Guide to Symbols and Labels

Symbols used in our dictionaries

	in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, shows a word from the Oxford 3000 with its CEFR level. Click on this icon to see a list of other words that are part of the Oxford 3000 at the same CEFR level.
	in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, shows a word from the Oxford 5000 with its CEFR level. Click on this icon to see a list of other words that are part of the Oxford 5000 at the same CEFR level.
	shows a word from the Oxford 3000. Click on this icon to see a list of other words that are part of the Oxford 3000.
	shows the CEFR level of a word or phrase
	in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, shows a word from the OPAL list of written words. Click on this icon to see the full OPAL sublist.
	in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English, shows a word from the OPAL word list of written words. Click on this icon to see a list of all the words on the same OPAL sublist.
	in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, shows a word from the OPAL list of spoken words. Click on this icon to see the full OPAL sublist.
	in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English, shows a word from the OPAL word list of spoken words. Click on this icon to see a list of other words on the same OPAL sublist.
	shows a word from the Academic Word List. Click on this icon to see a list of other words that are part of the Academic Word List.
	adds a word, phrasal verb or idiom to My Word Lists
	shows a derivative. Derivatives can be easily understood from the meaning of the word from which they are derived (the headword).
	in phrasal verbs, shows that the object may come either before or after the particle
	shows a cross reference to another related entry in the dictionary
	shows a cross reference to the corresponding entry in another dictionary

Labels used in our dictionaries

The following labels are used with words that express a particular attitude or are appropriate in a particular situation.

• approving expressions show that you feel approval or admiration, for example feisty, petite.
• disapproving expressions show that you feel disapproval or contempt, for example blinkered, newfangled.
• figurative language is used in a non-literal or metaphorical way, as in He didn't want to cast a shadow on (= spoil) their happiness.
• formal expressions are usually only used in serious or official language and would not be appropriate in normal everyday conversation. Examples are admonish, besmirch. (OLDAE users: note that academic writing is generally fairly formal in tone, as are many of the words in this dictionary. The formal label is used in OLDAE only for those words that are formal even by the standards of academic writing.)
• humorous expressions are intended to be funny, for example fisticuffs, ignoramus.
• informal expressions are used between friends or in a relaxed or unofficial situation. They are not appropriate for formal situations. Examples are bonkers, dodgy. (OLDAE users: note that informal expressions are not usually appropriate in academic writing, so very few are included in this dictionary. However, OLDAE includes a number of rather informal expressions which may be used in more informal types of academic writing.)
• ironic language uses words to mean the opposite of the meaning that they seem to have, as in You're a great help, I must say! (= no help at all).
• literary language is used mainly in literature and imaginative writing, for example aflame, halcyon.
• offensive expressions are used by some people to address or refer to people in a way that is very insulting, especially in connection with their race, religion, sex or disabilities. You should not use these words.
• slang is very informal language, sometimes restricted to a particular group of people, for example people of the same age or those who have the same interests or do the same job. Examples are dosh, gnarly.
• specialist language is used by people who specialize in particular subject areas, for example accretion, adipose.
• taboo expressions are likely to be thought by many people to be obscene or shocking. You should not use them.

The following labels show other restrictions on the use of words.

• dialect describes expressions that are mainly used in particular regions of the British Isles, not including Ireland, Scotland or Wales, for example beck, nowt.
• old-fashioned expressions are passing out of current use, for example beanfest, bothersome. (OLDAE users: note that old-fashioned expressions may be appropriate when writing about historical contexts.)
• old use describes expressions that are no longer in current use, for example ere, perchance.
• saying describes a well-known fixed or traditional phrase, such as a proverb, that is used to make a comment, give advice, etc., for example actions speak louder than words.
• ™ shows a trademark of a manufacturing company, for example Band-Aid, Frisbee.

In the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary of Academic English (OLDAE), the following labels are used to show words or meanings that are mainly restricted to a particular academic subject area: anatomy, biochemistry, biology, business, chemistry, computing, earth science, ecology, economics, engineering, finance, geometry, grammar, law, linguistics, mathematics, medical, philosophy, phonetics, physics, politics, psychology, statistics.