a ll-star ADJ [ADJ n] An all-star cast, performance, or game is one which contains only famous or extremely good performers or players.
a ll-time ADJ [ADJ n] You use all-time when you are comparing all the things of a particular type that there have ever been. For example, if you say that something is the all-time best, you mean that it is the best thing of its type that there has ever been. □ The president's popularity nationally is at an all-time low. □ She is my all-time favourite artist.
al|lude /əluː d/ (alludes , alluding , alluded ) VERB If you allude to something, you mention it in an indirect way. [FORMAL ] □ [V + to ] She also alluded to her rival's past marital troubles.
al|lure /əljʊə r , [AM ] əlʊ r/ N‑UNCOUNT The allure of something or someone is the pleasing or exciting quality that they have. □ It's a game that has really lost its allure.
al|lur|ing /əljʊə r I ŋ, [AM ] əlʊ r I ŋ/ ADJ Someone or something that is alluring is very attractive. □ …the most alluring city in South-East Asia.
al|lu|sion /əluː ʒ ə n/ (allusions ) N‑VAR An allusion is an indirect reference to someone or something. □ [+ to ] The title is perhaps an allusion to the author's childhood.
al|lu|sive /əluː s I v/ ADJ Allusive speech, writing, or art is full of indirect references to people or things. □ …Shakespeare's richly metaphoric and allusive language.
al|lu|vial /əluː viəl/ ADJ Alluvial soils are soils which consist of earth and sand left behind on land which has been flooded or where a river once flowed. [TECHNICAL ]
a ll-wea ther ADJ [ADJ n] All-weather sports take place on an artificial surface instead of on grass. □ …all-weather racing. □ …an all-weather tennis court.
ally ◆◆◇ (allies , allying , allied ) The noun is pronounced /æ la I /. The verb is pronounced /əla I /. 1 N‑COUNT A country's ally is another country that has an agreement to support it, especially in war. □ Washington would not take such a step without its allies' approval. □ [+ of ] It was assumed that Germany would not want to bring such a powerful ally of Britain into the war.
2 N‑PLURAL The Allies were the armed forces that fought against Germany and Japan in the Second World War.
3 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as your ally , you mean that they help and support you, especially when other people are opposing you. □ [+ of ] He is a close ally of the Prime Minister.
4 VERB If you ally yourself with someone or something, you give your support to them. □ [V pron-refl + with ] He will have no choice but to ally himself with the new movement.
5 → see also allied
SUFFIX -ally
is added to adjectives ending in -ic to form adverbs that indicate how something is done or what something relates to. For example, if something is done enthusiastically , it is done in an enthusiastic way.
alma ma|ter /æ lmə mɑː tə r , - me I tə r / (alma maters )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing, usu with poss] Your alma mater is the school or university which you went to. [FORMAL ]
2 N‑SING A school or college's alma mater is its official song. [AM ]
al|ma|nac /ɔː lmənæk/ (almanacs ) also almanack
1 N‑COUNT [oft in names] An almanac is a book published every year which contains information about the movements of the planets, the changes of the moon and the tides, and the dates of important anniversaries.
2 N‑COUNT [oft in names] An almanac is a book published every year which contains information about events connected with a particular subject or activity, and facts and statistics about that activity.
al|ma|nack /ɔː lmənæk/ (almanacks ) → see almanac
al|mighty /ɔː lma I ti/
1 N‑PROPER The Almighty is another name for God. You can also refer to Almighty God . □ Adam sought guidance from the Almighty.
2 EXCLAM People sometimes say God Almighty or Christ Almighty to express their surprise, anger, or horror. These expressions could cause offence. [FEELINGS ]
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Almighty means very serious or great in extent. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ I had the most almighty row with the waitress.
al|mond /ɑː mənd/ (almonds )
1 N‑VAR Almonds are pale oval nuts. They are often used in cooking. □ …sponge cake flavoured with almonds.
2 → see also sugared almond
3 N‑VAR An almond or an almond tree , is a tree on which almonds grow. □ On the left was a plantation of almond trees.
al|most ◆◆◆ /ɔː lmoʊst/ ADV [ADV before v] You use almost to indicate that something is not completely the case but is nearly the case. □ The couple had been dating for almost three years. □ Storms have been hitting almost all of Britain recently. □ The effect is almost impossible to describe. □ The arrested man will almost certainly be kept at this police station. □ He contracted Spanish flu, which almost killed him.
alms /ɑː mz/ N‑PLURAL Alms are gifts of money, clothes, or food to poor people. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
alms|house /ɑː mzhaʊs/ (almshouses ) also alms-house N‑COUNT Almshouses are houses in Britain which were built and run by charities to provide accommodation for poor or old people who could not afford to pay rent.
aloe vera /æ loʊ v I ə rə/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Aloe vera is a substance that contains vitamins and minerals and is often used in cosmetics. Aloe vera is also the name of the plant from which this substance is extracted.