00
oar
noun
• VERB
+
OAR
take
We each took an oar.
I
pull. on
We
pulled hard on the oars.
I
ship
Weshipped the oars toget
through the narrow opening.
oath
noun
1formal promise
• ADJ.
sacred, solemn
I
Hippocratic
a doctor's
Hippocratic oath
• VERB
+
OATH
swear, take
He took an oath of alle-
giance to his adopted country.

noun
• ADJ.
rolled
I
porridge
• QUANT.
field
• VERB
+
OATS
grow
I
sow
I
cut, harvest
• OATS
+
VERB
grow
obedience
noun
• ADJ. absolute, complete, total
He demands absolute
obediencefrom. his men.
I
blind, passive, unquestioning
• VERB
+
OBEDIENCE
demand, exact, expect

have to, must
I
refuse to
He refuses to
obey the school rules.
I
fail to
I
be willing to
I
promise to
• PHRASES
be only obeying orders
At the trial the sol-
diers made the excuse that they were only obeying orders. a
duty/an obligation to obey
People have a moral duty to
obey the law.
sth has to be/must be obeyed
Rules are
rules and they must beobeyed.
obituary
noun
• VERB
+
OBITUARY
write
I
print, publish
I

• PHRASES
the object of the exercise
The object of the
exercise is toscoreas many points aspossible.
object
verb
• ADV.
strenuously, strongly, vehemently
• VERB +
OBJECT
can/could hardly
It was your own
idea in the first place, so you can hardly object now.
I
be
entitled to, have a/the right to
• PREP.
to apetition objecting to the scheme
• PHRASES
object on the grounds that ...
I objected on
thegrounds that it was unkind to the animals.
objection
noun
• ADJ.
serious, strenuous, strong
I
valid
I
main,

• ADJ. key, main, major, primary, prime, principal
I
broad, overall, overriding, ultimate
I
limited, narrow
I
long-term, short-term
I
clear, specific
I
stated
The le-
gislation has failed to achieve its stated objectives.
I
com-
mon
The two groups are pursuing a common objective.
I
economic, educational, environmental, military, polit-
ical, strategic
I
business, policy
• VERB
+
OBJECTIVE
accomplish, achieve, attain, ful-
fil, meet, reach, satisfy, succeed in
The department
needs more money tofulfil its objectives.
I

impossible to be completely objective.
I
fairly, quite,
reasonably
I
apparently
I
supposedly
obligation
noun
• ADJ.
contractual, legal, statutory
I
moral, social
I
fi-
nancial
I
family
I can't travel next month because offam-
ilv obligations.
I
professional
I
mutual
• VERB
+
OBLIGATION
discharge, fulfil, meet
The

I -
to
A lawyer owes an obligation of
confidence to the client.
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obligatory
adj.
• VERBS be
I
become
I
remain
I
make sth
The college
authorities have now made these classes obligatory.
• ADV. almost, practically
I
legally
• PREP.'for
It is obligatory for vets to be registered.
oblige
verb
• ADV duly
The fans were looking for another goal and
Owenduly obliged(=
scored).
I
kindly
• VERB

obliterate
verb
• ADV completely, entirely, totally
The village was total-
ly obliterated by the bomb.
I
almost, virtually
oblivion
noun
• ADJ. political
• VERB
+
OBLIVION fade into, fall into, pass into, sink
into, slide into
I
be rescued from, be saved from
a
minor masterpiece savedfrom oblivion
I
consign to
Most
of his work has now been consigned tooblivion.
• PREP. in -
He died in oblivion in a remote village.
oblivious
adj.
• VERBS appear, be, seem
Chiko appeared oblivious to
the uproar.
I

• ADV. really
I
utterly
I
almost
I
allegedly
obscenity
noun
• Q.UANT. stream, string
• VERB
+
OBSCENITY mutter, scream, shout
He shout-
eda stream of obscenities.
obscure
verb
• ADV completely, totally
I
almost
I
largely
I
half,
partially, partly, slightly, somewhat
I
deliberately
All
trace of his working-class background was deliberately ob-
scured.

I
remain
The motives behind this
decision remain somewhat obscure.
• ADV extremely, very
I
completely, totally
I
largely
I
fairly, rather, relatively, somewhat
obscurity
noun
• ADJ. total
I
comparative, relative
I
political, profes-
sional
I
impenetrable
poems of impenetrable obscurity
• VERB
+
OBSCURITY fade into, sink into, slip into
I
be plucked from, emerge from
After many years, his sci-
entific work emerged from obscurity.
I

• PREP. for -
She was admitted to hospital for observa-
tion.
under -
The police have had him under observation
for several weeks.
I -
of
The survey was based on direct ob-
servation of over 500schools.
• PHRASES powers of observation
an artist with acute
powers of observation
2 remark
• ADJ. general
I
astute, keen, shrewd
I
interesting
• VERB
+
OBSERVATION make
• PREP. - about
He smiled, and made some observation
about the weather. -
on
her witty observations on life
observe
verb
1notice/watch

+
OBSERVE be able to
I
be possible
I
be diffi-
cult to
I
be interesting to
It is interesting to observe the
reaction of the children to these changes.
• PREP. from
unaware that she was being observed from
the window
• PHRASES be commonly/frequently/widely observed
This behaviour is commonly observed among several spe-
ciesoffinch.
be easily/readily observed, an opportunity
to observe sb/sth
2 make a remark
• ADV. correctly, justly, rightly, shrewdly
She correctly
observed that there was very little difference between the
two parties on domestic policies.
I
drily, sardonically,
wryly
I
tartly
I

accurate, acute, astute, careful, experienced, keen, sea-
soned, shrewd
I
sceptical
I
sympathetic
I
detached,
impartial, neutral
I
external, independent, outside Inde-
pendent observers will monitor the elections.
I
foreign,
international
I
American, Western, etc.
I
industry,
military Some military obseruers fear the US could get en-
tangled in another war.
I
human
• VERB
+
OBSERVER send sending observers to check
the conduct of the elections
I
attend sth as
I

become
I
make sth, render sth Their
work is now rendered obsolete by machines.
• ADV. totally
I
increasingly
I
largely
I
almost, prac-
tically, virtually
obstacle
noun
• ADJ. big, chief, main, major
I
enormous, formidable,
serious The attitude of the unions is a serious obstacle. I
impossible, insuperable, insurmountable Lack of
money has proved an almost insurmountable obstacle.
• VERB + OBSTACLE pose, prove, remain I come
across, encounter
I
overcome, remove, surmount
He
was determined to overcome all obstacles in his way.
• PREP. - for Lack of childcare provision can be a major
obstacle for women wishing to work. -
to
The huge dis-

I
quite
I
deliberately Hedoesn't really
have an alternative suggestion; he'sjust being deliberately
obstructive.
obtain
verb
• ADV fraudulently, unlawfully (law)
• VERB
+
OBTAIN be able/unable to
I
attempt to,
endeavour to
I
fail to
I
assist sb to, enable sb to The
local authority may assist you toobtain alternative accom-
modation.
I
be easy to, be possible to
I
be difficult to,
be impossible to goods which are difficult to obtain
I
be
necessary to, be required to, need to It is necessary toob-
tain thepatients' consent.

by no
means, far from, less than, not at all, not entirely It was
far from obvious how they weregoing to get off the island.
I
a bit, fairly, pretty, rather
I'm
not going to tellJim about
this.forfairly obuious reasons.
I
apparently, seemingly
I
immediately It was immediately obvious that the bag was
too heavy.
I
intuitively Avoid making intuitively obvious
but unfounded assertions.
I
depressingly, distressingly,
painfully It was becoming painfully obvious that the two
of them had nothing in common.
• PREP.
to
It is obvious to me that you're unhappy in your
job.
occasion
noun
1time when sth happens
• ADJ. many, numerous It was thefirst of many such oc-
casions.
I

casion to visit relatives in Cornwall.
3special event
• ADJ.
auspicious, big, great, important, memorable,
momentous, special
I
festive, happy, joyous
I
formal,
sad, solemn
I
social
I
ceremonial, state
The Queen's
coach is only usedfor state occasions.
• VERB + OCCASION
celebrate, mark
a party to mark
the occasion of their daughter's graduation
I rise to
The
choir rase to the occasion and sang beautifully.
• PHRASES
for all occasions, for every occasion
Wesell
cards and notepaper for all occasions.
a sense of occa-
sion
On the day of the wedding there was a real sense of oc-

I
industrial, service
service occupa-
tions such as cleaning and catering
• VERB + OCCUPATION
choose, find I take up
I
fol-
low
The people interviewed followed a variety of occupa-
tions
I
give up
He gave up his occupation as afarmer and
became a teacher.
I
resume
I
provide (sb with)
• PHRASES
a range of occupations
The collegeprovides
training in a wide range of occupations.
2control of another country
• ADJ.
continuing I military
• VERB + OCCUPATION
begin, take up
I
be/remain in

I
land
I
illegal, un-
lawful
illegal occupation of thepremises
• VERB
+
OCCUPATION
take up
Youcan only take up oc-
cupation once the tenancy has been signed.
I be/remain
in, enjoy
I
share
I
give up
I
resume
• PREP.
in - of
He intends to remain in occupation of the
building for as long as possible.
• PHRASES
ready for occupation
Theflats will be ready
for occupation by March.
unfit for occupation
The houses

busily
I
happily
• PREP. in You will be mainly occupied in checking sales
records.
with
She was happily occupied with reading.
533
odour
occur
verb
• ADV.
commonly, frequently
I
infrequently, rarely
I
sporadically
I
naturally
These chemical changes occur
quite naturally.
I
spontaneously
Opportunities for
learning occur spontaneously every day.
• VERB
+
OCCUR
be likely to, tend to
I

vast
I
great
exploring the depths of the
three great oceans
I
open
A storm started up once we got
out into the open ocean.
I
tropical, warm
I
southern
pen-
guins of the southern oceans
• VERB
+
OCEAN
cross, sail
I
explore
• OCEAN
+
NOUN
depths
the darkness of the ocean
depths
I
surface
I

Note at
MONTH
odd
adj.
• VERBS
be, feel, look, seem, smell, sound, taste
I
consider sth, find sth, think sth
Ifind it odd that she takes
so
long to do that job.
0
I didn't think it odd at the time.
• ADV.
decidedly, distinctly, extremely, really, very
There's something distinctly odd about her.
I
a bit, a little,
pretty, quite, rather, slightly, somewhat
odds
noun
• ADJ.
considerable, great, high, impossible, insuper-
able, overwhelming, terrible
She struggled against ter-
rible odds to overcome her illness.
I long, short
Some-
times an outsider will win at long odds, but not often.
0

against all (the) odds
Against all the odds,
wemanaged toget through to thefinal.
odour
noun
• ADJ.
foul, obnoxious, offensive, unpleasant I musty,
stale
I
heavy, pungent, strong
I
faint
I
sweet
I
char-
acteristic, distinctive, familiar, unmistakable
I
body
• VERB
+
ODOUR
emit, give off
• ODOUR + VERB
emanate from sth
• PREP.
-from
odoursfrom the local brewery
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offence

c:>
Note at
CRIME
(for verbs)
2
hurt feelings
• VERB
+
OFFENCE cause, give
I
take
• PREP. - at
He takes offence at the slightest joke against
him.
-jo
I didn't mean togive offence to anyone.
• PHRASES no offence (intended/meant)
No offence in-
tended, but areyou sure your calculations are right?
offend
verb
• ADV. deeply, gravely, greatly
He knew that he had of-
fended her deeply.
I
mortally
I
slightly
I
easily

adult, juvenile,
young
I
sex
• VERB + OFFENDER sentence
2sb/sth
that causes trouble
• ADJ. main, worst
As regards pollution, old diesel-
engined vehicles are the worst offenders.
offensive
noun
• ADJ. all-out, full-scale, major
I
army, guerrilla, mili-
tary, terrorist
I
air, bombing
I
ground
I
diplomatic,
government
• VERB
+
OFFENSIVE launch, mount
I
be on, go on,
take
She took the offensive, challenging her critics toprove

I
job
I
peace
• VERB + OFFER make (sb)
He made mean offer Isimp-
ly couldn't refuse I
withdraw
I
accept, take up
I
de-
cline, refuse, turn down
• PREP. on -
the range of goods on offer
I-
from
I had to
turn down ajob offer from a theatre because the pay was
too low.
-of
They refused our offer of help.
534
2 special price/deal
• ADJ. special
I
cheap
I
free
I got the conditioner in a

takeover
I
cash
• VERB + OFFER make (sb), put in
I
withdraw
I
get,
receive
I
listen to
r
lllisten to any reasonable offer.
I
ac-
cept
I
reject, turn down
I
increase, up
They just kept
upping their offer until I had tosay yes.
• OFFER
+
NOUN price
• PREP. under-
The property
is
currently under offer to a
client.

I
be
pleased to
!formal),
would like to
Irefer toyour recent ap-
plication and interview and am pleased to offer you the
post of editor.
I
aim to, seek to
I
claim to
They claim to
offer a more comprehensive service than other firms.
I
be
expected to, be likely to
This investment is likely tooffer a
higher return.
I
be/feel compelled to, be forced to,
be/feel obliged to
Shefelt obliged to offer him a bedfor the
night.
I
have little/a lot/nothing, etc. to, have sth to
This
player has proved that he still has a lot to offer
(=
can still

• PREP. -from
The latest offering front this young band is
their best album yet. -
of
offerings of food and drink -
to
They made sacrificial offerings to the gods.
office
noun
1 room/building where written work is done
• ADJ. big, huge, large, spacious
I
cramped, small,
tiny
I
plush
I
high-rise
I
five-storey, ten-storey, etc.
I
glass-fronted, glass-walled
I
busy, noisy
I
open-plan
I
air-conditioned
I
electronic, paperless

leave
What
time do you usually leave the office?
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• OFFICE
+
NOUN job, work
I
hours
Call this number
outside normal office hours.
I
colleague, staff, worker
I
life
I
gossip, politics
I
party
We have an office party
every Christmas.
I
administrator, assistant, cleaner,
clerk, manager
I
boy, girl, junior
(all old-fashionedy
I
desk, door, equipment, furniture, safe, shredder, soft-
ware, stationery

• ADJ. exalted, great, high, important I minor I lucra-
tive, prestigious
I
hereditary
I
national, public
I
eccle-
siastical,judicial, ministerial, political
• VERB
+
OFFICE run for, stand for
He ran for office in
the last presidential election.
I
hold, remain in, retain,
stay in
Thepresident holds officefor aperiod offour years.
I
be appointed to, be elected to
I
be re-elected to, be re-
turned to
The government was returned to office by a large
majority.
I
assume, be sworn into, come into, come to,
enter, take, take up
Martin was sworn into office as prime
minister in March.

the most senior officer
present). I
junior, petty
I
commissioned, non-commis-
sioned I recruiting I duty
He telephoned the duty officer
at regimental headquarters.
I
uniformed
I
retired
• VERB
+
OFFICER salute
to salute a superior officer
• OFFICER
+
VERB command sth
the officer command-
ing the infantry
• OFFICER
+
NOUN cadet, corps
q
Note at
RANK
2 in the government or other organization
• ADJ. chief, principal, senior
I

I
duty
We spoke to the duty officer at the police
station.
I
uniformed
I
plain-clothes
I
undercover
• OFFICER
+
VERB investigate sth
officers investigat-
ing the murder
I
patrol sth
I
raid sth, swoop on sth
(in-
formal) Officers raided an address in south London, seiz-
ing bomb-making equipment.
I
seize sth
I
arrest sb
q
See
POLICEMAN
535

I
bank, company, corporate, council,
court, customs, government, judicial, military, minis-
try, party, royal, state, (trade) union
• VERB
+
OFFICIAL appoint (sb), appoint sb as
I
con-
sult, meet
I
bribe
attempting to bribe local officials
off-putting
adj.
• VERBS be
I
find sth
I find it very off-putting when
people don't look me in the eye.
• ADV. distinctly, very
I
a bit, a little, rather, slightly
The noise was rather off-putting.
offset
verb
• ADV. largely, substantially
I
completely, exactly
I

refined
I
offshore
I
en-
gine, fuel, heating, lubricating, motor
I
linseed, paraf-
fin
Usea rag soaked in linseed oil.
• QUANT. barrel
I
film
a rod coated with a film of oil
I
drop
• VERB
+
OIL extract, obtain, produce
I
drill for
The
company is drilling for oil in the North Sea.
I
discover,
find, hit, strike
I
pump
I
export, import

age
a seven-mile-long oil slick off the Scottish coast
2 used in cooking
• ADJ. cooking
I
polyunsaturated
I
rancid
I
coconut,
cod liver, fish, groundnut, olive, sesame, sunflower,
vegetable
a bottle of extra virgin olive oil
I
salad
• VERB
+
OIL heat
I
boil sb/sth in, cook sth in, fry sth
in
I
drizzle, pour
Toast the bread, rub with garlic and
drizzle over a little olive oil.
• PREP. in -
Fry the potato in a little sunflower oil.
q
Special page at
FOOD

I
become
• ADV. very
I
rather, slightly
He had rather oily hands.
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