pro|lif|er|ate /prəl I fəre I t/ (proliferates , proliferating , proliferated ) VERB If things proliferate , they increase in number very quickly. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] Computerized data bases are proliferating fast. ● pro|lif|era|tion /prəl I fəre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [n N ] □ [+ of ] …the proliferation of nuclear weapons. □ Smoking triggers off cell proliferation.
pro|lif|ic /prəl I f I k/
1 ADJ A prolific writer, artist, or composer produces a large number of works. □ She is a prolific writer of novels and short stories.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A prolific sports player scores a lot of goals or wins a lot of matches or races. □ Another prolific scorer was Dean Saunders.
3 ADJ An animal, person, or plant that is prolific produces a large number of babies, young plants, or fruit. □ They are prolific breeders, with many hens laying up to six eggs.
pro|logue /proʊ lɒg, [AM ] -lɔːg/ (prologues )
1 N‑COUNT A prologue is a speech or section of text that introduces a play or book. □ The prologue to the novel is written in the form of a newspaper account.
2 N‑COUNT If one event is a prologue to another event, it leads to it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] This was a prologue to today's bloodless revolution.
pro|long /prəlɒ ŋ, [AM ] -lɔːŋ/ (prolongs , prolonging , prolonged ) VERB To prolong something means to make it last longer. □ [V n] Mr Chesler said foreign military aid was prolonging the war. ● pro|lon|ga|tion /proʊ lɒŋge I ʃ ə n, [AM ] -lɔːŋ-/ (prolongations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …the prolongation of productive human life.
pro|longed /prəlɒ ŋd, [AM ] -lɔːŋd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A prolonged event or situation continues for a long time, or for longer than expected. □ …a prolonged period of low interest rates.
prom /prɒ m/ (proms ) The spelling Prom is usually used for meaning 3 . 1 N‑COUNT A prom is a formal dance at a school or college which is usually held at the end of the academic year. [AM ] □ I didn't want to go to the prom with Craig.
2 N‑SING The prom is the road by the sea where people go for a walk. [BRIT ]
3 N‑PLURAL The Proms are a series of concerts of mainly classical music that are held each year in London and some other cities. There is usually an area at these concerts where people stand, as well as seats. [mainly BRIT ]
prom|enade /prɒ mənɑː d, [AM ] -ne I d/ (promenades , promenading , promenaded )
1 N‑COUNT In a seaside town, the promenade is the road by the sea where people go for a walk.
2 N‑COUNT A promenade is an area that is used for walking, for example a wide road or a deck on a ship. [mainly AM ]
3 N‑COUNT A promenade is a formal dance at a school or college which is usually held at the end of the academic year. [AM ]
promi|nence /prɒ m I nəns/ N‑UNCOUNT If someone or something is in a position of prominence , they are well-known and important. □ He came to prominence during the last World Cup. □ Crime prevention had to be given more prominence.
promi|nent ◆◇◇ /prɒ m I nənt/
1 ADJ Someone who is prominent is important. □ …a prominent member of the Law Society.
2 ADJ Something that is prominent is very noticeable or is an important part of something else. □ Here the window plays a prominent part in the design. ● promi|nent|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Trade will figure prominently in the second day of talks in Washington. SYNONYMS prominent ADJ 1
famous: …England's most famous landscape artist, John Constable.
leading: …a leading member of Bristol's Sikh community.
top: So you want to be a top model.
pro|mis|cu|ous /prəm I skjuəs/ ADJ Someone who is promiscuous has sex with many different people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ She is perceived as vain, spoilt and promiscuous. ● promis|cu|ity /prɒ m I skjuː I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ He has recently urged more tolerance of sexual promiscuity.
prom|ise ◆◆◇ /prɒ m I s/ (promises , promising , promised )
1 VERB If you promise that you will do something, you say to someone that you will definitely do it. □ [V to-inf] The post office has promised to resume first class mail delivery to the area on Friday. □ [V that] He had promised that the rich and privileged would no longer get preferential treatment. □ [V n that] Promise me you will not waste your time. □ [V with quote] 'We'll be back next year,' he promised. □ [V ] 'You promise?'—'All right, I promise.' [Also V n]
2 VERB If you promise someone something, you tell them that you will definitely give it to them or make sure that they have it. □ [V n n] In 1920 the great powers promised them an independent state. □ [V n] The officers promise a return to multiparty rule.
3 N‑COUNT [oft N to-inf, N that] A promise is a statement which you make to a person in which you say that you will definitely do something or give them something. □ If you make a promise, you should keep it.
4 VERB If a situation or event promises to have a particular quality or to be a particular thing, it shows signs that it will have that quality or be that thing. □ [V to-inf] While it will be fun, the seminar also promises to be most instructive.
5 N‑UNCOUNT If someone or something shows promise , they seem likely to be very good or successful. □ The boy first showed promise as an athlete in grade school. COLLOCATIONS promise NOUN