defrauded/ripped off.
defraud

Register labels can also show whether a

word is used only or especially in spoken or
written English. In general, informal words
are used more in speech, and formal words
more in writing, but this is not always the
case. For example, some words are used
mainly in writing (especially in stories)
without actually being formal:
Her face was white with fury.
And some expressions are used mainly in
formal speech:
I beg your pardon. I must have the wrong
room.
For a full list of register labels and what they
mean, see page 1006.

Use
Some words are used only or especially
in British or American English. Some are
used mainly in a particular field of study or
activity, for example business or journalism.
Some words show a particular attitude,
either of approval or disapproval. All these
restrictions on use are shown by labels
before the definition.

I In which particular subject areas or fields

J Are the following words approving or

H The following words are British or

especially British. What words could you

use in American English? Look up the
entries in small caps to help you.
1 pip noun grain
2 burgle verb rob
3 scruffy adj. scruffy
4 packet noun packet

of activity might you hear or use the

following words?
1 impact verb affect
2 estate noun legacy
3 rupture verb explode
4 mass noun weight

disapproving? For each one find another

word that has the same basic meaning but
shows a more negative/positive attitude.
1 cramped adj. cramped
2 innocence noun ignorance
3 cultured adj. intellectual 2
4 solitude noun privacy

For a full list of style and usage labels and

what they mean, see page 1006.

Photocopiable Oxford University Press

Taken from page xiii of the Oxford Learners Thesaurus ISBN 9780194752008

THESAURUS Trainer
Examples
Every synonym has one or more example
sentences, which show how the word is most
commonly used. In particular a synonyms
examples show the patterns and contexts
where this is the only or best word to use,
and none of the other synonyms in the
group will do as well. Collocations that are
unique to this word are highlighted in bold.

A Look at the entry for action on pages

5-6 and read the example sentences
for measure, step, act and move. Then
choose the best word to complete each of
the sentences. Use each word once.
1 In a/an ________________ of sheer
desperation, she turned to face her
pursuers.
2 Neither of them wanted to be the one
to make the first ________________ .
3 This arrangement is simply a temporary
________________ until we appoint a new
director.
4 These talks are a first ________________
towards a global agreement on carbon
trading.

B Some of these sentences are correct,

but some contain a wrong choice of
word. Use information from the example
sentences in the entries in small caps to
help you correct the sentences that are
wrong.
1 There wasnt a speck of dust to be seen
anywhere. mark noun
2 Lets take the scenic way. way 3
3 I was never very good at playing the
trumpet for the simple reason that I
never practised. plain adj. 2
4 The United Nations imposed an arms
boycott on both countries. ban noun
5 The bargain fell through when they
could not agree a price. agreement 1
6 I get the message youd rather not be
involved. understand 1
7 I dont know, but Im willing to venture
a guess. dare
8 I was so tired I felt ready to collapse.
collapse 2

Notes
Entries contain two different kinds of note.
Notes marked e give you extra information
about a particular word or expression. This
extra information can be about anything to
do with a words meaning or use.

(= completely spoils the landscape).

countryside [U] land outside towns and cities, with
fields, woods and farms: a little village in the French
countryside k You can walk through miles and miles of
unspoilt countryside. e Countryside is usually used when
you are talking about the beauty or peacefulness of a
country area. See also nature Z NATURE 2
off at
terrain
A [Ualso
, C] (nature
written) land: Make
sure you Get
have
2 and
countryAt@LreIn
area. See
I had to getZoffNATURE
the bike
push it up the
terrain At@LreInA [U, C] (written) land: Make sure you have
equipment that is suitable for the terrain. k There )were
to leave
several
miles of especially
difficult terrain
covered.
a vehicle,
a ship to
orbeplane,
at e
theTerrain
end of a
is used when you are describing the natural features They
of an had
area,just
for disembarked
example if it from
is rough,
etc.bus after a 12-hour
theirflat,
tour
land [U] (usually the land) the countryside; the way
] to in
leave
a bus, train or
A Which is the best word to use
these
Alight here for the National

sentences, countryside or terrain?

) to get off a

1 The surrounding countryside/terrain

is the
He dismounted and tied
magnificent.
2 The truck bumped its way over the
rough countryside/terrain.

3 The cottage backs directly onto glorious

open countryside/terrain.
4 They walked for miles across steep and
inhospitable countryside/terrain.
Notes marked N compare and contrast
two or more very close synonyms to help you
understand the differences between them.
for a birthday present?
Gift is more formal than present
and is used especially in business contexts: a store will
advertise its Christmas gift ideas; the people who buy
them will talk about the Christmas presents they have
bought for family and friends. A present is usually
given by and to an individual; a gift may be given by a
company (a corporate gift) and/or to an organization. A
present is usually an object, but a gift may be a sum of
money, or sth such as the gift of love/life: funded by a
present of 50 000 k She gave me the present of love.
Especially in American English, however, gift is not
always so formal and is sometimes used in personal
contexts instead of present: The watch was a gift/
present from my mother.
N GIFT OR PRESENT?

donation A

Photocopiable Oxford University Press

Taken from page xiv of the Oxford Learners Thesaurus ISBN 9780194752008

A [ ] something that is

THESAURUS Trainer
B Which is the best word to use in these
sentences, gift or present?
1 Our catalogue contains hundreds of
fabulous gift/present ideas.
2 The charity has received a gift/present of
100,000 from an anonymous donor.
3 Life is the greatest gift/present you can
give anyone.
4 What can I get Stephen for a birthday
gift/present?

C Some of these sentences are correct, but

some contain a wrong choice of word. Use
information from the notes in the entries
in small caps to help you correct the
sentences that are wrong.

1 I had a terrible fright of failure. fear

2 Badly fed children suffer a lot of minor
illnesses. disease
3 A mile further on we saw our first flock
of antelope. herd
4 Ive checked the calculations and they
are all quite correct. check 1
5 As a seasoned traveller I knew what to
expect. experienced
6 They were trying to navigate with a
hopelessly incorrect map. wrong 1
7 The chairman refused to remark on the
allegations made against him. comment
8 They had a pool in their garden with
goldfish and water lilies. lake

Opposites
If a word or expression has a direct opposite
(or antonym), this is shown after an f
symbol. If the opposite has synonyms of its
own there will be a cross-reference to the
entry where you can find more information
about the opposite and its synonyms.
horizontal AKhQrILzQntl; AmE KhOFr@LzAFntl; KhAFr-A going
across and parallel to the ground rather than going up
and down: Draw a grid of horizontal and vertical lines.
f vertical Z UPRIGHT

This tells you that the opposite of horizontal

is vertical, and you can find more
information about vertical in the entry for
upright.

He risked
She has been willing to
to get a
He had no desire
eing killed, especially by being
People usually
life,
, in the hope of gaining sth

If the opposite has no synonyms of its own,

or is not used very frequently, there will be
an e note to explain what it means and/or
how it is used:

overhead.
forbidding seeming unfriendly and frightening and likely
to cause harm or danger: a forbidding appearance/
atmosphere/manner k The house looked dark and forbidding. f welcoming e A welcoming place is attractive
and looks comfortable to be in: the welcoming atmosphere
of the club

A Match up the words on the left with their

opposites on the right.

accelerate
condemn
criticize
hasten
reject
rough
turn sb/sth down
vague

approve
clear
condone
delay
exact
praise
retard
take sth up

You can check your answers in the entries for

accelerate , blame , refuse and vague .

B Choose the correct opposite of the word in

bold in these sentences. Look up the entry
given in small caps as a starting point;
you may also need to follow the crossreferences to the entries for the opposites
and their synonyms.
1 He was dressed in a white shirt and a
formal jacket. (casual/informal) formal
2 Adult crime statistics have fallen in
recent years. (childish/juvenile) adult
3 My sister and I are very different in
some respects. (the same/similar)
different

4 She politely refused the dinner

invitation. (accepted/agreed) refuse

Photocopiable Oxford University Press

Taken from page xv of the Oxford Learners Thesaurus ISBN 9780194752008

THESAURUS Trainer
Derivatives
Many words belong to word families. A word
family contains words with related meanings
that have different parts of speech. For
example:
happy adjective
) a number of companies
This
happiness noun, happily adverb
acquisition will make them the largest newspaper group in
(= derivatives)
Our group sales director attended the
question noun] a business owned by two or more people
question verb (= derivative)
Derivatives that are closely related in
meaning are often shown at the end of a
mini-entry, as happily is here:
happy feeling, showing or giving pleasure; pleased
enough with sth or not worried about it: I looked around
at all the happy faces. k a happy marriage/memory/
childhood k Those were the happiest days of my life. k The
story has a happy ending. k Happy birthday! k If theres
anything youre not happy about, come and ask. k I said
Id go, just to keep him happy. f sad, unhappy
Z UNHAPPY 1, unhappy Z UNHAPPY 2, See also happiness
Z SATISFACTION

happily adv.: children playing happily on the beach

They had been happily married for ten years.
j

However, if the derivative is a frequent

word with different synonyms of its own, as
happiness is, there will be a cross-reference
to the entry where you can find more
information about it. This cross-reference
tells you that you can find more information
about happiness and its synonyms in the
entry for satisfaction.

Sometimes it is possible to express the same

idea using different parts of speech from the
same word family. Where this is possible, the
examples at the derivative will show you:
j grunt noun [C]: With a grunt of effort he lifted the cases.
snort [I, T] to make a loud sound by breathing air out
noisily through your nose, especially to show that you are
angry or amused; to say sth using this sound: He snorted
with laughter at the idea. k You! he snorted contemptuously.
j snort noun [C]: She gave a snort of disgust.
croak [I, T] to speak or say sth with a low harsh voice: I

This shows that you can snort with a feeling

or give a snort of a feeling.
Rewrite these sentences, using a form of the
word in (brackets) instead of the bold word.
Look up the word in the entry given in small
caps to help you.
1 Take care not to disturb nesting birds.

(careful adj.) care

2 Police arrested several people.
(arrest noun) arrest
3 You have brought disgrace on the whole
school. (disgrace verb) disgrace 2
4 You should apologize to her for what you
did. (apology noun) apologize
5 The situation is constantly being reviewed.
(review noun) examine
6 He ran onto the train, hotly pursued by
three police officers. (pursuit noun)
follow 1

Related Entries
Sometimes two or more whole groups of
synonyms are fairly close in meaning. For
example, the entry for excellent offers six
different synonyms that are all very close in
meaning; in addition, the entries at good 1,
great 1 and wonderful provide a total of
twenty more words with a similar meaning
to choose from. Cross-references at the top
of entries will direct you to other groups of
synonyms with a similar meaning:

excellent adj. See also the entries for GOOD 1, GREAT 1

and WONDERFUL

excellent outstanding perfect superb classic

first-rate
These words all describe sth that is extremely good.
l

You can also explore entries related to a

particular topic by using the Topic Index
on pages 903-912. This lists entries under
topics from The arts through to Work and
business. Excellent, for example, can be
found on page 905 listed under Describing
things. The Topic Index is a good starting
point when you are interested in general
vocabulary building around a particular
topic, rather than looking for a synonym of
a particular word. A full list of the topics is
given on page 903.
For more work on topic vocabulary, see
the Study Pages and Topic Maps on pages
871-902.

PAT T E R N S A N D C O L LO C AT I O N S

Photocopiable Oxford University Press

Taken from page xvi of the Oxford Learners Thesaurus ISBN 9780194752008