Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

Am.Am. is a written abbreviation for American .

a.m. /e I e m/ also am a.m. is used after a number to show that you are referring to a particular time between midnight and noon. Compare p.m. □  The program starts at 9 a.m.

amalgam /əmæ lgəm/ (amalgams ) N‑COUNT Something that is an amalgam of two or more things is a mixture of them.

amal|gam|ate /əmæ lgəme I t/ (amalgamates , amalgamating , amalgamated ) VERB When two or more things, especially organizations, amalgamate or are amalgamated , they become one large thing. □ [V + with ] The firm has amalgamated with an American company. □ [V + into ] The chemical companies had amalgamated into a vast conglomerate. □ [V n + with ] The Visitors' Centre amalgamates the traditions of the Old World with the technology of the New. [Also V pl-n] [Also V n + into ] ●  amal|gama|tion /əmæ lgəme I ʃ ^ə n/ (amalgamations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] The governing body was created from an amalgamation of three organizations.

amass /əmæ s/ (amasses , amassing , amassed ) VERB If you amass something such as money or information, you gradually get a lot of it. □ [V n] How had he amassed his fortune?

ama|teur ◆◇◇ /æ mətə ^r , [AM ] -tʃɜːr/ (amateurs )

1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] An amateur is someone who does something as a hobby and not as a job. □  Jerry is an amateur who dances because he feels like it.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Amateur sports or activities are done by people as a hobby and not as a job. □  …the local amateur dramatics society.

ama|teur|ish /æ mətər I ʃ, [AM ] -tʃɜːr I ʃ/ ADJ If you describe something as amateurish , you think that it is not skilfully made or done. [DISAPPROVAL ] □  The paintings looked very amateurish.

ama|teur|ism /æ mətər I zəm, [AM ] -tʃɜːr-/ N‑UNCOUNT Amateurism is the belief that people should take part in sports and other activities as a hobby, for pleasure, rather than as a job, for money. □  Graham is a staunch supporter of amateurism.

amaze /əme I z/ (amazes , amazing , amazed ) VERB If something amazes you, it surprises you very much. □ [V n] He amazed us by his knowledge of Welsh history. □ [V ] The Riverside Restaurant promises a variety of food that never ceases to amaze! [Also it V n that/wh] ●  amazed ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] □ [+ by ] He said most of the cast was amazed by the play's success.

amaze|ment /əme I zmənt/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft in N ] Amazement is the feeling you have when something surprises you very much. □  I stared at her in amazement.

amaz|ing ◆◇◇ /əme I z I ŋ/ ADJ You say that something is amazing when it is very surprising and makes you feel pleasure, approval, or wonder. □  It's amazing what we can remember with a little prompting. ●  amaz|ing|ly ADV □  She was an amazingly good cook. SYNONYMS amazing ADJ

astonishing:…an astonishing display of physical strength.

surprising:A surprising number of customers order the same sandwich every day.

astounding:The results are quite astounding.

breathtaking:The house has breathtaking views from every room.

Ama|zon /æ məzən/ (Amazons )

1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] In Greek mythology, the Amazons were a tribe of women who were very good at fighting.

2 N‑COUNT People sometimes refer to a tall, strong woman as an Amazon .

Ama|zo|nian /æ məzoʊ niən/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Amazonian means related to the area around the river Amazon. □  …the Amazonian rainforest.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] People sometimes describe a tall, strong woman as Amazonian . □  …an Amazonian blonde.

3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Amazonian means belonging to or connected with the Amazons in Greek mythology. □  …Amazonian queens.