Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

vin|dic|tive /v I nd I kt I v/ ADJ If you say that someone is vindictive , you are critical of them because they deliberately try to upset or cause trouble for someone who they think has done them harm. [DISAPPROVAL ] □  …a vindictive woman desperate for revenge against the man who loved and left her. ●  vin|dic|tive|ness N‑UNCOUNT □  …a dishonest person who is operating completely out of vindictiveness.

vine /va I n/ (vines ) N‑VAR A vine is a plant that grows up or over things, especially one which produces grapes.

vin|egar /v I n I gə ^r / (vinegars ) N‑VAR Vinegar is a sharp-tasting liquid, usually made from sour wine or malt, which is used to make things such as salad dressing.

vin|egary /v I n I gəri/ ADJ If something has a vinegary taste or smell, it tastes or smells of vinegar. □  The salads taste too vinegary.

vine|yard /v I njə ^r d/ (vineyards ) N‑COUNT A vineyard is an area of land where grape vines are grown in order to produce wine. You can also use vineyard to refer to the set of buildings in which the wine is produced.

vin|tage /v I nt I dʒ/ (vintages )

1 N‑COUNT The vintage of a good quality wine is the year and place that it was made before being stored to improve it. You can also use vintage to refer to the wine that was made in a certain year. □  This wine is from one of the two best vintages of the decade in this region.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Vintage wine is good quality wine that has been stored for several years in order to improve its quality. □  If you can buy only one case at auction, it should be vintage port.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] Vintage cars or aeroplanes are old but are admired because they are considered to be the best of their kind. □  The museum will have a permanent exhibition of 60 vintage cars.

4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use vintage to describe something which is the best and most typical of its kind. □  This is vintage comedy at its best.

vint|ner /v I ntnə ^r / (vintners )

1 N‑COUNT A vintner is someone whose job is to buy and sell wine. [FORMAL ]

2 N‑COUNT A vintner is someone who grows grapes and makes wine. [FORMAL ]

vi|nyl /va I n I l/ (vinyls )

1 N‑VAR [oft N n] Vinyl is a strong plastic used for making things such as floor coverings and furniture. □  …a modern vinyl floor covering. □  …a reclining chair upholstered in shiny blue vinyl.

2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft on N ] You can use vinyl to refer to records, especially in contrast to cassettes or compact discs. □  The shop sold 20% of its music on vinyl.

viol /va I əl/ (viols ) N‑VAR Viols are a family of musical instruments that are made of wood and have six strings. You play the viol with a bow while sitting down.

vio|la /vioʊ lə/ (violas ) N‑VAR A viola is a musical instrument with four strings that is played with a bow. It is like a violin, but is slightly larger and can play lower notes.

vio|late ◆◇◇ /va I əle I t/ (violates , violating , violated )

1 VERB If someone violates an agreement, law, or promise, they break it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] They went to prison because they violated the law. ●  vio|la|tion /va I əle I ʃ ^ə n/ (violations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] To deprive the boy of his education is a violation of state law. □ [+ of ] He was in violation of his contract. ●  vio|la|tor (violators ) N‑COUNT □ [+ of ] …a government which is a known violator of human rights.

2 VERB If you violate someone's privacy or peace, you disturb it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] These men were violating her family's privacy.

3 VERB If someone violates a special place, for example a grave, they damage it or treat it with disrespect. □ [V n] Detectives are still searching for those who violated the graveyard. ●  vio|la|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The violation of the graves is not the first such incident. SYNONYMS violate VERB 1