can|cel ◆◇◇ /kæ ns ə l/ (cancels , cancelling , cancelled ) in AM, use canceling , canceled 1 VERB If you cancel something that has been arranged, you stop it from happening. If you cancel an order for goods or services, you tell the person or organization supplying them that you no longer wish to receive them. □ [V n] She cancelled her visit to Japan. □ [be V -ed] Many trains have been cancelled and a limited service is operating on other lines. □ [V ] There is normally no refund should a client choose to cancel. ● can|cel|la|tion /kæ nsəle I ʃ ə n/ (cancellations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] The cancellation of the Royal Film Performance is indeed a real shame. □ [+ on ] …passengers who suffer delays and cancellations on planes, trains, ferries and buses.
2 VERB If someone in authority cancels a document, an insurance policy, or a debt, they officially declare that it is no longer valid or no longer legally exists. □ [V n] He intends to try to leave the country, in spite of a government order cancelling his passport. □ [be V -ed + by] She learned her insurance had been canceled by Pacific Mutual Insurance Company. ● can|cel|la|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …a march by groups calling for cancellation of Third World debt.
3 VERB To cancel a stamp or a cheque means to mark it to show that it has already been used and cannot be used again. □ [V n] The new device can also cancel the check after the transaction is complete. □ [V -ed] …cancelled stamps.
▸ cancel out PHRASAL VERB If one thing cancels out another thing, the two things have opposite effects, so that when they are combined no real effect is produced. □ [V n P ] He wonders if the different influences might not cancel each other out. □ [be V -ed P + by] The goal was cancelled out just before half-time by Craig McLurg. [Also V P n] SYNONYMS cancel VERB 1
call off: He has called off the trip.
scrap: It had been thought that passport controls would be scrapped.
abandon: The authorities have abandoned any attempt to distribute food.
abort: The decision was made to abort the mission.
can|cer ◆◆◇ /kæ nsə r / (cancers ) N‑VAR [oft n N ] Cancer is a serious disease in which cells in a person's body increase rapidly in an uncontrolled way, producing abnormal growths. □ Her mother died of breast cancer. □ Ninety per cent of lung cancers are caused by smoking.
Can|cer (Cancers )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Cancer is one of the twelve signs of the zodiac. Its symbol is a crab. People who are born approximately between the 21st of June and the 22nd of July come under this sign.
2 N‑COUNT A Cancer is a person whose sign of the zodiac is Cancer.
can|cer|ous /kæ nsərəs/ ADJ Cancerous cells or growths are cells or growths that are the result of cancer. □ …production of cancerous cells. □ Nine out of ten lumps are not cancerous.
can|de|la|bra /kæ ndəlɑː brə/ (candelabras ) N‑COUNT A candelabra is an ornamental holder for two or more candles.
can|de|la|brum /kæ ndəlɑː brəm/ (candelabra ) N‑COUNT A candelabrum is the same as a candelabra .
can|did /kæ nd I d/
1 ADJ When you are candid about something or with someone, you speak honestly. □ [+ with ] I haven't been completely candid with him. □ …a candid interview.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A candid photograph of someone is one that was taken when the person did not know they were being photographed.
can|di|da|cy /kæ nd I dəsi/ (candidacies ) N‑VAR [oft with poss] Someone's candidacy is their position of being a candidate in an election. □ [+ for ] Today he is formally announcing his candidacy for President.
can|di|date ◆◆◇ /kæ nd I de I t/ (candidates )
1 N‑COUNT A candidate is someone who is being considered for a position, for example someone who is running in an election or applying for a job. □ The Democratic candidate is still leading in the polls. □ We all spoke to them and John emerged as the best candidate.
2 N‑COUNT A candidate is someone who is taking an examination. [BRIT ]
3 N‑COUNT A candidate is someone who is studying for a degree at a college. [AM ]
4 N‑COUNT A candidate is a person or thing that is regarded as being suitable for a particular purpose or as being likely to do or be a particular thing. □ [+ for ] Those who are overweight or indulge in high-salt diets are candidates for hypertension. COLLOCATIONS candidate NOUN 1
noun + candidate : leadership
adjective + candidate : external, internal; favoured, preferred; likely, obvious, potential, prospective, suitable; mayoral, parliamentary, presidential; vice-presidential
verb + candidate : field, put up, select, stand as; interview SYNONYMS candidate NOUN 1
contender: She will be a strong contender for a place in Britain's gymnastics squad.
competitor: Blocker, one of the oldest competitors, won the individual silver medal.
contestant: The five remaining contestants enter the quarter finals.
rivaclass="underline" The world champion finished two seconds ahead of his nearest rival.
can|di|da|ture /kæ nd I dətʃə r / (candidatures ) N‑VAR [usu poss N ] Candidature means the same as candidacy . [BRIT , FORMAL ]