SUFFIX -ation
forms nouns that refer to a state or process, or to an instance of that process. For example, formation is the process of forming something.
atishoo /ət I ʃuː/ Atishoo is used, especially in writing, to represent the sound that you make when you sneeze.
at|las /æ tləs/ (atlases ) N‑COUNT An atlas is a book of maps.
ATM /e I tiː e m/ (ATMs ) N‑COUNT An ATM is a machine built into the wall of a bank or other building, which allows people to take out money from their bank account by using a special card. ATM is an abbreviation for 'automated teller machine'. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, use cash dispenser
at|mos|phere ◆◇◇ /æ tməsf I ə r / (atmospheres )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A planet's atmosphere is the layer of air or other gases around it. □ …dangerous levels of pollution in the Earth's atmosphere.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The atmosphere of a place is the air that you breathe there. □ [+ of ] These gases pollute the atmosphere of towns and cities.
3 N‑SING The atmosphere of a place is the general impression that you get of it. □ [+ of ] There's still an atmosphere of great hostility and tension in the city.
4 N‑UNCOUNT If a place or an event has atmosphere , it is interesting. □ The old harbour is still full of atmosphere and well worth visiting. SYNONYMS atmosphere NOUN 3
feeclass="underline" The room has a warm, cosy feel.
mood: First set the mood with music.
ambience: The overall ambience of the room is cosy. COLLOCATIONS atmosphere NOUN 3
noun + atmosphere : carnival, festival, party; village
adjective + atmosphere : convivial, friendly, intimate, relaxed; electric, incredible; febrile, hostile, tense
verb + atmosphere : create
at|mos|pher|ic /æ tməsfe r I k/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Atmospheric is used to describe something which relates to the Earth's atmosphere. □ …atmospheric gases. □ …atmospheric pressure.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a place or a piece of music as atmospheric , you like it because it has a particular quality which is interesting or exciting and makes you feel a particular emotion. [APPROVAL ]
a t|mo|spher|ic pre s|sure N‑UNCOUNT Atmospheric pressure is the pressure of the atmosphere on the Earth's surface.
at|mos|pher|ics /æ tməsfe r I ks/ N‑PLURAL Atmospherics are elements in something such as a piece of music or a book which create a certain atmosphere. □ …Dickensian atmospherics.
at|oll /æ tɒl, [AM ] -tɔːl/ (atolls ) N‑COUNT An atoll is a ring of coral rock, or a group of coral islands surrounding a lagoon.
atom /æ təm/ (atoms ) N‑COUNT An atom is the smallest amount of a substance that can take part in a chemical reaction.
atom|ic /ətɒ m I k/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Atomic means relating to power that is produced from the energy released by splitting atoms. □ …atomic energy. □ …atomic weapons.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Atomic means relating to the atoms of substances.
ato m|ic bo mb (atomic bombs ) The form atom bomb is also used, mainly in British English. N‑COUNT An atomic bomb or an atom bomb is a bomb that causes an explosion by a sudden release of energy that results from splitting atoms.
aton|al /e I toʊ n ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Atonal music is music that is not written or played in any key or system of scales.
atone /ətoʊ n/ (atones , atoning , atoned ) VERB If you atone for something that you have done, you do something to show that you are sorry you did it. [FORMAL ] □ [V + for ] He felt he had atoned for what he had done to his son.
atone|ment /ətoʊ nmənt/ N‑UNCOUNT If you do something as an atonement for doing something wrong, you do it to show that you are sorry. [FORMAL ] □ [+ for ] He is working for the world's poor as a personal atonement for his part in the war.
atop /ətɒ p/ PREP If something is atop something else, it is on top of it. [AM , also BRIT , LITERARY ] □ Under the newspaper, atop a sheet of paper, lay an envelope.
A to Z /e I tə ze d, [AM ] - ziː / (A to Zs )
1 N‑COUNT An A to Z is a book of maps showing all the streets and roads in a particular city and its surrounding towns. [BRIT , TRADEMARK ]
2 N‑SING An A to Z of a particular subject is a book or programme which gives information on all aspects of it, arranging it in alphabetical order. □ [+ of ] An A to Z of careers gives helpful information about courses.
atrium /e I triəm/ (atriums ) N‑COUNT An atrium is a part of a building such as a hotel or shopping centre, which extends up through several floors of the building and often has a glass roof.
atro|cious /ətroʊ ʃəs/
1 ADJ If you describe something as atrocious , you are emphasizing that its quality is very bad. [EMPHASIS ] □ The food here is atrocious. ● atro|cious|ly ADV [ADV adj/-ed, ADV after v] □ He had written the note from memory, word perfect, and spelled atrociously.
2 ADJ If you describe someone's behaviour or their actions as atrocious , you mean that it is unacceptable because it is extremely violent or cruel. □ The judge said he had committed atrocious crimes against women.
3 ADJ If you say that weather conditions are atrocious , you mean they are very bad, for example that it is extremely cold, wet, or windy.