apologize apologizes, apologizing, apologized; also spelt apologise

      VERB When you apologize to someone, you say you are sorry for something you have said or done.

      apology NOUN

      apostrophe apostrophes

      NOUN 1 a punctuation mark (‘) used to show that one or more letters have been missed out of a word, for example he’s for he is

      2 Apostrophes are also used with -s at the end of a noun to show that what follows belongs to or relates to the noun. If the noun already has an -s at the end, for example because it is plural, the apostrophe comes after the s. For example, my brother’s books (one brother), my brothers’ books (more than one brother).

      apparatus

      NOUN the equipment used for a particular task • The firefighters wore breathing apparatus.

      apparent

      ADJECTIVE 1 An apparent situation seems to exist, although you cannot be certain of it.

      2 clear and obvious • It was apparent they would get on well together.

      apparently ADVERB

      appeal appeals, appealing, appealed

      VERB 1 If you appeal for something, you make an urgent request for it. • The police appealed for witnesses to come forward.

      2 If something or someone appeals to you, you find them attractive or interesting.

      NOUN 3 a formal or serious request • an appeal for funds to help people in need

      appear appears, appearing, appeared

      VERB 1 When something appears, it moves from somewhere you could not see to somewhere you can see it. • The sun appeared from behind the clouds.

      2 If something appears to be a certain way, it seems or looks that way.

      appearance appearances

      NOUN 1 Someone’s or something’s appearance is the way they look to other people.

      2 If a person makes an appearance in a film or a show, they take part in it.

      3 The appearance of something is the time it begins to exist.

      appendicitis

      NOUN a painful illness in which a person’s appendix becomes infected

      appendix appendices or appendixes

      NOUN 1 Your appendix is a small, closed tube forming part of your digestive system.

      2 extra information that comes at the end of a book

       When appendix means the body part, the plural is appendixes. When it means the part of a book, the plural is appendices.

      appetite appetites

      NOUN a desire to eat

      [from Latin appetere meaning to desire]

      appetizing

      ADJECTIVE When food is appetizing, it looks or smells good and you want to eat it.

      applause

      NOUN the sound of people clapping to show their enjoyment or approval of something

      apple apples

      NOUN a round fruit with smooth skin and firm white flesh

      appliance appliances

      NOUN any machine in your home that you use to do a job like cleaning or cooking. For example, a toaster is a kitchen appliance.

      application applications

      NOUN If you make an application for something, you make a formal request, usually in writing.

      apply applies, applying, applied

      VERB 1 If you apply for something, you ask for it formally, usually by writing a letter. • My brother is applying for jobs.

      2 If you apply something to a surface, you put it on or rub it into the surface. • She applied sun cream to her face.

      3 If you apply yourself to a task, you give it all of your attention.

      appoint appoints, appointing, appointed

      VERB If a person appoints someone to a job or position, they formally choose them for it. • The teacher appointed Sunita as team captain.

      appointment appointments

      NOUN an arrangement you have with someone to meet them

      appreciate appreciates, appreciating, appreciated

      VERB If you appreciate something that someone has done for you, you are grateful to them for it.

      apprehensive

      ADJECTIVE If you are apprehensive about something, you feel worried and unsure about it.

      apprentice apprentices

      NOUN someone who works with another person for a length of time to learn that person’s job or skill

      approach approaches, approaching, approached

      VERB If you approach something, you come near or nearer to it.

      appropriate

      ADJECTIVE suitable or acceptable for a particular situation

      approval

      NOUN If you ask for approval for something that you want to do, you ask for agreement with your plans.

      approve approves, approving, approved

      VERB 1 If you approve of something or someone, you think they are acceptable or good.

      SYNONYMS: favour, like

      2 If someone approves a plan or idea, they agree to it. • The council approved plans for the new swimming pool.

      SYNONYMS: agree to, permit

      approximate

      ADJECTIVE near but not exactly right • What was the approximate time you arrived?

      apricot apricots

      NOUN a small, soft, yellowish-orange fruit

      April

      NOUN the fourth month of the year. April has 30 days.

      apron aprons

      NOUN a piece of clothing worn over the front of normal clothing to protect it

      aquarium aquaria or aquariums

      NOUN a glass tank filled with water in which fish and other aquatic