Advanced English (2) • NOUNS • 'C'

noun [C ] C2 • synonyms: predator, meat-eater • obligate/facultative carnivore; corporate carnivore; apex carnivore • freq in AmE: 6/10

an animal that feeds primarily or exclusively on the flesh of other animals; also used metaphorically for people or systems that are aggressively competitive or predatory

noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: suppression, control, restriction • media/art/self-censorship; strict/state/imposed censorship • freq in AmE: 7/10

the suppression or control of speech, writing, or other forms of expression that are considered objectionable, harmful, or inconvenient by authorities or institutions

noun [C usually plural ] C1 • cobble = kamień; cobblestone = brukowiec • cobblestone street/path; loose cobble; river cobble • freq in AmE: cobble 4/10, cobblestone 5/10

a naturally rounded stone used for paving streets, paths, or courtyards; “cobble” is the more general term, while “cobblestone” often refers to the finished paving material or the aesthetic/historic context

noun [U ] C2 formal • synonyms: sympathy, condolence, compassion • offer/send/accept commiserations; heartfelt/deepest commiseration • freq in AmE: 3/10

sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others; an expression of pity or compassion

noun [C ] C1 (also con man, con woman); (UK also confidence trickster) • synonyms: swindler, trickster, scammer • charming/ruthless con artist; pose as/expose/outsmart con artist • freq in AmE: 7/10

a person who deceives others by gaining their trust and then cheating them, often through clever manipulation or charm; metaphorically, someone who fabricates or performs with persuasive dishonesty

noun [U ] C2 • synonyms: imprisonment, isolation, restriction • solitary confinement; emotional/social confinement; break free from confinement • freq in AmE: 6/10

the state of being restricted or kept within limits, especially being kept in a place like prison, a room, or within boundaries; metaphorically, a sense of emotional, social, or psychological limitation

noun [C or U ] C2 • synonyms: spiritual shift, religious change, awakening • conversion to something (Christianity/Islam/Buddhism); undergo a conversion; religious/spiritual/personal conversion • freq in AmE: 5/10

the act or process of adopting a new religion or spiritual belief, often involving a personal transformation, commitment, or formal ritual

noun [C or U ] C1 ethical/philosophical • synonyms: belief, certainty, principle • conviction about something; speak/act with conviction; deep/personal/moral conviction; conviction-driven decisions • freq in AmE: 7/10

a firmly held belief or opinion, often rooted in moral, philosophical, or personal values; a sense of certainty or inner assurance about what is right, true, or important

collocation with conviction noun [C, U ] C1 ethical/philosophical • synonyms: belief, principle, stance • personal conviction about something; act/speak/stand from personal conviction; strong/deep/unshaken personal conviction • freq in AmE: 6/10

a deeply held belief or principle that guides an individual’s thoughts, decisions, or actions — often rooted in moral, ethical, religious, or philosophical values

noun [C ] C1 legal/criminal • synonyms: sentence, judgment, finding of guilt • criminal/prior/felony conviction; conviction for theft/fraud; overturn a conviction; conviction record/history • freq in AmE: 7/10

a formal declaration by a court that someone is guilty of a criminal offense; the outcome of a legal process resulting in a finding of guilt

noun [C ] C2 formal • synonyms: body, remains, carcass • find/examine a corpse; the corpse of someone; buried/decaying corpse; human corpse • freq in AmE: 5/10

a dead body, especially of a human being

noun [C ] C2 psychology / everyday language • synonyms: desire, longing, urge • have a craving for something; satisfy/resist a craving; strong/sudden craving; food/sugar/nicotine craving • freq in AmE: 7/10

a very strong desire for something, especially food or a specific experience

collocation with craving noun [C ] C2 informal / psychology • synonyms: long for, desire, want badly • have a craving for food/sweets/adventure/attention; suddenly/really have a craving for something • freq in AmE: 7/10

to feel a very strong desire or longing for something, especially food or a specific experience

noun [C ] C2 literal/metaphorical • synonyms: wrongdoer, cause, offender • the real culprit; main culprit; digital culprit; culprit behind sth • freq in AmE: 7/10

a person or thing responsible for a fault, crime, or problem; used both in legal contexts and informal speech to identify the cause of something negative