term

/tɜːm/
noun 7verb 3adj 1

Collocations

66
1

(noun.) word or group of words

ADJ

specific | blanket, broad, general, generic | clear, precise | vague | ambiguous

strong

My teacher praised my essay in the strongest terms I had ever received.

mild | colloquial, slang

pejorative

In some countries, calling someone "lazy" is considered a pejorative term.

technical | clinical, legal, medical, musical, etc.

VERB + TERM

use | be couched in | define, explain

coin

Scientists coined the term "global warming" to describe rising temperatures on Earth.

TERM + VERB

connote sth, denote sth, describe sth, mean sth

apply to sth, be applied to sth, cover sth, refer to sth

The word "sustainability" refers to using natural resources without damaging the environment.

PREP

~ for

The word "app" is a short term for application software.

~ of

My grandmother always used terms of affection when she spoke to her grandchildren.

PHRASES

in glowing terms

My teacher described my progress in glowing terms during the parent-teacher meeting.

in no uncertain terms

The coach told the players in no uncertain terms that their performance was unacceptable.

in simple terms 2 in terms

ADJ

absolute, material, practical, real

Wages have risen in real terms, but workers still struggle with rising costs.

relative

The new phone is expensive, but in relative terms it costs less than last year's model.

broad, general | concrete | abstract | international

cultural, economic, financial, money, political, social, etc.

The company's decision was unpopular in political terms, even though it made financial sense.

terms

ADJ

favourable, unfavourable

express

She made her wishes very clear by expressing specific terms for the agreement.

implied | contract, credit, peace

VERB + TERM

dictate, negotiate, set

The company negotiated better payment terms with its suppliers last month.

agree on

PREP

under the ~s of

According to the employment contract, under the terms of your agreement you must give two weeks' notice before leaving.

PHRASES

on amicable/friendly/good terms

My parents divorced years ago, but they've remained on friendly terms for the sake of us kids.

on equal terms

After years of experience, she finally negotiated with her boss on equal terms.

on familiar/first-name terms

After working together for five years, the two managers are now on familiar terms.

on speaking terms

My parents are finally on speaking terms again after their argument last month.

terms and conditions

Before signing up for the credit card, she carefully read all the terms and conditions.

4

(noun.) period of a school/university year

ADJ

college, school, university | autumn, spring, etc. | teaching

PREP

during (the) ~

The school library stays open late during term to help students with their coursework.

in the ~

The school organized a special art project in the spring term.

PHRASES

the beginning/end of term

The students felt excited when the beginning of term arrived after their long summer holiday.

5

(noun.) period of time

ADJ

long, short

She decided to commit to a short term contract with the company before making any long-term decisions.

full

The contract was extended to full term, so the agreement will last another two years.

fixed

My apartment lease requires a fixed term of two years before I can leave.

jail, prison | presidential

VERB + TERM

serve

After graduating, she served a two-year term as a volunteer teacher in a rural village.

TERM + VERB

expire, run out

PREP

at ~

The pregnancy progressed normally and the baby arrived at term without any complications.

PHRASES

in the long/medium/short term

These changes might cause problems in the short term, but they'll benefit us later.

a term of imprisonment, a term of office

The judge sentenced him to a five-year term of imprisonment for the crime.

a term of years

My parents agreed to rent the apartment for a term of years before deciding whether to buy.

4

(verb.)

ADV

aptly | accurately | broadly, loosely | commonly, generally

variously

People variously term this dance style hip-hop, rap, or street dancing depending on the region.

euphemistically

PREP

as

The situation was termed as a temporary setback by the company's management team.

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