Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

al|to|geth|er ◆◇◇ /ɔː ltəge ðə ^r /

1 ADV [ADV after v] You use altogether to emphasize that something has stopped, been done, or finished completely. [EMPHASIS ] □  When Artie stopped calling altogether, Julie found a new man. □  His tour may have to be cancelled altogether.

2 ADV [ADV adj/adv] You use altogether in front of an adjective or adverb to emphasize a quality that someone or something has. [EMPHASIS ] □  The choice of language is altogether different. □  Today's celebrations have been altogether more sedate.

3 ADV [with neg] You use altogether to modify a negative statement and make it less forceful. □  We were not altogether sure that the comet would miss the Earth.

4 ADV You can use altogether to introduce a summary of what you have been saying. □  Altogether, it was a delightful town garden, peaceful and secluded.

5 ADV If several amounts add up to a particular amount altogether , that amount is their total. □  Britain has a total of five thousand military personnel in the area altogether.

alt-right /ɔː ltra I t/ N‑SING [oft N n] The alt-right refers to a group of people with extreme right-wing views, including extreme views on race, who use the internet rather than traditional politics to organize and to share opinions. □  …alt-right websites.

al|tru|ism /æ ltru I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Altruism is unselfish concern for other people's happiness and welfare.

al|tru|is|tic /æ ltru I st I k/ ADJ If your behaviour or motives are altruistic , you show concern for the happiness and welfare of other people rather than for yourself.

alu|min|ium /æ ljʊm I niəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Aluminium is a lightweight metal used, for example, for making cooking equipment and aircraft parts. [BRIT ] □  …aluminium cans. in AM, use aluminum

alu|mi|num /əluː m I nəm/ → see aluminium

alum|nus /əlʌ mnəs/ (alumni /əlʌ mna I /) N‑COUNT The alumni of a school, college, or university are the people who used to be students there. [AM ]

al|ways ◆◆◆ /ɔː lwe I z/

1 ADV [ADV before v] If you always do something, you do it whenever a particular situation occurs. If you always did something, you did it whenever a particular situation occurred. □  Whenever I get into a relationship, I always fall madly in love. □  She's always late for everything. □  We've always done it this way. □  Always lock your garage.

2 ADV [ADV before v] If something is always the case, was always the case, or will always be the case, it is, was, or will be the case all the time, continuously. □  We will always remember his generous hospitality. □  He was always cheerful.

3 ADV If you say that something is always happening, especially something which annoys you, you mean that it happens repeatedly. □  She was always moving things around.

4 ADV You use always in expressions such as can always or could always when you are making suggestions or suggesting an alternative approach or method. □  If you can't find any decent apples, you can always try growing them yourself.

5 ADV [ADV before v] You can say that someone always was, for example, awkward or lucky to indicate that you are not surprised about what they are doing or have just done. □  She's going to be fine. She always was pretty strong.

Alzheimer's dis|ease /æ ltsha I mə ^r z d I ziːz/ or Alzheimer's N‑UNCOUNT Alzheimer's disease is a condition in which a person's brain gradually stops working properly.

am /əm, STRONG æm/ Am is the first person singular of the present tense of be . Am is often shortened to 'm in spoken English. The negative forms are 'I am not' and 'I'm not'. In questions and tags in spoken English, these are usually changed to 'aren't I'.

AM /e I e m/ (AMs )

1AM is a method of transmitting radio waves that can be used to broadcast sound. AM is an abbreviation for 'amplitude modulation'.

2 N‑COUNT An AM is a member of the Welsh Assembly. AM is an abbreviation for 'assembly member'.