2 VERB If you adhere to an opinion or belief, you support or hold it. □ [V + to ] If you can't adhere to my values, then you have to find another place to live.
3 VERB If something adheres to something else, it sticks firmly to it. □ [V + to ] Small particles adhere to the seed. □ [V adv/prep] This sticky compound adheres well on this surface. [Also V ]
ad|her|ence /ædh I ə rəns/ N‑UNCOUNT Adherence is the fact of adhering to a particular rule, agreement, or belief. □ [+ to ] …strict adherence to the constitution.
ad|her|ent /ædh I ə rənt/ (adherents ) N‑COUNT An adherent is someone who holds a particular belief or supports a particular person or group. □ This idea is gaining adherents.
ad|he|sion /ædhiː ʒ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Adhesion is the ability of one thing to stick firmly to another. [FORMAL ] □ Better driving equipment will improve track adhesion in slippery conditions.
ad|he|sive /ædhiː s I v/ (adhesives )
1 N‑VAR An adhesive is a substance such as glue, which is used to make things stick firmly together. □ Glue the mirror in with a strong adhesive.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An adhesive substance is able to stick firmly to something else. □ …adhesive tape.
ad hoc /æ d hɒ k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An ad hoc activity or organization is done or formed only because a situation has made it necessary and is not planned in advance. □ The Council meets on an ad hoc basis to discuss problems.
adieu /ədjuː / (adieus ) CONVENTION Adieu means the same as goodbye . [LITERARY , OLD-FASHIONED ]
ad in|fi|ni|tum /æ d I nf I na I təm/ ADV [ADV after v] If something happens ad infinitum , it is repeated again and again in the same way. □ This cycle repeats itself ad infinitum.
adj. Adj. is a written abbreviation for adjective .
ad|ja|cent /ədʒe I s ə nt/ ADJ If one thing is adjacent to another, the two things are next to each other. □ He sat in an adjacent room and waited. □ [+ to ] …offices adjacent to the museum.
ad|jec|ti|val /æ dʒ I kta I v ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Adjectival means relating to adjectives or like an adjective. □ …an adjectival phrase.
ad|jec|tive /æ dʒ I kt I v/ (adjectives ) N‑COUNT An adjective is a word such as 'big', 'dead', or 'financial' that describes a person or thing, or gives extra information about them. Adjectives usually come before nouns or after link verbs.
a d|jec|tive group (adjective groups ) N‑COUNT An adjective group or adjectival group is a group of words based on an adjective, such as 'very nice' or 'interested in football'. An adjective group can also consist simply of an adjective.
ad|join /ədʒɔ I n/ (adjoins , adjoining , adjoined ) VERB If one room, place, or object adjoins another, they are next to each other. [FORMAL ]
ad|journ /ədʒɜː r n/ (adjourns , adjourning , adjourned ) VERB If a meeting or trial is adjourned or if it adjourns , it is stopped for a short time. □ [be V -ed] The proceedings have now been adjourned until next week. □ [V ] I am afraid the court may not adjourn until three or even later.
ad|journ|ment /ədʒɜː r nmənt/ (adjournments ) N‑COUNT An adjournment is a temporary stopping of a trial, enquiry, or other meeting. □ The court ordered a four month adjournment.
ad|judge /ədʒʌ dʒ/ (adjudges , adjudging , adjudged ) VERB [usu passive] If someone is adjudged to be something, they are judged or considered to be that thing. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed to-inf] He was adjudged to be guilty. □ [be V -ed n] He was adjudged the winner by 54 votes to 3.
ad|ju|di|cate /ədʒuː d I ke I t/ (adjudicates , adjudicating , adjudicated ) VERB If you adjudicate on a dispute or problem, you make an official judgment or decision about it. [FORMAL ] □ [V prep] …a commissioner to adjudicate on legal rights. □ [V n] The international court of justice might be a suitable place to adjudicate claims. [Also V ] ● ad|ju|di|ca|tion /ədʒuː d I ke I ʃ ə n/ (adjudications ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …unbiased adjudication of cases of unfair dismissal. ● ad|ju|di|ca|tor /ədʒuː d I ke I tə r / (adjudicators ) N‑COUNT □ …an independent adjudicator.
ad|junct /æ dʒʌŋkt/ (adjuncts )
1 N‑COUNT Something that is an adjunct to something larger or more important is connected with it or helps to perform the same task. □ [+ to ] Physical therapy is an important adjunct to drug treatments. [Also + of ]
2 N‑COUNT In grammar, an adjunct is a word or group of words which indicates the circumstances of an action, event, or situation. An adjunct is usually a prepositional phrase or an adverb group.
ad|just ◆◇◇ /ədʒʌ st/ (adjusts , adjusting , adjusted )
1 VERB When you adjust to a new situation, you get used to it by changing your behaviour or your ideas. □ [V n + to ] We have been preparing our fighters to adjust themselves to civil society. □ [V + to ] I felt I had adjusted to the idea of being a mother very well. □ [V ] It has been hard to adjust but now I'm getting satisfaction from my work. [Also V adv]