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1[countable] the whole physical structure of a human or an animal a human/female/male/naked body parts of the body His whole body was trembling. body fat/weight/temperature/size/heat The heart pumps blood around the body.
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- 2[countable] the main part of a body not including the head, or not including the head, arms, and legs She had injuries to her head and body. He has a large body, but thin legs.
- 3[countable] the body of a dead person or animal a dead body The family of the missing girl has been called in by the police to identify the body. main part
- 4[singular] the body of something the main part of something, especially a building, a vehicle, or a book, an article, etc. the body of a plane (= the central part where the seats are) the main body of the text group of people
- 5[uncountable] a group of people who work or act together, often for an official purpose, or who are connected in some other way a regulatory/an advisory/a review body The governing body of the school is concerned about discipline. recognized professional bodies such as the Bar Association An independent body has been set up to investigate the affair. A large body of people will be affected by the tax cuts. The protesters marched in a body (= all together) to the White House. see student body large amount
- 6[countable] body of something a large amount or collection of something a vast body of evidence/information/research large bodies of water (= lakes or oceans) There is a powerful body of opinion against the ruling. object
- 7[countable] (formal) an object heavenly bodies (= stars, planets, etc.) an operation to remove a foreign body (= something that would not usually be there) from a wound
- 8[uncountable] the full strong flavor of alcoholic drinks or the thick healthy quality of someone's hair a wine with plenty of body Regular use of conditioner is supposed to give your hair more body. -bodied
- 9(in adjectives) having the type of body mentioned full-bodied red wines soft-bodied insects see able-bodied Topic CollocationsPhysical AppearanceA person may be described as having:eyes
- (bright) blue/green/(dark/light) brown/hazel eyes
- deep-set/sunken/bulging/protruding eyes
- small/beady/sparkling/twinkling/shifty eyes
- piercing/penetrating/steely eyes
- bloodshot/watery/puffy eyes
- bushy/thick/dark/raised/arched eyebrows
- long/dark/thick/curly/false eyelashes/lashes
- a flat/bulbous/pointed/sharp/snub nose
- a straight/a pointy/a Roman/an aquiline nose
- full/thick/thin/pouty lips
- dry/chapped/cracked lips
- flushed/rosy/red/ruddy/pale cheeks
- soft/chubby/sunken cheeks
- white/perfect/crooked/protruding teeth
- a large/high/broad/wide forehead
- a strong/weak/pointed/double chin
- a long/full/bushy/wispy beard
- a full/thin goatee
- a long/thin/bushy/droopy/handlebar/pencil mustache
- pale/fair/olive/dark/tanned skin
- dry/oily/smooth/rough/leathery/wrinkled skin
- a dark/pale/light/sallow/ruddy/olive/swarthy/clear complexion
- deep/fine/small/facial wrinkles
- blonde/blond/fair/(light/dark) brown/(jet-)black/auburn/red/ginger/gray hair
- straight/curly/wavy/frizzy/spiky hair
- thick/thin/fine/bushy/thinning hair
- dyed/bleached/soft/silky/dry/greasy/shiny hair
- long/short/shoulder-length/cropped hair
- a bald/balding/shaved head
- a receding hairline
- a bald patch/spot
- a side/center part
- a long/short/thick/slender/ (disapproving) scrawny neck
- broad/narrow/sloping/rounded/hunched shoulders
- a bare/broad/muscular/small/large chest
- a flat/round/swollen/bulging stomach
- a small/tiny/narrow/slim/slender/28-inch waist
- big/wide/narrow/slim hips
- a straight/bent/arched/broad/hairy back
- thin/slender/muscular arms
- big/large/small/manicured/calloused/gloved hands
- long/short/fat/slender/delicate/bony fingers
- long/muscular/hairy/shapely/ (informal) (often disapproving) skinny/spindly legs
- muscular/chubby/ (informal) (disapproving) flabby thighs/calves
- big/little/small/dainty/wide/narrow/bare feet
- a good/slim/slender/hourglass figure
- be of slim/medium/average/large/athletic/stocky build
of person/animal
with all your energy She committed herself body and soul to fighting for the cause.
to stay alive with just enough of the food, clothing, etc. that you need synonym survive They barely have enough money to keep body and soul together.
to have none of the quality mentioned She was honest and hard-working, and didn't have an unkind bone in her body.
used to show you are strongly opposed to something She moves into our home over my dead body.
to have sex with someone in exchange for money
| action | part of body | you are… |
|---|---|---|
| bite | lips | nervous |
| clench | fist | angry, aggressive |
| click | tongue | scolding somebody |
| drum/tap | fingers | impatient |
| hang | head | ashamed |
| lick | lips | anticipating something good, nervous |
| nod | head | agreeing |
| purse | lips | disapproving |
| raise | eyebrows | inquiring, surprised |
| rub | chin | trying to think |
| scratch | head | puzzled |
| shake | head | disagreeing |
| shrug | shoulders | doubtful, indifferent |
| snap | fingers | you suddenly remember something |
| stamp | foot | angry |
| wrinkle | nose | feeling dislike or distaste |
| wrinkle | forehead | puzzled |
Check pronunciation: body