- 1[countable] a set of printed pages that are fastened inside a cover so that you can turn them and read them a pile of books hardcover/paperback books
- 2[countable] a written work published in printed or electronic form a book by Stephen King a book about/on wildlife reference/children's/library books Topic CollocationsLiteraturebeing a writer
- write/publish literature/poetry/fiction/a book/a story/a poem/a novel/a review/an autobiography
- become a writer/novelist/playwright
- find/have a publisher/an agent
- have a new book out
- edit/revise/proofread a book/text/manuscript
- dedicate a book/poem to…
- construct/create/weave/weave something into a complex narrative
- advance/drive the plot
- introduce/present the protagonist/a character
- describe/depict/portray a character (as…)/(somebody as) a hero/villain
- create an exciting/a tense atmosphere
- build/heighten the suspense/tension
- evoke/capture the pathos of the situation
- convey emotion/an idea/an impression/a sense of…
- engage the reader
- seize/capture/grip the (reader's) imagination
- arouse/elicit emotion/sympathy (in the reader)
- lack imagination/emotion/structure/rhythm
- use/employ language/imagery/humor/an image/a symbol/a metaphor/a device
- use/adopt/develop a style/technique
- be rich in/be full of symbolism
- evoke images of…/a sense of…/a feeling of…
- create/achieve an effect
- maintain/lighten the tone
- introduce/develop an idea/a theme
- inspire a novel/a poet/somebody's work/somebody's imagination
- read an author/somebody's work/fiction/poetry/a text/an article/a poem/a novel/a chapter/a passage
- review an article/a book/a novel/somebody's work
- give something/get/have/receive a good/bad review
- be hailed (as)/be recognized as a masterpiece
- quote a phrase/a line/a stanza/a passage/an author
- provoke/spark discussion/criticism
- study/interpret/understand a text/passage
- translate somebody's work/a text/a passage/a novel/a poem
for writing in - 3[countable] a set of sheets of paper that are fastened together inside a cover and used for writing in an exercise book a notebook see address book of stamps/tickets/matches, etc.
- 4[countable] a set of things that are fastened together like a book a book of stamps/tickets a checkbook accounts
- 5books [plural] the written records of the financial affairs of a business synonym accounts to do the books (= to check the accounts) You need to go over the books again; there's a mistake somewhere. section of Bible, etc.
- 6[countable] a section of a large written work the books of the Bible Idioms
printed work
used to say that someone is pleased/annoyed with you I'm in her good books at the moment because I cleaned up the kitchen.
to punish someone for doing something wrong and make them explain their behavior We will ensure that people who commit fraud are brought to book.
following rules and instructions in a very strict way She always does everything by the book.
to stop doing something because you no longer believe you will be successful or will find a solution The police have closed the book on the case (= they have stopped trying to solve it).
a subject or person that you know nothing about Nuclear physics is a closed book to most of us.
to change facts or figures dishonestly or illegally His accountant had been cooking the books for years.
used to say that you should not form an opinion about someone or something from their appearance only
every available method, whether it is honest or not He'll use every trick in the book to keep you from winning.
the record of great achievements in history She has earned her place in the history books.
used when you are giving your opinion That's cheating in my book.
(to be) on an organization's list, for example of people who are available for a particular type of work We have very few nurses on our books at the moment. Most of the houses on our books are north of the city.
contained in a book of laws or records Many discriminatory laws are still on the books. He’s got the longest pitching career on the books.
if you describe someone or their life as an open book, you mean that you can easily understand them and know everything about them
to understand easily what someone is thinking or feeling
to copy someone's behavior and do things in the same way that they do, because they are successful synonym emulate
to punish someone who has committed an offense as severely as possible “Get this man down to the station and throw the book at him!” yelled Curtis.
Check pronunciation: book