fi lm star (film stars ) N‑COUNT A film star is a famous actor or actress who appears in films. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use movie star
filmy /f I lmi/ (filmier , filmiest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] A filmy fabric or substance is very thin and almost transparent. □ …filmy nightgowns.
filo /fiː loʊ/ or filo pastry N‑UNCOUNT Filo or filo pastry is a type of light pastry made of thin layers. It is traditionally used in Greek cooking.
Filo|fax /fa I ləfæks/ (Filofaxes ) N‑COUNT A Filofax is a type of personal filing system in the form of a small book with pages that can easily be added or removed. [TRADEMARK ]
fil|ter /f I ltə r / (filters , filtering , filtered )
1 VERB To filter a substance means to pass it through a device which is designed to remove certain particles contained in it. □ [V n] The best prevention for cholera is to boil or filter water, and eat only well-cooked food.
2 N‑COUNT A filter is a device through which a substance is passed when it is being filtered. □ …a paper coffee filter.
3 N‑COUNT A filter is a device through which sound or light is passed and which blocks or reduces particular sound or light frequencies. □ You might use a yellow filter to improve the clarity of a hazy horizon.
4 VERB If light or sound filters into a place, it comes in weakly or slowly, either through a partly covered opening, or from a long distance away. □ [V + into/through ] Light filtered into my kitchen through the soft, green shade of the cherry tree.
5 VERB When news or information filters through to people, it gradually reaches them. □ [V + through to ] It took months before the findings began to filter through to the politicians. □ [V + through ] News of the attack quickly filtered through the college. □ [V in ] …as indications filter in from polling stations. □ [V + out of ] …the horror stories which were beginning to filter out of Germany.
6 N‑COUNT A traffic filter is a traffic signal or lane which controls the movement of traffic wanting to turn left or right. [BRIT ]
▸ filter out PHRASAL VERB To filter out something from a substance or from light means to remove it by passing the substance or light through something acting as a filter. □ [V P n] Children should have glasses which filter out UV rays. □ [V n P + of/from ] Plants and trees filter carbon dioxide out of the air and produce oxygen. [Also V n P ]
fi l|ter ti p (filter tips ) N‑COUNT A filter tip is a small device at the end of a cigarette that reduces the amount of dangerous substances that pass into the smoker's body. Filter tips are cigarettes that are manufactured with these devices.
filth /f I lθ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Filth is a disgusting amount of dirt. □ Tons of filth and sewage pour into the river every day.
2 N‑UNCOUNT People refer to words or pictures, usually ones relating to sex, as filth when they think they are very disgusting and rude. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The dialogue was all filth and innuendo.
filthy /f I lθi/ (filthier , filthiest )
1 ADJ Something that is filthy is very dirty indeed. □ He never washed, and always wore a filthy old jacket.
2 ADJ If you describe something as filthy , you mean that you think it is morally very unpleasant and disgusting, sometimes in a sexual way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The play was full of filthy foul language.
3 filthy rich → see rich
fil|tra|tion /f I ltre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Filtration is the process of filtering a substance. □ [+ of ] This enzyme would make the filtration of beer easier. □ …water filtration systems.
fin /f I n/ (fins )
1 N‑COUNT A fish's fins are the flat objects which stick out of its body and help it to swim and keep its balance.
2 N‑COUNT A fin on something such as an aeroplane, rocket, or bomb is a flat part which sticks out and which is intended to help control its movement.
fi|nal ◆◆◆ /fa I n ə l/ (finals )
1 ADJ In a series of events, things, or people, the final one is the last one. □ They will hold a meeting in a final attempt to agree a common position. □ This is the fifth and probably final day of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. □ On the last Saturday in September, I received a final letter from Clive.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Final means happening at the end of an event or series of events. □ The countdown to the Notting Hill Carnival is in its final hours.
3 ADJ If a decision or someone's authority is final , it cannot be changed or questioned. □ The judges' decision is final. □ The White House has the final say.
4 N‑COUNT The final is the last game or contest in a series and decides who is the winner. □ …the Scottish Cup Final.
5 → see also quarter-final , semi-final
6 N‑PLURAL The finals of a sporting tournament consist of a smaller tournament that includes only players or teams that have won earlier games. The finals decide the winner of the whole tournament. □ They have a chance of qualifying for the World Cup Finals.
7 N‑PLURAL [oft poss N ] When a student takes his or her finals , he or she takes the last and most important examinations in a university or college course. □ Anna sat her finals in the summer. COLLOCATIONS final NOUN 5