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To make a high sound by forcing air through a small hole or passage, especially through the lips, or through a special device held to the lips:

The referee whistled and the game was over.

To make a long, high sound while moving quickly through or past something:

She heard the wind whistling through the trees and the howl of a distant wolf.

I stepped out of the building and immediately a bullet whistled past my head.

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When a clock or watch ticks, it makes a sound every second:

The ticking of the clock kept her awake.

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To hit something and cause a noise:

Someone was thumping on the door.

To hit someone with your fist (= closed hand):

He thumped him in the face.

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To make a sucking sound like the one produced when you are walking on soft, wet ground:

He got out of the car and squelched through the mud to open the gat

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The noise of metal hitting metal:

The jangling of sleigh bells

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A short, high sound, especially one of a series:

She turned on the radio and heard the five o'clock pips.

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If a machine or engine putters, it makes a low sound repeatedly, showing that it is working slowly.

When I heard the computer puttering I knew it was about to break down.

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The sound that paper or leaves make when they move:

I could hear (a) rustling in the bushes.

A small animal was making rustling noises among the leaves.

The leaves rustled in the breeze.

He rustled his papers (= noisily moved them about) to hide his embarrassment.

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To make the sound of food frying:

Doughnuts sizzled in the hot fat.

(fig.) This movie sizzles with excitement

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To make a lot of short, dry, sharp sounds:

The radio started to crackle.

The logs crackled and popped in the fireplace.

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To make a weak continuous s sound:

The fire fizzled miserably in the rain.

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to make a long, very high sound or cry:

The brakes squealed as the van rounded the corner

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A light ringing sound:

On a hot day it's nice to hear the chink of ice in a glass.

Synonym: clink /klɪŋk/

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To make the low, continuous noise of water flowing over stones:

They rested a while by a babbling brook.

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To make a sound like the sound of someone blowing out air quickly and forcefully, or like the sound a steam engine makes:

A train chuffs in the valley, and the sound rises up to us.

A replica paddle-steamer now chuffs along the river carrying tourists.

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To make an unpleasant, loud, high noise:

The car screeched to a halt/standstill (= stopped very suddenly, making a loud high noise)

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To make a short, very high cry or sound.

The door squeaked as it swung back and forth on its rusty hinges.

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When a door, floorboard, etc. creaks, it makes a long low sound when it moves or is moved:

The door creaked on its hinges.

I heard the floorboards creak as he crept closer.

Synonym: squeak /skwiːk/

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to rub together, usually producing an unpleasant noise.

He grinds his teeth.

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to hold something tightly, or press together your lips or your hands in anger or determination.

The old man clenched his fist and waved it angrily at us.

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to draw pictures or patterns while thinking about something else or when you are bored.

She doodled all over her textbook during the class.

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to make continuous, small movements that annoy other people.

Children usually have difficulty sitting still for a length of time can't sit still for long without fidgeting.

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to touch gently and in a loving way.

She gently fondled the baby's feet.

(also to touch in a sexual way, "She accused him of fondling her in the back of a taxi").

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to move something repeatedly between your fingers, especially without any purpose
She kept twiddling her necklace.

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To cause serious injury or major damage by hitting someone or something

He bashed his arm against a shelf

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To hit someone a lot of times

She belaboured him with her walking stick

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To hit someone hard several times, especially as a punishment

His father used to thrash him when he was a boy.

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To give a sudden short cry, usually of pain.

The dog yelped with pain and surprise.

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​To shout loudly, for example because you are angry, excited, frightened or in pain.

‘Be careful!’ he yelled.

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To think about something and try to decide what is true, what will happen, what you should do, etc.

‘Where's Natasha?’ he wondered aloud.

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To speak very quietly to somebody so that other people cannot hear what you are saying.

‘Let's go,' she whispered to Anne.

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​To make low, weak crying noises; to speak in this way.

The dog whimpered softly.

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To tell somebody about something, especially something dangerous or unpleasant that is likely to happen, so that they can avoid it.

‘Beware of pickpockets,’ she warned (him).

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To suggest something or tell somebody something without being asked.

‘I could lend you some books,’ he volunteered.

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To make a sound with your voice; to say something.

He uttered a great cry of anger.

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To say that you will cause trouble, hurt somebody, etc. if you do not get what you want.

They broke my windows and threatened me.

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To suggest facts and ideas to explain something; to form a theory or theories about something.

The study theorizes about the role of dreams in peoples' lives.

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​To state clearly and definitely that something must be done, or how it must be done.

The job advertisement stipulates that the applicant must have three years' experience.

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To formally write or say something, especially in a careful and clear way.

He has already stated his intention to run for election.

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To speak a lot about something; to repeat something in a boring or annoying way.

He could spout poetry for hours.

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To form an opinion about something without knowing all the details or facts.

We all speculated about the reasons for her resignation.

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To say something with a sigh.

‘Oh well, better luck next time,’ she sighed.

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To say something in a loud voice; to speak loudly/angrily to somebody.

‘Run!’ he shouted.

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To shout something in a loud, high voice because of fear, anger, etc.

‘Help!’ she screamed.

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To say something again or in a different way, especially so that it is more clearly or strongly expressed.

They restated their belief in the existence of a ‘hidden agenda’.

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To give people information about something that you have heard, seen, done, etc.

‘The cabin's empty,’ he reported.

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To say or write something as an answer to somebody/something.

‘I won't let you down,’ he replied confidently.

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To say or write something again or more than once.

‘Are you really sure?’ she repeated.

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To help somebody remember something, especially something important that they must do.

‘You had an accident,’ he reminded her.

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To give a spoken or written report of something; to tell a story.

He related the facts of the case to journalists.

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To speak or complain about something in a loud and/or angry way.

She was ranting on about the unfairness of it all.

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To make a quick and clever remark.

‘I hope you’re not in a hurry!’ she quipped, and everyone laughed.

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To say or do something to show that you disagree with something or think it is bad, especially publicly.

The victim's widow protested at the leniency of the sentence.

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To suggest a plan, an idea, etc. for people to think about and decide on.

The three countries had proposed a plan for him to hand over power to a chosen successor.

To ask somebody to marry you.

He was afraid that if he proposed she might refuse.

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To tell somebody that you will definitely do or not do something, or that something will definitely happen.

The college principal promised to look into the matter.

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To publicly and officially tell people about something important.

The president proclaimed a state of emergency.

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To introduce somebody formally, especially to somebody of higher rank or status.

May I present my fiancé to you?

To officially appear somewhere.

You will be asked to present yourself for interview.

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To tell people about a particular religion, way of life, system, etc. in order to persuade them to accept it.

He preached the virtues of capitalism to us.

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To speak to God, especially to give thanks or ask for help.

‘Please God don't let it happen,’ she prayed.

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To mention something in order to give somebody information about it or make them notice it.

‘It's not very far,’ she pointed out.

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To ask somebody for something in a very strong and serious way.

She pleaded with him not to go.

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To breathe quickly with short breaths, usually with your mouth open, because you have been doing some physical exercise, or because it is very hot.

‘Wait for me!’ he panted.

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To use your position of authority to tell somebody to do something or say that something must happen.

The company was ordered to pay compensation to its former employees.

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To say that you are willing to give something to somebody.

He offered some useful advice.

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To say that you disagree with or oppose something.

If nobody objects, we'll postpone the meeting till next week.

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To say something in a soft quiet voice that is difficult to hear or understand.

She murmured her agreement.

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To speak or say something in a quiet voice in a way that is not clear.

She mumbled that she was sorry.

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To write or speak about something/somebody, especially without giving much information.

The doctor mentioned the possibility of going to Nairobi for special treatment.

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Tto keep stating that something is true, even though other people do not agree or do not believe it.

‘But I'm innocent!’ she maintained.

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To say something to make people laugh; to tell a funny story.

‘I cooked it myself, so be careful!’ he joked.

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To say or do something that makes somebody stop what they are saying or doing.

‘I have a question,’ she interrupted.

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interject (something) to interrupt what somebody is saying with your opinion or a remark.

‘You're wrong,’ interjected Susan.

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To demand that something happen or that somebody agree to do something.

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Something that you say or do in an indirect way in order to show somebody what you are thinking.

He gave a broad hint (= one that was obvious) that he was thinking of retiring.

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Guess what, who, etc… used to show that you are going to say something surprising or exciting.

Guess what! He's asked me out!

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(of people) to make a short, low sound in your throat, especially to show that you are in pain, annoyed or not interested; to say something using this sound.

‘Thanks,’ he grunted.

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To say something in a low angry voice.

She growled a sarcastic reply.

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To have difficulty breathing or speaking.

‘Can't breathe,’ he gasped.

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To warn somebody about something bad or unpleasant before it happens.

The commander had been forewarned of the attack.

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To speak, write or communicate in some other way what you think or feel.

She expresses herself most fully in her paintings.

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To tell somebody about something in a way that makes it easy to understand.

I explained that an ambulance would be coming soon.

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To form an idea of the cost, size, value etc. of something, but without calculating it exactly.

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To give extra force to a word or phrase when you are speaking, especially to show that it is important.

‘Let nothing… nothing,’ he emphasized the word, ‘tempt you.’

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To give somebody information that is supposed to be secret.

She refused to divulge the information.

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To give somebody information about something, especially something that was previously secret.

The report discloses that human error was to blame for the accident.

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To state publicly that you have no knowledge of something, or that you are not responsible for something.

She disclaimed any knowledge of her husband's whereabouts.

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To discover or notice something, especially something that is not easy to see, hear, etc.

The sensor detects changes light level and temperature.

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To tell the police, the authorities, etc. about somebody’s illegal political activities.

Many people denounced their neighbours to the secret police.

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To say that something is not true.

She denied that there had been a cover-up.

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To make a very strong request for something.

The UN has demanded that all troops be withdrawn.

To ask a question in an angry or aggressive way.

‘Who the hell are you?’ he demanded angrily.

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To say something officially or publicly.

The government has declared a state of emergency.

To state something clearly and definitely.

‘I'll do it!’ Tom declared.

To say clearly and openly who you are or what you intend to do.

He was the first gay player in a professional sports team to declare himself openly.

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To think carefully about the different possibilities that are available and choose one of them.

She decided that she wanted to live in France.

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To make somebody believe something that is not true.

She deceived him into handing over all his savings.

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To shout loudly.

‘You're safe!’ Tom cried in delight.

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​To tell somebody that they have made a mistake.

‘She's his girlfriend.’ ‘His sister,’ Ian corrected.

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To start speaking again after stopping.

Please continue—I didn't mean to interrupt.

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To admit, especially formally or to the police, that you have done something wrong or illegal.

He confessed that he had stolen the money.

To admit something that you feel ashamed or embarrassed about.

‘I know nothing about it,’ he confessed.

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(not used in the progressive tenses)

to decide or believe something as a result of what you have heard or seen.

The report concluded (that) the cheapest option was to close the laboratory.

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To admit that something is true, logical, etc. after first denying it or resisting it.

He was forced to concede (that) there might be difficulties.

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To say that something is true although it has not been proved and other people may not believe it.

He claims (that) he was not given a fair hearing.