2 PHRASE You use have got to say that someone has a particular thing, or to mention a quality or characteristic that someone or something has. In informal American English, people sometimes just use 'got'. [SPOKEN ] □ I've got a coat just like this. □ She hasn't got a work permit. □ Have you got any ideas? □ Every city's got its good and bad points. □ After a pause he asked, 'You got any identification?'
3 PHRASE You use have got to when you are saying that something is necessary or must happen in the way stated. In informal American English, the 'have' is sometimes omitted. [SPOKEN ] □ I'm not happy with the situation, but I've just got to accept it. □ There has got to be a degree of flexibility. □ See, you got to work very hard.
4 PHRASE People sometimes use have got to in order to emphasize that they are certain that something is true, because of the facts or circumstances involved. In informal American English, the 'have' is sometimes omitted. [SPOKEN , EMPHASIS ] □ We'll do what we got to do.
gotcha /gɒ tʃə/ EXCLAM Gotcha is used in written English to represent the words 'got you' when they are pronounced informally. □ 'Gotcha, didn't I?'
Goth|ic /gɒ θ I k/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Gothic architecture and religious art was produced in the Middle Ages. Its features include tall pillars, high curved ceilings, and pointed arches. □ …a vast, lofty Gothic cathedral. □ …Gothic stained glass windows.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] In Gothic stories, strange, mysterious adventures happen in dark and lonely places such as graveyards and old castles. □ This novel is not science fiction, nor is it Gothic horror.
got|ta /gɒ tə/ Gotta is used in written English to represent the words 'got to' when they are pronounced informally, with the meaning 'have to' or 'must'. □ Prices are high and our kids gotta eat.
got|ten /gɒ t ə n/ Gotten is the past participle of get in American English.→ see also ill-gotten gains
gouge /gaʊ dʒ/ (gouges , gouging , gouged ) VERB If you gouge something, you make a hole or a long cut in it, usually with a pointed object. □ [V n prep] He gouged her cheek with a screwdriver.
▸ gouge out PHRASAL VERB To gouge out a piece or part of something means to cut, dig, or force it from the surrounding surface. You can also gouge out a hole in the ground. □ [V n P ] He has accused her of threatening to gouge his eyes out. □ [V P n] …stripping off the soil and gouging out gold or iron ore.
gourd /gʊə r d, gɔː r d/ (gourds )
1 N‑COUNT A gourd is a large round fruit with a hard skin. You can also use gourd to refer to the plant on which this fruit grows.
2 N‑COUNT A gourd is a container made from the hard dry skin of a gourd fruit. Gourds are often used to carry water or for decoration.
gour|mand /gʊə r mɒnd/ (gourmands ) N‑COUNT A gourmand is a person who enjoys eating and drinking in large amounts. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ The food here satisfies gourmands rather than gourmets.
gour|met /gʊə r me I / (gourmets )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Gourmet food is nicer or more unusual or sophisticated than ordinary food, and is often more expensive. □ Flavored coffee is sold at gourmet food stores and coffee shops. □ The couple share a love of gourmet cooking. □ …a gourmet dinner.
2 N‑COUNT A gourmet is someone who enjoys good food, and who knows a lot about food and wine.
gout /gaʊ t/ N‑UNCOUNT Gout is a disease which causes people's joints to swell painfully, especially in their toes.
Gov. (Govs ) N‑TITLE Gov. is a written abbreviation for governor . □ …Gov. Thomas Kean of New Jersey.
gov|ern ◆◇◇ /gʌ və r n/ (governs , governing , governed )
1 VERB To govern a place such as a country, or its people, means to be officially in charge of the place, and to have responsibility for making laws, managing the economy, and controlling public services. □ [V n] They go to the polls on Friday to choose the people they want to govern their country. □ [be V -ed] Their citizens are very thankful they are not governed by a dictator.
2 VERB If a situation or activity is governed by a particular factor, rule, or force, it is controlled by that factor, rule, or force. □ [be V -ed + by ] Marine insurance is governed by a strict series of rules and regulations. □ [V n] The government has altered the rules governing eligibility for unemployment benefit.
gov|ern|ance /gʌ və r nəns/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The governance of a country is the way in which it is governed. [FORMAL ] □ They believe that a fundamental change in the governance of Britain is the key to all other necessary changes.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The governance of a company or organization is the way in which it is managed. [FORMAL ] □ …a dramatic move away from the traditional view of governance in American education.
gov|er|ness /gʌ və r nes/ (governesses ) N‑COUNT A governess is a woman who is employed by a family to live with them and educate their children.
gov|ern|ing /gʌ və r n I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] A governing body or organization is one which controls a particular activity. □ The league became the governing body for amateur fencing in the U.S.
gov|ern|ment ◆◆◆ /gʌ və r nmənt/ (governments )
1 N‑COUNT [with sing or pl verb] The government of a country is the group of people who are responsible for governing it. □ The Government has insisted that confidence is needed before the economy can improve. □ …democratic governments in countries like Britain and the U.S… □ …fighting between government forces and left-wing rebels.