6 PHRASE If you follow someone's example , you behave in the same way as they did in the past, or in a similar way, especially because you admire them. □ Following the example set by her father, she has fulfilled her role and done her duty.
7 PHRASE To make an example of someone who has done something wrong means to punish them severely as a warning to other people not to do the same thing. □ Let us at least see our courts make an example of these despicable criminals.
8 PHRASE If you set an example , you encourage or inspire people by your behaviour to behave or act in a similar way. □ An officer's job was to set an example. USAGE example
When someone mentions an example, you say that they are giving
an example. Don’t say ‘
ex|as|per|ate / I gzɑː spəre I t, -zæ s-/ (exasperates , exasperating , exasperated ) VERB If someone or something exasperates you, they annoy you and make you feel frustrated or upset. □ [V n] The sheer futility of it all exasperates her. ● ex|as|pera|tion / I gzɑː spəre I ʃ ə n, -zæ s-/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Mahoney clenched his fist in exasperation.
ex|as|per|at|ed / I gzɑː spəre I t I d, -zæ s-/ ADJ If you describe a person as exasperated , you mean that they are frustrated or angry because of something that is happening or something that another person is doing. □ [+by ] The president was clearly exasperated by the whole saga.
ex|as|per|at|ing / I gzɑː spəre I t I ŋ, -zæ s-/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you describe someone or something as exasperating , you mean that you feel angry or frustrated by them or by what they do. □ [+to ] Hardie could be exasperating to his colleagues.
ex|ca|vate /e kskəve I t/ (excavates , excavating , excavated )
1 VERB When archaeologists or other people excavate a piece of land, they remove earth carefully from it and look for things such as pots, bones, or buildings which are buried there, in order to discover information about the past. □ [V n] A new Danish expedition is again excavating the site in annual summer digs. ● ex|ca|va|tion /e kskəve I ʃ ə n/ (excavations ) N‑VAR □ [+of ] …the excavation of a bronze-age boat.
2 VERB To excavate means to dig a hole in the ground, for example in order to build there. □ [V n] A contractor was hired to drain the reservoir and to excavate soil. ● ex|ca|va|tion N‑VAR □ [+of ] …the excavation of the canals.
ex|ca|va|tor /e kskəve I tə r / (excavators ) N‑COUNT An excavator is a very large machine that is used for digging, for example when people are building something.
ex|ceed / I ksiː d/ (exceeds , exceeding , exceeded )
1 VERB If something exceeds a particular amount or number, it is greater or larger than that amount or number. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Its research budget exceeds $700 million a year. □ [V n] His performance exceeded all expectations.
2 VERB If you exceed a limit or rule, you go beyond it, even though you are not supposed to or it is against the law. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He accepts he was exceeding the speed limit.
ex|ceed|ing|ly / I ksiː d I ŋli/ ADV [usu ADV adj, oft ADV after v] Exceedingly means very or very much. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ We had an exceedingly good lunch.
ex|cel / I kse l/ (excels , excelling , excelled ) VERB If someone excels in something or excels at it, they are very good at doing it. □ [V + in ] Caine has always been an actor who excels in irony. □ [V + at ] Mary was a better rider than either of them and she excelled at outdoor sports. □ [V ] Academically he began to excel. □ [V pron-refl] I think Krishnan excelled himself in all departments of his game.
ex|cel|lence /e ksələns/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If someone or something has the quality of excellence , they are extremely good in some way. □ …the top U.S. award for excellence in journalism and the arts.
2 → see also par excellence
Ex|cel|len|cy /e ksələnsi/ (Excellencies ) N‑COUNT You use expressions such as Your Excellency or His Excellency when you are addressing or referring to officials of very high rank, for example ambassadors or governors. [POLITENESS ] □ I am reluctant to trust anyone totally, Your Excellency. □ His excellency the President will be waiting for you in the hall.
ex|cel|lent ◆◆◇ /e ksələnt/
1 ADJ Something that is excellent is very good indeed. □ The recording quality is excellent. □ Luckily, Sue is very efficient and does an excellent job as Fred's personal assistant. ● ex|cel|lent|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV adj/-ed] □ They're both playing excellently.
2 EXCLAM Some people say ' Excellent! ' to show that they approve of something. [FEELINGS ]
ex|cept ◆◆◇ / I kse pt/
1 PREP You use except to introduce the only thing or person that a statement does not apply to, or a fact that prevents a statement from being completely true. □ I wouldn't have accepted anything except a job in Europe. □ I don't take any drugs whatsoever, except aspirin for colds. ● CONJ Except is also a conjunction. □ Freddie would tell me nothing about what he was writing, except that it was to be a Christmas play.
2 PHRASE You use except for to introduce the only thing or person that prevents a statement from being completely true. □ He hadn't eaten a thing except for one forkful of salad. □ Everyone was late, except for Richard. SYNONYMS except PREP 1